Names

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.

45 years with the Royal North Devon

Golfers in several lands will read with interest and affection that Mr Jack Shutt, described as ‘the genial dictator of the caddie world’ has just retired from the position of caddie master at the Royal North Devon Golf Club. His retirement means that the Royal North Devon Club loses the services of the last of a great triumvirate. There was Mr C Gibson the professional, who died in 1932 at the age of 71, after 44 years work for the Club, Mr Philip Andrews who retired from the stewardship, the same year, after 56 years of faithful service, and is still happily with us, at the age of 74. Now Mr J Shutt, after 45 years service, is to seek well earned quiet enjoyment of retirement. He has with him the good wishes and appreciation of hundreds of golfers.
In his own line, Mr Shutt is a real outstanding personality in golf with a marvellous memory for faces and without a doubt a store of golfing experiences, and of which it is hoped to hear more in the future.
In the days when only boys carried clubs, he sometimes found it necessary to curb the defaulters with a taste of practical discipline and in his office to this day are canes with which he dealt summary punishment. Times have changed all this, but it seems that ‘Jack’ still regards such chastisement as a great improver. So many more clubs and other accessories do some golfers carry about with them nowadays that small boys are no longer so suitable or capable of carrying, especially round such a course as the Royal North Devon of four miles at least.
Born at Appledore, Mr Shutt has always lived in the parish, and for many years has been at the Square, Northam. He spent his earlier years on a farm, then was appointed to the links as a greensman, and finally to the caddies office. He has worked under eleven secretaries of the Club.
Unfortunately during the last fortnight he has been ill, but his many friends will be pleased to hear that he is getting about once again. It is hoped to see him hale and hearty with a cheery greeting and, who knows, trying to reduce his handicap on the Burrows as his health mends.
He is succeeded as caddie master by Mr S Ley.

Seven Sons Serving in 1941

Mr and Mrs J Symons, of 30 Torrington Lane, Bideford, have seven sons at present serving with HM Forces.

William is a driver in the MT section of the Army, John is a driver in the Royal Corps of Signals, Frederick is serving with the Royal Marines, Edward is a gunner in the SL section of the RA, Alfred is a War Reserve Constable, Frank, a Flight-Sergeant in the Royal Air Force, and Lance-Corporal Percival a driver in the AMPC.
Well done!

Mayor's daughter to wed Viscount

Miss Rosemary Stucley engaged to Princess Royal’s great-nephew.

News of the engagement of Miss Rosemary Stucley, second daughter of Mr and Mrs D F B Stucley, of Hartland Abbey, the Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford, was received with interest and pleasure in Bideford and Hartland districts on Tuesday.

She is to marry Viscount Boyne, great nephew of the Princess Royal, who received the news by cablegram as she was returning across the Atlantic after her visit to Canada.

Viscount Boyne, who is 24, is at present serving as a lieutenant with the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards. His home is at Burwarton House, Shropshire, but he has become known to many in Hartland district during recent visits. He succeeded to the title on the death of his father during the war, and an intimate link is that his late father and Mr Stucley were at college together and joined the Grenadier Guards together on the same day.

Miss Stucley, who is 19, has become increasingly known in Bideford district during her father’s mayoralty, having deputised for him at the opening of local fetes. She was educated at Southover Manor School in Sussex. Her elder sister, Margaret, was married when 19, her two younger sisters, Christine and Sally are still at school; while, Hugh, the youngest, and only boy of the family, is at preparatory school in Sussex. He will be 11 in January.