Well known East Devon brothers recreate seaside picture

Published:
12:00 PM November 14, 2021

It was an innocent moment caught on camera in Sidmouth and turned into a seaside postcard.
And now, 50 years later, the two brothers who were snapped on Jacob’s Ladder have recreated the scene for posterity.

The early photograph shows Roy and Antonio (Tony) Badcock on a day trip to the beach.
Roy said: “I think it was taken in 1971 or 1972 on Jacob’s Ladder when I was either eight or nine and Tony was five or six. I am now 57 & Tony 55.”

The brothers are well known in East Devon. Roy has lived in Sidmouth all his life and for the past 32 years has worked for the Royal Mail as a postman. Tony lives in Ottery St Mary and has run his own Italian Ice cream parlour in Exmouth, called Antonio’s for the last eight years.
Their English father, Harry, and Italian mother, Maria were also well known local characters.

The brothers reminiscing at Jacob’s Ladder
– Credit: Roy Badcock