View allAll Photos Tagged Edingthorpe
Norfolk is full of old churches
More info' if you are into old churches here www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/edingthorpe/edingthorpe.htm
The dilapidated interior taken in 2008 in the first Comment
Taken in the churchyard of All Saints at Edingthorpe, Norfolk.
Standing around 2.75 to 6 in. (7 to 15 cm) tall, snowdrops have white bell-shaped flowers at the end of an erect flowering stem with two or three narrow to linear shaped, smooth, dull grey-green leaves. The flowers lack petals and are composed of six white flower segments known as tepals, that look like petals. The inner three tepals are smaller and have a notch in the tip, with a green upturned ‘V pattern visible.
Snowdrops are found across the UK. They favour damp soil and are often found in broadleaved woodland and along riverbanks, but can also be seen in parks, gardens, meadows and scrub. The species normally flowers in January and February, but there are an increasing number of December flowerings being recorded and even the occasional November sighting.
Snowdrops are not native to the UK, although exactly when they were introduced is unclear. It’s thought they may have been grown as an ornamental garden plant as early as the 16th. century, but were not recorded in the wild until the late 18th. century. The snowdrop’s native range is mainland Europe.
The flowering of snowdrops is one of the first signs that winter is drawing to an end. As a result, the flower has long been viewed as a symbol of hope for better times ahead. However, to see a single snowdrop flower was once viewed as a sign of impending death and it was considered bad luck to take one into a house.
The flower has a long association with the Christian festival of Candlemas and was often used to decorate churches during the celebration. This earned it the alternative name of Candlemas Bells.
Traditionally, snowdrops were used to treat headaches and as a painkiller. In modern medicine a compound in the bulb has been used to develop a dementia treatment. Snowdrop bulbs are poisonous if eaten.
The classic shot of Konectbus Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympian open top number 50 - R739 XRV at the Muckleburgh Collection in Weybourne as it heads back to Cromer with the above service 22 journey, the last of the day. Seasonal operation of this service comes to an end on Sunday 20th September and with the news today that Konectbus are to withdraw their services 2/2A from 2nd November, it would seem highly unlikely that service 22 will reappear next summer.
The driver, a long standing friend and once the owner of Edingthorpe based North Norfolk Coach Hire, has had a lengthy career in the bus and coach industry, having passed his PSV test with Southend Corporation back in 1962. This should have been his last day today, but may be not!
All Saints, Edingthorpe, Norfolk
The view across the fields on the hottest day of the year so far. That's Knapton church peeping through the hedge on the far left.
All Saints stands surrounded by trees on a low hill to the north of the village. The church is constructed of flint and brick with freestone dressing and has a thatched nave roof and a pantiled chancel.
The earliest parts of the church are the north and west walls of the nave, which date to the late Saxon or early Norman era. The west tower is 12th. or 13th. century, topped with an unusual 14th. century octagonal belfry. The chancel and most of the remainder of the church are 14th. century with later alterations.
On entering the church through the medieval south door there is a 14th. century decorated octagonal font and hanging on the wall behind it, the remains of the original 12th. century north door, which was replaced in 2000.
On the north wall are medieval paintings dating from the 14th. century. They show St. Christopher carrying the Christ Child, and the remains of a tree with scenes on its branches depicting the Seven Works of Mercy,
The rood screen also dates from the 14th. century, and is one of the earliest surviving in Norfolk. The six panels show figures of saints, largely painted in red and green. On the north side of the screen are St. Bartholomew with his flencing knife, St. Andrew with his saltire cross and St. Peter with his keys. On the south side are St. Paul with his sword, St. John with his book and martyr’s palm and St. James with his staff and scallop shell.
The church has remained largely unchanged, a fact noted with approval by the First World War poet Siegfried Sassoon, who spent childhood holidays in Edingthorpe, and visited again in the 1930's.
The lych gate commemorates Bernard John Muriel who died, aged 28, in the First World War. He was the son of Rev. Harvey Muriel, the rector of Edingthorpe from 1903 to 1922. He died in 1924 and is buried in the churchyard.
Bernard served as Private 7272 with the 1st. Battalion, Norfolk Regiment from 1904. He went to France in August 1914 and took part in the retreat from Mons, the battles of Le Cateau, Marne and Aisne, and the first battle of Ypres. After being invalided home, he re-joined his regiment and in April 1915 was gassed at Hill 60, south of Ypres. On his recovery he was transferred to the 1st. Battalion, Essex Regiment, as 20688, eventually being promoted to Lance Corporal. He was drowned on Friday 13th. August 1915, when his troopship, HMT Royal Edward, was sunk by an enemy submarine on its way to Gallipoli.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 146 to 151 or 229 to 233 on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.
The church received Grade: I listed building status on 16th. April 1955. (English Heritage Legacy ID: 224232).
Here, Sanders former Arriva Wright bodied VDL SB200 type number 407 - YJ59 AYY is captured on the B1145 as it crosses over the North Walsham and Dilham Canal by Swafield Bridge whilst operating the above journey on Coasthopper service CH2. The only canal in Norfolk, the NW&D canal runs for just under nine miles from this point to a junction with the River Ant. Opened in 1826, it was constructed with locks wide enough to allow the use of Norfolk Wherries; hence there is a Wherry image on the Swafield village sign. The canal was never profitable and the last trading Wherry used it back in 1934, but in recent times substantial efforts have been made to restore some sections. This is another location that had been on my “to do list” for some time and after today, with no buses serving Swafield for up to ten weeks, there will not be another opportunity to capture a shot here until the middle of March.
Due to the ongoing Anglian Water first time sewer installation related roadworks, as from Monday 7th January, for a period of up to ten weeks, the B1145 is once again closed at Swafield. On the previous occasion, back in October 2018, services were diverted by way of Southrepps and Antingham, but this time according to Sanders website, different arrangements are in place.
Monday to Saturday
Service CH2 Cromer - North Walsham - Cromer and service 5 Holt/Cromer - North Walsham - Cromer/Holt will both terminate at/commence from Mundesley instead of North Walsham. Some journeys on these services connect at Mundesley with a shuttle bus service which will run to/from North Walsham via Gimingham Pound, Trunch and Knapton Green. The service 55 extensions between Mundesley Frazer Crescent and North Walsham are also being covered by the shuttle bus.
In both directions over the North Walsham - Bacton School section, service 34 will run directly via Edingthorpe thus omitting Swafield, Knapton Green, Mundesley, Paston and Bacton Gas Site. This route is currently used by two Monday to Friday journeys and was previously used by the former Saturday only journeys on service 34 which were withdrawn in October 2018.
And so here we come, to the end of the road, a long road in time and in miles, two years of driving, thousands of miles travelled and now we have the last Medieval Church on the list, Salle.
Salle church is ranked as Norfolk's finest church and its easy to see why, this Perpendicular giant sits almost by itself surrounded by fields, its majestic pinnacled tower rising above the trees, dwarfing all around, this tower can be seen for miles a statement from the mists of time of the hard work and money that was put into these wonderful buildings, but they are more than buildings, they are centres of the community the heart of the cities, towns and villages where they reside, and have done for hundreds of years, a place of hope for countless generations of normal working folk that have passed through their doors.
From the small ancient churches like the Norman wonder at Hales or the oldest church tower in England at East Lexham, to the majestic town churches of Cromer, Kings Lynn, Swaffham, Diss, North Walsham and Norwich's St Peter Mancroft, the Priory churches at Binham or Wymondham, the rustic thatched churches of Cranwich or Edingthorpe, each one of these churches are national treasures, to be used as they were intended and to be enjoyed by everyone.
Not all the churches were accessible, there is four in the battle area, off limits to almost everyone, i got a distant shot of one, but the others were substituted for Norwich Cathedral, Ruined St Benedicts and the Victorian classic Framlingham Pigot.
Salle church itself has it all, one of Norfolks tallest and finest west towers is a perpendicular wonder with a huge west window and crocketted pinnacles and battlements that are matched by the extensive flushworked crenellations around the nave and chancel roofs and north and south aisles, they are also on the north and south transepts and porches.
The church was built at the same time in the early 1400's with the top of the tower dating from 1511, all the windows are Perpendicular with an amazing 7 light east window in the chancel, a chancel which is as big as some churches, the windows being huge 3 light and made of clear glass, as are most of them, giving the interior a light airy feel to it.
The Clerestory is made up of six two light windows and sit atop the slender arcade arches between the aisles and nave, the south transept has a large 4 light south window, though the north transepts north window is blocked up.
The main entrance is via the fine west door beneath the beautiful 4 light west window in the tower.
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On a very sunny September morning, Sanders former Nottingham City Transport Scania N94UD East Lancs Omnidekka type number 124 - YN07 EYX is captured on the normally busless Pit Street at Lower Southrepps as it works the above diverted Coasthopper service CH2 journey. Upon reaching North Walsham this journey continues through to Norwich on service X55. The area to the right of shot is home to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Southrepps Pit Common and the footpath will take the walker through to Trunch.
Once again the B1145 at Swafield was closed yesterday Monday 20th and today Tuesday 21st September 2021 with those Sanders services that would normally use this road being diverted for part of the day between the hours of 0900hrs and 1600hrs. From Mundesley service CH2 journeys followed the normal route to Gimingham Pound, but instead of turning left towards Trunch they continued over a normally busless section by way of Gimingham Road, Stump Cross and Lower Southrepps to the Southrepps School crossroads. Here they picked up the Our Bus service 33 route to North Walsham via Antingham and the A149. As a result both Trunch and Swafield were unserved. Journeys from North Walsham to Mundesley followed the same diversionary route in the opposite direction. In both directions, service 34 operated directly between North Walsham and Bacton by way of Edingthorpe thus leaving Swafield, Knapton, Mundesley, Paston and the Bacton Coast Road section unserved. As for service 35B the afternoon run from Cromer Academy followed the normal route to Knapton Green where it turned and then ran through to North Walsham via Knapton, Paston, Bacton and Edingthorpe
All Saints, Edingthorpe, Norfolk
I've always loved Edingthorpe, since first coming this way with the late, great Tom Muckley in April 2005. I've been back a few times since, but that first visit sticks in my mind. As we headed away from the coast, the sea mist cleared and the sky was wide and open and blue above us. The ground rose, taking copses and streams into its folds, the fields just beginning to shoot. Off on a hill top, in a glade of bare trees, was the round tower of All Saints.Form this side it must be completely concealed in summer, but we had seen it all morning, off in the distance, from Bacton and Witton and Paston.
The road took us down into the little village, and we were north of the church, but only a path led up to the churchyard, and the road took us away, and around clockwise, almost 270 degrees, until at last we were at the end of a track about half a mile from the west tower. We headed on, climbing in a dip enfolded by the fields, and then into the open. Empty Norfolk spread all about below, and here at the end of the track the silence was complete, except for birds arguing in the branches. Thousands of daffodils spread around the church.
Most recently, I came back at the end of June 2019. This was in the great heat of that early summer which eventually fizzled out into wind and rain sweeping again and again from the west through most of August. But for now Norfolk was baking, and All Saints stood proud above the dry waves of the golden barley beyond the little village. This time I took the rough track up through the farm, and instantly regretted it, for it was not good for cycling. But eventually I reached the corner of the tree-guarded churchyard, and the narrow footpath between hedges that leads through to the church.
In construction, the tower is familiar, Early Norman at the bottom and late medieval, perhaps 14th Century, at the top. But there is no break, one age flowing seamlessly into the other, as if it had melted in the heat or a giant had smoothed it with his great hands. Once again, I stepped into the cool interior. The silence deepened. The interior, under crooked, silvery beams, is ancient, but neat, bright, full of flowers and a sense of life. And yet, we are in a wide, empty parish, with hardly any houses, and the nearest of those nearly a mile away.
As simple as the interior is, it has more than its fair share of medieval survivals. The font is pretty, with simple quatrefoil panels on a tiered octagonal pedestal. Behind it on the wall hangs the 'Paston door', the original 12th century north door of the church. The south door is old too , and only the cut-down organ strikes a jarring note at the west end of the church. And on the north wall, a sequence of wall paintings, probably from the late 14th century. The first is part of a sequence of the Seven Works of Mercy. The two full scenes are probably sheltering the homeless and feeding the hungry, but Anne Marshall of the Painted Church site thought that the two figures at the top, rather than being a third scene, might actually be the donors of the piece. Next, comes a St Christopher, with a niche between this and the previous subject, and then a massive painted and elaborated niche above the entrance to the rood loft stairs.
The roodscreen is early for Norfolk. The circular tracery is reminiscent of the screen at Merton, way across the county. The panels depict six apostles, and have been curiously restored, for although the figures themselves appear untouched, ogee-arched tracery has been painted in white above them. And yet, if you look closely you can see flowers showing through the white paint, suggesting that there was no tracery here originally. On the north side are St Bartholomew with his flencing knife, St Andrew with his saltire cross and St Peter with his keys. On the south side are St Paul with his sword, St John with his book and martyr's palm and St James with his staff and scallop shell.
A piscina on the south side has naive foliage painted on it and a cross, in a late Victorian hand. Perhaps the most unusual object here is the Elizabethan reading desk, dated 1587. There are also a couple of pre-Reformation brass inscriptions, but even if there was nothing of interest here, this would still be a special place. It has a very special dignity and simplicity, wrote one man who knew the church well. He saw it in the 1930s, standing there on its low hill above the harvest fields as though it were the faithful servant of the life around it. No, not Arthur Mee, but the writer and poet Siegfried Sassoon. He spent childhood holidays in Edingthorpe, long before the War that would make his name and change this country forever. He came back here as a man, and was delighted to find a rare corner that was unchanged. And so it remains today.
On yet another gloomy North Norfolk day, in this view, Sanders former Wilts & Dorset Coasthopper branded Wright bodied Volvo B7RLE type number 504 - HF54 HFP is captured between Edingthorpe Green and North Walsham as it works the above diverted journey on service 34. It is seen approaching Royston Bridge which is where the road crosses over the North Walsham & Dilham Canal, although the bridge has been replaced by a culvert.
Due to the ongoing Anglian Water first time sewer installation related roadworks, as from Monday 7th January, for a period of up to ten weeks, the B1145 is once again closed at Swafield. On the previous occasion, back in October 2018, services were diverted by way of Southrepps and Antingham, but this time according to Sanders website, different arrangements are in place.
In both directions over the North Walsham - Bacton School section, service 34 will run directly via Edingthorpe thus omitting Swafield, Knapton Green, Mundesley, Paston and Bacton Gas Site. This route is currently used by two Monday to Friday journeys and was previously used by the former Saturday only journeys on service 34 which were withdrawn in October 2018.
Another view taken at Royston Bridge between North Walsham and Edingthorpe Green and this time we see Sanders Scania Omnicity type 308 - YN53 GFA crossing over the North Walsham & Dilham Canal whilst operating the above diverted Stalham bound journey on service 34. The far end of the building to the left on the opposite bank was previously The Wherry Inn which closed in 1965 and at this end there was a warehouse with a wharf below. The bridge was replaced by a culvert in the early 1970s and the entrance can just be seen in the right hand bottom corner.
Due to the ongoing Anglian Water first time sewer installation related roadworks, as from Monday 7th January, for a period of up to ten weeks, the B1145 is once again closed at Swafield. On the previous occasion, back in October 2018, services were diverted by way of Southrepps and Antingham, but this time according to Sanders website, different arrangements are in place.
In both directions over the North Walsham - Bacton School section, service 34 will run directly via Edingthorpe thus omitting Swafield, Knapton Green, Mundesley, Paston and Bacton Gas Site. This route is currently used by two Monday to Friday journeys and was previously used by the former Saturday only journeys on service 34 which were withdrawn in October 2018.
Yet another gloomy day in North Norfolk and in this shot Sanders Scania Omnicity type number 322 - YS03 ZHM, which was previously 535 in the fleet of Nottingham City Transport, is captured as it passes along The Street in the village of Knapton with the above diverted journey on Coasthopper service CH2. Upon arrival in North Walsham bus and driver will continue on service 5A to Norwich, hence both service numbers being displayed on the windscreen. In the background, the tower of Knapton Church which is dedicated to SS Peter & Paul can be seen above the rooftops.
Normally this section of road is only served by school day service 35B Swafield - Cromer Academy High School, the route of which is also slightly revised for the duration of the road closure.
Not sure if the driver of 322 was shielding his eyes from the sun or trying to swat a wasp. However, given the fact the sky was overcast and there aren’t that many wasps about in January, I suspect he was indicating that he didn’t want me to take this shot.
Due to the ongoing Anglian Water first time sewer installation related roadworks, as from Monday 7th January, for a period of up to ten weeks, the B1145 is once again closed at Swafield. On the previous occasion, back in October 2018, services were diverted by way of Southrepps and Antingham, but this time according to Sanders website, different arrangements are in place.
From Monday to Saturday, service CH2 Cromer - North Walsham - Cromer and service 5 Holt/Cromer - North Walsham - Cromer/Holt will both terminate at/commence from Mundesley instead of North Walsham. Some journeys on these services connect at Mundesley with a shuttle bus service which will run to/from North Walsham via Gimingham Pound, Trunch and Knapton Green.
On Sunday the shuttle bus does not operate and all service CH2 journeys are being diverted in both directions over the Mundesley - North Walsham section by way of Gimingham Pound, Trunch, Knapton Green, Knapton, Paston, Bacton, Pollard Street and Edingthorpe. As a result they avoid getting caught up in the congestion caused by the amount of local traffic using Hall Lane as an alternative to the designated diversion route.
In this rather grainy view we see Sanders former Arriva Wright bodied VDL SB200 type number 408 - YJ60 GDX as it passes under a former railway bridge at Knapton with the above diverted journey on Coasthopper service CH2. Normally only buses working school day only service 35B would pass this way. Still puzzled as to why Sanders non Coasthopper liveried vehicles have not had their electronic displays configured to show Coasthopper destinations.
The railway bridge once formed part of the Norfolk & Suffolk Joint Railway (GER & M&GN) line which ran twixt Cromer and North Walsham with intermediate stations at Overstrand, Trimingham and Mundesley. There was also a Paston & Knapton Station which was situated closer to the latter of the two villages. Although it was another cloudy/drizzly day, this shot would not have been possible on a sunny afternoon.
Due to the ongoing road closure at Swafield, on Sunday all service CH2 journeys in the Mundesley to North Walsham direction are being diverted by way of Gimingham Pound, Trunch, Knapton Green, Knapton, Paston, Bacton, Pollard Street and Edingthorpe. Although it seems those travelling in the opposite direction are using Hall Lane as an alternative to the designated diversion route.
All Saints stands surrounded by trees on a low hill to the north of the village. The church is constructed of flint and brick with freestone dressing and has a thatched nave roof and a pantiled chancel.
The earliest parts of the church are the north and west walls of the nave, which date to the late Saxon or early Norman era. The west tower is 12th. or 13th. century, topped with an unusual 14th. century octagonal belfry. The chancel and most of the remainder of the church are 14th. century with later alterations.
On entering the church through the medieval south door there is a 14th. century decorated octagonal font and hanging on the wall behind it, the remains of the original 12th. century north door, which was replaced in 2000.
On the north wall are medieval paintings dating from the 14th. century. They show St. Christopher carrying the Christ Child, and the remains of a tree with scenes on its branches depicting the Seven Works of Mercy,
The rood screen also dates from the 14th. century, and is one of the earliest surviving in Norfolk. The six panels show figures of saints, largely painted in red and green. On the north side of the screen are St. Bartholomew with his flencing knife, St. Andrew with his saltire cross and St. Peter with his keys. On the south side are St. Paul with his sword, St. John with his book and martyr’s palm and St. James with his staff and scallop shell.
The church has remained largely unchanged, a fact noted with approval by the First World War poet Siegfried Sassoon, who spent childhood holidays in Edingthorpe, and visited again in the 1930's.
The lych gate commemorates Bernard John Muriel who died, aged 28, in the First World War. He was the son of Rev. Harvey Muriel, the rector of Edingthorpe from 1903 to 1922. He died in 1924 and is buried in the churchyard.
Bernard served as Private 7272 with the 1st. Battalion, Norfolk Regiment from 1904. He went to France in August 1914 and took part in the retreat from Mons, the battles of Le Cateau, Marne and Aisne, and the first battle of Ypres. After being invalided home, he re-joined his regiment and in April 1915 was gassed at Hill 60, south of Ypres. On his recovery he was transferred to the 1st. Battalion, Essex Regiment, as 20688, eventually being promoted to Lance Corporal. He was drowned on Friday 13th. August 1915, when his troopship, HMT Royal Edward, was sunk by an enemy submarine on its way to Gallipoli.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 146 to 151 or 229 to 233 on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.
The church received Grade: I listed building status on 16th. April 1955. (English Heritage Legacy ID: 224232).
Yet another gloomy day in North Norfolk and in this shot Sanders Scania Omnicity type number 322 - YS03 ZHM, which was previously 535 in the fleet of Nottingham City Transport, is captured as it passes along The Street in the village of Knapton with the above diverted journey on Coasthopper service CH2. Upon arrival in North Walsham bus and driver will continue on service 5A to Norwich, hence both service numbers being displayed on the windscreen. In the background, the tower of Knapton Church which is dedicated to SS Peter & Paul can be seen above the rooftops. Normally this section of road is only served by school day service 35B Swafield - Cromer Academy High School, the route of which is also slightly revised for the duration of the road closure.
Not sure if the driver of 322 was shielding his eyes from the sun or trying to swat a wasp. However, given the fact the sky was overcast and there aren’t that many wasps about in January, I suspect he was indicating that he didn’t want me to take this shot.
Due to the ongoing Anglian Water first time sewer installation related roadworks, as from Monday 7th January, for a period of up to ten weeks, the B1145 is once again closed at Swafield. On the previous occasion, back in October 2018, services were diverted by way of Southrepps and Antingham, but this time according to Sanders website, different arrangements are in place.
From Monday to Saturday, service CH2 Cromer - North Walsham - Cromer and service 5 Holt/Cromer - North Walsham - Cromer/Holt will both terminate at/commence from Mundesley instead of North Walsham. Some journeys on these services connect at Mundesley with a shuttle bus service which will run to/from North Walsham via Gimingham Pound, Trunch and Knapton Green.
On Sunday the shuttle bus does not operate and all service CH2 journeys are being diverted in both directions over the Mundesley - North Walsham section by way of Gimingham Pound, Trunch, Knapton Green, Knapton, Paston, Bacton, Pollard Street and Edingthorpe. As a result they avoid getting caught up in the congestion caused by the amount of local traffic using Hall Lane as an alternative to the designated diversion route.
Here we see Konectbus Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympian open top number 50 - R739 XRV at the bus stop on Beach Road in Cromer having arrived in with the 1542hrs Sheringham to Cromer service 22 journey. This service and indeed Coasthopper service CH3 would not normally use this stop, but due to the revamping of the Bus Interchange, their usual stops on Cadogan Road are currently out of action. Number 50 will next operate the above journey and in order to depart from the bus stop on the opposite side of Beach Road, it will run via Canada Road, Cabbell Road and Holt Road. Seasonal operation of this service comes to an end on Sunday 20th September and with the news today that Konectbus are to withdraw their services 2/2A from 2nd November, it would seem highly unlikely that service 22 will reappear next summer.
The driver, a long standing friend and once the owner of Edingthorpe based North Norfolk Coach Hire, has had a lengthy career in the bus and coach industry, having passed his PSV test with Southend Corporation back in 1962.
In this shot, Sanders former Wilts & Dorset Wright bodied Volvo B7RLE type 512 - HF54 HHE is caught by my camera on the normally busless Lower Street in Lower Southrepps as it crosses Fox’s Beck with the above diverted service CH2 journey. The beck flows from right to left as we look and passes through Southrepps Common, part of which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Once again the B1145 at Swafield was closed yesterday Monday 20th and today Tuesday 21st September 2021 with those Sanders services that would normally use this road being diverted for part of the day between the hours of 0900hrs and 1600hrs. From Mundesley service CH2 journeys followed the normal route to Gimingham Pound, but instead of turning left towards Trunch they continued over a normally busless section by way of Gimingham Road, Stump Cross and Lower Southrepps to the Southrepps School crossroads. Here they picked up the Our Bus service 33 route to North Walsham via Antingham and the A149. As a result both Trunch and Swafield were unserved. Journeys from North Walsham to Mundesley followed the same diversionary route in the opposite direction. In both directions, service 34 operated directly between North Walsham and Bacton by way of Edingthorpe thus leaving Swafield, Knapton, Mundesley, Paston and the Bacton Coast Road section unserved. As for service 35B the afternoon run from Cromer Academy followed the normal route to Knapton Green where it turned and then ran through to North Walsham via Knapton, Paston, Bacton and Edingthorpe
All Saints, Edingthorpe, Norfolk
I've always loved Edingthorpe, since first coming this way with the late, great Tom Muckley in April 2005. I've been back a few times since, but that first visit sticks in my mind. As we headed away from the coast, the sea mist cleared and the sky was wide and open and blue above us. The ground rose, taking copses and streams into its folds, the fields just beginning to shoot. Off on a hill top, in a glade of bare trees, was the round tower of All Saints.Form this side it must be completely concealed in summer, but we had seen it all morning, off in the distance, from Bacton and Witton and Paston.
The road took us down into the little village, and we were north of the church, but only a path led up to the churchyard, and the road took us away, and around clockwise, almost 270 degrees, until at last we were at the end of a track about half a mile from the west tower. We headed on, climbing in a dip enfolded by the fields, and then into the open. Empty Norfolk spread all about below, and here at the end of the track the silence was complete, except for birds arguing in the branches. Thousands of daffodils spread around the church.
Most recently, I came back at the end of June 2019. This was in the great heat of that early summer which eventually fizzled out into wind and rain sweeping again and again from the west through most of August. But for now Norfolk was baking, and All Saints stood proud above the dry waves of the golden barley beyond the little village. This time I took the rough track up through the farm, and instantly regretted it, for it was not good for cycling. But eventually I reached the corner of the tree-guarded churchyard, and the narrow footpath between hedges that leads through to the church.
In construction, the tower is familiar, Early Norman at the bottom and late medieval, perhaps 14th Century, at the top. But there is no break, one age flowing seamlessly into the other, as if it had melted in the heat or a giant had smoothed it with his great hands. Once again, I stepped into the cool interior. The silence deepened. The interior, under crooked, silvery beams, is ancient, but neat, bright, full of flowers and a sense of life. And yet, we are in a wide, empty parish, with hardly any houses, and the nearest of those nearly a mile away.
As simple as the interior is, it has more than its fair share of medieval survivals. The font is pretty, with simple quatrefoil panels on a tiered octagonal pedestal. Behind it on the wall hangs the 'Paston door', the original 12th century north door of the church. The south door is old too , and only the cut-down organ strikes a jarring note at the west end of the church. And on the north wall, a sequence of wall paintings, probably from the late 14th century. The first is part of a sequence of the Seven Works of Mercy. The two full scenes are probably sheltering the homeless and feeding the hungry, but Anne Marshall of the Painted Church site thought that the two figures at the top, rather than being a third scene, might actually be the donors of the piece. Next, comes a St Christopher, with a niche between this and the previous subject, and then a massive painted and elaborated niche above the entrance to the rood loft stairs.
The roodscreen is early for Norfolk. The circular tracery is reminiscent of the screen at Merton, way across the county. The panels depict six apostles, and have been curiously restored, for although the figures themselves appear untouched, ogee-arched tracery has been painted in white above them. And yet, if you look closely you can see flowers showing through the white paint, suggesting that there was no tracery here originally. On the north side are St Bartholomew with his flencing knife, St Andrew with his saltire cross and St Peter with his keys. On the south side are St Paul with his sword, St John with his book and martyr's palm and St James with his staff and scallop shell.
A piscina on the south side has naive foliage painted on it and a cross, in a late Victorian hand. Perhaps the most unusual object here is the Elizabethan reading desk, dated 1587. There are also a couple of pre-Reformation brass inscriptions, but even if there was nothing of interest here, this would still be a special place. It has a very special dignity and simplicity, wrote one man who knew the church well. He saw it in the 1930s, standing there on its low hill above the harvest fields as though it were the faithful servant of the life around it. No, not Arthur Mee, but the writer and poet Siegfried Sassoon. He spent childhood holidays in Edingthorpe, long before the War that would make his name and change this country forever. He came back here as a man, and was delighted to find a rare corner that was unchanged. And so it remains today.
Aerial view: Edingthorpe All Saints Church in north Norfolk #Edingthorpe #church #aerial #image #Norfolk #aerialphotograpy
So, here it is, the reason I drove across Norfolk: Trunch in all it's glory And it is glorious.
It has so many fascinating details, each one alone would be reason enough to visit, but together, in a fine village, next to the village pub, and with that font canopy, one of only four such in all of England, and one of two in the county.
-------------------------------------------
The oldest building in Trunch is St. Botolph's Church. It is mainly 14th. and 15th. Century but there are some fragments of stone in the walls which are believed to have been reused from an earlier Saxon church, which was recorded in the Domesday Book. There is much of interest in the church including a Rood Screen, a hammer beam roof and a rare Font Canopy.
trunchhistory.weebly.com/buildings.html
--------------------------------------------
The large village of Trunch is located about 5 miles from the north Norfolk coast. In the centre of the village, surrounded by a lovely collection of cottages and the more modern Crossroads Inn, is St Botolph's church. Much of what you see of the church is early 15th century, built upon earlier foundations.
Upon entering the church the first feature you will see is the font, which dates to the mid 14th century. Though the font is attractive, it is the carved and painted font canopy that really makes a visit to Trunch worthwhile.
This is a quite remarkable piece of woodwork, one of only four such canopies surviving in the entire country (the others are at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich, Durham Cathedral, and Luton). The canopy is supported on six beautifully carved legs. The carving detail is exquisite; with fanciful animal figures and foliage and a bit of political commentary, in the shape of a pig wearing a bishop's mitre.
In addition to the font canopy, Trunch features a superb 15th century hammer beam roof, a feature of many churches in Norfolk and Suffolk. Here the carvings of angels are beautifully performed. It is worth bringing along a pair of binoculars or a telescope in order to see the carvings properly.
Much easier to see are the medieval misericords (mercy seats) in the chancel. Each carving is unique; some represent angels, and others are more grotesque in nature. In addition there are some beautifully carved pew ends and a painted medieval rood screen that rivals many more famous churches in detail and colour.
There are 12 niches in the screen, each painted with a depiction of a single figure - 11 disciples plus St Paul. Much of the costume detail is well preserved, but the faces of the figures were destroyed during the upheavals of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
www.britainexpress.com/counties/norfolk/churches/Trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
William Earl Warren had the lordship of this town, (fn. 1) of which 3 freemen were deprived; one of them belonged to Herold, late King of England, another to Ralph Stalre, and the 3d to Ketel, who held 90 acres of land, and 14 borderers belonged to it, with 5 carucates among them; there was a church endowed with 10 acres, &c. 3 acres of meadow always valued at 30s. and there were also 5 freemen of Edric in King Edward's time, who had 34 acres of land, with 2 carucates, 2 acres and an half of meadow, always valued at 7s. 4d. (fn. 2)
This town also belonged to the Earl Warren's capital manor of Gimmingham, and paid suit and service to it. In the 34th of Henry III. Maud de Norwich granted by fine, to Richer, son of Nicholas, a messuage, 48 acres of land, a mill, and the sixth part of another in this town, Swathefeld and Bradfeld. In the 15th of Edward I. the Earl Warren claimed a weekly mercate, on Saturday, in this manor; and on the death of John Earl Warren, in the 21st of Edward III. the mercate was valued at 10s. per ann. the manor came after to the Earl of Lancaster, (as is before observed,) and so to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, and King Henry IV. and is still in the Crown, as part of the dutchy of Lancaster.
The tenths were 4l. 10s. deducted 15s.
The Church is dedicated to St. Botolph, and is a regular pile, with a nave, 2 isles, and a chancel covered with lead, and has a tower with 4 bells.
In the chancel, on a little monument,
Lancelotus Thexton cappellanus Regis Edw. VI. sacre theologie baccalaureus, et rector de Trunch obt. 25. Febr. 1588, and this shield of arms, quarterly, in the first and fourth a cross between four lions heads erased, gules, in the 2d and 3d, ermine, fretty, azure.
In a window here, argent, a fess between two chevrons, sable.
On a gravestone
Hic jacet Magr. Robt. Cantell, quo'd. rector isti. ecclie, qui. obt. 1 Sept. Ao. Dni. 1480.
Gravestones
In memory of Thomas Worts, gent. who died November 13, 1693, aged 45, with his arms, three lions rampant, - - - — William Worts. gent. who married Elizabeth, daughter of Riches Brown of Fulmodeston, Esq. died August 25, 1694, aged 60, with the arms of Worts impaling Brown; two bars, between three spears heads, - - -
¶The patronage of the church was granted to the priory of Castleacre, by William Earl Warren, the first on his founding that priory. In the reign of Edward I. the rector had a manse, and 13 acres of land valued at 16 marks, Peter-pence 13d. and the prior of Castleacre had a pension or portion of tithe valued at 40s. the present valor is 10l. 13s. 4d. and pays first fruits, &c. the Norwich registers say that William, the second Earl Warren, granted the patronage, and Eborard Bishop of Norwich, confirmed it; and that Simon the Bishop confirmed the pension in 1268.
www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-hist-norfolk/vol8...
-----------------------------------------
Trunch is the largest of the villages between North Walsham and the sea; but as all the industrialisation and tawdry caravan sites are hard against the coast, and Trunch is several miles inland, it has avoided these excesses and retains a great rural charm. It has a magnificent church with lots of fascinating treasures, as well as a shop, a green, a pub run by an ex-professional footballer, and generally all the typical features you expect to find in a large village in deepest rural Norfolk.
The church is perhaps the most interesting of all round about; and, while the large village lends it an urban quality that lacks the charm of, say, the churches of neighbouring Edingthorpe and Crostwight, it has by no means the Victorianised sterility of those at Bacton or Happisburgh.
St Botolph is a big church, and its tight graveyard makes it rather hard to photograph. The whole piece seems to have been rebuilt in the early 15th century, although the chancel may be a little later, and there is a hint of Decorated about the nave. The tower is quite simple, even slight. It builds boldly enough, but at the top of the second stage fades into a simple bell stage, understated, elegant and probably intended. This is not a building that shouts at you. A curiosity is the massive priest porch surrounding the door in the chancel. These are very unusual, although there is another, smaller one at neighbouring Knapton.
The great treasure, of course, is the marvellous font canopy. It is particularly fascinating because of its date, coming in the early 16th century right on the eve of the English protestant reformation. Like all church furnishings at this time - the tombs at Oxborough, for instance - it gives us a hint of what the English renaissance might have been like if it had been allowed to flower. Here, the massive structure tumbles with intricacy; fruit and flowers, leopards and lions peep around the silvery oak of the six octagonal columns which are fluted with interlocking chains of detail. The glory is the massive crown of canopied niches, with the haunting ghosts of crucifixion groups still apparent on three of the faces. The whole thing is at once in perfect harmony with the west end of the church, but exists because it was believed to be beautiful rather than known to be useful.There is only one other font canopy in Norfolk, at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich; Outside of the county there is another at Durham Cathedral, and a fourth at the parish church in Luton - but that is it.
