We’d put it off, but with time on my hands, I have finally done it. I’ve produced a booklet from my grandad’s (Papa’s) jottings.
From 50-odd A4 pages of handwritten jottings and a few cuttings and mementos, I have scanned, tidied up, reset and composed a 56 page A5 booklet. I’ve printed a dozen copies for posterity to share with the family.
If you’ve got older people in your family, ask them to write down a few memories – you’ll be surprised what might come out. It’s not until a few years after Papa’s passing that these stories have been recalled to younger family members and now they’ve been tidily preserved for future generations.
If I can help you publish something you have squirreled away – give me a shout!
Herbert Frank Short
1915 Plymouth “I was born in an upstairs flat at No.114 Alexandra Road…”
1929 Laira Green Boys School “I became interested in printing & book binding, we produced the school magazine… I became in charge of the darkroom and the photography club…”
1934 Plymouth “I started as a bus conductor… the fares were 1d Derry’s Clock to Drakes Circus, 1p DC to St Judes Church… I bought an Austin car…”
1939 Bodmin “I passed and was accepted as a probationer into the police force.”
1953 Horfield Prison “…Pierpoint, the Sheriff, the Governor, the Prison Dr., and a head warden attended. I waited outside. Gifford was executed… I returned home.”
1959 St Ives “an orphaned lad came & thanked me for intervening with the magistrate, which resulted in just a caution. A year had passed, now going straight, he wished me all the best at Penzance”
1985 Penzance “formed a concert party group and gave concerts around the area… it was a great success, and we had much enjoyment…”
More from the Richard’s family: Bodmin Moor 100 years on…
Jules P Richards 