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.

‘Your Kindness and Hospitality’

On the village green at Woolsery, in front of the church, stands a handsome new oak seat. This seat is to be inscribed ‘This seat was given by the children evacuated from the blitzed areas to the people of Woolsery in appreciated of their kindness and hospitality 1940-45’

With the sunshine smiling down and in the presence of a delightful rural community gathering, the seat was unveiled and dedicated by the Dean Rural, Preb, I L Gregory (Vicar of Hartland).

‘This is a unique occasion for Woolsery’ said Mr C B Griffiths (headmaster of Woolsery School and Parish Billeting Officer), opening the proceedings after introductory prayers. He conveyed apologies for absence from Messrs J C Hilton, C T Braddick, and the Rev E L Lewis.

Looking back, he thought they had been very fortunate in the children they had had evacuated to them. It had been a great experience for each of them, and when the evacuees were young men and women it was hoped they would return to Devon, to Woolsery, and revisit their foster parents.

Some time ago the evacuees had raised money to provide an oak seat and cherry trees for the people of Woolsery. The trees had been ordered, the oak seat was complete, and it was a work of art, done by a local craftsman, Mr W E Brent. Mr Griffiths, on behalf of the evacuated children, then presented the seat to the Parish of Woolsery, asking the Parish Council to accept it.

Mr W H Harding, Chairman of the Parish Council, accepted on that body’s behalf, and welcomed the very fine gesture. On behalf of the evacuees taking refuge in the parish during the last five years, Mrs Clutterbuck thanked the people of Woolsery for the great, kindly service they had rendered.

On behalf of the Rural District Evacuation Authority, Mrs I E Halford associated herself with the expressions of goodwill. To conclude the open-air ceremony, the school children, including a number of evacuees, sang national songs of the Allies, Mr Griffiths being at the piano. The VE tea followed.

Mrs Piper, canteen cook, assisted by members of the School Fund Committee and WVS supervised, and Mrs John Andrew, who is a school manager, was convener for the public tea.

Full Gazette article dated 19 June 1945

Evacuees Homeward Bound

Some Tears At Parting

Tears at leaving their wartime home – and joy at once more returning to their own homes – were mingled on crowded Bideford station at 9.5am on Tuesday morning.

Young and old were among the party, including the twenty eight elderly ladies who had been staying at Belle View Hotel, Westward Ho! Ex-Mayors helped to trundle the luggage, which varied from ‘prams’ to bicycles, with travelling cased by the dozen, and there was a ‘help your neighbour’ atmosphere. Amid the excitement tinged with sadness, and on a long journey home, how many thoughts went back to those grim days and nights of bombing of 1940-41 and the 1944 flying bombs.

Those returning from Bideford Borough assembled at the Bethel (which was the first Rest Room), by kind permission of the Rev R J Parsons (who was Bideford’s Evacuation Reception Officer at the peak of the evacuation). At the Bethel the Deputy Mayor of Bideford – Ald F E Whiting, - deputising for the Mayor – Ald H W Fulford - who was unavoidably absent addressed them.

Others attending included Cllrs Sharley and J H Bright. VCP cars assisted in bringing evacuees from the outlying districts. The parties, which were of mothers and children, were made up as follows: From Bideford Borough, 82; from Northam Urban District, 74; and from Bideford Rural, 46. Quite a number of evacuees had already gone home. Evacuation officials were present to see the evacuees off, including the Chief Billeting Officials of the districts concerned, and other helpers. Mr Dovell represented the Ministry of Health.

Other parties of evacuees joined the special train at Barnstaple, Ilfracombe and Torrington.

Full Gazette article dated 19 June 1945

Bideford War Memorial

Sir –

I was most interested in London-Bidefordian’s letter in your last issue suggesting that a hall would be a fitting war memorial for Bideford, and wonder whether this idea could be taken further so that we could have a Community Centre which would be a lasting tribute to the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for freedom and would be source of rest, recreation and interest to those who return, together with the community as a whole.

Nance Littlewood, Bridgeland Street, Bideford