Names

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 opportunity was taken at the gathering to take an official farewell to Mr W H Short, who relinquished his duties at the end of June. Speeches of appreciation and reminiscence were made by various members of the outdoor and indoor staff, the Mayor also adding his good wishes.

Mr Short, as man and boy, has completed over 46 years in the Post Office service. He commenced his adult employment at Bideford in March 1901 being appointed to the establishment in September 1905. He was promoted Inspector in September 1941.
Mr Short served in the Army during the first Great War from May 1916 to August 1919, seeing service overseas, being demobilised with the rank of Corporal.
For many years he had been the very capable hon. Secretary of the Bideford branch of the British Legion.
Mr Short was handed a cheque by the Head Postmaster to purchase something with which to remind him of the colleagues he had left behind. Mr Short, replying, said it was the parting of the ways at last, and that he could look back on his days with them in the Postal Service without regret. ‘You have been more than loyal – you have been friends’ he declared. There had been comradeship, good feeling, and fellowship which had weathered all storms. As long as memory lingered he would remember them. In reminiscent mood Mr Short recalled incidents in his life’s work. He concluded by thanking them all for their good and kind wishes to his wife and himself.

Mr Hugh Stucley to marry in Guard’s Chapel - 1969

When Mr Hugh Stucley, only son of Sir Dennis and Lady Stucley, of Hartland Abbey, marries Miss Angela Toller, nine of the 10 bridal attendants will be his nephews and nieces – sons and daughters of his four sisters.

The ceremony takes place in the Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks where 24 year old Mr Stucley, heir to the baronetcy, was stationed when a Lieutenant in the Royal Horse Guards. He is now studying farm management in Hampshire preparatory to embarking on a three-year course at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. He will then return to North Devon where Sir Dennis has extensive estates including that at Affeton Castle.
Miss Toller, who is 23 and the elder daughter of Mr and Mrs Richard Toller, of ‘Laurel Cottage’, Theale, Berkshire, was educated at Tudor Hall, Banbury. She has been doing secretarial work for the Save the Children Fund and a London firm of estate agents, and has often visited North Devon. Her father is an executive of the Britannia Lead Company.
The bride’s 18 year old sister, Celia, will be chief bridesmaid, the others being the Hon Caroline, Sara, and Lucy Hamilton-Russell, Henrietta and Lucinda Hohler, and Emma Peto. Pages will be Henry and Peter Cobbold and the Hon Gustavus Hamilton-Russell.

Valuable Collection Presented to Bideford in 1958

At the Burton Art Gallery, Mr A McTaggart Short, of Cardiff, formally presents to his native Bideford his valuable and unique collection of 1,000 Victorian card cases.

Seen facing the audience (left to right) are: Mr A McTaggart Short (standing), Mr T Burton, the Mayor of Bideford (Mr D F B Stucley), Cllr Mrs E M Cox, the Lord Mayor of Cardiff (Ald Frank Chapman), the Town Clerk of Bideford (Mr F C Backway).