BECCLES NEWSPAPERS 1943
1943 Beccles & Bungay 2 Jan POST OFFICE WORKERS: About a dozen senior boys at the Sir John Leman School were temporary workers at Christmas.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 2 Jan CHRISTMAS CARD: Mrs Tubby, of 17 Newgate received an airgraph from her husband in India, Pte William Edward Tubby, showing a soldier in heavy boots and protected from the sun by his topee and a coconut palm. On the signpost is written “Beccles 6,000 miles. He has a small son, Gordon, and his father is Mr W Tubby of Ingate. He was called up on the outbreak of war as a reservist, he went to France with the BEF, was evacuated from Dunkirk. His wife has a brother and sister in the Middle East, AC1 Arthur Borrett, of the RAF, & Miss Ellen Borrett, who is in Queen Alexandra’s Nursing Services.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 2 Jan DEATH of Miss EMMA DARBY, in her 91st year, late of 15 Smallgate, sister of the late Alfred Darby. She was born in London, but has spent most of her life in Beccles. In her younger days she was a keen church goer.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 9 Jan DEATH of Lady Tedder, wife of Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder killed in an air crash west of Cairo. She was an Australian and was returning from a tour of welfare centres and hospitals on the eve of her return to England with her husband.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 9 Jan CANON MILLAR: a tribute by Canon EFP Durnford, his successor as Rural Dean: “Though our angles of Churchmanship were different (for he was broad Evangelical and I am ‘High’) he was very tolerant and would always listen to other views different from his own. In our deanery he was a valued and respected leader, a very well read man, a good speaker, a good preacher. He had strong religious convictions, but was never controversial.”
1943 Beccles & Bungay 9 Jan WEDDING: Mr RG Jolly, only son of Mr & Mrs G Jolly of Elmer Cottage, Upper Grange Road and Miss Naomi Taylor of Billingham, Stoke-on-Tees. He works at the Chaucer Press, Bungay having completed his apprenticeship at the Caxton Press.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 9 Jan METHODIST PREACHERS to receive Long Service Certificates: Mr WE Downing & Mr FE Balls.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 9 Jan FATE OF SMALL BOROUGHS: The County Councils Association favoured the doing away with the small Boroughs: Beccles, Southwold, Aldeburgh and Eye. This was still in its discussion stage.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 9 Jan EXHIBITION by Lt-Col B Granville Baker, DSO, of the Cage, St Mary’s Road, of 72 water colours of British Uniforms at the Castle Museum, Norwich.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 9 Jan POLICE: Inspector W Bryant has been transferred from Lowestoft to Beccles. Supt SJ Hopes has been promoted to Halesworth Division.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 9 Jan SOCIETY for PROPOGATION of the GOSPEL: Miss C Johnson, of Meadowcroft, Ringsfield Road to be local Secretary in place of the late Miss Robinson.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 9 Jan PIGEON DRIVE: The sole object is to kill off as many pigeons as possible to safeguard the 1943 crops.. Shooting should take place every Wednesday & Saturday from the beginning of January to the end of March.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 16 Jan DEATH of Mr Laurence T Clarkson, second son of Rev LT Clarkson, Rector of St James, South Elmham from 1855 to 1877. Born in 1857 represented the parish on the District Council & was Chairman of the Wangford Rural District Council and Board of Guardians. He built the last windmill in Suffolk, the post mill at St James in 1879, which was dismantled 18 years ago. He married in 1879 Annie , a daughter of Rev WJ Payne, who died in 1890, and by whom he had one son, Mr Roland LT Clarkson. In 1890 he went to live in Beccles until 1924, when he moved to the Ipswich district.
Together with his brother, Mr A Townley Clarkson, Mr Laurence was well known in yachting circles. Owning the barge, Spider, which he had built in 1899 and the houseboat Coot. He was a member of the Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club from 1886.
By profession he was a surveyor and estate agent, and was agent for several estates in East Suffolk and also farmed land at St James’ & Geldeston. Recently he has been living with his son at Felixstowe.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 16 Jan JAM MAKING PROFITS of £28, not allowed to go to local charities, but to the Ministry of Food – by their directive!
