THE old photograph in last week's Times is somewhat indicative of the times!

What is not generally known is that in 1915 a large number of soldiers  of the North Staffordshire Regiment arrived in Okehampton.  However, there was insufficent accommodation at the Okehampton Battle Camp to cater for such an influx.  

The call went out to the Okehampton residents for suitable accommodation and there was a terrific response from the townsfolk. As a result, hundreds of soldiers were billeted in homes throughout the borough.  

The patriotic Okehampton families in true Devonshire spirit wasted no time in making their homes available to these brave young men.  In twos and threes they were scattered around the town.  The Horne family at Fairfied House at the bottom of Station Road, now the site of the Post Office and with a big house, accommodated no less then 22. The Lovell family at 62  North Street had four soldiers who became part of the family for too short a period.  Many of  the families were proud to pose with photographs with their wartime and welcome guests.

Alas, it was not a happy ending as not many of the regiment survived the war, but Okehampton was proud to play a part in this conflict.

Hilary and Mike Wreford  

Okehampton