Category Archives: History

South Hill Remembers George Symonds


George Symonds VC DCM

We also remember George Symons a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was awarded Victoria Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, Légion d’honneur (France), Medal of Military Valour (Sardinia)

http://www.vconline.org.uk/george-symons-vc/4588315903

George Symons was born in South Hill parish on the 18th March 1826 and baptised on the 2nd April 1826 at St Sampson’s Church. Son of William a farm labourer, and Anne Symons, living at Lower Trewassick with their daughter Mary Ann. (William possibly born 1760 and died in 1842).

The 1841 census shows George aged 15, living with a Blacksmith called Widger and his family at The Lodge which appears to be connected to Manaton Mill. The other various properties surveyed at Manaton Mill were: Manaton Mill, which contained three dwellings containing the miller and family, and 2 agricultural labourers and families; a property listed as Shop where a farmer and his children lived with 3 agricultural labourers, and Higher Ford where a farmer and his family lived.

George enlisted in the Royal Artillery on the 29th June 1845 and by the 1st January 1853 he had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant.’ The act of his gallantry for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross was on 6th June 1855. He recovered from his wounds and was later commissioned into the Military Train, transferred back to the Royal Artillery in 1862 and reached the rank of Captain. On 15 January 1862 he was appointed Adjutant of the 1st Administrative Brigade of Yorkshire (East Riding) Artillery Volunteers.

He retired to Yorkshire, where on 18th November 1871 he died in Bridlington, aged 45 years. He was buried in the churchyard of Bridlington Priory. His medals are held by the Royal Logistic Corps Museum, Camberley, Surrey.

An amazing life for the son of an agricultural labourer: Arising from his act of gallantry, he was commissioned at a time when officers were almost exclusively upper class, and eventually reached the rank of Captain.

2023 Barrow Push


Anthony Bagley, the new farm manager at Duchy College led the procession in a tractor on Saturday 24th June for St Sampson’s Church annual medieval barrow push and summer fete. Duchy College came to our rescue at the last minute to pull the trailer of dignitaries from Callington to South Hill.

An assortment of decorated wheel barrows, were entered and wheelie bins from SHARE Recycling for Charity project were pushed the 2 miles from Callington to South Hill preceded by our Knight carrying the St Sampson’s banner, followed up by our local dignitaries; Callington Portreeve – Pete Watson, the town crier – Tony Stentiford and local lay minister Nigel Cooper.

The winning ‘barrow’ was a wheelie bin with a real child inside! They were awarded the trophy made from the old bells headstock.

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Cricket back at Golberdon. 25th June 2023


Our first game after 40 years of playing cricket at Upton Cross was played at our new home of Golberdon on Sunday 25th June, after as much work on the wicket as we have been able to do with the wet winter/spring and then long dry spell after, we were apprehensive of how a wicket that had laid dormant for so many years would react or play.

With our Captain Adam Piper winning the toss against Cornwall over 50’s we elected to bat, with slight trepidation our openers started slowly but within 5 or 6 overs realised that the pitch was playing remarkably well and started to attack the bowling as did the ensuing batsman and at the end of the first 40 overs at Golberdon in many years a total of 273-5 was amassed pretty impressive for a square that hasn’t see much action for many years.

After a filling tea prepared by our amazing tea ladies we took to the field again.

Cornwall over 50s a side that are always up for a challenge took it on but with some fantastic fielding and sharp bowling could only muster 110 all out in reply, we thank them for fulfilling the fixture and their company as always.

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Remember When: Green Shield stamps


Green Shield Stamps where popular during the sixties and seventies, and cluttered up kitchen drawers everywhere. Did you collect them, lick them?

The Green Shield Stamp scheme was introduced into the UK in 1958 by Richard Tompkins based along the same lines as the successful Sperry & Hutchinson Green Stamps in the US.

Essentially a sales promotion or incentive scheme designed to encourage shopping, Green Shield Stamps were given to shoppers with every purchase. It was widely adopted with most shops, supermarkets and petrol stations signed up to the scheme.

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Reflecting on 2022


Russia invaded Ukraine, many people have been killed and displaced, some finding their way to homes around our parish. As a consequence, oil and food prices rose to record highs.
 
COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, rising energy bills, Levelling Up, Climate Crisis, Cost-of-Living Crisis and with it protests, blockades and strikes.