1943 Beccles & Bungay 16 Jan SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL still using the Peddar’s Lane temporary accommodation, although some classes being taught at Ringsfield Road. Movement between the two sites, slow, sometimes unnecessarily so! Headmaster: “Walk briskly and don’t loiter.”
1943 Beccles & Bungay 16 Jan SON of Dr RG Parsons, Bishop of Hereford, Captain JM Parsons is a prisoner of war in Malaya. The Bishop is a nephew on Miss de Best, of Hillside, London Road.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 16 Jan Mr WAIDEMAR SCHAPIRO, of 81 Grove Road, elected a Fellow of the Institute of Linguistics. He has been head of the British Museum department of the Caxton Press since moving from London.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 16 Jan MISUSE of PETROL: Mr George Meed of Ballygate fined £3 for misusing petrol. His car was outside a farmhouse at Aldeby, and when questioned he said he was doing repair work, but there were no repairing materials in his car. He was granted petrol for work on Government sites.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 23 Jan APPEAL on Assault Charge: Harold R Wilson, of 21 Pound Road, found guilty.
About 10 o’clock on Christmas Day Edwin Hembling, a gardener of the Hermitage, Bridge Street, was going to his allotments near the Gas Works, when he saw defendant cut one of his Brussels’ sprouts. He said he would report the matter to the police. As he passed Wilson’s house, Wilson came out and knocked him to the ground. There were witnesses supporting both sides.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 23 Jan HEADMASTER of SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL, Mr Gordon Humphreys, of Wendy, Upper Grange Road, appointed Headmaster of the Surrey County Boys’ School at Woking. [PHOTO page 1] which has 350 pupils.
He was born at Chingford, began his teaching career in 1927 as English & Scripture master at Harvey Grammar School, Folkestone. In 1929 he moved to Chiswick County School for Boys, then as senior English & Scripture mater at Hornsey Co-education County School. In 1936 he became Headmaster of Callingford Mixed County School near Plymouth. He Became Headmaster of the Sir John Leman School in 1940 in succession to Mr RR Hancock.
In the last two years examinations have had 100% success. The number on the register is now 325, whereas the school was built to cater for 160 pupils. During his Headmastership the fire occurred in the school, but without loss of life. In March 1941 he formed a flight of the Air Training Corps, and he is in command of the unit as a Fling Officer. Two successful hobbies exhibitions have been held.
Mr Humphreys has devoted much time to lecturing to members of the Forces in East Anglia. He has also done a lot of religious work, particularly at St Mary’s Church, Ellingham. Mrs Humphreys comes from Reading, and is a member of the WVS, and works for the National Savings Movement.
1943 Beccles & Bungay30 Jan SERIOUS FLOODING occurred as a result of heavy rain on 13 January. Between Bungay & Beccles the valley looked like a great inland sea. The flooding was the worst since 1939. Happily the water got away without causing any serious damage.
1943 Beccles & Bungay30 Jan GOLDEN WEDDING of Councillor & Mrs Albert Jordan of 18 Ballygate. They were married at the Baptist Chapel on 25 January 1893. He was elected t the Town Council in 1926 when he received the highest number of votes ever given to a candidate. After some years break, he was co-opted in 1940. He has been a member of Suffolk County Council for 9 years and as a county magistrate since 1937. He was a member of the old Wangford Board of Guardians, and after the Shipmeadow House had been taken over by the County Council in 1930, until its closure in 1938 he was Chairman of the Management Committee. He is in charge of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, which has helped many people since its inception at the start of the war.
1943 Beccles & Bungay30 Jan MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE’S principal targets: 1.) Turning over of all gardens to vegetable production 2.) Providing as many allotments as can be managed and leaving no area untilled. 3.) To secure as many women & older children as possible for garden or allotment cultivation. 4.) Self sufficiency among local institutions, schools and industry. 5.) Planning for winter vegetables, compost making and control of pests and diseases.