Above the canopy is a rich 15th century hammerbeam roof, by no means as dramatic as that at nearby Knapton, but more beautiful, I think. In the space beneath the tower there is what appears to be a gallery like the plough guild gallery at Cawston. This is not as elaborate, but its oak has silvered and it is painted beautifully with trailing rose foliage.
The benching, unfortunately, is pretty much all 19th century, but along with the font canopy and roof the medieval screen survives. Like the canopy, this is richly ornamented in relief, including a bold dedicatory inscription in diagonal ribbons across the top part of the dado. The twelve figures (11 disciples and St Paul) are boldly placed and coloured, but their faces have been completely vandalised by the 16th century reformers. Low down on the north side of the doorway is a rare surviving carved consecration cross, suggesting that this screen was already installed in the newly built church of the 15th century. The screen had detached buttressing running vertically at intervals in front of it, as at Ludham. They have been almost entirely destroyed, but you can still see the fixings between the panels. It must have been magnificent.
The return stalls in the chancel are pretty much all Victorian, but they retain medieval misericords, and also you can see quatrefoil holes set into a sounding chamber to amplify the singing. There is a very curious memorial above the priest door, featuring the instruments of the passion. I have no idea how old it is.
All of these features would be enough, but part of the attraction of St Botolph is the sense of harmony, the way everything works together. You can add to these the sedilia, the magnificent organ, and the modern design of the glass in the east window. It is a peaceful, inspiring space.
Cottages and houses hem in the graveyard, and in the corner is the modern pub. Incidentally, I don't really know if the bloke who runs it is an ex-professional footballer. But, like many rural Norfolk landlords, he seems to be a cheerful 40-something cockney who serves a decent pint and cheap food - a recommended stop for churchcrawlers.
Simon Knott, April 2005
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/trunch/trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
And the pub is still good.
All Saints church Edingthorpe - Of saxon origin, it has a 12c thatched nave remodelled in 14c when the chancel was added. The upper levels of the tower are 12c , the belfry built after a 1375 bequest has 2 bells dated 1450 and 1621 both cast by the Norwich Bell Foundry
On the church north wall is a late 14c painting of St Christopher found in 1937 www.flickr.com/photos/52219527@N00/13463791283/ and one of the seven acts of mercy www.flickr.com/photos/52219527@N00/13463821823/
So, here it is, the reason I drove across Norfolk: Trunch in all it's glory And it is glorious.
It has so many fascinating details, each one alone would be reason enough to visit, but together, in a fine village, next to the village pub, and with that font canopy, one of only four such in all of England, and one of two in the county.
-------------------------------------------
The oldest building in Trunch is St. Botolph's Church. It is mainly 14th. and 15th. Century but there are some fragments of stone in the walls which are believed to have been reused from an earlier Saxon church, which was recorded in the Domesday Book. There is much of interest in the church including a Rood Screen, a hammer beam roof and a rare Font Canopy.
trunchhistory.weebly.com/buildings.html
--------------------------------------------
The large village of Trunch is located about 5 miles from the north Norfolk coast. In the centre of the village, surrounded by a lovely collection of cottages and the more modern Crossroads Inn, is St Botolph's church. Much of what you see of the church is early 15th century, built upon earlier foundations.
Upon entering the church the first feature you will see is the font, which dates to the mid 14th century. Though the font is attractive, it is the carved and painted font canopy that really makes a visit to Trunch worthwhile.
This is a quite remarkable piece of woodwork, one of only four such canopies surviving in the entire country (the others are at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich, Durham Cathedral, and Luton). The canopy is supported on six beautifully carved legs. The carving detail is exquisite; with fanciful animal figures and foliage and a bit of political commentary, in the shape of a pig wearing a bishop's mitre.
In addition to the font canopy, Trunch features a superb 15th century hammer beam roof, a feature of many churches in Norfolk and Suffolk. Here the carvings of angels are beautifully performed. It is worth bringing along a pair of binoculars or a telescope in order to see the carvings properly.
Much easier to see are the medieval misericords (mercy seats) in the chancel. Each carving is unique; some represent angels, and others are more grotesque in nature. In addition there are some beautifully carved pew ends and a painted medieval rood screen that rivals many more famous churches in detail and colour.
There are 12 niches in the screen, each painted with a depiction of a single figure - 11 disciples plus St Paul. Much of the costume detail is well preserved, but the faces of the figures were destroyed during the upheavals of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
www.britainexpress.com/counties/norfolk/churches/Trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
William Earl Warren had the lordship of this town, (fn. 1) of which 3 freemen were deprived; one of them belonged to Herold, late King of England, another to Ralph Stalre, and the 3d to Ketel, who held 90 acres of land, and 14 borderers belonged to it, with 5 carucates among them; there was a church endowed with 10 acres, &c. 3 acres of meadow always valued at 30s. and there were also 5 freemen of Edric in King Edward's time, who had 34 acres of land, with 2 carucates, 2 acres and an half of meadow, always valued at 7s. 4d. (fn. 2)
This town also belonged to the Earl Warren's capital manor of Gimmingham, and paid suit and service to it. In the 34th of Henry III. Maud de Norwich granted by fine, to Richer, son of Nicholas, a messuage, 48 acres of land, a mill, and the sixth part of another in this town, Swathefeld and Bradfeld. In the 15th of Edward I. the Earl Warren claimed a weekly mercate, on Saturday, in this manor; and on the death of John Earl Warren, in the 21st of Edward III. the mercate was valued at 10s. per ann. the manor came after to the Earl of Lancaster, (as is before observed,) and so to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, and King Henry IV. and is still in the Crown, as part of the dutchy of Lancaster.
The tenths were 4l. 10s. deducted 15s.
The Church is dedicated to St. Botolph, and is a regular pile, with a nave, 2 isles, and a chancel covered with lead, and has a tower with 4 bells.
In the chancel, on a little monument,
Lancelotus Thexton cappellanus Regis Edw. VI. sacre theologie baccalaureus, et rector de Trunch obt. 25. Febr. 1588, and this shield of arms, quarterly, in the first and fourth a cross between four lions heads erased, gules, in the 2d and 3d, ermine, fretty, azure.
In a window here, argent, a fess between two chevrons, sable.
On a gravestone
Hic jacet Magr. Robt. Cantell, quo'd. rector isti. ecclie, qui. obt. 1 Sept. Ao. Dni. 1480.
Gravestones
In memory of Thomas Worts, gent. who died November 13, 1693, aged 45, with his arms, three lions rampant, - - - — William Worts. gent. who married Elizabeth, daughter of Riches Brown of Fulmodeston, Esq. died August 25, 1694, aged 60, with the arms of Worts impaling Brown; two bars, between three spears heads, - - -
¶The patronage of the church was granted to the priory of Castleacre, by William Earl Warren, the first on his founding that priory. In the reign of Edward I. the rector had a manse, and 13 acres of land valued at 16 marks, Peter-pence 13d. and the prior of Castleacre had a pension or portion of tithe valued at 40s. the present valor is 10l. 13s. 4d. and pays first fruits, &c. the Norwich registers say that William, the second Earl Warren, granted the patronage, and Eborard Bishop of Norwich, confirmed it; and that Simon the Bishop confirmed the pension in 1268.
www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-hist-norfolk/vol8...
-----------------------------------------
Trunch is the largest of the villages between North Walsham and the sea; but as all the industrialisation and tawdry caravan sites are hard against the coast, and Trunch is several miles inland, it has avoided these excesses and retains a great rural charm. It has a magnificent church with lots of fascinating treasures, as well as a shop, a green, a pub run by an ex-professional footballer, and generally all the typical features you expect to find in a large village in deepest rural Norfolk.
The church is perhaps the most interesting of all round about; and, while the large village lends it an urban quality that lacks the charm of, say, the churches of neighbouring Edingthorpe and Crostwight, it has by no means the Victorianised sterility of those at Bacton or Happisburgh.
St Botolph is a big church, and its tight graveyard makes it rather hard to photograph. The whole piece seems to have been rebuilt in the early 15th century, although the chancel may be a little later, and there is a hint of Decorated about the nave. The tower is quite simple, even slight. It builds boldly enough, but at the top of the second stage fades into a simple bell stage, understated, elegant and probably intended. This is not a building that shouts at you. A curiosity is the massive priest porch surrounding the door in the chancel. These are very unusual, although there is another, smaller one at neighbouring Knapton.
The great treasure, of course, is the marvellous font canopy. It is particularly fascinating because of its date, coming in the early 16th century right on the eve of the English protestant reformation. Like all church furnishings at this time - the tombs at Oxborough, for instance - it gives us a hint of what the English renaissance might have been like if it had been allowed to flower. Here, the massive structure tumbles with intricacy; fruit and flowers, leopards and lions peep around the silvery oak of the six octagonal columns which are fluted with interlocking chains of detail. The glory is the massive crown of canopied niches, with the haunting ghosts of crucifixion groups still apparent on three of the faces. The whole thing is at once in perfect harmony with the west end of the church, but exists because it was believed to be beautiful rather than known to be useful.There is only one other font canopy in Norfolk, at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich; Outside of the county there is another at Durham Cathedral, and a fourth at the parish church in Luton - but that is it.
Above the canopy is a rich 15th century hammerbeam roof, by no means as dramatic as that at nearby Knapton, but more beautiful, I think. In the space beneath the tower there is what appears to be a gallery like the plough guild gallery at Cawston. This is not as elaborate, but its oak has silvered and it is painted beautifully with trailing rose foliage.
The benching, unfortunately, is pretty much all 19th century, but along with the font canopy and roof the medieval screen survives. Like the canopy, this is richly ornamented in relief, including a bold dedicatory inscription in diagonal ribbons across the top part of the dado. The twelve figures (11 disciples and St Paul) are boldly placed and coloured, but their faces have been completely vandalised by the 16th century reformers. Low down on the north side of the doorway is a rare surviving carved consecration cross, suggesting that this screen was already installed in the newly built church of the 15th century. The screen had detached buttressing running vertically at intervals in front of it, as at Ludham. They have been almost entirely destroyed, but you can still see the fixings between the panels. It must have been magnificent.
The return stalls in the chancel are pretty much all Victorian, but they retain medieval misericords, and also you can see quatrefoil holes set into a sounding chamber to amplify the singing. There is a very curious memorial above the priest door, featuring the instruments of the passion. I have no idea how old it is.
All of these features would be enough, but part of the attraction of St Botolph is the sense of harmony, the way everything works together. You can add to these the sedilia, the magnificent organ, and the modern design of the glass in the east window. It is a peaceful, inspiring space.
Cottages and houses hem in the graveyard, and in the corner is the modern pub. Incidentally, I don't really know if the bloke who runs it is an ex-professional footballer. But, like many rural Norfolk landlords, he seems to be a cheerful 40-something cockney who serves a decent pint and cheap food - a recommended stop for churchcrawlers.
Simon Knott, April 2005
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/trunch/trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
And the pub is still good.
All Saints, Edingthorpe, Norfolk
I've always loved Edingthorpe, since first coming this way with the late, great Tom Muckley in April 2005. I've been back a few times since, but that first visit sticks in my mind. As we headed away from the coast, the sea mist cleared and the sky was wide and open and blue above us. The ground rose, taking copses and streams into its folds, the fields just beginning to shoot. Off on a hill top, in a glade of bare trees, was the round tower of All Saints.Form this side it must be completely concealed in summer, but we had seen it all morning, off in the distance, from Bacton and Witton and Paston.
The road took us down into the little village, and we were north of the church, but only a path led up to the churchyard, and the road took us away, and around clockwise, almost 270 degrees, until at last we were at the end of a track about half a mile from the west tower. We headed on, climbing in a dip enfolded by the fields, and then into the open. Empty Norfolk spread all about below, and here at the end of the track the silence was complete, except for birds arguing in the branches. Thousands of daffodils spread around the church.
Most recently, I came back at the end of June 2019. This was in the great heat of that early summer which eventually fizzled out into wind and rain sweeping again and again from the west through most of August. But for now Norfolk was baking, and All Saints stood proud above the dry waves of the golden barley beyond the little village. This time I took the rough track up through the farm, and instantly regretted it, for it was not good for cycling. But eventually I reached the corner of the tree-guarded churchyard, and the narrow footpath between hedges that leads through to the church.
In construction, the tower is familiar, Early Norman at the bottom and late medieval, perhaps 14th Century, at the top. But there is no break, one age flowing seamlessly into the other, as if it had melted in the heat or a giant had smoothed it with his great hands. Once again, I stepped into the cool interior. The silence deepened. The interior, under crooked, silvery beams, is ancient, but neat, bright, full of flowers and a sense of life. And yet, we are in a wide, empty parish, with hardly any houses, and the nearest of those nearly a mile away.
As simple as the interior is, it has more than its fair share of medieval survivals. The font is pretty, with simple quatrefoil panels on a tiered octagonal pedestal. Behind it on the wall hangs the 'Paston door', the original 12th century north door of the church. The south door is old too , and only the cut-down organ strikes a jarring note at the west end of the church. And on the north wall, a sequence of wall paintings, probably from the late 14th century. The first is part of a sequence of the Seven Works of Mercy. The two full scenes are probably sheltering the homeless and feeding the hungry, but Anne Marshall of the Painted Church site thought that the two figures at the top, rather than being a third scene, might actually be the donors of the piece. Next, comes a St Christopher, with a niche between this and the previous subject, and then a massive painted and elaborated niche above the entrance to the rood loft stairs.
The roodscreen is early for Norfolk. The circular tracery is reminiscent of the screen at Merton, way across the county. The panels depict six apostles, and have been curiously restored, for although the figures themselves appear untouched, ogee-arched tracery has been painted in white above them. And yet, if you look closely you can see flowers showing through the white paint, suggesting that there was no tracery here originally. On the north side are St Bartholomew with his flencing knife, St Andrew with his saltire cross and St Peter with his keys. On the south side are St Paul with his sword, St John with his book and martyr's palm and St James with his staff and scallop shell.
A piscina on the south side has naive foliage painted on it and a cross, in a late Victorian hand. Perhaps the most unusual object here is the Elizabethan reading desk, dated 1587. There are also a couple of pre-Reformation brass inscriptions, but even if there was nothing of interest here, this would still be a special place. It has a very special dignity and simplicity, wrote one man who knew the church well. He saw it in the 1930s, standing there on its low hill above the harvest fields as though it were the faithful servant of the life around it. No, not Arthur Mee, but the writer and poet Siegfried Sassoon. He spent childhood holidays in Edingthorpe, long before the War that would make his name and change this country forever. He came back here as a man, and was delighted to find a rare corner that was unchanged. And so it remains today.
So, here it is, the reason I drove across Norfolk: Trunch in all it's glory And it is glorious.
It has so many fascinating details, each one alone would be reason enough to visit, but together, in a fine village, next to the village pub, and with that font canopy, one of only four such in all of England, and one of two in the county.
-------------------------------------------
The oldest building in Trunch is St. Botolph's Church. It is mainly 14th. and 15th. Century but there are some fragments of stone in the walls which are believed to have been reused from an earlier Saxon church, which was recorded in the Domesday Book. There is much of interest in the church including a Rood Screen, a hammer beam roof and a rare Font Canopy.
trunchhistory.weebly.com/buildings.html
--------------------------------------------
The large village of Trunch is located about 5 miles from the north Norfolk coast. In the centre of the village, surrounded by a lovely collection of cottages and the more modern Crossroads Inn, is St Botolph's church. Much of what you see of the church is early 15th century, built upon earlier foundations.
Upon entering the church the first feature you will see is the font, which dates to the mid 14th century. Though the font is attractive, it is the carved and painted font canopy that really makes a visit to Trunch worthwhile.
This is a quite remarkable piece of woodwork, one of only four such canopies surviving in the entire country (the others are at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich, Durham Cathedral, and Luton). The canopy is supported on six beautifully carved legs. The carving detail is exquisite; with fanciful animal figures and foliage and a bit of political commentary, in the shape of a pig wearing a bishop's mitre.
In addition to the font canopy, Trunch features a superb 15th century hammer beam roof, a feature of many churches in Norfolk and Suffolk. Here the carvings of angels are beautifully performed. It is worth bringing along a pair of binoculars or a telescope in order to see the carvings properly.
Much easier to see are the medieval misericords (mercy seats) in the chancel. Each carving is unique; some represent angels, and others are more grotesque in nature. In addition there are some beautifully carved pew ends and a painted medieval rood screen that rivals many more famous churches in detail and colour.
There are 12 niches in the screen, each painted with a depiction of a single figure - 11 disciples plus St Paul. Much of the costume detail is well preserved, but the faces of the figures were destroyed during the upheavals of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
www.britainexpress.com/counties/norfolk/churches/Trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
William Earl Warren had the lordship of this town, (fn. 1) of which 3 freemen were deprived; one of them belonged to Herold, late King of England, another to Ralph Stalre, and the 3d to Ketel, who held 90 acres of land, and 14 borderers belonged to it, with 5 carucates among them; there was a church endowed with 10 acres, &c. 3 acres of meadow always valued at 30s. and there were also 5 freemen of Edric in King Edward's time, who had 34 acres of land, with 2 carucates, 2 acres and an half of meadow, always valued at 7s. 4d. (fn. 2)
This town also belonged to the Earl Warren's capital manor of Gimmingham, and paid suit and service to it. In the 34th of Henry III. Maud de Norwich granted by fine, to Richer, son of Nicholas, a messuage, 48 acres of land, a mill, and the sixth part of another in this town, Swathefeld and Bradfeld. In the 15th of Edward I. the Earl Warren claimed a weekly mercate, on Saturday, in this manor; and on the death of John Earl Warren, in the 21st of Edward III. the mercate was valued at 10s. per ann. the manor came after to the Earl of Lancaster, (as is before observed,) and so to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, and King Henry IV. and is still in the Crown, as part of the dutchy of Lancaster.
The tenths were 4l. 10s. deducted 15s.
The Church is dedicated to St. Botolph, and is a regular pile, with a nave, 2 isles, and a chancel covered with lead, and has a tower with 4 bells.
In the chancel, on a little monument,
Lancelotus Thexton cappellanus Regis Edw. VI. sacre theologie baccalaureus, et rector de Trunch obt. 25. Febr. 1588, and this shield of arms, quarterly, in the first and fourth a cross between four lions heads erased, gules, in the 2d and 3d, ermine, fretty, azure.
In a window here, argent, a fess between two chevrons, sable.
On a gravestone
Hic jacet Magr. Robt. Cantell, quo'd. rector isti. ecclie, qui. obt. 1 Sept. Ao. Dni. 1480.
Gravestones
In memory of Thomas Worts, gent. who died November 13, 1693, aged 45, with his arms, three lions rampant, - - - — William Worts. gent. who married Elizabeth, daughter of Riches Brown of Fulmodeston, Esq. died August 25, 1694, aged 60, with the arms of Worts impaling Brown; two bars, between three spears heads, - - -
¶The patronage of the church was granted to the priory of Castleacre, by William Earl Warren, the first on his founding that priory. In the reign of Edward I. the rector had a manse, and 13 acres of land valued at 16 marks, Peter-pence 13d. and the prior of Castleacre had a pension or portion of tithe valued at 40s. the present valor is 10l. 13s. 4d. and pays first fruits, &c. the Norwich registers say that William, the second Earl Warren, granted the patronage, and Eborard Bishop of Norwich, confirmed it; and that Simon the Bishop confirmed the pension in 1268.
www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-hist-norfolk/vol8...
-----------------------------------------
Trunch is the largest of the villages between North Walsham and the sea; but as all the industrialisation and tawdry caravan sites are hard against the coast, and Trunch is several miles inland, it has avoided these excesses and retains a great rural charm. It has a magnificent church with lots of fascinating treasures, as well as a shop, a green, a pub run by an ex-professional footballer, and generally all the typical features you expect to find in a large village in deepest rural Norfolk.
The church is perhaps the most interesting of all round about; and, while the large village lends it an urban quality that lacks the charm of, say, the churches of neighbouring Edingthorpe and Crostwight, it has by no means the Victorianised sterility of those at Bacton or Happisburgh.
St Botolph is a big church, and its tight graveyard makes it rather hard to photograph. The whole piece seems to have been rebuilt in the early 15th century, although the chancel may be a little later, and there is a hint of Decorated about the nave. The tower is quite simple, even slight. It builds boldly enough, but at the top of the second stage fades into a simple bell stage, understated, elegant and probably intended. This is not a building that shouts at you. A curiosity is the massive priest porch surrounding the door in the chancel. These are very unusual, although there is another, smaller one at neighbouring Knapton.
The great treasure, of course, is the marvellous font canopy. It is particularly fascinating because of its date, coming in the early 16th century right on the eve of the English protestant reformation. Like all church furnishings at this time - the tombs at Oxborough, for instance - it gives us a hint of what the English renaissance might have been like if it had been allowed to flower. Here, the massive structure tumbles with intricacy; fruit and flowers, leopards and lions peep around the silvery oak of the six octagonal columns which are fluted with interlocking chains of detail. The glory is the massive crown of canopied niches, with the haunting ghosts of crucifixion groups still apparent on three of the faces. The whole thing is at once in perfect harmony with the west end of the church, but exists because it was believed to be beautiful rather than known to be useful.There is only one other font canopy in Norfolk, at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich; Outside of the county there is another at Durham Cathedral, and a fourth at the parish church in Luton - but that is it.
Above the canopy is a rich 15th century hammerbeam roof, by no means as dramatic as that at nearby Knapton, but more beautiful, I think. In the space beneath the tower there is what appears to be a gallery like the plough guild gallery at Cawston. This is not as elaborate, but its oak has silvered and it is painted beautifully with trailing rose foliage.
The benching, unfortunately, is pretty much all 19th century, but along with the font canopy and roof the medieval screen survives. Like the canopy, this is richly ornamented in relief, including a bold dedicatory inscription in diagonal ribbons across the top part of the dado. The twelve figures (11 disciples and St Paul) are boldly placed and coloured, but their faces have been completely vandalised by the 16th century reformers. Low down on the north side of the doorway is a rare surviving carved consecration cross, suggesting that this screen was already installed in the newly built church of the 15th century. The screen had detached buttressing running vertically at intervals in front of it, as at Ludham. They have been almost entirely destroyed, but you can still see the fixings between the panels. It must have been magnificent.
The return stalls in the chancel are pretty much all Victorian, but they retain medieval misericords, and also you can see quatrefoil holes set into a sounding chamber to amplify the singing. There is a very curious memorial above the priest door, featuring the instruments of the passion. I have no idea how old it is.
All of these features would be enough, but part of the attraction of St Botolph is the sense of harmony, the way everything works together. You can add to these the sedilia, the magnificent organ, and the modern design of the glass in the east window. It is a peaceful, inspiring space.
Cottages and houses hem in the graveyard, and in the corner is the modern pub. Incidentally, I don't really know if the bloke who runs it is an ex-professional footballer. But, like many rural Norfolk landlords, he seems to be a cheerful 40-something cockney who serves a decent pint and cheap food - a recommended stop for churchcrawlers.
Simon Knott, April 2005
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/trunch/trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
And the pub is still good.
North Walsham has a memorial to the War dead of WW2 in both St Nicholas Church and the memorial park itself. Unfortunately the pictures I took in the church were mainly blurred.
1939 - 1945
J Aldrich (Church and Park Memorial)
No obvious Match. on CWGC
Choices John Maria, L\Sgt Hampshire Regiment, died Holland 04/10/1944 (Wife lives Slough, Bucks)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2619128
John Robert, Private RASC, died North Africa 27/11/1941 (Wife lives Acomb, Yorks)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2119040
John Wilfred Lt Royal Sussex Regt died Italy 23/12/1944 (Mother lives Hove)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1715504
T Amies (Church and Park Memorial)
Probably
Name: AMIES, THOMAS DAWSON
Rank: Private
Regiment: Essex Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 29
Date of Death: 02/11/1943
Service No: 6024588
Additional information: Son of Frederick William and Emma Elizabeth Amies; husband of Winifred Amies, of Palling, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: XVII. A. 3. Cemetery: SANGRO RIVER WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2377161
Or
Name: AMIES, THOMAS FRANCIS
Rank: Aircraftman 1st Class
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 36
Date of Death: 04/05/1943
Service No: 1458072
Additional information: Son of Thomas H. Amies and Alice Amies, of Norwich; husband of Caroline Lockwell Amies, of Norwich.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. 54. Grave 494. Cemetery: NORWICH CEMETERY, Norfolk
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764124
Headstone www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/5406088888/
On the night of October 24th 1/12 Frontier Force and 1/5 Gurkhas passed through the Royal Fusiliers and took up the running. 17th Brigade now widened its front, with the 6th Lancers in touch with Seventy-eighth Division, and the Gurkhas linked up with First Canadian Division on the left. Five miles short of the Trigno, 19th Brigade passed through 17th Brigade, with 1/5th Essex and 3/8 Punjabis leading. An ominous portent was the identification of First German Parachute Division on the front, one of the most skilful and belligerent of German formations. Nevertheless, only sharp skirmishes ensued when 19th Brigade took a firm grip on the south bank of the Trigno through occupation of Monte Mitro and Montefalcone.
In this neighbourhood the Trigno ran between steep escarpments, whose crests stood fifteen hundred feet above the bottom of the valley. In many places the banks were sheer. The river was one hundred yards wide and in full view of the enemy on the ridges to the north. Ordinarily no more than two feet deep, the stream had risen sharply as a result of the autumnal rains. All bridges were blown, and all approaches mined.
Intelligence reported the positions to be defended by paratroopers, who were fully aware of the purpose of the Indians.
For three days before the attack, heavy rains hampered preparations. Tracks deteriorated into quagmires. The roads had been so thoroughly destroyed that it was necessary for bulldozers to work upon by-passes and diversions, often in full view of the enemy. Under lowering skies, pelted by cold rains, the infantry waited dourly. By the end of October the approaches to the Trigno were organized, and at 0345 hours on November 2nd, 6/13 Frontier Force Rifles silently defiled into the icy stream and began to cross. The supporting barrage burst on the ridge ahead of them, and Eighth Indian Division was committed to its first action in Europe
Frontier Force Rifles, though out of timing with the barrage, surged up the spur for nearly 2,000 yards, and by 0800 hours had mustered on their start line for the attack on Tufillo Village. The Frontiersmen's assault was launched against a typical German "hedgehog" position. All approaches were mined and booby-trapped. A curtain of mortar bombs covered the minefield. Every house held a sniper. Attempts to close were met with showers of grenades. Quick savage sallies were flung against any ground won. Eventually the battalion was held up, a few hundred yards short of its objective.
On the left of the Frontier Force Rifles, when dawn broke, the Essex began to cross the Trigno. Enemy artillery laid down an accurate shoot on the line of the river. The leading companies pushed through the barrage and up the hillside under murderous machine-gun fire, from front and flanks. The convex curve of the slope prevented Frontier Force Rifles from aiding their British comrades as they strove to come up into line. The forward companies pushed on manfully, and reached their first objective. Mounting casualties, however, made the position untenable, and the Essex withdrew to the north bank of the Trigno, taking their wounded with them.
www.ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Tiger/triumphs01.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernhardt_Line#Advance_across_the_S...
J Andrews (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: ANDREWS, JOHN
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Date of Death: 13/10/1943
Service No: 5777312
Additional information: Son of Oscar William and Ethel Selina Andrews, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 9. D. 2. Cemetery: CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2352425
One of the many who would die in a Japanese PoW camp following the fall of Singapore.
F D G Bloom (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: BLOOM, FRANCIS GERALD DURRANT
Rank: Flight Sergeant
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 177 Sqdn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 24/02/1944
Service No: 1333762
Additional information: Son of Gerald George and Annie Laura Bloom, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 434. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1813945
177 Squadron were a Beaufighter ground attack squadron, flying over the jungles of Burma & Siam and tasked with disrupting Japanese troop and supply movements.
www.ww2talk.com/forum/user-introductions/24737-cant-find-...
www.myrcomm.com/beau/the-squadrons/177-squadron.html#177-...
In Silently into the midst of things: 177 Squadron Royal Air Force in Burma ...
By A. Sutherland Brown
In the Roll of Honour index F G Bloom is listed as a pilot, while his observer Flying Officer G W Broughton was taken Prisoner of War, (page 229), however on page 209 Broughton is listed as being a PoW from October 1944, and the observer of Warrant Officer Hill.. On the same page, W.O Hill, (Pow) is listed with Navigator Flying. Officer R F Hacker, who died. I suspect the two records have either been merged or the lay-out is not clear - it states the order is approximately the first date the individual flew with the squadron, so possibly it is meant to indicate Bloom and Broughton initially flew together, rather than were in the same crash.
For the record CWGC shows,
Name: HACKER, RONALD FRANCIS MORRIS
Rank: Flying Officer (Nav.)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 177 Sqdn.
Age: 23 Date of Death: 22/04/1944 Service No: 136384
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Francis Hacker; husband of Nancy Hacker, of Cross Common, Cornwall. B.A., Hons. (Lond.).
Grave/Memorial Reference: Joint grave 28. B. 21-22. Cemetery: TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2085947
Both Warrant Officer Hill and Flying Officer Broughton were incarcerated in Rangoon jail, from which they were released by the advancing allies in 1945.
D A Brown (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: BROWN, DOUGLAS ARTHUR
Rank: Private
Service: Royal Army Service Corps
Unit Text: 1 Base Supply Depot
Age: 21
Date of Death: 17/06/1940
Service No: S/115317
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Brown, of North Walsham. Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Row 1. Grave 5. Cemetery: L'EPINE COMMUNAL CEMETERY, ILE DE NOIRMOUTIER
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2694983
Allied forces continued to fight for at least three weeks after the fall of Dunkirk - indeed some units rescued from the beaches there were shipped back. Other’s soldiers, isolated from their units, tried to make there way south and west to get back home. We shall never probably know why Private Brown died and was buried deep in the Vendee region of France. However it probably is connected with the loss of RMS Lancastria off nearby St Nazaire on this day, with the loss of between 4,000 and 9,000 lives.
The RMS Lancastria had embarked an unknown number (estimates range from 4,000 up to 9,000) of civilian refugees and RAF personnel. The ship's official capacity was 2,200. She was sunk off the French port of St. Nazaire while taking part in Operation Ariel, the evacuation of British nationals and troops from France, two weeks after the Dunkirk evacuation.
The sheer size of the Lancastria disaster and the fact that the troopship sank in the estuary of the River Loire, trapping many people inside the hull, means that a great many of the bodies were never recovered.
www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/98_squadron.html
www.lancastria.org.uk/home.html
K Brown (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: BROWN, KENNETH
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Age: 26
Date of Death: 18/03/1944
Service No: 5776919
Additional information: Son of Mrs. R. H. Brown, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 12. J. 19. Cemetery: TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2084551
Serjeant Brown is likely to have served with one of the three Norfolk Battalions, 4th, 5th and 6th that marched into captivity with the surrender of Singapore.
M A Brundall (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: BRUNDALL, MAURICE ARTHUR
Rank: Pilot Officer (Pilot)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of Death: 22/02/1941
Service No: 81347
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. R.R.R. Grave 1. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764108
(Headstone picture already posted)
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826398856/in/set-7215...
A R Chandler (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: CHANDLER, ARTHUR ROY
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: between 10/05/1940 and 19/06/1940
Service No: 5772972
Additional information: Son of Arthur James Chandler and May Blanche Chandler, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 43. Memorial: DUNKIRK MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2771018
The 2nd Norfolks were one of those units sacrificed, holding the perimeter at Dunkirk to allow the evacuation to continue. Eventually captured, many were massacred at Le Paradis. A large number are
also unaccounted for - hence the date range.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Paradis_massacre
www.norfolkbc.fsnet.co.uk/archive_collection/strips_farro...
5772972 Arthur Roy Chandler was born 20 Feb 1918, enlisted in 1938 and was killed in action in France in June 1940
www.norfolkbc.fsnet.co.uk/bc_issues/bc_85_dec_95/85_dec_9...
J W Clarke (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: CLARKE, JACK WILLIAM
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Age: 36
Date of Death: 07/08/1944
Service No: 14610646
Additional information: Son of Thomas and Alice Clarke; husband of Esther Margaret Clarke, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: XXIII. E. 10. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2955842
He died during an action that pitted the 7th Royal Norfolks against tanks of the 12th Panzer Division outside the village of Grimbosq on the River Orne some 17 kilometres south of Caen. In this action Major David Jamieson, commanding a 7th battalion Company, won the Victoria Cross
www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOn...
Over a critical 36-hour period, and with fewer than 100 men, his company of the Royal Norfolk Regiment repulsed seven violent counter-attacks by heavily armed Panther and Tiger tanks. Even when wounded in the eye and arm, he refused to be evacuated and continued to command, calling for artillery support over his wireless and reorganising his steadily depleted company. Regardless of his personal safety, and in full view of the enemy, he walked among his men encouraging them to hold their ground. By the evening of the second day, the Germans withdrew, leaving a ring of unburied dead and mangled tanks. It was Jamieson's first action.
On 6 August 1944 three battalions of British infantry had crossed the Orne, south of Caen, and occupied the far bank. Jamieson was in command of D Company of the 7th Battalion, the Royal Norfolk Regiment, situated on the outskirts of the village of Grimosq. The following day, the Germans launched a counter- attack on the village. As they attacked, they were hit by the company's two anti-tank guns. "It was as if they didn't realise we were there," recalled Jamieson, "and gave our gunners a wonderful enfilade shoot." Three Panther tanks were blasted to a halt. The next morning the 6ft 5in young commander realised the Germans would be back in force. "I was determined that we would hang on, but I was worried," he was to recall. "My concern was that everyone would skit and run. It wasn't a happy position."
The company defending their right had been swallowed up by constant German counter-attacks and there were reports of enemy tanks approaching from the rear. Jamieson's position seemed almost untenable.
As the morning haze gave way to a brilliant sun on 8 August, Jamieson's already bleak position deteriorated alarmingly as both his anti-tank guns were taken out by devastating shell fire. German infantry advanced under cover of their tanks and the close quarter fighting became brutal and one platoon was overrun. Jamieson rallied his diminishing force to an orchard which was immediately fiercely attacked.
Some hope was offered when three Churchill tanks of the Armoured Corps took up the battle. But to Jamieson's dismay they motored directly into the line of fire of a concealed enemy tank. Jamieson tried desperately to signal the tank commander, but to no avail. He then ran and tried to use the phone at the back of the tank but could not get through. Ignoring incoming fire he clambered on to the tank. As he did so an armour piercing shell drilled a hole through the driver's compartment. Jamieson was thrown off peppered with shrapnel and badly shaken.
Yet, with his eye roughly patched and his arm in a sling, he knew that, as the sole surviving officer, he was desperately needed by his men. He gathered his by now sorely depleted company to meet what he considered would be the final onslaught. But the enemy, who had already launched seven counter-attacks and had sustained heavy losses, thought better of it and switched their attention to the Canadians advancing towards Falaise. This proved to be an unwise move.
