Sunny Steve

How many people living or visiting Clovelly today would of heard of Stephen Adams Headon? From 1817 until 1987 there was always a Stephen Headon living in the village. The first was the son of John Headon and Mary Ann Adams, whose surname was to continue for many generations of Headons as a middle name. Who today knows anything about, 'Sunny Steve,' the donkey boy? Born on the 6th of October in 1908, Steve was the son of John Josiah (Jack) Headon, he was great grandson of that first Stephen Headon and great, great grandson of John and Mary Ann. On Thursday the 10th of July in 1941 an article appeared in the, 'News Chronicle,' written by John Devon, entitled, 'The Boy who loved the Sea,' it went on to detail how at the age of 14, Steve and a brother owned and worked two donkeys, 'Gunter,' and 'Daisy,' but the draw of the sea was too strong and Steve reluctantly, sold his share in the donkeys and left Clovelly for the, 'Red Ensign Club,' in London.

Steve was taken under the wing of the Club Commander; Commander Loder, who was able to find him an apprenticeship on a good shipping line. Having been more prone to teasing the local Policeman than concentrating on his studies, Stephen was to find difficulties in mastering the mysteries of the more complicated mathematics involved with navigating a ship, but determination and hard work earned him a proud reward when the whole of Clovelly rejoiced and flew flags on hearing he had become a Second Officer. It had been many years since a Clovelly man had passed as a Master Mariner, Clovelly had high hopes for its son.

Voyages around the world calling in at many exotic, foriegn ports were to follow, until at last he passed as a Chief Officer with only the coveted Masters Ticket left before him. Sunny Steve had to wait while War and Oceans kept him from his goal. Finally the day came when his chance arose to sit his last exam and he excitedly wrote to his father telling him he was coming home. On the 17th day of February in 1941 while crossing the Atlantic, German U-Boat 69 struck Steve's ship the, 'Siamese Prince,' it left no survivors; Sunny Steve was only 32.