DETAILS from the fascinating memoirs of 105-year-old William Herbert 'Herbie' Sampson from North Tawton have been revealed by his cousin John Sampson and his wife Dot following Herbert's death in July.

Herbert was born on October 25 1905, one of five children. His father, Samuel Sampson, was born at Walson Farm in Broadwoodkelly in 1868.

He spent many years of his life living in North Tawton, attending the Miss Ellis Prep School before his father built Wildridge House.

He met his wife Rene Hawkins at Okehampton Grammar School, marrying her on October 8 1935.

Herbert lived in the village several times throughout his life and settled down there at the age of 62.

Before this, he had spells in the army with the Royal Engineers, and lived in Africa in the Gold Coast, now known as Ghana.

Herbert's memoirs offer a fascinating insight into North Tawton's history, beginning nearly a century ago.

Dot said: 'Herbert wrote his memoirs in his early nineties, taking about three years to write them. It is a book of such memories and detail of life as it was then.

'He wrote that the present town hall in North Tawton was formally the market hall. It was paved with cobbles, the centre open to the sky.

'Market stalls were around the sides, which sold eggs, poultry and home produce.

'He told us that North Tawton had changed so much.

'When he was a boy there were five butcher shops, three bakers, four blacksmiths, five grocer shops as well as saddlers, wheelwrights, cartwrights and other small industries.

'There was no electricity and just one or two cars in the whole of North Tawton.

'He also told us about the Gostwyke Hotel in the Square, destroyed by fire in 1916.

'There was insufficient water in the mains to fight the blaze. Fire engines came from Crediton and Exeter and they used water from the stream, but the hotel was destroyed.

'At the age of 62 Herbert and Rene came back to settle in North Tawton, the place that they loved. They renovated 4 Court Green, the property next door to Ted Hughes. They described him as a lovely man and really good neighbour.'

Herbert continued working with Okehampton Town Council until the age of 85.

He spent the later years of his life in Springfields Residential Home in Bridestowe.

Dot said: 'Herbert was truly a wonderful man, loved by all of us. It was a privilege to have known him.'