Throughout this intense battle Jamieson's inspired leadership, defiance and skilful handling of his artillery and his men prevented the advance of the enemy. At one point in the worst of the bombardment he saw a frightened soldier leave his trench. He recalled: "I drew my revolver and pointed it at him, telling him to get back in his hole. He was a nice young fellow but I was worried, if one went back, the rest would follow." After the battle, on reaching the first aid post, and having his wounds attended to, he fell asleep for 48 hours.
Of his award of the Victoria Cross he once modestly said: "It was certainly not personally deserved. It was won by a group of men in a tight position." The final part of his citation reads:
Throughout this 36 hours of bitter and close fighting, and despite the pain of his wounds, Captain Jamieson showed superb qualities of leadership and great personal bravery. There were times when the position appeared hopeless, but on each occasion it was restored by his coolness and determination. He personally was largely responsible for the holding of this important bridgehead over the river Orne and the repulse of seven German counter-attacks with great loss to the enemy
www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/major-david-jamieso...
F S M Davis (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: DAVIS, FRANCIS SAMUEL MARSHALL
Rank: Bombardier
Regiment: Royal Artillery Unit Text: 3 Maritime Regt.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 17/08/1944
Service No: 5774172
Additional information: Son of Samuel and Daisy Davis, of Mundesley, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 3. Row E. Grave 39. Cemetery: MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2685774
The Naval net site lists a number of casualties at this time of individuals from the Royal Artillery’s Maritime Regiments that have lost their lives, (many “missing presumed killed”), there is no record of Bombardier Davis at all in August 1944
www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1944-08AUG.htm
www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/maritime/index.html
Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France, had taken place on the 15th August, but had been relatively light in terms of casualties. By the 17th, the allies were well of the beach.
R Davison (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: DAVISON, ROBERT
Rank: Able Seaman
Service: Royal Navy
Unit Text: H.M. Submarine Urge
Age: 21
Date of Death: 06/05/1942
Service No: D/JX 190316
Additional information: Son of Robert James Davison and Agnes Davison, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 64, Column 3. Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2478097
Navy The Royal Navy Type Submarine Class U Pennant N 17 Built by Vickers Armstrong (Barrow-in-Furness, U.K.) Ordered Laid down 30 Oct 1939 Launched 19 Aug 1940 Commissioned 12 Dec 1940 Lost 6 May 1942
History
HMS Urge (Lt.Cdr. Edward Philip Tomkinson, DSO and Bar, RN) left Malta on 27 April 1942. She failed to arrive at Alexandria on 6 May 1942 and was reported overdue on that day. On 29 April she attacked the Italian sailing vessel San Giusto off Ras Hilal: in the immediate area was a small convoy of 3 German MFPs, escorted by an Italian Cr.42 biplane. As the sub was engaged in the attack against the sailer, she was dive-bombed and sunk by the plane. This is confirmed by witnesses on board the MFPs, any notion the TB Pegaso may have been involved is incorrect.
www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3538.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Urge_(N17)
www.sportesport.it/wrecksLB025.htm
N R Drury (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: DRURY, NORMAN RICHARD
Rank: Corporal (W.Op.)
Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 220 Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 11/02/1940
Service No: 537272
Additional information: Son of Ernest Richard and Edith Ellen Drury, of North Walsham. Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. Y.Y.Y. Grave 1. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764109
(Picture of headstone)
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2825563963/
The winter of 1939-40 was a very severe one. On this night, Sunday the 11th of February 1940, three Hudson's took off from Thornaby for ops to Heligoland. It was a cold night and snow covered the hills. The lead aircraft failed to gain enough height on take off, probably due it icing on the aircrafts wings. It flew very low over Great Ayton and crashed into the first piece of high ground it came to, the North York Moors. The aircraft flew into the moor just below a stone wall before travelling through the wall and then onto the hill top near to Captain Cooks Monument, above Great Ayton. The crash ripped the underside of the aircraft off and it ploughed its way across the snow covered moor for a short before coming to rest in a small wood on its side. One witness who I have spoke to recalls it had one wing broken off and the remaining wing which was still attached to the main fuselage, was left sticking up in the air. Of the four crew on board, three were killed whilst only the gunner survived. After being knocked out for a while, he came too and with two injured legs, he struggled down the hillside to get help at a nearby farm close to Easby, taking a rest in old mine buildings on the way down. It was later found out that icing to the wings had been responsible for the aircraft failing to gain enough height. The Court of Inquiry states: "Ice on windscreen caused loss of visability" was the reason for the crash although it is unclear why they thought this
www.allenby.info/aircraft/planes/40/n7294.html
11/02/1940: Patrol
Type: Lockheed Hudson I
Serial number: N7294, NR-EOperation: Patrol
Lost: 11/02/1940
Flying Officer (Pilot) Tom M. Parker, RAF 39334, 220 Sqdn., age unknown, 11/02/1940, Thornaby-on-Tees Cemetery, UK
Sergeant (Pilot) Harold F. Bleksley, RAF 516366, 220 Sqdn., age 24, 11/02/1940, Bristol (Canford) Cemetery, UK
Corporal (W.Op.) Norman R. Drury, RAF 537272, 220 Sqdn., age 23, 11/02/1940, North Walsham New Cemetery, UK
LAC Barker - injured
Took off from Thornaby at 04.10 hrs. windscreen iced up after take-off and the Hudson crashed a few minutes later almost at the summit of Cook Monument Hill near Great Ayton. LAC Barker was the only member of the crew not killed and escaped with concussion and severe cuts. He managed to scramble down the hill to a farmhouse which he reached at about 08.00 hrs.
Sources: CWGC and Ross McNeill, 'Royal Air Force Coastal Command Losses: Aircraft and Crew Losses 1939-1941 v. 1', Midland Publishing, 2003
www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/220_squadron.html#1 102
Tom MacKinlay Parker
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?cas ualty=2414207
Harold Francis Bleksley
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?cas ualty=2450648
There are pictures of them both here, along with details of the fate of the Gunner, Atholl Barkerwww.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/planes/ 40/n7294.html
J W Edwards (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: EDWARDS, JOHN WILLIAM
Rank: Flight Sergeant (Pilot)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 213 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 25/06/1942
Service No: 961547
Additional information: Son of Frederick William and Bessie Charity Edwards, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: I, E, 13. Cemetery: CASERTA WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2067169
Flight Sergeant Edwards was initially posted as missing on the 22/6
213squadronassociation.homestead.com/Secondworldwar.html#...
The Hurricane, perhaps more than any other aircraft, will always be associated with 213 Squadron. The Squadron operated this remarkable aircraft throughout the withdrawal of the BEF from France, over Dunkirk, throughout the Battle of Britain, and during the Syrian Campaign. Switching to the Hurricane Mk. IIc in March 1942 for the air battles over North Africa, culminating in El Alamein and then Operation Chocolate, it was finally flown on convoy protection and air defence operations until February 1944.
213squadronassociation.homestead.com/Secondworldwar.html#...
There’s some speculation on what happened to Flight Sergeant Edwards on this forum.
www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7290&highl...
A further possibility - was this the date his body was found, and so its become enshrined in official records that this is the date of death.
F R W Frostick (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: FROSTICK, FRANK ROBERT WILFRED
Rank: Leading Aircraftman
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 22
Date of Death: 20/02/1943
Service No: 1463569
Additional information: Son of Frederick John and Mabel Elizabeth Frostick, of North Walsham, Norfolk, England.
Grave/Memorial Reference: R.A.F. Plot. Grave 12. Cemetery: TERRELL (OAKLAND) MEMORIAL PARK
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2720051
Terrell (Oakland) Memorial Park contains a plot of 20 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, all airmen who died while training in Texas at the Basic Flying Training School (1 BFTS).
www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=207319...
On February 20, 1943 a British training flight departed its airbase at Terrell, Texas—known as the No. 1 British Flying Training School—en route for the No. 3 British Flying Training School at Miami, Oklahoma.
The students were flying a formation of twelve training aircraft known as AT-6s. The AT-6—an acronym for "Advanced Trainer"—was first manufactured in 1930. It was a two-seater, one-engine trainer plane.
Their objective was to complete a low-level, cross-country training flight. Poor weather hampered the flight, however, particularly as they approached the Kiamichi Mountains of Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. According to local residents the weather was unfavorable. One, Lee Stone, described ground conditions as very foggy, with a rainy mist. Another, Calvin Moyer, who was attempting to hunt hogs, stopped due to the fog, which made it hard to see.
The pilots encountered similar conditions in the air—and had not been briefed to expect them, or what to do if encountering them. Several planes turned back to Terrell, but others continued. Twelve pilots eventually landed at Miami as planned, but three planes encountered serious difficulties.
One plane made a successful wheels down landing on the valley. .
Things took a tragic turn for the worse regarding the other two planes, which found themselves on a path several miles to the east, taking them over the rural community of Moyers, Oklahoma, behind which the mountains rise precipitously.
The pilots successfully cleared Rodney Mountain (764 feet), then passing over Moyers. Immediately behind Moyers is White Rock Mountain (1,023 feet), and one AT-6 crashed into its steep southern slope. The plane slid into a tree, killing its crew. W.E. McMahan and other local would-be rescuers who ascended the mountain believed the fliers would have lived had the plane not impacted the tree. They also believed the pilot, Vincent Henry Cockman, 20, of Ilford, England, had lived for a short time after the crash as his head was turned to face the body of his navigator, Frank Frostick, 21, of North Walsham, England.
The third missing plane managed to pass above White Rock Mountain but apparently lost control, spiraling down into the face of Big Mountain (1,145 feet). Big Mountain, which marks the southern end of the rugged and geologically significant Johns Valley, is between the rural communities of Moyers and Kosoma.
The third wreck took longer to locate, and was not found until the next day. Piloted by Mike Hosier, 19, of Swindon, England and navigated by Maurice Jenson, 19, of Bournemouth, England, the plane came straight down into the mountain,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT6_Monument
B Gardiner (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GARDINER, BENJAMIN
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 6th Bn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: between 25/01/1942 and 26/01/1942
Service No: 5774736
Additional information: Son of Benjamin and Violet Gardiner; husband of Eileen Margaret Gardiner, of Hempnall, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 50. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2131778
Private Gardiner died during the hectic and improvised defense of Singapore,
www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...
H J Goodchild (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GOODCHILD, HARRY JOHN
Rank: Warrant Officer
Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 33 Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 04/03/1941
Service No: 517435
Awards: D F M
Additional information: Son of Harry John and Leah Elizabeth Goodchild, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 241. Memorial: ALAMEIN MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1809977
(Brother of Thomas below)
During the morning on 4 March five Italian warships identified as two cruisers and three destroyers, sortied down the Albanian coast and commenced shelling the coastal road near Himare and Port Palermo, under cover of a strong fighter escort of G.50bis and CR42s from the 24o Gruppo C.T. The flotilla actually comprised of the destroyer Augusto Riboty, the torpedo boat Andromeda and three MAS boats.
An immediate strike was ordered by RAF units, 15 Blenheims being ordered off. Nine 211 Squadron aircraft and five from 84 Squadron (a sixth failed to start) were led to the area by Squadron Leaders Gordon-Finlayson and Jones, escorted by ten Hurricanes, followed by l7 Gladiators, l4 from ll2 Squadron and three from 80 Squadron. Four 80 Squadron Hurricanes led by Flight Lieutenant 'Pat' Pattle flew on the starboard flank of the bombers, with four from 33 Squadron to port, and two more above as ‘weavers’. At 15:00 the warships were seen ten miles south of Valona, and the Blenheims went in to bomb in line astern; several near misses were seen, but no hits were recorded.
At this point six G.50bis dived on the Hurricanes, shooting down V7801 in flames; 24-year-old Warrant Officer Harry J. Goodchild DFM (RAF No. 517435) was killed.
surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/commonwealth_cullen.htm
www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/33_wwII.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmaduke_Pattle
www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/71/a4196171.shtml
He gets a brief mention here while still a Flight Sergeant flying with the squadron in North Africa
surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_damiani.htm
T W Goodchild (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GOODCHILD, THOMAS WILLIAM
Rank: Flying Officer
Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 224 Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 19/03/1946
Service No: 57062
Additional information: Son of Harry John and Mary Elizabeth Goodchild, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 285. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1798529
(Brother of Harry above)
On the 19th March 1946 an Airspeed Oxford, X7282 was lost off St Eval, Cornwall leading to the death of its one occupant. There is nothing as yet to link this with the death of Flying Officer Goodchild.
aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=25311
E Green (Church and Park Memorial)
Most probably, (although there is another individual from Sheringham)
Name: GREEN, ERIC WILFRED
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 25 Date of Death: 14/04/1945
Service No: 5775033
Grave/Memorial Reference: 26. C. 18. Cemetery: KRANJI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2228242
Eric features on the Roll of Honour for the nearby village of Antingham
www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Antingham.html
O J Griffin (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GRIFFIN, OSWALD JAMES
Rank: Lance Serjeant
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 26 Date of Death: between 14/02/1942 and 15/02/1942
Service No: 5770986
Additional information: Husband of Alice Charlotte Griffin, of North Walsham, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 47. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2132524
Sergeant Griffin died during the hectic and improvised defense of Singapore,
www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...
L H Guyton (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GUYTON, LESLIE HARCOURT
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Date of Death: 29/10/1942
Service No: 7646262
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. D. 20. Cemetery: EL ALAMEIN WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2094342
E A Heath (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: HEATH, EDWIN ALFRED
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Welch Regiment
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 20/03/1945
Service No: 14392489
Additional information: Son of Doris Heath, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. B. 19. Cemetery: MAYNAMATI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1057068
Before the war Maynamati (Bangladesh) was a hamlet of a few dozen huts, but during the war a large military camp was established there. Several ordnance depots and a number of military hospitals, both British and Indian, were in the area, including Nos. 14 and 150 British General Hospitals; and the majority of the burials in Maynamati War Cemetery were from the various hospitals. Graves from isolated places in the surrounding country, and some from as far afield as Burma, were moved into the cemetery by the Army Graves Service and later on by the Commission; and it was found necessary to transfer also graves from small cemeteries at Dacca, Faridpur, Paksay, Saidpur, Santahan and Sirajgany, where they could not be maintained.
www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=107700...
K Hedge (Church and Park Memorial)
Only match
Name: HEDGE, KENNETH GEORGE
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 19/01/1944
Service No: 5777094
Additional information: Son of Charles and Ellen Hedge, of Stowmarket, Suffolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. E. 1. Cemetery: CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2353000
If this is the right individual, then he would most likely have been matched into Japanese captivity following the fall of Singapore in February 1942.
There is a John Clem Hedge , an RAF Air Gunner from the nearby village of Edingthorpe
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2763556
R J Jay (Church and Park Memorial)
Only match
Name: JAY, REGINALD JAMES
Rank: Marine
Regiment/Service: Royal Marines
Unit Text: H.M.S. Glorious.
Age: 33
Date of Death: 08/06/1940
Service No: PLY/22128
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 43, Column 2. Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2481961
The loss of the Glorious
www.scharnhorst-class.dk/scharnhorst/history/scharnjuno_g...
www.fleetairarmarchive.net/ships/glorious.html
There has been a lot of questions asked about how the Glorious came to be sank, but perhaps some insight is provided by this anecdote of a daughter of one of the crew members.
In April 1940 my mother received a telegram, saying that the ship was putting into Greenock for a few days. Immediately she got on the train to Glasgow so that they could be together, and my father could see his daughter for the first time. According to my mother, he was delighted — and said that “if a sailor came courting his daughter he would chase him off!” Too much time away from the family, in his opinion, and as all the Edwards men, for several generations, had been in the Royal Navy, he spoke from the heart. My mother told me later that during those few days he had a sense of foreboding, as did other crew members, knowing where they were going. The engines of the Glorious were ‘held together with string and sealing wax’. If they were under attack, the ship had no speed and in any case the hatches would be battened down.
www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/93/a6357693.shtml
W P D Johnstone (Church and Park Memorial)
Only match
Name: JOHNSTONE, WILLIAM PLUNKETT DUNNING
Rank: Petty Officer
Service: Royal Navy Unit
Text: H.M. Submarine Usurper
Date of Death: 12/10/1943
Service No: C/JX 151C79
Additional information: Son of Jack Sidney and Ella May Johnstone; husband of Dorothy Yvonne Johnstone, of Aldridge, Staffordshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 68, 1. Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2469220
Usurper is recorded on the Naval net site as lost on the 3rd October 1943 and Petty Officer Johnstone is included on the list of those down as “Missing presumed killed”.
www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1943-10OCT.htm
Usurper had left Algiers on 24 September 1943 with instruction to patrol off La Spezia. On 3 October 1943 she was ordered to move to the Gulf of Genoa. No further contact was made and she failed to return to Algiers on 12 October 1943 as expected. The German anti-submarine vessel UJ-2208/Alfred reported attacking a submarine in the Gulf of Genoa on 3 October 1943 and it is believed that this may have been the Usurper.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Usurper_(P56)
www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3561.html
www.sportesport.it/wrecksLI044.htm
J H Kidman(Church and Park Memorial)
Name: KIDMAN, JAMES HERSERT
Rank: Sergeant (Air Gnr.)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 622 Sqdn.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 20/01/1944
Service No: 1396509
Additional information: Son of Joseph and Lydia Kidman, of North Walsham, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: 17. E. 12. Cemetery: BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2199267
Lancaster R5915 Information
Type...................................Lancaster
Serial Number...................R5915
Squadron..........................622
X1D...................................GI-P
Operation..........................Berlin
Date 1...............................20th January 1944
Date 2...............................21st January 1944
Further Information
"Serial Range R5842 - R5917 This aircraft was one of 100 Manchesters which were ordered from Metro-Vick in 1939 and built as 43 Manchester 1s and 57 Lancaster Mk.1s transported from Mar41 to Aug42 to A.V.Roe for final assembly and flight testing. R5915 was delivered to No.9 Sqdn 20Sep42, to No.97 Sqdn 26Dec42, to 166CU 15Mar43, to No.622 Sqdn 8Jan44. Took part in the following key Operations: With No.9 Sqdn as WS-X, Wismar 23/24Sep42; Wismar 1/2Oct42; Krefeld 2/3Oct42-aborted; Kiel 6/7Oct42; Cologne 15/16Oct42; Le Creusot 17Oct42-Daylight; Milan 24Oct42-Daylight; Genoa 6/7Nov42; Turin 8/9Dec42; Turin 9/10Dec42; Cloppenburg 17/18Dec42; Duisburg 20/21Dec42; Munich 21/22Dec42; Gardening La Rochelle 29/30Dec42; With No.97 Sqdn as OF-Q, Hamburg 30/31Jan43; Lorient 13/14Feb43; Berlin 1/2Mar43; Nuremburg 8/9Mar43-aborted; To No.1660CU. With No.622 Sqdn as GI-P, Brunswick 14/15Jan44; Berlin 20/21Jan44-Lost. When lost this aircraft had a total of 693 hours. R5915 was one of two No.619 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: R5483. Airborne 1651 20Jan44 from Mildenhall. Outbound at 22,000 feet when hit by Flak in the vicinity of Hamburg-Luneburg which set fire to the starboard wing. Exploded and crashed between Havekost and Rumstedt, 5 km ENE of Bad Bevensen. Those killed were buried at Rumstedt, five are now buried in Becklingen War cemetery while Panel 214 of the Runnymede Memorial commemorates Sgt Woodcock.
F/S R.A.Deacon KIA
Sgt N.Butler (P2) KIA
Sgt J.B.Strange KIA
Sgt P.J.Irwin PoW
F/L K.R.Miller PoW
Sgt A.W.Woodcock KIA
Sgt J.Cunningham KIA
Sgt J.H.Kidman KIA
Sgt P.J.Irwin was wounded but interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.923. F/L K.R.Miller was interned in Camp L3, PoW No.3378. "
www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=1217
O Leeder (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: LEEDER, OLAF WILLIAM
Rank: Corporal
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 28
Date of Death: 22/01/1942
Service No: 5774599
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 34. E. 1-8. Cemetery: KRANJI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2228808
Corporal Leeder died during the hectic and improvised defense of Singapore,
www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...
J R Mace (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: MACE, JOHN RUST
Rank: Sergeant (Flt. Engr.)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 158 Sqdn.
Age: 29
Date of Death: 14/02/1943
Service No: 1225368
Additional information: Son of Frederick and Louisa Mace, of North Walsham, husband of Kate Louisa Mace, of Brundall.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. S.S.S. Grave 33. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764111
(Separate headstone picture)
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826397776/
1225368 Sergeant J R Mace
Flight Engineer
Royal Air Force
14th February 1943
Age 29
Halifax DT696 Information
Type..................................................Halifax
Serial Number................................DT696
Squadron........................................158
X1D...................................................NP-O
Operation........................................Cologne
Date 1..............................................14th February 1943
Date 2..............................................15th February 1943
Further Information
"Serial Range DT665 - DT705. 41 Halifax Mk.11. Part of a batch of 250 HP59 Halifax Mk.11. Delivered by Handley Page (Cricklewood & Radlett) between 3Sep42 and 23Oct42. DT695 was one of two 158 Sqdn Halifaxes lost during this operation. See: DT694.
Airborne 1816 14Feb43 from Rufforth. Cause of loss not established. Crashed 1830 at Stillingfleet, 4 miles NW of Riccall, Yorkshire. Just before the crash, the bomb load was jettisoned near the village of Appleton Roebuck. P/O Herbert's brother, Richard Vivian Herbert, was also KIA. Sgt Cains is buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. The other were taken to their home towns and villages.
P/O G.B.Herbert KIA (Gerald Bevill Herbert)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2437299
Sgt J.R.Mace KIA
Sgt A.B.Langeland KIA (Arthur Bruce Langeland - buried Staines)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2432868
P/O R.Flood KIA (Reginald Flood - buried Staveley)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2702576
Sgt S.W.Cains RNZAF KIA (Sidney William Cains - buried Harrogate)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2623429
Sgt D.Booker KIA (Dennis Booker - buried Wynbunbury)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2736421
Sgt W.Ruth KIA (William Ruth - buried Barrow in Furness)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2697458
www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=9205
Bit more about the crash, and a dedication that was made on the 14th Feb.2008 to the crew can be found here:
www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/dt696.html
listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/YORKSGEN/2008-02/120265...
And some additional information about crew members
pages.quicksilver.net.nz/l.rwilloughby/WWII/WWII_RNZAF/B-...
www.thepress.co.uk/news/analysis/readersletters/4141657.C...
A D Mackenzie(Church and Park Memorial)
Name: MACKENZIE, ALAN DUNCAN
Rank: Leading Aircraftman
Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 22 Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 26/05/1940
Service No: 623407
Additional information: Son of Finlay and Maud Ethel MacKenzie, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 23. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1079486
No match on Lost Bombers
25-26/05/1940: Gardening (mine laying)
Type: .............................Bristol Beaufort I
Serial number:...............L4450, OA-F
Operation: ....................Gardening
Lost: .............................26/05/1940
Wing Commander Harry M. Mellor, RAF 16097, 22 Sqdn., age 37, 26/05/1940, missing
Flying Officer Frederick R. Jamieson, RAF 37855, 22 Sqdn., age 27, 26/05/1940, missing
Leading Aircraftman Alan D. MacKenzie, RAF 623407, 22 Sqdn., age 24, 26/05/1940, missing
Pilot Officer Horace J. Cook, RAFVR, 22 Sqdn., age 22, 26/05/1940, missing
Took off 25/05/1940 23.00 hrs from North Coates. Lost without trace into the North Sea, off Heligoland, Germany. The crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Sources: CWGC and Ross McNeill, Coastal Command Losses of the Second World War, 1939-1941
www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/XXII_squadron.html#2605
G Mason +(Church and Park Memorial)
48 possibles on CWGC, but no obvious match.
R Miller on Church and R Millar on the Park Memorial
No obvious match under Miller or Millar unless possibly
Name: MILLAR, ROBERT
Rank: Private
Regiment Royal Norfolk Regiment
Age: 21
Date of Death: 16/07/1944
Service No: 14601165
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Millar; husband of Dorothy Lucy Charlotte Millar, of Bromley, Kent.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. G.G. Coll. Grave 328. Screen Wall. Panel 4. Cemetery: LEWISHAM (HITHER GREEN) CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2429267
F Moore (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: MOORE, FREDERICK JAMES
Rank: Marine
Regiment/Service: Royal Marines
Unit Text: H.M.S. Barham.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 25/11/1941
Service No: PO/X 2290
Additional information: Son of Agnes Moore, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 59, Column 1. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2657524
HMS Barham
24th - Took part with QUEEN ELIZABETH , VALIANT and screen of eight Fleet destroyers for provision of cover to cruisers of 7th and 15th Squadrons carrying out search for military convoys on passage to Benghazi (Operation ME7). (Note: cruisers were deployed as Force B – See Naval Staff History).
25th - Under constant supervision by enemy aircraft. Under attack by U331 and hit by three torpedoes which struck between funnel and X turret on port side. Ship sank in position 32.34N 26.24N within 4 minutes after the magazine detonated. (On VALIANT, the closest ship to BARHAM when she was hit, was the Gaumont News cameraman John Turner who shot 2 minutes of movie film, all he had left in the camera, of the sinking. This film became one of the most poignant shot in the whole war)
Only 450 survived from the complement of about 1312. Note: At the subsequent Board of Inquiry it was suggested that the fires started caused the explosion of the 4in and 15in magazines. All internal communications failed and the speed of the development of a list made it impossible for many to escape.
www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-01BB-Barham.htm
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD0d_J4y_s4
L M Neville (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: NEVILLE, LEONARD MATTHEW
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 21/09/1944
Service No: 5775035
Additional information: Son of Matthew and Annie Neville; husband of Olive Edna Blanche Neville, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 52. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2140353
One of the many who would die as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese.
G D Paterson (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: PATERSON, GORDON DAVID
Rank: Leading Aircraftman (Pilot U/T.)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 19
Date of Death: 22/12/1942
Service No: 1335358
Additional information: Son of William Wallace Paterson and Gertrude Florence Paterson, of North Walsham.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. I.I.I. Grave 5. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764114
(see separate picture of headstone)
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826401730/in/photostr...
On a thread on the RAF Commands Forum, LAC Paterson is noted as KOAS, (Killed on active service - frequently notes an aircrash), and that his death was registered at Sleaford, Lincs. One of the posters speculates it might be linked to the death of a Sergeant (Pilot) George Benson who is recorded as Died of Wounds or Injuries received on active service, and who was also registered at Sleaford, Lincs.
www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7566&highl...
D C Punt (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: PUNT, DOUGLAS CLEMENT
Rank: Aircraftman 2nd Class
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 19
Date of Death: 06/07/1941
Service No: 1233814
Additional information: Son of Herbert and May Dora Punt, of North Walsham.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. N.N.N. Grave 5. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764116
See separate picture of headstone
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826399908/
AC2 Punt is recorded as died on active service (DOAS). His death is registered in Westmoreland South.
www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31 53&highl...
DOAS I believe would tend to indicate natural causes, illness or non-work related accident
A G Pycroft (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: PYCROFT, ARTHUR GEORGE
Rank: Leading Aircraftman (Pilot U/T)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 21
Date of Death: 03/02/1944
Service No: 1285550
Additional information: Son of Arthur John and Daisy Pycroft, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Eur. War Graves Plot. Grave 131. Cemetery: HARARE (PIONEER) CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2617455
For some background on the Empire Air Training Scheme operation in Rhodesia, (now Zimbabwe) see this article in Flight magazine.
www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%201514...
Harare was previously known as Salisbury.
L Reynolds (Church and Park Memorial)
23 Possibles, including two from Norfolk and one Norfolk Regiment man, but no direct link.
D Sendall (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: SENDALL, DERECK EDWARD
Rank: Gunner
Regiment: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 2 Airlanding Anti-Tank Bty.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 20/09/1944
Service No: 14566572
Additional information: Son of Edward and Victoria Kate Sendall, of White Horse Common, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 26. A. 1. Cemetery: ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2661546
His headstone can be seen here
www.paradata.org.uk/people/dereck-edward-sendall
www.marketgarden.com/database/roll1/view.php?id=77
www.online-begraafplaatsen.nl/zerken.asp?command=showgraf...
It was 2nd Air-Landing Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RA, and not the 1st, which took part in Operation Market Garden, as part of the Airborne Forward Delivery Airfield Group (AFDAG). This Battery had been raised under 6th Airborne Division in July 1943, but in March 1944 left the Division and was placed under direct command of HQ 1st British Airborne Corps as "Corps Troops," to be attached as required to either Division. As it was, it never served again with 1st Airborne Div but with 6th Airborne in Normandy and on the Rhine Crossing.
www.wwiireenacting.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2...
www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?3957-Data-Stirli...
hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?4686-Hartenstein-Airbor...
A Sexton (Church and Park Memorial)
Possibly
Name: SEXTON, WALTER ARNOLD
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 34
Date of Death: 28/05/1944
Service No: 5775020
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Sexton, of North Walsham, Norfolk; husband of Muriel Joan Sexton, of Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Face 6. Memorial: RANGOON MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2524992
The 2nd Norfolks had helped to relieve the siege of Kohima, and then took part in the battles to drive the Japanese from the surrounding heights. Although this would be achieved by the 29th, the Monsoon had broken, and dysentery had become a major problem, causing as many deaths as battle.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kohima
www.britain-at-war.org.uk/html/body_randle.htm
E W Starling (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: STARLING, ERNEST WILLIAM
Rank: Sergeant (Flt. Engr.)
Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 463 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 29/07/1944
Service No: 623359
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Starling, of Swafield, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 1A. B. 7-13. Cemetery: CHOLOY WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2319971
Lancaster ME615 Information
Type.............................Lancaster
Serial Number..............ME615
Squadron.....................463
X1D.............................JO-V
Operation...................Stuttgart
Date 1........................28th July 1944
Date 2........................29th July 1944
Further Information
ME615 was delivered to 463 Sqdn 21Jan44. Also recorded wearing the ID JO-Z Took part in the following key Operations: As JO-Z,Berlin 27/28Jan44-flown by Sqdn CO, W/C R.Kingsford-Smith; Berlin 30/31Jan44; Berlin 15/16Feb44; Leipzig 19/20Feb44; Schweinfurt 24/25Feb44; Stuttgart 15/16Mar44; Nuremburg 30/31Mar44; Schweinfurt 26/27Apr44; Mailly-le-Camp 3/4May44; Duisburg 21/22May44; Stuttgart 28/29Jul-Lost.
When lost this aircraft had a total of 364 hours.
Airborne 2224 28Jul44 from Waddington. All are buried in the Choloy War Cemetery, France. F/L Moorhead was 463 Sqdn Gunnery Leader.
F/O J.A.H.Wilkinson RAAF KIA
Sgt E.W.Starling KIA
W/O N.F.Gelder RAAF KIA
F/S F.E.Fischer RAAF KIA
F/S B.Reece RAAF KIA
F/S M.W.Harrison RAAF KIA
F/L B.Moorhead DFC KIA "
www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=6795
This aircraft is recorded as crashed 3 km S Rohrbach-les-Bitche
www.rafinfo.org.uk/BCWW2Losses/1944.htm
Another web-site mentions in passing that the town has a small monument to the crew of a Lancaster that crashed on this day,
translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=ht...
L G Turner on Church memorial + or L C Turner on the Park Memorial
Name: TURNER, LESLIE GEORGE
Rank: Private
Regiment/: Suffolk Regiment
Age: 23
Date of Death: 27/04/1940
Service No: 5829939 Additional information: Son of Agnes Turner, of North Walsham; husband of Mary Turner, of Spa Common.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. Y.Y.Y. Grave 14. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC <a href="http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764117" rel="nofollow
So, here it is, the reason I drove across Norfolk: Trunch in all it's glory And it is glorious.
It has so many fascinating details, each one alone would be reason enough to visit, but together, in a fine village, next to the village pub, and with that font canopy, one of only four such in all of England, and one of two in the county.
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The oldest building in Trunch is St. Botolph's Church. It is mainly 14th. and 15th. Century but there are some fragments of stone in the walls which are believed to have been reused from an earlier Saxon church, which was recorded in the Domesday Book. There is much of interest in the church including a Rood Screen, a hammer beam roof and a rare Font Canopy.
trunchhistory.weebly.com/buildings.html
--------------------------------------------
The large village of Trunch is located about 5 miles from the north Norfolk coast. In the centre of the village, surrounded by a lovely collection of cottages and the more modern Crossroads Inn, is St Botolph's church. Much of what you see of the church is early 15th century, built upon earlier foundations.
Upon entering the church the first feature you will see is the font, which dates to the mid 14th century. Though the font is attractive, it is the carved and painted font canopy that really makes a visit to Trunch worthwhile.
This is a quite remarkable piece of woodwork, one of only four such canopies surviving in the entire country (the others are at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich, Durham Cathedral, and Luton). The canopy is supported on six beautifully carved legs. The carving detail is exquisite; with fanciful animal figures and foliage and a bit of political commentary, in the shape of a pig wearing a bishop's mitre.
In addition to the font canopy, Trunch features a superb 15th century hammer beam roof, a feature of many churches in Norfolk and Suffolk. Here the carvings of angels are beautifully performed. It is worth bringing along a pair of binoculars or a telescope in order to see the carvings properly.
Much easier to see are the medieval misericords (mercy seats) in the chancel. Each carving is unique; some represent angels, and others are more grotesque in nature. In addition there are some beautifully carved pew ends and a painted medieval rood screen that rivals many more famous churches in detail and colour.
There are 12 niches in the screen, each painted with a depiction of a single figure - 11 disciples plus St Paul. Much of the costume detail is well preserved, but the faces of the figures were destroyed during the upheavals of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
www.britainexpress.com/counties/norfolk/churches/Trunch.htm
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William Earl Warren had the lordship of this town, (fn. 1) of which 3 freemen were deprived; one of them belonged to Herold, late King of England, another to Ralph Stalre, and the 3d to Ketel, who held 90 acres of land, and 14 borderers belonged to it, with 5 carucates among them; there was a church endowed with 10 acres, &c. 3 acres of meadow always valued at 30s. and there were also 5 freemen of Edric in King Edward's time, who had 34 acres of land, with 2 carucates, 2 acres and an half of meadow, always valued at 7s. 4d. (fn. 2)
This town also belonged to the Earl Warren's capital manor of Gimmingham, and paid suit and service to it. In the 34th of Henry III. Maud de Norwich granted by fine, to Richer, son of Nicholas, a messuage, 48 acres of land, a mill, and the sixth part of another in this town, Swathefeld and Bradfeld. In the 15th of Edward I. the Earl Warren claimed a weekly mercate, on Saturday, in this manor; and on the death of John Earl Warren, in the 21st of Edward III. the mercate was valued at 10s. per ann. the manor came after to the Earl of Lancaster, (as is before observed,) and so to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, and King Henry IV. and is still in the Crown, as part of the dutchy of Lancaster.
The tenths were 4l. 10s. deducted 15s.
The Church is dedicated to St. Botolph, and is a regular pile, with a nave, 2 isles, and a chancel covered with lead, and has a tower with 4 bells.
