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. We regret we are unable to undertake research on behalf of enquirers.

Hi I am very keen to make contact with Kevin TEASDALE whose wife he states is a BALDWIN and hence must be a direct descendant of mine.

I am trying to piece together my maternal line of BALDWIN’S from Thorpe Hamlet. Many of them worked in the service of the railway company and lived in the near-by cottages.

Your site has been invaluable in so many ways...thank you.

NB If Kevin can contact us we will try to forward a message to Faye Baldwin from Australia

Hello
I have just been looking through your web site with hope and great interest. It is amazing!!

I am researching my Filby family who lived in South Africa, but visited 16 Ella Rod, Norwich in 1935.
I attach the British Passenger list of the family. Ernest Edward Filby, Hilda his wife and Jack and Peggy his children. Jack was killed in 1945.

What I hope you can help me with is who they were visiting? I guess it must have been his Filby family. I can’t find Ernest Edward’s parents and hope that information in the UK records will help, if it was the Filby’s he visited?

Do any of your subscribers who remember Ella Road know who lived at 16 in 1935??

I would very much appreciate your help.

Kindest regards
Marion Filby

Hello , My name is Isobell Cooper and all my husbands family came from Acle. Thorpe, freethorpe.Blofield and im trying to find someone in that area to help me with more research.Its hard to find free sites from NZ.
The first one I have is Robert Cooper born 1772 Martham Flegg Norfolk marr Ann Elizabeth Thompson in 1808 St Marys Church Satlham Tunstead. They had 11 Children al Born around Freethorpe Acle. Maria marr a REEDER, two went to Aust and two went to USA. I hope you or someone in your area can help.
Thanks so Much and have a nice day bell Cooper. Email isobellcooper@yahoo.co.nz

Hallo! Iam the neice of George Lyon who was Headmaster of Larkman Lane School during WW2 and who lived in St Leonard's Road,Thorpe Hamlet for most of his adult life. I am also the granddaughter of John Kirby who lived in 'Bermuda' which was on the site of the new St Matthew's Church. I would be quite interested in visiting your history group if you think there would be any interest.
Regards,
Julia Blackburn

Hi ,
We purchased a property known as “The Clyffe” on St Leonards Road some 4 years ago and were pleased to see it mentioned in your “Memories Of Thorpe Hamlet” publication on a number of occasions as the Property was once a home for unmarried mothers, at another time lodgings for Norwich City Football Players and also the home to a Mr Barnard & family believed to be the City Coroner.
I would be really interested in any information or photographs of the property from the past.

I am happy for my contact details to be shown.
K Garnham The Clyffe St Leonards Road Norwich NR1 4JW
Telephone: 01603 616884 E-mail: mail@kgarnham.co.uk

I have just purchased a copy of the re-print from Jarrolds. My interest stems from the fact that during the latter part of the Second World War I lived at my Grandfather and Grandmothers house at 43 Vincent Road. While I cannot remember the incident myself I understand that an incendiary bomb came through the roof and landed on the bed in which I was sleeping fortunately not going off. My grandfather Clement Victor Cater removed it in a bucket of sand. I was at the VE VJ Party on page 105 - however I think that I was further along so not actually on the picture. There was a photograph in the EDP a while back showing the party on which I and my sister were clearly visible. Other families in the locality (off the same passageway) of no 43 Vincent Road were I think the Wilds, Walpoles, Farrows, Claphams and Betts.

Those shown in the wedding photograph on Page 120 are my relatives. From the left My Grandmother Alice Cater, Her daughter Gwendoline Cater (I think), My grandfather as above, Joffre Cater my uncle, Errol Cater my uncle (now living in Hellesdon), Eileen Cater(nee Thorpe and subsequently to become Cunliffe), the other gentleman at the back I do not know , then I think Eileen's sister (Dorothy?), and then I think her mother.

Joffre is also shown on Page 41 at Thorpe Hamlet School.

