ON Friday, July 23, members of Thorverton History Society were treated to a surprising aspect of the history of Devon by an eminent and entertaining speaker, Dr Todd Gray on the subject of the historic support of fascism in the county. 

Todd Gray was born in the United States and first visited Devon on a school trip in 1973.

He undertook his degree in London and then studied for a PhD at the University of Exeter. He completed his doctorate in 1988 and has since then been a research fellow at the university.

In 1992 he became a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and has published more than 50 books, 14 of which are about Exeter.

He became a British citizen in 2006 and in 2014 he was awarded an MBE for voluntary services to Devon’s history.

In November 2018 he was awarded the Honorary Freedom of the City of Exeter.

Often controversial and shocking, the rise of the British fascism from the 1920s had been very localised in the county in Torbay, Plymouth and Barnstaple.

However, the arrival of Sir Oswald Mosley’s "Blackshirts" in Plymouth in the summer of 1933, resulted in the movement quickly becoming a vibrant political force in the city and then throughout the county, particularly amongst farmers in North Devon.

Within six months, branches of the British Union of Fascists were established in a number of towns.

A disastrous meeting at Plymouth late in 1934 severely impeded the party’s momentum but the Fascists regrouped at Exeter, the new regional capital, and from there they continued to promote the movement until June 1940 when leading members were arrested and interned.

Many of the policies promoted were popular such as anti-war in Europe, a European union of nations and against communism.  They also supported the farmers in their "Tithe war" against landlords.

Much of the evidence we were treated to had been obtained from original sources such as contemporary photographs, personal letters, police records and newspaper reports.

Still for many families this remains too fresh a memory and often a contentious one!  A lively and cautionary tale which was enjoyed by all!

Our next talks will be given by Nicholas Orme on the subject of “Chapels of Ease” on September 24 and on October 22 by Ann Pulsford on the “Dartmoor Moss Gatherers”.

Recorded by Ann Marshall