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.

31 December 1954

Bradford – On Christmas Day, at Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Betty (nee Pickard) and Richard, a son (David Charles)

Cox-Sluman – The engagement is announced between Hilda, only daughter of B S M and Mrs C Sluman, of 21 Sunnyside, Bideford, and Leslie William, elder son of Capt. And Mrs W H Cox, Ryelands, Northam
Crocker-Down – Mr and Mrs R Down, Cranleigh, Westward Ho! announce the engagement of their daughter Margaret to David, son of Mr and Mrs Crocker, 4 Trecarrell, Launcester, Cornwall.
Mills-Blight – The engagement is announced between Muriel, daughter of Mr and Mrs R S Blight, 19 Mill Street, Torrington, and Leslie, the youngest son of Mr and Mrs J Mills, ‘Corner House’, Frithelstock Stone, near Torrington

Branch-Keen - On December 27th 1954 at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, Ronald George, youngest son of Mr and Mrs B V Branch, of ‘Wasdale’, Royston Road, Bideford, to Jeanette Elizabeth Rose, only daughter of Mr and Mrs T Keen, of 1 Silver Street, Appledore.

Births, Engagements and Marriages

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