A memorial tree was planted for the late Clifford Gilbert, who in his long association with Holsworthy AFC raised thousands of pounds for his beloved Magpies.

A cremation service for the life of the late Clifford Gilbert was previously held at the North Devon Crematorium, Barnstaple on Friday, January 13, followed by a service of thanksgiving at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Holsworthy.

Rev Paul Fitzpatrick conducted the two services with Mr John Timbury the church organist.

The crucifier was Mr Nick Cousins, the eulogy was given by Major Michael Johns and the poem read by Anne Hawkins.

Clifford Cory Gilbert was born on April 2, 1931, in Victoria Street, Holsworthy.

He lived with Elizabeth and Charles Gilbert, his grandparents, until he married Sylvia in 1958.

He left Holsworthy Secondary School in 1945 aged 14, where there were 80-plus children, including evacuees in his class during the war years when the school was half the size it is today.

He started work in Alfred Wides Egg Packing Station next to the church where his uncle, Arthur, was the manager.

National Service with the RAF in Warrington (Yorkshire) – but following a medical inspection, Cliff was discharged with perforated ear drums.

Clifford had no siblings, but Uncle Arthur’s three sons, Alan, Ron and Peter were close to him and considered them as brothers.

The business was taken over by Express Dairies during the 30 years Cliff worked there. During those years he learned to drive, winning many safe driving awards.

He visited many farms picking up eggs and rabbits and made many friends in the Bradworthy, Hartland and Morwenstow areas.

Where Lee his grandson lives, Cliff is known as the egg man’s grandson.

For the last 20 years of his working life, Cliff worked at Holsworthy Electronics, later to become Meggitts as personal driver to his boss Derek Hews and in charge of transport and doing anything needed around the factory.

In 1983 he drove Mr Hews to Spain along with Conrad to do some work on his villa. He retired in 1996.

He then delivered meals on wheels and groceries for a few years.

He was blessed with three children; Tony, Kathryn and Sara, seven grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Along with their partners, he loved them all very much.

Over the years he made many friends, belonging to the Crown and Sceptre skittles team, British Legion Club and was a keen supporter of Holsworthy Football Club where he was a past president and raised many thousands of pounds running the bingo for over 40 years.

He could still be seen standing watching a match at home games until recently.

He took up bell ringing at the age of 50 and rang for 40 years.

Tony was also honoured to be chosen for the Court Leet in 2000 as a ‘Lane Driver’ and was also a trustee of the Memorial Hall and Guardian of the Great Tree.

Cliff and Sylvia enjoyed many holidays, first caravanning in Cornwall with the children and latterly coach travel in the British Isles and the continent.

There were also seven cruises to many places including St Petersburg, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, all under Russian rule at that time.

Cliff was also a long-time member of the Twinning Association, visiting Holsworthy’s twin town many times since 1975, making many friends in Aunay-sur-Odon.

He had a full and happy life up to the end, able to still drive and take part in the community.

“A true Holsworthy boy.”

Chosen bearers: Mark Shadrick and Sean Jack, sons in law; Elliot Jack, Daniel Shadrick, Adam Shadrick and Lee Gilbert, grandsons.

Family mourners: Sylvia, wife; Tony and Annette Gilbert, son and daughter-in-law; Kathryn and Sean Jack and Sara and Mark Shadrick, daughters and son in laws.

Lee, Anna, Corey, Jake and Oliver Gilbert, grandson and family; Rebecca, Gavin, Ava and Max Moore, granddaughter and family; Vicky and Matt Endacott and Hayley and Chris Ward, granddaughters and partners; Elliot, Jack, Daniel and Adam Shadrick, grandsons; Margaret Matthews and Dawn Horn, sisters in law; Conrad Ford, brother-in-law; Peter Gilbert and John O’Reilly and David Gilbert and Carol Revitt, cousins; Ian and Sally, Nigel and Sue, Kevin and Sally, Angela and John, Nicky and Nigel, Mandy and Jane (Brian Gilbert); Graham and Janet Matthews, Teresa and John Dennis, Andrea and Chris Nosworthy, Lisa and Shaun Beeley, James and Sarah Dennis, Richard Prouse and Edward and Bronte Matthews, Jacob Nosworthy and Charlotte, Beth Bellew, Milan Crompton, nephews and nieces; Rob and Anne Hawkins, friends.

