Inherited Craziness
A place to share all the nuts found on my family tree

Tuesday 6 June 2023

1944: Waiting at Home Farm

World War 2 structure on Halnaker Hill
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Dave Spicer - geograph.org.uk/p/2969474

In our camp at Home Farm, Halnaker near Chichester, Sussex, we received the news of the invasion [1] with excitement and wondered when we would be wanted.

Ours was a very good site and the comparatively short grass gave us ample opportunity for playing such games as football, cricket and softball in our spare time. Our small W/T section [2] was segregated from the rest of the camp and we slept, or lived, to be more precise, in three tents on the opposite side of the field near our receiver van. Our suppers were quite a speciality there. We built our fire amongst some trees at the back of the tents and having "obtained" [3] eggs and potatoes we were able to have a good tuck in.

If we wanted to go out in the evenings when off-duty, we would take the liberty run to Brighton. There the Y.M.C.A. was quite good for a snack without queueing for long. The three dance halls, Dome, Regent and Sherry's provided good entertainment for those men of the "itchy-feet" clan and numerous cinemas passed the evening for others. I must not forget the public houses who probably did a little trade now and again. Chichester itself was, to put it in our parlance, a "dead loss". It could be called the "dead city". Nothing seemed to happen there and a place where the canteens closed before ten p.m. certainly couldn't provide much attraction.

For the sports side of our stay at Halnaker we had one game of football of note to record. Our game with 15056 unit [4] on our roughly marked, rather undersized pitch. When the players became accustomed to the long grass and molehills the game got into its stride. 56 pressed hard and looked likely to cause some trouble to our defence but soon it became apparent that every move by the opposing forwards was being closely checked. Our forwards were doing well with hit and run tactics and David Clinton, on the right wing, put up an excellent performance. Soon he had crashed the ball into the net twice leaving the goalkeeper P/O Wright [5] wondering if he had forgotten his glasses. Then the game ran completely in our favour and it ended with a 5-0 victory for us. Dave Clinton got his hat trick.

The softball did not develop beyond the practice stage and came to an abrupt end when Jimmy Beswick and Cyril Beater laid each other out by colliding in their run after a high ball. 

We had our usual "parties" at this camp. Rumours would spread like wild fire and everyone would be waiting for the order to move. We could all make a pretty good guess as to what our next move would entail. 
  1. Normandy landings
  2. Wireless Telegraphy
  3. Read: stolen from the farm
  4. Ground Control Interception Unit 15056
  5. Pilot officer
For other 'entertainment' - so the story my father told a number of times goes - a group of them went to the local town (it might even have been the otherwise dead Chichester) one night and presumably much alcohol was subsequently imbibed. They woke up the next morning with brass plaques that had been "liberated" from the town, adorning the fronts of all their tents. As the CO had been one of the drinking party, they were "ordered" to return the plaques the following night. Whether they went back in the right places, or the vet became the doctor, or the solicitor a dentist, is unclear.

Leading aircraftman (LAC) Charles Francis (Frank) Stone (1923-2001), my father, wrote this Forbidden Diary (i.e. they'd been told NOT to keep diaries and the fact that it exists tells you all you need to know), as a 21 year old in 1944. (Entries are transcribed exactly as written, mistakes included. Attitudes are very much 'of their time'.)



Monday 5 June 2023

James Adcock and Mary Hill

Former Church of St Michael the Greater, Stamford, Lincolnshire
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Robinson - geograph.org.uk/p/6208532

James Adcock (bap. 31 Dec 1812), son of Joseph Adcock and Sarah Cook, married Mary Hill, listed as daughter of William Hill, on 5 Jun 1838 at All Saints Church, Pytchley, Northamptonshire. James' profession was listed as Carpenter and Joiner and he was already living in Stamford at the time of the marriage. Witnesses were Edward Bryan and Louisa Cox.

James and Mary had five children, all born in in Stamford, Lincolnshire and baptised at the [former] church of St Michaels, Stamford.

  1. John Adcock b. 1839, bap. 14 Apr 1839
  2. William Hill Adcock b. 1840, bap. 11 Dec 1840
  3. Joseph Hill Adcock b. 1842, bap. 20 Feb 1842
  4. Mary Elizabeth Adcock b. 1844, bap. 6 Jun 1847 
  5. James Adcock b. 1845, bap. 27 Feb 1847 (died 1847)
In 1841, James Adcock (25), wife Mary (30), John (2) and William (0) were all living in the parish of St Michael, Stamford, Lincolnshire.

