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.

Shebbear

Pte Robert Mill is at home for a well-earned month’s rest, after four years very active service. He was in the NRDY two years before the outbreak of war, and was told off with the troops sent to the Dardenelles, sharing the troubles of Suvla Bay. From there he went to Egypt, and was linked up with the Palestine Expedition, but has latterly been serving in France.

Writing in the local magazine, the Rev T E Fox, Vicar, says: “There is a custom which you do not find in neighbouring parishes of burying the dead in brick graves. If people thought they would never no anything so silly. The boards on the top rot, then falls the soil, leaving an enormous cavity at the top. Again, the water runs in, and cannot get away, so much that the coffin is in water. We had a case lately, of a man who wished to be buried in his wife’s grave. Not a particle of the body or coffin was to be found, but simply a tank of water. It is a silly custom, and shows no respect for the dead. It is simply done because people will say how stingy they are towards the dead. We have got rid of the custom of not ringing the bells when someone is dead; we are fast abandoning the custom of mourners remaining seated with faces covered with a rag – let us get rid of brick graves like we have artificial wreaths”

Gazette article dated 17 September 1918

World War 1

Motor Car Offences

17.9.1918 offences

At Bideford Borough Sessions yesterday before the Mayor, Mr A R Adams, in the chair, and Messrs J Heywood, G Boyle, J Cock, G W Vincent and T Pollard, Claude Wise, a youth of Westward Ho! and W J Pursey, Westward Ho! for causing petrol to be used contrary to the Petrol Restriction Orders.
PC Philpott spoke to stopping a car belonging to Mr Pursey and driven by Wise, who he asked if he was driving on business or pleasure. He replied that he had been for a dance. Witness afterwards saw Mr Pursey, who said he took the order from Mrs Cecil Smith and did not ask whether it was for business or pleasure - Mr Pursey informed the Bench that he took the order quite innocently, but saw now that he had broken the law. A fine of 3s was imposed and the driver’s license endorsed.
Chas. Bale, Bideford, was summoned under Bideford Towns Police Clauses Act, before Messrs G W Vincent and G Boyle, for putting a car on the Stand for which he had not taken out a hackney carriage license, and pleaded guilty. PS Doidge stated in evidence that defendant had been repeatedly spoken to about the matter but had taken no notice. Fined 6s.

Gazette article dated 17 September 1918

World War 1

Littleham Wedding

Pickard-Heywood

A pretty wedding was solemnized on Sept 11th at the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Littleham, specifically licensed for the occasion, the contracting parties being Mr Percy Pickard of Littlehampton, Sussex (third son of Mr and Mrs W B Pickard, Queen Anne’s, Bideford) and Louisa Matilda Heywood (second daughter of Mr A J Heywood, and the late Mrs Heywood, of Littleham Court).
The officiating minister was the Rev J T Tyreman, Superintendent Minister of the Circuit. The bridesmaid was Miss Elizabeth Heywood and Mr Ralph Pickard, in the absence of his brother, Mr A Pickard, ERA, off active service, acted as ‘best man’.
A reception of immediate friends was held at Littleham Court after the wedding and later in the day the happy couple left for Exeter en route to Littllehampton, Sussex.
The bouquets were supplied by Mr R H Yeo, High Street, Bideford, and the carriages by Messrs R Blackmore and Son.
Gazette article dated 17 September 1918