Commemorative

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

‘The war’s over!’

Those words, shouted in Irsha Street, Appledore, a couple of minutes after the Prime Minister had announced the good news on Tuesday, were typical of the jubilation – and relief – that was felt in Appledore and indeed all over the country. Those who heard the announcement soon woke those who had not – windows were pushed up and the news shouted to each other, etc. – and in an abnormally short time Appledore was ‘alive’.

The St Mary’s Church bells were probably the first in the district to ring – only several minutes after the Prime Minister’s news – and their victory message carried all over the town. They also range during the day.

Processions were formed and marched around Appledore, laughing and singing, and fireworks were set off by the dozen. Crowds of people gathered around a big bonfire lit on the Quay, and although it was such a late hour and pouring with rain, they found an outlet for their excitement by singing songs.

On Wednesday, Appledorians all were busily putting up flags, bunting, etc., a special ‘masterpiece’ being the archway of foliage, etc., lit by lights, erected in Irsha Street.

In the evening, fairly lights, dancing, bonfires, flares, rockets and fireworks were to be seen everywhere. A united service of thanksgiving was held at St Mary’s Church on Wednesday evening, conducted by Mr A C Saunders, Lay Reader (in the unavoidable absence of the Vicar of Appledore Rev H C A S Muller), assisted by the Rev A R Richards (Seamens Mission). The Revs R W Mould and B Hardy were also unavoidably absent.

A service was held in the Congregational Church on Thursday evening, conducted by Free Church ministers.

Thursday was indeed a red letter day for Appledore children and youths. A full programme from 10.30am to 11.30pm was organised by Mr S V Ford (headmaster of the Council School) assisted by an excellent committee of workers including Capt L A Ford (of Sir W R Smith and Sons of Cardiff), Capt A E Ford (Ministry of War Transport), Mr J T Payne (headmaster Sidmouth School) and Councillor H Ford. A trip on an LCT in the morning arranged through the good offices of Commander Ommanney, proved most popular and enjoyable. Over 900 including grown ups shared in the pleasure – Marines provide music and there was dancing in the well deck.

The afternoon programme was deleted owing to unfavourable weather conditions but a welcome break in the clouds gave the organiser encouragement and it was decided to carry on and the evening proved bright and clear.

Tea for all school children – visiting children and youths was provided at the Appledore Senior Council School and the Church Junior School.

The Council School tea was arranged y Mrs S V Ford and a willing band of helpers, the Council Infants by Miss F E Parkhouse and her helpers and at the Church School by Mrs T G Parson who deputised for the headmaster Mr T G Parsons.

After tea sports for all were enjoyed in a field kindly loaned by Mr Hillman and the Hon Denys Scott. A well laid out course was marked off and fenced in and a very large crowd witnessed the keen competition of the events. The juniors in particular showed exceptional interest. Special events were run for visiting children. Swings were provided for the use of the little ones. Rope, etc. the property of Sir W R Smith & Sons was put at the Committee’s disposal by Capt L Ford. The officers for the events were: Capt A Ford; Mr Smith; Messrs G Slade, J Beara and P Reed; Mr J T Payne; Capt R Slade; Mr G Raymond; Marine Farnell; Councillor Green and Rev R W Mould.

At 8pm the party adjourned to the Park, which had impromptu lighting, for dancing and firework display. A very large crowd assembled and merrymaking was indulged in until 11.30pm, when the singing of the National Anthem brought a memorable celebration to a close. A radio van was in attendance all day.

‘Point’ continued its celebrations on Friday with a street tea in the afternoon and a dance in the same street in the evening. There was also music by loud speaker at West Appledore.

Gazette article dated 21 August 1945

Rest of the North Devon News

Life continues...

Bideford Toc H – In the Toc H Room, Honestone Street, on VE-Day a short address of thanksgiving was conducted at 9pm by Padre F Hobbs. On Ascension Day there was a large attendance by members at 9pm when Padre Hobbs gave a short address, which was followed by the Ceremony of Light. Ascension Day is a day of obligation for all members of Toc H, and it is a day of corporate communion. Many members attended communion in St Mary’s and St Peter’s Churches.

Holsworthy UDC – The annual meeting of Holsworthy Urban Council was held recently, when Mr T Kivell was elected chairman and Mrs E W Manley vice-chairman. A plan for the proposed lay-out of building sites in Kingswood Meadow, submitted by Mr Stacey, was approved. Plans were also approved for a new bakery and other buildings in White Hart Croft submitted by Mr R Headon. Mr Hooper suggested that the POW camp would be ideal for one of the light industries under the Minister’s allocation of post-war industry.

Bideford Rotary Club, with Mr H Blackmore as organiser, are working a rota with car owners who are cooperating with the Exeter Rotary Club in bringing home without delay returning prisoners of war and men on leave from the BLA, who became stranded at Exeter after the last North Devon train has left for the day. Petrol coupons are granted for the purpose, but the cost is met by the Club and other friends. Up to 200 miles a night has been travelled by an individual rota driver to meet the need, which has been greatly appreciated.

