ASHERTON HOUSE: DR BERTRAM COHEN

In the British Medical Journal of Medicine of 28th July 1917 [exactly three years on from Austro-Hungary declaring war on Serbia…], this note appeared under “The War: casualties in the medical services”:

LIEUTENANT B. COHEN, R.A.M.C.A – Correction. In the casualty list published on July 13th the death from wounds of Lieutenant B. Cohen, R.A.M.C., was announced, and it was erroneously assumed that the reference was to Dr. Bertram Cohen of Sidmouth. We regret the error, and are glad to learn that this officer is in good health, and serving on the staff of the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth. brmedj07111-0026.pdf

And in the BMJ of 20th January 1939, under New Years Honours, his name appeared again, this time in receipt of an M.V.O. 

BERTRAM COHEN, M.B., B.S. Honorary Physician, Victoria Cottage Hospital, Sidmouth. ptpmcrender.fcgi

It was Dr Cohen who owned Asherton House, the grounds of which comprise most of Glen Goyle.

Here is a photograph of the House from the 1950s, as provided by his family the Bassetts:

Asherton House – Friends of Glen Goyle

Following conversations and correspondence with FOGG member Jennifer Gold, his grandson David Bassett, together with members of his family, have put together a lively and detailed account of their grandfather’s life.

As such, it provides a valuable biography from the inside of a stalwart of Sidmouth society for many decades of the twentieth century. Here is a richly illustrated piece full of anecdotes and references:

Bertram Cohen, MVO, MB BS (Lon). The last Resident of Asherton, Sidmouth

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