In the chancel, on a little monument,
Lancelotus Thexton cappellanus Regis Edw. VI. sacre theologie baccalaureus, et rector de Trunch obt. 25. Febr. 1588, and this shield of arms, quarterly, in the first and fourth a cross between four lions heads erased, gules, in the 2d and 3d, ermine, fretty, azure.
In a window here, argent, a fess between two chevrons, sable.
On a gravestone
Hic jacet Magr. Robt. Cantell, quo'd. rector isti. ecclie, qui. obt. 1 Sept. Ao. Dni. 1480.
Gravestones
In memory of Thomas Worts, gent. who died November 13, 1693, aged 45, with his arms, three lions rampant, - - - — William Worts. gent. who married Elizabeth, daughter of Riches Brown of Fulmodeston, Esq. died August 25, 1694, aged 60, with the arms of Worts impaling Brown; two bars, between three spears heads, - - -
¶The patronage of the church was granted to the priory of Castleacre, by William Earl Warren, the first on his founding that priory. In the reign of Edward I. the rector had a manse, and 13 acres of land valued at 16 marks, Peter-pence 13d. and the prior of Castleacre had a pension or portion of tithe valued at 40s. the present valor is 10l. 13s. 4d. and pays first fruits, &c. the Norwich registers say that William, the second Earl Warren, granted the patronage, and Eborard Bishop of Norwich, confirmed it; and that Simon the Bishop confirmed the pension in 1268.
www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-hist-norfolk/vol8...
-----------------------------------------
Trunch is the largest of the villages between North Walsham and the sea; but as all the industrialisation and tawdry caravan sites are hard against the coast, and Trunch is several miles inland, it has avoided these excesses and retains a great rural charm. It has a magnificent church with lots of fascinating treasures, as well as a shop, a green, a pub run by an ex-professional footballer, and generally all the typical features you expect to find in a large village in deepest rural Norfolk.
The church is perhaps the most interesting of all round about; and, while the large village lends it an urban quality that lacks the charm of, say, the churches of neighbouring Edingthorpe and Crostwight, it has by no means the Victorianised sterility of those at Bacton or Happisburgh.
St Botolph is a big church, and its tight graveyard makes it rather hard to photograph. The whole piece seems to have been rebuilt in the early 15th century, although the chancel may be a little later, and there is a hint of Decorated about the nave. The tower is quite simple, even slight. It builds boldly enough, but at the top of the second stage fades into a simple bell stage, understated, elegant and probably intended. This is not a building that shouts at you. A curiosity is the massive priest porch surrounding the door in the chancel. These are very unusual, although there is another, smaller one at neighbouring Knapton.
The great treasure, of course, is the marvellous font canopy. It is particularly fascinating because of its date, coming in the early 16th century right on the eve of the English protestant reformation. Like all church furnishings at this time - the tombs at Oxborough, for instance - it gives us a hint of what the English renaissance might have been like if it had been allowed to flower. Here, the massive structure tumbles with intricacy; fruit and flowers, leopards and lions peep around the silvery oak of the six octagonal columns which are fluted with interlocking chains of detail. The glory is the massive crown of canopied niches, with the haunting ghosts of crucifixion groups still apparent on three of the faces. The whole thing is at once in perfect harmony with the west end of the church, but exists because it was believed to be beautiful rather than known to be useful.There is only one other font canopy in Norfolk, at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich; Outside of the county there is another at Durham Cathedral, and a fourth at the parish church in Luton - but that is it.
Above the canopy is a rich 15th century hammerbeam roof, by no means as dramatic as that at nearby Knapton, but more beautiful, I think. In the space beneath the tower there is what appears to be a gallery like the plough guild gallery at Cawston. This is not as elaborate, but its oak has silvered and it is painted beautifully with trailing rose foliage.
The benching, unfortunately, is pretty much all 19th century, but along with the font canopy and roof the medieval screen survives. Like the canopy, this is richly ornamented in relief, including a bold dedicatory inscription in diagonal ribbons across the top part of the dado. The twelve figures (11 disciples and St Paul) are boldly placed and coloured, but their faces have been completely vandalised by the 16th century reformers. Low down on the north side of the doorway is a rare surviving carved consecration cross, suggesting that this screen was already installed in the newly built church of the 15th century. The screen had detached buttressing running vertically at intervals in front of it, as at Ludham. They have been almost entirely destroyed, but you can still see the fixings between the panels. It must have been magnificent.
The return stalls in the chancel are pretty much all Victorian, but they retain medieval misericords, and also you can see quatrefoil holes set into a sounding chamber to amplify the singing. There is a very curious memorial above the priest door, featuring the instruments of the passion. I have no idea how old it is.
All of these features would be enough, but part of the attraction of St Botolph is the sense of harmony, the way everything works together. You can add to these the sedilia, the magnificent organ, and the modern design of the glass in the east window. It is a peaceful, inspiring space.
Cottages and houses hem in the graveyard, and in the corner is the modern pub. Incidentally, I don't really know if the bloke who runs it is an ex-professional footballer. But, like many rural Norfolk landlords, he seems to be a cheerful 40-something cockney who serves a decent pint and cheap food - a recommended stop for churchcrawlers.
Simon Knott, April 2005
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/trunch/trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
And the pub is still good.
North Walsham has a memorial to the War dead of WW2 in both St Nicholas Church and the memorial park itself. Unfortunately the pictures I took in the church were blurred, so for now there is just the Park Memorial.
1939 - 1945
J Aldrich (Church and Park Memorial)
No obvious Match. on CWGC
Choices John Maria, L\Sgt Hampshire Regiment, died Holland 04/10/1944 (Wife lives Slough, Bucks)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2619128
John Robert, Private RASC, died North Africa 27/11/1941 (Wife lives Acomb, Yorks)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2119040
John Wilfred Lt Royal Sussex Regt died Italy 23/12/1944 (Mother lives Hove)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1715504
T Amies (Church and Park Memorial)
Probably
Name: AMIES, THOMAS DAWSON
Rank: Private
Regiment: Essex Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 29
Date of Death: 02/11/1943
Service No: 6024588
Additional information: Son of Frederick William and Emma Elizabeth Amies; husband of Winifred Amies, of Palling, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: XVII. A. 3. Cemetery: SANGRO RIVER WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2377161
Or
Name: AMIES, THOMAS FRANCIS
Rank: Aircraftman 1st Class
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 36
Date of Death: 04/05/1943
Service No: 1458072
Additional information: Son of Thomas H. Amies and Alice Amies, of Norwich; husband of Caroline Lockwell Amies, of Norwich.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. 54. Grave 494. Cemetery: NORWICH CEMETERY, Norfolk
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764124
Headstone www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/5406088888/
On the night of October 24th 1/12 Frontier Force and 1/5 Gurkhas passed through the Royal Fusiliers and took up the running. 17th Brigade now widened its front, with the 6th Lancers in touch with Seventy-eighth Division, and the Gurkhas linked up with First Canadian Division on the left. Five miles short of the Trigno, 19th Brigade passed through 17th Brigade, with 1/5th Essex and 3/8 Punjabis leading. An ominous portent was the identification of First German Parachute Division on the front, one of the most skilful and belligerent of German formations. Nevertheless, only sharp skirmishes ensued when 19th Brigade took a firm grip on the south bank of the Trigno through occupation of Monte Mitro and Montefalcone.
In this neighbourhood the Trigno ran between steep escarpments, whose crests stood fifteen hundred feet above the bottom of the valley. In many places the banks were sheer. The river was one hundred yards wide and in full view of the enemy on the ridges to the north. Ordinarily no more than two feet deep, the stream had risen sharply as a result of the autumnal rains. All bridges were blown, and all approaches mined.
Intelligence reported the positions to be defended by paratroopers, who were fully aware of the purpose of the Indians.
For three days before the attack, heavy rains hampered preparations. Tracks deteriorated into quagmires. The roads had been so thoroughly destroyed that it was necessary for bulldozers to work upon by-passes and diversions, often in full view of the enemy. Under lowering skies, pelted by cold rains, the infantry waited dourly. By the end of October the approaches to the Trigno were organized, and at 0345 hours on November 2nd, 6/13 Frontier Force Rifles silently defiled into the icy stream and began to cross. The supporting barrage burst on the ridge ahead of them, and Eighth Indian Division was committed to its first action in Europe
Frontier Force Rifles, though out of timing with the barrage, surged up the spur for nearly 2,000 yards, and by 0800 hours had mustered on their start line for the attack on Tufillo Village. The Frontiersmen's assault was launched against a typical German "hedgehog" position. All approaches were mined and booby-trapped. A curtain of mortar bombs covered the minefield. Every house held a sniper. Attempts to close were met with showers of grenades. Quick savage sallies were flung against any ground won. Eventually the battalion was held up, a few hundred yards short of its objective.
On the left of the Frontier Force Rifles, when dawn broke, the Essex began to cross the Trigno. Enemy artillery laid down an accurate shoot on the line of the river. The leading companies pushed through the barrage and up the hillside under murderous machine-gun fire, from front and flanks. The convex curve of the slope prevented Frontier Force Rifles from aiding their British comrades as they strove to come up into line. The forward companies pushed on manfully, and reached their first objective. Mounting casualties, however, made the position untenable, and the Essex withdrew to the north bank of the Trigno, taking their wounded with them.
www.ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Tiger/triumphs01.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernhardt_Line#Advance_across_the_S...
J Andrews (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: ANDREWS, JOHN
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Date of Death: 13/10/1943
Service No: 5777312
Additional information: Son of Oscar William and Ethel Selina Andrews, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 9. D. 2. Cemetery: CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2352425
One of the many who would die in a Japanese PoW camp following the fall of Singapore.
F D G Bloom (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: BLOOM, FRANCIS GERALD DURRANT
Rank: Flight Sergeant
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 177 Sqdn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 24/02/1944
Service No: 1333762
Additional information: Son of Gerald George and Annie Laura Bloom, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 434. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1813945
177 Squadron were a Beaufighter ground attack squadron, flying over the jungles of Burma & Siam and tasked with disrupting Japanese troop and supply movements.
www.ww2talk.com/forum/user-introductions/24737-cant-find-...
www.myrcomm.com/beau/the-squadrons/177-squadron.html#177-...
In Silently into the midst of things: 177 Squadron Royal Air Force in Burma ...
By A. Sutherland Brown
In the Roll of Honour index F G Bloom is listed as a pilot, while his observer Flying Officer G W Broughton was taken Prisoner of War, (page 229), however on page 209 Broughton is listed as being a PoW from October 1944, and the observer of Warrant Officer Hill.. On the same page, W.O Hill, (Pow) is listed with Navigator Flying. Officer R F Hacker, who died. I suspect the two records have either been merged or the lay-out is not clear - it states the order is approximately the first date the individual flew with the squadron, so possibly it is meant to indicate Bloom and Broughton initially flew together, rather than were in the same crash.
For the record CWGC shows,
Name: HACKER, RONALD FRANCIS MORRIS
Rank: Flying Officer (Nav.)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 177 Sqdn.
Age: 23 Date of Death: 22/04/1944 Service No: 136384
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Francis Hacker; husband of Nancy Hacker, of Cross Common, Cornwall. B.A., Hons. (Lond.).
Grave/Memorial Reference: Joint grave 28. B. 21-22. Cemetery: TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2085947
Both Warrant Officer Hill and Flying Officer Broughton were incarcerated in Rangoon jail, from which they were released by the advancing allies in 1945.
D A Brown (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: BROWN, DOUGLAS ARTHUR
Rank: Private
Service: Royal Army Service Corps
Unit Text: 1 Base Supply Depot
Age: 21
Date of Death: 17/06/1940
Service No: S/115317
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Brown, of North Walsham. Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Row 1. Grave 5. Cemetery: L'EPINE COMMUNAL CEMETERY, ILE DE NOIRMOUTIER
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2694983
Allied forces continued to fight for at least three weeks after the fall of Dunkirk - indeed some units rescued from the beaches there were shipped back. Other’s soldiers, isolated from their units, tried to make there way south and west to get back home. We shall never probably know why Private Brown died and was buried deep in the Vendee region of France. However it probably is connected with the loss of RMS Lancastria off nearby St Nazaire on this day, with the loss of between 4,000 and 9,000 lives.
The RMS Lancastria had embarked an unknown number (estimates range from 4,000 up to 9,000) of civilian refugees and RAF personnel. The ship's official capacity was 2,200. She was sunk off the French port of St. Nazaire while taking part in Operation Ariel, the evacuation of British nationals and troops from France, two weeks after the Dunkirk evacuation.
The sheer size of the Lancastria disaster and the fact that the troopship sank in the estuary of the River Loire, trapping many people inside the hull, means that a great many of the bodies were never recovered.
www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/98_squadron.html
www.lancastria.org.uk/home.html
K Brown (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: BROWN, KENNETH
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Age: 26
Date of Death: 18/03/1944
Service No: 5776919
Additional information: Son of Mrs. R. H. Brown, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 12. J. 19. Cemetery: TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2084551
Serjeant Brown is likely to have served with one of the three Norfolk Battalions, 4th, 5th and 6th that marched into captivity with the surrender of Singapore.
M A Brundall (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: BRUNDALL, MAURICE ARTHUR
Rank: Pilot Officer (Pilot)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of Death: 22/02/1941
Service No: 81347
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. R.R.R. Grave 1. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764108
(Headstone picture already posted)
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826398856/in/set-7215...
A R Chandler (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: CHANDLER, ARTHUR ROY
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: between 10/05/1940 and 19/06/1940
Service No: 5772972
Additional information: Son of Arthur James Chandler and May Blanche Chandler, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 43. Memorial: DUNKIRK MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2771018
The 2nd Norfolks were one of those units sacrificed, holding the perimeter at Dunkirk to allow the evacuation to continue. Eventually captured, many were massacred at Le Paradis. A large number are
also unaccounted for - hence the date range.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Paradis_massacre
www.norfolkbc.fsnet.co.uk/archive_collection/strips_farro...
5772972 Arthur Roy Chandler was born 20 Feb 1918, enlisted in 1938 and was killed in action in France in June 1940
www.norfolkbc.fsnet.co.uk/bc_issues/bc_85_dec_95/85_dec_9...
J W Clarke (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: CLARKE, JACK WILLIAM
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Age: 36
Date of Death: 07/08/1944
Service No: 14610646
Additional information: Son of Thomas and Alice Clarke; husband of Esther Margaret Clarke, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: XXIII. E. 10. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2955842
He died during an action that pitted the 7th Royal Norfolks against tanks of the 12th Panzer Division outside the village of Grimbosq on the River Orne some 17 kilometres south of Caen. In this action Major David Jamieson, commanding a 7th battalion Company, won the Victoria Cross
www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOn...
Over a critical 36-hour period, and with fewer than 100 men, his company of the Royal Norfolk Regiment repulsed seven violent counter-attacks by heavily armed Panther and Tiger tanks. Even when wounded in the eye and arm, he refused to be evacuated and continued to command, calling for artillery support over his wireless and reorganising his steadily depleted company. Regardless of his personal safety, and in full view of the enemy, he walked among his men encouraging them to hold their ground. By the evening of the second day, the Germans withdrew, leaving a ring of unburied dead and mangled tanks. It was Jamieson's first action.
On 6 August 1944 three battalions of British infantry had crossed the Orne, south of Caen, and occupied the far bank. Jamieson was in command of D Company of the 7th Battalion, the Royal Norfolk Regiment, situated on the outskirts of the village of Grimosq. The following day, the Germans launched a counter- attack on the village. As they attacked, they were hit by the company's two anti-tank guns. "It was as if they didn't realise we were there," recalled Jamieson, "and gave our gunners a wonderful enfilade shoot." Three Panther tanks were blasted to a halt. The next morning the 6ft 5in young commander realised the Germans would be back in force. "I was determined that we would hang on, but I was worried," he was to recall. "My concern was that everyone would skit and run. It wasn't a happy position."
The company defending their right had been swallowed up by constant German counter-attacks and there were reports of enemy tanks approaching from the rear. Jamieson's position seemed almost untenable.
As the morning haze gave way to a brilliant sun on 8 August, Jamieson's already bleak position deteriorated alarmingly as both his anti-tank guns were taken out by devastating shell fire. German infantry advanced under cover of their tanks and the close quarter fighting became brutal and one platoon was overrun. Jamieson rallied his diminishing force to an orchard which was immediately fiercely attacked.
Some hope was offered when three Churchill tanks of the Armoured Corps took up the battle. But to Jamieson's dismay they motored directly into the line of fire of a concealed enemy tank. Jamieson tried desperately to signal the tank commander, but to no avail. He then ran and tried to use the phone at the back of the tank but could not get through. Ignoring incoming fire he clambered on to the tank. As he did so an armour piercing shell drilled a hole through the driver's compartment. Jamieson was thrown off peppered with shrapnel and badly shaken.
Yet, with his eye roughly patched and his arm in a sling, he knew that, as the sole surviving officer, he was desperately needed by his men. He gathered his by now sorely depleted company to meet what he considered would be the final onslaught. But the enemy, who had already launched seven counter-attacks and had sustained heavy losses, thought better of it and switched their attention to the Canadians advancing towards Falaise. This proved to be an unwise move.
Throughout this intense battle Jamieson's inspired leadership, defiance and skilful handling of his artillery and his men prevented the advance of the enemy. At one point in the worst of the bombardment he saw a frightened soldier leave his trench. He recalled: "I drew my revolver and pointed it at him, telling him to get back in his hole. He was a nice young fellow but I was worried, if one went back, the rest would follow." After the battle, on reaching the first aid post, and having his wounds attended to, he fell asleep for 48 hours.
Of his award of the Victoria Cross he once modestly said: "It was certainly not personally deserved. It was won by a group of men in a tight position." The final part of his citation reads:
Throughout this 36 hours of bitter and close fighting, and despite the pain of his wounds, Captain Jamieson showed superb qualities of leadership and great personal bravery. There were times when the position appeared hopeless, but on each occasion it was restored by his coolness and determination. He personally was largely responsible for the holding of this important bridgehead over the river Orne and the repulse of seven German counter-attacks with great loss to the enemy
www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/major-david-jamieso...
F S M Davis (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: DAVIS, FRANCIS SAMUEL MARSHALL
Rank: Bombardier
Regiment: Royal Artillery Unit Text: 3 Maritime Regt.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 17/08/1944
Service No: 5774172
Additional information: Son of Samuel and Daisy Davis, of Mundesley, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 3. Row E. Grave 39. Cemetery: MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2685774
The Naval net site lists a number of casualties at this time of individuals from the Royal Artillery’s Maritime Regiments that have lost their lives, (many “missing presumed killed”), there is no record of Bombardier Davis at all in August 1944
www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1944-08AUG.htm
www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/maritime/index.html
Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France, had taken place on the 15th August, but had been relatively light in terms of casualties. By the 17th, the allies were well of the beach.
R Davison (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: DAVISON, ROBERT
Rank: Able Seaman
Service: Royal Navy
Unit Text: H.M. Submarine Urge
Age: 21
Date of Death: 06/05/1942
Service No: D/JX 190316
Additional information: Son of Robert James Davison and Agnes Davison, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 64, Column 3. Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2478097
Navy The Royal Navy Type Submarine Class U Pennant N 17 Built by Vickers Armstrong (Barrow-in-Furness, U.K.) Ordered Laid down 30 Oct 1939 Launched 19 Aug 1940 Commissioned 12 Dec 1940 Lost 6 May 1942
History
HMS Urge (Lt.Cdr. Edward Philip Tomkinson, DSO and Bar, RN) left Malta on 27 April 1942. She failed to arrive at Alexandria on 6 May 1942 and was reported overdue on that day. On 29 April she attacked the Italian sailing vessel San Giusto off Ras Hilal: in the immediate area was a small convoy of 3 German MFPs, escorted by an Italian Cr.42 biplane. As the sub was engaged in the attack against the sailer, she was dive-bombed and sunk by the plane. This is confirmed by witnesses on board the MFPs, any notion the TB Pegaso may have been involved is incorrect.
www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3538.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Urge_(N17)
www.sportesport.it/wrecksLB025.htm
N R Drury (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: DRURY, NORMAN RICHARD
Rank: Corporal (W.Op.)
Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 220 Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 11/02/1940
Service No: 537272
Additional information: Son of Ernest Richard and Edith Ellen Drury, of North Walsham. Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. Y.Y.Y. Grave 1. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764109
(Picture of headstone)
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2825563963/
The winter of 1939-40 was a very severe one. On this night, Sunday the 11th of February 1940, three Hudson's took off from Thornaby for ops to Heligoland. It was a cold night and snow covered the hills. The lead aircraft failed to gain enough height on take off, probably due it icing on the aircrafts wings. It flew very low over Great Ayton and crashed into the first piece of high ground it came to, the North York Moors. The aircraft flew into the moor just below a stone wall before travelling through the wall and then onto the hill top near to Captain Cooks Monument, above Great Ayton. The crash ripped the underside of the aircraft off and it ploughed its way across the snow covered moor for a short before coming to rest in a small wood on its side. One witness who I have spoke to recalls it had one wing broken off and the remaining wing which was still attached to the main fuselage, was left sticking up in the air. Of the four crew on board, three were killed whilst only the gunner survived. After being knocked out for a while, he came too and with two injured legs, he struggled down the hillside to get help at a nearby farm close to Easby, taking a rest in old mine buildings on the way down. It was later found out that icing to the wings had been responsible for the aircraft failing to gain enough height. The Court of Inquiry states: "Ice on windscreen caused loss of visability" was the reason for the crash although it is unclear why they thought this
www.allenby.info/aircraft/planes/40/n7294.html
11/02/1940: Patrol
Type: Lockheed Hudson I
Serial number: N7294, NR-EOperation: Patrol
Lost: 11/02/1940
Flying Officer (Pilot) Tom M. Parker, RAF 39334, 220 Sqdn., age unknown, 11/02/1940, Thornaby-on-Tees Cemetery, UK
Sergeant (Pilot) Harold F. Bleksley, RAF 516366, 220 Sqdn., age 24, 11/02/1940, Bristol (Canford) Cemetery, UK
Corporal (W.Op.) Norman R. Drury, RAF 537272, 220 Sqdn., age 23, 11/02/1940, North Walsham New Cemetery, UK
LAC Barker - injured
Took off from Thornaby at 04.10 hrs. windscreen iced up after take-off and the Hudson crashed a few minutes later almost at the summit of Cook Monument Hill near Great Ayton. LAC Barker was the only member of the crew not killed and escaped with concussion and severe cuts. He managed to scramble down the hill to a farmhouse which he reached at about 08.00 hrs.
Sources: CWGC and Ross McNeill, 'Royal Air Force Coastal Command Losses: Aircraft and Crew Losses 1939-1941 v. 1', Midland Publishing, 2003
www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/220_squadron.html#1 102
Tom MacKinlay Parker
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?cas ualty=2414207
Harold Francis Bleksley
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?cas ualty=2450648
There are pictures of them both here, along with details of the fate of the Gunner, Atholl Barkerwww.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/planes/ 40/n7294.html
J W Edwards (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: EDWARDS, JOHN WILLIAM
Rank: Flight Sergeant (Pilot)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 213 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 25/06/1942
Service No: 961547
Additional information: Son of Frederick William and Bessie Charity Edwards, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: I, E, 13. Cemetery: CASERTA WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2067169
Flight Sergeant Edwards was initially posted as missing on the 22/6
213squadronassociation.homestead.com/Secondworldwar.html#...
The Hurricane, perhaps more than any other aircraft, will always be associated with 213 Squadron. The Squadron operated this remarkable aircraft throughout the withdrawal of the BEF from France, over Dunkirk, throughout the Battle of Britain, and during the Syrian Campaign. Switching to the Hurricane Mk. IIc in March 1942 for the air battles over North Africa, culminating in El Alamein and then Operation Chocolate, it was finally flown on convoy protection and air defence operations until February 1944.
213squadronassociation.homestead.com/Secondworldwar.html#...
There’s some speculation on what happened to Flight Sergeant Edwards on this forum.
www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7290&highl...
A further possibility - was this the date his body was found, and so its become enshrined in official records that this is the date of death.
F R W Frostick (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: FROSTICK, FRANK ROBERT WILFRED
Rank: Leading Aircraftman
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 22
Date of Death: 20/02/1943
Service No: 1463569
Additional information: Son of Frederick John and Mabel Elizabeth Frostick, of North Walsham, Norfolk, England.
Grave/Memorial Reference: R.A.F. Plot. Grave 12. Cemetery: TERRELL (OAKLAND) MEMORIAL PARK
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2720051
Terrell (Oakland) Memorial Park contains a plot of 20 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, all airmen who died while training in Texas at the Basic Flying Training School (1 BFTS).
www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=207319...
On February 20, 1943 a British training flight departed its airbase at Terrell, Texas—known as the No. 1 British Flying Training School—en route for the No. 3 British Flying Training School at Miami, Oklahoma.
The students were flying a formation of twelve training aircraft known as AT-6s. The AT-6—an acronym for "Advanced Trainer"—was first manufactured in 1930. It was a two-seater, one-engine trainer plane.
Their objective was to complete a low-level, cross-country training flight. Poor weather hampered the flight, however, particularly as they approached the Kiamichi Mountains of Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. According to local residents the weather was unfavorable. One, Lee Stone, described ground conditions as very foggy, with a rainy mist. Another, Calvin Moyer, who was attempting to hunt hogs, stopped due to the fog, which made it hard to see.
The pilots encountered similar conditions in the air—and had not been briefed to expect them, or what to do if encountering them. Several planes turned back to Terrell, but others continued. Twelve pilots eventually landed at Miami as planned, but three planes encountered serious difficulties.
One plane made a successful wheels down landing on the valley. .
Things took a tragic turn for the worse regarding the other two planes, which found themselves on a path several miles to the east, taking them over the rural community of Moyers, Oklahoma, behind which the mountains rise precipitously.
The pilots successfully cleared Rodney Mountain (764 feet), then passing over Moyers. Immediately behind Moyers is White Rock Mountain (1,023 feet), and one AT-6 crashed into its steep southern slope. The plane slid into a tree, killing its crew. W.E. McMahan and other local would-be rescuers who ascended the mountain believed the fliers would have lived had the plane not impacted the tree. They also believed the pilot, Vincent Henry Cockman, 20, of Ilford, England, had lived for a short time after the crash as his head was turned to face the body of his navigator, Frank Frostick, 21, of North Walsham, England.
The third missing plane managed to pass above White Rock Mountain but apparently lost control, spiraling down into the face of Big Mountain (1,145 feet). Big Mountain, which marks the southern end of the rugged and geologically significant Johns Valley, is between the rural communities of Moyers and Kosoma.
The third wreck took longer to locate, and was not found until the next day. Piloted by Mike Hosier, 19, of Swindon, England and navigated by Maurice Jenson, 19, of Bournemouth, England, the plane came straight down into the mountain,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT6_Monument
B Gardiner (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GARDINER, BENJAMIN
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 6th Bn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: between 25/01/1942 and 26/01/1942
Service No: 5774736
Additional information: Son of Benjamin and Violet Gardiner; husband of Eileen Margaret Gardiner, of Hempnall, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 50. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2131778
Private Gardiner died during the hectic and improvised defense of Singapore,
www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...
H J Goodchild (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GOODCHILD, HARRY JOHN
Rank: Warrant Officer
Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 33 Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 04/03/1941
Service No: 517435
Awards: D F M
Additional information: Son of Harry John and Leah Elizabeth Goodchild, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 241. Memorial: ALAMEIN MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1809977
(Brother of Thomas below)
During the morning on 4 March five Italian warships identified as two cruisers and three destroyers, sortied down the Albanian coast and commenced shelling the coastal road near Himare and Port Palermo, under cover of a strong fighter escort of G.50bis and CR42s from the 24o Gruppo C.T. The flotilla actually comprised of the destroyer Augusto Riboty, the torpedo boat Andromeda and three MAS boats.
An immediate strike was ordered by RAF units, 15 Blenheims being ordered off. Nine 211 Squadron aircraft and five from 84 Squadron (a sixth failed to start) were led to the area by Squadron Leaders Gordon-Finlayson and Jones, escorted by ten Hurricanes, followed by l7 Gladiators, l4 from ll2 Squadron and three from 80 Squadron. Four 80 Squadron Hurricanes led by Flight Lieutenant 'Pat' Pattle flew on the starboard flank of the bombers, with four from 33 Squadron to port, and two more above as ‘weavers’. At 15:00 the warships were seen ten miles south of Valona, and the Blenheims went in to bomb in line astern; several near misses were seen, but no hits were recorded.
At this point six G.50bis dived on the Hurricanes, shooting down V7801 in flames; 24-year-old Warrant Officer Harry J. Goodchild DFM (RAF No. 517435) was killed.
surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/commonwealth_cullen.htm
www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/33_wwII.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmaduke_Pattle
www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/71/a4196171.shtml
He gets a brief mention here while still a Flight Sergeant flying with the squadron in North Africa
surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_damiani.htm
T W Goodchild (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GOODCHILD, THOMAS WILLIAM
Rank: Flying Officer
Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 224 Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 19/03/1946
Service No: 57062
Additional information: Son of Harry John and Mary Elizabeth Goodchild, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 285. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1798529
(Brother of Harry above)
On the 19th March 1946 an Airspeed Oxford, X7282 was lost off St Eval, Cornwall leading to the death of its one occupant. There is nothing as yet to link this with the death of Flying Officer Goodchild.
aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=25311
E Green (Church and Park Memorial)
Most probably, (although there is another individual from Sheringham)
Name: GREEN, ERIC WILFRED
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 25 Date of Death: 14/04/1945
Service No: 5775033
Grave/Memorial Reference: 26. C. 18. Cemetery: KRANJI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2228242
Eric features on the Roll of Honour for the nearby village of Antingham
www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Antingham.html
O J Griffin (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GRIFFIN, OSWALD JAMES
Rank: Lance Serjeant
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 26 Date of Death: between 14/02/1942 and 15/02/1942
Service No: 5770986
Additional information: Husband of Alice Charlotte Griffin, of North Walsham, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 47. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2132524
Sergeant Griffin died during the hectic and improvised defense of Singapore,
www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...
L H Guyton (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GUYTON, LESLIE HARCOURT
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Date of Death: 29/10/1942
Service No: 7646262
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. D. 20. Cemetery: EL ALAMEIN WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2094342
E A Heath (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: HEATH, EDWIN ALFRED
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Welch Regiment
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 20/03/1945
Service No: 14392489
Additional information: Son of Doris Heath, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. B. 19. Cemetery: MAYNAMATI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1057068
Before the war Maynamati (Bangladesh) was a hamlet of a few dozen huts, but during the war a large military camp was established there. Several ordnance depots and a number of military hospitals, both British and Indian, were in the area, including Nos. 14 and 150 British General Hospitals; and the majority of the burials in Maynamati War Cemetery were from the various hospitals. Graves from isolated places in the surrounding country, and some from as far afield as Burma, were moved into the cemetery by the Army Graves Service and later on by the Commission; and it was found necessary to transfer also graves from small cemeteries at Dacca, Faridpur, Paksay, Saidpur, Santahan and Sirajgany, where they could not be maintained.
www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=107700...
K Hedge (Church and Park Memorial)
Only match
Name: HEDGE, KENNETH GEORGE
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 19/01/1944
Service No: 5777094
Additional information: Son of Charles and Ellen Hedge, of Stowmarket, Suffolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. E. 1. Cemetery: CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2353000
If this is the right individual, then he would most likely have been matched into Japanese captivity following the fall of Singapore in February 1942.
There is a John Clem Hedge , an RAF Air Gunner from the nearby village of Edingthorpe
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2763556
R J Jay (Church and Park Memorial)
Only match
Name: JAY, REGINALD JAMES
Rank: Marine
Regiment/Service: Royal Marines
Unit Text: H.M.S. Glorious.
Age: 33
Date of Death: 08/06/1940
Service No: PLY/22128
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 43, Column 2. Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2481961
The loss of the Glorious
www.scharnhorst-class.dk/scharnhorst/history/scharnjuno_g...
www.fleetairarmarchive.net/ships/glorious.html
There has been a lot of questions asked about how the Glorious came to be sank, but perhaps some insight is provided by this anecdote of a daughter of one of the crew members.
In April 1940 my mother received a telegram, saying that the ship was putting into Greenock for a few days. Immediately she got on the train to Glasgow so that they could be together, and my father could see his daughter for the first time. According to my mother, he was delighted — and said that “if a sailor came courting his daughter he would chase him off!” Too much time away from the family, in his opinion, and as all the Edwards men, for several generations, had been in the Royal Navy, he spoke from the heart. My mother told me later that during those few days he had a sense of foreboding, as did other crew members, knowing where they were going. The engines of the Glorious were ‘held together with string and sealing wax’. If they were under attack, the ship had no speed and in any case the hatches would be battened down.
www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/93/a6357693.shtml
W P D Johnstone (Church and Park Memorial)
Only match
Name: JOHNSTONE, WILLIAM PLUNKETT DUNNING
Rank: Petty Officer
Service: Royal Navy Unit
Text: H.M. Submarine Usurper
Date of Death: 12/10/1943
Service No: C/JX 151C79
Additional information: Son of Jack Sidney and Ella May Johnstone; husband of Dorothy Yvonne Johnstone, of Aldridge, Staffordshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 68, 1. Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2469220
Usurper is recorded on the Naval net site as lost on the 3rd October 1943 and Petty Officer Johnstone is included on the list of those down as “Missing presumed killed”.
www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1943-10OCT.htm
Usurper had left Algiers on 24 September 1943 with instruction to patrol off La Spezia. On 3 October 1943 she was ordered to move to the Gulf of Genoa. No further contact was made and she failed to return to Algiers on 12 October 1943 as expected. The German anti-submarine vessel UJ-2208/Alfred reported attacking a submarine in the Gulf of Genoa on 3 October 1943 and it is believed that this may have been the Usurper.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Usurper_(P56)
www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3561.html
www.sportesport.it/wrecksLI044.htm
J H Kidman(Church and Park Memorial)
Name: KIDMAN, JAMES HERSERT
Rank: Sergeant (Air Gnr.)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 622 Sqdn.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 20/01/1944
Service No: 1396509
Additional information: Son of Joseph and Lydia Kidman, of North Walsham, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: 17. E. 12. Cemetery: BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2199267
Lancaster R5915 Information
Type...................................Lancaster
Serial Number...................R5915
Squadron..........................622
X1D...................................GI-P
Operation..........................Berlin
Date 1...............................20th January 1944
Date 2...............................21st January 1944
Further Information
"Serial Range R5842 - R5917 This aircraft was one of 100 Manchesters which were ordered from Metro-Vick in 1939 and built as 43 Manchester 1s and 57 Lancaster Mk.1s transported from Mar41 to Aug42 to A.V.Roe for final assembly and flight testing. R5915 was delivered to No.9 Sqdn 20Sep42, to No.97 Sqdn 26Dec42, to 166CU 15Mar43, to No.622 Sqdn 8Jan44. Took part in the following key Operations: With No.9 Sqdn as WS-X, Wismar 23/24Sep42; Wismar 1/2Oct42; Krefeld 2/3Oct42-aborted; Kiel 6/7Oct42; Cologne 15/16Oct42; Le Creusot 17Oct42-Daylight; Milan 24Oct42-Daylight; Genoa 6/7Nov42; Turin 8/9Dec42; Turin 9/10Dec42; Cloppenburg 17/18Dec42; Duisburg 20/21Dec42; Munich 21/22Dec42; Gardening La Rochelle 29/30Dec42; With No.97 Sqdn as OF-Q, Hamburg 30/31Jan43; Lorient 13/14Feb43; Berlin 1/2Mar43; Nuremburg 8/9Mar43-aborted; To No.1660CU. With No.622 Sqdn as GI-P, Brunswick 14/15Jan44; Berlin 20/21Jan44-Lost. When lost this aircraft had a total of 693 hours. R5915 was one of two No.619 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: R5483. Airborne 1651 20Jan44 from Mildenhall. Outbound at 22,000 feet when hit by Flak in the vicinity of Hamburg-Luneburg which set fire to the starboard wing. Exploded and crashed between Havekost and Rumstedt, 5 km ENE of Bad Bevensen. Those killed were buried at Rumstedt, five are now buried in Becklingen War cemetery while Panel 214 of the Runnymede Memorial commemorates Sgt Woodcock.
