Personal Memories

'Memories of Thorpe Hamlet' Book

There are lots more memories to read here

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Memories of Thorpe Hamlet

What became of the material that didn't make it into the book?
We had a huge collection of memories to draw on and for one reason or another many of them did not end up in the book. A number of people have asked what has happened to the material that didn't make it. A complete set of photocopies of all the material, all the notes on the photographs along with any photographs that their owners did not want returned have been properly listed, archived and presented to the the Plumstead Road Library where they are available on request.

I am wondering if anyone out there knows anything about weeds square , especially the family who lived at no14, whose name was lemmon. they were my direct family and it would be really exciting to find out anything about them.
Heather.

I'm writting in the hope, that you might be able to help me,my grandfather who lived at 95, yarmouth road who's name was arthur albert hansell, was a shoe repairer, his wife's name was nellie hansell, he lived there untill 1962 when he sadly passed away.I'm trying to find out any information in can on the family.
Sue De'Vanny (nee Hansell)

I am looking for information about an estranged relative of mine - Daniel Cyrus Morris who was a dentist on Rosary Road in Thorpe Hamlet in the 1950's and 1960's. I believe he died in 1971 but would be very interested if anyone has any information about him or his family.
Many thanks
Adam Regis

I am currently documenting all the war memorials in Norwich, and am trying to locate the Thorpe Hamlet Roll of Honour. Do you know were it is currently located?
I have found the re-located cross memorial at the new church.
Yours faithfully
Robert Maguire

Hope you can help me. I am looking for more information on the Harvey family and in particular I am building a detailed family tree. See www.jjhc.info which has a section on the Harvey family and traces many of their ancestors back to the early 1700s.
One person that I am trying to identify is the sitter in a portrait that I have. The portrait shows a very young man and is titled: John Harvey Ensign 82 Foot January 1844.
The sitter in the portrait appears to have been the son of Maj Gen Sir Robert John Harvey, Mousewood House, Norwich,1785-1860
I think this John Harvey may be the grandfather of Col John Robert Harvey (1861-1921). I note that you have on your website a message from a Miriam Hare, as follows:
I have recently been doing some research into my great grand father, Colonel John Robert Harvey, who lived at Holmwood, Thorpe. I believe he was born in 1861 and died in 1921. We too found his grave and visited Holmwood a few weeks ago. I was very interested to read that Rob Carman is writing an essay about 1/4 Battn Norfolk Regiment in the Great War, wanting details about Colonel Harvey. I have some details about his family life, which I have gleaned from some notes that my grandmother wrote, which were taken from a book that Colonel Harvey apparently wrote on the Harvey family of Thorpe.
Best wishes
Miriam Hare

Hi!
Does anyone remember the "Everitt Family" that used to live on Egyptian Road, first name Kitty? It was either number 21 or 22.

On the Thorpe Hamlet History Group Web-site Peter Wright was asking about the origin of the name "Cintra Road". The following might help.
"The Convention of Sintra 1808".
At the start of the Peninsula War (1808 - 1814), with Napoleon, the British landed in Portugal and Sir Arthur Wellesley was the first to engage the French in battle. The engagement was a success and the French sued for an armistice. A Convention was signed at the city of Sintra which has been described as an embarrassment as it allowed the French to leave Portugal with all its arms and any booty they had gained in Portugal. The British even supplied the ships to take the French Army back to France with no reassurance that these soldiers would not return to the fight. Portugal was liberated from the French and with the convention of Sintra there was no further bloodshed.
Cintra Road, as you almost certainly know continues on from Wellesley Avenue South, which was named after Sir Arthur Wellesly.
June Marriage.