Bideford Home Guard Band, under Bandmaster Headon, continues its round of service, and especially during Victory Week celebrations. On VE-Day, the Band gave its services from 10am to 1.15pm and from 6 to 8.30pm and enlivened the proceedings at East-the-Water. They also visited Combe Martin during the week. At the Bideford thanksgiving parade they combined with the Bideford Town Band successfully, and with the brighter days ahead it is hoped both bands will go from harmony to greater harmony, to the greater joy of Bideford’s public, who are always most appreciative of their efforts.

Petty-Officer Card, husband of Mrs Card, who has been manageress at Bromley’s Café in his four years’ absence as a prisoner-of-war first in Italy and later in Germany, is back again, looking fit. As far as he was concerned, he says the Germans observed the Geneva Convention correctly, but even so when the tables were turned, they could not resist playful physical assistance to the Germans they passed marching into the captivity they had at last been freed from. Carefully concealed wireless sets kept them right up to date with Allied triumphs, which were a great encouragement.

‘When I Danced the Polka, da-da-dada-da da’ …. who could resist it? The sun was shining into New Street on Wednesday with all the joy of victory and the brightness of friendliness, and the children, the maidens, and grown-ups, with the shy at first interspersal of the Forces, combined in a ‘Merry England’ scene that had everything but the setting. All the flags of Bideford seemed to be clustered in the narrow street which on every great national occasion has reflected the spirit of the movement in unquenched style. Bravo, New Street, and the men and girls of the thoroughfare away serving!

Mr C W M Turner, Bideford, brought the roan heifer dairy shorthorn calf, Brockhill Darlington 3rd, calved in March 1945, for 200 guineas at Sir George Leon’s herd sale. The dam of this calf had realised 750 guineas a few moments before.

Weare Giffard – The monthly meeting of the Women’s Institute was held at the Hall on Thursday May 10th. The vice-president, Miss Bird, was in the chair. The speaker was that much travelled lady, Miss Dawson, who gave a most interesting talk about her experiences as governess in the Indian home of a Rajan’s family. The social half hour was spent by members discussing ‘What I’d like in my home after the war’. The competition for the best arranged jar of wild flowers was won by Mrs L Trathen. The tea hostess was Mrs E Beer. The next meeting will be held in the garden of the Hall on Wednesday June 13th.

Frithelstock – Thanksgiving services were held in the Parish Church and the Baptist Chapel on VE-Day and were continued on Sunday May 13th. The Rev J Williams took the services at the Parish Church while the Rev F W Gubbins officiated at the Chapel. The collections taken at the Parish Church were given to the Christian reconstruction work in Europe. At the Baptist Chapel on the same Sunday the Home Guard and Special Constables attended the service. The Vicar and Mrs Williams received news at the weekend that they son John, who has been a POW in Germany for the last 15 months, is now in England and is at a hospital in Hereford. He hopes to be able to come home soon.

Shamwickshire took full part in the Victory celebrations, culminating on Saturday evening, May 12th, in a largely-attended open air dance in the open space at the end of the Bridge opposite the Royal Hotel. Here to dance strains from the loudspeaker van, young and old joined joyously in the light fantastic while crowds more looked on, sang and mentally relaxed. About 11pm a sharp downpour of rain broke up the happy medley. Passing traffic was good-temperedly let through, while the Police, in true London style, good naturedly humoured the public rejoicing. A large bonfire in the neighbourhood of Avon Road, which roasted a dejected effigy of Adolf Hitler, brightened the whole of Bideford, and was reflected in the Torridge – almost. This followed an alfresco tea for the children of Avon Road and district. Dancing in the street continued to a late hour.

The Flag Day for the Sailors’ Rest Appledore, on May 5th, resulted as follows:

Northam – Mrs Hyne, 12s 6½d; Mrs Cos, 17s 4d; Miss Simon, £1 2s 3d; Mrs Finnie, £1 3s 9d; Mrs Harvey, £1 6s 7½d; Mrs Buse, £1 15s 3d; Mr Richards, £2 6s 3d; total £9 4s. Appledore – Mesdames Campfield, Bennett and Griffiths, £2 4s 6½d; Gordon Taylor, £1 14s 3½d; Mrs J Bennett, 22s 5½d; Miss V Slade, £1 9s 1½d; Mrs Clear, 19s 7½d; total £6 18s 11d. Westward Ho! – Mrs Adamson – 10s 9d; Miss P Gayton, 11s 4d; Miss Feist, £1 11s 4½d; Mrs Heath, 9s 5d; Mrs Hearn, 14s 7½d; Mrs Harris, £1 17s 6d; total £5 15s. The combined amounts came to £21 17s 11½d. To Miss Davis (Northam), Mrs Tarrant (Westward Ho!) and all the ladies who collected, the Sailors’ Rest expresses its appreciated for collecting under adverse weather conditions.