by Rowena Bradnam | May 28, 2020 | People, Families
Stay in Devon! A letter written by Rachael Heathman, mother of Rowena Bradnam, who was with her grandmother, Lavinia Back, in Bishopsteignton when WWII was declared. “On Saturday 2nd 1939, my sisters and I were due to return home from our holiday with my...
by Jess Gibby | May 21, 2020 | Events, Places, World War Two
The sad wartime history of La Roche Maurice is echoed throughout France. 1940 The Pointois Wood Close to the major port of Brest, La Roche-Maurice suffered German occupation from the 19th June 1940. Near this village lies a large manor house with grounds including...
by Jess Gibby | May 21, 2020 | Events, World War Two
Overview The strategic site of La Roche-Maurice in Brittany explains the presence of French Alpine hunters in April 1940, then briefly English troops who were replaced during the Invasion of 1940 by German troops, as well as White Russians (in fact Georgians) of the...
by Jess Gibby | Jun 15, 2019 | Events, World War Two
Normandy D-Day 75th Anniversary When the invitation came for us to be in Normandy for June 6th 2019 staying with a French family we were thrilled. Five years ago my husband Rich was flying in the skies in a Lancaster with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. This...
by Paddy Harris | Dec 13, 2018 | Places, W. J. Ryder's Supply Stores
Bill and Hetty Ryder ran a village store at the bottom of Radway Hill in Bishopsteignton. The store comprised of a butchery on the right hand side of the premises and a general grocery store on the left. Butcher’s Mr Ryder ran the butcher’s side of the...
