On This Day in Wembury – 5 September 1945
Another Bath White butterfly was observed at Wembury, confirming that the unusual migration seen earlier in the summer was continuing into autumn. The Bath White’s green-and-white patterned underwings made it easy to distinguish from local species, and its presence emphasised how exceptional 1945 was for insect migration across Devon.
Source: Western Morning News, 11 Dec 1945.
On This Day in Wembury – 5 September 1991
A fatal car crash on 5 September 1991 in Southland Park Road, Wembury, claimed the lives of three pensioners: Clive Soppett (71), Marion Soppett (74), and their friend Kathleen Andrews (73). The trio had been returning home from a gathering when their car veered off a bend and collided with a wall.
At the inquest, authorities revealed Mr. Soppett had over twice the legal alcohol limit in his system, and their decision not to wear seatbelts intensified the tragedy. The coroner recorded verdicts of accidental death, cautioning that even small amounts of alcohol can impair driving—a timely warning underscored by this incident.
Source: Wembury burial records (Clive Soppett interred 5 Sep 1991) wemburyhistory.org.uk. Also originally reported in Western Morning News, 11 Dec 1991.
Entries are summaries and interpretations of historical newspaper reports.