• Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
  • Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
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  • 1 Caught in the act>
  • 2 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 3 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 4 Police station view of Bideford

  • 5 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 6 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 7 Loads of black and white

  • 8 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 9 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 10 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 11 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 12 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 13 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 14 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 15 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 16 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 17 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 18 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 19 Centenary of Gazette

  • 20 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 21 Jumble sale fever

  • 22 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 23 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 24 Parkham plan realised

  • 25 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 26 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 27 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 28 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 29 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 30 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 31 The art of the thatcher

  • 32 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 33 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 34 Torrington children build igloo
  • 35 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 36 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 37 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 38 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 39 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 40 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 41 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 42 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 43 Off on a great adventure

  • 44 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 45 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 46 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 47 School's link with cargo ship

  • 48 Modern living at Bideford

  • 49 Bideford regatta

  • 50 Twenty-one yachts

  • 51 Waldon Triplets
  • 52 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 53 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 54 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 55 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 56 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 57 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 58 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 59 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 60 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 61 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 62 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 63 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 64 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 65 New art gallery opened

  • 66 New choral society's growing response

  • 67

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 68 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 69 A man and his wheel

  • 70

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 71

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 72 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 73 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 74 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 75 Bideford loses training ship

  • 76 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 77 A bird of their own!

  • 78 Picking the pops

  • 79 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 80 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 81 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 82 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 83 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 84 Northam's almshouse

  • 85 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 86 All aboard the ark

  • 87 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 88 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 89 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 90 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 91

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 92 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 93 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 94 What's the time?

  • 95 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 96 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 97 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 98 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 99 Riverside mystery

  • 100 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 101 First ship in 8 years

  • 102 In their new robes and hats

  • 103 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 104 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 105 End of the line

  • 106 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 107 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 108

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 109 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 110 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 111 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 112 Burnard family reunion

  • 113 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 114 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 115 Northam footballers of the future

  • 116

    Exhibition of school work
  • 117 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 118 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 119 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 120 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 121 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 122 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 123 Clovelly custom

  • 124 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 125 Puppet characters introduced

  • 126 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 127 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 128 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 129 Life begins at 80

  • 130 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 131 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 132 Weare Giffard potato

  • 133 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 134 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 135 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 136 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 137 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 138 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 139 Simple Item 138
  • 140 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 141 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 142 Warmington's garage ad

  • 143 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 144 Recognise this resort?

  • 145 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 146 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 147

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 148 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 149 Ten year old scrambler

  • 150

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 151 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 152 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 153

    Was a missionary
  • 154 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 155 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 156 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 157 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 158 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 159 For crying out loud!

  • 160 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 161

    Building works
  • 162 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 163

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 164 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 165 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 166 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 167 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 168 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 169 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 170 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 171 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 172 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 173 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 174 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 175 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 176 Traditions and skills still there

  • 177

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 178 New look in the hayfields

  • 179 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 180 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 181 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 182 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 183

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 184 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 185 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 186 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 187 Torrington's new amenity

  • 188 Blanchards ad.>
  • 189

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 190 Last train from Torrington

  • 191 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 192 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 193

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 194 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 195 Appledore's largest

  • 196

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 197 Clovelly nightmare

  • 198 Finished in 1876

  • 199 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 200 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 201 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 202 Decontrol of meat

  • 203

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 204 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 205 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 206 Capers on the cobbles

  • 207 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 208 Six footed lamb

  • 209 Happy Days!

  • 210 Emergency ferry services

  • 211 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 212 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 213 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 214 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 215 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 216 From Bobby to Brian

  • 217 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 218 Torrington in 1967

  • 219 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 220 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 221 New shipyard on schedule

  • 222

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 223 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 224

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 225 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 226 Out of puff!

  • 227 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 228 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 229 So this is the mainland!

  • 230 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 231 Can spring be far away?

  • 232 Hartland postman retires

  • 233 New Lundy stamps

  • 234 113 years at Instow

  • 235 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 236 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 237 When horses score over the tractor

  • 238 Service with a smile

  • 239 All for the love of a lady!