Beccles has more than 60 acres of allotments – over 600 in all. Nearly all are cultivated, but the number of female allotment workers is small. More are needed. Admiral Johnson welcomed the Mayor who, he said “In spite of his multifarious civic duties manages to run a small poultry farm, ‘dig for victory’ on two plots of land and has carried off a first prize at two of our exhibitions.”
1943 Beccles & Bungay 23 Jan FIRE WATCHING: The town now divided into 14 areas. There were 552 volunteers, 334 men, 218 women. Teams of three are to go no duty once a fortnight and rotas had been prepared. In some areas the organiser had a depot where watchers could report, sign on and off and store the fire-fighting equipment. – This is for fire watching primarily – watchers of both sexes of varying standards of physical fitness - and in the event of enemy action, those who are physically fit will be alerted and will deal with the actual fire.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 23 Jan CZECH DANCE held in the Public Hall. Music was played by the Czechoslovak Army Camp Band. Proceeds of the dance were devoted to the British Red Cross.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 23 Jan 5 NEW MARKET: Tercentenary of the building, the home of Mr & Mrs AW Rayner. The property is one of the oldest in the town.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 23 Jan ROOS HALL FARM: 80 rats were killed when two corn stacks were threshed on Wednesday.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 23 Jan CHOIRBOYS’ PARTY: 50 choirboys from St Michael’s, Ingate & Ravensmere Missions had a New Year’s party at the Rectory Room.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 23 Jan RECTOR of Ellough with Weston, Rev Ernest G Clowes, appointed honorary Canon of St Edmundsbury.. He was born at Woodbridge in 1867, went to the Fauconberge School and the London College of Divinity & Durham University. He was ordained Priest in 1890. He was Curate of Enfield and in 1904 became Curate of Wangford & Reydon. In 1911 he succeeded his father, Rev Josiah Clowes (who had become Rector there in 1870) as Rector of Weston.. In 1930 the livings wre united.
In 1913 he was elected a member of the Wangford Board of Guardians, and for 16 years until its demise in 1930, the Chairman of the Board. At the last meeting of the Board at Shipmeadow he was presented with a silver salver subscribed by fellow members..
For 20 years he was Vice-Chairman of the old Wangford Rural District Council and its successor the Wainford RDC. His knowledge of the district is probably unsurpassed.
Since 1931 he has been a member of the County Council, and in 1941 he was elected an Alderman. He is a County Council Governor of the Sir John Leman High School, Bungay Grammar and Lowestoft Secondary Schools.
He was a special Constable during the last war, is a keen cyclist and covers many miles during the year. He won colours at Durham University for lawn tennis. He is a life member of Southwold and Beccles Golf Clubs and has captained both. He and his brother (a retired schoolmaster) cultivate an acre and a quarter of garden.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 30 Jan ALLOTMENTS: “Local institutions such as hospitals, schools & industrial establishments are hoped to become self-supporting in vegetables. All able-bodied people, including women & older children must realise the necessity of supplying their own needs. It is vital for the national health that every garden and allotment should produce green vegetables to supply their own needs. The Ministry of Agriculture had the targets: 1.) The turning of all private gardens to vegetable production 2.) The provision of as many more allotments as possible, leaving no suitable land untilled 3.) to secure the recruitment of as many women & older children as possible as garden or allotment cultivators. 4.) To secure self-sufficiency among local institutions, schools and industry. 5.) Plan for winter vegetables, compost making & the control of pests & diseases.
Beccles now has 60 acres of allotments, more than 600 in number – practically all are tilled, but the number of female workers is very small. The Mayor, “in spite of his multifarious civic duties manages to run a small poultry farm, ‘dig for victory’ on two plots of land and has carried off a first prize at two of our exhibitions.”
