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July 2020 July 2020

A further problem was trying to establish a direct link DORSET TRADING STANDARDS
with Bere Regis. On his Canadian enlistment
document, Herbert Diffey gave the address of his
father, his next of kin as, ‘Bere Regis, Dorset’. The Dorset Council Trading Standards Service check and approve
CWGC records him as being ‘the son of James businesses so you don’t have to.
Bushrod Diffey and Emma Diffey of Newlands For more information visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or
Cottages, West Lulworth, Wareham, England.’ In call 08454 040506.
1922, his medals, the British War Medal, Victory To report or seek advice about problems you have
Medal and the 1914-1915 Star, were sent to his
father, James, at Sunnyside, Winfrith, Dorset. Herbert experienced when dealing with a trader call 08454 040506.
Diffey is also commemorated on the West Lulworth
war memorial under his correct name.
Facemasks and PPE
There are records of Diffeys or Diffys living in Bere
th
Regis going back many years from at least the late On the 11 May the Government advised people to wear face coverings in
18 century. However, the Census Return for 1891 enclosed spaces when social distancing, on public transport or in some shops.
th
shows Herbert Diffey’s family living at Woodsford
and the Returns for 1901 and 1911 at Knighton Lane, Winfrith. There is no record of Face coverings
James Diffey living in Bere Regis after 1911 and we will not be able to verify if he s u c h a s
was until the 1921 Census is released next year. handmade masks
and scarves do
So, why is Herbert Trevett’s name on the Bere Regis Memorial? Did Herbert Diffey not replace the
change his surname to that of his stepmother at some stage? There is no record need for social
that he did so and he used his real surname in his military records. Also it is unlikely distancing or
that he would have done so as there already a Herbert Trevett in the extended h a n d w a s h i n g .
family. Was it a genuine confusion about which of the Herberts was killed serving Evidence suggests
with the Canadians, Herbert Diffey or Herbert Trevett? that wearing a
covering does not
Why did the family chose to commemorate their son in Bere Regis? Did his father p r o t ec t y ou .
return to live in the Parish after 1911? Was it because of the historic family link with However, if you
the village? If so, why wasn’t the Diffey surname used on the memorial? The are infected but
mystery remains unresolved. have not yet developed symptoms, it may provide some protection for others you
come into close contact with.
Should the error be corrected? If the War Memorial was provided by the CWGC
and if a verifiable case can be made out, they are obliged to correct an error. In A face covering is not the same as personal protective equipment (PPE) or
our case, my view is that if the error is known about and recorded, the error should medical devices such as surgical masks or respirators used by healthcare and
remain on the memorial as part of ‘the history of the piece’ and as a known other workers. This equipment is heavily regulated, designed and manufactured
about – unresolved mystery. What do others feel? to be worn for protection against one or more risks to that person's health or
safety.
NB. Some of this information is to be included in a forthcoming book about the 200
or so men from Bere Regis who went off to serve in the Great War, some never to As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic there has been a huge increase in
return. demand for PPE products both commercially and by consumers. Unfortunately,
this has led to a rise in the number of illegal PPE being sold. These products can
Phil Ventham 01929 471215
often be dangerous and unsafe, or come from supply chains without traceability
back to a manufacturer’s technical file to show it complies with our law.

Trading Standards are responsible for the enforcement of PPE sold to consumers.
As a minimum PPE masks should bear-

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