  • 240 It really was the 'last time'

  • 241 New addition to Quay front

  • 242 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 243 A story to tell!

  • 244 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 245 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 246 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 247 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 248 North Devon Driving School

  • 249 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 250 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 251 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 252

    Relatives all over the world
  • 253 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 254 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 255 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 256 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 257 Over the bank together>
  • 258 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 259 Revenge in style

  • 260 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 261 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 262

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 263 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 264 Some mushroom!

  • 265 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 266 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 267 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 268 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 269 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 270 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 271 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 272 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 273 The cab at the corner>
  • 274 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 275 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 276 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 277 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 278 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 279 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 280 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 281 Sweets derationing

  • 282 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 283

    First prize
  • 284 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 285 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 286 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 287 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 288 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 289 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 290 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 291 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 292 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 293 Sight of a lifetime

  • 294 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 295 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 296

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 297 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 298 New Post Office

  • 299

    New gateway
  • 300 No sale of Springfield House

  • 301 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 302 Picking the pops

  • 303 School crossing patrol begins

  • 304 Variety in summer weather

  • 305 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 306 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 307 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 308 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 309 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 310 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 311

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 312 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 313 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 314 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 315 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 316 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 317 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 318 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 319 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 320 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 321 Ships at Bideford

  • 322 They are parted pro-tem

  • 323 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 324 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 325 Just over a year old

  • 326 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 327 Bideford computer stars

  • 328 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 329 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 330 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 331 Littleham family's five generations

  • 332 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 333 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 334 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 335 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 336 Bridging the stream

  • 337 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 338 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 339 Penny for the guy

  • 340 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 341 Filming at Hartland

  • 342 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 343 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 344 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 345 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 346 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 347 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 348 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 349 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 350 Some 240 exhibits

  • 351 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 352 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 353 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 354 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 355 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 356

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 357 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 358 Mobile missionary

  • 359 Artisans' Club

  • 360 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 361 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 362 Hartland's invitation

  • 363 Cruising down the river

  • 364 Peter poses for TV film

  • 365 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 366 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 367 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 368 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 369 New civic medallions

  • 370 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 371 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 372 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 373 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 374

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 375 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 376

    Bidefordians
  • 377 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 378 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 379 Hartland Dancers
  • 380 Pannier Market's future?

  • 381 The Geneva marionettes

  • 382 Circus comes to town

  • 383 By pony and trap to market

  • 384 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 385 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 386 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 387 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 388 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 389 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 390 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 391 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 392 Private home for public pump

  • 393 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 394 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 395

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 396 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 397 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 398 He beat the floods

  • 399 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 400 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 401 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 402 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 403

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 404 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 405 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 406 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 407 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 408 A roof-top view - where?

  • 409 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 410

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 411 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 412

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 413 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 414

    Married in 1908
  • 415 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 416 No laughing matter

  • 417 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 418 New life for Hartland organ

  • 419 Devil sent packing

  • 420 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 421 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 422 Torrington to have first woman mayor

3.5.1957 Robins win Hansen Cup

Robins Win The Hansen Cup

May 3rd, 1957

Bideford AFC pictured with the Hansen Cup after they had defeated Bude 2-1 in the final

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and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

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  • 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.

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  • Seafield House - the "Spooky House" of Westward Ho!

    The house on the cliff edge known locally as ‘Spooky House’ or even ‘Haunted House’ , was built about 1885.

    The road was especially built to enable access to the house and was initially known as Seafield Road; later it became Merley Road.

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  • Torrington May Fair Queen and Her Attendants

    Names from left to right:Joan Ricketts; Joan Newcombe; Jean Wernhem; Margaret Sweet; Enid Ovenden; Rona Elsworthy; Doris Short; (back row);
    Eileen Short; Miss Margery Bennett (Queen); Joyce Downman; David Fiddian (Page); Peggie Sussex;

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1911 Coronation Medal

Coronation Medal Presented on June 22nd 1911   Learn More

The Hoops Inn

The Hoops Inn close to Peppercombe Beach

The Quay at Appledore

Appledore Quay where Taw and Torridge Rivers meet 

 
Wynne Olley

Crowning Glory

12 October 1962

Their finest achievement to date...