1943 Beccles & Bungay 30 Jan GOLDEN WEDDING: Councillor & Mrs Albert Jordan, of 18 Ballygate, were married on 25 January 1893. Elected to the Town Council in 1926, he received the highest number of votes ever given to one candidate. After some years break he was co-opted in 1940. For nearly 9 years he has been a member of East Suffolk County Council, and a county magistrate since 1937. For many years he was a member of the old Wangford Board of Guardians, and when it was taken over by the County Council in 1930 until the closure of Shipmeadow House eight years later he was Chairman of the Management Committee. He is in charge of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, which has helped many people since its inception at the start of the war.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 30 Jan SERIOUS FLOODING occurred as the result of heavy rain on 13 January.. Between Beccles & Bungay the valley looked like an inland sea., but happily the water got away without causing any serious damage.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 30 Jan PRISONER OF WAR: Lieut EA Sawyer, of 9 Station Road, of the Royal Artillery, who had been missing since the fall of Singapore, his wife was informed. He is the younger son of Mr & Mrs A Sawyer of 51 Caxton Road. He was a member of the Beccles Section of the East Suffolk Constabulary.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 30 Jan CANCER DANCE held at the Public Hall. Music was played by Mr Punchard’s Band from Halesworth.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 30 Jan HOME GUARD: A Civil Defence Platoon is being formed with “G” Company of the 1st Battalion, Home Guard. They will undergo training in the use of Home Guard weapons. They will only be required to attend one parade each week. Lads of 16 can now be accepted for training as runners & signallers. They will not be expected to do guard duties until they are 17.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 30 Jan DEATH of Mr Charles Dennington, of 43 Castle Hill, the former City & Bradford City professional goalkeeper. He was 43, youngest son of the late Mr & Mrs Alfred Dennington of 40 Ingate. He was educated at Peddar’s Lane Council School. After giving up professional football he returned to Beccles & for 10 years was employed by the Anglian Electricity Supply Co. Two and a half years ago he went to the Ingate Iron Works of Elliott & Garrood.
Dennington made his mark in amateur football with Beccles Town, keeping goal for the reserves, and then in the first team. In 1922 he joined Norwich City as a professional and was promoted to the first team in 1924, with whom he stayed for 7 seasons, leaving in 1930 for Bradford City, for one season, making 18 appearances in Second Division matches.
He leaves a widow, 2 sons & a daughter. The elder boy is Gunner Leonard Dennington serving with an anti-aircraft unit in the Middle East. [PHOTO page 1]
1943 Beccles & Bungay 6 Feb ROAD FATALITY: 11 year old boy cyclist fell in front of bus on Ingate Hill, Dennis Bryanton, son of Frederick Bryanton, a labourer of 51 Ellough Road. The boy was going to collect a wireless accumulator and a bottle of disinfectant.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 6 Feb RABBIT CLUB: Membership now over 200. President: Rear Admiral Johnson; Secretary: WDG Bartram.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 6 Feb HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Rev RF Fleming, who has recently taken up residence at Cliff House, Ballygate, was for many years Rector of Chedgrave, talking about “Experiences of Ireland”.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 6 Feb DEATH of Mrs Isabel Plumbly, aged 83, at Burnham Hall – an institution for the blind. She was the widow of a local tradesman.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 6 Feb BLACK-OUT: Miss Ethel Smith, of 28 Station Road, fined £2 – alight shining in her home.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 13 Feb DEATH of Dr HENRY WOOD-HILL: GREAT LOSS TO BECCLES: Sudden passing of Dr Henry Wood-Hill, the Deputy Mayor. An Outstanding Citizen. “It is with profound regret that we record the death of Dr Henry Wood-Hill, Deputy Mayor of Beccles, who was chief citizen from 1935 to 1938.
Dr Wood-Hill, who would have been 68 on February 20th, passed away suddenly on Sunday night at his residence, Staithe House, Northgate, following a heart attack in the evening. On Sunday morning he had done a long round of visiting his patients and in the afternoon lectured to the Red Cross. Throughout his life he had enjoyed good health.
As the news of his death spread, in every home there was a feeling of personal loss, and the deepest sympathy went out to Mrs Wood-Hill and the three daughters in their bereavement. Dr Wood-Hill was loved by all who knew him. He was indeed an outstanding citizen.