F/S R.A.Deacon KIA
Sgt N.Butler (P2) KIA
Sgt J.B.Strange KIA
Sgt P.J.Irwin PoW
F/L K.R.Miller PoW
Sgt A.W.Woodcock KIA
Sgt J.Cunningham KIA
Sgt J.H.Kidman KIA
Sgt P.J.Irwin was wounded but interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.923. F/L K.R.Miller was interned in Camp L3, PoW No.3378. "
www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=1217
O Leeder (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: LEEDER, OLAF WILLIAM
Rank: Corporal
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 28
Date of Death: 22/01/1942
Service No: 5774599
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 34. E. 1-8. Cemetery: KRANJI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2228808
Corporal Leeder died during the hectic and improvised defense of Singapore,
www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...
J R Mace (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: MACE, JOHN RUST
Rank: Sergeant (Flt. Engr.)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 158 Sqdn.
Age: 29
Date of Death: 14/02/1943
Service No: 1225368
Additional information: Son of Frederick and Louisa Mace, of North Walsham, husband of Kate Louisa Mace, of Brundall.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. S.S.S. Grave 33. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764111
(Separate headstone picture)
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826397776/
1225368 Sergeant J R Mace
Flight Engineer
Royal Air Force
14th February 1943
Age 29
Halifax DT696 Information
Type..................................................Halifax
Serial Number................................DT696
Squadron........................................158
X1D...................................................NP-O
Operation........................................Cologne
Date 1..............................................14th February 1943
Date 2..............................................15th February 1943
Further Information
"Serial Range DT665 - DT705. 41 Halifax Mk.11. Part of a batch of 250 HP59 Halifax Mk.11. Delivered by Handley Page (Cricklewood & Radlett) between 3Sep42 and 23Oct42. DT695 was one of two 158 Sqdn Halifaxes lost during this operation. See: DT694.
Airborne 1816 14Feb43 from Rufforth. Cause of loss not established. Crashed 1830 at Stillingfleet, 4 miles NW of Riccall, Yorkshire. Just before the crash, the bomb load was jettisoned near the village of Appleton Roebuck. P/O Herbert's brother, Richard Vivian Herbert, was also KIA. Sgt Cains is buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. The other were taken to their home towns and villages.
P/O G.B.Herbert KIA (Gerald Bevill Herbert)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2437299
Sgt J.R.Mace KIA
Sgt A.B.Langeland KIA (Arthur Bruce Langeland - buried Staines)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2432868
P/O R.Flood KIA (Reginald Flood - buried Staveley)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2702576
Sgt S.W.Cains RNZAF KIA (Sidney William Cains - buried Harrogate)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2623429
Sgt D.Booker KIA (Dennis Booker - buried Wynbunbury)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2736421
Sgt W.Ruth KIA (William Ruth - buried Barrow in Furness)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2697458
www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=9205
Bit more about the crash, and a dedication that was made on the 14th Feb.2008 to the crew can be found here:
www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/dt696.html
listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/YORKSGEN/2008-02/120265...
And some additional information about crew members
pages.quicksilver.net.nz/l.rwilloughby/WWII/WWII_RNZAF/B-...
www.thepress.co.uk/news/analysis/readersletters/4141657.C...
A D Mackenzie(Church and Park Memorial)
Name: MACKENZIE, ALAN DUNCAN
Rank: Leading Aircraftman
Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 22 Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 26/05/1940
Service No: 623407
Additional information: Son of Finlay and Maud Ethel MacKenzie, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 23. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1079486
No match on Lost Bombers
25-26/05/1940: Gardening (mine laying)
Type: .............................Bristol Beaufort I
Serial number:...............L4450, OA-F
Operation: ....................Gardening
Lost: .............................26/05/1940
Wing Commander Harry M. Mellor, RAF 16097, 22 Sqdn., age 37, 26/05/1940, missing
Flying Officer Frederick R. Jamieson, RAF 37855, 22 Sqdn., age 27, 26/05/1940, missing
Leading Aircraftman Alan D. MacKenzie, RAF 623407, 22 Sqdn., age 24, 26/05/1940, missing
Pilot Officer Horace J. Cook, RAFVR, 22 Sqdn., age 22, 26/05/1940, missing
Took off 25/05/1940 23.00 hrs from North Coates. Lost without trace into the North Sea, off Heligoland, Germany. The crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Sources: CWGC and Ross McNeill, Coastal Command Losses of the Second World War, 1939-1941
www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/XXII_squadron.html#2605
G Mason +(Church and Park Memorial)
48 possibles on CWGC, but no obvious match.
R Miller on Church and R Millar on the Park Memorial
No obvious match under Miller or Millar unless possibly
Name: MILLAR, ROBERT
Rank: Private
Regiment Royal Norfolk Regiment
Age: 21
Date of Death: 16/07/1944
Service No: 14601165
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Millar; husband of Dorothy Lucy Charlotte Millar, of Bromley, Kent.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. G.G. Coll. Grave 328. Screen Wall. Panel 4. Cemetery: LEWISHAM (HITHER GREEN) CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2429267
F Moore (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: MOORE, FREDERICK JAMES
Rank: Marine
Regiment/Service: Royal Marines
Unit Text: H.M.S. Barham.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 25/11/1941
Service No: PO/X 2290
Additional information: Son of Agnes Moore, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 59, Column 1. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2657524
HMS Barham
24th - Took part with QUEEN ELIZABETH , VALIANT and screen of eight Fleet destroyers for provision of cover to cruisers of 7th and 15th Squadrons carrying out search for military convoys on passage to Benghazi (Operation ME7). (Note: cruisers were deployed as Force B – See Naval Staff History).
25th - Under constant supervision by enemy aircraft. Under attack by U331 and hit by three torpedoes which struck between funnel and X turret on port side. Ship sank in position 32.34N 26.24N within 4 minutes after the magazine detonated. (On VALIANT, the closest ship to BARHAM when she was hit, was the Gaumont News cameraman John Turner who shot 2 minutes of movie film, all he had left in the camera, of the sinking. This film became one of the most poignant shot in the whole war)
Only 450 survived from the complement of about 1312. Note: At the subsequent Board of Inquiry it was suggested that the fires started caused the explosion of the 4in and 15in magazines. All internal communications failed and the speed of the development of a list made it impossible for many to escape.
www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-01BB-Barham.htm
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD0d_J4y_s4
L M Neville (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: NEVILLE, LEONARD MATTHEW
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 21/09/1944
Service No: 5775035
Additional information: Son of Matthew and Annie Neville; husband of Olive Edna Blanche Neville, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 52. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2140353
One of the many who would die as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese.
G D Paterson (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: PATERSON, GORDON DAVID
Rank: Leading Aircraftman (Pilot U/T.)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 19
Date of Death: 22/12/1942
Service No: 1335358
Additional information: Son of William Wallace Paterson and Gertrude Florence Paterson, of North Walsham.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. I.I.I. Grave 5. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764114
(see separate picture of headstone)
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826401730/in/photostr...
On a thread on the RAF Commands Forum, LAC Paterson is noted as KOAS, (Killed on active service - frequently notes an aircrash), and that his death was registered at Sleaford, Lincs. One of the posters speculates it might be linked to the death of a Sergeant (Pilot) George Benson who is recorded as Died of Wounds or Injuries received on active service, and who was also registered at Sleaford, Lincs.
www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7566&highl...
D C Punt (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: PUNT, DOUGLAS CLEMENT
Rank: Aircraftman 2nd Class
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 19
Date of Death: 06/07/1941
Service No: 1233814
Additional information: Son of Herbert and May Dora Punt, of North Walsham.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. N.N.N. Grave 5. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764116
See separate picture of headstone
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826399908/
AC2 Punt is recorded as died on active service (DOAS). His death is registered in Westmoreland South.
www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31 53&highl...
DOAS I believe would tend to indicate natural causes, illness or non-work related accident
A G Pycroft (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: PYCROFT, ARTHUR GEORGE
Rank: Leading Aircraftman (Pilot U/T)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 21
Date of Death: 03/02/1944
Service No: 1285550
Additional information: Son of Arthur John and Daisy Pycroft, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Eur. War Graves Plot. Grave 131. Cemetery: HARARE (PIONEER) CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2617455
For some background on the Empire Air Training Scheme operation in Rhodesia, (now Zimbabwe) see this article in Flight magazine.
www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%201514...
Harare was previously known as Salisbury.
L Reynolds (Church and Park Memorial)
23 Possibles, including two from Norfolk and one Norfolk Regiment man, but no direct link.
D Sendall (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: SENDALL, DERECK EDWARD
Rank: Gunner
Regiment: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 2 Airlanding Anti-Tank Bty.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 20/09/1944
Service No: 14566572
Additional information: Son of Edward and Victoria Kate Sendall, of White Horse Common, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 26. A. 1. Cemetery: ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2661546
His headstone can be seen here
www.paradata.org.uk/people/dereck-edward-sendall
www.marketgarden.com/database/roll1/view.php?id=77
www.online-begraafplaatsen.nl/zerken.asp?command=showgraf...
It was 2nd Air-Landing Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RA, and not the 1st, which took part in Operation Market Garden, as part of the Airborne Forward Delivery Airfield Group (AFDAG). This Battery had been raised under 6th Airborne Division in July 1943, but in March 1944 left the Division and was placed under direct command of HQ 1st British Airborne Corps as "Corps Troops," to be attached as required to either Division. As it was, it never served again with 1st Airborne Div but with 6th Airborne in Normandy and on the Rhine Crossing.
www.wwiireenacting.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2...
www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?3957-Data-Stirli...
hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?4686-Hartenstein-Airbor...
A Sexton (Church and Park Memorial)
Possibly
Name: SEXTON, WALTER ARNOLD
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 34
Date of Death: 28/05/1944
Service No: 5775020
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Sexton, of North Walsham, Norfolk; husband of Muriel Joan Sexton, of Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Face 6. Memorial: RANGOON MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2524992
The 2nd Norfolks had helped to relieve the siege of Kohima, and then took part in the battles to drive the Japanese from the surrounding heights. Although this would be achieved by the 29th, the Monsoon had broken, and dysentery had become a major problem, causing as many deaths as battle.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kohima
www.britain-at-war.org.uk/html/body_randle.htm
E W Starling (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: STARLING, ERNEST WILLIAM
Rank: Sergeant (Flt. Engr.)
Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 463 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 29/07/1944
Service No: 623359
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Starling, of Swafield, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 1A. B. 7-13. Cemetery: CHOLOY WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2319971
Lancaster ME615 Information
Type.............................Lancaster
Serial Number..............ME615
Squadron.....................463
X1D.............................JO-V
Operation...................Stuttgart
Date 1........................28th July 1944
Date 2........................29th July 1944
Further Information
ME615 was delivered to 463 Sqdn 21Jan44. Also recorded wearing the ID JO-Z Took part in the following key Operations: As JO-Z,Berlin 27/28Jan44-flown by Sqdn CO, W/C R.Kingsford-Smith; Berlin 30/31Jan44; Berlin 15/16Feb44; Leipzig 19/20Feb44; Schweinfurt 24/25Feb44; Stuttgart 15/16Mar44; Nuremburg 30/31Mar44; Schweinfurt 26/27Apr44; Mailly-le-Camp 3/4May44; Duisburg 21/22May44; Stuttgart 28/29Jul-Lost.
When lost this aircraft had a total of 364 hours.
Airborne 2224 28Jul44 from Waddington. All are buried in the Choloy War Cemetery, France. F/L Moorhead was 463 Sqdn Gunnery Leader.
F/O J.A.H.Wilkinson RAAF KIA
Sgt E.W.Starling KIA
W/O N.F.Gelder RAAF KIA
F/S F.E.Fischer RAAF KIA
F/S B.Reece RAAF KIA
F/S M.W.Harrison RAAF KIA
F/L B.Moorhead DFC KIA "
www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=6795
This aircraft is recorded as crashed 3 km S Rohrbach-les-Bitche
www.rafinfo.org.uk/BCWW2Losses/1944.htm
Another web-site mentions in passing that the town has a small monument to the crew of a Lancaster that crashed on this day,
translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=ht...
L G Turner on Church memorial + or L C Turner on the Park Memorial
Name: TURNER, LESLIE GEORGE
Rank: Private
Regiment/: Suffolk Regiment
Age: 23
Date of Death: 27/04/1940
Service No: 5829939 Additional information: Son of Agnes Turner, of North Walsham; husband of Mary Turner, of Spa Common.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. Y.Y.Y. Grave 14. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
So, here it is, the reason I drove across Norfolk: Trunch in all it's glory And it is glorious.
It has so many fascinating details, each one alone would be reason enough to visit, but together, in a fine village, next to the village pub, and with that font canopy, one of only four such in all of England, and one of two in the county.
-------------------------------------------
The oldest building in Trunch is St. Botolph's Church. It is mainly 14th. and 15th. Century but there are some fragments of stone in the walls which are believed to have been reused from an earlier Saxon church, which was recorded in the Domesday Book. There is much of interest in the church including a Rood Screen, a hammer beam roof and a rare Font Canopy.
trunchhistory.weebly.com/buildings.html
--------------------------------------------
The large village of Trunch is located about 5 miles from the north Norfolk coast. In the centre of the village, surrounded by a lovely collection of cottages and the more modern Crossroads Inn, is St Botolph's church. Much of what you see of the church is early 15th century, built upon earlier foundations.
Upon entering the church the first feature you will see is the font, which dates to the mid 14th century. Though the font is attractive, it is the carved and painted font canopy that really makes a visit to Trunch worthwhile.
This is a quite remarkable piece of woodwork, one of only four such canopies surviving in the entire country (the others are at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich, Durham Cathedral, and Luton). The canopy is supported on six beautifully carved legs. The carving detail is exquisite; with fanciful animal figures and foliage and a bit of political commentary, in the shape of a pig wearing a bishop's mitre.
In addition to the font canopy, Trunch features a superb 15th century hammer beam roof, a feature of many churches in Norfolk and Suffolk. Here the carvings of angels are beautifully performed. It is worth bringing along a pair of binoculars or a telescope in order to see the carvings properly.
Much easier to see are the medieval misericords (mercy seats) in the chancel. Each carving is unique; some represent angels, and others are more grotesque in nature. In addition there are some beautifully carved pew ends and a painted medieval rood screen that rivals many more famous churches in detail and colour.
There are 12 niches in the screen, each painted with a depiction of a single figure - 11 disciples plus St Paul. Much of the costume detail is well preserved, but the faces of the figures were destroyed during the upheavals of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
www.britainexpress.com/counties/norfolk/churches/Trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
William Earl Warren had the lordship of this town, (fn. 1) of which 3 freemen were deprived; one of them belonged to Herold, late King of England, another to Ralph Stalre, and the 3d to Ketel, who held 90 acres of land, and 14 borderers belonged to it, with 5 carucates among them; there was a church endowed with 10 acres, &c. 3 acres of meadow always valued at 30s. and there were also 5 freemen of Edric in King Edward's time, who had 34 acres of land, with 2 carucates, 2 acres and an half of meadow, always valued at 7s. 4d. (fn. 2)
This town also belonged to the Earl Warren's capital manor of Gimmingham, and paid suit and service to it. In the 34th of Henry III. Maud de Norwich granted by fine, to Richer, son of Nicholas, a messuage, 48 acres of land, a mill, and the sixth part of another in this town, Swathefeld and Bradfeld. In the 15th of Edward I. the Earl Warren claimed a weekly mercate, on Saturday, in this manor; and on the death of John Earl Warren, in the 21st of Edward III. the mercate was valued at 10s. per ann. the manor came after to the Earl of Lancaster, (as is before observed,) and so to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, and King Henry IV. and is still in the Crown, as part of the dutchy of Lancaster.
The tenths were 4l. 10s. deducted 15s.
The Church is dedicated to St. Botolph, and is a regular pile, with a nave, 2 isles, and a chancel covered with lead, and has a tower with 4 bells.
In the chancel, on a little monument,
Lancelotus Thexton cappellanus Regis Edw. VI. sacre theologie baccalaureus, et rector de Trunch obt. 25. Febr. 1588, and this shield of arms, quarterly, in the first and fourth a cross between four lions heads erased, gules, in the 2d and 3d, ermine, fretty, azure.
In a window here, argent, a fess between two chevrons, sable.
On a gravestone
Hic jacet Magr. Robt. Cantell, quo'd. rector isti. ecclie, qui. obt. 1 Sept. Ao. Dni. 1480.
Gravestones
In memory of Thomas Worts, gent. who died November 13, 1693, aged 45, with his arms, three lions rampant, - - - — William Worts. gent. who married Elizabeth, daughter of Riches Brown of Fulmodeston, Esq. died August 25, 1694, aged 60, with the arms of Worts impaling Brown; two bars, between three spears heads, - - -
¶The patronage of the church was granted to the priory of Castleacre, by William Earl Warren, the first on his founding that priory. In the reign of Edward I. the rector had a manse, and 13 acres of land valued at 16 marks, Peter-pence 13d. and the prior of Castleacre had a pension or portion of tithe valued at 40s. the present valor is 10l. 13s. 4d. and pays first fruits, &c. the Norwich registers say that William, the second Earl Warren, granted the patronage, and Eborard Bishop of Norwich, confirmed it; and that Simon the Bishop confirmed the pension in 1268.
www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-hist-norfolk/vol8...
-----------------------------------------
Trunch is the largest of the villages between North Walsham and the sea; but as all the industrialisation and tawdry caravan sites are hard against the coast, and Trunch is several miles inland, it has avoided these excesses and retains a great rural charm. It has a magnificent church with lots of fascinating treasures, as well as a shop, a green, a pub run by an ex-professional footballer, and generally all the typical features you expect to find in a large village in deepest rural Norfolk.
The church is perhaps the most interesting of all round about; and, while the large village lends it an urban quality that lacks the charm of, say, the churches of neighbouring Edingthorpe and Crostwight, it has by no means the Victorianised sterility of those at Bacton or Happisburgh.
St Botolph is a big church, and its tight graveyard makes it rather hard to photograph. The whole piece seems to have been rebuilt in the early 15th century, although the chancel may be a little later, and there is a hint of Decorated about the nave. The tower is quite simple, even slight. It builds boldly enough, but at the top of the second stage fades into a simple bell stage, understated, elegant and probably intended. This is not a building that shouts at you. A curiosity is the massive priest porch surrounding the door in the chancel. These are very unusual, although there is another, smaller one at neighbouring Knapton.
The great treasure, of course, is the marvellous font canopy. It is particularly fascinating because of its date, coming in the early 16th century right on the eve of the English protestant reformation. Like all church furnishings at this time - the tombs at Oxborough, for instance - it gives us a hint of what the English renaissance might have been like if it had been allowed to flower. Here, the massive structure tumbles with intricacy; fruit and flowers, leopards and lions peep around the silvery oak of the six octagonal columns which are fluted with interlocking chains of detail. The glory is the massive crown of canopied niches, with the haunting ghosts of crucifixion groups still apparent on three of the faces. The whole thing is at once in perfect harmony with the west end of the church, but exists because it was believed to be beautiful rather than known to be useful.There is only one other font canopy in Norfolk, at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich; Outside of the county there is another at Durham Cathedral, and a fourth at the parish church in Luton - but that is it.
Above the canopy is a rich 15th century hammerbeam roof, by no means as dramatic as that at nearby Knapton, but more beautiful, I think. In the space beneath the tower there is what appears to be a gallery like the plough guild gallery at Cawston. This is not as elaborate, but its oak has silvered and it is painted beautifully with trailing rose foliage.
The benching, unfortunately, is pretty much all 19th century, but along with the font canopy and roof the medieval screen survives. Like the canopy, this is richly ornamented in relief, including a bold dedicatory inscription in diagonal ribbons across the top part of the dado. The twelve figures (11 disciples and St Paul) are boldly placed and coloured, but their faces have been completely vandalised by the 16th century reformers. Low down on the north side of the doorway is a rare surviving carved consecration cross, suggesting that this screen was already installed in the newly built church of the 15th century. The screen had detached buttressing running vertically at intervals in front of it, as at Ludham. They have been almost entirely destroyed, but you can still see the fixings between the panels. It must have been magnificent.
The return stalls in the chancel are pretty much all Victorian, but they retain medieval misericords, and also you can see quatrefoil holes set into a sounding chamber to amplify the singing. There is a very curious memorial above the priest door, featuring the instruments of the passion. I have no idea how old it is.
All of these features would be enough, but part of the attraction of St Botolph is the sense of harmony, the way everything works together. You can add to these the sedilia, the magnificent organ, and the modern design of the glass in the east window. It is a peaceful, inspiring space.
Cottages and houses hem in the graveyard, and in the corner is the modern pub. Incidentally, I don't really know if the bloke who runs it is an ex-professional footballer. But, like many rural Norfolk landlords, he seems to be a cheerful 40-something cockney who serves a decent pint and cheap food - a recommended stop for churchcrawlers.
Simon Knott, April 2005
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/trunch/trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
And the pub is still good.
While waiting at Royston Bridge to capture Sanders vehicles operating diverted journeys on service 34, their former Arriva Wright bodied VDL SB200 type number 408 - YJ60 GDX passed by. As it did not take the Hall Lane turn towards Knapton Green, I assume 408 was running light to Mundesley Gold Park by way of Edingthorpe, Bacton and Paston to pick up the 1143hrs Cromer bound Coasthopper service CH2 departure, although over the years I have come to learn the dangers of making assumptions where bus operation is concerned.
At one time the road here was classified as the B1150, but today only the Norwich to North Walsham section via Coltishall carries this classification. The far end of the building to the left on the opposite bank was previously The Wherry Inn which closed in 1965 and at this end there was a warehouse with a wharf below. The bridge over the North Walsham & Dilham Canal was replaced by a culvert in the early 1970s.
Due to the ongoing Anglian Water first time sewer installation related roadworks, as from Monday 7th January, for a period of up to ten weeks, the B1145 is once again closed at Swafield. On the previous occasion, back in October 2018, services were diverted by way of Southrepps and Antingham, but this time according to Sanders website, different arrangements are in place.
Monday to Saturday
Service CH2 Cromer - North Walsham - Cromer and service 5 Holt/Cromer - North Walsham - Cromer/Holt will both terminate at/commence from Mundesley instead of North Walsham. Some journeys on these services connect at Mundesley with a shuttle bus service which will run to/from North Walsham via Gimingham Pound, Trunch and Knapton Green. The service 55 extensions between Mundesley Frazer Crescent and North Walsham are also being covered by the shuttle bus.
In both directions over the North Walsham - Bacton School section, service 34 will run directly via Edingthorpe thus omitting Swafield, Knapton Green, Mundesley, Paston and Bacton Gas Site. This route is currently used by two Monday to Friday journeys and was previously used by the former Saturday only journeys on service 34 which were withdrawn in October 2018.
So, here it is, the reason I drove across Norfolk: Trunch in all it's glory And it is glorious.
It has so many fascinating details, each one alone would be reason enough to visit, but together, in a fine village, next to the village pub, and with that font canopy, one of only four such in all of England, and one of two in the county.
-------------------------------------------
The oldest building in Trunch is St. Botolph's Church. It is mainly 14th. and 15th. Century but there are some fragments of stone in the walls which are believed to have been reused from an earlier Saxon church, which was recorded in the Domesday Book. There is much of interest in the church including a Rood Screen, a hammer beam roof and a rare Font Canopy.
trunchhistory.weebly.com/buildings.html
--------------------------------------------
The large village of Trunch is located about 5 miles from the north Norfolk coast. In the centre of the village, surrounded by a lovely collection of cottages and the more modern Crossroads Inn, is St Botolph's church. Much of what you see of the church is early 15th century, built upon earlier foundations.
Upon entering the church the first feature you will see is the font, which dates to the mid 14th century. Though the font is attractive, it is the carved and painted font canopy that really makes a visit to Trunch worthwhile.
This is a quite remarkable piece of woodwork, one of only four such canopies surviving in the entire country (the others are at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich, Durham Cathedral, and Luton). The canopy is supported on six beautifully carved legs. The carving detail is exquisite; with fanciful animal figures and foliage and a bit of political commentary, in the shape of a pig wearing a bishop's mitre.
In addition to the font canopy, Trunch features a superb 15th century hammer beam roof, a feature of many churches in Norfolk and Suffolk. Here the carvings of angels are beautifully performed. It is worth bringing along a pair of binoculars or a telescope in order to see the carvings properly.
Much easier to see are the medieval misericords (mercy seats) in the chancel. Each carving is unique; some represent angels, and others are more grotesque in nature. In addition there are some beautifully carved pew ends and a painted medieval rood screen that rivals many more famous churches in detail and colour.
There are 12 niches in the screen, each painted with a depiction of a single figure - 11 disciples plus St Paul. Much of the costume detail is well preserved, but the faces of the figures were destroyed during the upheavals of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
www.britainexpress.com/counties/norfolk/churches/Trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
William Earl Warren had the lordship of this town, (fn. 1) of which 3 freemen were deprived; one of them belonged to Herold, late King of England, another to Ralph Stalre, and the 3d to Ketel, who held 90 acres of land, and 14 borderers belonged to it, with 5 carucates among them; there was a church endowed with 10 acres, &c. 3 acres of meadow always valued at 30s. and there were also 5 freemen of Edric in King Edward's time, who had 34 acres of land, with 2 carucates, 2 acres and an half of meadow, always valued at 7s. 4d. (fn. 2)
This town also belonged to the Earl Warren's capital manor of Gimmingham, and paid suit and service to it. In the 34th of Henry III. Maud de Norwich granted by fine, to Richer, son of Nicholas, a messuage, 48 acres of land, a mill, and the sixth part of another in this town, Swathefeld and Bradfeld. In the 15th of Edward I. the Earl Warren claimed a weekly mercate, on Saturday, in this manor; and on the death of John Earl Warren, in the 21st of Edward III. the mercate was valued at 10s. per ann. the manor came after to the Earl of Lancaster, (as is before observed,) and so to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, and King Henry IV. and is still in the Crown, as part of the dutchy of Lancaster.
The tenths were 4l. 10s. deducted 15s.
The Church is dedicated to St. Botolph, and is a regular pile, with a nave, 2 isles, and a chancel covered with lead, and has a tower with 4 bells.
In the chancel, on a little monument,
Lancelotus Thexton cappellanus Regis Edw. VI. sacre theologie baccalaureus, et rector de Trunch obt. 25. Febr. 1588, and this shield of arms, quarterly, in the first and fourth a cross between four lions heads erased, gules, in the 2d and 3d, ermine, fretty, azure.
In a window here, argent, a fess between two chevrons, sable.
On a gravestone
Hic jacet Magr. Robt. Cantell, quo'd. rector isti. ecclie, qui. obt. 1 Sept. Ao. Dni. 1480.
Gravestones
In memory of Thomas Worts, gent. who died November 13, 1693, aged 45, with his arms, three lions rampant, - - - — William Worts. gent. who married Elizabeth, daughter of Riches Brown of Fulmodeston, Esq. died August 25, 1694, aged 60, with the arms of Worts impaling Brown; two bars, between three spears heads, - - -
¶The patronage of the church was granted to the priory of Castleacre, by William Earl Warren, the first on his founding that priory. In the reign of Edward I. the rector had a manse, and 13 acres of land valued at 16 marks, Peter-pence 13d. and the prior of Castleacre had a pension or portion of tithe valued at 40s. the present valor is 10l. 13s. 4d. and pays first fruits, &c. the Norwich registers say that William, the second Earl Warren, granted the patronage, and Eborard Bishop of Norwich, confirmed it; and that Simon the Bishop confirmed the pension in 1268.
www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-hist-norfolk/vol8...
-----------------------------------------
Trunch is the largest of the villages between North Walsham and the sea; but as all the industrialisation and tawdry caravan sites are hard against the coast, and Trunch is several miles inland, it has avoided these excesses and retains a great rural charm. It has a magnificent church with lots of fascinating treasures, as well as a shop, a green, a pub run by an ex-professional footballer, and generally all the typical features you expect to find in a large village in deepest rural Norfolk.
The church is perhaps the most interesting of all round about; and, while the large village lends it an urban quality that lacks the charm of, say, the churches of neighbouring Edingthorpe and Crostwight, it has by no means the Victorianised sterility of those at Bacton or Happisburgh.
St Botolph is a big church, and its tight graveyard makes it rather hard to photograph. The whole piece seems to have been rebuilt in the early 15th century, although the chancel may be a little later, and there is a hint of Decorated about the nave. The tower is quite simple, even slight. It builds boldly enough, but at the top of the second stage fades into a simple bell stage, understated, elegant and probably intended. This is not a building that shouts at you. A curiosity is the massive priest porch surrounding the door in the chancel. These are very unusual, although there is another, smaller one at neighbouring Knapton.
The great treasure, of course, is the marvellous font canopy. It is particularly fascinating because of its date, coming in the early 16th century right on the eve of the English protestant reformation. Like all church furnishings at this time - the tombs at Oxborough, for instance - it gives us a hint of what the English renaissance might have been like if it had been allowed to flower. Here, the massive structure tumbles with intricacy; fruit and flowers, leopards and lions peep around the silvery oak of the six octagonal columns which are fluted with interlocking chains of detail. The glory is the massive crown of canopied niches, with the haunting ghosts of crucifixion groups still apparent on three of the faces. The whole thing is at once in perfect harmony with the west end of the church, but exists because it was believed to be beautiful rather than known to be useful.There is only one other font canopy in Norfolk, at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich; Outside of the county there is another at Durham Cathedral, and a fourth at the parish church in Luton - but that is it.
Above the canopy is a rich 15th century hammerbeam roof, by no means as dramatic as that at nearby Knapton, but more beautiful, I think. In the space beneath the tower there is what appears to be a gallery like the plough guild gallery at Cawston. This is not as elaborate, but its oak has silvered and it is painted beautifully with trailing rose foliage.
The benching, unfortunately, is pretty much all 19th century, but along with the font canopy and roof the medieval screen survives. Like the canopy, this is richly ornamented in relief, including a bold dedicatory inscription in diagonal ribbons across the top part of the dado. The twelve figures (11 disciples and St Paul) are boldly placed and coloured, but their faces have been completely vandalised by the 16th century reformers. Low down on the north side of the doorway is a rare surviving carved consecration cross, suggesting that this screen was already installed in the newly built church of the 15th century. The screen had detached buttressing running vertically at intervals in front of it, as at Ludham. They have been almost entirely destroyed, but you can still see the fixings between the panels. It must have been magnificent.
The return stalls in the chancel are pretty much all Victorian, but they retain medieval misericords, and also you can see quatrefoil holes set into a sounding chamber to amplify the singing. There is a very curious memorial above the priest door, featuring the instruments of the passion. I have no idea how old it is.
All of these features would be enough, but part of the attraction of St Botolph is the sense of harmony, the way everything works together. You can add to these the sedilia, the magnificent organ, and the modern design of the glass in the east window. It is a peaceful, inspiring space.
Cottages and houses hem in the graveyard, and in the corner is the modern pub. Incidentally, I don't really know if the bloke who runs it is an ex-professional footballer. But, like many rural Norfolk landlords, he seems to be a cheerful 40-something cockney who serves a decent pint and cheap food - a recommended stop for churchcrawlers.
Simon Knott, April 2005
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/trunch/trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
And the pub is still good.
So, here it is, the reason I drove across Norfolk: Trunch in all it's glory And it is glorious.
It has so many fascinating details, each one alone would be reason enough to visit, but together, in a fine village, next to the village pub, and with that font canopy, one of only four such in all of England, and one of two in the county.
-------------------------------------------
The oldest building in Trunch is St. Botolph's Church. It is mainly 14th. and 15th. Century but there are some fragments of stone in the walls which are believed to have been reused from an earlier Saxon church, which was recorded in the Domesday Book. There is much of interest in the church including a Rood Screen, a hammer beam roof and a rare Font Canopy.
trunchhistory.weebly.com/buildings.html
--------------------------------------------
The large village of Trunch is located about 5 miles from the north Norfolk coast. In the centre of the village, surrounded by a lovely collection of cottages and the more modern Crossroads Inn, is St Botolph's church. Much of what you see of the church is early 15th century, built upon earlier foundations.
Upon entering the church the first feature you will see is the font, which dates to the mid 14th century. Though the font is attractive, it is the carved and painted font canopy that really makes a visit to Trunch worthwhile.
This is a quite remarkable piece of woodwork, one of only four such canopies surviving in the entire country (the others are at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich, Durham Cathedral, and Luton). The canopy is supported on six beautifully carved legs. The carving detail is exquisite; with fanciful animal figures and foliage and a bit of political commentary, in the shape of a pig wearing a bishop's mitre.
In addition to the font canopy, Trunch features a superb 15th century hammer beam roof, a feature of many churches in Norfolk and Suffolk. Here the carvings of angels are beautifully performed. It is worth bringing along a pair of binoculars or a telescope in order to see the carvings properly.
Much easier to see are the medieval misericords (mercy seats) in the chancel. Each carving is unique; some represent angels, and others are more grotesque in nature. In addition there are some beautifully carved pew ends and a painted medieval rood screen that rivals many more famous churches in detail and colour.
There are 12 niches in the screen, each painted with a depiction of a single figure - 11 disciples plus St Paul. Much of the costume detail is well preserved, but the faces of the figures were destroyed during the upheavals of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
www.britainexpress.com/counties/norfolk/churches/Trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
William Earl Warren had the lordship of this town, (fn. 1) of which 3 freemen were deprived; one of them belonged to Herold, late King of England, another to Ralph Stalre, and the 3d to Ketel, who held 90 acres of land, and 14 borderers belonged to it, with 5 carucates among them; there was a church endowed with 10 acres, &c. 3 acres of meadow always valued at 30s. and there were also 5 freemen of Edric in King Edward's time, who had 34 acres of land, with 2 carucates, 2 acres and an half of meadow, always valued at 7s. 4d. (fn. 2)
This town also belonged to the Earl Warren's capital manor of Gimmingham, and paid suit and service to it. In the 34th of Henry III. Maud de Norwich granted by fine, to Richer, son of Nicholas, a messuage, 48 acres of land, a mill, and the sixth part of another in this town, Swathefeld and Bradfeld. In the 15th of Edward I. the Earl Warren claimed a weekly mercate, on Saturday, in this manor; and on the death of John Earl Warren, in the 21st of Edward III. the mercate was valued at 10s. per ann. the manor came after to the Earl of Lancaster, (as is before observed,) and so to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, and King Henry IV. and is still in the Crown, as part of the dutchy of Lancaster.
