Rohan took bus after long walk and reached Barnstaple

It’s a long uphill drag from Bideford Quay to Stucley Road, particularly for a 3 year old in whom the spirit of adventure is fast being killed by the pangs of hunger.
When Rohan Easton’s tummy told him it must be nearly dinner-time he decided he had had enough adventuring for one day. The initiative that had taken him more than a mile from his home, 4 Stucley Road, to the Quay, did not desert him and he was certainly not going to walk back!
He remembered that after he had been shopping with his mother, wife of PC Tony Easton, they have three older children – they always caught a big green double-decker bus home.
It was the obvious answer and, seeing one parked nearby, he clambered aboard.
So it was that half-way to Barnstaple a startled conductor discovered a, by now, somewhat frightened 3 year old. At Barnstaple he handed him into the care of the police.
Meanwhile Mrs Easton, who had left Rohan safely playing with some friends across the street, had arrived home. No one had seen the child for some time and soon neighbours were searching all around the estate.
It was a distraught mother who contacted her husband but fears were quickly allayed. Barnstaple police rang to say that a small boy had arrived on the Bideford bus.
Mr and Mrs Easton drove to Barnstaple to collect their son. They found him wholly unconcerned and tucking into a large ice-cream provided by an officer.
Parents and child were all too relieved to see each other for anyone to be angry. ‘But he won’t get off so lightly next time’ said Mr Easton with a smile.

Gazette article dated 26 May 1961