TO BECCLES FORTY YEARS AGO: Forty years ago, as a young man, Dr Wood-Hill, who held the degrees of MRCS and LRCP, Lond, first came to Beccles from London to join the medical practice conducted here for a century and a half by the Crowfoot family. He then lived in Ballygate, but after marrying a daughter of the late Dr William Crowfoot in 1908 took up residence at Staithe House, which has been his home ever since. Senior partner in the firm of Wood-Hill, Grantham-Hill and McLaren, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the discharge of his professional duties and gained the esteem and affection of people of all classes. As he went about his work he performed countless acts of kindness. Since the war his duties had been particularly strenuous, especially during the last year, when the junior partner in the firm, Dr William C McLaren was absent on military service.
In the last war Dr Wood-Hill was with the RAMC, serving at Gallipoli, and retired with the rank of Major. During the present conflict he had a great deal of time to training local people in first-aid, etc.
WORK FOR HOSPITAL: No one had done more for the Beccles and District War Memorial Hospital than Dr Wood-Hill, its senior honorary medical officer. To him in large measure was due its inception, and ever since its opening just 19 years ago he has taken the keenest personal interest in its welfare. On its behalf he was a tireless worker. It was always his proud claim that this hospital is a model institution second to none among those in towns of similar size throughout the land. He had done much to make it so.
Only a few hours after his passing there took place on Monday afternoon the monthly meeting of the Committee of Management. Alderman E Johnson Hindes who presided in the absence of the Mayor (Alderman Allden Owles), made sympathetic reference to the death of Dr Wood-Hill. He said he was sure the committee would desire to place on record the deep sense of the great loss the hospital had sustained. Mr Hindes spoke of the doctor’s untiring efforts for many years in the welfare and advancement of the institution.
The Secretary, Mr AE Bunn, was asked to convey to Mrs Wood-Hill, who is also a devoted worker for the hospital, and the members f the family the sincere sympathy of the committee in their bereavement.
Another cause very dear to Dr Wood-Hill’s heart was the local division of the St John’s Ambulance Brigade with which, too, he had been intimately identified since its formation 15 years ago. Attending the annual meeting on Friday evening he expressed his personal gratitude to all members for their devotion to duty and readiness to undertake training to meet any emergency. He spoke also of the fine work of the ambulance car in the town and district. In the days before the borough had an ambulance he used to convey patients to and from hospital in his private car. For several years Dr Wood-Hill had been the divisional surgeon. He took over the office when serious illness caused the late Dr Christopher Helsham to retire. All good causes had in him an advocate and supporter.
ELECTION AS MAYOR: History was made in the borough on November 9th 1935, when Dr Wood-Hill was unanimously elected by the Town Council as Mayor for the following year. Although he had not actually assisted in local government, he had always followed closely the activities of the Council. The unique character of the occasion was due to the fact that he was the first person from outside the ranks of the authority to be chosen as chief citizen since Beccles was made a mayoral borough in 1835. Proposing his election, the late Alderman Copeman, then ‘father’ of the Council, spoke of the widespread pleasure the choice had given, and referred to the immense work Dr Wood-Hill had done for the hospital and the keen interest he had taken in other public activities. Dr Wood-Hill , whom he described as a “thoroughly impartial gentleman” had done a great deal more of which none of them were aware. Mr Copeman added, but which at the same time had been intensely good work.
Responding to the toast of his health at the Mayoral banquet the same evening, Dr Wood-Hill said he could not help feeling that the Council was not uninfluenced by the desire to render tribute to a very honoured tradition of the past in that he was connected to the Crowfoot family which was associated with much that was of value in the civic life of the town. His father-in-law held the same office in 1875-76 and again in 1881-82, and other members were Mayors in earlier years.
‘Those are things nearest to my heart’ remarked the Mayor, when telling the record gathering that he would endeavour to preserve in the borough those old-world distinguishing characteristics which were left to them and to enhance as far as might be possible, their distinctive features.
