Local men in New Year Honours

Three men with Bideford and district associations appeared in yesterday’s New Year honours list.

Mr Reginald Pickard, of the Redlands Hotel, Sidmouth, who is awarded the O.B.E. is a member of a well-known Bideford family, and has had a notable career in local government.

Mr Thomas Russell McDonald, of Viewfield, Torrington, who receives the M.B.E. is a Scot who has worked in Devon since 1919, being head forester to the Clinton (Devon) Estate Company.

Mr R.W.F. Thorne, of Vale Lodge, Hartland, who is appointed M.B.D. began his career as a telegraph boy and rose to be superintendent in charge of the cable central telegraph office which deals with overseas telegrams. Until his retirement last November he controlled 500 telegraphists and 50 supervising officers.

Gazette article 2 January 1959