Ilfracombe Soldier’s Diary

In this interesting article from the North Devon Journal, Edgar Lancey Laramy sends home a diary to his wife detailing his experiences of the war...Barum Athena Mrs. Laramy, No. 1, Strand, Ilfracombe, has just received an interesting diary from her husband, Driver Edgar Laramy, 108th Heavy Battery, R.G.A., as under :- “We left Southampton on …

The Jewell in Barnstaple’s Crown – Twelve Months of War & the Splendid Work of Barnstaple’s Mayoress

As part of our series of newspaper articles from the First World War comes this piece about the work done by Harriette Ellen Jewell during the first year of the war...Barum Athena The war into which, as an Empire, we were so suddenly plunged twelve months since found us quite unprepared in the country, whatever …

Whatever Happened To The White Lion?

We have had work experience student Millie with us for the last fortnight. She has been looking into the history of the various public houses of Barnstaple, particularly the premises known as the White Lion, and the people who operated them. Here is what she found out...Barum Athena Why did the White Lion go under? …

“Between the Devil and the Deep Sea” — A Barum Motorist’s Dilemma

Whilst trying to comply with the Defence of the Realm Act this Barnstaple motorist got caught driving without his lights at night... The magistrates at Braunton Divisional Sessions held in Barnstaple yesterday (Wednesday), were called upon to decide a case of an unusual character. A Barnstaple motorist, Mr. Roy Berry, was summoned for allowing his …

The Jones Connection

For the past fortnight we have had Philip with us on work experience. He has written this post on what he found about his Jones ancestors by using the resources we have in the Athenaeum and our partner departments, the North Devon Record Office and the Local Studies Library...Barum Athena During the previous two weeks, …

Diary of an Officer at the Battle of Waterloo

The Carnage dreadful beyond description...Lieut. John Roberts 18th June 1815 In our document collection is a small pocket diary chronicling one man’s experience of the final campaign against Napoleon which led to the Battle of Waterloo and the eventual overthrow of the Emperor. In 1815 Lieut. Roberts, of Bideford, said goodbye to his wife and …

Police and Troublesome Aliens

During the First World War German citizens, or enemy aliens, were required to register with the authorities and had strict restrictions placed on their movements. The following article, taken from the North Devon Herald in May 1915, involves the case of a German alien, Fritz Adler, who was fined £20 (roughly £1,400 in today's money) for breaching the regulations when he hired a pony and joined two local hunts...

Cut Off From His Regiment

Pte. F. T. Hookway, of the 2nd Devons, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hookway, of Richmond-street, Barnstaple, has been invalided home from the Front in consequence of a serious attack of pneumonia and rheumatism, brought about through a most trying, dangerous, and thrilling adventure which he experienced. Pte. Hookway participated in the famous bayonet …

Bravery Under Fire

“I am looking forward to returning to the firing line and having another go at the Germans.” Such were the sentiments expressed to a “Herald” representative by Pte. T. Passmore, of Pugsley's street, Green lane, Barnstaple, who is spending a fortnight in his native town, having been wounded while serving with the 1st Devons at …

Thomas Lock Hill a Fishmonger

This week we have had Josh, a work experience student with us, who has written this post on what he discovered about one of his ancestors by using the resources we have here...Barum Athena. This past week, I have been studying my families’ past, and I have come across some things I have found fascinating. …