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.

17 December 1965

Beer – On December 8th 1965 to Hilary (nee Southcombe) and Wilfred, a daughter, Jennifer Ann.
Day – December 7th at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Shelagh and Michael, a daughter, Ursula Rachel.
Hook – December 12th at 9 Morley Road, Sanderstead, Surrey, to Valerie (nee Hyne) and Charles, a sister for Paul.
Vincent – December 11th at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, to Carol and Barry, a son, Colin.

Baldry-Squire – Mr and Mrs A Squire, 29 Castle Street, Torrington, have pleasure announcing the engagement of their elder daughter, Janet, to Alan, only son of Mr and Mrs F Baldry, Harrow, Middlesex.
Bowes-Stevens – Mr and Mrs Stevens, 9 Barton Tors, have much pleasure in announcing the engagement of their youngest daughter, Hazel Jean, to Frank, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Mosley, of Seacroft, Leeds 14, Yorks.
Hartnoll-Salter – Mrs H R Hartnoll, of Morgan’s Creek, Heanton, near Braunton, is pleased to announce the engagement of her son, Peter Waldon, to Elizabeth Ann, only daughter of Mr and Mrs John Salter, of Shaldon, and late of Solihull, Warwickshire.
Powe-Snow – Mrs J Snow, 13 Sentry Corner, East-the-Water, Bideford, has pleasure in announcing the engagement of her only daughter, Anthea, to John, only son of Mr and Mrs E Powe, 7a, One End Street, Appledore.

Williams-Keen – On December 24th 1940 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Ernest George to Isa. Present address: 3 Meddon Street, Bideford.

Harding-Craner – On December 23rd 1915 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, by Rev T Newton Leeke, James Harding to Mina Craner. Present address: Greenacres, Halspitt, Weare Giffard, N. Devon

Woman Stands in for Father Christmas

A Bideford widow, Mrs Vera Cawsey, became Father Christmas at a local shop.

She volunteered to do so after overhearing a child's disappointment on finding that the Father Christmas at Messrs Gale's in Mill Street was away through illness.

Mrs Cawsey, of 40 Clifton Street, donned the cloak and whiskers and filled the breach for two days.

She donated a reward for her services to Broomhayes children's centre at Northam.

Article dated 29 December 1972

Births, Engagement and Marriages

24 December 1965

Quick – On December 15th 1965, to June (nee Branch) and Brian, a son, Jeremy James.
Thorp – On December 8th to Roselyn (nee Eastman) and Desmond, a daughter, Marie Josephine, at St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester.

Willcocks-Slade – Mr and Mrs T Slade, 58 Grenville Estate, Bideford, have much pleasure in announcing the engagement of their only daughter, Jennifer, to George, second son of Mr and Mrs J Willcocks of Higher Clovelly.

Cloke-Squires – On December 26th 1940 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Percival John Cloke to Eileen Vera Squires. Present address: Marester, Pynes Lane, Bideford.
Gray-Wilkey – On December 26th 1940 at the Baptist Church, Westward Ho! by The Rev Mr Hobbs, Frank Gray to Alice Mary Wilkey. Present address: 3 Venton Drive, Westward Ho!
Babb-Howard – On December 24th 1925 at St Nectan’s Church, Stoke, Hartland, Theodore to Marjorie by Rev I L Gregory. Present address: Lester, Tower Hill, Buckland Brewer, Bideford.
Blackmore – On December 25th 1905, Jack to Rose. Love and best wishes to mum and dad on your diamond wedding. From your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.