TRIBUTE TO HIS WIFE: The occasion was memorable too, for a remarkable tribute which Dr Wood-Hill paid to his wife, without whose support, he said, he could not have accepted office. ‘We have roamed together through a span of time and space’, he remarked, ‘When the sun shone and the way was easy, when the sky was overcast and the going rough, we have travelled together as good companions.,’
The year of office was to prove momentous in the nation’s history. On January 20th, 1936, King George V passed away at his Sandringham home. And two days later Dr Wood-Hill read in the New Market the proclamation of Edward VIII as monarch.
Unanimous re-election for another term came in the following November, when Mr Hindes observed that Dr Wood-Hill had completed 12 months training and passed with flying colours The townspeople, he said, must feel grateful to him for coming forward to assist in the conduct of municipal business and taking such a large part in the public activities of the borough. Proposing the health of his worship at the Mayoral banquet in the evening, the late Col GCK Clowes aptly remarked that Dr Wood-Hill’s motto was the same as the British Legion, ‘Service not Self..’ He thought that not only would the Mayor retain that extraordinary trait in his character of giving kindness and acts of kindness wherever he could, but that the whole of his time would be devoted entirely to the service of the borough and not to himself.
SECOND ROYAL PROCLAMATION: Just over a month after his re-election Dr Wood-Hill had the unique experience of being called upon to read a second Royal Proclamation in one year. This related to the succession of our present King on the abdication of Edward VIII. It was a busy year of office, but nothing was too much trouble for him to undertake and in both Council and social duties he carried out to the full the highest traditions of the Mayoralty. Outstanding event of the year, of course, was the Coronation celebration on May 12th 1937, when despite heavy rain, everybody in the borough spent a happy time. Months of preparation under the Chairmanship of the Mayor had been necessary in order to ensure the smooth working of an attractive programme of events. Who among those who participated will ever forget the unique scene in the New Market that night when there was a fancy dress dance with illumination provided by fairy lights? The Mayor, himself, was in costume, and led the dancers. For two days in the ensuing month Beccles was the scene of the Suffolk Agricultural Association’s annual show, which was being held in the borough for the first time since 1921. Again there was dancing in the Market Place at night.
Among ordinary matters which occupied a good deal of attention during Dr Wood-Hill’s second year as Mayor were local housing and the question of the most suitable site for the Area School which the East Suffolk County Council had decided to erect in the borough. It was a great joy to the Mayor, when, in October 1937, the Council decided to purchase a beauty spot of two and a half acres at the corner of Bungay and Ringsfield Roads to ensure its preservation in a natural state. The sylvan slope, which bears the name of Wood-Hill, will, like the picturesque town sign near by, long serve as a reminder of an outstanding Mayoralty.
THREE TIMES MAYOR: There was great satisfaction when in November 1937, Dr Wood-Hill accepted the Mayoralty for a third term, being only the fourth person to be chosen to continue in office for such a period. Proposing the Mayor’s health at the civic banquet a few hours after the re-election, Mr PC Loftus, MP, stressed Dr Wood-Hill’s keen interest in the preservation of the countryside. ‘Every citizen should be imbued with a desire to make our town a worthy expression of our public spirit,’ the Mayor replied, ‘and make our little corner of the world a more desirable place to live in.’
At the banquet a year later there was a record gathering to do honour to the retiring Mayor and Mayoress. Col Clowes said Dr Wood-Hill had carried out and supervised the duties of his office with calm and unruffled dignity. ‘A matter that has impressed me during the period of my office’ the late Mayor replied ‘is the recognition that these ancient boroughs, whose rights and powers were conferred on them by Kings and Queens of England and in many cases date back to the time of the Conquest, now find themselves as the years pass, having to accept diminishing authority. Piecemeal and little by little, County Councils and other bodies have usurped their functions and sapped their ancient privileges.’
ELECTION TO THE COUNCIL: A few days after he went out of office Dr Wood-Hill contested his first municipal election and as was anticipated, was returned at the head of the poll. His successor in the Mayoralty, Mr Allden Owles, appointed him his deputy, and ever since then both have carried out their respective duties. When he acknowledged the Council’s thanks to him for his services as Mayor, Dr Wood-Hill said that he would like to see among the citizens a strong desire to make the town as beautiful as possible and to destroy those things that were ugly.
