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.

6 July 1937

Lesslie – On June 30th at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Mr and Mrs J Lesslie (nee Doris Bright), a daughter.

Beesley-Powell – On June 26th 1937, at Exeter, Dr C Beesley to Mrs M M Powell, late of Weare Giffard.
Cann-Osborne – At St Mary’s Church, Bideford, June 30th, Sydney, second son of the late Mr W Cann and of Mrs Hocking, of Appledore, to Effie Millie, second daughter of Mr and Mrs A Osburn, 5 Chudleigh Terrace, Bideford East.
Taylor-Bate – On July 5th 1937 at the Baptist Church, Bideford, Ronald B Taylor, only son of Mr and Mrs Reginald Taylor of Northam Road, to Miss Barbara Bate, only daughter of Mr and Mrs S Bate, Moreton Cottage, Clovelly Road, Bideford.

Beer-Parr – At St Mary’s Church Bideford, on June 30th 1887, Mr Charles Beer to Miss Grace Parr. Present address: 32 Myrtle Grove, Bideford.

Ashplant – July 4th at Bideford Hospital, William Francis Ashplant, eldest son of the late Mr W Ashplant, of Northam aged 62 years.
Brimacombe – Betsy, on July 2nd at 27 Meddon Street, widow of the late Joshua Brimacombe.
Daw – On July 2nd 1937 at Yeoldon, Northam, Elizabeth Daw (nee Saltern-Willett), widow of Mr George Daw.
Ley – On June 30th 1937, Bessie Ley, late of North Road, Bideford.

In loving memory of a dear Husband and Father, William H Staddon, who fell asleep July 5th 1933.

Births, engagements and marriages

5 July 1963

Potter – June 28th 1963 at Swindon to Jane and Edward, a daughter, Helen Elizabeth, and granddaughter for Mr and Mrs F H Griffiths, Crossways, Buckland Brewer.
Turner – July 2nd at 30 Platts Lane, Hampstead, NW3, to Gillian (nee Chope) and Geoffrey, a son, John, brother for Sarah and Mark.

Snell-Sluman – Mr and Mrs Sluman of Torrington Lane, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their daughter, June, to Terence, son of Mr and Mrs Snell, New Street, Torrington.

Bain-Acford – June 29th at St Helen’s, Abbotsham, Richard, son of Mr and Mrs Bain, of Pine Lodge, Northdown Road, Bideford, to Carole, daughter of Mr and Mrs W J Acford, Ridgeway.
Colome-Bunn – June 29th at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, by Rev R C Dixon, Brian John, son of Mr and Mrs J Colome, 111 Lime Grove, Bideford, to Brenda, daughter of Mr and Mrs L W Bunn, 13 Meeting Street, Appledore.
Moyes-Dawe – June 22nd at Bideford Town Mission, Herbert John, son of Mrs F Moyes, 49 Grenville Estate, Bideford, to Jean Patricia, daughter of Mr and Mrs C W J Dawe, 45 Elm Grove.

The Secret Of Keeping Young

Torrington Golden Wedding

The Mayor and Mayoress of Torrington, Mr and Mrs W H Jenkins, bring the congratulations of townspeople to Mr and Mrs Percy Copp.
Life is never lonely for Mr and Mrs Percy Copp, 76 Calf Street, Torrington, for their three sons, three daughters and 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild all live near them.
Mr and Mrs Copp’s sons are: Harold, who lives at Taddiport; George of South Street, who is a member of Torrington Town Council; and Reg, of New Street. Their daughters are Mrs Marjorie Popham, Mrs Olivia Newcombe and Mrs Winnie Oke, all of Calf Street.
Mr and Mrs Copp were married at Torrington Parish Church on June 6th 1908. Mr Copp, who is 73, left Barley Grove School, Torrington, when he was only eleven years old and went to work on a farm. Following his marriage he was employed by Torrington Rural Council and by Devon County Council. He was later employed as a quarryman by Mr Adams, of Langtree, and remained in this work until he was 65.
When married first Mr and Mrs Copp had to manage on Mr Copp’s wage of 15 shillings a week.
Mrs Copp is 69 years old. Most of her time is fully occupied. “Keep your mind active, keep going, and you always feel happy” is her motto.
Mrs Copp went to what is now Torrington County Primary School until the age of 14 when she became employed by a local glove factory as an errand girl at 3s 6d a week.
The full Gazette article is dated 13 June 1958