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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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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.