Storms & Flooding & a Heat-wave, record temperatures here and a hose pipe ban.
An earthquake between Afghanistan and Pakistan killed over 1,000 people.
A series of heatwaves from July to August hit Europe, causing at least 53,000 deaths and causing wildfires, travel disruptions, and record high temperatures in many countries.
 
We’ve heard more about Black Lives Matter & Bird Flu.
 
After 70 years on the throne, marked by her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Queen Elizabeth II died on 8th September at the age of 96.
September 10th  Charles III is formally proclaimed King.
 
Other world leaders died: Shinzo Abe, Mikhail Gorbachev, & Jiang Zemin, plus entertainers Sidney Poitier, Olivia Newton-John, Angela Lansbury, & Jerry Lee Lewis. Dennis Waterman, Barry Cryer, Robbie Coltrane, Kirstie Alley, Leslie Phillips, Bernard Cribbins, James Caan, Lester Piggott, Shane Warne, Meat Loaf, Janice Long, Bill Turnbull, Christine McVie, Jethro.
 
Boris Johnson resigned as Prime Minister, Liz Truss was elected as his successor in September, quit 50 days later, and was replaced by Rishi Sunak.
 
In February The Winter Olympics were held in Beijing, China, making it the first city ever to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
 
May 14th The Eurovision Song Contest UK entry performed by Sam Ryder finished in second place and it felt like a win behind the winners from Ukraine.
 
July England hosted EURO 22 Women’s UEFA and won.
 
October 28th Elon Musk completes his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter.
 
December FIFA World Cup held in Qatar, Argentina beat France in the final.
 
 
Looking back over the Queens life 1926 – 2022
Queen Elizabeth II 1926 – 2022 | South Hill Connection (south-hill.co.uk)

South Hill Remembers Them


Victory Medal

The names of those on our war memorial
Private John Garfield Doney Aged 21 The London Regiment.
Son of William & Martha Doney, Wagmuggle. Read more

Private Thomas Drew Aged 29 The Somerset Light Infantry
Son of Mr & Mrs William Drew from Pensilva Read more

WWI Medal

Private Percy Jenkin Aged 22 The Duke of Cornwall’s
Light Infantry. Before enlisting, he lived at Manaton where he worked as a waggoner. Read more

Private William Gordon Landry Aged 24 The Essex
Regiment Son of William & Elizabeth Landry, Trevigro. Read more

2nd Lieutenant Herbert Gloyne Forster-Morris Aged 19 The South Wales Borderers Only son of the Reverend Herbert & Mrs Forster-Morris, the Rector of South Hill. Read more

Private William Nicholas Stephens Aged 28 The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Son of Stephen & Harriet Stephens, of Pear Tree Row, Callington. Read more

Sapper Vernon William Buckingham Aged 21 The Royal Engineers Uncle of Jill Reynolds & Shirley Shears. Read more.

Also remembered from this parish, but not named on the war memorial.

Able Seaman Stanley Jenkin, brother of Percy. Aged 18 Lived at Trewassick where he looked after the cattle. Read more also

Chief Petty Officer John Henry Dennis Chief Stoker aboard HMS Earnest. Drowned aged 39 Read more and
Petty Officer Aaron Rogers on HMS Vivid died aged 40, awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his part in the battle at Gallipoli. Both are buried in South Hill churchyard. Their graves can be found next to each other in the row of graves nearest to the road wall. Read more

Also remember not previously listed: Private Herbert Dawe Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry died aged 23 in France, son of Richard and Hannah of Trewoodloe Read more

Plus on 2nd April 1826 a baby by the name of George Symons was baptised in the font at St. Sampson’s. At the age of 30 he was one of the first people to be awarded the Victoria Cross for ‘conspicuous gallantry under terrific fire’ during the Crimean war. Read More
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Who has information or would like to help research these young men?
Thank you for those that have helped so far. Contact Ali if interested.
iamalihumphreys@yahoo.com

January 2023 Connection Newsletter


In this edition:

  • Reflecting on 2022
  • Parish Council Updates
  • St Sampson’s Updates
  • Our Advertisers here
  • Monthly Quiz 4th Saturday
  • Regular Hall Events and more

Newsletter full format version – click here… 

JANUARYNEWSLETTERDownload

As well as the on line newsletter we also offer a print copy which can be delivered to you within the parish, just email your address to editor@south-hill  or call Ali on 07305 044049.

Alternatively you can pick up a copy at the parish hall in a dispenser by the front door, or from inside the church, or from the Bray Shop bin by the notice board.

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From The Connection Team

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