Near Exeter is the quiet village of Stoke Canon – a pretty little place with a Village shop and the Community run “Stoke Canon Inn”. The Community is small and close knit and it was once home to the family of Sir Reginald Barnes.
Sir Reginald was born in Stoke Canon in 1871, and later inherited the family farm from his father.
Sir Reginald and his family lived at Oakhay Barton in Stoke Canon – a “most beautiful” country house that sits on the outskirts of the village . Happily in residence was his wife , Gunhilla Wijk and their son Reginald Jnr, together with servants and household staff.
Their home was a grand farm house with parts added on over the centuries. There was lots of outside space and outbuildings surrounding the family home.
Educated at Westminster School , Barnes’ Military Career started right from 17 years of age, and he rose quickly through the ranks. And whilst he led a distinguished Military career, twice receiving the French Croix de Guerre, for Sir Reginald, Oakhay Barton would always be the place to which he he wanted to return .
Sir Reginald had held a long military career with active service in lots of conflicts and made many friends and associates. A soldier with the IV Royal Hussars, Barnes was an observer of the guerilla warfare during the Cuban War of Independence, at just 24 years old.
One fellow 4th Hussars serving officer in the same Cuban conflict, was Winston Churchill.
Churchill was a talented journalist, who was also posted to the war zone in 1895 , tasked with sending news reports back to the London Daily Graphic from the frontline. Both men collected information about the warfare and were to become great friends over the following decades.
And so, in 1924, Churchill and his wife Clementine were invited to tea at Sir Reginald’s home.
A treasured photograph has emerged documenting this private tea party, from local resident Anne Alfor whose family bought the farm from Sir Reginald in 1938.
Churchill had stopped off with Clementine on his way to give a speech at a political rally in nearby Bicton.
The single photograph captured the occasion.
Clementine wore a low waisted, spotted dress typical of the 1920s together with a string of pearls. Her hostess, Lady Barnes, wore similar, whilst Churchill stood in his typical 3 piece suit and bowtie.
Nobody knew of this private visit until the story emerged at the sale of Oakhay Barton for redevelopment .
But is a nice record of times gone by and a location to visit in glorious Devon.
Churchill went on to be reelected in October of 1924, and Prime Minister in 1940, whilst Sir Reginal became the Deputy Lieutenant of Devon from 1927 until his death in 1946.