Bressing & Fersfield Heading Home Page

BYGONE DAYS


TRACE YOUR ANCESTORS OR HOME [12/4/05]
MEET OLD FRIENDS [07/5/04]
LOCAL CHARACTERS [28/5/02]
OLD PHOTOGRAPHS
FERSFIELD AIRFIELD [26/08/03]
VICTIMS of the two World Wars [17/01/04]

Heath Tax Register 1664 [LINK]

Bressingham - 1891 Census Name List [LINK]

Fersfield - 1891 Census Name List [LINK]

Roydon - 1891 Census Name List [LINK]

Are you interested in Bressingham, Fersfield and Roydon in the Past ?
or perhaps in your relatives who once lived here ?
How about sending your memories, or enquiries
by Email to Nick on nik.bressingham@virgin.net

Trace your Ancestors or Home

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NORFOLK HISTORY SOCIETY
[SOUTH NORFOLK BRANCH]

2007
10 Jul - I hadn't thought of that! = Lady Mary Teviot
14 Aug - Writing a Family History = Dr Simon Pawley
11 Sep - I was adopted = Major Brian Oldham
9 Oct - To be arranged
13 Nov - Norwich in WW2 = Roy Scott

2008
8 Jan 18 - c Norfolk through the eyes of Parson Woodforde = Clifford Bird
12 Feb - To be arranged
11 Mar - Finding out about history through local newspapers. = Pip Wright

All meetings at Diss Methodist Church, Victoria Rd.
We have a help desk from 7 - 7.30 p.m. and talks start at 7.30.

Can anyone help Leann of North Carolina

This photo of the "Chequers" surfaced, while researching family trees

the'chequers'
















It does not appear to be the "Chequers Inn" in Bressingham, as we know it
Does anyone recognise it, or where it was ?

If you can , please contact Nick, the Webmaster (nik.bressingham@virgin.net)



Dear Nick,
My father (The Rev'd Bernard M Goodwins) was Rector of Roydon from 1938-46. Because the Rectory was enormous (it was later demolished) we lived in Little Manor (part of The Manor House).
I am really interested in gathering information about these two houses - old photographs etc.
Would you please be able to help?
Mrs Dorothy Nicholson (nee Goodwins)

If you can help Dorothy Please contact her

on

revpnicholson@tiscali.co.uk


I am tracing my family tree - my gtgt grandad Timothy Halls from Scole married one Ellen Barber b 1833 ? Roydon.
Her father was James Barber, there is a Esther Barber named as witness on the marriage certificate but thats about all I know of the Barber family - can you help with more info ?
regards
mary cox nee halls

If you can help Mary Please contact her

on

kosiceax913@blueyonder.co.uk


My name is David Talbot and an ancestor of mine William Talbot lived in Bressingham around 1750-1780. I am having trouble going back further because William wasn’t born there and I’ll have to search the parish records for the surrounding parishes. What I do have is that his first wife, Elizabeth, was buried in the Bressingham churchyard on February 8, 1761 (she probably died in childbirth) and their newborn son, George, was buried there (possibly in the same grave) on March 14, 1761. By the way, another son, George, also died as an infant on January 23, 1771 (this time by his second wife, Elizabeth nee Harper). Would it be possible to have a look in the churchyard for the gravestone of Elizabeth and, if found and still readable, to let me know what is written on it. Hopefully her birth date at least. Since I live on the west coast of Canada, it is somewhat harder for me to do it ! It would really help me identify hopefully the correct William Talbot in another parish. Your help would be very much appreciated.
Many Thanks

If you can help David Please contact him

on

talemb@shaw.ca

NOTE from the Editor :
I have had a look round the graveyard, but it is nigh on impossible to read any of the 18th century gravestones, but someone out there may have information for David.