I started school at Wellesley Avenue. I can recall that we had to sleep in the afternoon in what I think were camp beds. Blue blankets for the boys and pink blankets for the girls. I was smacked on more than one occasion for pulling balls of fluff off the blankets. Other recollections were that there was often a quite tame jackdaw at the school gate. Also Joe Peruzzi ice cream was sold at the school gate from a horse drawn cart. I can also recall an occasion when there was a hanging at Norwich Prison and the formal notice was displayed on the doors.

I can also remember Mr Hickling the baker delivering bread. Also Billy Pearce delivered meat while he was working for Mr Nice at Riverside Road. He occasionally took me with him on his rounds. Not sure health and safety would allow that now! He subsequently took over when Mr. Nice retired.

I had many happy hours playing on mousehold heath.

After the war ended we returned to our home in Sprowston although I frequently visited my grandmother in Vincent road until she died.

I hope that you will find this ramble of some interest.

John Richardson

Hi,
I was interested to come across a thread of discussion on the 1/4th Norfolks and their commanding officer Colonel Harvey in your excellent forum. I, too, am doing some research on the Norfolk Regiment at Gallipoli and beyond and would welcome the opportunity to make contact with some of your contributers, in particular Rob Carman, from Virginia, Miriam Hare and Michele Cooke.

I am planning a book which will chart the raising and combat record of the 1/4th and 1/5th Norfolks, with the focus on their services at Gallipoli and Gaza. If anybody else has any information or documentary material relating to the two battalions I would be pleased to hear from them. My email address is: sjsnelling@sky.com or I can be reached by telephone on 01603 435624.
Many thanks. Steve Snelling

Hi I have just discovered your wed site – wonderful. I too went to Thorpe Hamlet School, lived on Ella Road so just had to cross the road. I watched it burn down and then later a bomb dropped on Ella Road causing two deaths. We were bombed out and moved to my Brothers house until months later our house was repaired.
I also went to Stuart Senior Girls School and my house was “ Gurney” (green). Sometimes it was called Crome School. At that time the Headmistress was Miss Maud Joyce and the Sewing teacher was a Miss Peacock. She was a little deaf and we had lots of fun with her answers to our questions. I remember playing field hockey in the cold winter and how our legs would turn red – we wore the school black shorts. The boys school was next door and they would watch us girls playing hockey. I have so many memories of my young life I am attempting to write my life story, grandchildren talked me into it.

In 1969 we came to Canada to live with our two children but went home every two year’s to be with our family. Then they would visit us so we are still very Norfolk people. I noticed a Mike Beardwood also lived in Ella Road but I cannot place him. I still have our ration books we used during the war
brought them to Canada with our English Driving Licenses. Also I have my report card from Stuart Seniors School. My sister Jean attended the same schools so Ann you might remember her if not me. Jean and Brenda Wright. Hope I see some reaction from people I know. Thanks Brenda Land (nee Wright)

Hello,
Some while ago a diary came to light in Australia referring to family memorials in the old church. I contacted the present occupier who kindly informed me that all memorials were transferred to the new church. I have been unable to find any information about memorials or photographs showing the inside of the new church although I guess they must be recorded somewhere. To make matters worse I am sceptical about the apocryphal diary’s accuracy which has confused many events and turned speculation into fact. However the bottom line is that I am looking for one or more memorials to a “Culley”.

Perhaps you could put me in touch with someone who either knows the memorials, or is prepared to look for me. In all probability it will prove a wild goose chase.
Yours sincerely David Culley

Hi,
We recently bought 88 Rosary Road and it is in need of restoring so I am interested in its history, both structural and personal. I am also interested in the very local area and will definitely be buying the book! Do you have any information on the house or the block? Was there bomb damage in the area? If I find anything interesting and not in the book, I'll let you know.

Laura Day

While I cannot remember the incident myself I understand that an incendiary bomb came through the roof and landed on the bed in which I was sleeping fortunately not going off. My grandfather Clement Victor Cater removed it in a bucket of sand. I was at the VE VJ Party on page 105 - however I think that I was further along so not actually on the picture. There was a photograph in the EDP a while back showing the party on which I and my sister were clearly visible. Other families in the locality (off the same passageway) of no 43 Vincent Road were I think the Wilds, Walpoles, Farrows, Claphams and Betts.