In 1851, in the parish of All Saints, Stamford, we find James Adcock (38), Joiner, wife Mary (43) - birthplace listed as Denford, Northamptonshire - John (12), William (10), Joseph (9) and Mary (7). (James had died).

In 1861, in the parish of St George, Stamford, were James Adcock (48), Carpenter, Mary (50), and daughter Mary (17), at that time a Dressmaker. John had married that year and gone to live in Peterborough. William Hill was in London visiting his cousins, John and Maria Blackett. Joseph Adcock (19), Gardener, was a visitor in the household of Edwin Wright in Northampton. 

Mary Adcock died, aged 62, and was buried on 18 Mar 1867.

In 1871, James Adcock (60), Carpenter, widower, was living with daughter Mary E Adcock (27), Schoolmistress and Jane Gilbert (13), Domestic Servant.

James Adcock died, aged 63 and was buried on 17 Aug 1876.

Alfred James Lynch and Sarah Green

Duke of Norfolk, Stepney, E1. Image: Ewan Munro Some rights reserved

Alfred James Lynch, son of John Lynch and Ann Willsher, married Sarah Green, daughter of Edward Green and Eliza Goodman, at the church of St Thomas that had stood in Arbour Square, Stepney, on 5 Jun 1871

Alfred James and Sarah Lynch had five children:

  1. Alfred Arthur Lynch b. 1873 J Qtr in MILE END Vol 01C Page 513, bap. 15 Jun 1873 at St Thomas, Arbour Square, Stepney
  2. Albert William Lynch b. 29 May 1874 S Qtr in MILE END Vol 01C Page 473, bap 5 Jul 1874  at St Thomas, Arbour Square, Stepney
  3. George Edward Lynch b. 1876 D Qtr in MILE END Vol 01C Page 588
  4. Sarah Eliza Lynch b. 1879 S Qtr in MILE END Vol 01C Page 569
  5. Ada Lynch b. 1881 J Qtr in MILE END Vol 01C Page 547
Alfred James Lynch's father, John Lynch, had been a butcher at 143 High Street, Shadwell in 1861. Then, in 1871, Alfred James Lynch was living with his widowed mother, Ann, in Sidney Street. On the baptisms for Alfred Arthur and Albert William, Albert James' occupation is listed as a Packer.

In 1881, at the Duke of Norfolk, 14 Norfolk Street, Mile End Old Town, we find A J Lynch (29) Licenced Victualler; S Lynch (27) Wife; sons A A Lynch (8), A W Lynch (7), G E Lynch (5), daughter S Lynch (2), E Turner (18) Female General Servant and the widowed mother-in-law, Eliza Green (59).

In 1891, Alfred Lynch (39), Beer & Wine Retailer, Sarah (36) and son Albert (16), a Commercial Clerk, were living in CamberwellSouthwark, London. 

By 1901, they were back at 291, Oxford Street, Mile End Old Town (which, I believe, later became Stepney Way), with Alfred Lynch (49) Laundry Man, Sarah (47), Albert (22), Railway Porter, Ada Lynch (19), Ironer, Emily Lynch (5), Granddaughter, and a Eliza Ellis (20), General Domestic Servant.

Alfred James Lynch died, in 1907, in Mile End Old Town, aged 55.

In 1911, still at 291, Oxford Street, Mile End Old Town, Sarah Lynch (56), Widow, Laundress, with her married daughter, Sarah Pope (32) and grandchildren, Joseph Pope (8), Rosa (2) and May (0).

In 1921, Sarah Lynch (67) Widowed, was living at 12, Oley Place, Stepney, Mile End Old Town, London. At the same address was Sarah E Pope (42) Attendant Ladies Underground Convenience, for Stepney Borough Council; Joseph A Pope (18), Rosa V Pope (12) and May A Pope (11).

I'm fairly sure Sarah Lynch died, at 78, in 1932.