I am researching my grt grandfathers family, and have discovered that he was born in Bressingham, aprox 1841.
At 21 he was living in Co Durham with his uncle, a Nathaniel Brown, of Shelfhanger. His name was George Reeve, and his father was Robert Reeve.
I wonder if you know of any societies or persons in your area who can help me take the Norfolk connection further?
Kind Regards Tracey Anne Spark

If you can help Tracy Please contact her

on

tbeebear@btinternet.com


Hi ,
We have recently been tracing back ancestors and have come to a dead-end. My ggg grandfather was George Potter from Norfolk. He immigrated to Canada in 1838 when he was about 16. He lists his parents names as John and Lucy Potter on his marriage license.
As for his parents,we discovered a marriage that would fit. John Potter married a Lucy Chenery(various spellings) from South Lopham. Date given was Mar 25th, 1819.
We don't know where John came from but we are thinking it would have to be close by, and George stated he was from the area of Norfolk. Another person researching Potters told us that there were Potter's from Bressingham.
Could you help us?
Thanks Dave

If you can help Dave Please contact him

on

dmpotter@distributel.net

Dave is also interested in other Potters in South Norfolk.


Hi , I have come across your email by accident: I am not sure whether you are able to help or know where I could look for some information in regards to Roydon
I have been going through my husband's family tree and find that one of his ancestors was the Rector of Roydon in 1709 to 1730
Hoping that you are able to help or pass my email address onto someone who maybe
Thanking you Your Sincerely
Mere Devine

If you can help Mere Please contact her

on

mere@eznet.co.nz



During the latter part of the 19thC. my grandfather, William Shepherd (born 1881), and his siblings attended the Roydon National School which, I believe, was situated close to the Parish Church. On a recent visit to Roydon, I could find no trace of a building which might have been used as the school and I am hoping that someone with a special knowledge of the parish might be able to explain what happened to the school building and when it was demolished. If anyone has an old photograph of the school which they could copy to me as an attachment, this would be of great interest. I have also taken the opportunity of consulting the old Log Book for the Roydon School held at the Norfolk Record Office, which revealed some interesting information. However, although reference is made in one or two places in the Log Book to an Admissions Register for the school, no such document is held by the Record Office. This suggests that either the register may have been destroyed at some stage or that it is still held in the parish. If, indeed, the register still survives, I would very much like the opportunity of consulting the document to obtain precise information as to the dates when my grandfather was admitted to the school and when he left. According to some biographical notes written by my late mother (William's eldest daughter), her father used to be a bell-ringer at the Parish Church as a young man, before he left the village to become a policeman in the Metropolitan Police Force in London. I should be very interested to know whether the Church still has a bell-ringing team. I should be very interested to hear from anyone who may be able to help me with information on the above. Sincerely, John W. Peters

If you can help John Please contact him

on

john.peters5@btopenworld.com



My grandmother Mabel West was born in Fersfield in 1881. She married a William J Clarke probably about 1899 or thereabouts. He came from Stow Bedon. Are there any descendents of this West family still living in Fersfield?.
She spent some time in the United States and was definitely when my mother was born in 1908 in New York
[ my mothers father was NOT William Clarke]
Would be very grateful for any small piece of information that anyone might have.
Many thanks, Rosie Morris

If you can help Rosie Please contact her

on

rosiemorris@sapo.pt



Hi,
I am trying to trace the family of Harry Clisby Sewell who was born in Roydon in 1874, and who lived in Roydon with his grandparents Robert & Eliza Bale, He married Florence Flatman also of Roydon in !894.
Any information regarding him or Florence Flatman would be much appreciated.
Regards, John Doidge

If you can help John Please contact him

on

john.doidge@tesco.net


Hi Nick,
I am new to tracing family trees & came across the site very recently. I believe that I am a great-granddaughter of Eliza Bond, born 1855 in Fersfield, who married Alfred Cobb, who was born in Thelveton. I think that Eliza’s parents were Cornelius Bond, born 1815 in Garboldisham & died 1894 in Fersfield, and Mary Anne Jolly, born 1811 in Rushforth (?) & died in 1901, in Fersfield.
I have noted other references to Bond families & wonder if there is a link. Any info or comments would be appreciated.
Regards, Linda H