For several years Dr Wood-Hill had been a member of the East Suffolk Magistracy, and had sat on the Beccles Bench whenever his official duties allowed.
The local branch of the British Legion had derived benefit from his services as a vice-president. For a long time he had held office as president of Beccles and District Conservative and Unionist Association. On various occasions he had lectured to the Historical Society, which had enjoyed his hospitality in his beautiful garden. Among many other bodies in which he displayed a keen interest was the Cage Bird Society of which he was president.
Mrs Wood-Hill has also done much for the borough. Since the war she has been busily engaged as leader of Beccles and District Centre of the Women’s Voluntary Services. Dr Wood-Hill also leaves three daughters, Miss Penelope Wood-Hill, who is the Overseas international Secretary of the Girl Guides Association, Mrs AS Philps, of Radlet (Herts) and Mrs RWB Burton, of Oxford.
The funeral service at Norwich Crematorium yesterday (Thursday) was private. On Saturday afternoon there is to be a memorial service at St Michael’s Parish Church at 2.30. The choir will be in attendance, and the Rector of Beccles (Rev Harold L Birch) will give an address.
TRIBUTES: The flags on the Town Hall and parish Church tower have been flown at half-mast this week.
A tribute to Dr Wood-Hill was paid by Flying-Officer GS Humphreys, the Commanding Officer, at the meeting of the committee of Beccles and Loddon District Squadron of the Air Training Corps at Beccles Town Hall on Wednesday evening. The CO said that when the Sir John Leman School Flight was inaugurated Dr Wood-Hill, as the senior surgeon in the borough was approached with the object of getting his advice as to the appointment of an honorary medical officer. In view of the public importance of the matter he insisted on undertaking the work himself, although quite aware of its onerous nature. Since then more than 150 cadets had passed through his hands, and each had been given a very thorough inspection.
Flying-Officer Humphreys added that on every occasion he had received a report as to the pleasure with which those inspections were carried out. To each cadet Dr Wood-Hill gave a word of encouragement and inspiration. He had been to them an inspiration, physician, scholar and gentleman.
The Mayor (Alderman Allden Owles) endorsed the tribute, and on the motion of Paymaster Rear-Admiral CS Johnson it was agreed that the secretary (Mr BW Goodin) should write a suitable letter of sympathy to Mrs Wood-Hill and family and enter a suitable record upon the minutes.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 13 Feb SCHOOL DINNERS: Hundreds of hot school dinners for elementary school children are being prepared by a former chef at leading catering establishments in London. The centre of this service is a large building at Beccles, which has been erected in recent months on an open piece of ground that once served a useful purpose in connection with a former tannery [20 March 1943: This was in Ravensmere & 1,400 meals a day provided, soon it will be 2,000]. Vans took the meals to many villages in the area. It had only been functioning for a fortnight, when last week 3855 meals were despatched. On one side of the hall are five big coal ovens. On the other side are big coppers, whose contents are heated by steam. At one end of the building is a room with a refrigerator. Nearby are two store rooms and another for confectionery. There are cloakrooms for males and females. At the other end, next to the entrance, is the office of the chef supervisor, Mr JT Neep. His deputy is Mr ER Lunn, of Gosford Road, who for eleven years was head baker for Beccles Co-Op. There are 13 members of kitchen staff, plus 3 van drivers. [PHOTO, 27 March – page 1]
1943 Beccles & Bungay 13 Feb DEATH of Mr Alfred Jeffery, aged 79, of Camoquhill, London Road. He joined the Congregational Sunday School staff in 1892, and became Superintendent in 1914, and Deacon of the church 1895 to 1913. He was born in Ipswich, came to Beccles in 1892 to open the local branch of Stead and Simpson, Ltd, and continued as Manager until his retirement in 1927. Prior to coming to Beccles he was in business at Brighton & Northampton.
