Evacuees

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.

Evacuees' gift to Woolsery

26th June 1945

Woolsery has a permanent reminder of the happy friendships arising from the great war-time evacuation of 1940-45 for, at a charming little ceremony on June 13th a handsome new oak seat was presented by the evacuees in appreciation of the kindness and hospitality accorded to them by the village.

In the top photograph the Dean Rural (Preb. I L Gregory, Vicar of Hartland) is seen dedicating the seat after having unveiled it. Below Mr C B Griffiths (headmaster of Woolsery School and Billeting Officer for the Parish) is addressing the gathering prior to the unveiling. Behind him stand respresentatives of the Rural District Council, Education Committee, Parish Council and Managers of the School. Photographs by I C Williams, Bideford.

Evacuees' Birthday Celebrations at Hostel 1st April 1941

Evacuees' Birthday Celebrations at Hostel

1st April 1941

A group of evacuees at the Queen Street, Hostel, Bideford on the occasion of a recent birthday celebration. They were dressed in the costumes of many nations, had a special tea, and concluded with games, entertainment and dancing.

The occasion celebrated three birthdays - those of Leslie Crisp and Jack Everard, two evacuees from London, and Nurse K Humphrey, daughter of the Master and Matron (Mr & Mrs F W Humphrey), who came from Bexhill.

Costumes were made by the matron while others were loaned by members of the W V S.

After tea Mr S R Dark and Mr John Lee entertained the party with conjuring and paper tearing of designes and also provided music for dancing.

Names of people in photograph: In the centre are sitting the Master and Matron and Nurse Humphrey is in the top right hand corner, and Miss Morgan, Mrs Edwards and Mrs Mills (staff of the Hostel) are seen among those standing. Children present are Jack and Colin Everard, Ronald and John Mills, Lucy Blanks,Hazel Smythson, Charles Miller, Leslie Crisp, Harry and Reggie Norman, Betty and Dorothy Aldridge; Lily Schols, Brian Landlands, John Eccot, George Batstone, Eric Drake, David Yallop, Lillian Horsburgh, Douglas and Roy Wickenden, Pat Bennett, Edna and Ivy Blake, Peter Burridge, Barbara Gater, Leslie Moorecroft, Grace Edwards, Sheila and Pat Evans, William Cartwright, Jean Eastwell, Iris Scott, Marjorie Fillingham. Also in the picture are Mrs Moy (official evacuation helper) and daughter and Mrs Crisp (official evacuation helper) and her two daughters.

4,000 evacuees children expected 11th June 1940

4,000 evacuees children expected

11th June 1940

The evacuation of children from greater London is to commence on Thursday and this means that Bideford and Torrington districts can expect, according to the allocations previously announced, several thousand of these evacuees.

This great London exodus, which involves about 120,000 children, will take six days to complete. The majority will come to the Westcountry - Cornwall, Devonshire, Somerset and Wales.

Bideford borough was instructed to make arrangements to received 1,500 children; Bideford Rural District, 1,000 children: Torrington Borough 200 children; Torrington Rural District 1,600.

With the arrival of the children and the number of "unofficial" evacuees - elderly people and mothers and children already seeking safety in the town - practically all Bideford's available accommodation will be in use.

Owing to the insufficient response on the part of householders in some districts compulsory billeting powers will have to be exercised.