On this day in Wembury — 29 January 1947

A large congregation gathered at St Werburgh’s Church, Wembury, for the funeral of Mr. J. W. Dixon of School House. Mourners included Mrs. Dixon, Mr. H. E. Dixon (son), Miss M. Dixon (daughter), and several family members and friends, among them Rev. W. Brown of Lowestoft, Mr. and Mrs. T. Simpson, Mr. and Mrs. B. P. Bennett, and Miss E. Pursley. The service was conducted by Rev. H. A. – the vicar of Wembury – with the lesson read by Rev. W. Brown. Pupils from Wembury Village School, where Mrs. Dixon served as headmistress, also attended, a mark of respect and affection for the family.

At the time, Wembury School was one of the cornerstones of village life, serving both the local children and evacuees who had remained after the war. The headteacher’s role extended far beyond the classroom, encompassing much of the community’s social and moral guidance. The attendance of so many children at Mr. Dixon’s funeral reflected the deep connection between school and parish, and the esteem in which the Dixon family were held.

Source: Western Morning News, 31 January 1947 (reporting the funeral held 29 January 1947).