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.

Six Bideford ‘Old Boys’ Welcomed Home

Geneva’s Great Greeting

Bideford Senior School Old Scholars’ Association had a special welcome for six Old Boys – J Bowden, H Eastman, J E Evans, F C Mower, S Raymont, and A W Smale – at their Club night on Tuesday, which was specially organised to do them honour and attended by the Mayor and Mayoress (Ald and Mrs J W Fulford). Mr C S F Harding (former headmaster and president of the Association), and Mr J E Down (present headmaster).

Prominent in the hall was a large banner, ‘Welcome Home from BSSOSA’ above a large Union Jack, and the party struck up a cheering note when they arrived and were officially welcomed by the Mayor, who said that was one of his most pleasurable duties.

The full Gazette article is dated 29 May 1945

First VE Forces Show at Strand Cinema

On Sunday, May 13th, the sixty ninth ‘Forces Show’ was given at the Strand Cinema, Bideford, and drew the usual weekly crowd of Forces, being the first show of the VE period and, following the thanksgiving parade, the atmosphere was particularly jubilant.

To mark the occasion the patients of the White House were once again the guests of the evening. Those who could walk reached the theatre in time to see the usual Sunday night queue. Transportation was provide to bring and return those who could not walk. The variety part of the programme was provide by COXE of Westward Ho! with their band ‘The Bunch of Keys’ vocalist members of the ATS and a number of sketches, and the first hour slipped by all too quickly.

It is the custom at all these shows for Mr A E Battrick, the organiser, to thank the artists at the end of the variety session, make known the following week’s programme and deal with any matters of interest to the Forces generally. On this occasion Captain Burton, Administration Officer of COXE was introduced and on behalf of all ranks at COXE presented Mr Battrick with a handsome carved oak tray bearing the Combined Operations badge in silver. In a short speech, Captain Burton said that in organising and keeping these shows going week after week Mr Battrick had contributed immeasurably to the comfort of the Forces in the area, and had made a personal friend of them all. He could not express in words the gratitude they felt.

Replying, Mr Battrick said it was the sincere desire to promote friendship which prompted the original idea of ‘Forces Night’. He had succeeded a hundred-fold and he, himself, had benefitted to the extent of friendship more than anyone. While he deeply appreciated the presentation he felt that it was he should be making one. He could not find words to express his thanks for the way the ‘Forces’ had received and appreciated the efforts made on their behalf. The film which followed was ‘Two Girls and a Sailor’ and gave another two hours enjoyment.

It is understood that ‘Grumiaux’ the famous Belgian violinist, is to give a recital at the next Forces show and will be followed at a later date by Solomon, the world famous pianist. These two great artists are, of course, assured of a most welcome and appreciative reception.

The full Gazette article dated 22 May 1945

Appledorian Sank Doenitz

Mentioned in dispatches

The man who actually sank the submarine U-68, which was Admiral Doenitz’s (Hitler’s successor as Fuehrer) first command, is Mr J A Screech, of 77 Dillwyn Road, Sketty, Swansea, son of Mrs Screech and the late Capt W Screech, of Vernons Lane, Appledore, who has been skipper of the famous Swansea pilot cutter ‘Roger Beck’ for more than 20 years.

Mr Screech served in the Royal Navy during the last war in several large ships including the battleship ‘Revenge’ and the armed merchant cruiser ‘Oceanic’. Later he was posted on defensively equipped merchant vessels and spent eighteen months plying between Salonika and Port Said. It was when he was serving in the Blue Funnel vessel ‘Myrmidon’, 6,278 tons gross, that the encounter with Doenitz occurred. The ‘Myrmidon’ was in convoy east of Malta when the U-boat attacked at 2am, sinking one of the vessels. At 6am she attacked again on the service. Mr Screech, who was in charge of a 12-pounder anti-submarine gun, opened fire on the U-boat as soon as she was sighted, and the submarine was quickly sunk.

Admiral Doenitz and 18 members of his crew were the only survivors. For this distinguished service Mr Screech was mentioned in dispatches.

Gazette article dated 22 May 1945