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My Grandad to me was a living God, a giant of a man both in size and heart.He came from a large country family with land situated in the northern parts of Herefordshire.
As he slowed down in his later years going sadly blind with one of his eyes turning white, he would "Scare us" so I think he liked his seclusion and private moments in the garden.At times some hunting stories wold be listened to with relish by us grandchildren.
Jack would cycle to a place called "Croft Castle" a distance of about 17 miles from Hereford.He would set snares (Pre-mixy era) and then walk around the perimeter again.He spoke of great numbers of rabbits caught, maybe 4 out of 5 wires were a success.He would panche the white tails, and then had a wooden frame on his bike.Sometimes a 100+ were then taken back to Hereford. Mostly the game was given to family and neighbours, but that was not his primary reason to catch the pest.
The rabbits were put on the guard wagon of the old steam trains on the Great Western Railway and these were sent to miners families in the Welsh Valleys (At the time several strikes were taking place and food/money was scarce)
A favourite story was when he was beating for pheasants, he was carrying a rifle to have a "Pop" at any vermin, if a safe chance arose.Anyway off they went the birds were flushed, and a shout went up of a flushed "Charlie", Jack moved away from the line and fired a single shot.The fox rolled over and he had made a good humane kill.
Well lunch was taking place and the fox was there for all the beaters and shooters to see.
Lord Croft took a look at the fox and was amazed by where the fox was hit. It was a direct hit in the left eye, and he made the comment " Jack that was a brilliant shot, welldone !"
Jack replied, "No it wasn,t your Lordship !!"
Lord Croft, "Why Not ??"
Jack, " I was aiming for the right eye !!"
As he slowed down in his later years going sadly blind with one of his eyes turning white, he would "Scare us" so I think he liked his seclusion and private moments in the garden.At times some hunting stories wold be listened to with relish by us grandchildren.
Jack would cycle to a place called "Croft Castle" a distance of about 17 miles from Hereford.He would set snares (Pre-mixy era) and then walk around the perimeter again.He spoke of great numbers of rabbits caught, maybe 4 out of 5 wires were a success.He would panche the white tails, and then had a wooden frame on his bike.Sometimes a 100+ were then taken back to Hereford. Mostly the game was given to family and neighbours, but that was not his primary reason to catch the pest.
The rabbits were put on the guard wagon of the old steam trains on the Great Western Railway and these were sent to miners families in the Welsh Valleys (At the time several strikes were taking place and food/money was scarce)
A favourite story was when he was beating for pheasants, he was carrying a rifle to have a "Pop" at any vermin, if a safe chance arose.Anyway off they went the birds were flushed, and a shout went up of a flushed "Charlie", Jack moved away from the line and fired a single shot.The fox rolled over and he had made a good humane kill.
Well lunch was taking place and the fox was there for all the beaters and shooters to see.
Lord Croft took a look at the fox and was amazed by where the fox was hit. It was a direct hit in the left eye, and he made the comment " Jack that was a brilliant shot, welldone !"
Jack replied, "No it wasn,t your Lordship !!"
Lord Croft, "Why Not ??"
Jack, " I was aiming for the right eye !!"
