William Eric Petch was born in 1905 in Gedney, Lincolnshire, the son of Herbert Petch and Elizabeth Jane (née Jackson). He married Evelyn Marjorie Johnson in 1929 and Ethel May Pilgrim in 1935, and there are two known children. He died in 1969 in Holbeach, Lincolnshire.
Two Holbeach brothers are making a success of the job that no-one wanted — school crossing patrol where five roads converge at the Market Hill junction, Holbeach.
They are Mr. William Eric Petch (60), of 29 Park Lane, and Mr. Herbert Petch (65), who lives close by at 35 Park Lane.
Following the death of the previous crossing patrol, Mr. Clarkson, the police made several unsuccessful attempts to fill the vacancy.
No one seemed to want the job, but eventually Mr. William Petch accepted the responsibility.
This was at the beginning of June last year. Nearly six months later brother Herbert joined William and now they take it in turns each week to look after the different roads.
Mr. Herbert Petch who retired last August after 26 years in the employment of East Elloe Rural Council, described his work as “interesting.”
His brother worked for 40 years with the G.P.O. before his retirement.
Mr. Herbert. Petch told a reporter that while many of the younger children did as they were told when it came to crossing the road, some of the older ones set a bad example.
The traffic light system worked “all right” but it was surprising he said how many “old women don’t watch them and give you a lot of lip.”
Mr. Petch’s opinion of motorists: “Most of them are very considerate.”