If you can help Linda please contact her

on

la.howlett@tesco.net


Hi my name is Nicola Stallworthy and I am trying to locate a Michael Howard who lived in Roydon, Herts around 1963/63 when he would have been about 23/24 years of age. I know that he married around 63/64 and had a daughter around 64/65. I would be grateful if you have any information on your records. Should you need more information on me for whatever reasons please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards
Nicola

If you can help please contact her

on

NStallworthy@aol.com


Hi, I am trying to find information regarding my great grandfather, William Riches, who, in 1881 was living at : Chases Cottages Roydon in Guiltcross There was also another Riches, Benjamin, possibly his father, living at : The Green Chases Farm Roydon in Guiltcross I know that a farmer called Chase lived at Walcot Hall, Diss, and I assume that The Green means Roydon Green. But searches of old maps, and going round Roydon has yielded no information on either Mr Chase, his farm, or his cottages. The museum at Diss has also thrown a blank.
Is there anyone out there who could supply any clues or information regarding the above? I can supply more details if required! Hope to hear from someone, soon! Many thanks,
Andrew Rouse

If you can help please contact him

on

andrew@rousea.fsnet.co.uk



I am searching for my family name Brancen from 1816 to 1900.
Records show, Bressingham, Scole, Feltwell, Thetford. I would love to hear from anyone with any information. Many thanks
Sue Goodchild

If you can help please contact her

on

sue.goodchild@btinternet.com



Hi
I don't know if you can help me but what I am looking for is my ancestor Thomas Johnson
he was a dissenting minister b. 1774 but I am not sure where he came from, all I know is he had 2 children born in Roydon Norfolk - Mary Johnson b. 9/1/1798 and Hannah Johnson b. 4/11/1799,
he could have baptised them himself as he was a Minister but I was wondering if you could look up the church records of Roysdon it would have been a Baptist Church and see if he was a minister there and the records of his children.
He was married to Mary Leabon in 1795 at Stuston.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Patricia Oldham NSW Australia.
If you can help please contact her

on

trisholdham@bigpond.com



Hi
I am researching my husbands family tree and it appears that his great grandfather was born in Fersfield.
Cornelius Bond and he was a met police officer. Born in 1838, I have applied for his birth certificate and should learn more this week.
Have you any other Bonds from Fersfield tracing their history?
I would love to hear from you.
Thanks

Jayne Bond

If you can help please contact her

on

mrsjaynebond@ntlworld.com



I am researching my Hunt family tree.
I have got back to John Hunt of Bressingham, who married Charlotte Linstead (also of Bressingham) in 1815. On censuses, John Hunt stated that he was born in Bressingham in 1792. They had nine children in Bressingham and later moved to Norwich, where they became shopkeepers.
When I can get over to Norwich from Buckinghamshire, I am gradually looking up the registers of all the parishes surrounding Diss.
I wondered if you knew of anybody locally who might have covered this or overlapping ground in their own family history research?
With best wishes
If you can help please contact :

Jonathan Hunt

on

jonathan@dhunt1.fsnet.co.uk



Anyone have any information about the PUNT family c 1880-1841?

If you can help please contact :

Nigel

on

Nigill35@aol.com



I am an young student who lives in Bressingham carrying out an investigation on the village shop in bressingham for my GCSE geography coursework and I was wondering if you had any more information about the village shop that could help me.

If you can help please contact :

Aisleen

on

xxaisxx@hotmail.com



Many thanks for maintaining such an interesting website.
My ancestor was Edmund Licence who lived in Bressingham and married Mary Seer in 1688. They had Edmund born in 1690.
Edmund junior married Elizabeth Bishop and they had Robert, born in 1732, who married Rebecca Wilden in South Lopham in 1749 (pretty young!). The young lovers seem to have moved to Wortham and their son Robert born 1751, married Mary Boore. They had a son John Licence who we find in Redgrave marrying Rhoda Cotton in 1800. Their son, another John, married Mary Elliot in 1822 and had 12 children, the eighth of which was my great grandfather James Licence who went to Dover and describes himself in the 1881 census as a woodturner.
Interestingly, so does his older brother who by then was also in Dover. Was there a local woodturning industry in your area at that time?
By the 1840s many of the Licence family seem to have gone to Kent (as my branch did), to Yorkshire or industrial centres in Suffolk. I note that there are no Licences in Bressingham in 1891.
I would be pleased to hear from anyone who could give any information on what caused the migration and on the Bressingham/Wortham/Redgrave Licences.
All power to the Bressingham website!
Liz Beevers (nee Licence)

