South Petherton Special Constables 1939/45
From Seavington News - August 1993
From a cutting of the Chard and Ilminster News 10th July 1980
Mr Bob Ash of Seavington sent this picture (right) of South Petherton Special constables which included members from Seavington.
Mr Ash recalls being reprimanded by two of SpecialConstables (M. Yole, His late uncle and F R Rowsell) when, with 2 other village lads they were helping themselves to some pears from a tree at Pond Farm, Seavington, and were caught red-handed. They were given the option of either apologising to the farmer Mr Frank Warry, or being prosecuted. They decided to apologise and were escorted in to see Mr Warry where they were made to empty their pockets of the pears.
Incidentially the pear tree is still there, but the pond from which the farm got its name has long been filled in and is now a car park.
Eight of the special constables lived in Seavington. Matthew Yole lived in the Old Post Office - his wife was the post mistress for many years.
Fred Singleton lived at Hurcott. He was a gamekeeper for the Dillington Estate. Wilfred Webb lived in Seavington and was farm manager at Manor Farm, Seavington St Mary.
Jack Jeffrey farmed at West Street Farm where he won many prizes as a sheep breeder. Hubert Bonning (Ivy’s husband) worked at Castle Farm for the Reyland family. A former captain and committee member of the Seavington Football Club.
Jeff Bonning (Liy’s husband) farmed at Court Farm, he was also a former captain and committee member of Seavington Football Club.
Bill Raymond lived opposite the car park in Seavington St Michael, he was the local butcher. Reg Rowsell farmed at Water Street Farm, which became ‘The Pheasant’. Reg was captain of Seavington Cricket Club.
Front Row: (left to right) M. Yole, F. Singleton, W. Webb (Sgt) G B Hallett (Grp Ldr) A Newport (Sgt(), W. Taylor
2nd Row (left to right) J Parker, W Harwood, H Coles, J Jeffrey, H Bonning, J Bonning, C Culverhouse
3rd Row (left to right) p Carter, C Sweetland, H Strange, C Virgin, W Raymond, F R Rowsell