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.

A Bobby on a bike is a rare sight these days – altogether too rare, many people think.

But PC John Ferris and his cycle are a common and often comforting sight to the people of Appledore – where he lives – Westward Ho! and Northam. When, on his transfer to Bideford from Newton Abbot, Chief Supt Reg Goldsworthy offered him this country beat he jumped at the chance.

The full Gazette article is dated 24 October 1975

Births, Engagements and Marriages

In the Gazette edition dated 5 January 1973

Births
Newton – On December 12th 1972, at NDDHMU to Pauline (nee Auberton) and Paul, a daughter, Hayley.
Wright – On December 18th 1972, at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Jeremy and Anna (nee Cross), a son, Barnaby John, a brother for Toby.

Engagements
Bond-Petherick – Both families have pleasure in announcing the engagement of Susan, daughter of Mr and Mrs R Petherick, 8 Stanhope Terrace, Bideford, and Philip, son of Mr and Mrs F G Bond, ‘Homeland’, Bucks Cross.
George-Grills – Mr and Mrs J Grills, of Sessacott, Putford, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their only daughter, Carol, to Jeffrey, only son of Mr and Mrs H George, of Looseham, Monkleigh. Congratulations from both families.
Lamey-Landolfi – Both families have great pleasure in announcing the engagement of Gillian, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs I Landolfi, 31 Bude Street, Appledore, to Michael, youngest son of Mr and Mrs J Lamey, 20 Staddon Road, Appledore.
Skinner-Esam – Mr and Mrs R Esam, 66 Pynes Lane, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Susan, to Mr Kevin Skinner, son of Mr and Mrs R Skinner, 23 Stucley Road, Bideford.
Westcott-Rees – Pete and Mary Westcott (nee Bedler) of 6 Stanbury Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol, are happy to announce the engagement of their eldest son Owen, to Jenny, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs D Bees, of Stapleton, Bristol.

Marriages
Heal-Norman – On Saturday December 16 1972, at Lanteglos Parish Church, Camelford, Brian Charles, fourth son of Mr and Mrs T A Heal, High Park, Bideford, to Susan Jane, only daughter of Mr and Mrs R L Norman, 2 Trefew Road, Camelford.
Heywood-Brooks – On December 28th 1972, at St Helen’s Church, Abbotsham, George William Heywood, of Bowden, Buckland Brewer, to Joyce Brooks, of Pusehill, Westward Ho!

In the New Year Honours List

Three names of special local interest were included in the New Year honours list.

Mr Thomas G B Cocks, the Clerk of the House of Commons, who is to be made K.C.B, is a native of Northam, and son of the late Mr J H Cocks, of Reed House, an Appledore shipbuilder.
Col (Acting Brigadier) John Richards, Royal Marines, who is appointed C.B.E, came to live in the Torridge area when he was chief instructor, for several years in the early post-war period, at the Officers’ School white it was at Bickleigh and Plymouth.
Major Nigel Speller, who was in command of 18 Company, RASC (Amphibious), Fremington, until last September, is appointed M.B.E.
The full Gazette article is dated 4 January 1963