If you can help please contact :

Liz

on

e.beevers@blueyonder.co.uk



I wonder if you can help me? James Talbot was my ggg grandfather and according to the 1851 census, when he lived in Moreton in Essex he was born in Bresenham, Norfolk. The name reappears in the 1861 census and the nearest modern equivalent is Bressingham. Do your records go back to around 1778 which, +_ 1, is his date of birth/ Any information would be very helpful. The name may be spelt slightly differently, perhaps Tarbert even.
Peter Talbot

If you can help please contact :

Peter Talbot

on

peter@talbotsofhighgreen.wanadoo.co.uk



I have recently made a fleeting visit to Royden and Bressingham after visiting Norfolk Records Office.My Great great great grandfather George Punt (although known in Derbyshire as Pont) stated his place of birth as Royden on census returns although I have been unable to find evidence of this so far. I did find his marriage to Mary Ann Long at Bressington Church In Nov 1841.His father being stated as James Punt and Mary Ann's father as John Long. I found them again on the 1841 Census. Mary Ann was living with her parents. James (60) is living separately from George (20) both agricultural Labourers so may have been living on the farm he was working for. There is another George Punt living in the village who is 19 and living with his parents (Jeremiah and Lucy) and siblings. I am not sure what relation these are to George and James yet. By 1861 George is living in Staveley in Derbyshire. His wife however by this time is called Elizabeth (Born in Royden) I can only assume Mary Ann died, they had a daughter Mary Ann who had an illegitimate daughter Mary Ann Lucy who was my great grandmother. I found a baptism record in Royden (nr Diss) for a David Punt bap.1820 June 21st born 1819 July 17th parents James (labourer) and Mary(late Purse) This may well be George's brother and parents. If anyone is researching or has come across any information about the Punt's, Long's or Purse's I would be grateful to hear from you.
Thanks Elaine

If you can help please contact :

Elaine

on

4elaine@tiscali.co.uk



Could you help with any information about my grandmother, Gertrude Margaret Badger, who married Herbert John Green, an architect,in 1908. Gertrudde's father was Willam Badger, Rector of St John the Baptist in and around 1900 - 1908. I do not have a date of birth for Gertrude Margaret (nor indeed a date of death) nor any information about any siblings she may have had.
Many thanks,
Barbara Bryant (nee Green)

If you can help please contact :

Babara

on
dudley.bryant@btinternet.com
or
63 Chilbolton Avenue,
Winchester, hampshire, SO 22 5HJ
01962 851212
Mobile 07970 203481


have recently visited your interesting web-site on Bressingham and would be grateful if perhaps you can help me.
I am trying to find information about two former inhabitants, Noah Peek (Peake) and George Fortis (Fortes) who were both hanged in Norwich Castle in March 1822 after being convicted of rick burning (belonging to John Kent of Diss) and machine breaking (belonging to Mr R. Doggett of Winfarthing).
I have been told that both men served at the battle of Waterloo in June 1815, although I have no idea with which regiment.
Both men are reported as living and having families in Bressingham and I know that Fortes married Frances Fish on 16th January 1820 in the parish. I also see from the I.G.I. that a Noah Peek was born in 1797 in Norfolk, which might be the man I am researching.
Regretfully, that is the sum total of my knowledge of both men to date. I would now be most graetful if you can advise me of any local legend, knowledge or information which might be available of these two unfortunate men.
Barry Langridge.

