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.

The best man and one of the bridesmaids at their wedding 50 years ago were among the guests at the golden wedding celebrations for Mr and Mrs Richard Bond, of Collacott, Langtree.

Best man was Mr Bond’s brother Jack, of Kilkhampton, and the bridesmaid, Mrs Lily Stevens, of Bampton. The other bridesmaid, Mrs Nancy Yelland, who lives at Clawton, was unable to attend through illness.

Another guest was the Rev Arthur Balman, minister of Shebbear Methodist circuit. Mr and Mrs Bond have been life-long Methodists.

Mr Bond (73) is one of 12 children of the late Mr and Mrs Samuel Bond, of Bradworthy. His wife Ivy (70) was born at Lydford, bu tlater the family moved to Bradworthy.
Mr and Mrs Bond farmed and spent many years at Riverton, Langtree. On retirement they moved to their present address where their son and daughter-in-law, Mr and Mrs Grenville Bond, farm. Their daughter, Mrs Audrey Ley, lives at West Burton, Alverdiscott. There are two grandchildren.
Mr Bond has been a keen farmer all his life and still takes an active interest in the farms of his son and daughter.
Mrs Bond, a schoolteacher at both Bradworthy and Buckland Brewer before her marriage, was formerly a Sunday Schoolteacher and organist at Eckworthy. For 28 years she has been society steward at Langtree Methodist Church.
Gazette article dated 27 February 1970

Wedding in Uniform

Sapr A J Beer, RE and ACW E K Canham, WAAF

The wedding was solemnised at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on Wednesda, of Sapr A J Beer, RE, eldest son of Mr and Mrs A J Beer, Homeside, 6 Chanters Avenue, Bideford, and ACW E K Canham, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs T E Canham, 108 Bye Pass Road, London. Both bride and bridegroom were in uniform, and the bride carried a bouquet of bronze chrysanthemums and trailing fern.
She was given away by LAC O’Connor, a friend. The bride was attended by ACW Mulry, also in uniform, and the best man was the bridegroom’s brother, Derek. Mr R Harper was at the organ.
On leaving the church, the bride was presented with two lucky horseshoes by the bridegroom’s two young sisters, Alison and Brenda, the latter on behalf of the bride’s sister, Edie, who was unable to attend.
A reception was held at Homeside, where about forty guests were entertained. Fifteen telegrams were received, including one from the bridegroom’s cousin, George Elston, who is serving in Sicily.
The full Gazette article is dated 2 November 1943

Births and marriages

15 May 1945

Chapman – May 7th 1945 at Ivygreen, Bowgreave, Garstang, to Mr and Mrs S Chapman (nee Dorothy Baron), a daughter, Jennifer, a sister for Graham.
Parsley – May 13th at Mount Pleasant, Parkham, to Ezma Mary Parsley (nee Copp) and Kenneth William Parsley, Royal Navy, a son, Victor Andrew.
Headon – May 11th at 64 The Quay, Clovelly, to Clara, wife of Lieut Stephen H Headon, RNVR, a sister for Clive.
Shutt – May 10th at 8 The Quay, Bideford, to Mr and Mrs L J Shutt, a daughter, Cynthia.
Smale – May 5th at 5 Bedford Cotts, Plymstock, to Mr and Mrs L Smale (nee Dora West), a son.
Turner – May 11th at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Dora (nee Sanders), wife of J R Turner, MRCVS, a daughter.

Taylor-Hocking – May 15th 1920 at St Margaret’s Church, Northam, Thomas James Taylor to Blanche Hocking. Present address: 29 Westcombe, Bideford.