Those shown in the wedding photograph on Page 120 are my relatives. From the left My Grandmother Alice Cater, Her daughter Gwendoline Cater (I think), My grandfather as above, Joffre Cater my uncle, Errol Cater my uncle (now living in Hellesdon), Eileen Cater(nee Thorpe and subsequently to become Cunliffe), the other gentleman at the back I do not know , then I think Eileen's sister (Dorothy?), and then I think her mother.

Joffre is also shown on Page 41 at Thorpe Hamlet School.

I started school at Wellesley Avenue. I can recall that we had to sleep in the afternoon in what I think were camp beds. Blue blankets for the boys and pink blankets for the girls. I was smacked on more than one occasion for pulling balls of fluff off the blankets. Other recollections were that there was often a quite tame jackdaw at the school gate. Also Joe Peruzzi ice cream was sold at the school gate from a horse drawn cart. I can also recall an occasion when there was a hanging at Norwich Prison and the formal notice was displayed on the doors.

I can also remember Mr Hickling the baker delivering bread. Also Billy Pearce delivered meat while he was working for Mr Nice at Riverside Road. He occasionally took me with him on his rounds. Not sure health and safety would allow that now! He subsequently took over when Mr. Nice retired.

I had many happy hours playing on mousehold heath.

After the war ended we returned to our home in Sprowston although I frequently visited my grandmother in Vincent road until she died.

I hope that you will find this ramble of some interest.
John Richardson

I wonder if anyone has any information on weeds square, and who lived there My family, named Lemmon, lived there from 1851 to 1914 at least, and occupied at least two houses, including no 14.
yours hopefully' Heather Ramsbottom (formerly Lemmon)

I wonder if anyone can help with some research?

We have a great, great, great, grandmother identifed in our family by the name of Elizabeth Georgina Marlow, born 13/07/1856 in Chalk Hills, Thorpe Hamlet.

Her mother was Maria Capes, her father William Marlow (born Stony Stratford), who on the birth cert is described as an Engine Driver. Elizabeth was listed in the 1861 census as visiting relatives in Stony Stratford, Bucks and ended up staying and marrying a local.

William and Maria were also both in Stony Stratford by the time of the 1861 census. We've hit a bit of a dead end on researching further back on the parents of either Maria or William.

Maria we know had a bit of a bad time, as she was in Guiltcross Union Workhouse - age 8, apparently on her own. (She was born in Old Buckenham, Norfolk).

One thing that occurs is to look into the career of William Marlow. I see from your site that the railway arrived in "1844 south of Foundry Bridge Road". (Oddly William trained as a baker in Stony Stratford prior to his appearance in Thorpe Hamlet, and by 1861 was back in this trade - so the Engine Driving is a bit of an abberation.)

Might it be possible anyone has access to any records which may shed any light on what William Marlow and Maria Capes were doing in Thorpe Hamlet cica 1856?

Many thanks John Gosling

Hi
I wonder if anyone can help. I am researching John Waterman who is recorded on his marriage certificate as being a butler with the address of Hill House Thorpe Hamlet in April 1884 ( age 27)
He married Catherine Haynes at St Georges Church, Hanover Sq London
Could anyone give me any info on Hill House,and its occupants around this time? ( possibly the 1881 census if anyone has looked at this locally?) Any illustrations would be lovely
I would like to know who he was butler for. By 1887 he was butler at Derry Ormond House Cardiganshire.
Many thanks C Waterman

Did your community once have its own brass or silver band?

I am carrying out research in the history of brass bands in local communities, and would like to ask if you know of any information about any such extinct bands in your area.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were the "golden age" for these bands numbering, it is said, up to 40,000 distinct bands at their peak. Many of these bands were associated with local industries, often being a "works" band. Others provided a musical focus for many small towns and villages in the days before the gramophone and the wireless. Today, in contrast, only some 1,500 or so are left active in the UK.

