Return to Menu page Taken from an original text by David Tennant. My very earliest memory is being told by Peggy Chilvers that the war had started. This occurred when Back Lane, more popular known as Shakey’s Loke, joined Sandy Lane. Assuming this was the 3rd September, 1939 or shortly thereafter. I would have been 4 years and about 1 week old Peggy would have been 3 or so years older than me. Living where I did, Hill Cottages on Sandy Lane right against the Common, it would not have been long before I became aware of the efforts being […]
Snap sure went a long way
Return to Menu page The men in this photograph may have been playing for a local team, but the photograph has been across the Atlantic Ocean and back again. It was sent by Tina McDonough (née Middleton) from Reading, Pennsylvania in the United States. While she was visiting her long lost relatives in Bradwell. The snap shows members of Belton football club for the 1938 – 39 season, and Mrs McDonough’s father Ernie Middleton is seated on the bottom row on the right. “Dad was born at Stepshort, Burgh Castle. He married my mum, an American lady that he had […]
A sweep as lucky as could be
Return to Menu page Over fifty years ago, as chimney sweep retired in the London Borough of Harrow, saddening his many customers who regarded him more as a friend. They missed his sunny, happy – go – lucky approach to life that had been his disposition from an early age. That man, who died aged 88 more than a quarter – of – a – century ago, had every reason to be glad to be alive, for he was born in the most distressing and bizarre circumstances. Indeed the official birth certificate of Reginald Hubert Burrage recorded his place of […]
The wedding of Charles William Kirk to Miss Sarah E. Sharman
Return to Menu page The wedding of Mr Charles william Kirk & Miss Sarah E. Sharman. Which took place in All Saints Church on Monday 17th June,1912. We thank Mrs Rosemary Bromley (nee Kirk) for this photograph. The young girl standing on the left is Hilda Gladys Sharman Seated left to right are Charles William Kirk (groom), Sarah Elizabeth Sharman (bride), George Sharman, Harriet Sharman (nee Beckett), the brides parents and standing Dorothy Irene Sharman. Standing behind centre are Lilian Harriet Sharman and to the right Winifred Evelyn Sharman. Small boy seated is Frank Sharman. I cannot identify the others […]
Belton publicans from 1851 – 1974
Return to Menu page Landlords of the local public houses from 1851 to 1974 Kings Head. JAMES BRACEY age 44 in 1851 * 1841 – 1846 DAVID CLAXTON age 28 and occupation Gardener – Address as Marsh Lane?? ** 1851 SAMUEL BROOM & gardener. age 38 in 1861 1855 – * 1861 BENJAMIN PRESTON & brewer. age 59 in 1871 1869 – 1871 WILLIAM BEZANT 1874 JOSEPH KIMPTON age 53 in 1881 1879 – 1883 ALFRED DANIEL PRESTON age 42 in 1901 ) Died Q1 1903 – age 44 ) 1888 – 1901 WILLIAM ISAAC RUSSELL […]
Railway cottages on St.Johns road
Return to Menu page St. Johns Road Railway Homes In 1962 my then husband and I bought the plot of land known as Brentwood. Previous to this the plot was owned or rented by “Bottles” Hunter. Gladys Brooks and family lived in the plot adjoining this, the brooks family had the use of the well on our plot and we still use the well today, the water is beautiful, it was pumped into the old cottage, which consisted of two carriages placed parallel to each other with a space between the two making a hall. The front of the carriage […]
Sole Survivor
Return to Menu page While the majority of the residents of a seaside resort on the Lincolnshire coast were lying snug in their beds, another drama of the war at sea, was being enacted on their shore. The crew of eight from the undefended “East Dudgeon” lightship machine gunned by and bombed by a German plane were fighting for their lives against the sea and exposure. Only one had sufficient strength to gain shelter and survive the ordeal. The first intimation we had of the tragedy was the finding, soon after dawn, of a number of bodies lying […]
Murder before Breakfast
Return to Menu page Murder before Breakfast As told by Anthony Cotterell Jack Saunders went home yesterday. He does not want to work on a lightship any more. He wants a job where he gets a gun. Moreover, this is why:- It was early on a stormy miserable north sea Morning in 1941. The East Dudgeon Lightship was riding a swollen swelling sea, Jack Saunders 5ft 9ins and 12st 6lbs had just come up on deck to take his turn in keeping watch with young George Jackson. They were great friends these two After a few minutes, they heard aeroplane […]
Mistaken Identity
Return to Menu page The year is 1950 A.D. A law has been passed by the Government requiring that every couple that have been married for five years to have a child. If unable to achieve this, they may receive a visit from a Government man whose duty it is to take the necessary steps for the wife to become a mother. This morning in particular a baby photographer calls at the house not knowing the couple are childless. It is the morning of their fifth wedding anniversary. Husband “Well goodbye dear I’m off to the office. I suppose […]