If you can help please contact :

Barry

on
Barry.Langridge@Trecarne.Net


Hi ,
I've come to a standstill researching my family tree at Bressingham.
My ancestor Charles List (b1833) born and baptised in Bressingham, was the son of James List (born there c1800-1803) He appears to be the first in the family to leave working the land and enter the uncertain world of industry, taking his family to the North East to the iron & steel works of the new town of Middlesbrough in the 1850's.
James is entered on the 1881 census as retired agricultural worked aged 78 - which seems an extaordinary age for the time.
There was another son George who I suspect died in infancy and a daughter Eliza(1829) who after marriage, might have descendants in the area still.
If this fits into anyones research of the area or local families I would be grateful of any feedback,
regards Sharron Glover(nee List)

If you can help please contact :

Sharon
on
glover@newmeja.com


Looking for any Gooderham relatives.Parents were Robert and Mary(Holden)Gooderham.Robert born 1815 in Redgrave.Their children Martha,George,Walter born 1856 and James.

If you can help please contact :

Kaye Edmonds
on
wedmonds2@cogeco.ca


Dear Sir/Madam
May I through your site ask if there are any persons still in Roydon (green) Who might know If the Howard Family, who lived at the Chestnuts Roydon Green in the 70s are still in the area.
The person who I want to find out about was Lil (Lillian I presume) Who I think was my Grandmothers cousin. My Grandmothers maiden name was Licence and the family came from Scole. Although she has Moat Rd Diss on her birth certificate and no one knows of this place?.
Another relation was something to do with a quarry in the area. Can you be of any help to my search or be able to direct my enquiry to someone who can.
My address is -
Mrs J Darken
17 Apsley Close
Bishops Stortford
Herts CM23 3PX.
01279 656354.
Many thanks for your time

GandJatApsley@aol.com


I have been looking at your interesting web pages on Bressingham I am interested in the family story behind the agricultural merchanting firm H Burroughes & Son of Bressingham. I know that a distant cousin Herbert Ernest BURROUGHES, a miller originally from Aslacton, died in Bressingham around 1919 and had a large family, including a son Harry, but was this the same Harry BURROUGHES who was running the firm in the 1930’s? Can anyone help me with more details?
David

Can you help David ?

Please mail him on

david@booty.freeserve.co.uk


I've found your web-site by accident, and it's a really good find for me, as I've been tracing my family, and my great grandfather (Thomas Noble) was born in Bressingham in 1838. I really appreciate the opportunity of getting some kind of feel of the area. Thomas Noble's parents were on the parish registers of Roydon as living in Darragh Farm. I don't suppose you've any idea of where that is? I drove up to Bressingham (I'm from West Ham) a couple of months ago, and saw that there's a Darrow Farm - I wondered whether the name has changed over the years.
Jan Boyce
Also does anyone know the origin of the name of 'Noble's Cottage' in Common Road, Bressingham?

Can anyone out there help Jan ?

Please mail her on

JanBoyce@aol.com

I came across your very interesting website on the internet. We have recently moved to Bressingham and wondered if you knew anything about the history of our house, the Old Hall on Low Road (now two properties), or if you knew where I would be able to find any further information.
Many thanks Karen and Lee

The House is said to have been built about 1480, at the same time as the Chequers Inn.

Can you help Karen and Lee ?

Please mail them on

karen_cross@ipcmedia.com

If like me, you don't know Low Road , it is the A1066, near the Chequers Inn. [Nik]

My name is Leo Bond, I believe my Great Grandfather came from Roydon and moved to West Hartlepool before the 1881 census. At the time of this census he was 28 years old married to Selina(Lena) J Bond nee Johnson(born in Denmark). Could his father have been Stephen Bond 62 years old 1881 census of Brewers Green, Roydon in Guiltcross, Norfolk.Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Yours faithfully, Leo Bond

Can you help Leo ?

Please mail him on

leobond3@yahoo.co.uk

hi I have been researching my family history for my mother who is eightyone and who my wife and I are going to bring to Roydon in the next month or so to visit for the first time. I have discovered that we are related to a Thomas Bryant a Sawyer and Jane Noble who were married and living in Roydon from 1861 to to 1871 as shown in the census of those times. They were my great, great, great Grandparents. Thomas was born in Diss and Jane in Roydon the and they moved back to Palgrave after 1871. I am really only trying to give my mother some idea about what Roydon may have been like back then so if you could be of any help I would be very grateful. I have made a contact in the local museum but I was wondering if there was a local person who might be able to give me some local information.
Kindest Regards Roy Osborne

Can you help Roy ?

