Pictures

Born in 1935, the young John Onslow was evacuated from Croydon to Devon in 1940, during the Second World War. The photograph shows him with his host family, Mr. and Mrs. Ridd. Gwen and Harold Ridd had no children of their own and were by then running a business from Hume's Farm in Bradiford. John went to school in Pilton during his stay.

Gwen (née Boyles) was born at no. 1 Bradiford in 1904, and the family moved to the farm around 1905/6. Her father, Jim Boyles, worked as a butcher at 1 and 2 Butchers’ Row in Barnstaple. When he gave up, Gwen’s brother, Bert, took over the shop. Gwen’s husband had been a cabinet maker for Shapland and Petter, but subsequently started up a dairy business with her at the farm.

Sadly, Harold died in 1947, and the time came for John Onslow, still with the couple 7 years later, to leave the farm. Gwen re-married in 1948 and became Mrs. Arthur Chamings. The dairy business continued with Arthur and Gwen making local deliveries by horse-drawn milk float (see the following link dated to about 1965):

http://vimp.thepiltonstory.org/picture/Mr-Chamings039-Milk-Float-in-Brad...

Gwen Chamings died in 1976, and Arthur sold up the farm two years later. John Onslow, now living in Dorset, still visits Barnstaple from time to time.

Many thanks to John for contributing this photograph.