Recently we said a sad goodbye to Honiton’s gentleman Reginald Gould, also known as dad, grandad, great grandad, great great grandad, Reg, Reggie as well as Mr Gould.

Reg was born in 1924 at the white lion pub in Honiton which his parents ran.

He was the youngest of five children, Marjorie, Wilf, Vernun and Dora were his siblings.

He later grew up with his family across the road in a house later to be named Ortona.

Reg used to enjoy tending the large garden behind the pub and chasing around with Marj and their dog Paddy.

He used to tell of his schooldays in the old school in king Street and receiving the cane for misbehaving. These were the days of chalk and blackboard, as well as blackboard cleaners which were launched regularly at high speed by Mr Giles towards an offending pupil.

He talked of times at the beginning of the war, working on the old fire station and the shenanigan’s they all had, as well as the tough times.

When Reg was 17 he joined the RAF to do his bit for king and country, eventually being posted to Stranraer in Scotland where he was ground crew working on bombers.

His brother Wilf was aircrew and was tragically killed during a raid off the Italian coast and buried in the Canadian war cemetery in Ortona, hence the house name.

Reg met Christine Rutherford from Stirling while at Stranraer. Love blossomed and they were wed. They had a daughter, Pat and returned to Honiton after the war ended.

Reg started work at Dimonds Honiton as a printer compositor and several years later they had a son, John, followed by the grandkids Michael, Johanne & Samantha.

After many many years, Reg had a major change of employment working for Hoskins men's outfitters.

It was here that he got to meet many local people who always received a cordial welcome, before leaving the shop with far more than the came in for. Well, he was on commission!!

It was at this time when he decided to purchase an antique printing machine which was foot operated and made a right din! .It was bought to try provide extra funding for Chris's constant spoiling of the grandchildren, hence you could hear it clattering away at turbo speed evenings and weekends.

Reg was a loving father to Pat and John, always ensuring Pat would be home on time, if not a search would ensue and then John, obsessed with taking motorbikes apart at home, always ending up with some bits left over.

Pat and John had a thing about time, with Pat taking a watch apart looking for the jewels and John unable to reassemble a mantle clock after dismantling it to see how it worked.

Reg loved his garden and grew lots of veg and lovely flower beds out the front. The grandkids used to love his rhubarb. He enjoyed the sunshine and catching up with neighbours in the George Street as they walked past.

Reg and Chris used to love their holidays in Scotland visiting family and discovering the stunning scenery.

While there they discovered Inchmahome an island in the middle of the lake of Menteith near Aberfoyle. This was their favourite place, so quiet and tranquil.

Reg was inspired to write a poem about Inchmahome and it was etched into a slate sheet and displayed on the wall of the visitor centre and years later, after so many people had said how wonderful it was, produced as a postcard. Just one of the lovely poems he wrote over the years.

Chris's ashes were scattered there after her sudden tragic death all too early, before they reached retirement age.

After Chris' death, Reg continued to work until 65 and his family were very impressed with his ability to look after himself. He would cook his own meals and bake lemon drizzle and fruit cakes from his sister Marj home recipes.

He used to go off in his car for short day trips, always ensuring he had a full thermos of tea and a copious supply of polo mints. He enjoyed being taken to the local air shows and showing off his photography, he was nicknamed “Reg Bailey”.

Home improvements became his favourite past time, his best friend's being screwdrivers, hammer and saw. His worst enemy? Ladders!!

Gravity was never on his side, which resulted in a few trips to A&E.

Reg had serious health issues in his late 60s early 70s. Cancer as well as having a quadruple heart bypass, but amazingly he bounced back quickly but would always do far too much for a man of his age.

“Tomorrow is another day” was not a phrase he believed in.

Pat and John would regularly tell him off for not waiting for help but were told they “fussed too much”.

John took Reg abroad a few times and he absolutely loved it. He even went to Turkey on his own, but his biggest trip was by coach to Rimini in Italy and then solo by trains and taxi hundreds of miles south to visit Wilfs grave at Ortona. This was a very emotional trip for him. He was absolutely shattered when he got back. He told of the taxi driver refusing to take his money for the fare when he said where he wanted to go, such was the respect they have for the war dead there.

Reg loved going to Marg house and playing cards and reminiscing with a group of good friends. They were nicknamed “The Wrinklies”. Reg was extremely upset when Marg passed away.

Reg's great grandchildren used to love hearing about the old days when they came to visit from around the world.

Reg moved to Abbeyfield assisted housing Honiton about 5 years ago and quickly made good friends of both residents and staff and really enjoyed his time there. He enjoyed being able to look down the high street at St Pauls Church – such a great view for a “Honitonian”.

However, Reg was dealt a bad hand just after the first Covid lockdown, taking a fall and breaking his collarbone, spending time in Exeter and then Sidmouth hospitals then temporary care in Colyton, before transferring to Somerville at Willand.

He hated losing his independence and not being able to see his family because of Covid.

Over the last month, Reg went downhill quickly and the family would like to thank Somerville for allowing them to spend time with him in his final hours.

Some of his last words were "keep loving each other" and "I will always be with you in some way".

The family would like to thank everyone who cared for Reg and also would like to thank everyone who said lovely things about him when his death was announced on social media. It means a lot to them and he would be overwhelmed with the kindness.

Reg will be going on his final journey next year. A long road trip and a short ferry ride to Inchmahome where Reg and Chris will finally be together again.

This was Reg Gould, a quiet loving man, very rarely seen without a shirt and tie, a true gentleman and old Honitonian.

Forever in our memories

Written By John Gould and Samantha Thompson.