Please mail him on

helloyeti@hotmail.com

I am sending this from Perth Western Australia.
My Great Grandfather Thomas Allen Read was brought up by the Cox family of South Lopham and described on the 1851 census as nephew.
We have been trying to find out who his parents were. He moved with his family to Rotherham and died in 1884.
On his burial certificate the parents were put as William and Charlotte Read, hoteliers. I found William and Charlotte Read in the 1841 census:-
Roydon William Read 48 Agric. Lab. Charlotte 45
1851 census Royden, The Fen born Seaman Read 58 Agric. Lab Fersfield Charlotte 55 South Lopham Rhoda g.dau. 3 Royden.
I found Charlotte's maiden name was Cox born South Lopham and she died age 58 in 1854 William died age 77 in 1869 both in Guiltcross.
I can see no connection to hoteliers in the above. Mrs. Cox maiden name was Read and she was born Bressingham
According to family Thomas Allen Read's father was a well known Victorian author, we do not know who his mother was but think she could be some connection to the Read/Cox family. As he was said to have been illegitimate it was not mentioned.
In 1851 William was 58 and Charlotte 55. Thomas in 1851 was 10. Any information would be very much appreciated.
Regards, June Whitehouse

Can anyone help June?


Please Mail Her on

cliff.whitehouse@ bigpond.com

I would be pleased if you would like to advertise my interest in your village.
Ever since starting family history and finding where our roots were, I have had a dream of contacting a present day descendant. The information on the BOND family has given me a distant 'cousin' who has traced the family back to 1600 as the family originally came from near Roydon. From some early research done for me many years ago it would seem my Robert STONE had some siblings. His mother did seem to have a permanent 'relationship' as would be said today, but frowned upon in her time. Other than Robert's sons who are here in Australia, I know nothing more on his background, although looking at the 1851 Cencus which I have there are other STONE families in the region.My family connection is through Rhoda BOND (b1790) m Edward HEWES (b 1789 Suffolk). Their daughter Susannah (b 1816) m Robert STONE (b1816) son of Martha STONE (b & d unknown).
Thanking you Jenny C

Can anyone help Jenny ?

Please Mail Her on

kevinc1@bmr.net.au

Looking for information on the MUNFORD family of the Fersfield, Shelfanger, Winfarthing, Bressingham and Roydon area from early 1800's to the present. I believe there are many MUNFORD desendants living in these areas but have not been able to make much headway finding any of them. I have a Robert MUNFORD and his family living at Fen Street , Roydon ,Norfolk County , England in 1881 census listed as being a Tailor by trade and a Jobe MUNFORD in 1901 census listed as a Horseman On Farm. We believe Chilvers Stock Farm. Also a Job MUNFORD widow that married a Jemima BRYANT widow in 1859, a Joseph MUNFORD widow that married an Elizabeth BRIANT widow in 1815. Any more information on these people and or any other MUNFORD family would be most helpful.
Gary Munford

Can you Help Gary ?


Please mail Him on:

gdmunford@xplornet.com

Meet Old Friends

TOP

EVACUEEES
I am Fred Clark & saw your link in Bressingham website.
My brother & I were evacuated to Bressingham during WW2 from London in 1939. We were first billeted with a Miss Piper, then on to Mr & Mrs Drane (or Drain).
I now live in Albany, Western Australia, moved here 1961, my brother Ron now lives in Isle of Wight.
I have seen photo of Bressingham school on web, it looks vaguely familiar but possibly up dated since 1939. We lived at Enfield, Middlesex prior to evacuation.
I am now 75 years old but still the memories flood back. On our return to Enfield during the war ,I wrote to Mrs Drane for a while, during that time she informed that a local farmhand named Joe had been shot & died in a shooting accident. We were very sad at this news as Joe had befriended us & took us around a farm in the hay cart.
Hope this slice of history is of interest to you.

