FOR almost a quarter of a century, Reg Mear was the loved and respected head of Newton St Cyres Primary School. He died last month aged 99. He would have been 100 in February 2022.

While at Newton St Cyres he was responsible for the school being part of a BBC programme about teaching maths in the early 1970s and for Margaret Thatcher visiting the school when she was Minister for Education.

A notice in the school newsletter said he would be fondly remembered by many former pupils and staff and was actively involved in the closing assembly at the old school and had attended the opening ceremony of the new school.

The newsletter went on to say: “He was a remarkable man who led the school for many years and who will be sadly missed.”

Born at Exmouth, as was his late wife Hilda who died in 2012, Reg went to school there, joining the Royal Navy during the last World War as a Signalman.

He saw service in the North Atlantic, was torpedoed once, thankfully his ship managing to stay afloat. Some parts of his war he never spoke much about, other parts keeping his grandchildren enthralled over the years.

After the war in the east was over, Reg returned to Exmouth, not having seen his wife nor daughter, Janet for two years.

Rolle College at Exmouth was running a teacher training scheme for people from the Forces such as Reg, who got a place on the course.

During his time there, he taught at Torquay Grammar School for Boys as well as a spell at a primary school, which he found he preferred. Appointed to a primary school in Plymouth, the whole family moved there.

The next stage in his life was getting the headship at Newton St Cyres, the school at the top of the hill. He was aged 36.

They lived in School House, next door to the school.

Later he had a bungalow built in Sandown Lane, close to the school.

Janet went to Crediton High School for Girls but her brother, who died several years ago, and Janet’s two sons were all taught by Reg. Janet had married David Hookway, who died almost three years ago.

Although Reg was offered jobs at two bigger schools, he and his wife did not want to leave Newton St Cyres where both felt very much at home and had become much involved in many aspects of village life.

Reg was a Cub Master at Newton. The pack was based at the school, he was a Church Warden and much else. After Reg retired in 1981, he and Hilda enjoyed playing golf at Downes Crediton Golf Club.

Janet said her father was renowned as a quite innovative teacher. He had contacts with Exeter University especially in the field of mathematics.

Janet added that her father was “quite innovative with maths”, loved teaching and the children. “People said he had discipline at his finger tips and he had empathy. A very forward thinking teacher,” she added.

She remembered that Reg had led building the swimming pool at the school and was involved in the village drama group, not on stage though.

On Remembrance Sunday, Reg would always give the Address, speaking of his memories but because of lockdown, he had not done so since 2019.

Reg and Hilda had the two children, Reg leaving his daughter, three grandchildren, six great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter.

The funeral service was at Newton St Cyres Parish Church, Reg being buried there close to his wife.

Hilda had served in the WRNS (Women’s Royal Naval Service, popularly and officially known as the Wrens, integrated into the Royal Navy in 1993) while her husband was in the Royal Navy, both being stationed at Plymouth. Before she married she was a Boots librarian.

Donations in Reg’s memory may be made via A White and Sons, Albert Road, Crediton EX17 2BZ in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care and Macmillan Cancer Support.