Bellringers: Alex Piper (Lyndon Piper), Graham Piper, Malcolm Piper, Angela Blackman, Josh Cousins and Michael Jackson.

Court Leet members and partners: Barry and Angela Parrish; Nigel Clark (Julia), James Rowland, Richard Brown (Jennifer), Mike and Jill Johns (Deborah Johns), Robert Painter, Russell and Gloria Dymond, Phil Cole, Christopher and Mary Osborne, Phil and Shelia Ford (Paddy and Angela Ford, Paul and Shell Cobbledick, Sid Salter, Dennis Veale), Terry Allcorn, Hilary Vivian, Annette Dennis, Richard Godfrey, Adam and Charlotte Chidley, Rodney and Ros Parrish, Crispin King.

Messrs/Mesdames: John and Mary Jones (Mrs C Routley), Nick and Meriel Lock, Terry and Margaret Jones, D Reed, Andrew and Josie McGarvie, Alec and Katrina Shadrick (Mrs Marjorie Shadrick), Robert and Jackie Moores (Holsworthy Twinning), Alan and Anne Luxton (Geoff, Julie, Paul, Magpie/RBL club), Andrew and Rachael Chidley, Ivor and Denise Phillips (Rachael and Tom Schiller and family), Bernie and Sandra Baker, Alan and Margaret Jones, D Ward, Ivor and Pauline Stephens, Andrew and Tracey Langman, Peter and Sue Bumby, Steve and Angela Ford, Terry and Shirley Sillifant, Roger and Helen Young, Alf and Kate Blackman, Alan and Eileen Harris, Richard and Annette Hutchings.

Messrs: Nick Cousins, John Timbury, Steve Lee (Holsworthy AFC chairman), Simon Priest (Mrs L Priest), Phil Chidley (Linda Chidley, Shirley Smith), Trevor Abbott (Maralyn Chidley, Clive and Beverley Birch, Mary Bradbury), Martin Prout (Marion and family), Paul Blackman (Louise), Lee Thomas, Rodney Mitchell, Phil Barfett (Mary), Colin Yeo (Sue Bewes), Mike Daniel (Helen), Paul Evans (Julia, Mickey, Sonia and Tina), Callum Lock, Fred Prouse (family, Holsworthy AFC, Mr and Mrs Mike Pett), Mike Tricks (Jeannette Peacock and RBL), Bruce Priddy, Dean Chidley, John Cleave, Malcolm Jones, Christopher Jones, Martin Howard, Nigel Harding, Alan Beckly, Peter (Kipper) Cole, Matt Lawson, Ray Latty, Henry Johns, Dave Bowes (RBL), Jon Hutchings, Nigel Kenneally (Memorial Trustees), Derek Kidby.

Mesdames/Ms/Misses: Geraldine Gifford (Ivor Gifford, Alyson and Peter Freeburn), Maria Skinner, Val Ross (Janet Carter), Margaret Moore, Marion Ley, Ann Lock, Catherine Stocker (Mrs L Palmer, Mrs L Foubister), Janet George (Ken George), Carol Tucker, Sandra Hamley, Shirley McCarthy, Mandy Mitchell, Jean Coumbe (Michael), Marie Claud Woodward, Karen Gliddon, Josie Axford, Suzanne Altinsoy (Jak Altinsoy, Mrs and Mrs R Prouse), Judith Ingram (Colin Ingram), Caroline Skinner (Terry Trewin), Mary Beckford, Di Thomson (Bob), Jo Thomson (Ween Masters), Jean Yeo  (Peter Yeo), Sandra Rowe (Alan and Jason), Jean Frayne (James), Ann Cobbledick (family), Monica Masters, Margaret Vanstone (Graham), Joan Cobbledick (family), Alison Marshall (Peter, Amber and Ella Marshall, Margaret May-Yates, Pam Johns and family, Karen Colwill and family, Pat and Viv May), Sarah Healy (Tim), Shirley Crane (RBL), Samantha Hatter (Post Office), Jeannette Hayler (Keith and Martin Hayler, Carol Moon), Fiona Porter (Simon).

Unable to attend: Alan and Ena Gilbert, cousins; Ray, Sue, Dean and Kylee Holness, friends and neighbour; Mary Gliddon, Michael Horn, brother-in-law.