William Francis Brock JP Mayor of Okehampton 1954/55 THE first time Bill Brock, as he was affectionately known, stood for re-election to the Okehampton Borough council, he secured victory with an astonishing majority of some 400 votes. This illustrated the respect and popularity which he enjoyed within the town as there was a strong field of candidates. Born in November 1910, he was the son of W L Brock, who established the Dartmoor Boot Company. He was educated at the newly established Okehampton Grammar School under the guidance of the first and long-serving headmaster, William Hunter. On completion of his education, Bill (Brocky) joined his father in the shoe operation in Station Road, acquiring business skills and working in all facets of the industry. The Rubber Boot Factory, previously Germans Boot Company, became one of the few in the South West to supply the Armed Forces throughout the UK with boot repairs, even issuing reminders to the servicemen on how to take care of the boots to give them durability. The workshop was located at the end of Red Lion Yard. The Dartmoor Boot Company started a retail outlet at No 4, Station Road, Okehampton, in 1920, trading as W L Brock and Son. Button boots were in fashion for the women and hob nail boots and gaiters were in great demand for Meldon Quarry and similar workers, farmers, as well as everyday town footwear. Bill brought new ideas into the business and became a founder member of the Society of Shoe Fitters as well as joining the Shoe and Leather Association, which forged an alliance and friendship with other retailers and all with an interest in successful trading and the interchange of ideas. With the Depression in the 1920s and war clouds looming in the late 1930s, trading was difficult. With the outbreak of war in 1939,Bill volunteered for the Civil Defence, working with bomb reconnaissance, making reports and, of course, entailing long hours. He carried out further voluntary work, belonging to the Toc H based in Market Street among other activities. With the Rev F E Compton, the Vicar of All Saints and St James, they both organised for the Army in camp at the time a Christmas Day tea, hosted by the Okehampton townsfolk. Jeffe Cunliffe, a member of the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry, recollects it as a memorable event. Jeffe himself returned to Okehampton after the war and served the town well, including a year as mayor. The end of the war in 1945 coincided with the death of Bill's father. On a happier note, he married Susanna Martin from Bideford. In a long-lasting partnership she always seemed to be at his side, working in the shop or supporting him in his many activities. He was now trading as 'Brocks of Okehampton', described as Rubber Control Authorised Buyers, Distributors and Rebuilders of Rubber Footwear for the South West and Southern Region. A retail outlet in a more central position was soon required to replace the Station Road shop. A prominent position was finally located in part of the former Red Lion Temperance Hotel, adjacent to the International Stores. Here Bill and Susie stocked many of the leading brands of the day, such as Clarks, Brevitt, Diana, Lotus, Hush Puppie and many more. A dry cleaning agency was added to the growing business operation. As the business expanded, similar shops were opened in Launceston and Honiton, but after a time these were closed due to the difficulty in servicing them with the traffic on the old A30. Instead, Bill opened drapery shops in Bideford and Northam, together with a footwear shop in Torrington, which all ran successfully for years. In 1954, Bill was elected Mayor of the Borough of Okehampton, with Susie as Mayoress. During 1954/55 he attended many functions. One such example was the annual dinner of the Okehampton Cricket Club in 1954, of which he was a supporter and vice president. As Mayor, he was the guest of honour and the speaker was Jack Robertson, the then current Middlesex and England cricketer. Bill was most amused at the amusing stories and anecdotes which Jack recounted, particularly that Jack's father, despite his fame, still gave Jack two and sixpence (12.5p) for every century he scored, and Jack said that worked out to about twelve shillings and sixpence (62.5p) a season! A major event in his year of office was when Bill and Susie were guests of Lord Fortescue and Sir Ian Jacob, Director General of the BBC, in a function to celebrate the inauguration of the television service from Hessary Tor. This had the immediate effect of linking 380,000 people to the television service and when the permanent station was in position a further 100,000 people would be added. A proud but sad day was as an Old Boy of Okehampton Grammar School and now Mayor, he laid the wreath at the Old Pupils' Association commemorating the names of 24 old boys who had fallen during the two world wars. He told the children the names of those they were honouring, that he knew and remembered many of the men and they had been brought up in the fine tradition of the Okehampton Grammar School. Bill had strong connections with the agricultural community and it is said that he knew every farmer in the area by their Christian name. He was a strong supporter of the Okehampton and District Agricultural Show and always hoped for good weather, although if it rained on show day he would have side benefits, as it increased his sale of wellington boots! After the war, Bill became involved in many activities supporting the good of the town. Among these was the Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade. The Chamber was successful and during his presidency, when the guide of Okehampton and district was produced, the Chamber of Trade was given an accolade by the National Chamber when they stated it was the best guide book produced by a chamber that year. He was appointed a justice of the peace in 1957, subsequently becoming chairman of the Bench before retiring in 1980 at the age of 70. A supporter of the Boy Scout movement, he was thrilled when on May 27, 1961, the then mayor of Okehampton, Walter J Passmore, officially opened the new headquarters of the First Okehampton group of boy scouts in Crediton Road. Bill was chairman of the District Scout Association. Bill loved Okehampton and was a founder member of the Okehampton and District History Society, with his intimate knowledge of the town and rural district of great benefit and enjoyment to others. He was also a founder member of the Okehampton and District Rotary Club, which he served in many capacities. On retirement, he became a member of the Okehampton and District Probus Club, being elected chairman in 1982. He took an active part in the life of the Fairplace Methodist Church and also became a member of the Okehampton Wine Making Circle. Although a very enjoyable pursuit, it was one of his least successful, as it is said that some of the wine he made was atrocious. Bill served Okehampton well, and his impact can be summed up by the words of Derek Allen used at his funeral: 'Bill will be missed by all the people whose lives he touched and we will remember him with gratitude and trust that his example will be an inspiration to us all'. He was a truly selfless man. Hilary and Mike Wreford