Hi
Two of my ancestors ran the Ostrich between 1871 and 1890 the Nobbs ran a number of pubs in Norwich in the late 1800’s early 1900’s if anyone has a photograph of the Ostrich or any information about Robert or James Nobbs which they are able to send me I would very much like to include the information\pictures in the Nobbs genealogy file.
Licensees : RICHARD BURROWS TOWLER age 33 in 1851
( As Richard Burrows in 1865 ) * 1850 - 1865
THOMAS RATHMELL by 1867
SARAH RATHMELL 21.02.1871
ROBERT NOBBS 19.04.1871
JAMES NOBBS 08.12.1890
JOHN HART BOUGHEN 13.08.1895
GEORGE HENRY BROWN 10.10.1895
SAMUEL JAMES BROWN 18.06.1901
ALBERT MACE 21.07.1908
Regards
Peter

Whilst researching my Family History I found that my mother was born in the railway cottages at Thorpe Hamlet.
Her Father was an engine Fireman/driver on the railway on the express trains and had moved from the station at Wells next the Sea.
his Name was James T Howard his wife was Frances and they had 3 Girls and 2 Boys
Fanny Howard born 1898 at Wells
Robert Howard born 1902 at Wells Died 1917 Norwich
Annie Howard born 1906 Thorpe Hamlet
Alice Howard born 1906 Thorpe Hamlet Twin Sisters
James Henry Howard 1912 Thorpe Hamlet
I shall be visiting the area between 25 & 30 April this year but would like to hear from any one that might have details or photos of that area at that time

my E-Mail address is johnland10@aol.com Regards John Land

Hi
The reason I am writing, is that my family, being my Mum, Dad, Sister and myself lived at 13 Weeds Square, Norwich. We left there in 1953 when the houses were condemned and moved to a flat near the N & N, The flat was luxury after the cottage we had lived in. The cottage had water, but no electricity, lighting was by the gas mantles we used to get from the Gas Company on Gas Hill. We had a copper which was heated up on a Friday for the bath night, I was the last in as the youngest. My mum did the washing on a scrubbing board, with the copper boiling away with the whites. It was a 2 up 2 down cottage with the toilet about 25 yards away at the top of the square. We shared it with a lady next door. I remember it with whitewash walls, and a big wooden seat. We used cut up newspapers as there were not toilet rolls in those days, or we could not afford them probably. My nanny lived further down the row and her toilet was across the square in the old city wall. The family next door to us were the Lewis,s, there was Gloria and her sister. From what I remember there was a family at the top of the square who had a son called Gerald, his father was in the army and used to come home on a motor bike.
I went to Wolfe Road School, I used to walk up Gas Hill to it, it was really slippery though when there was ice on it, many a time I slid down it to get home.
I used to hate saying I lived at Weeds Square, the name does not sound too romantic to say the least, but we were a community within the city and it lives on in my memory of times gone by.
Regards
kathy Adams formerley Kathleen Reeve in my Weeds Square days.

I found quite by accident the personal memories page of your web-site and a few names jogged my memory of my time at no 3 Egyptian Road. I lived there from birth-1938- until 1965 when we moved to Wellesley Avenue North. My name is Ian Scott, the second of six kids, the others being Jimmy, sadly dead, twins Brian (also passed away), David, John and Mary the youngest. It was a miracle that we all lived in a two up two down with no bathroom and an outside toilet. I remember having a bath at the slipper baths at the old Duke's Palace at the top of Duke Street. I think it was sixpence for half an hour but unlimited hot water, what bliss!
One of your e mailers was asking about a house in St. Leonards Road and mentioned David Chipperfield. Sadly Chippie passed away recently but his wife Sheila still lives in St.Leonards terrace next door to Beryl Vickers, two dear friends of mine.

My e-mail address is scotiaatfour@aol.com please feel free to use it or pass it on to anyone who may be interested.

"I was so pleased to read your message, Christina, for your Grandad was my favourite uncle and your uncle Gerald was my favourite cousin. I would love some news from the younger members of the family for the old'uns have passed on, I guess. My mother is still alive and kicking at 89 but lives a long way from you in the North East. Take care and good luck to you, your mum and your sisters. Michael" mboweren@hotmail.com

My Grandfather, James Weir Lindsay was born in December 1871 in St Elands Cottages, Hamlet of Thorpe; he was the son of soldier serving with 7th Dragoon Guards.
The purpose of this letter is to ascertain if there are any pictures or drawings of the cottages, if so, is it possible to obtain copies ? I appreciate that very little information will be available regarding the regiment etc., but if possible, I would like to ascertain any information about the property.
ANY assistance would be appreciated.
Regards, STANLEY SEPHTON.