Sadly many of the bands left little in the way of information about their existence, and what does exist is widely scattered with individuals, local archives and national collections.

Part of my research is to identify these lost bands, to collect together material to provide a central database of information – containing a mixture of primary information as well as references to material held elsewhere (e.g. in local archives).

Any information you can provide would be gratefully received. Whether actual information or pictures of any bands, or pointers to resources, or sources for further investigation. Even knowing that a particular band existed is significant!

Currently much of the information I have collected is available online, as a freely available resource, at http://www.ibew.co.uk - in various locations, for example, in the Reference section under "Extinct Bands" or "Vintage Pictures".

Gavin Holman
IBEW

I have done quite a bit of research on the Harvey family as it is a branch of my husband's family tree. I have also consulted info from www.jjhc.info . I can I think assist in identifying the sitter of the portrait belonging to Miriam Hare .

According to my records, this John Harvey was indeed the son of Maj Gen Sir Robert John Harvey of Mousehold House, Norwich (1785-1860). He was born April 1822 and was in the 82nd Regiment, but he is not the son of her great grand father Colonel John Robert Harvey 1861-1921.

He is in fact a 1st cousin once removed. Their common ancestors were John Harvey of Thorpe Lodge 1755-1842 and Frances Kerrison who died in 1809. It is not clear what happened to the man in the portrait but our family tree says he may have been unmarried. I have found that he may have married a Octavia Lettice Stevens but I do not recollect the source of that information.
Obviously it would be very nice to be able to see a photo of this portrait if it was at all possible.
Michèle Cooke

Greetings....thrilled to find your site and read the memories of the area.

Would like to add to the Memory Pages........both my paternal and maternal relatives lived in Weeds Square! The family names were Downes (at Nos. 10 and 11), Whitlam (for a briefer period) and Grenville. As the children grew up and were married they also set up their homes, as soon as there was a vacancy, in the same Square...often next door to their parents.

The time I am talking about was mid 1800's until at least 1906+. The houses were very small and often the older children were farmed out to their grandparents home for sleeping purposes....this can be followed through on the different Census Lists. My Grandmothers home was next to the entrance passage way and so was a wee bit bigger! It was a common practice to prepare the roast and vegetables and take it to the Baker, for cooking, on their way to Church and pick it up again on their way home. The same Baker would, for a small fee, bake the Christmas Cakes....and pass comment on their ingredients and quality!

My father, Don Whitlam (born 1900) and my mother Ada Grenville (born 1902....her mother was the youngest Downes daughter) lived in Weeds Square. They used to pass Cow Tower and Pull's Ferry on their way to Duke Street School.......... they attended various Churches over the years and were eventually married in St Augustines in 1928.

My Grandmother was widowed in 1906 and of necessity had to find work. She became a Ward Attendant in The Great Hospital at St Helens........... Mother, as a young child, would play in the Cloisters. The Residents there used to receive half a cooked goose for their Christmas dinner that was supplied from some Charity Bequest.

My Father saw service in WW!. First in a Scottish Regiment and then in the Royal Navy.

Mother won a Scholarship to attended Cambridge University in about 1920. A condition was that she must return to Norwich as a Teacher. At the time there was no vacancy so she took a post in Sheffield until she was able to return and fulfill her commitment at the George White School.

In 1962 when she retired my parents, came out to Australia to join my family in Queensland.
Regards to ALL persons connected with Weeds Square, Norwich, Norfolk, England.
Margaret

FAO Adam Regis : ref Daniel Cyrus Morris (dentist)

Hello Adam
I was looking through pages of google looking for info on Thorpe station when this name caught my eye.
My great Auntie was his house keeper for many years in Rosary Rd. If there are any questions I can help you with please ask.
I was about 9 years of age the August that he died, and I remember that my aunt never spoke much about him after his death. My aunt was the one who sadly found him. My aunt is still alive but her memory is very bad these days, she will be 96 soon.