The tenths were 4l. 10s. deducted 15s.
The Church is dedicated to St. Botolph, and is a regular pile, with a nave, 2 isles, and a chancel covered with lead, and has a tower with 4 bells.
In the chancel, on a little monument,
Lancelotus Thexton cappellanus Regis Edw. VI. sacre theologie baccalaureus, et rector de Trunch obt. 25. Febr. 1588, and this shield of arms, quarterly, in the first and fourth a cross between four lions heads erased, gules, in the 2d and 3d, ermine, fretty, azure.
In a window here, argent, a fess between two chevrons, sable.
On a gravestone
Hic jacet Magr. Robt. Cantell, quo'd. rector isti. ecclie, qui. obt. 1 Sept. Ao. Dni. 1480.
Gravestones
In memory of Thomas Worts, gent. who died November 13, 1693, aged 45, with his arms, three lions rampant, - - - — William Worts. gent. who married Elizabeth, daughter of Riches Brown of Fulmodeston, Esq. died August 25, 1694, aged 60, with the arms of Worts impaling Brown; two bars, between three spears heads, - - -
¶The patronage of the church was granted to the priory of Castleacre, by William Earl Warren, the first on his founding that priory. In the reign of Edward I. the rector had a manse, and 13 acres of land valued at 16 marks, Peter-pence 13d. and the prior of Castleacre had a pension or portion of tithe valued at 40s. the present valor is 10l. 13s. 4d. and pays first fruits, &c. the Norwich registers say that William, the second Earl Warren, granted the patronage, and Eborard Bishop of Norwich, confirmed it; and that Simon the Bishop confirmed the pension in 1268.
www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-hist-norfolk/vol8...
-----------------------------------------
Trunch is the largest of the villages between North Walsham and the sea; but as all the industrialisation and tawdry caravan sites are hard against the coast, and Trunch is several miles inland, it has avoided these excesses and retains a great rural charm. It has a magnificent church with lots of fascinating treasures, as well as a shop, a green, a pub run by an ex-professional footballer, and generally all the typical features you expect to find in a large village in deepest rural Norfolk.
The church is perhaps the most interesting of all round about; and, while the large village lends it an urban quality that lacks the charm of, say, the churches of neighbouring Edingthorpe and Crostwight, it has by no means the Victorianised sterility of those at Bacton or Happisburgh.
St Botolph is a big church, and its tight graveyard makes it rather hard to photograph. The whole piece seems to have been rebuilt in the early 15th century, although the chancel may be a little later, and there is a hint of Decorated about the nave. The tower is quite simple, even slight. It builds boldly enough, but at the top of the second stage fades into a simple bell stage, understated, elegant and probably intended. This is not a building that shouts at you. A curiosity is the massive priest porch surrounding the door in the chancel. These are very unusual, although there is another, smaller one at neighbouring Knapton.
The great treasure, of course, is the marvellous font canopy. It is particularly fascinating because of its date, coming in the early 16th century right on the eve of the English protestant reformation. Like all church furnishings at this time - the tombs at Oxborough, for instance - it gives us a hint of what the English renaissance might have been like if it had been allowed to flower. Here, the massive structure tumbles with intricacy; fruit and flowers, leopards and lions peep around the silvery oak of the six octagonal columns which are fluted with interlocking chains of detail. The glory is the massive crown of canopied niches, with the haunting ghosts of crucifixion groups still apparent on three of the faces. The whole thing is at once in perfect harmony with the west end of the church, but exists because it was believed to be beautiful rather than known to be useful.There is only one other font canopy in Norfolk, at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich; Outside of the county there is another at Durham Cathedral, and a fourth at the parish church in Luton - but that is it.
Above the canopy is a rich 15th century hammerbeam roof, by no means as dramatic as that at nearby Knapton, but more beautiful, I think. In the space beneath the tower there is what appears to be a gallery like the plough guild gallery at Cawston. This is not as elaborate, but its oak has silvered and it is painted beautifully with trailing rose foliage.
The benching, unfortunately, is pretty much all 19th century, but along with the font canopy and roof the medieval screen survives. Like the canopy, this is richly ornamented in relief, including a bold dedicatory inscription in diagonal ribbons across the top part of the dado. The twelve figures (11 disciples and St Paul) are boldly placed and coloured, but their faces have been completely vandalised by the 16th century reformers. Low down on the north side of the doorway is a rare surviving carved consecration cross, suggesting that this screen was already installed in the newly built church of the 15th century. The screen had detached buttressing running vertically at intervals in front of it, as at Ludham. They have been almost entirely destroyed, but you can still see the fixings between the panels. It must have been magnificent.
The return stalls in the chancel are pretty much all Victorian, but they retain medieval misericords, and also you can see quatrefoil holes set into a sounding chamber to amplify the singing. There is a very curious memorial above the priest door, featuring the instruments of the passion. I have no idea how old it is.
All of these features would be enough, but part of the attraction of St Botolph is the sense of harmony, the way everything works together. You can add to these the sedilia, the magnificent organ, and the modern design of the glass in the east window. It is a peaceful, inspiring space.
Cottages and houses hem in the graveyard, and in the corner is the modern pub. Incidentally, I don't really know if the bloke who runs it is an ex-professional footballer. But, like many rural Norfolk landlords, he seems to be a cheerful 40-something cockney who serves a decent pint and cheap food - a recommended stop for churchcrawlers.
Simon Knott, April 2005
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/trunch/trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
And the pub is still good.
North Walsham has a memorial to the War dead of WW2 in both St Nicholas Church and the memorial park itself. Unfortunately the pictures I took in the church were blurred, so for now there is just the Park Memorial.
1939 - 1945
J Aldrich (Church and Park Memorial)
No obvious Match. on CWGC
Choices John Maria, L\Sgt Hampshire Regiment, died Holland 04/10/1944 (Wife lives Slough, Bucks)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2619128
John Robert, Private RASC, died North Africa 27/11/1941 (Wife lives Acomb, Yorks)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2119040
John Wilfred Lt Royal Sussex Regt died Italy 23/12/1944 (Mother lives Hove)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1715504
T Amies (Church and Park Memorial)
Probably
Name: AMIES, THOMAS DAWSON
Rank: Private
Regiment: Essex Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 29
Date of Death: 02/11/1943
Service No: 6024588
Additional information: Son of Frederick William and Emma Elizabeth Amies; husband of Winifred Amies, of Palling, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: XVII. A. 3. Cemetery: SANGRO RIVER WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2377161
Or
Name: AMIES, THOMAS FRANCIS
Rank: Aircraftman 1st Class
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 36
Date of Death: 04/05/1943
Service No: 1458072
Additional information: Son of Thomas H. Amies and Alice Amies, of Norwich; husband of Caroline Lockwell Amies, of Norwich.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. 54. Grave 494. Cemetery: NORWICH CEMETERY, Norfolk
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764124
Headstone www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/5406088888/
On the night of October 24th 1/12 Frontier Force and 1/5 Gurkhas passed through the Royal Fusiliers and took up the running. 17th Brigade now widened its front, with the 6th Lancers in touch with Seventy-eighth Division, and the Gurkhas linked up with First Canadian Division on the left. Five miles short of the Trigno, 19th Brigade passed through 17th Brigade, with 1/5th Essex and 3/8 Punjabis leading. An ominous portent was the identification of First German Parachute Division on the front, one of the most skilful and belligerent of German formations. Nevertheless, only sharp skirmishes ensued when 19th Brigade took a firm grip on the south bank of the Trigno through occupation of Monte Mitro and Montefalcone.
In this neighbourhood the Trigno ran between steep escarpments, whose crests stood fifteen hundred feet above the bottom of the valley. In many places the banks were sheer. The river was one hundred yards wide and in full view of the enemy on the ridges to the north. Ordinarily no more than two feet deep, the stream had risen sharply as a result of the autumnal rains. All bridges were blown, and all approaches mined.
Intelligence reported the positions to be defended by paratroopers, who were fully aware of the purpose of the Indians.
For three days before the attack, heavy rains hampered preparations. Tracks deteriorated into quagmires. The roads had been so thoroughly destroyed that it was necessary for bulldozers to work upon by-passes and diversions, often in full view of the enemy. Under lowering skies, pelted by cold rains, the infantry waited dourly. By the end of October the approaches to the Trigno were organized, and at 0345 hours on November 2nd, 6/13 Frontier Force Rifles silently defiled into the icy stream and began to cross. The supporting barrage burst on the ridge ahead of them, and Eighth Indian Division was committed to its first action in Europe
Frontier Force Rifles, though out of timing with the barrage, surged up the spur for nearly 2,000 yards, and by 0800 hours had mustered on their start line for the attack on Tufillo Village. The Frontiersmen's assault was launched against a typical German "hedgehog" position. All approaches were mined and booby-trapped. A curtain of mortar bombs covered the minefield. Every house held a sniper. Attempts to close were met with showers of grenades. Quick savage sallies were flung against any ground won. Eventually the battalion was held up, a few hundred yards short of its objective.
On the left of the Frontier Force Rifles, when dawn broke, the Essex began to cross the Trigno. Enemy artillery laid down an accurate shoot on the line of the river. The leading companies pushed through the barrage and up the hillside under murderous machine-gun fire, from front and flanks. The convex curve of the slope prevented Frontier Force Rifles from aiding their British comrades as they strove to come up into line. The forward companies pushed on manfully, and reached their first objective. Mounting casualties, however, made the position untenable, and the Essex withdrew to the north bank of the Trigno, taking their wounded with them.
www.ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Tiger/triumphs01.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernhardt_Line#Advance_across_the_S...
J Andrews (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: ANDREWS, JOHN
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Date of Death: 13/10/1943
Service No: 5777312
Additional information: Son of Oscar William and Ethel Selina Andrews, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 9. D. 2. Cemetery: CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2352425
One of the many who would die in a Japanese PoW camp following the fall of Singapore.
F D G Bloom (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: BLOOM, FRANCIS GERALD DURRANT
Rank: Flight Sergeant
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 177 Sqdn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 24/02/1944
Service No: 1333762
Additional information: Son of Gerald George and Annie Laura Bloom, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 434. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1813945
177 Squadron were a Beaufighter ground attack squadron, flying over the jungles of Burma & Siam and tasked with disrupting Japanese troop and supply movements.
www.ww2talk.com/forum/user-introductions/24737-cant-find-...
www.myrcomm.com/beau/the-squadrons/177-squadron.html#177-...
In Silently into the midst of things: 177 Squadron Royal Air Force in Burma ...
By A. Sutherland Brown
In the Roll of Honour index F G Bloom is listed as a pilot, while his observer Flying Officer G W Broughton was taken Prisoner of War, (page 229), however on page 209 Broughton is listed as being a PoW from October 1944, and the observer of Warrant Officer Hill.. On the same page, W.O Hill, (Pow) is listed with Navigator Flying. Officer R F Hacker, who died. I suspect the two records have either been merged or the lay-out is not clear - it states the order is approximately the first date the individual flew with the squadron, so possibly it is meant to indicate Bloom and Broughton initially flew together, rather than were in the same crash.
For the record CWGC shows,
Name: HACKER, RONALD FRANCIS MORRIS
Rank: Flying Officer (Nav.)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 177 Sqdn.
Age: 23 Date of Death: 22/04/1944 Service No: 136384
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Francis Hacker; husband of Nancy Hacker, of Cross Common, Cornwall. B.A., Hons. (Lond.).
Grave/Memorial Reference: Joint grave 28. B. 21-22. Cemetery: TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2085947
Both Warrant Officer Hill and Flying Officer Broughton were incarcerated in Rangoon jail, from which they were released by the advancing allies in 1945.
D A Brown (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: BROWN, DOUGLAS ARTHUR
Rank: Private
Service: Royal Army Service Corps
Unit Text: 1 Base Supply Depot
Age: 21
Date of Death: 17/06/1940
Service No: S/115317
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Brown, of North Walsham. Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Row 1. Grave 5. Cemetery: L'EPINE COMMUNAL CEMETERY, ILE DE NOIRMOUTIER
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2694983
Allied forces continued to fight for at least three weeks after the fall of Dunkirk - indeed some units rescued from the beaches there were shipped back. Other’s soldiers, isolated from their units, tried to make there way south and west to get back home. We shall never probably know why Private Brown died and was buried deep in the Vendee region of France. However it probably is connected with the loss of RMS Lancastria off nearby St Nazaire on this day, with the loss of between 4,000 and 9,000 lives.
The RMS Lancastria had embarked an unknown number (estimates range from 4,000 up to 9,000) of civilian refugees and RAF personnel. The ship's official capacity was 2,200. She was sunk off the French port of St. Nazaire while taking part in Operation Ariel, the evacuation of British nationals and troops from France, two weeks after the Dunkirk evacuation.
The sheer size of the Lancastria disaster and the fact that the troopship sank in the estuary of the River Loire, trapping many people inside the hull, means that a great many of the bodies were never recovered.
www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/98_squadron.html
www.lancastria.org.uk/home.html
K Brown (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: BROWN, KENNETH
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Age: 26
Date of Death: 18/03/1944
Service No: 5776919
Additional information: Son of Mrs. R. H. Brown, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 12. J. 19. Cemetery: TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2084551
Serjeant Brown is likely to have served with one of the three Norfolk Battalions, 4th, 5th and 6th that marched into captivity with the surrender of Singapore.
M A Brundall (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: BRUNDALL, MAURICE ARTHUR
Rank: Pilot Officer (Pilot)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of Death: 22/02/1941
Service No: 81347
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. R.R.R. Grave 1. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764108
(Headstone picture already posted)
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826398856/in/set-7215...
A R Chandler (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: CHANDLER, ARTHUR ROY
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: between 10/05/1940 and 19/06/1940
Service No: 5772972
Additional information: Son of Arthur James Chandler and May Blanche Chandler, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 43. Memorial: DUNKIRK MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2771018
The 2nd Norfolks were one of those units sacrificed, holding the perimeter at Dunkirk to allow the evacuation to continue. Eventually captured, many were massacred at Le Paradis. A large number are
also unaccounted for - hence the date range.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Paradis_massacre
www.norfolkbc.fsnet.co.uk/archive_collection/strips_farro...
5772972 Arthur Roy Chandler was born 20 Feb 1918, enlisted in 1938 and was killed in action in France in June 1940
www.norfolkbc.fsnet.co.uk/bc_issues/bc_85_dec_95/85_dec_9...
J W Clarke (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: CLARKE, JACK WILLIAM
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Age: 36
Date of Death: 07/08/1944
Service No: 14610646
Additional information: Son of Thomas and Alice Clarke; husband of Esther Margaret Clarke, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: XXIII. E. 10. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2955842
He died during an action that pitted the 7th Royal Norfolks against tanks of the 12th Panzer Division outside the village of Grimbosq on the River Orne some 17 kilometres south of Caen. In this action Major David Jamieson, commanding a 7th battalion Company, won the Victoria Cross
www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOn...
Over a critical 36-hour period, and with fewer than 100 men, his company of the Royal Norfolk Regiment repulsed seven violent counter-attacks by heavily armed Panther and Tiger tanks. Even when wounded in the eye and arm, he refused to be evacuated and continued to command, calling for artillery support over his wireless and reorganising his steadily depleted company. Regardless of his personal safety, and in full view of the enemy, he walked among his men encouraging them to hold their ground. By the evening of the second day, the Germans withdrew, leaving a ring of unburied dead and mangled tanks. It was Jamieson's first action.
On 6 August 1944 three battalions of British infantry had crossed the Orne, south of Caen, and occupied the far bank. Jamieson was in command of D Company of the 7th Battalion, the Royal Norfolk Regiment, situated on the outskirts of the village of Grimosq. The following day, the Germans launched a counter- attack on the village. As they attacked, they were hit by the company's two anti-tank guns. "It was as if they didn't realise we were there," recalled Jamieson, "and gave our gunners a wonderful enfilade shoot." Three Panther tanks were blasted to a halt. The next morning the 6ft 5in young commander realised the Germans would be back in force. "I was determined that we would hang on, but I was worried," he was to recall. "My concern was that everyone would skit and run. It wasn't a happy position."
The company defending their right had been swallowed up by constant German counter-attacks and there were reports of enemy tanks approaching from the rear. Jamieson's position seemed almost untenable.
As the morning haze gave way to a brilliant sun on 8 August, Jamieson's already bleak position deteriorated alarmingly as both his anti-tank guns were taken out by devastating shell fire. German infantry advanced under cover of their tanks and the close quarter fighting became brutal and one platoon was overrun. Jamieson rallied his diminishing force to an orchard which was immediately fiercely attacked.
Some hope was offered when three Churchill tanks of the Armoured Corps took up the battle. But to Jamieson's dismay they motored directly into the line of fire of a concealed enemy tank. Jamieson tried desperately to signal the tank commander, but to no avail. He then ran and tried to use the phone at the back of the tank but could not get through. Ignoring incoming fire he clambered on to the tank. As he did so an armour piercing shell drilled a hole through the driver's compartment. Jamieson was thrown off peppered with shrapnel and badly shaken.
Yet, with his eye roughly patched and his arm in a sling, he knew that, as the sole surviving officer, he was desperately needed by his men. He gathered his by now sorely depleted company to meet what he considered would be the final onslaught. But the enemy, who had already launched seven counter-attacks and had sustained heavy losses, thought better of it and switched their attention to the Canadians advancing towards Falaise. This proved to be an unwise move.
Throughout this intense battle Jamieson's inspired leadership, defiance and skilful handling of his artillery and his men prevented the advance of the enemy. At one point in the worst of the bombardment he saw a frightened soldier leave his trench. He recalled: "I drew my revolver and pointed it at him, telling him to get back in his hole. He was a nice young fellow but I was worried, if one went back, the rest would follow." After the battle, on reaching the first aid post, and having his wounds attended to, he fell asleep for 48 hours.
Of his award of the Victoria Cross he once modestly said: "It was certainly not personally deserved. It was won by a group of men in a tight position." The final part of his citation reads:
Throughout this 36 hours of bitter and close fighting, and despite the pain of his wounds, Captain Jamieson showed superb qualities of leadership and great personal bravery. There were times when the position appeared hopeless, but on each occasion it was restored by his coolness and determination. He personally was largely responsible for the holding of this important bridgehead over the river Orne and the repulse of seven German counter-attacks with great loss to the enemy
www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/major-david-jamieso...
F S M Davis (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: DAVIS, FRANCIS SAMUEL MARSHALL
Rank: Bombardier
Regiment: Royal Artillery Unit Text: 3 Maritime Regt.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 17/08/1944
Service No: 5774172
Additional information: Son of Samuel and Daisy Davis, of Mundesley, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 3. Row E. Grave 39. Cemetery: MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2685774
The Naval net site lists a number of casualties at this time of individuals from the Royal Artillery’s Maritime Regiments that have lost their lives, (many “missing presumed killed”), there is no record of Bombardier Davis at all in August 1944
www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1944-08AUG.htm
www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/maritime/index.html
Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France, had taken place on the 15th August, but had been relatively light in terms of casualties. By the 17th, the allies were well of the beach.
R Davison (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: DAVISON, ROBERT
Rank: Able Seaman
Service: Royal Navy
Unit Text: H.M. Submarine Urge
Age: 21
Date of Death: 06/05/1942
Service No: D/JX 190316
Additional information: Son of Robert James Davison and Agnes Davison, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 64, Column 3. Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2478097
Navy The Royal Navy Type Submarine Class U Pennant N 17 Built by Vickers Armstrong (Barrow-in-Furness, U.K.) Ordered Laid down 30 Oct 1939 Launched 19 Aug 1940 Commissioned 12 Dec 1940 Lost 6 May 1942
History
HMS Urge (Lt.Cdr. Edward Philip Tomkinson, DSO and Bar, RN) left Malta on 27 April 1942. She failed to arrive at Alexandria on 6 May 1942 and was reported overdue on that day. On 29 April she attacked the Italian sailing vessel San Giusto off Ras Hilal: in the immediate area was a small convoy of 3 German MFPs, escorted by an Italian Cr.42 biplane. As the sub was engaged in the attack against the sailer, she was dive-bombed and sunk by the plane. This is confirmed by witnesses on board the MFPs, any notion the TB Pegaso may have been involved is incorrect.
www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3538.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Urge_(N17)
www.sportesport.it/wrecksLB025.htm
N R Drury (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: DRURY, NORMAN RICHARD
Rank: Corporal (W.Op.)
Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 220 Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 11/02/1940
Service No: 537272
Additional information: Son of Ernest Richard and Edith Ellen Drury, of North Walsham. Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. Y.Y.Y. Grave 1. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764109
(Picture of headstone)
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2825563963/
The winter of 1939-40 was a very severe one. On this night, Sunday the 11th of February 1940, three Hudson's took off from Thornaby for ops to Heligoland. It was a cold night and snow covered the hills. The lead aircraft failed to gain enough height on take off, probably due it icing on the aircrafts wings. It flew very low over Great Ayton and crashed into the first piece of high ground it came to, the North York Moors. The aircraft flew into the moor just below a stone wall before travelling through the wall and then onto the hill top near to Captain Cooks Monument, above Great Ayton. The crash ripped the underside of the aircraft off and it ploughed its way across the snow covered moor for a short before coming to rest in a small wood on its side. One witness who I have spoke to recalls it had one wing broken off and the remaining wing which was still attached to the main fuselage, was left sticking up in the air. Of the four crew on board, three were killed whilst only the gunner survived. After being knocked out for a while, he came too and with two injured legs, he struggled down the hillside to get help at a nearby farm close to Easby, taking a rest in old mine buildings on the way down. It was later found out that icing to the wings had been responsible for the aircraft failing to gain enough height. The Court of Inquiry states: "Ice on windscreen caused loss of visability" was the reason for the crash although it is unclear why they thought this
www.allenby.info/aircraft/planes/40/n7294.html
11/02/1940: Patrol
Type: Lockheed Hudson I
Serial number: N7294, NR-EOperation: Patrol
Lost: 11/02/1940
Flying Officer (Pilot) Tom M. Parker, RAF 39334, 220 Sqdn., age unknown, 11/02/1940, Thornaby-on-Tees Cemetery, UK
Sergeant (Pilot) Harold F. Bleksley, RAF 516366, 220 Sqdn., age 24, 11/02/1940, Bristol (Canford) Cemetery, UK
Corporal (W.Op.) Norman R. Drury, RAF 537272, 220 Sqdn., age 23, 11/02/1940, North Walsham New Cemetery, UK
LAC Barker - injured
Took off from Thornaby at 04.10 hrs. windscreen iced up after take-off and the Hudson crashed a few minutes later almost at the summit of Cook Monument Hill near Great Ayton. LAC Barker was the only member of the crew not killed and escaped with concussion and severe cuts. He managed to scramble down the hill to a farmhouse which he reached at about 08.00 hrs.
Sources: CWGC and Ross McNeill, 'Royal Air Force Coastal Command Losses: Aircraft and Crew Losses 1939-1941 v. 1', Midland Publishing, 2003
www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/220_squadron.html#1 102
Tom MacKinlay Parker
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?cas ualty=2414207
Harold Francis Bleksley
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?cas ualty=2450648
There are pictures of them both here, along with details of the fate of the Gunner, Atholl Barkerwww.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/planes/ 40/n7294.html
J W Edwards (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: EDWARDS, JOHN WILLIAM
Rank: Flight Sergeant (Pilot)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 213 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 25/06/1942
Service No: 961547
Additional information: Son of Frederick William and Bessie Charity Edwards, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: I, E, 13. Cemetery: CASERTA WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2067169
Flight Sergeant Edwards was initially posted as missing on the 22/6
213squadronassociation.homestead.com/Secondworldwar.html#...
The Hurricane, perhaps more than any other aircraft, will always be associated with 213 Squadron. The Squadron operated this remarkable aircraft throughout the withdrawal of the BEF from France, over Dunkirk, throughout the Battle of Britain, and during the Syrian Campaign. Switching to the Hurricane Mk. IIc in March 1942 for the air battles over North Africa, culminating in El Alamein and then Operation Chocolate, it was finally flown on convoy protection and air defence operations until February 1944.
213squadronassociation.homestead.com/Secondworldwar.html#...
There’s some speculation on what happened to Flight Sergeant Edwards on this forum.
www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7290&highl...
A further possibility - was this the date his body was found, and so its become enshrined in official records that this is the date of death.
F R W Frostick (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: FROSTICK, FRANK ROBERT WILFRED
Rank: Leading Aircraftman
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 22
Date of Death: 20/02/1943
Service No: 1463569
Additional information: Son of Frederick John and Mabel Elizabeth Frostick, of North Walsham, Norfolk, England.
Grave/Memorial Reference: R.A.F. Plot. Grave 12. Cemetery: TERRELL (OAKLAND) MEMORIAL PARK
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2720051
Terrell (Oakland) Memorial Park contains a plot of 20 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, all airmen who died while training in Texas at the Basic Flying Training School (1 BFTS).
www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=207319...
On February 20, 1943 a British training flight departed its airbase at Terrell, Texas—known as the No. 1 British Flying Training School—en route for the No. 3 British Flying Training School at Miami, Oklahoma.
The students were flying a formation of twelve training aircraft known as AT-6s. The AT-6—an acronym for "Advanced Trainer"—was first manufactured in 1930. It was a two-seater, one-engine trainer plane.
Their objective was to complete a low-level, cross-country training flight. Poor weather hampered the flight, however, particularly as they approached the Kiamichi Mountains of Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. According to local residents the weather was unfavorable. One, Lee Stone, described ground conditions as very foggy, with a rainy mist. Another, Calvin Moyer, who was attempting to hunt hogs, stopped due to the fog, which made it hard to see.
The pilots encountered similar conditions in the air—and had not been briefed to expect them, or what to do if encountering them. Several planes turned back to Terrell, but others continued. Twelve pilots eventually landed at Miami as planned, but three planes encountered serious difficulties.
One plane made a successful wheels down landing on the valley. .
Things took a tragic turn for the worse regarding the other two planes, which found themselves on a path several miles to the east, taking them over the rural community of Moyers, Oklahoma, behind which the mountains rise precipitously.
The pilots successfully cleared Rodney Mountain (764 feet), then passing over Moyers. Immediately behind Moyers is White Rock Mountain (1,023 feet), and one AT-6 crashed into its steep southern slope. The plane slid into a tree, killing its crew. W.E. McMahan and other local would-be rescuers who ascended the mountain believed the fliers would have lived had the plane not impacted the tree. They also believed the pilot, Vincent Henry Cockman, 20, of Ilford, England, had lived for a short time after the crash as his head was turned to face the body of his navigator, Frank Frostick, 21, of North Walsham, England.
The third missing plane managed to pass above White Rock Mountain but apparently lost control, spiraling down into the face of Big Mountain (1,145 feet). Big Mountain, which marks the southern end of the rugged and geologically significant Johns Valley, is between the rural communities of Moyers and Kosoma.
The third wreck took longer to locate, and was not found until the next day. Piloted by Mike Hosier, 19, of Swindon, England and navigated by Maurice Jenson, 19, of Bournemouth, England, the plane came straight down into the mountain,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT6_Monument
B Gardiner (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GARDINER, BENJAMIN
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 6th Bn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: between 25/01/1942 and 26/01/1942
Service No: 5774736
Additional information: Son of Benjamin and Violet Gardiner; husband of Eileen Margaret Gardiner, of Hempnall, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 50. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2131778
Private Gardiner died during the hectic and improvised defense of Singapore,
www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...
H J Goodchild (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GOODCHILD, HARRY JOHN
Rank: Warrant Officer
Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 33 Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 04/03/1941
Service No: 517435
Awards: D F M
Additional information: Son of Harry John and Leah Elizabeth Goodchild, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 241. Memorial: ALAMEIN MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1809977
(Brother of Thomas below)
During the morning on 4 March five Italian warships identified as two cruisers and three destroyers, sortied down the Albanian coast and commenced shelling the coastal road near Himare and Port Palermo, under cover of a strong fighter escort of G.50bis and CR42s from the 24o Gruppo C.T. The flotilla actually comprised of the destroyer Augusto Riboty, the torpedo boat Andromeda and three MAS boats.
An immediate strike was ordered by RAF units, 15 Blenheims being ordered off. Nine 211 Squadron aircraft and five from 84 Squadron (a sixth failed to start) were led to the area by Squadron Leaders Gordon-Finlayson and Jones, escorted by ten Hurricanes, followed by l7 Gladiators, l4 from ll2 Squadron and three from 80 Squadron. Four 80 Squadron Hurricanes led by Flight Lieutenant 'Pat' Pattle flew on the starboard flank of the bombers, with four from 33 Squadron to port, and two more above as ‘weavers’. At 15:00 the warships were seen ten miles south of Valona, and the Blenheims went in to bomb in line astern; several near misses were seen, but no hits were recorded.
At this point six G.50bis dived on the Hurricanes, shooting down V7801 in flames; 24-year-old Warrant Officer Harry J. Goodchild DFM (RAF No. 517435) was killed.
surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/commonwealth_cullen.htm
www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/33_wwII.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmaduke_Pattle
www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/71/a4196171.shtml
He gets a brief mention here while still a Flight Sergeant flying with the squadron in North Africa
surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_damiani.htm
T W Goodchild (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GOODCHILD, THOMAS WILLIAM
Rank: Flying Officer
Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 224 Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 19/03/1946
Service No: 57062
Additional information: Son of Harry John and Mary Elizabeth Goodchild, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 285. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1798529
(Brother of Harry above)
On the 19th March 1946 an Airspeed Oxford, X7282 was lost off St Eval, Cornwall leading to the death of its one occupant. There is nothing as yet to link this with the death of Flying Officer Goodchild.
aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=25311
E Green (Church and Park Memorial)
Most probably, (although there is another individual from Sheringham)
Name: GREEN, ERIC WILFRED
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 25 Date of Death: 14/04/1945
Service No: 5775033
Grave/Memorial Reference: 26. C. 18. Cemetery: KRANJI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2228242
Eric features on the Roll of Honour for the nearby village of Antingham
www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Antingham.html
O J Griffin (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GRIFFIN, OSWALD JAMES
Rank: Lance Serjeant
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 26 Date of Death: between 14/02/1942 and 15/02/1942
Service No: 5770986
Additional information: Husband of Alice Charlotte Griffin, of North Walsham, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 47. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2132524
Sergeant Griffin died during the hectic and improvised defense of Singapore,
www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...
L H Guyton (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: GUYTON, LESLIE HARCOURT
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Date of Death: 29/10/1942
Service No: 7646262
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. D. 20. Cemetery: EL ALAMEIN WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2094342
E A Heath (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: HEATH, EDWIN ALFRED
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Welch Regiment
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 20/03/1945
Service No: 14392489
Additional information: Son of Doris Heath, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. B. 19. Cemetery: MAYNAMATI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1057068
Before the war Maynamati (Bangladesh) was a hamlet of a few dozen huts, but during the war a large military camp was established there. Several ordnance depots and a number of military hospitals, both British and Indian, were in the area, including Nos. 14 and 150 British General Hospitals; and the majority of the burials in Maynamati War Cemetery were from the various hospitals. Graves from isolated places in the surrounding country, and some from as far afield as Burma, were moved into the cemetery by the Army Graves Service and later on by the Commission; and it was found necessary to transfer also graves from small cemeteries at Dacca, Faridpur, Paksay, Saidpur, Santahan and Sirajgany, where they could not be maintained.
www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=107700...
K Hedge (Church and Park Memorial)
Only match
Name: HEDGE, KENNETH GEORGE
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 19/01/1944
Service No: 5777094
Additional information: Son of Charles and Ellen Hedge, of Stowmarket, Suffolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. E. 1. Cemetery: CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2353000
If this is the right individual, then he would most likely have been matched into Japanese captivity following the fall of Singapore in February 1942.
There is a John Clem Hedge , an RAF Air Gunner from the nearby village of Edingthorpe
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2763556
R J Jay (Church and Park Memorial)
Only match
Name: JAY, REGINALD JAMES
Rank: Marine
Regiment/Service: Royal Marines
Unit Text: H.M.S. Glorious.
Age: 33
Date of Death: 08/06/1940
Service No: PLY/22128
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 43, Column 2. Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2481961
The loss of the Glorious
www.scharnhorst-class.dk/scharnhorst/history/scharnjuno_g...
www.fleetairarmarchive.net/ships/glorious.html
There has been a lot of questions asked about how the Glorious came to be sank, but perhaps some insight is provided by this anecdote of a daughter of one of the crew members.
In April 1940 my mother received a telegram, saying that the ship was putting into Greenock for a few days. Immediately she got on the train to Glasgow so that they could be together, and my father could see his daughter for the first time. According to my mother, he was delighted — and said that “if a sailor came courting his daughter he would chase him off!” Too much time away from the family, in his opinion, and as all the Edwards men, for several generations, had been in the Royal Navy, he spoke from the heart. My mother told me later that during those few days he had a sense of foreboding, as did other crew members, knowing where they were going. The engines of the Glorious were ‘held together with string and sealing wax’. If they were under attack, the ship had no speed and in any case the hatches would be battened down.
www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/93/a6357693.shtml
W P D Johnstone (Church and Park Memorial)
Only match
Name: JOHNSTONE, WILLIAM PLUNKETT DUNNING
Rank: Petty Officer
Service: Royal Navy Unit
Text: H.M. Submarine Usurper
Date of Death: 12/10/1943
Service No: C/JX 151C79
Additional information: Son of Jack Sidney and Ella May Johnstone; husband of Dorothy Yvonne Johnstone, of Aldridge, Staffordshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 68, 1. Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2469220
Usurper is recorded on the Naval net site as lost on the 3rd October 1943 and Petty Officer Johnstone is included on the list of those down as “Missing presumed killed”.
www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1943-10OCT.htm
Usurper had left Algiers on 24 September 1943 with instruction to patrol off La Spezia. On 3 October 1943 she was ordered to move to the Gulf of Genoa. No further contact was made and she failed to return to Algiers on 12 October 1943 as expected. The German anti-submarine vessel UJ-2208/Alfred reported attacking a submarine in the Gulf of Genoa on 3 October 1943 and it is believed that this may have been the Usurper.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Usurper_(P56)
www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3561.html
www.sportesport.it/wrecksLI044.htm
J H Kidman(Church and Park Memorial)
Name: KIDMAN, JAMES HERSERT
Rank: Sergeant (Air Gnr.)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 622 Sqdn.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 20/01/1944
Service No: 1396509
Additional information: Son of Joseph and Lydia Kidman, of North Walsham, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: 17. E. 12. Cemetery: BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2199267
Lancaster R5915 Information
Type.............................Lancaster
Serial Number..............R5915
Squadron.....................622
X1D.............................GI-P
Operation....................Berlin
Date 1.........................20th January 1944
Date 2.........................21st January 1944
Further Information
"Serial Range R5842 - R5917 This aircraft was one of 100 Manchesters which were ordered from Metro-Vick in 1939 and built as 43 Manchester 1s and 57 Lancaster Mk.1s transported from Mar41 to Aug42 to A.V.Roe for final assembly and flight testing. R5915 was delivered to No.9 Sqdn 20Sep42, to No.97 Sqdn 26Dec42, to 166CU 15Mar43, to No.622 Sqdn 8Jan44. Took part in the following key Operations: With No.9 Sqdn as WS-X, Wismar 23/24Sep42; Wismar 1/2Oct42; Krefeld 2/3Oct42-aborted; Kiel 6/7Oct42; Cologne 15/16Oct42; Le Creusot 17Oct42-Daylight; Milan 24Oct42-Daylight; Genoa 6/7Nov42; Turin 8/9Dec42; Turin 9/10Dec42; Cloppenburg 17/18Dec42; Duisburg 20/21Dec42; Munich 21/22Dec42; Gardening La Rochelle 29/30Dec42; With No.97 Sqdn as OF-Q, Hamburg 30/31Jan43; Lorient 13/14Feb43; Berlin 1/2Mar43; Nuremburg 8/9Mar43-aborted; To No.1660CU. With No.622 Sqdn as GI-P, Brunswick 14/15Jan44; Berlin 20/21Jan44-Lost. When lost this aircraft had a total of 693 hours. R5915 was one of two No.619 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: R5483. Airborne 1651 20Jan44 from Mildenhall. Outbound at 22,000 feet when hit by Flak in the vicinity of Hamburg-Luneburg which set fire to the starboard wing. Exploded and crashed between Havekost and Rumstedt, 5 km ENE of Bad Bevensen. Those killed were buried at Rumstedt, five are now buried in Becklingen War cemetery while Panel 214 of the Runnymede Memorial commemorates Sgt Woodcock.
