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.

27 March 1945

Bennett – March 20th at 15 Lime Grove, Bideford, to Joan (nee Copp), wife of Cpl Bennett, RAF, a daughter, Judith Ann.
Pound – March 19th to Joan (nee Headon), wife of Sergt Pound, RA, a daughter, Susan Ellen, at Castle Hill Nursing Home, Maidenhead.
Wilkinson – March 20th to Audrey and Claude Wilkinson, a son, Nikolas Clive.

Pullman-Hardman – engagement is announced between Capt Cecil F Pullman, The East Surrey Regt, son of Mr and Mrs Frank Pullman, Old Hedges, Churt, Surrey, and Hilda Desiree, only child of the late Lt-Col R S Hardman, RFA, DSO, and Mrs Hardman of Glenside, Bideford.

Way-Heslop – marriage arranged between Lieut J S Way, son of Mr and Mrs Stanley Way, Fernwood, Bideford, and Molly, only child of Mrs and the late Mr Heslop, Doncaster, will take place on March 31st.

Seed-Jackson – March 20th 1945, at the Parish Church, Bideford, by the Rev Preb W N Manning, Joan Audrey, WRNS, daughter of Lt-Commander and Mrs R G Jackson, Appledore, and Westcliff-on-Sea, to John Oswald, RM, son of Mr and Mrs J R Seed, Abbotsham Road, Bideford.

Blight-Stoneman – March 24th 1920 at Alwington Methodist Church, Frances Stoneman to Ernest Blight. Mr and Mrs Blight now reside at Knotty Corner, Fairy Cross, Bideford.
Patt-Steer – March 29th 1920 at the Parish Church, by the Rev Newton Leeke, Alfred John Patt to Hilda Steer. Present address: 8 Avon Road, Bideford, E.

Births, Engagements and Marriages

27 November 1945

Hocking – November 20th 1945 at 95 Irsha Street, Appledore, to Ruth (nee Evans), wife of CPO Hocking, RN, a son, Barrie Charles.
Langmead – November 21st at Cory House, Fore Street, Stratton, to Irene (nee Grills), wife of D E Langmead, 35 Sentry Corner, Bideford, a son.

Clegg-Babb – engagement is announced between Gunner Eric Clegg, son of Mrs Clegg and the late Mr Clegg, Hulme, Manchester, and ACW Gwen Babb, WAAF, daughter of Mr and Mrs George Babb, 20 Bowden Green, Bideford.
Little-Turner – engagement is announcement between Thomas, only child of Mr and Mrs James Little, Elm Grove, Bideford, and Margaret, only daughter of M G J Turner and the late Mrs Turner, Romford, Essex.

Mitchell-Friendship – November 7th 1945 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, L/Cpl C J Mitchell, son of Mr and Mrs J T M Mitchell, 3 Meddon Street, to Winifred Rose Friendship, daughter of Mr P J Friendship and the late Mrs E Friendship, 7 Trafalgar Place.

Mr Jack Gilbert retires

The oldest macebearer in the country

will be carrying his badge of office for the last time next Thursday.

Mr Jack Gilbert, macebearer at Torrington for the past 25 years, has decided to call it a day – and who could deny him that right now he has reached the age of 88?

Jack has become as well known as a part of the civic ceremony as he was as a soccer player more than half a century ago when Torrington Football Club was in its heyday. An inscribed clock with which he is to be presented by the Mayor, Dr Harry Cramp, at the May Fair’s opening ceremony.

Another well known character, Mr Bert Waldron, who has already brought fame to Torrington as its championship-winning town crier – is to succeed him as macebearer.

Gazette article dated 28 April 1978