My grandparents (Jim and Eva Scott) lived in Vincent Road and went to the Scott Memorial Chapel before they moved to Biggleswade in 1943. Gran, who's madien name was Harper, family was connect with the Scott for it's early days. As many of her brothers and sisters were married there. Granddad ran the Boys Brigade unit, while Gran helped in the Sunday School and
was a Methodist lay preacher. Her family, the Harpers, went back to the early days of the chapel as her father, Arthur, having first gone there shortly after it opened in 1904. Many of her brothers and sisters were married there, including my grandparents. My late father, Norman who was baptised there, having heard that the chapel was due to close had me drive him up to Norwich for the last service.
Stephen

I wonder if anyone has any information on my grandmother and my great grandmother and grandfather. Their address was Pear Tree Cottage, Tower Hill, School Lane, Thorpe St Andrews, Norwich and my Granny's name was Ella Champman and her father was Benjamin Chapman and her mother was Lizzie Chapman (nee Long). Gran had a few sisters, Ethel, Muriel, Hilda and brother Jim. Muriel married a Mr Herbert Miles. It would be so wonderful to get news of long lost relatives as planning trip to Norwich in October to seek out the places of my granny's early days. From Helen Stuart, Inverness

Can any one please help me. I am trying to find any descendants of Jabez Hunter (my greatgrandfather), he was born in 1846 and died 1916. He lived with his wife Matha nee King at Rosary Terrace Rosary Road. They had 2 children Sidney and Emma. Sidney(my grandfather) died in Doncaster in 1923 and his wife Florence brought my Dad (Wilfred) back to Wolfe road.
I have been pretty successful in tracing earlier family but the newer family is proving difficult.
I hope some one can help. Thanks Chris Hunter

Having recently bought Vine Cottage 30a St Leonards Rd, which is on the corner of St Leonards and Quebec Rd, I would be most interested if anyone has any information or old photographs relating to this property. I understand that the house was built in 1851 and acquired the postal address, 30a, in the 20`s having been called Vine Cottage because of the conservatory which was demolished some years ago to make way for a garage. Many thanks. Richard

Ailwyn Hall was built in 1925 by the Great Eastern Railway company for the use of the railwaymen, please do you have any information about Ailwyn Hall, I know Ailwyn Hall which was probably named after 1st Baron Ailwyn Edward Fellowes a company director who died in September 1924, The Hall in Lower Clarence Road, Norwich was opened by Lord Tolemache in1925. It is believed the club was given to the railwaymen of Norwich, but proof have been lost, have you any records concerning this, the club was sold and the proceeds went to the local railway company.
Ailwyn was on the board of both Great Eastern & London &North Eastern Railways
Thanking you in anticipation

Fran Cawdron

I am looking for information on KETTS HILL BAKERY i had relatives that lived and worked there in 1800's & 1900's. a JAMES ELWIN and ROBERT ARTHUR ELWIN. but i want to find out if there is any other information about them anywhere. idid write to the address in KETTS HILL a few months back,but i never got a reply even though i sent an s.a.e.

I'm also looking for information on THOROULDS BUILDINGS, My grt grt grandmother died there in 1800's.
my e-mail is sheiky59@aol.com
can anyone help.
regards sheila

I am currently researching my family history.
My Great Grandfather William Fuller was born in 1893 at 6 Malvern Road to James and Alice Fuller in 1901 Census they had moved to 10 Malvern Road.
William married Kate Barnard and my father Harold was born at 43 Florence Road in 1922.
As all the family were employed by the railway was the area railway houses?
Would appreciate any help .
B Stebbings

I am currently writing my autobiography and would like to know more about the above school , which was in Ella Road . I started there in 1938 . When was it bombed ? when was it transferred to the Crome School in Telegraph Lane ?
Are there any records of names of the teachers ? i seem to recall a Miss Castleton and a Mrs Jenkins - am I correct?