Yours sincerely
Jo Shaw

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 looking for any connection to the Mortimer family of Thorpe Hamlet, Norfolk anytime around the 1930’s especial any connected to Ernest Edward Mortimer and his wife Hilda formerly King, I believe they may have had up to five children definitely two boys George Ernest and Alec Edward who were born in Yarmouth, Alec was married to Margaret May Houchen Hall in 1937 any information on any of this family would be gratefully received as I am currently undertaking family research on Mortimer families in Norfolk, Suffolk Sussex and Kent.
My email address is tessa.reeves@ntlworld.com

Dear sir or madam, I'm writing 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 i can on the family.
Yours sincerly. Sue De'Vanny (nee Hansell)

I had a parcel in the post on Friday and to my surprise, and delight, it was Memories of Thorpe Hamlet…
I haven’t read it yet but I have enjoyed looking through it. The reason for the arrival is due to the fact that the sender has helped me with my research into The Nest on Rosary Road. I wonder if you have any contacts who may have attended a game at the ground or may know of the area during the 30’s (or even 20’s)? I do have one contact who currently lives in Sprowston and who sent me the book.
You may not be concerned about this fact but the photograph on page 112 is of an FA Cup game against Sheffield Wednesday on 16th Feb 1935. Norwich lost 1-0 and SW went on to win the FA Cup in the spring. It was the record crowd at the Nest and was, perhaps, a reason why the ground had to close later that year-concerns for safety…
I hope I hear from you. Regards
Matthew Rowell Tooting, SW16

Having just discovered your delightful Thorpe Hamlet web site with its very nostalgic notes and messages I offer here a few more memories and a little more information which I hope might be of interest to your readers some of whom may remember me or members of my family.

My name is John Alexander – my family lived in Guelph Road for many years – my father Jack and mother Elsie were married before moving there in the 1930’s. My father had a light duty job at Thorpe Station, he having been badly wounded in the first world war serving with the 2nd Norfolk Regiment - his father (my grandfather) also served with the Norfolk Regiment before the first war. I attended Thorpe Hamlet Infants school in the 1940’s before it was bombed, when the children were transferred to the Crome school in Telegraph Lane.

We lived in Guelph Road throughout the second war and all through the blitz, when Ravens shop on the corner of Malvern Road was bombed and destroyed and most of the family killed including the two daughters Pat and Zena who were friends of my sisters Betty and Joan.

I think this was during the blitz when the Germans were trying to destroy Thompsons munitions factory. They managed to destroy Ravens shop, the Church in Hill House Road and the School, but never hit the factory! Wonderful nostalgic memories throughout the Thorpe Hamlet book which I would like to have contributed to: for example I have a photograph of the Revd. Keyden Vicar of St. Matthews Church who was my Godfather and when he died I was given his watch presented to him by the Norwich Prisoners Aid Society in recognition of his much good work for them while he was the Vicar of St. Matthews.

For a while my father was the Verger at St. Matthews Church and I have a photograph of him standing in the doorway in his Vergers cloak. I was also much interested to read the notes sent in by Miriam Hare about her Great Grandfather Lt. Col. J. R. Harvey. I have been an admirer of his for many years my hobby having been collecting and researching war medals to the Norfolk Regiment for over thirty years, he was one of the officers who lived locally and who I came across many times when reading about the Regiment.

No doubt Ms. Hare would have a copy of his book “Records of the Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry which includes his raising of the 43rd Imperial Yeomanry for service in the Boer War where in command of that unit he won the Distinguished Service Order. She no doubt also has a copy of his obituary which records him as a very fine soldier, gentleman and former Mayor of Norwich, with a extraordinary history of military service. It may jog a few memories if I mention at Crome School the teachers names I can remember are: Walter Chivers, Reginald Green, Messrs. Farrow, Fearnly, Softley, Killingback, etc. Some of my School class pupils were Peter Stewart, Billy Borne, Peter Harwood. The only teacher I can remember at the Infants School was a Mrs. Pratt.

I still have a photograph of the Crome School sports team with the sports master Mr. Killingback although I cannot remember the names of all of the team. Shortly before leaving school I went with one other member of that team to the All-England School Athletics Championships at Port Sunlight in Cheshire to represent the Norfolk schools.

