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 Gazette has been given a ‘pat on the back’ by an Australian newspaper.

In September last we published a story and photographs of ‘The Lonely Man’s Grave’ as it is known to people on Phillip Island, off the Australian mainland. The grave, situated on an isolated cliff top, is that of Capt William Phillip Grossard, of Bideford, Devon, who served for many years in the merchant service and was killed by gunfire on December 17th 1868. In a December issue of the Phillip Island News the Gazette story is reproduced with the comment: “Such items as the above make interesting reading for present day generations. We thank the editor of the Gazette for publishing same”.

The Australian story was shown to the Gazette by Mrs R Galliford, of Shrewsbury and Bideford. It was sent to her by friends in Melbourne, Mr and Mrs W Coombes, formerly of this country, who also sent the original story of ‘The Lonely Man’s Grave’. But Mrs Galliford tells me that ‘the lonely man’s grave’ will be lonely no more. The cliff top site is being used for building development. By strange coincidence there arrived at this office last weekend an airmail letter from Mr J T Martin, 22 Carson Street, Springvale North, Victoria, Australia, reporting that while walking along the cliffs of Phillip Island he came across the grave. He adds he and his wife intend to return to the lonely grave in the spring and clean it up – putting the stones back in place, clearing away the weeds, repairing and painting the fence, and planting a few flowers.
Gazette article dated 3 July 1964

Buffalo dinner at Bideford

To celebrate the anniversary of Ye Kingsley Lodge, no 4329, RAOB, a dinner was held at The Ship Tavern Hotel, The Quay, Bideford on Wednesday last.

Primo E H Bryan was in the chair, supported by Primos T C Trengrove (Ye Barum Lodge), R Palmer, T Cleverdon, J H Palmer, and B Blanco. There were about 50 Brothers present.
Dinner was served at 8pm by the hostess (Mrs Snell) and, judging by the happiness and smiles of all present, it was evident that the ‘good things’ were very appetising. After several toasts had been submitted a concert was given and the following items rendered: March, ‘Stars and Stripes’, Bro. F T Squires, City Min,; mandoline solo, Bro. A Heal; song, ‘Hail Caledonia’ Bro. W H Parsley; song ‘An old-fashioned Town’, Bro. G F Strudwick; monologue, ‘Pardoned Soldier’, Bro. H Leslie; comic song ‘Legal Separation’, Bro. J Avery; comic song ‘Oh, What a Day’, Bro. A Lewis; comic song ‘The Body in the Bag’, Bro. J Hearn (Jimmy was in fine fettle and his encore was song ‘O-Hio’); song ‘Friend of Mine’, Primo R Palmer; song ‘Standing at the corner of the street’, Bro. F Glover; song ‘Shipmate o’ Mine’, Bro. C Waldon; mandoline solo Bro. A Heal (accompanied by Primo T C Trengrove (encored0; song ‘Christmas Eve in London’, Bro. H F Barnes; pianoforte solo ‘The Belle of New York’, Primo T C Trengrove; comic song ‘The Tiddler’, Bro E Bond; song ‘Pat O’Hare’, Bro. J Wickett; song ‘The Labour Leader’, Bro F J Littlejohns; song ‘When you’re all dressed up’, Primo R Palmer; auto-harp solo Bro. A Heal; duet ‘Sweet and Low’, Bros J Hearn and W H Parsley; song ‘The Sheik of Araby’, Bro. G F Strudwick. Bro. F T Squires, City Min., was the accompanist, and before the close musical honours were accorded Primo T C Trengrove.
After a few interesting talks on Buffaloism by Primos T Cleverdon and E H Bryan, the National Anthem was sung, and thus ended the first anniversary of the Lodge, which from every Brothers point of view was an excellent one and hopes were expressed that at the second anniversary the membership would be doubled.
Great praise is due to the Host (Primo J H Palmer) and hostess (Mrs Snell) for the excellent way the dinner and arrangements for the concert were carried out.

Gazette article dated 3 July 1923

Births, Engagements and Marriages

1 July 1966

Bale – At the Grenville Nursing Home on 28th June 1966, to Diana (nee Fishwick) and Terence, a daughter (Tracy Jayne), a sister for Claire.

Redcliffe – On June 23rd 1966, at St Brenda’s Nursing Home, Clifton Park, Bristol, to Janet and Ralph, God’s gift of a son (Andrew John).

Edwards-Lee – The engagement is announced between Anthony, son of Mr and Mrs L A Edwards, of Castle Street, Torrington, and Barbara, daughter of Mr and Mrs A Lee, Clayton House, Hackney, London
Keen-Gent – Mr and Mr F J Gent, 20 Town Park, Torrington, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their only daughter, Dilys, to Tony, youngest son of Mrs M Keen, 48 High Street, Bideford.
Smith-Congdon – the engagement is announced between David Michael, son of Mr and Mrs R B Smith, of Burton Green, near Coventry, and Susan, elder daughter of the late Mr W E Congdon and Mrs Congdon, Jordans, Raleigh, Bideford.
Wade-Fisher – Mr and Mrs J Plows, 51 Stucley Road, Bideford, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their niece, Betty Fisher, to Douglas Wade, Parkham, Devon.

Hockin-Cope – On June 25th 1966 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, John, son of Mr V T Hockin CBE and Mrs Hockin, Somerset Place, Queen’s Road, St Peter Port, Guernsey, to Mary, daughter of Mr and Mrs H V Cope, Rosehill, Bideford.