Thanks - Bernard Ecker ( formally of 57 Prince of Wales Road )

Hi there,
please could anyone find a photograph of the Bakers Arms as the bakery years ago. i don't know much about the history of this pub and would like a photo to show how this building used to be.
i will be shortly taking over the bakers arms lease and would be grateful for any information on the history to promote the memories of Thorpe Hamlet into my pub.
Please let me know if anyone can assist me.
THE BAKERS ARMS 66,ST.LEONARDS ROAD ,NORWICH
Robert Robins
robert.robins@ntlworld.com

I have just come across your site on the internet - yes it takes time for me to find my way around these things!
But to the point:-

I have some information regarding the Boweren family. A Michael Boweren who lives in France - or did at the time of his query on your site - is requesting information regarding the Boweren family. Am I correct that this Michael is brother to Pauline? My grandfather was Sydney Walter Boweren, one of seven children, being Eleanor (Nell) Bob, Fred, Ted, Leslie, and George. Sydney lived in Burnham, Buckinghamshire until he died. Sydney had three children, Gerald, Rita and Sylvia, Sylvia had three children, myself - Christina and Theresa and Lee who are twins. As I understand it their father was William Edgar and mother was Elizabeth Sturgess. I have further names and may be able to provide more information, but I guess we ought to see how this goes first and hope that Michael has not already found this information and I am SO far behind the times.

Regards
Christina

Hi
i hope someone would be able to help me, i am looking for information on the above bakery, as i had ELWIN relatives who worked and lived there during the 1800's.
i would like to find out more information on it, especially more on the occupants or bakers there, and if there are any records of how long my rellies worked and lived there for. Also any pictures there might be.
I did write to the bakery some time ago, and i put in a S.A.E but i never got a reply, which i am a bit annoyed about as it does not take much effort to write on a scrap of paper " sorry i cannot help you"
hope you can
regards sheila merritt

Hello,

I see 2 references to Railway Cottages. Can anyone tell me where they were? Also I’d be interested to know the difference between Thorpe Hamlet and Thorpe next Norwich. Is an address naming Railway Cotts Thorpe next Nowich the same as Railway Cotts Thorpe Hamlet?

David Culley

I was fascinated by your website, especially since my grandfather, who I never knew, was born there. His name was George Charles BOWEREN and I believe he died as a result of wounds he received in WWI. He was born, according to War Records around 1880, and his father, of German origin, worked for Colman's as a coachman. George Charles later moved to Burnham in Buckinghamshire where he married and founded a family of seven children, all of whom have now passed away. When I was very young my father and mother took us to Wells next the Sea on holiday and during the week we went to City Hall in Norwich where my father tried to look up records of his family. I remember him coming away very disconsolate without success, although I was too young to know what was going on at the time. I would love to hear from anyone who can throw some light on the Boweren family so that I can put my mother, who is 88 this year, in the picture. I have been living in France for the past 25 years but still follow the Canaries like my Father. Keep up the splendid work of protecting England's heritage.

Yours truly

Michael BOWEREN

I wonder if you can help me with a bit of research. I am looking at the life of a distant relative of mine, Alfred Rutt.

Alfred was born in Cambridge in 1822, learnt the boatbuilding trade through his step father Samuel Logan and, after the death of his first wife Mary Ann Reeve, appears tpo have moved to Thorpe Next Norwich where he married a Martha Wiles (maybe Wyles) in 1849. His early children were born there.

I wonder if there is any trace of his being in Thorpe next Norwich. He lived in the Spitalfield district I believe.