My local friends were Terry Norris, Pat and Peter Barker, Bobby, David and Frankie Bygrave, Terry and Stanley Streeter, Michael Todd, Godfrey Greener, Francis Grady, Derek Spinks and many others, who all lived in Thorpe Hamlet.

I was very pleased to meet some of these people when there was a re-union at the Jubilee Public House a few years ago. If it is of interest to anyone the names of other residents of Guelph Road when we lived there, are the Ames family, Ward, Mrs. Perrett, the Cox family, Snelling, Gooch, Page, Baron, Firmin, Shimmens, Sterry, Cook and the Pye family who owned the shop on the corner.

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 writing 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 until 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 )

There are lots more memories to read here

Hi,

I don't know if its of interest to anyone else researching the St Matthews War Memorial but I've recently been doing some research myself - the results of which can be be seen on my Flickr Photostream.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/6204327896/in/photostream

There's a bit more detail against the picture of each panel, but the full list, including the Thorpe Hamlet connection when I've been able to establish it is:-

H Abel - no further details
James E Abel - 207th Field Company RE died 26/08/1917
......................60 Vincent Road
G S Aldridge - no further details
Bertram James Armes - "A" Company 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 03/09/1917
.......................Ketts Hill
Frank Barcham - 22nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers died 26/07/1916
Herbert William Barker - 708th M T Coy Army Service Corps died 24/10/1918
..................42 Ella Road & 41 Vincent Road
William Barr - 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 21/03/1918
.................16 Malvern Road & 28 Chalk Hill Road
Alexander Denman Bebee - 6th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment died 30/09/1916
.................36 St Leonards Road
Herbert Bell - 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 01/07/1916
.................9 St Matthews Road
Raymond Hall Bindley - 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 03/07/1916
Frank John Bond - 7th Battalion Royal Fusiliers died 13/11/1916
................42 Quebec Road
H W Bowey - no further information
C Brown - no further information
F Brown - no further information
Harry Brown - 21st Battalion Rifle Brigade died 19/11/1918
(Walter) Sidney Brown - "C" Company, 1st/4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 19/08/1915
...................15 Marion Road
George P Bulldeath - 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade died 08/12/1914
...................12 Back Road, Spitalfields
Walter Bulldeath - 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade died 11/08/1917
..................12 Spitalfields, Ketts Hill
Walter Bushell - Royal Marine Divisional Engineers died 31/12/1915
..................Gas Hill and 36 Ketts Hill
Frederick Leonard Campling - 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 27/09/1916
.....................2 Stracey Road
Sidney Richard Campling - 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 26/04/1916
....................2 Stracey Road
A Carman - no further information
Alexander James Carter - 10th Battalion Essex Regiment died 24/08/1918
....................2 St Leonards Road
S Casey - no further information
Claude Arthur Chettleburgh - 21st Battalion London Regiment died 23/03/1918
Harry Dudley Clayton - 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 26/10/1914
.......................27 Camp Road
R E Coleman - no further information
H Cook - no further information
Henry Crisp - 208th Field Company RE died 01/09/1917
................41 Riverside Road and 19 Quebec Road.
Stanley Robert Crowe - 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade died 23/09/1914
................7 Malvern Road
Ernest J Curtis - 18th Battalion Machine Gun Corps died 22/08/1918
T Day - no further information
Herbert Eugene Downes - 13th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment died 31/07/1917
....................11 Weeds Square
Norman Sawford Dye - 16th Battalion Sherwood Foresters died 25/03/1918
....................7 and 11a Clarence Road
W J Elliott - no further information
Wilfred Max Ewing - 12th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps died 01/12/1917
..............................91 and 115 Ketts Hill
Philip Fairweather - 7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders died 20/11/1917
