Introduction “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” Albert Schweitzer It has been two years since we first discovered their grave. There was a brief flurryContinue reading “Inner Spirit”
Author Archives: Everyman
The Two Juanitas
As you walk through Teignmouth Old Cemetery, you can’t fail but be drawn to some of the graves that have been uncovered – it could be the headstone that catches your eye; or maybe you wonder about the epitaph; or, as in the case of this story, it may be the name of the person buried there – in this case Blanche Juanita Cooke, or rather Lady Blanche Juanita Cooke, wife of the 9th baronet.
In te domine speravi
“A——-, a mantle-maker in a large establishment. Wages 9s. per week, latterly only 7s. 6d., work being slack. Pays 3s. 6d. for room, 1s. for coal, lamp-oil, and firewood, 9d. for washing, which leaves just 3s. 9d. for food and clothing. Lives mostly on bread and tea; carries bread and butter for her dinner toContinue reading “In te domine speravi”
Countess Isabella Jane English
As you come out of Teignmouth on the Dawlish road and approach the top of the hill, keep an eye out on the left-hand side and you may catch a glimpse of one of Teignmouth’s hidden gems of architectural and historic interest. St Scholastica’s Abbey nestles behind the pallisade of tall trees. It is nowContinue reading “Countess Isabella Jane English”
Peter Paul Marshall
Introduction – a Pre-Raphaelite Inferno In my previous post I mentioned the wonderful names of various Victorians. Here is another one to conjure with – Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Yes, one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood; and, No, he’s not buried in Teignmouth cemetery. But there is a strong connection. History is fascinating forContinue reading “Peter Paul Marshall”
Rear-Admiral William Alfred Rombulow Pearse
Introduction Is it a pre-requisite of admirals of the 18th and 19th centuries to have grandiose names? Probably not, but one of the first graves we researched was that of Rear-Admiral Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt – a name to conjure with. A Royal Naval Mediterranean explorer, he could be called the “Indiana Jones” of his time! RearContinue reading “Rear-Admiral William Alfred Rombulow Pearse”
Three in One – Part 3b – Harry Welchman – Career Years
On February 5th 1960 the TV presenter Eamonn Andrews surprised Harry Welchman in a taxi outside the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, London. This became Harry’s appearance later that week on the popular TV show of the time ‘This is Your Life’. Unfortunately the recording of that show doesn’t exist any longer; it would have beenContinue reading “Three in One – Part 3b – Harry Welchman – Career Years”
Three in One – Part 3a – Harry Welchman – His Origins
The final person in the Three in One tale is Harry Welchman, 24 February 1886 – 3 January 1966. Although he made several non-musical plays he was really a star of musical theatre and, as the Times remembers him, “perhaps the most popular musical comedy hero on the London stage in the years between the wars”.Continue reading “Three in One – Part 3a – Harry Welchman – His Origins”
Three in One – Part 2 – Sylvia Forde
Leaving behind the mystery of Janet Sarah Coke we now add a little glamour and intrigue to the Three in One tale. Sylvia Forde was Harry Welchman’s second wife. She too worked in the theatre, almost married a Prince and, importantly for Harry, she provided him with massive support when he toured the country. EarlyContinue reading “Three in One – Part 2 – Sylvia Forde”
Three in One
The credit for the discovery of this story must go to one of our keen volunteers, Jean Gitsham. It is a tribute to the almost archaeological tenacity required to locate and uncover the burial sites of people who have an historic attachment with Teignmouth. Like many such discoveries serendipity places a part. In Jean’s ownContinue reading “Three in One”
Teignmouth Old Cemetery 