The reason I ask is not merely out of of my own curiosity but because of an Australian cousin of mine descended from him. She really would like to know something of her roots. Alfred emigrated to Australia in 1855 on the 'Morayshire' arriving in Sydney in 1856 (interestingly, the ship went on to pick up descendants of the Bounty Mutiny on Pitcairn Island and take them to Norfolk Island)

I would very much like to hear if you have anything at all relevant.
Julian Buttery

To Lisbeth.
I remember the old Blake family very well. I lived at 83 Quebec Road, many years ago, I recall Vera, Ruby and of course Billy, who died of wounds during the world war 2 . I knew Molly and Ivan Finch and their mother I think thye used to live in the house next to the waterworks, later occupied by a family called Daniels, in my time my Aunt lived next door to the Blakes, then the Jearys, Hazel Joan and Geoffrey, who served as a prisoner of war in Germany, Where are they now? Maybe gone but not forgotten....
Mary Cowell (nee Rowe) Western Australia.

Re my dad who was born and brought up 45, Quebec Road, Thorpe Hamlet his name was Bernard Mattin unfortunately my dad died 2000 aged 67. Dad and his brother Raymond grew up and went on to work on the railway my dad 'Bernard ' was a train driver on the steam engines alongside his father George Mattin and both my dads grandfathers worked on the railway his mums father William Blake and hid dads father Andrew Mattin all of them lived on Quebec Road .My nanny was known as Ruby although her name was Agnes nee Blake she was also born on Quebec Road. My nannys neighbour was called florrie colman they shared a courtyard. My dad had a cousin Molly Finch has been mentioned already in 'memories' she had a brother Ivan .Often when I visited my nanny we would go to the 'Rosary' to put flowers on my great grandparents graves and my great uncle Billy Blake he was killed in the 2nd world war he was my nanny's brother .
I can remember my dad talking about the dancing lessons he used to have with my mum Patricia Mattin nee Fuller mum was not brought up in thorpe hamlet but met my dad when she was just 14 , they were married at St. Peter Mancroft in 1953 the house they were taught in was on Brittania Road just before you reach st. James's Hill on the left hand side of the road.
My grandad George Mattin used to play darts at the William 4th pub on st. Leonards road .I can remembert going to the sweet shop on the corner of Quebec Road where you could buy boiled sweets from jars and i used to pay my nanny's 'didlums' as she called it it was a kind of savings scheme, paid weekly.
Lizbeth

I found your site which is fascinating as some of my ancestors came from there.
My great grandfather was a Francis Arthur Morse who married a lady called Mary Chaplin. From records great grandfather was a Crepe Designer at the time of the birth of my grandfather Charles George Hugh Morse in 1884 and Francis and his wife were living at Freneda Cottage on Telegraph Lane.
Francis and Mary were still living at Freneda Cottage in 1891 (census) and Francis was a Crepe Roller Engraver.
By the time my Grandfather Charles George Hugh married in 1915 Francis was described as a gentleman which was often a colloquialism for retired but it does not say if he was still living in the Hamlet but i suspect so as Charles married at St Matthews.
Does Freneda Cottage on Telegraph Lane still exist ?
Was there a crepe material printing industry in Thorpe Hamlet?
Was the Brewery in Thorpe Hamlet a Steward, Pattison, Morse and Finch brewery ? and if so was my great grandfather related to Sir George H Morse for whom Morse Road in Thorpe is named ?
Does anyone know ? I would be grateful for any information or memories anyone might have.
Your site is fascinating - keep up the good work
Nick St John-Moore

Hi, My name is Bill Starling (David), I have just looked your book & website for the first time .
On page 60 in the book is a class photo Crome school 1957 this was my class, I recognise most by looks, but only a few by name.
Alan Tacon, John Harper, Bernard Ewles, Rodney Capes, John Lane, Tony Norton & myself.
Can you remind me of the other names.
My wife and family left Norwich for Western Australia in1966 so have lost touch long ago.
On the web page is an article by David F Shailer about his father," Bill"& loco 70013 named
Oliver Cromwell, my father also drove this engine just before diesels came in.
Yours David Starling Ex 19 Hill House Rd

There are lots more memories to read here

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For security and safety reasons we will not include any e-mail or postal addresses unless you specifically ask us to. We regret we are not able to act as go-betweens and do not retain e-mail or other information once it is posted up.

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