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.

Mrs Annie Thomas, 95, of East-the-Water has just had the thrill of her long life

She has met the son to whom she last waved goodbye when, as a boy of 15, he sailed for Australia. That was 47 years ago.

The son, Harry, has also met sisters and a brother who only vaguely remember him. They include Mrs Dorothy Streater, of Karen Close, with whom Mrs Thomas makes her home, and Mrs Kathleen Harris, of Dolton.

Mr Thomas left England under an emigration scheme run by the Boy Scout movement in order to go farming in Australia. He was to serve in the Army for six years during World War II, but was never able to reach his family. The war over, he returned to Australia to work on the railways.

He was never really alone ‘down under’ for another sister had emigrated about the same time. She returned to this country on a visit 27 years ago and is now here again. Mrs Thomas, who is looking forward to seeing her again, has lived in Bideford for two years after moving here from St Blazey.

Mr Thomas will soon be rejoining his own family.

Gazette article April 1975

Abbotsham wedding

Leslie Kent-Smith and Dorothy Turner

A wedding of considerable North Devon interest took place at Abbotsham Church on Wednesday, between Mr Leslie William Kent-Smith, elder son of Mr and Mrs T W Smith, East Down, Barnstaple, and Miss Dorothy Madge Turner, second daughter of Mr and Mrs C T Turner, Pillmouth, Bideford. The Vicar of Abbotsham, the Rev E A Du Cane, officiated.

The bride, who was given away by her father, was daintily dressed in parchment stain, trimmed with orange blossom, and she wore a Brussels net lace veil, lent by Mrs H Oliver, with train of same, and carried a bouquet of Harissi lilies, and lilies of the valley and fern.

She was escorted by two bridesmaids, Miss Sylvia Turner and Miss Nancy Ridler. The best man was Mr R G Parminter and the ushers were Mr Harry Cock and Mr Wallace Turner.

The Church was crowded and over 60 guests were afterwards received at Pillmouth, the home of the bride. The bride gave the bridegroom a wireless set and the bridegroom gave the bride a wireless set and the bridegroom gave the bride a fur coat, and to the bridesmaids he gave gold scarf pins.

A large number of presents were received, including a shooting stick, clock and tea caddy from the employees at East Down and a silver cake dish from the staff at Pillmouth.

Catering and wedding cake by Friendship’s Café, Bideford. The bouquets were supplied by Miss M Crocker, Mill Street, Bideford.

17 October 1933

Popular Northam Wedding

Evans-Tuplin, at Northam

The wedding of Miss Phyllis Elsa Tuplin, only daughter of Mr and Mrs E J Tuplin, of Eastbourne Lodge, Westward Ho! and Mr Cyril John Evans, only son of Mr and Mrs John Evans, of 27 Monk Street, Abergavenny, took place at Northam Parish Church, the Rev P D Fox, MA, officiating on Saturday, October 7th.

Special interest was attached to the ceremony, the bridegroom, who is a member of the Totnes staff of Lloyds Bank, having formerly served with the Bideford Branch and been prominent in sporting circles in Bideford and district. He played regularly for the Bideford Rugby Club and was the founder-secretary of the successfully resuscitated Bideford Cricket Club. The bride has many friends in Bideford, Northam and Westward Ho! and there was a large attendance at the wedding.

Miss Tuplin, who was given away by her father, looked very charming in a dress of Wong chiffon velvet ankle-length with train, heavily trimmed with white fur, with which she wore a small toque of velvet with eye veil and satin shoes to complete the dainty picture she made. She was attended by one bridesmaid, Miss Marjorie Woodyatt. The best man was Mr Frank Pape of the Totnes staff of Lloyds Bank. Mr B G Billingham was the organist and accompanied the hymns.

The bride’s present to the bridegroom was a roll-top writing desk. The bridegroom gave the bride a fitted travelling case, his present to the bridesmaid consisting of a blue enamelled gold flapjack.

A reception was held at Eastbourne Lodge, and later Mr and Mrs Cyril J Evans left for the their honeymoon on a motor tour of the South Coast.

Among the large number of presents received were an oak case clock from the staff of Lloyds Bank, Totnes; a hand painted coffee set from Messrs N and H Heard, the bride’s employers; and cutlery from the staff of Heard Brothers Ltd, Bideford.

The wedding dresses were designed and made by Mrs W Tucker, of Westward Ho! and the millinery was supplied by Miss Mary Prouse, Mrs T Shutt was responsible for the tasteful church decorations.

17 October 1933