People

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.

3 December 1965

Andrews – On November 28th 1965, at Broomborough Hospital, Totnes, to Sandra (nee Lombard) and Graham Andrews, a daughter, Julie Elizabeth.
Gale – On November 23rd at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Jacqueline (nee Mills) and Roger, a daughter, Tracy Ann, a sister for Johanna.
Hancock – On November 23rd to Edith and Vernon, a daughter, Beverley Jane, a sister for Teresa and Christopher.
Ivory – On November 23rd to Elsie (nee Evans) and Robert, a son, a brother for Karen.

Colome-Bennett – The engagement is announced between Sandra, only daughter of Mr and Mrs C Bennett, of Claudene, Newton Road, Bideford, to Roger, youngest son of Mr and Mrs J Colome, of Dilakusa, Lime Grove, Bideford.

Screech – Congratulations Mum and Dad on your silver wedding, with love, Margaret, June and Carey.

Stanbury-Keen – On December 9th 1940 at St Mary’s, Thomas William Leslie Stanbury to Florence May Keen. Present address: 37 Old Town. Congratulations Mum and Dad, Tricia.

Daniel-Braund – On November 28th 1925, at All Saints’ Church, Clovelly, by the Rev T L V Simkin.

Parsons-Edgecombe – On December 2nd 1915 at St Mary’s Church, Spring Grove, Isleworth, Middlesex, by Rev H W Weatherhead, MA, Reginald to Ethel. Present address: Eastwood Dairy Farm, Bideford, North Devon.

Well-earned Rest After 107,000 Miles

Presentation to Merton postman

To mark his retirement and in appreciation of his punctuality and cheerfulness as a postman for the past 43 years, the people of Merton on Friday presented Mr Sydney Cox with an armchair.

Apart from two brief spells of illness, he has since 1920 delivered mail in the area without a break.

Despite a leg injury in the first world war, he has always walked the eight-mile round with the aid of a stick. It has been calculated that in 43 years Mr Cox has tramped well over 107,000 miles in the course of his work.

His punctuality is well known and it has been said that people can set their clocks by him, no matter how severe the weather.

It was indeed, quite a week for Mr Cox, for on the Wednesday he celebrated his 65th birthday. He is to stay on at Merton – he has lived in New Road Cottage for 55 years – where he will spend a lot of time gardening.

Gazette article dated 3 May 1963

Births and a Golden Wedding

3 March 1942

Brend – March 1st at Storks Nest, Exeter, to Daisy (nee Ridd), wife of Corporal K J Brend, RAF, a daughter.
Folland - February 12th at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Eleanor, wife of John Folland, a daughter.
Holwill – March 1st at Moorcroft, Torrington, to May (nee Hunkin), wife of E A Holwill, a son.
Mitchell – February 27th at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Kerry, wife of Corpl R W Mitchell, Westward Ho! a son.
Tremeer – February 20th at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Phyllis, wife of F Tremeer, a daughter.

Verren-Wills – February 28th 1892, at St Mary’s Church, Henry Verren to Ellen Agnes Wills. Present address: 15 Elmdale Road, Bideford