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Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

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Births and Marriages

10 February 1942

10.2.1942

Bidgway – February 7th at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Nellie, wife of C Bidgway, a daughter.
Crisp – January 31st to Evangeline, wife of W Crisp, a daughter.
Glover – February 8th to Lydia, wife of E W Glover, a daughter.
Langdon – February 8th at 4 Trafalgar Place, to Evelyn (nee Weeks), wife of Gdsm W J Langdon, Coldstream Guards, a son.
Peacham – January 27th to Annie, wife of G H Peacham, a son.

Cann-Smale – January 28th at St Margaret’s Church, Northam, A B Richard Henry Cann, RN, of 45 Irsha Street, Appledore, and Winifred Joyce Christine Smale, of 6 Kimberley Terrace, Northam.
Popham-Paddon – February 4th at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Corpl George W Popham, son of Mr and Mrs Popham, 9 Marine Parade, Appledore, to Miss Alice Mary Paddon, daughter of Mr and Mrs Paddon, 20 Chingswell Street, Bideford.

Births, an Engagement and Marriages

7 April 1955

7.4.1955

Dymond – On March 26th 1955 at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital to Florence (nee Short) and Leslie, a son, Leslie John.
May – April 4th at Highfield Nursing Home, Barnstaple, to Margaret (nee Slee) and Denis, a son.

Stone-Johnson – The engagement is announced between Barbara Ann, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs H Johnson, 2 East View, Meddon Street, Bideford, and Malcolm Reginald, second son of Mr and Mrs R Stone, 6 Myrtle Grove, Bideford.

Cooke-Hubber – On March 31st 1955 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Richard S Cooke, second son of Mr and Mrs J Cooke, Bedford Row, Barnstaple, to Eileen Margaret, only daughter of Mr and Mrs F P Hubber, Elmdene, Glenfield Road, Bideford.

Hawkins-Cook – On Saturday March 19th, Derek Charles, youngest son of Mr and Mrs W Hawkins, 32 Victoria Street, Barnstaple, to Margaret Joan, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs W J Cook, Mount Pleasant, Littleham.

Hooper-Carpenter – On April 2nd at All Saints’ Church, Clovelly, by the Rev P H Geake, James Hooper, of Electricity House, Higher Clovelly, only son of the late Mr and Mrs J Hooper, of Okehampton, to Margaret Carpenter, only daughter of Mrs Dean and the late Mr Dean, of Birmingham.

Reynolds-Taylor – On April 2nd at St Mary’s Church, Colin R Reynolds, only child of Mr and Mrs J Reynolds, of Whitwell, Derbyshire, to Pamela Mary Taylor, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Tom Taylor, of 43 Coldharbour, Bideford.

Cook-Tucker – On April 5th 1930 by the Rev W G Eeles, at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, William John to Doris Ida Tucker.

Births and a Marriage

6 October 1942

6.10.1942

Briant – October 5th at Westgate Nursing Home, Bridgnorth, Salop, to Gwendolyn Mary (nee Braund) wife of Corporal J D Briant, RAFVR, a daughter. 

Petherbridge – October 3rd to Golly (nee Gwyther), wife of Harry at Pinelea Nursing Home, Bournemouth, a son.

Shute – October 4th at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Ruth (Salisbury), wife of R V Shute, a son.

Smith – October 4th to Petty Officer A.J and Gertrude Smith, a daughter.

Taylor – September 27th at 12 Meeting Street, Appledore, to Cora (nee Hare), wife of PC Taylor, Devon Constabulary, Moretonhampstead, a daughter, Janet Hamlyn.

Hedden-Reeves – September 26th at the Congregational Church, Wood Street, Barnet, Pay-Lieut John L Hedden, RNR, of Appledore, to Betty F Reeves, of Totteridge, London

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