The History of Luscombe Maye
R.H. Luscombe & Sons
In 1873 R.H. Luscombe & Sons were first established as agricultural auctioneers, land and estate agents. Their premises were at Kings Barn, Offields farm, Churchstow, in the upstairs corn chamber or granary. During a more recent sale, 25 years ago now, in the very same barn, an original R.H. Luscombe & Sons poster was discovered on the back of the barn door.
Major Luscombe & Arthur Luscombe joined their father, R H Luscombe in the early twentieth century. Dick Luscombe, son of Arthur Luscombe, qualified as a chartered surveyor, prior to the outbreak of the Second World War and during the war, Dick was involved in the design and construction of a sham canvas Molberry harbour, built to put the Germans off the scent of the D-day landing. On returning from the war he went into partnership with his father and uncle. Mr. Walter Trant, a cousin, joined them towards the end of the 1940's.
John Maye & Co
John Maye was articled to John Body in Plymouth. He eventually set up on his own in Princess Square, Plymouth, in 1901. After a few years, towards 1905, he moved to South Brent where he remained a sole practitioner until the war. He took Walter Massey, his assistant & Jack Cockrem into partnership in late 1940's. Mr. Roger German was taken on in 1948 as pupil to Jack Cockrem, and completed his National Service with the Royal engineers during 1955 & 1956.
Luscombe Maye & Co
Whilst Mr German was away serving his country, three of the four partners of R.H. Luscombe & Sons, Mr Trant, Arthur and Major Luscombe died. Dick Luscombe was left as the sole remaining partner. Over in South Brent at John Maye & Co, John Maye and Walter Massey were ready to retire, leaving only Jack Cockrem. Thus only 2 out of the earlier 7 partners of the two firms were left. Mr German, as the only qualified employee joined the partnership in 1957. The Kingsbridge & South Brent offices were then complemented in 1957 by the addition of a third, in Plympton.
Luscombe Maye
Totnes and Ivybridge offices opened in 1997/98.
Luscombe Maye (Formerly Bettisons)
The merger with Bettisons Yealmpton and Newton Ferrers offices in 2007 increased the number of offices fully covering the South Hams to seven, covering all property related and professional matters as depicted in this website. Rural and agricultural property surveyors are based in South Brent, Totnes and Kingsbridge/Modbury offices.