F/S R.A.Deacon KIA
Sgt N.Butler (P2) KIA
Sgt J.B.Strange KIA
Sgt P.J.Irwin PoW
F/L K.R.Miller PoW
Sgt A.W.Woodcock KIA
Sgt J.Cunningham KIA
Sgt J.H.Kidman KIA
Sgt P.J.Irwin was wounded but interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.923. F/L K.R.Miller was interned in Camp L3, PoW No.3378. "
www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=1217
O Leeder (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: LEEDER, OLAF WILLIAM
Rank: Corporal
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 28
Date of Death: 22/01/1942
Service No: 5774599
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 34. E. 1-8. Cemetery: KRANJI WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2228808
Corporal Leeder died during the hectic and improvised defense of Singapore,
www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...
J R Mace (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: MACE, JOHN RUST
Rank: Sergeant (Flt. Engr.)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 158 Sqdn.
Age: 29
Date of Death: 14/02/1943
Service No: 1225368
Additional information: Son of Frederick and Louisa Mace, of North Walsham, husband of Kate Louisa Mace, of Brundall.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. S.S.S. Grave 33. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764111
(Separate headstone picture)
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826397776/
1225368 Sergeant J R Mace
Flight Engineer
Royal Air Force
14th February 1943
Age 29
Halifax DT696 Information
Type..................................................Halifax
Serial Number................................DT696
Squadron........................................158
X1D...................................................NP-O
Operation........................................Cologne
Date 1..............................................14th February 1943
Date 2..............................................15th February 1943
Further Information
"Serial Range DT665 - DT705. 41 Halifax Mk.11. Part of a batch of 250 HP59 Halifax Mk.11. Delivered by Handley Page (Cricklewood & Radlett) between 3Sep42 and 23Oct42. DT695 was one of two 158 Sqdn Halifaxes lost during this operation. See: DT694.
Airborne 1816 14Feb43 from Rufforth. Cause of loss not established. Crashed 1830 at Stillingfleet, 4 miles NW of Riccall, Yorkshire. Just before the crash, the bomb load was jettisoned near the village of Appleton Roebuck. P/O Herbert's brother, Richard Vivian Herbert, was also KIA. Sgt Cains is buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. The other were taken to their home towns and villages.
P/O G.B.Herbert KIA (Gerald Bevill Herbert)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2437299
Sgt J.R.Mace KIA
Sgt A.B.Langeland KIA (Arthur Bruce Langeland - buried Staines)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2432868
P/O R.Flood KIA (Reginald Flood - buried Staveley)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2702576
Sgt S.W.Cains RNZAF KIA (Sidney William Cains - buried Harrogate)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2623429
Sgt D.Booker KIA (Dennis Booker - buried Wynbunbury)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2736421
Sgt W.Ruth KIA (William Ruth - buried Barrow in Furness)
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2697458
www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=9205
Bit more about the crash, and a dedication that was made on the 14th Feb.2008 to the crew can be found here:
www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/dt696.html
listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/YORKSGEN/2008-02/120265...
And some additional information about crew members
pages.quicksilver.net.nz/l.rwilloughby/WWII/WWII_RNZAF/B-...
www.thepress.co.uk/news/analysis/readersletters/4141657.C...
A D Mackenzie(Church and Park Memorial)
Name: MACKENZIE, ALAN DUNCAN
Rank: Leading Aircraftman
Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 22 Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 26/05/1940
Service No: 623407
Additional information: Son of Finlay and Maud Ethel MacKenzie, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 23. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1079486
No match on Lost Bombers
25-26/05/1940: Gardening (mine laying)
Type: ..................................Bristol Beaufort I
Serial number: ...................L4450, OA-F
Operation: .........................Gardening
Lost: ..................................26/05/1940
Wing Commander Harry M. Mellor, RAF 16097, 22 Sqdn., age 37, 26/05/1940, missing
Flying Officer Frederick R. Jamieson, RAF 37855, 22 Sqdn., age 27, 26/05/1940, missing
Leading Aircraftman Alan D. MacKenzie, RAF 623407, 22 Sqdn., age 24, 26/05/1940, missing
Pilot Officer Horace J. Cook, RAFVR, 22 Sqdn., age 22, 26/05/1940, missing
Took off 25/05/1940 23.00 hrs from North Coates. Lost without trace into the North Sea, off Heligoland, Germany. The crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Sources: CWGC and Ross McNeill, Coastal Command Losses of the Second World War, 1939-1941
www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/XXII_squadron.html#2605
G Mason +(Church and Park Memorial)
48 possibles on CWGC, but no obvious match.
R Miller on Church and R Millar on the Park Memorial
No obvious match under Miller or Millar unless possibly
Name: MILLAR, ROBERT
Rank: Private
Regiment Royal Norfolk Regiment
Age: 21
Date of Death: 16/07/1944
Service No: 14601165
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Millar; husband of Dorothy Lucy Charlotte Millar, of Bromley, Kent.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. G.G. Coll. Grave 328. Screen Wall. Panel 4. Cemetery: LEWISHAM (HITHER GREEN) CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2429267
F Moore (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: MOORE, FREDERICK JAMES
Rank: Marine
Regiment/Service: Royal Marines
Unit Text: H.M.S. Barham.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 25/11/1941
Service No: PO/X 2290
Additional information: Son of Agnes Moore, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 59, Column 1. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2657524
HMS Barham
24th - Took part with QUEEN ELIZABETH , VALIANT and screen of eight Fleet destroyers for provision of cover to cruisers of 7th and 15th Squadrons carrying out search for military convoys on passage to Benghazi (Operation ME7). (Note: cruisers were deployed as Force B – See Naval Staff History).
25th - Under constant supervision by enemy aircraft. Under attack by U331 and hit by three torpedoes which struck between funnel and X turret on port side. Ship sank in position 32.34N 26.24N within 4 minutes after the magazine detonated. (On VALIANT, the closest ship to BARHAM when she was hit, was the Gaumont News cameraman John Turner who shot 2 minutes of movie film, all he had left in the camera, of the sinking. This film became one of the most poignant shot in the whole war)
Only 450 survived from the complement of about 1312. Note: At the subsequent Board of Inquiry it was suggested that the fires started caused the explosion of the 4in and 15in magazines. All internal communications failed and the speed of the development of a list made it impossible for many to escape.
www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-01BB-Barham.htm
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD0d_J4y_s4
L M Neville (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: NEVILLE, LEONARD MATTHEW
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 21/09/1944
Service No: 5775035
Additional information: Son of Matthew and Annie Neville; husband of Olive Edna Blanche Neville, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 52. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2140353
One of the many who would die as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese.
G D Paterson (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: PATERSON, GORDON DAVID
Rank: Leading Aircraftman (Pilot U/T.)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 19
Date of Death: 22/12/1942
Service No: 1335358
Additional information: Son of William Wallace Paterson and Gertrude Florence Paterson, of North Walsham.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. I.I.I. Grave 5. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764114
(see separate picture of headstone)
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826401730/in/photostr...
On a thread on the RAF Commands Forum, LAC Paterson is noted as KOAS, (Killed on active service - frequently notes an aircrash), and that his death was registered at Sleaford, Lincs. One of the posters speculates it might be linked to the death of a Sergeant (Pilot) George Benson who is recorded as Died of Wounds or Injuries received on active service, and who was also registered at Sleaford, Lincs.
www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7566&highl...
D C Punt (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: PUNT, DOUGLAS CLEMENT
Rank: Aircraftman 2nd Class
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 19
Date of Death: 06/07/1941
Service No: 1233814
Additional information: Son of Herbert and May Dora Punt, of North Walsham.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. N.N.N. Grave 5. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764116
See separate picture of headstone
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826399908/
AC2 Punt is recorded as died on active service (DOAS). His death is registered in Westmoreland South.
www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31 53&highl...
DOAS I believe would tend to indicate natural causes, illness or non-work related accident
A G Pycroft (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: PYCROFT, ARTHUR GEORGE
Rank: Leading Aircraftman (Pilot U/T)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 21
Date of Death: 03/02/1944
Service No: 1285550
Additional information: Son of Arthur John and Daisy Pycroft, of North Walsham, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Eur. War Graves Plot. Grave 131. Cemetery: HARARE (PIONEER) CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2617455
For some background on the Empire Air Training Scheme operation in Rhodesia, (now Zimbabwe) see this article in Flight magazine.
www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%201514...
Harare was previously known as Salisbury.
L Reynolds (Church and Park Memorial)
23 Possibles, including two from Norfolk and one Norfolk Regiment man, but no direct link.
D Sendall (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: SENDALL, DERECK EDWARD
Rank: Gunner
Regiment: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 2 Airlanding Anti-Tank Bty.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 20/09/1944
Service No: 14566572
Additional information: Son of Edward and Victoria Kate Sendall, of White Horse Common, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 26. A. 1. Cemetery: ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2661546
His headstone can be seen here
www.paradata.org.uk/people/dereck-edward-sendall
www.marketgarden.com/database/roll1/view.php?id=77
www.online-begraafplaatsen.nl/zerken.asp?command=showgraf...
It was 2nd Air-Landing Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RA, and not the 1st, which took part in Operation Market Garden, as part of the Airborne Forward Delivery Airfield Group (AFDAG). This Battery had been raised under 6th Airborne Division in July 1943, but in March 1944 left the Division and was placed under direct command of HQ 1st British Airborne Corps as "Corps Troops," to be attached as required to either Division. As it was, it never served again with 1st Airborne Div but with 6th Airborne in Normandy and on the Rhine Crossing.
www.wwiireenacting.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2...
www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?3957-Data-Stirli...
hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?4686-Hartenstein-Airbor...
A Sexton (Church and Park Memorial)
Possibly
Name: SEXTON, WALTER ARNOLD
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 34
Date of Death: 28/05/1944
Service No: 5775020
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Sexton, of North Walsham, Norfolk; husband of Muriel Joan Sexton, of Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Face 6. Memorial: RANGOON MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2524992
The 2nd Norfolks had helped to relieve the siege of Kohima, and then took part in the battles to drive the Japanese from the surrounding heights. Although this would be achieved by the 29th, the Monsoon had broken, and dysentery had become a major problem, causing as many deaths as battle.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kohima
www.britain-at-war.org.uk/html/body_randle.htm
E W Starling (Church and Park Memorial)
Name: STARLING, ERNEST WILLIAM
Rank: Sergeant (Flt. Engr.)
Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 463 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 29/07/1944
Service No: 623359
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Starling, of Swafield, Norfolk.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 1A. B. 7-13. Cemetery: CHOLOY WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2319971
Lancaster ME615 Information
Type..............................Lancaster
Serial Number...............ME615
Squadron......................463
X1D..............................JO-V
Operation.....................Stuttgart
Date 1..........................28th July 1944
Date 2..........................29th July 1944
Further Information
ME615 was delivered to 463 Sqdn 21Jan44. Also recorded wearing the ID JO-Z Took part in the following key Operations: As JO-Z,Berlin 27/28Jan44-flown by Sqdn CO, W/C R.Kingsford-Smith; Berlin 30/31Jan44; Berlin 15/16Feb44; Leipzig 19/20Feb44; Schweinfurt 24/25Feb44; Stuttgart 15/16Mar44; Nuremburg 30/31Mar44; Schweinfurt 26/27Apr44; Mailly-le-Camp 3/4May44; Duisburg 21/22May44; Stuttgart 28/29Jul-Lost.
When lost this aircraft had a total of 364 hours.
Airborne 2224 28Jul44 from Waddington. All are buried in the Choloy War Cemetery, France. F/L Moorhead was 463 Sqdn Gunnery Leader.
F/O J.A.H.Wilkinson RAAF KIA
Sgt E.W.Starling KIA
W/O N.F.Gelder RAAF KIA
F/S F.E.Fischer RAAF KIA
F/S B.Reece RAAF KIA
F/S M.W.Harrison RAAF KIA
F/L B.Moorhead DFC KIA "
www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=6795
This aircraft is recorded as crashed 3 km S Rohrbach-les-Bitche
www.rafinfo.org.uk/BCWW2Losses/1944.htm
Another web-site mentions in passing that the town has a small monument to the crew of a Lancaster that crashed on this day,
translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=ht...
L G Turner on Church memorial + or L C Turner on the Park Memorial
Name: TURNER, LESLIE GEORGE
Rank: Private
Regiment/: Suffolk Regiment
Age: 23
Date of Death: 27/04/1940
Service No: 5829939 Additional information: Son of Agnes Turner, of North Walsham; husband of Mary Turner, of Spa Common.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. Y.Y.Y. Grave 14. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc
A couple of shots of Sanders former Cardiff Bus Wright bodied Scania L94UB type number 324 - WX06 JYA at work on service 34 Stalham - North Walsham.
In this second shot, number 324 is seen in bright sunshine under a clear blue sky heading along North Walsham Road at Pollard Street while operating the above journey. Along with nearby Bacton Green, Broomholm, Keswick and Edingthorpe, the tiny settlement of Pollard Street is part of Bacton civil parish. In recent times, the building to left was occupied by East Anglia Car & Van Hire, but much earlier it was the home of Webster & Grimes Garage/Filling Station. Today, with some of their emergency vehicles in attendance, as we can see HM Coastguard Bacton are now based here.
As mentioned in my previous upload, this is currently one of only two journeys on Monday to Friday service 34 that pass this way. The other is an early morning Happisburgh Common to North Walsham short working. As a result, they both omit the Paston, Mundesley, Knapton and Swafield timing points and enter North Walsham by way of Bacton Road instead of Mundesley Road. However, there are no balancing journeys that use this section of road in the opposite direction.
This vehicle was delivered new to Thamesdown Transport with their fleet number 509 in March 2006, during late summer 2021, by which time Thamesdown had become part of the Go Ahead Group, it passed to Cardiff Bus where it was given fleet number 770. Initially on a temporary loan basis, while other vehicles were awaited, it subsequently became a fully paid up member of the Cardiff Bus fleet before joining Sanders in June 2024.
Shame that the camera wasn’t able to pick up the destination display on this occasion and I hadn’t noticed before that 324 still carries former Cardiff Bus fleet number 770 above the entrance doors.
IR HDR. IR converted Canon Rebel XTi. AEB +/-2 total of 3 exposures processed with Photomatix.
High Dynamic Range (HDR)
High-dynamic-range imaging (HDRI) is a high dynamic range (HDR) technique used in imaging and photography to reproduce a greater dynamic range of luminosity than is possible with standard digital imaging or photographic techniques. The aim is to present a similar range of luminance to that experienced through the human visual system. The human eye, through adaptation of the iris and other methods, adjusts constantly to adapt to a broad range of luminance present in the environment. The brain continuously interprets this information so that a viewer can see in a wide range of light conditions.
HDR images can represent a greater range of luminance levels than can be achieved using more 'traditional' methods, such as many real-world scenes containing very bright, direct sunlight to extreme shade, or very faint nebulae. This is often achieved by capturing and then combining several different, narrower range, exposures of the same subject matter. Non-HDR cameras take photographs with a limited exposure range, referred to as LDR, resulting in the loss of detail in highlights or shadows.
The two primary types of HDR images are computer renderings and images resulting from merging multiple low-dynamic-range (LDR) or standard-dynamic-range (SDR) photographs. HDR images can also be acquired using special image sensors, such as an oversampled binary image sensor.
Due to the limitations of printing and display contrast, the extended luminosity range of an HDR image has to be compressed to be made visible. The method of rendering an HDR image to a standard monitor or printing device is called tone mapping. This method reduces the overall contrast of an HDR image to facilitate display on devices or printouts with lower dynamic range, and can be applied to produce images with preserved local contrast (or exaggerated for artistic effect).
In photography, dynamic range is measured in exposure value (EV) differences (known as stops). An increase of one EV, or 'one stop', represents a doubling of the amount of light. Conversely, a decrease of one EV represents a halving of the amount of light. Therefore, revealing detail in the darkest of shadows requires high exposures, while preserving detail in very bright situations requires very low exposures. Most cameras cannot provide this range of exposure values within a single exposure, due to their low dynamic range. High-dynamic-range photographs are generally achieved by capturing multiple standard-exposure images, often using exposure bracketing, and then later merging them into a single HDR image, usually within a photo manipulation program). Digital images are often encoded in a camera's raw image format, because 8-bit JPEG encoding does not offer a wide enough range of values to allow fine transitions (and regarding HDR, later introduces undesirable effects due to lossy compression).
Any camera that allows manual exposure control can make images for HDR work, although one equipped with auto exposure bracketing (AEB) is far better suited. Images from film cameras are less suitable as they often must first be digitized, so that they can later be processed using software HDR methods.
In most imaging devices, the degree of exposure to light applied to the active element (be it film or CCD) can be altered in one of two ways: by either increasing/decreasing the size of the aperture or by increasing/decreasing the time of each exposure. Exposure variation in an HDR set is only done by altering the exposure time and not the aperture size; this is because altering the aperture size also affects the depth of field and so the resultant multiple images would be quite different, preventing their final combination into a single HDR image.
An important limitation for HDR photography is that any movement between successive images will impede or prevent success in combining them afterwards. Also, as one must create several images (often three or five and sometimes more) to obtain the desired luminance range, such a full 'set' of images takes extra time. HDR photographers have developed calculation methods and techniques to partially overcome these problems, but the use of a sturdy tripod is, at least, advised.
Some cameras have an auto exposure bracketing (AEB) feature with a far greater dynamic range than others, from the 3 EV of the Canon EOS 40D, to the 18 EV of the Canon EOS-1D Mark II. As the popularity of this imaging method grows, several camera manufactures are now offering built-in HDR features. For example, the Pentax K-7 DSLR has an HDR mode that captures an HDR image and outputs (only) a tone mapped JPEG file. The Canon PowerShot G12, Canon PowerShot S95 and Canon PowerShot S100 offer similar features in a smaller format.. Nikon's approach is called 'Active D-Lighting' which applies exposure compensation and tone mapping to the image as it comes from the sensor, with the accent being on retaing a realistic effect . Some smartphones provide HDR modes, and most mobile platforms have apps that provide HDR picture taking.
Camera characteristics such as gamma curves, sensor resolution, noise, photometric calibration and color calibration affect resulting high-dynamic-range images.
Color film negatives and slides consist of multiple film layers that respond to light differently. As a consequence, transparent originals (especially positive slides) feature a very high dynamic range
Tone mapping
Tone mapping reduces the dynamic range, or contrast ratio, of an entire image while retaining localized contrast. Although it is a distinct operation, tone mapping is often applied to HDRI files by the same software package.
Several software applications are available on the PC, Mac and Linux platforms for producing HDR files and tone mapped images. Notable titles include
Adobe Photoshop
Aurora HDR
Dynamic Photo HDR
HDR Efex Pro
HDR PhotoStudio
Luminance HDR
MagicRaw
Oloneo PhotoEngine
Photomatix Pro
PTGui
Information stored in high-dynamic-range images typically corresponds to the physical values of luminance or radiance that can be observed in the real world. This is different from traditional digital images, which represent colors as they should appear on a monitor or a paper print. Therefore, HDR image formats are often called scene-referred, in contrast to traditional digital images, which are device-referred or output-referred. Furthermore, traditional images are usually encoded for the human visual system (maximizing the visual information stored in the fixed number of bits), which is usually called gamma encoding or gamma correction. The values stored for HDR images are often gamma compressed (power law) or logarithmically encoded, or floating-point linear values, since fixed-point linear encodings are increasingly inefficient over higher dynamic ranges.
HDR images often don't use fixed ranges per color channel—other than traditional images—to represent many more colors over a much wider dynamic range. For that purpose, they don't use integer values to represent the single color channels (e.g., 0-255 in an 8 bit per pixel interval for red, green and blue) but instead use a floating point representation. Common are 16-bit (half precision) or 32-bit floating point numbers to represent HDR pixels. However, when the appropriate transfer function is used, HDR pixels for some applications can be represented with a color depth that has as few as 10–12 bits for luminance and 8 bits for chrominance without introducing any visible quantization artifacts.
History of HDR photography
The idea of using several exposures to adequately reproduce a too-extreme range of luminance was pioneered as early as the 1850s by Gustave Le Gray to render seascapes showing both the sky and the sea. Such rendering was impossible at the time using standard methods, as the luminosity range was too extreme. Le Gray used one negative for the sky, and another one with a longer exposure for the sea, and combined the two into one picture in positive.
Mid 20th century
Manual tone mapping was accomplished by dodging and burning – selectively increasing or decreasing the exposure of regions of the photograph to yield better tonality reproduction. This was effective because the dynamic range of the negative is significantly higher than would be available on the finished positive paper print when that is exposed via the negative in a uniform manner. An excellent example is the photograph Schweitzer at the Lamp by W. Eugene Smith, from his 1954 photo essay A Man of Mercy on Dr. Albert Schweitzer and his humanitarian work in French Equatorial Africa. The image took 5 days to reproduce the tonal range of the scene, which ranges from a bright lamp (relative to the scene) to a dark shadow.
Ansel Adams elevated dodging and burning to an art form. Many of his famous prints were manipulated in the darkroom with these two methods. Adams wrote a comprehensive book on producing prints called The Print, which prominently features dodging and burning, in the context of his Zone System.
With the advent of color photography, tone mapping in the darkroom was no longer possible due to the specific timing needed during the developing process of color film. Photographers looked to film manufacturers to design new film stocks with improved response, or continued to shoot in black and white to use tone mapping methods.
Color film capable of directly recording high-dynamic-range images was developed by Charles Wyckoff and EG&G "in the course of a contract with the Department of the Air Force". This XR film had three emulsion layers, an upper layer having an ASA speed rating of 400, a middle layer with an intermediate rating, and a lower layer with an ASA rating of 0.004. The film was processed in a manner similar to color films, and each layer produced a different color. The dynamic range of this extended range film has been estimated as 1:108. It has been used to photograph nuclear explosions, for astronomical photography, for spectrographic research, and for medical imaging. Wyckoff's detailed pictures of nuclear explosions appeared on the cover of Life magazine in the mid-1950s.
Late 20th century
Georges Cornuéjols and licensees of his patents (Brdi, Hymatom) introduced the principle of HDR video image, in 1986, by interposing a matricial LCD screen in front of the camera's image sensor, increasing the sensors dynamic by five stops. The concept of neighborhood tone mapping was applied to video cameras by a group from the Technion in Israel led by Dr. Oliver Hilsenrath and Prof. Y.Y.Zeevi who filed for a patent on this concept in 1988.
In February and April 1990, Georges Cornuéjols introduced the first real-time HDR camera that combined two images captured by a sensor3435 or simultaneously3637 by two sensors of the camera. This process is known as bracketing used for a video stream.
In 1991, the first commercial video camera was introduced that performed real-time capturing of multiple images with different exposures, and producing an HDR video image, by Hymatom, licensee of Georges Cornuéjols.
Also in 1991, Georges Cornuéjols introduced the HDR+ image principle by non-linear accumulation of images to increase the sensitivity of the camera: for low-light environments, several successive images are accumulated, thus increasing the signal to noise ratio.
In 1993, another commercial medical camera producing an HDR video image, by the Technion.
Modern HDR imaging uses a completely different approach, based on making a high-dynamic-range luminance or light map using only global image operations (across the entire image), and then tone mapping the result. Global HDR was first introduced in 19931 resulting in a mathematical theory of differently exposed pictures of the same subject matter that was published in 1995 by Steve Mann and Rosalind Picard.
On October 28, 1998, Ben Sarao created one of the first nighttime HDR+G (High Dynamic Range + Graphic image)of STS-95 on the launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. It consisted of four film images of the shuttle at night that were digitally composited with additional digital graphic elements. The image was first exhibited at NASA Headquarters Great Hall, Washington DC in 1999 and then published in Hasselblad Forum, Issue 3 1993, Volume 35 ISSN 0282-5449.
The advent of consumer digital cameras produced a new demand for HDR imaging to improve the light response of digital camera sensors, which had a much smaller dynamic range than film. Steve Mann developed and patented the global-HDR method for producing digital images having extended dynamic range at the MIT Media Laboratory. Mann's method involved a two-step procedure: (1) generate one floating point image array by global-only image operations (operations that affect all pixels identically, without regard to their local neighborhoods); and then (2) convert this image array, using local neighborhood processing (tone-remapping, etc.), into an HDR image. The image array generated by the first step of Mann's process is called a lightspace image, lightspace picture, or radiance map. Another benefit of global-HDR imaging is that it provides access to the intermediate light or radiance map, which has been used for computer vision, and other image processing operations.
21st century
In 2005, Adobe Systems introduced several new features in Photoshop CS2 including Merge to HDR, 32 bit floating point image support, and HDR tone mapping.
On June 30, 2016, Microsoft added support for the digital compositing of HDR images to Windows 10 using the Universal Windows Platform.
HDR sensors
Modern CMOS image sensors can often capture a high dynamic range from a single exposure. The wide dynamic range of the captured image is non-linearly compressed into a smaller dynamic range electronic representation. However, with proper processing, the information from a single exposure can be used to create an HDR image.
Such HDR imaging is used in extreme dynamic range applications like welding or automotive work. Some other cameras designed for use in security applications can automatically provide two or more images for each frame, with changing exposure. For example, a sensor for 30fps video will give out 60fps with the odd frames at a short exposure time and the even frames at a longer exposure time. Some of the sensor may even combine the two images on-chip so that a wider dynamic range without in-pixel compression is directly available to the user for display or processing.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-dynamic-range_imaging
Infrared Photography
In infrared photography, the film or image sensor used is sensitive to infrared light. The part of the spectrum used is referred to as near-infrared to distinguish it from far-infrared, which is the domain of thermal imaging. Wavelengths used for photography range from about 700 nm to about 900 nm. Film is usually sensitive to visible light too, so an infrared-passing filter is used; this lets infrared (IR) light pass through to the camera, but blocks all or most of the visible light spectrum (the filter thus looks black or deep red). ("Infrared filter" may refer either to this type of filter or to one that blocks infrared but passes other wavelengths.)
When these filters are used together with infrared-sensitive film or sensors, "in-camera effects" can be obtained; false-color or black-and-white images with a dreamlike or sometimes lurid appearance known as the "Wood Effect," an effect mainly caused by foliage (such as tree leaves and grass) strongly reflecting in the same way visible light is reflected from snow. There is a small contribution from chlorophyll fluorescence, but this is marginal and is not the real cause of the brightness seen in infrared photographs. The effect is named after the infrared photography pioneer Robert W. Wood, and not after the material wood, which does not strongly reflect infrared.
The other attributes of infrared photographs include very dark skies and penetration of atmospheric haze, caused by reduced Rayleigh scattering and Mie scattering, respectively, compared to visible light. The dark skies, in turn, result in less infrared light in shadows and dark reflections of those skies from water, and clouds will stand out strongly. These wavelengths also penetrate a few millimeters into skin and give a milky look to portraits, although eyes often look black.
Until the early 20th century, infrared photography was not possible because silver halide emulsions are not sensitive to longer wavelengths than that of blue light (and to a lesser extent, green light) without the addition of a dye to act as a color sensitizer. The first infrared photographs (as distinct from spectrographs) to be published appeared in the February 1910 edition of The Century Magazine and in the October 1910 edition of the Royal Photographic Society Journal to illustrate papers by Robert W. Wood, who discovered the unusual effects that now bear his name. The RPS co-ordinated events to celebrate the centenary of this event in 2010. Wood's photographs were taken on experimental film that required very long exposures; thus, most of his work focused on landscapes. A further set of infrared landscapes taken by Wood in Italy in 1911 used plates provided for him by CEK Mees at Wratten & Wainwright. Mees also took a few infrared photographs in Portugal in 1910, which are now in the Kodak archives.
Infrared-sensitive photographic plates were developed in the United States during World War I for spectroscopic analysis, and infrared sensitizing dyes were investigated for improved haze penetration in aerial photography. After 1930, new emulsions from Kodak and other manufacturers became useful to infrared astronomy.
Infrared photography became popular with photography enthusiasts in the 1930s when suitable film was introduced commercially. The Times regularly published landscape and aerial photographs taken by their staff photographers using Ilford infrared film. By 1937 33 kinds of infrared film were available from five manufacturers including Agfa, Kodak and Ilford. Infrared movie film was also available and was used to create day-for-night effects in motion pictures, a notable example being the pseudo-night aerial sequences in the James Cagney/Bette Davis movie The Bride Came COD.
False-color infrared photography became widely practiced with the introduction of Kodak Ektachrome Infrared Aero Film and Ektachrome Infrared EIR. The first version of this, known as Kodacolor Aero-Reversal-Film, was developed by Clark and others at the Kodak for camouflage detection in the 1940s. The film became more widely available in 35mm form in the 1960s but KODAK AEROCHROME III Infrared Film 1443 has been discontinued.
Infrared photography became popular with a number of 1960s recording artists, because of the unusual results; Jimi Hendrix, Donovan, Frank and a slow shutter speed without focus compensation, however wider apertures like f/2.0 can produce sharp photos only if the lens is meticulously refocused to the infrared index mark, and only if this index mark is the correct one for the filter and film in use. However, it should be noted that diffraction effects inside a camera are greater at infrared wavelengths so that stopping down the lens too far may actually reduce sharpness.
Most apochromatic ('APO') lenses do not have an Infrared index mark and do not need to be refocused for the infrared spectrum because they are already optically corrected into the near-infrared spectrum. Catadioptric lenses do not often require this adjustment because their mirror containing elements do not suffer from chromatic aberration and so the overall aberration is comparably less. Catadioptric lenses do, of course, still contain lenses, and these lenses do still have a dispersive property.
Infrared black-and-white films require special development times but development is usually achieved with standard black-and-white film developers and chemicals (like D-76). Kodak HIE film has a polyester film base that is very stable but extremely easy to scratch, therefore special care must be used in the handling of Kodak HIE throughout the development and printing/scanning process to avoid damage to the film. The Kodak HIE film was sensitive to 900 nm.
As of November 2, 2007, "KODAK is preannouncing the discontinuance" of HIE Infrared 35 mm film stating the reasons that, "Demand for these products has been declining significantly in recent years, and it is no longer practical to continue to manufacture given the low volume, the age of the product formulations and the complexity of the processes involved." At the time of this notice, HIE Infrared 135-36 was available at a street price of around $12.00 a roll at US mail order outlets.
Arguably the greatest obstacle to infrared film photography has been the increasing difficulty of obtaining infrared-sensitive film. However, despite the discontinuance of HIE, other newer infrared sensitive emulsions from EFKE, ROLLEI, and ILFORD are still available, but these formulations have differing sensitivity and specifications from the venerable KODAK HIE that has been around for at least two decades. Some of these infrared films are available in 120 and larger formats as well as 35 mm, which adds flexibility to their application. With the discontinuance of Kodak HIE, Efke's IR820 film has become the only IR film on the marketneeds update with good sensitivity beyond 750 nm, the Rollei film does extend beyond 750 nm but IR sensitivity falls off very rapidly.
Color infrared transparency films have three sensitized layers that, because of the way the dyes are coupled to these layers, reproduce infrared as red, red as green, and green as blue. All three layers are sensitive to blue so the film must be used with a yellow filter, since this will block blue light but allow the remaining colors to reach the film. The health of foliage can be determined from the relative strengths of green and infrared light reflected; this shows in color infrared as a shift from red (healthy) towards magenta (unhealthy). Early color infrared films were developed in the older E-4 process, but Kodak later manufactured a color transparency film that could be developed in standard E-6 chemistry, although more accurate results were obtained by developing using the AR-5 process. In general, color infrared does not need to be refocused to the infrared index mark on the lens.
In 2007 Kodak announced that production of the 35 mm version of their color infrared film (Ektachrome Professional Infrared/EIR) would cease as there was insufficient demand. Since 2011, all formats of color infrared film have been discontinued. Specifically, Aerochrome 1443 and SO-734.
There is no currently available digital camera that will produce the same results as Kodak color infrared film although the equivalent images can be produced by taking two exposures, one infrared and the other full-color, and combining in post-production. The color images produced by digital still cameras using infrared-pass filters are not equivalent to those produced on color infrared film. The colors result from varying amounts of infrared passing through the color filters on the photo sites, further amended by the Bayer filtering. While this makes such images unsuitable for the kind of applications for which the film was used, such as remote sensing of plant health, the resulting color tonality has proved popular artistically.
Color digital infrared, as part of full spectrum photography is gaining popularity. The ease of creating a softly colored photo with infrared characteristics has found interest among hobbyists and professionals.
In 2008, Los Angeles photographer, Dean Bennici started cutting and hand rolling Aerochrome color Infrared film. All Aerochrome medium and large format which exists today came directly from his lab. The trend in infrared photography continues to gain momentum with the success of photographer Richard Mosse and multiple users all around the world.
Digital camera sensors are inherently sensitive to infrared light, which would interfere with the normal photography by confusing the autofocus calculations or softening the image (because infrared light is focused differently from visible light), or oversaturating the red channel. Also, some clothing is transparent in the infrared, leading to unintended (at least to the manufacturer) uses of video cameras. Thus, to improve image quality and protect privacy, many digital cameras employ infrared blockers. Depending on the subject matter, infrared photography may not be practical with these cameras because the exposure times become overly long, often in the range of 30 seconds, creating noise and motion blur in the final image. However, for some subject matter the long exposure does not matter or the motion blur effects actually add to the image. Some lenses will also show a 'hot spot' in the centre of the image as their coatings are optimised for visible light and not for IR.
