Notes for John 'Jack' WHITFIELD Originally from Solihull but lived much of his life at Tree Cottage, Black
Dog,
Devon UK. Jack was self employed, at least I never knew of him being in
employment! He had a carpentry workshop in the garden and for very many years he
made toy sailing yachts which were sold around the Devon tourist towns. The yachts
came in three sizes and were named on the hulls as Jean I, II or III depending on
the size. The sails and rigging were made by his wife, Ida. He loved fishing,
regularly taking a boat out from Teignmouth to fish for Sea Bass. This was so
regular that I presume he had his own boat down there, but I never heard of it. He
was a very big man, tall and heavy, but very quiet, always with a smile and he
always seemed to me to be very much at peace with the world. We weren't frequent
visitors, just every few years. On one occasion we arrived to find that Jack had
gone to the pub across the road. My father went over to join him, sitting next to
him at the bar. Jack failed to recognise his brother in law and so my father played
along for a minute before Jack realised, to much merriment and leg pulling! [269]
Notes for Ida Kathleen BODDINGTON Ida was very much a Boddington, commanding, authoritative and feared by us nephews.
We didn't stay often but were very wary of her when we did. A complete contrast to
husband Jack whose company we much enjoyed. However, she was a kindly woman and
certainly didn't mean us any harm! [269]
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