Sunday 4 June 2023

Charles Ponsford and Bessie Ann Stone

Uplowman: near Higher Coombe
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/151093
Looking east over the Lowman valley towards Houndsmoor Cottage (left) and Hill Farm (right)

Charles Ponsford (b. 23 Apr 1876, in Uplowman), son of John Ponsford and Jane Lock, married Bessie Ann Stone (b. 18 Jul 1882, in Uplowman), daughter of Frederick James Stone and Loveday Jane Land, on 4 Jun 1906 at St Peter’s ChurchUplowman. Witnesses were Frederick James Stone, either the bride's father or her brother and, Richard Ponsford, the bridegroom's elder brother. Dad, Frederick James Stone, will likely have been relieved to have four daughters married now, at this church, in three years.

Charles and Bessie Ann had three children:
  1. Charles James Ponsford born 18 Feb 1907, bap. 22 Feb 1907 in Uplowman. In 1930, Charles James Ponsford married Marjorie Florence Chidgey (b. 29 Jul 1900), who's mother's maiden name was also Lock. In 1939, they were living in Triangle Cottage, Broadclyst. (Charles gave his birth year as 1903, making himself older by four years.) Charles James Ponsford died in 1980. Marjorie Florence Ponsford died in 1987.
  2. Frederick John Ponsford born 13 Jun 1908, bap. 19 Jun 1908 in Uplowman. He doesn't appear to ever marry. Frederick John Ponsford, of 1 Crosses Cottage, Uplowman, died on 19 May 1970.
  3. Florence May Ponsford born 2 Jan 1910, bap 30 Jan 1910 in Uplowman. Florence May Ponsford married John Baker in 1931. In 1939, they were living at Houndsmoor Cottage, Uplowman.
In 1911, at Staple Gate, Uplowman, were Charles Ponsford (34) Farm Labourer, Bessie Ann Ponsford (29), Charles James Ponsford (4), Frederick John Ponsford (3) and Florence May Ponsford (1).

In 1921, Charles Ponsford (45) Farm Labourer was still living at Staplegate, Uplowman, Devon with Bessie Ponsford (38), Charles Ponsford (14) Farm Lad; Frederick Ponsford (13) and Florence Ponsford (11).

By 1939, Charles Ponsford appears to be in ill health. He and Bessie, as well as son, Frederick John, were living at Houndsmoor Cottage, Uplowman, along with their daughter Florence May and her husband, John Baker.

Charles Ponsford died in 1952, aged 77. 

Bessie Ann died in 1966, aged 83.

Saturday 3 June 2023

George Charles Breame and Alice May Howes

Spire of Holy Trinity, Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Graham Hardy - 
geograph.org.uk/p/167498
George Charles Breame, son of Robert Breame and Caroline Bell, married Alice May Howes, daughter of William Harman Howes and Elizabeth Eliza Blazey at Holy Trinity church, Heigham, Norwich, Norfolk on 3 Jun 1922.

George and Alice had two sons, born at 23 Manchester Street, Heigham:
  1. George Charles Breame b. 31 July 1923
  2. William Robert Breame b. 21 Nov 1924
In 1939 at 15 Henderson Road, Norwich, Norfolk. George Charles Breame Snr, b. 20 Nov 1890, was a Builder's Labourer. Living there also were Alice May Breame, son George Charles Breame, who at that time, was employed as a Saw Mill Labourer, and a closed record that must relate to his younger brother.

In the 3rd quarter of 1945 (the same time as my parents married), George Charles Breame Jnr married Anna Thornton in Cleveland, Yorkshire. This couple had three daughters - all young enough to still be alive - who are my 4th cousins. I remember meeting them once when I was a child.

In 1946, William R Breame married Doris Buck, in Norwich.

George Charles Breams (sic), but date of birth quoted correctly as 20 Nov 1890, died in the second quarter of 1974. He will have been 83.

Alice May Breame died in Oct 1984, in East Dereham, Norfolk. She would have celebrated her 85th birthday at the end of that month.

George Charles Breame Jnr died in February 1998, aged 74.

William Robert Breame died on 21 Aug 2007.

Alice May Howes was my grandmother's 2nd cousin and is exactly the same age and is related to her in the same way as the singing, dancing, Winifred Constance Stanley Trevail, about whom I'm certain we knew nothing. Three very different women, brought up in three very different countries. 

Growing up, I'd met "Cousin George from Norwich", George and Alice's son, a few times, but had no idea whose cousin he was or how we were connected. This is why I had to follow this line down to work out that he was my father's 3rd cousin. You have to go right back to Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns, my 3rd great-grandparents, to find our common ancestor.