A LIFE with many interests was represented by a church almost overflowing with people from most of the different aspects of Hubert Fernbank’s life.

Hubert died this month two years short of his 100th birthday. He was born in London, moving to this area 70 years ago, to live in Shobrooke where his wife, Muriel Fining, grew up, and then also lived in Crediton.

At the funeral service and Mass held at St Boniface Roman Catholic Church, Crediton, his coffin was led in and departed from the church with Crediton branch Royal British Legion Standard Bearer, Mike May at its head. Several other members were in the church.

Hubert and Muriel, who died in 1996, had two sons - Michael and John. Giving an Eulogy for his father, the youngest son, John, amused with tales of a few of his father’s exploits.

He said that Hubert was named after his uncle Hubert Meager who died at Gallipoli in 1915. Hubert’s mother was a supply teacher, the family moving where the jobs were, eventually settling in Oxford where one of the young Hubert’s first jobs was at the Bodleian Library.

In 1939 he joined the Royal Engineers. A fascinating account of that can be found on the BBC website where Hubert says that, as a Territorial in the 226th Field Company, he was called up in September 1939.

“After preliminary training, mainly in pontoon bridging - some of it at night - we embarked for France in January 1940.”

Hubert wrote that this was the year the Thames froze over, he had never known such cold.

He had postings in France and England. In 1940 he found himself in Thorverton where he met Muriel at a dance. They were married in 1941, Muriel was then working at the City Library in Exeter.

Hubert was with the Engineers’ group sent to France again in June, 1944. He wrote that one evening, he thought in August, the sky had been “black with hundreds of American bombers that bombed Caen”.

That was another cold winter, Hubert and his troops were given leave to go to Paris, there had been heavy snow, the only transport being bicycle taxi - the sole vehicle on the Champs-Elysées.

The year 1945 brought a move to Antwerp, then Hamburg, being demobbed in 1946. Hubert used his army boots for gardening for years.

After the war Hubert worked in the surveyor’s department of Devon County Council in Exeter.

In 1952 he and his father-in-law, Walter Finning, became joint licensees of the Red Lion at Shobrooke. Walter was the village carpenter but died suddenly in 1957. Without Walter it was difficult for the young couple to run the pub, so they sold it two years later.

Hubert trained as an engineer, working as a highways engineer until his early retirement in 1980 just before his 60th birthday.

He and Muriel joined the National Trust , travelling throughout the country, pursued their interest in ballroom dancing, winning many medals and both were involved in local Shobrooke life.

At one time he served as Clerk to Shobrooke Parish Council, a post his wife had also held.

Hubert was elected chairman of Shobrooke Friendly Club for its first 15 years after its formation in July 1981.

The same year he joined Mid Devon Centre of the National Trust, serving in several capacities including chairman and booking secretary. His son said that Hubert became “a sort of perpetual tourist” from then on.

Hubert had a passion for football and was a keen supporter of Exeter City FC, even travelling at the age of 90 to Sheffield to see City play Rotherham for League Two promotion.

Hubert and Muriel teamed up with Reg and Vi Botterell from Crediton to put on ballroom dancing classes. There were more social occasions with the Probus Club.

Another of the local groups with which Hubert became involved was Exeter Male Voice Choir who sang “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross” at the Mass.

Taking the service, Father Michael Wheaton said Hubert had become known as the man who sang the the verse before the Gospel, the “Alleluia” man. Hubert had done this until only a very few weeks ago, another person saying it was a huge voice coming from this somewhat frail person.

Also speaking at the service was Deacon Lester Yeo. The violin was played by Julian Luxton with Janet Mockler at the organ.

The service was followed by private interment at Shobrooke Churchyard and refreshments at the Red Lion Inn.

Donations in Hubert’s memory were for Hospiscare. These can still be made through A White and Sons, Albert Road, Crediton EX17 2BZ.

Sue Read