THIS interesting 1930s photograph has been submitted by local historians Hilary and Mike Wreford. It shows a 'procession' led by the imposing and popular figure of the Mayor of Okehampton, Sam Rich, making its way to the Pleasure Fields at Simmons Park to celebrate the coronation of King George VI in May, 1937.   Mr Rich is flanked on his right by long-serving town clerk, J J Newcombe, and a young borough surveyor, R Alan Brunskill, who went on to give many years sterling service to the town. On the mayor's left is the borough's medical officer, Dr E D Allen Price, and also pictured is the Reverend F E Compton.   The mayor is supported by alderman and councillors. Samuel James Rich had three consecutive terms as mayor, in 1935/36, 1936/37 and 1938/39 and was the first to be elected mayor three years in succession since 1623 when the borough was incorporated by Royal Charter.   He had a hectic three terms as mayor, including the Coronation festivities for the Borough of Okehampton of King George VI on Wednesday, May 12, 1937. The size of the gathering illustrates the support then for 'King and Country'. Mike Wreford told the Times: 'Mr Rich accomplished much in life as a councillor and Mayor of Okehampton, but he was not to live to complete his third term, as he collapsed and died after a council meeting on August 29, 1938.  This lead to another 'first', as instead of the deputy mayor being elected to succeed him, Norah Rich, his widow, and a non-councillor, was elected to follow him for the two months left of his term and so became the first female Mayor of Okehampton —most unusual for those days and probably on the first in the county.'