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.

Presentations were the order of the day

at Torrington Post Office when the departing postmaster, Mr H Ash, received a picnic basket from the Torrington staff and friends at Bideford PO, Postman A May received a mirror and fireproof dish as wedding gifts from his colleagues, and Mr W S Hutchings was presented with a 10-years safe driving medal.
Mr W Sillifant, Mr C Pittwood, Miss A Beer, Mrs E Hoyle, Mr V Baker, Miss H Walsha, Miss M Bissett, Mr P Ford (acting postmaster), and Mr W Page.
Mr R Jones, Mr H Ash, Mr R D Cooper (Head Postmaster, Bideford), Mr A May, Mr W Hutchings, and Mr B Quick.
Gazette article dated 10 April 1959

Looking Forward To Their Diamond Wedding

Next week’s anniversary at Torrington

Sixty years ago next Thursday, July 24th, two well known Torrington people entered a local registry office and left man and wife. They were Mr and Mrs Herbert Baker, Fair View, Gas Lane.
Mr and Mrs Baker have one son, 57 years old Mr Reg Baker, Mill Street, Torrington, who is a driver for Torridge Vale Dairies (Devon) Ltd. They had one granddaughter, Mrs Stacey, of Calf Street, Torrington, and four great-grandchildren.
Mr Baker, who is 80 years old, has a long record of service to the town. For thirty years he was a member of Torrington Town Council, serving as an Alderman for six years. Just over twelve months ago he resigned from the Council, At that time he was ‘father’ of the Council.
For thirty years Mr Baker has also been a member of Torrington Commons Conservators.
Both Mr and Mrs Baker have lived in Torrington most of their lives. Mr Baker, one of a family of four, was born at Beaford, and Mrs Baker, formerly Miss Ruth Stapleton, was born at Merton and was one of a family of eight. She is now 78.
Until the age of 12, Mr Baker attended Buckland Brewer School, in his earlier school years having to pay a 2d a week fee for his education. On leaving school Mr Baker moved with his family to Torrington. He drove horses for a Torrington tanyard until at 14 he became employed at Specott Farm, Merton, where he was head horseman, in charge of three teams of horses. He was later employed on the Cross House Estate.
Mr Baker served in the Royal North Devon Hussars during the first world war and was wounded while in the Dardenelles. On returning he became a foreman in timber felling work the Board of Trade and later managed a smallholding. He then built what is now Goosegreen Garage, Torrington, and ran a school bus service with his son as a mechanic.
Mrs Baker left Merton School at the age of 11. Her family moved into Torrington when she was 13 and she worked in service until her marriage.
The full Gazette article is dated 18 July 1958

Births, Marriages and Deaths

6 July 1937

Lesslie – On June 30th at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Mr and Mrs J Lesslie (nee Doris Bright), a daughter.

Beesley-Powell – On June 26th 1937, at Exeter, Dr C Beesley to Mrs M M Powell, late of Weare Giffard.
Cann-Osborne – At St Mary’s Church, Bideford, June 30th, Sydney, second son of the late Mr W Cann and of Mrs Hocking, of Appledore, to Effie Millie, second daughter of Mr and Mrs A Osburn, 5 Chudleigh Terrace, Bideford East.
Taylor-Bate – On July 5th 1937 at the Baptist Church, Bideford, Ronald B Taylor, only son of Mr and Mrs Reginald Taylor of Northam Road, to Miss Barbara Bate, only daughter of Mr and Mrs S Bate, Moreton Cottage, Clovelly Road, Bideford.

Beer-Parr – At St Mary’s Church Bideford, on June 30th 1887, Mr Charles Beer to Miss Grace Parr. Present address: 32 Myrtle Grove, Bideford.

Ashplant – July 4th at Bideford Hospital, William Francis Ashplant, eldest son of the late Mr W Ashplant, of Northam aged 62 years.
Brimacombe – Betsy, on July 2nd at 27 Meddon Street, widow of the late Joshua Brimacombe.
Daw – On July 2nd 1937 at Yeoldon, Northam, Elizabeth Daw (nee Saltern-Willett), widow of Mr George Daw.
Ley – On June 30th 1937, Bessie Ley, late of North Road, Bideford.

In loving memory of a dear Husband and Father, William H Staddon, who fell asleep July 5th 1933.