Author Archives: Martin Haddrill

Blue Plaque for Hector Munro alias Saki

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A blue plaque has recently been placed on the wall of Fairfield (formerly part of Broadgate Villa) in Bellaire, Pilton, to commemorate the life of short story writer Hector Hugh Munro, alias Saki, who lived there at various times during his life.  Hector was the third child of

Blue Plaque on 'Fairfield'

Scotsman Charles Munro and Mary Frances Mercer, and was born in Burma in 1870 where his father was an officer in the military police.  All three children were of uncertain health, Hector in particular.  When Mary became pregnant again in 1872, the family returned to Pilton, where Charles Munro’s widowed mother lived with her two unmarried daughters, Charlotte and Augusta. Unfortunately in early 1872, Mary Munro and her unborn child were killed by a cow and the three motherless children became the unexpected charges of their grandmother and aunts.

In 1893, in his early 20s, Munro joined the Colonial Burmese Military Police in Burma.  Ill-health caused him to return to England only a year later and he embarked on his career as a journalist and writer, working for many different newspapers and journals.  He also published a number of collections of the often acerbic short stories for which he is best known.

At the age of 44, Munro enlisted in the 22nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, declining a commission and rising to the rank of Lance Sergeant by September 1916.  A month later he was fatally shot by a German sniper’s bullet but has no known grave.

Edward III would be proud!

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One of the most successful Pilton Green Man Days of all times took place on Saturday 18th July 2015 as a result of fantastic weather, great stalls and activities, all sorts of lovely food, brilliant music and singing, a big Parade with hundreds of followers, an emotional Pageant, interesting exhibitions and displays, refreshing drinks and ice creams, beautiful flowers, great street entertainers, loads of young people and familes with small children and grandparents, and even a visit from the Search & Rescue helicopter, sadly for the very last time. It was a real family day out with Rotary Gardens like a giant picnic and Pilton Street buzzing with stalls and music. Brilliant.

The Green Man Parade in Pilton Street (photo: Richard Howe)

And on the way up the Street, the Parade stopped to salute Albert Linacre, a man who has contributed so much over the decades to making Pilton Green Man Day what it is today.  He has not been at all well lately.

Edward III, who bestowed the right to an annual market on Pilton back in the 14th Century, would have been proud.