...............................3 St Michaels Cottages
Harold Frederick Fenwick - 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters died 20/08/1917
Sidney William Fisher - 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 05/10/1916
.................................12 Rosary Road
Samuel James Fiske - 254th Tunnelling Company RE died 28/09/1917
William Arthur Ford - Drake Battalion RND died 27/09/1918
.................................13 Hill House Road
Sidney Foulger - 1st Battalion Essex Regiment died 13/08/1915
C D Fowler - most likely Charles Samuel Fowler, 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 26/09/1915
F Fox - no further details
C E Francis - no further details
Robert Thomas Frary - 1st Battalion Essex Regiment died 14/04/1917
Frederick Gordon Gay - 15th Battalion Suffolk Regiment died 06/11/1917
..............18 Stracey Road
S R Gibbs - no further details
William John Grimmer - Royal Field Artillery died 28/06/1918
.............45 St Leonards Road
Bernard Salwey Grissell - 1st/5th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 19/04/1917
Albert Ernest Gunn - 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards died 25/09/1916
Henry William Harbord - 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 22/06/1915
John Hibbert - 2nd Battalion AIF died between 06/08/1915 and 09/08/1915
.............2 Lollards Pit
William Holdstock - no further details
Sidney James Hollidge - RNAS Felixstowe died 15/02/1918
..............65 Rosary Road
Richard Charles Howlett - 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 23/04/1917
..............Railway House, Carrow Road
T J Jay - no further details
John Reginald Kempson - HMS Hawke died 15/10/1914
Alfred John Knights - 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 02/06/1916
............6 Cozens Road
Edgar Harry Larwood - 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 01/11/1918
...........125 Quebec Road
R B Laws - Possibly Reginald Basil, see Panel 2 Photo for more details
W E Laws - Probably William Emerys, see Panel 2 Photo for more details
Albert Henry Ling - 1st Battalion Essex Regiment died 06/10/1915
Bertie John Loveday - 1st Battalion Essex Regiment died 14/04/1917
................17 Kerrison Road
Percy Henry Loveday - Royal Field Artillery died 19/10/1918
...............17 Kerrison Road
Alan Mace - Probably Royal Field Artillery died 22/08/1918
.............Most likely match, 78 and 31 Ketts Hill.
Joseph Alfred Mallett - 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment died 29/10/1914
Albert Benjamin Meek - 13th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment died 15/03/1917
...........38 Spitalfields
J Miller - no further details
Douglas Mitchell - 1st Battalion Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment died 01/07/1918
............61 Primrose Road
S A Mitchell - Probably Arthur Sidney, 1st/5th Battalion London Regiment died 28/03/1918
...........61 Primrose Road
Arthur George Mousir - Royal Engineers died 19/06/1917
...........40 Ella Road
Bertie James Olley - 12th Battalion South Wales Borderers died 22/11/1917
Edward Ong - 1st Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderes died 16/05/1917
..........13 Ketts Hill and 27 Weeds Square Bishopgate
Frederick Arthur Palmer - 1st/15th Battalion London Regiment died 07/06/1917
............35 Beatrice Road
Edgar Basil Parish - 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment died 24/08/1917
...........40 and 104 Quebec Road
Edward Paul - 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 29/09/1915
............22 Ethel Road
Albert Pirney Pearce - Royal Army Ordnance Corps died 27/03/1918
George Frederick Porter - 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 12/10/1916
............34 Quebec Road
Herbert William Powley - 9th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps died 19/05/1916
...........121 Quebec Road
Hugh Roseberry Primrose - HMS Natal died 30/12/1915
Frank Rackham - Probably 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment died 26/09/1916
...........36 Egyptian Road, Bishopbridge
Charles Edward Riches - 1st Household Battalion died 17/10/1917
...........40 Spitalfields
G Robinson - no further details
(Enos) J Robinson - Probably 1st/1st Battalion Cambridgeshire Regiment died 10/05/1917
Henry Hammond Rose - 10th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 09/03/1915
...............26 Kerrison Road
Archibald Walter Ryder - 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 26/09/1915
C E Ryder - Possibly Charles Ernest 1st/4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers died 26/10/1917