Anybody have any recollections of that time

I'm sure that Fred would like to hear from you

fredclark@westnet.com.au

BRESSINGHAM MUSICAL SOCIETY 1918
Musical Group The attached photograph may be of interest. My grandmother was Winifred D. B. Howard, daughter of George and Emma Howard. George was Sexton at Bressingham church for many years. In the picture she is first on the left, first row.
Regards, Steve Parsley

Does anyone remember, or know anything about the Howard family or the Musical Society?"
If so, Steve would like to hear from you

Please Mail Him on his new address

daronell@onetel.com

BRESSINGHAM 1860 to 1960
I am trying to gather together as much information on Bressingham between these two dates.
My great Aunts, Sarah Styles, Annie Hoskins lived in the High Road for most of their lives. Their parents, Sarah and Thomas Wharton Styles, lived in the large thatched house behind the methodist chapel for most of this time.
I would be delighted to hear of any stories connected with the village/ and or my STYLES family. Also of Canon (Tommy) Knock, Rector of the parish for many years.
There were several children from Barnardo's Homes boarded out in the village and I would love to hear about that too.
My grand father, George Styles, was a Pork Butcher at Dove Farm, on Bressingham Common. Grandmother, Jane, was, I belive, in service at Bressingham Hall which is where she may have met grandfather.
I am particulalry interested in the opening of Bressingham Village Hall and of the young Miss Orford who was involved in the ceremony. Also in the War Memorial and the old Church Hall. I would be delighted to receive e mails
Sarah Annie Styles

Can you help Sarah ?

Please Mail Her CARE of the website

nik.bressingham@virgin.net

My name is Howard Buxton. In the 1930's - 50's my mother and grandparents lived in Roydon The family name was Howard. My grandfather was a policeman ( See CHARACTERS !!! ) in Diss during the war. His number was PC10. They lived at Red House, Royden. My mother (Della) and auntie (Beryl) went to Bressingham School. At the time the Headmaster's name was Mr. Butcher and there was an infants teacher called Miss. Doubleday. Bressingham Post office was run by my mother's grandmother Mrs. Charlotte Howard and Miss Howard, her auntie. The Vicar at Bressingham church was Mr. Knock. Rev. Knock married my mother and father at Bressingham church. My sister was baptised there. Wedding Photo My mother met my father at RAF Fersfield where he was stationed. Both my grandparents and an aunt are buried at Bressingham Church. My mother had recently been very ill with cancer, and being able to visit your web site has enabled me to take her back to happier times. We run our own business collecting World War Two memorabilia which we then take into the local schools for the children to see and I found your web site whilst I was researching some items that we have recently bought.

Howard Buxton.


I'm sure that Howard and his family would very much like to hear from anyone who remembers these times

Please Mail Him on

sandra.buxton@ntlworld.com

Local Characters

TOP

PC10 - ARTHUR W HOWARD

Extract from a local paper (1956) :

" RETIRING AFTER 44 YEARS IN POLICE FORCE
Police Constable Arthur W Howard of Red House, Roydon, well known in Diss and district, is retiring in about a fortnight after a total of about 44 years in the police force. Mr. Howard, who is 69, was born at Wortham, but later moved to Hull, where he joined the Hull City Police on August 4th, 1908.
He retired in 1934 after 26 years' service and went to live at Roydon, in his present home. Four years later he joined the Norfolk Constabulary First Police Reserve. Arthur W. Howard
He was called for service during the war. He served all during the war and afterwards remained in the Reserve until his retirement this month. Most of his more vivid memories concerning the police force centre round his time spent in Hull. Apart from many disturbances in the docks, where it was necessary for a police officer to be physically fit and strong in order to control frequent fights with fists and knives, the main event Mr. Howard remembers was crash of an airship into the Humber. Mr. Howard was on a ship dealing with a stowaway when the airship. R38 came overhead. It was flying normally, but suddenly blew up, scattering crew, passengers, and wreckage into the river. Mr. Howard said the river itself seemed to catch fire, as the petrol from the airship burned on the water, and he had a busy and extremely unpleasant task attempting to rescue the survivors.
ZEPPELIN RAIDS He also remembers the Zeppelin raids on Hull, which caused considerable damage and loss of life, and how, after the first raid, people smashed the windows of every German and Austrian-owned shop in the city. Asked how much conditions had changed since he first joined the force, Mr. Howard said they were very much easier than they used to be, and that life was quieter. When he first joined, Mr. Howard said, a policeman had to be really tough. Much more punishment was given by the police on the spot than It is now, especially in cases of rowdiness and disorderly conduct There were no days off for the police in those days, and the pay was extremely small. The main reason why things were quieter, Mr. Howard said, was that there was not so much drinking these days. Young people today went to the cinema instead of the Public-house as in the old days.
Mr. Howard and his wife will continue to live in Roydon with one of their four daughters. He will spend his time chiefly in his two-acre garden."