An alternative method of DSLR infrared photography is to remove the infrared blocker in front of the sensor and replace it with a filter that removes visible light. This filter is behind the mirror, so the camera can be used normally - handheld, normal shutter speeds, normal composition through the viewfinder, and focus, all work like a normal camera. Metering works but is not always accurate because of the difference between visible and infrared refraction. When the IR blocker is removed, many lenses which did display a hotspot cease to do so, and become perfectly usable for infrared photography. Additionally, because the red, green and blue micro-filters remain and have transmissions not only in their respective color but also in the infrared, enhanced infrared color may be recorded.
Since the Bayer filters in most digital cameras absorb a significant fraction of the infrared light, these cameras are sometimes not very sensitive as infrared cameras and can sometimes produce false colors in the images. An alternative approach is to use a Foveon X3 sensor, which does not have absorptive filters on it; the Sigma SD10 DSLR has a removable IR blocking filter and dust protector, which can be simply omitted or replaced by a deep red or complete visible light blocking filter. The Sigma SD14 has an IR/UV blocking filter that can be removed/installed without tools. The result is a very sensitive digital IR camera.
While it is common to use a filter that blocks almost all visible light, the wavelength sensitivity of a digital camera without internal infrared blocking is such that a variety of artistic results can be obtained with more conventional filtration. For example, a very dark neutral density filter can be used (such as the Hoya ND400) which passes a very small amount of visible light compared to the near-infrared it allows through. Wider filtration permits an SLR viewfinder to be used and also passes more varied color information to the sensor without necessarily reducing the Wood effect. Wider filtration is however likely to reduce other infrared artefacts such as haze penetration and darkened skies. This technique mirrors the methods used by infrared film photographers where black-and-white infrared film was often used with a deep red filter rather than a visually opaque one.
Another common technique with near-infrared filters is to swap blue and red channels in software (e.g. photoshop) which retains much of the characteristic 'white foliage' while rendering skies a glorious blue.
Several Sony cameras had the so-called Night Shot facility, which physically moves the blocking filter away from the light path, which makes the cameras very sensitive to infrared light. Soon after its development, this facility was 'restricted' by Sony to make it difficult for people to take photos that saw through clothing. To do this the iris is opened fully and exposure duration is limited to long times of more than 1/30 second or so. It is possible to shoot infrared but neutral density filters must be used to reduce the camera's sensitivity and the long exposure times mean that care must be taken to avoid camera-shake artifacts.
Fuji have produced digital cameras for use in forensic criminology and medicine which have no infrared blocking filter. The first camera, designated the S3 PRO UVIR, also had extended ultraviolet sensitivity (digital sensors are usually less sensitive to UV than to IR). Optimum UV sensitivity requires special lenses, but ordinary lenses usually work well for IR. In 2007, FujiFilm introduced a new version of this camera, based on the Nikon D200/ FujiFilm S5 called the IS Pro, also able to take Nikon lenses. Fuji had earlier introduced a non-SLR infrared camera, the IS-1, a modified version of the FujiFilm FinePix S9100. Unlike the S3 PRO UVIR, the IS-1 does not offer UV sensitivity. FujiFilm restricts the sale of these cameras to professional users with their EULA specifically prohibiting "unethical photographic conduct".
Phase One digital camera backs can be ordered in an infrared modified form.
Remote sensing and thermographic cameras are sensitive to longer wavelengths of infrared (see Infrared spectrum#Commonly used sub-division scheme). They may be multispectral and use a variety of technologies which may not resemble common camera or filter designs. Cameras sensitive to longer infrared wavelengths including those used in infrared astronomy often require cooling to reduce thermally induced dark currents in the sensor (see Dark current (physics)). Lower cost uncooled thermographic digital cameras operate in the Long Wave infrared band (see Thermographic camera#Uncooled infrared detectors). These cameras are generally used for building inspection or preventative maintenance but can be used for artistic pursuits as well.
So, here it is, the reason I drove across Norfolk: Trunch in all it's glory And it is glorious.
It has so many fascinating details, each one alone would be reason enough to visit, but together, in a fine village, next to the village pub, and with that font canopy, one of only four such in all of England, and one of two in the county.
-------------------------------------------
The oldest building in Trunch is St. Botolph's Church. It is mainly 14th. and 15th. Century but there are some fragments of stone in the walls which are believed to have been reused from an earlier Saxon church, which was recorded in the Domesday Book. There is much of interest in the church including a Rood Screen, a hammer beam roof and a rare Font Canopy.
trunchhistory.weebly.com/buildings.html
--------------------------------------------
The large village of Trunch is located about 5 miles from the north Norfolk coast. In the centre of the village, surrounded by a lovely collection of cottages and the more modern Crossroads Inn, is St Botolph's church. Much of what you see of the church is early 15th century, built upon earlier foundations.
Upon entering the church the first feature you will see is the font, which dates to the mid 14th century. Though the font is attractive, it is the carved and painted font canopy that really makes a visit to Trunch worthwhile.
This is a quite remarkable piece of woodwork, one of only four such canopies surviving in the entire country (the others are at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich, Durham Cathedral, and Luton). The canopy is supported on six beautifully carved legs. The carving detail is exquisite; with fanciful animal figures and foliage and a bit of political commentary, in the shape of a pig wearing a bishop's mitre.
In addition to the font canopy, Trunch features a superb 15th century hammer beam roof, a feature of many churches in Norfolk and Suffolk. Here the carvings of angels are beautifully performed. It is worth bringing along a pair of binoculars or a telescope in order to see the carvings properly.
Much easier to see are the medieval misericords (mercy seats) in the chancel. Each carving is unique; some represent angels, and others are more grotesque in nature. In addition there are some beautifully carved pew ends and a painted medieval rood screen that rivals many more famous churches in detail and colour.
There are 12 niches in the screen, each painted with a depiction of a single figure - 11 disciples plus St Paul. Much of the costume detail is well preserved, but the faces of the figures were destroyed during the upheavals of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
www.britainexpress.com/counties/norfolk/churches/Trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
William Earl Warren had the lordship of this town, (fn. 1) of which 3 freemen were deprived; one of them belonged to Herold, late King of England, another to Ralph Stalre, and the 3d to Ketel, who held 90 acres of land, and 14 borderers belonged to it, with 5 carucates among them; there was a church endowed with 10 acres, &c. 3 acres of meadow always valued at 30s. and there were also 5 freemen of Edric in King Edward's time, who had 34 acres of land, with 2 carucates, 2 acres and an half of meadow, always valued at 7s. 4d. (fn. 2)
This town also belonged to the Earl Warren's capital manor of Gimmingham, and paid suit and service to it. In the 34th of Henry III. Maud de Norwich granted by fine, to Richer, son of Nicholas, a messuage, 48 acres of land, a mill, and the sixth part of another in this town, Swathefeld and Bradfeld. In the 15th of Edward I. the Earl Warren claimed a weekly mercate, on Saturday, in this manor; and on the death of John Earl Warren, in the 21st of Edward III. the mercate was valued at 10s. per ann. the manor came after to the Earl of Lancaster, (as is before observed,) and so to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, and King Henry IV. and is still in the Crown, as part of the dutchy of Lancaster.
The tenths were 4l. 10s. deducted 15s.
The Church is dedicated to St. Botolph, and is a regular pile, with a nave, 2 isles, and a chancel covered with lead, and has a tower with 4 bells.
In the chancel, on a little monument,
Lancelotus Thexton cappellanus Regis Edw. VI. sacre theologie baccalaureus, et rector de Trunch obt. 25. Febr. 1588, and this shield of arms, quarterly, in the first and fourth a cross between four lions heads erased, gules, in the 2d and 3d, ermine, fretty, azure.
In a window here, argent, a fess between two chevrons, sable.
On a gravestone
Hic jacet Magr. Robt. Cantell, quo'd. rector isti. ecclie, qui. obt. 1 Sept. Ao. Dni. 1480.
Gravestones
In memory of Thomas Worts, gent. who died November 13, 1693, aged 45, with his arms, three lions rampant, - - - — William Worts. gent. who married Elizabeth, daughter of Riches Brown of Fulmodeston, Esq. died August 25, 1694, aged 60, with the arms of Worts impaling Brown; two bars, between three spears heads, - - -
¶The patronage of the church was granted to the priory of Castleacre, by William Earl Warren, the first on his founding that priory. In the reign of Edward I. the rector had a manse, and 13 acres of land valued at 16 marks, Peter-pence 13d. and the prior of Castleacre had a pension or portion of tithe valued at 40s. the present valor is 10l. 13s. 4d. and pays first fruits, &c. the Norwich registers say that William, the second Earl Warren, granted the patronage, and Eborard Bishop of Norwich, confirmed it; and that Simon the Bishop confirmed the pension in 1268.
www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-hist-norfolk/vol8...
-----------------------------------------
Trunch is the largest of the villages between North Walsham and the sea; but as all the industrialisation and tawdry caravan sites are hard against the coast, and Trunch is several miles inland, it has avoided these excesses and retains a great rural charm. It has a magnificent church with lots of fascinating treasures, as well as a shop, a green, a pub run by an ex-professional footballer, and generally all the typical features you expect to find in a large village in deepest rural Norfolk.
The church is perhaps the most interesting of all round about; and, while the large village lends it an urban quality that lacks the charm of, say, the churches of neighbouring Edingthorpe and Crostwight, it has by no means the Victorianised sterility of those at Bacton or Happisburgh.
St Botolph is a big church, and its tight graveyard makes it rather hard to photograph. The whole piece seems to have been rebuilt in the early 15th century, although the chancel may be a little later, and there is a hint of Decorated about the nave. The tower is quite simple, even slight. It builds boldly enough, but at the top of the second stage fades into a simple bell stage, understated, elegant and probably intended. This is not a building that shouts at you. A curiosity is the massive priest porch surrounding the door in the chancel. These are very unusual, although there is another, smaller one at neighbouring Knapton.
The great treasure, of course, is the marvellous font canopy. It is particularly fascinating because of its date, coming in the early 16th century right on the eve of the English protestant reformation. Like all church furnishings at this time - the tombs at Oxborough, for instance - it gives us a hint of what the English renaissance might have been like if it had been allowed to flower. Here, the massive structure tumbles with intricacy; fruit and flowers, leopards and lions peep around the silvery oak of the six octagonal columns which are fluted with interlocking chains of detail. The glory is the massive crown of canopied niches, with the haunting ghosts of crucifixion groups still apparent on three of the faces. The whole thing is at once in perfect harmony with the west end of the church, but exists because it was believed to be beautiful rather than known to be useful.There is only one other font canopy in Norfolk, at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich; Outside of the county there is another at Durham Cathedral, and a fourth at the parish church in Luton - but that is it.
Above the canopy is a rich 15th century hammerbeam roof, by no means as dramatic as that at nearby Knapton, but more beautiful, I think. In the space beneath the tower there is what appears to be a gallery like the plough guild gallery at Cawston. This is not as elaborate, but its oak has silvered and it is painted beautifully with trailing rose foliage.
The benching, unfortunately, is pretty much all 19th century, but along with the font canopy and roof the medieval screen survives. Like the canopy, this is richly ornamented in relief, including a bold dedicatory inscription in diagonal ribbons across the top part of the dado. The twelve figures (11 disciples and St Paul) are boldly placed and coloured, but their faces have been completely vandalised by the 16th century reformers. Low down on the north side of the doorway is a rare surviving carved consecration cross, suggesting that this screen was already installed in the newly built church of the 15th century. The screen had detached buttressing running vertically at intervals in front of it, as at Ludham. They have been almost entirely destroyed, but you can still see the fixings between the panels. It must have been magnificent.
The return stalls in the chancel are pretty much all Victorian, but they retain medieval misericords, and also you can see quatrefoil holes set into a sounding chamber to amplify the singing. There is a very curious memorial above the priest door, featuring the instruments of the passion. I have no idea how old it is.
All of these features would be enough, but part of the attraction of St Botolph is the sense of harmony, the way everything works together. You can add to these the sedilia, the magnificent organ, and the modern design of the glass in the east window. It is a peaceful, inspiring space.
Cottages and houses hem in the graveyard, and in the corner is the modern pub. Incidentally, I don't really know if the bloke who runs it is an ex-professional footballer. But, like many rural Norfolk landlords, he seems to be a cheerful 40-something cockney who serves a decent pint and cheap food - a recommended stop for churchcrawlers.
Simon Knott, April 2005
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/trunch/trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
And the pub is still good.
Edingthorpe lies three miles north-east of North Walsham.
Even when you've lived in Norfolk a long time and you think you know the place well - it can still surprise you. Edingthorpe Church is one of these delightful surprises. You turn off at the duck pond in the centre of the village, drive along a narrow, muddy lane and after about a quarter of a mile you find the church located on the crest of the hill - surrounded by a belt of pine trees. On the Easter weekend when I visited, I also found the graveyard full of daffodils.
The war poet Siegfried Sassoon visited the church when he was a child on holiday in Norfolk. The location obviously made an impression on him for, later in life, when he came to write his autobiography The Old Century and Seven More Years (1938), he remembers the timelessness of the place:
'It had a very special dignity and simplicity, standing there on its low hill above the harvest fields, as though it were the faithful servant of the life around it.
All churches are alike in the eyes of our Maker, it now seemed to be saying; it evokes in me a sense of local England and the centuries behind it, - the harvests it has seen and the pathos of those humble folk who had toiled and died and had been "of this parish".
Sassoon used to stay at the Old Rectory each summer with his parents and his two bothers Michael and Hamo. On his return to Edingthorpe in 1937 he also remarked upon the village pond, but in less picturesque terms: 'There was the black stagnant pond with a few ducks on it - longer and narrower than it had been in my rememberings... It had always been an unprepossessing, unfishable pond.'
The rural tranquillity of Edingthorpe must have been a marked contrast to the horrors that he witnessed in the trenches during WW1.
Descriptions of Edingthorpe also appear in The Flower-Show Match and Other Pieces (1941).
The former poet laureate - Andrew Motion - mentions Edingthorpe in one of the poems in Laurels and Donkeys. However, he employs poetic licence and sets Edingthorpe in Sassoon's native county of Kent. The poem also features the lych gate which was built after the Great War to commemorate the death of the rector's son who died while serving with the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment 9th Foot: 'Siegfried clambers down, without the others noticing, and leans his leather elbows on the lych gate. The carved gold lettering says it was built when the war ended in memory of a lance-corporal whose father was rector here.'
So, here it is, the reason I drove across Norfolk: Trunch in all it's glory And it is glorious.
It has so many fascinating details, each one alone would be reason enough to visit, but together, in a fine village, next to the village pub, and with that font canopy, one of only four such in all of England, and one of two in the county.
-------------------------------------------
The oldest building in Trunch is St. Botolph's Church. It is mainly 14th. and 15th. Century but there are some fragments of stone in the walls which are believed to have been reused from an earlier Saxon church, which was recorded in the Domesday Book. There is much of interest in the church including a Rood Screen, a hammer beam roof and a rare Font Canopy.
trunchhistory.weebly.com/buildings.html
--------------------------------------------
The large village of Trunch is located about 5 miles from the north Norfolk coast. In the centre of the village, surrounded by a lovely collection of cottages and the more modern Crossroads Inn, is St Botolph's church. Much of what you see of the church is early 15th century, built upon earlier foundations.
Upon entering the church the first feature you will see is the font, which dates to the mid 14th century. Though the font is attractive, it is the carved and painted font canopy that really makes a visit to Trunch worthwhile.
This is a quite remarkable piece of woodwork, one of only four such canopies surviving in the entire country (the others are at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich, Durham Cathedral, and Luton). The canopy is supported on six beautifully carved legs. The carving detail is exquisite; with fanciful animal figures and foliage and a bit of political commentary, in the shape of a pig wearing a bishop's mitre.
In addition to the font canopy, Trunch features a superb 15th century hammer beam roof, a feature of many churches in Norfolk and Suffolk. Here the carvings of angels are beautifully performed. It is worth bringing along a pair of binoculars or a telescope in order to see the carvings properly.
Much easier to see are the medieval misericords (mercy seats) in the chancel. Each carving is unique; some represent angels, and others are more grotesque in nature. In addition there are some beautifully carved pew ends and a painted medieval rood screen that rivals many more famous churches in detail and colour.
There are 12 niches in the screen, each painted with a depiction of a single figure - 11 disciples plus St Paul. Much of the costume detail is well preserved, but the faces of the figures were destroyed during the upheavals of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
www.britainexpress.com/counties/norfolk/churches/Trunch.htm
------------------------------------------
William Earl Warren had the lordship of this town, (fn. 1) of which 3 freemen were deprived; one of them belonged to Herold, late King of England, another to Ralph Stalre, and the 3d to Ketel, who held 90 acres of land, and 14 borderers belonged to it, with 5 carucates among them; there was a church endowed with 10 acres, &c. 3 acres of meadow always valued at 30s. and there were also 5 freemen of Edric in King Edward's time, who had 34 acres of land, with 2 carucates, 2 acres and an half of meadow, always valued at 7s. 4d. (fn. 2)
This town also belonged to the Earl Warren's capital manor of Gimmingham, and paid suit and service to it. In the 34th of Henry III. Maud de Norwich granted by fine, to Richer, son of Nicholas, a messuage, 48 acres of land, a mill, and the sixth part of another in this town, Swathefeld and Bradfeld. In the 15th of Edward I. the Earl Warren claimed a weekly mercate, on Saturday, in this manor; and on the death of John Earl Warren, in the 21st of Edward III. the mercate was valued at 10s. per ann. the manor came after to the Earl of Lancaster, (as is before observed,) and so to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, and King Henry IV. and is still in the Crown, as part of the dutchy of Lancaster.
The tenths were 4l. 10s. deducted 15s.
The Church is dedicated to St. Botolph, and is a regular pile, with a nave, 2 isles, and a chancel covered with lead, and has a tower with 4 bells.
In the chancel, on a little monument,
Lancelotus Thexton cappellanus Regis Edw. VI. sacre theologie baccalaureus, et rector de Trunch obt. 25. Febr. 1588, and this shield of arms, quarterly, in the first and fourth a cross between four lions heads erased, gules, in the 2d and 3d, ermine, fretty, azure.
In a window here, argent, a fess between two chevrons, sable.
On a gravestone
Hic jacet Magr. Robt. Cantell, quo'd. rector isti. ecclie, qui. obt. 1 Sept. Ao. Dni. 1480.
Gravestones
In memory of Thomas Worts, gent. who died November 13, 1693, aged 45, with his arms, three lions rampant, - - - — William Worts. gent. who married Elizabeth, daughter of Riches Brown of Fulmodeston, Esq. died August 25, 1694, aged 60, with the arms of Worts impaling Brown; two bars, between three spears heads, - - -
¶The patronage of the church was granted to the priory of Castleacre, by William Earl Warren, the first on his founding that priory. In the reign of Edward I. the rector had a manse, and 13 acres of land valued at 16 marks, Peter-pence 13d. and the prior of Castleacre had a pension or portion of tithe valued at 40s. the present valor is 10l. 13s. 4d. and pays first fruits, &c. the Norwich registers say that William, the second Earl Warren, granted the patronage, and Eborard Bishop of Norwich, confirmed it; and that Simon the Bishop confirmed the pension in 1268.
www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-hist-norfolk/vol8...
-----------------------------------------
Trunch is the largest of the villages between North Walsham and the sea; but as all the industrialisation and tawdry caravan sites are hard against the coast, and Trunch is several miles inland, it has avoided these excesses and retains a great rural charm. It has a magnificent church with lots of fascinating treasures, as well as a shop, a green, a pub run by an ex-professional footballer, and generally all the typical features you expect to find in a large village in deepest rural Norfolk.
The church is perhaps the most interesting of all round about; and, while the large village lends it an urban quality that lacks the charm of, say, the churches of neighbouring Edingthorpe and Crostwight, it has by no means the Victorianised sterility of those at Bacton or Happisburgh.
St Botolph is a big church, and its tight graveyard makes it rather hard to photograph. The whole piece seems to have been rebuilt in the early 15th century, although the chancel may be a little later, and there is a hint of Decorated about the nave. The tower is quite simple, even slight. It builds boldly enough, but at the top of the second stage fades into a simple bell stage, understated, elegant and probably intended. This is not a building that shouts at you. A curiosity is the massive priest porch surrounding the door in the chancel. These are very unusual, although there is another, smaller one at neighbouring Knapton.
The great treasure, of course, is the marvellous font canopy. It is particularly fascinating because of its date, coming in the early 16th century right on the eve of the English protestant reformation. Like all church furnishings at this time - the tombs at Oxborough, for instance - it gives us a hint of what the English renaissance might have been like if it had been allowed to flower. Here, the massive structure tumbles with intricacy; fruit and flowers, leopards and lions peep around the silvery oak of the six octagonal columns which are fluted with interlocking chains of detail. The glory is the massive crown of canopied niches, with the haunting ghosts of crucifixion groups still apparent on three of the faces. The whole thing is at once in perfect harmony with the west end of the church, but exists because it was believed to be beautiful rather than known to be useful.There is only one other font canopy in Norfolk, at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich; Outside of the county there is another at Durham Cathedral, and a fourth at the parish church in Luton - but that is it.
Above the canopy is a rich 15th century hammerbeam roof, by no means as dramatic as that at nearby Knapton, but more beautiful, I think. In the space beneath the tower there is what appears to be a gallery like the plough guild gallery at Cawston. This is not as elaborate, but its oak has silvered and it is painted beautifully with trailing rose foliage.
The benching, unfortunately, is pretty much all 19th century, but along with the font canopy and roof the medieval screen survives. Like the canopy, this is richly ornamented in relief, including a bold dedicatory inscription in diagonal ribbons across the top part of the dado. The twelve figures (11 disciples and St Paul) are boldly placed and coloured, but their faces have been completely vandalised by the 16th century reformers. Low down on the north side of the doorway is a rare surviving carved consecration cross, suggesting that this screen was already installed in the newly built church of the 15th century. The screen had detached buttressing running vertically at intervals in front of it, as at Ludham. They have been almost entirely destroyed, but you can still see the fixings between the panels. It must have been magnificent.
The return stalls in the chancel are pretty much all Victorian, but they retain medieval misericords, and also you can see quatrefoil holes set into a sounding chamber to amplify the singing. There is a very curious memorial above the priest door, featuring the instruments of the passion. I have no idea how old it is.
All of these features would be enough, but part of the attraction of St Botolph is the sense of harmony, the way everything works together. You can add to these the sedilia, the magnificent organ, and the modern design of the glass in the east window. It is a peaceful, inspiring space.
Cottages and houses hem in the graveyard, and in the corner is the modern pub. Incidentally, I don't really know if the bloke who runs it is an ex-professional footballer. But, like many rural Norfolk landlords, he seems to be a cheerful 40-something cockney who serves a decent pint and cheap food - a recommended stop for churchcrawlers.
Simon Knott, April 2005
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/trunch/trunch.htm
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And the pub is still good.
So, here it is, the reason I drove across Norfolk: Trunch in all it's glory And it is glorious.
It has so many fascinating details, each one alone would be reason enough to visit, but together, in a fine village, next to the village pub, and with that font canopy, one of only four such in all of England, and one of two in the county.
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The oldest building in Trunch is St. Botolph's Church. It is mainly 14th. and 15th. Century but there are some fragments of stone in the walls which are believed to have been reused from an earlier Saxon church, which was recorded in the Domesday Book. There is much of interest in the church including a Rood Screen, a hammer beam roof and a rare Font Canopy.
trunchhistory.weebly.com/buildings.html
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The large village of Trunch is located about 5 miles from the north Norfolk coast. In the centre of the village, surrounded by a lovely collection of cottages and the more modern Crossroads Inn, is St Botolph's church. Much of what you see of the church is early 15th century, built upon earlier foundations.
Upon entering the church the first feature you will see is the font, which dates to the mid 14th century. Though the font is attractive, it is the carved and painted font canopy that really makes a visit to Trunch worthwhile.
This is a quite remarkable piece of woodwork, one of only four such canopies surviving in the entire country (the others are at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich, Durham Cathedral, and Luton). The canopy is supported on six beautifully carved legs. The carving detail is exquisite; with fanciful animal figures and foliage and a bit of political commentary, in the shape of a pig wearing a bishop's mitre.
In addition to the font canopy, Trunch features a superb 15th century hammer beam roof, a feature of many churches in Norfolk and Suffolk. Here the carvings of angels are beautifully performed. It is worth bringing along a pair of binoculars or a telescope in order to see the carvings properly.
Much easier to see are the medieval misericords (mercy seats) in the chancel. Each carving is unique; some represent angels, and others are more grotesque in nature. In addition there are some beautifully carved pew ends and a painted medieval rood screen that rivals many more famous churches in detail and colour.
There are 12 niches in the screen, each painted with a depiction of a single figure - 11 disciples plus St Paul. Much of the costume detail is well preserved, but the faces of the figures were destroyed during the upheavals of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
www.britainexpress.com/counties/norfolk/churches/Trunch.htm
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William Earl Warren had the lordship of this town, (fn. 1) of which 3 freemen were deprived; one of them belonged to Herold, late King of England, another to Ralph Stalre, and the 3d to Ketel, who held 90 acres of land, and 14 borderers belonged to it, with 5 carucates among them; there was a church endowed with 10 acres, &c. 3 acres of meadow always valued at 30s. and there were also 5 freemen of Edric in King Edward's time, who had 34 acres of land, with 2 carucates, 2 acres and an half of meadow, always valued at 7s. 4d. (fn. 2)
This town also belonged to the Earl Warren's capital manor of Gimmingham, and paid suit and service to it. In the 34th of Henry III. Maud de Norwich granted by fine, to Richer, son of Nicholas, a messuage, 48 acres of land, a mill, and the sixth part of another in this town, Swathefeld and Bradfeld. In the 15th of Edward I. the Earl Warren claimed a weekly mercate, on Saturday, in this manor; and on the death of John Earl Warren, in the 21st of Edward III. the mercate was valued at 10s. per ann. the manor came after to the Earl of Lancaster, (as is before observed,) and so to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, and King Henry IV. and is still in the Crown, as part of the dutchy of Lancaster.
The tenths were 4l. 10s. deducted 15s.
The Church is dedicated to St. Botolph, and is a regular pile, with a nave, 2 isles, and a chancel covered with lead, and has a tower with 4 bells.
In the chancel, on a little monument,
Lancelotus Thexton cappellanus Regis Edw. VI. sacre theologie baccalaureus, et rector de Trunch obt. 25. Febr. 1588, and this shield of arms, quarterly, in the first and fourth a cross between four lions heads erased, gules, in the 2d and 3d, ermine, fretty, azure.
In a window here, argent, a fess between two chevrons, sable.
On a gravestone
Hic jacet Magr. Robt. Cantell, quo'd. rector isti. ecclie, qui. obt. 1 Sept. Ao. Dni. 1480.
Gravestones
In memory of Thomas Worts, gent. who died November 13, 1693, aged 45, with his arms, three lions rampant, - - - — William Worts. gent. who married Elizabeth, daughter of Riches Brown of Fulmodeston, Esq. died August 25, 1694, aged 60, with the arms of Worts impaling Brown; two bars, between three spears heads, - - -
¶The patronage of the church was granted to the priory of Castleacre, by William Earl Warren, the first on his founding that priory. In the reign of Edward I. the rector had a manse, and 13 acres of land valued at 16 marks, Peter-pence 13d. and the prior of Castleacre had a pension or portion of tithe valued at 40s. the present valor is 10l. 13s. 4d. and pays first fruits, &c. the Norwich registers say that William, the second Earl Warren, granted the patronage, and Eborard Bishop of Norwich, confirmed it; and that Simon the Bishop confirmed the pension in 1268.
www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-hist-norfolk/vol8...
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Trunch is the largest of the villages between North Walsham and the sea; but as all the industrialisation and tawdry caravan sites are hard against the coast, and Trunch is several miles inland, it has avoided these excesses and retains a great rural charm. It has a magnificent church with lots of fascinating treasures, as well as a shop, a green, a pub run by an ex-professional footballer, and generally all the typical features you expect to find in a large village in deepest rural Norfolk.
The church is perhaps the most interesting of all round about; and, while the large village lends it an urban quality that lacks the charm of, say, the churches of neighbouring Edingthorpe and Crostwight, it has by no means the Victorianised sterility of those at Bacton or Happisburgh.
St Botolph is a big church, and its tight graveyard makes it rather hard to photograph. The whole piece seems to have been rebuilt in the early 15th century, although the chancel may be a little later, and there is a hint of Decorated about the nave. The tower is quite simple, even slight. It builds boldly enough, but at the top of the second stage fades into a simple bell stage, understated, elegant and probably intended. This is not a building that shouts at you. A curiosity is the massive priest porch surrounding the door in the chancel. These are very unusual, although there is another, smaller one at neighbouring Knapton.
The great treasure, of course, is the marvellous font canopy. It is particularly fascinating because of its date, coming in the early 16th century right on the eve of the English protestant reformation. Like all church furnishings at this time - the tombs at Oxborough, for instance - it gives us a hint of what the English renaissance might have been like if it had been allowed to flower. Here, the massive structure tumbles with intricacy; fruit and flowers, leopards and lions peep around the silvery oak of the six octagonal columns which are fluted with interlocking chains of detail. The glory is the massive crown of canopied niches, with the haunting ghosts of crucifixion groups still apparent on three of the faces. The whole thing is at once in perfect harmony with the west end of the church, but exists because it was believed to be beautiful rather than known to be useful.There is only one other font canopy in Norfolk, at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich; Outside of the county there is another at Durham Cathedral, and a fourth at the parish church in Luton - but that is it.
Above the canopy is a rich 15th century hammerbeam roof, by no means as dramatic as that at nearby Knapton, but more beautiful, I think. In the space beneath the tower there is what appears to be a gallery like the plough guild gallery at Cawston. This is not as elaborate, but its oak has silvered and it is painted beautifully with trailing rose foliage.
The benching, unfortunately, is pretty much all 19th century, but along with the font canopy and roof the medieval screen survives. Like the canopy, this is richly ornamented in relief, including a bold dedicatory inscription in diagonal ribbons across the top part of the dado. The twelve figures (11 disciples and St Paul) are boldly placed and coloured, but their faces have been completely vandalised by the 16th century reformers. Low down on the north side of the doorway is a rare surviving carved consecration cross, suggesting that this screen was already installed in the newly built church of the 15th century. The screen had detached buttressing running vertically at intervals in front of it, as at Ludham. They have been almost entirely destroyed, but you can still see the fixings between the panels. It must have been magnificent.
The return stalls in the chancel are pretty much all Victorian, but they retain medieval misericords, and also you can see quatrefoil holes set into a sounding chamber to amplify the singing. There is a very curious memorial above the priest door, featuring the instruments of the passion. I have no idea how old it is.
All of these features would be enough, but part of the attraction of St Botolph is the sense of harmony, the way everything works together. You can add to these the sedilia, the magnificent organ, and the modern design of the glass in the east window. It is a peaceful, inspiring space.
Cottages and houses hem in the graveyard, and in the corner is the modern pub. Incidentally, I don't really know if the bloke who runs it is an ex-professional footballer. But, like many rural Norfolk landlords, he seems to be a cheerful 40-something cockney who serves a decent pint and cheap food - a recommended stop for churchcrawlers.
Simon Knott, April 2005
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/trunch/trunch.htm
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And the pub is still good.
All Saints, Edingthorpe, Norfolk
I've always loved Edingthorpe, since first coming this way with the late, great Tom Muckley in April 2005. I've been back a few times since, but that first visit sticks in my mind. As we headed away from the coast, the sea mist cleared and the sky was wide and open and blue above us. The ground rose, taking copses and streams into its folds, the fields just beginning to shoot. Off on a hill top, in a glade of bare trees, was the round tower of All Saints.Form this side it must be completely concealed in summer, but we had seen it all morning, off in the distance, from Bacton and Witton and Paston.
The road took us down into the little village, and we were north of the church, but only a path led up to the churchyard, and the road took us away, and around clockwise, almost 270 degrees, until at last we were at the end of a track about half a mile from the west tower. We headed on, climbing in a dip enfolded by the fields, and then into the open. Empty Norfolk spread all about below, and here at the end of the track the silence was complete, except for birds arguing in the branches. Thousands of daffodils spread around the church.
Most recently, I came back at the end of June 2019. This was in the great heat of that early summer which eventually fizzled out into wind and rain sweeping again and again from the west through most of August. But for now Norfolk was baking, and All Saints stood proud above the dry waves of the golden barley beyond the little village. This time I took the rough track up through the farm, and instantly regretted it, for it was not good for cycling. But eventually I reached the corner of the tree-guarded churchyard, and the narrow footpath between hedges that leads through to the church.
In construction, the tower is familiar, Early Norman at the bottom and late medieval, perhaps 14th Century, at the top. But there is no break, one age flowing seamlessly into the other, as if it had melted in the heat or a giant had smoothed it with his great hands. Once again, I stepped into the cool interior. The silence deepened. The interior, under crooked, silvery beams, is ancient, but neat, bright, full of flowers and a sense of life. And yet, we are in a wide, empty parish, with hardly any houses, and the nearest of those nearly a mile away.
As simple as the interior is, it has more than its fair share of medieval survivals. The font is pretty, with simple quatrefoil panels on a tiered octagonal pedestal. Behind it on the wall hangs the 'Paston door', the original 12th century north door of the church. The south door is old too , and only the cut-down organ strikes a jarring note at the west end of the church. And on the north wall, a sequence of wall paintings, probably from the late 14th century. The first is part of a sequence of the Seven Works of Mercy. The two full scenes are probably sheltering the homeless and feeding the hungry, but Anne Marshall of the Painted Church site thought that the two figures at the top, rather than being a third scene, might actually be the donors of the piece. Next, comes a St Christopher, with a niche between this and the previous subject, and then a massive painted and elaborated niche above the entrance to the rood loft stairs.
The roodscreen is early for Norfolk. The circular tracery is reminiscent of the screen at Merton, way across the county. The panels depict six apostles, and have been curiously restored, for although the figures themselves appear untouched, ogee-arched tracery has been painted in white above them. And yet, if you look closely you can see flowers showing through the white paint, suggesting that there was no tracery here originally. On the north side are St Bartholomew with his flencing knife, St Andrew with his saltire cross and St Peter with his keys. On the south side are St Paul with his sword, St John with his book and martyr's palm and St James with his staff and scallop shell.
A piscina on the south side has naive foliage painted on it and a cross, in a late Victorian hand. Perhaps the most unusual object here is the Elizabethan reading desk, dated 1587. There are also a couple of pre-Reformation brass inscriptions, but even if there was nothing of interest here, this would still be a special place. It has a very special dignity and simplicity, wrote one man who knew the church well. He saw it in the 1930s, standing there on its low hill above the harvest fields as though it were the faithful servant of the life around it. No, not Arthur Mee, but the writer and poet Siegfried Sassoon. He spent childhood holidays in Edingthorpe, long before the War that would make his name and change this country forever. He came back here as a man, and was delighted to find a rare corner that was unchanged. And so it remains today.