Alfred Charles Savage - 8th Battalion Suffolk Regiment died 31/07/1917
..............16 Ella Road and 13 Chalk Hill Road
Donald John Savage - 1st/4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 19/04/1917
..............16 Ella Road and 13 Chalk Hill Road
William Harry Savage - 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment died 26/10/1917
..............16 Ella Road and 13 Chalk Hill Road
Albert Davey Semmence - 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 14/04/1915
..............6 Belsize Road
Edmund Mathias Sendall - 1st/4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 19/08/1915
.............40 Carrow Road
Alfred Senior - see Panel 3 Photo notes for more details
..............87 Quebec Road East
Arthur Ernest Senior - 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade died 23/10/1916
..............87 Quebec Road East
Ernest Montague Senior - 6th Battalion The Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment died 10/04/1917
..............87 Quebec Road East and 63 Cozens Road
James Horace Sexton - 6th Battalion The Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment died 04/07/1918
............7 St Matthews Road
John (R) Shingles - 1st Battalion Essex Regiment died 12/10/1916
...........12 Albert Place, Gas Hill and 167 Albert Road, Quebec Road.
Alan Robert Shreeve - 2nd/6th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment died 19/07/1916
.............36 Plumstead Road
Edward James Sizer - Army Service Corps died 22/09/1918
............Holly Lodge, Telegraph Lane West
A E Smith - no further details
F Smith - no further details
Fred P.Smith - Royal Field Artilery died 26/09/1917
...........5 Rosary Terrace
William Charles Springall - 20th Battalion Royal Fusiliers died 16/04/1917
..........5 Egyptian Road, Bishopbridge
Cecil James Staff - 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade died 14/01/1916
.........14 Primrose Road
Bertie Claude Steward - 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers died 21/08/1915
.........4 Lollards Pit
Frederick John Steward - 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 26/10/1914
.........4 Lollards Pit and 5 Spitalfields
Herbert Steward - 13th Battalion Rifle Brigade died 10/07/1916
.........4 Lollards Pit
Robert Edward Steward - 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment died 22/03/1918
........4 Lollards Pit and 6 Inkerman Terrace
Sydney Valentine Simmonds - 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 25/09/1914
..........55 Quebec Road East
C Thouless - Probably Archibald Cecil, Royal Flying Corps died 26/04/1916
.........11 Riverside Road
William Henry Tilley - 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 17/02/1915
J T Turvey - see Photo 3 notes for more details
Frank Thomas Wall - 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 14/10/1917
Arthur James Ward - Probably HMS Nicator died 07/04/1918
Herbert F Webster - 1st/6th Durham Light Infantry died 05/11/1916
.............8 Wolfe Road East and 73 Plumstead Road
Sidney William Shardelow Weyer - Royal Army Service Corps died 01/12/1918
............131 Rosary Road
William Joseph White - Royal Field Artillery died 17/07/1917
Albert Edward Wickham - Royal Engineers died 27/11/1918
.............89 Quebec Road East
William Stanley Wickham - 45 Squadron RFC died 25/07/1917
.............89 Quebec Road East
Robert Fred Wiseman - 12th Battalion Norfolk Regiment died 21/06/1918
..............44 Cedar Road
Bertie Reginald Woodrow - 1st Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers died 16/08/1917
..............72 Ketts Hill
Charles Edward Woodrow - Possibly 12th Battalion Suffolk Regiment died 11/04/1918
..............21 Plumstead Road
Lancelot Sydney Woodrow - 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers died 11/04/1918
...............72 Ketts Hill
Frank Wright - Probably 1st/4th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment died 09/10/1917
...............17 Rosary Road and 75 Primrose Road
Walter Youels - Royal Field Artillery died 08/04/1917
..............15 Salisbury Road

Not on the memorial but born Thorpe Hamlet
Ephraim Brown - 2nd Battalion Leicestershire died 15/05/1915

Any corrections \ additional information always welcome via my Flickr pics - sorry - I prefer to keep my e-mail address private.

regards,
Peter

PS - I'm sure you're aware but there are pictures of some of the individuals above in the Norfolk County Library Picture Archive, "Norlink"

There are lots more memories to read here

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