End of report

We are indebted to Howard Buxton, his grandson, for this information
Should you wish to contact him, his email address is shown in the 'MEET OLD FRIENDS' section



Old Photographs

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It would be nice, on this Website, to have a collection of photographs of Bressingham and Fersfield in past times , for everyone to enjoy, and perhaps compare to modern day.
Just to remind viewers, that this is non-profit making site, that, generates no revenue whatever, and is run by Bressingham resident. It is purely for the benefit of locals, and visitors. Has anyone got any local photographs that they would be willing to loan for scanning, and display on the Website ??

Please contact

Nick
nik.bressingham@virgin.net

Information Needed

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FERSFIELD AIRFIELD IN THE LAST WAR
This airfield was said to be the home of an American special "Aphrodite" unit which used 'war weary' bombers, directed to their targets by radio control
Can any one help with more information about this ?

Please contact

Nick
nik.bressingham@virgin.net



FERSFIELD AIRFIELD IN THE LAST WAR
You are correct about Fersfield being used as the homebase of Project Aphrodite. My grandfather was involved heavily in the project, and the exploits of the entire project, both Army and Navy, are detailed in the book by Jack Olsen titled "Aphrodite: Desperate Mission." Many copies of the book are available from Amazon.com. Hope this helps your search for information. Cheers, Jeff Washington State

P.S. You can find photos of Fersfield tower at the following website:
Controltowers (Fersfield) {Link}

I sure that Jeff would like to hear from any other interested persons about Project Aphrodite

You can contact him
on

Comsar@aol.com



FERSFIELD AIRFIELD IN THE LAST WAR
I know this is probably not what your web site is for but I was wondering if you could help me with a query regarding the above. I am interested in architecture, particularly that of WW2 buildings and am trying to establish whether the control tower at Fersfield remains. Is anyone in the parish able to help? I have recently moved to Diss and am slowly finding out information about the area, so any information would be gratefully received.
Thank you very much,
David Cantrill

Please mail him
on

DaveandBecca@clark-cantrill.freeserve.co.uk



Victims of the two World Wars

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BRESSINGHAM 1860 to 1960
I am trying to research for information about the WW1 and 2 Victims who are rembered on the Bressingham War Memorial. I do have some information on most of them, but anything else I received would be very welcome. I am having particular problems in finding George Garkand and Harry Flatman. Many thanks to those who have kindly sent me information re my other queries,
Sarah Annie Styles

Can you help Sarah ?

Please Mail Her CARE OF the website

nik.bressingham@virgin.net

LOCAL HEROS KILLED IN THE TWO WORLD WARS

The Bressingham & Fersfield War Memorial


The Roydon War Memorial

WAR DISASTER IN BRESSINGHAM

A Sterling bomber was returning from a bombing raid on Duisburg on April 9, 1943, when it came down at Bressingham killing all the crew.
The pilot was a member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, two others were from the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the remaining four were British. They were all non-commisioned officers based at Newmarket with the 75th Royal New Zealand Air Force.
The disaster was commemorated in April 1991 when a bookcase, with the squadron's motto "For ever and ever be strong" was dedicated at Bressingharn Parish Church in memory of the crew. A tree was planted on the site, which is believed to be on farmland south of Valley Farm.
Eric Burroughes, the church sexton, was one of the villagers who saw the plane go down. He was only a boy at the time.