He was one of the founders of the Adult School in 1909 and for several years he was vice-president and class leader. For a number of years he was secretary of the local branch of the League of Nations. A widower for 5 years, he leaves two sons and a daughter. Miss Freda Jeffrey, an assistant teacher at Peddar’s Lane County Junior School.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 13 Feb FOOD OFFICES are merged.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 13 Feb ANGLO-SOVIET FRIENDSHIP. A week of events starts on Sunday to raise money for medical supplies for the Red Army. ‘The sufferings of the people of Soviet Russia during the past two years has been terrible.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 13 Feb WEDDING of Pte Robert Turner, Royal & Sussex Regt, of Raynes Park and Miss Joyce Coggle, only daughter of Mr & Mrs Coggle of 11 Common Lane. The Coggle family is closely associated with the Salvation Army..
1943 Beccles & Bungay 13 Feb BOMBING OF MALTA: A description by RW Folkard, of Lowestoft, formerly employed at Beccles as a printer.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 20 Feb Dr WOOD-HILL a TRIBUTE:
Big Congregation at Memorial Service at Parish Church. Life’s work for fellow men:
No man in our town was more respected and loved," declared the Rector of Beccles (the Rev. Harold L. Birch) when paying a pulpit tribute to Dr. Henry Wood-Hill, Deputy Mayor of the borough, at a memorial service at St. Michael's Parish Church on Saturday afternoon.
Dr. Wood-Hill, who was 67, passed away suddenly at his residence, Staithe House. Northgate. during the previous Sunday night. He had been in practice in the borough for forty years. From 1935 to 1938 he was Mayor of Beccles, since when he had held the office of Deputy Mayor.
People from every walk of life in town and district streamed to the service to pay their last respects. The congregation, which practically filled the large building, was the biggest seen on an occasion of this kind at the church for many years.
REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
By the wish of the family the service was of a quiet and informal character. In compliance with this desire the Mayor and fellow members of the Corporation attended in a private capacity. Included in the congregation were representatives of the many organisations with which Dr. Wood-Hill had been associated, and there were, too, numerous old patients who had experienced his skill and kindness.
Mrs. Wood-Hill was accompanied by her three daughters, Miss Penelope Wood-Hill, Mrs. A. S. Philps (Radlett) and Mrs. R. W. B. Burton (Oxford), and Dr. Wood-Hill's brother, Col Charles Wood-Hill.
The service was conducted by the Rector, with the assistance of the Rev. Wm. R. Barnes (curate). The entire music had been selected by the family. Singing was led by the robed choir, Mr. A. E. Groom being at the organ. The hymns were " For all the Saints," sung to Dr. Vaughan Williams' tune, and "Jesus lives! no longer now…”
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills” was the Psalm and the Nunc Dimittis was chanted at the close of the service. Mendelssohn’s “O Rest in the Lord” and “Jesus Joy of Man’s Desiring” (Bach) were played by the organist as the congregation assembled.
Basing a short address on the text, “The beloved physician”, from Collossians, ch 4 v 14, the Rector said the designation given by the Apostles to a beloved friend and faithful companion, St Luke, was a fitting description of him for whose life and work they had met to thank God.
HIS ACTIVE LIFE
For some forty years Henry Gilbert Wood-Hill practised in this town as doctor,” observed Mr Birch. “During that period he won for himself, to a remarkable degree, the respect and affection, not only of his patients, but of a large circle of friends and acquaintances beyond them. It is true to say that no man in our town was more respected and loved. His fine, commanding presence, his cheerfulness, gentleness and sympathy made him ever welcome in the sick room and brought fresh courage and hope to the sufferer. Men and women felt that in Dr. Wood-Hill they had not only a skilful physician, but a true friend.
"At a time when many men begin to lighten the burden of their responsibilities” the Rector continued, "Dr. Wood-Hill accepted the invitation to fill the arduous and distinguished position of chief citizen of this ancient borough, a position that he held for three years with marked success. Henry Wood-Hill was deeply interested in all matters that concerned the welfare of the community. His counsel, when given, was always wise and well balanced, and he was ever a lover and maker of peace among his fellow men. Our beautiful and well-equipped Memorial Hospital, which has repeatedly won high praise from the authorities, owes its creation, in very large measure, to the imagination, enthusiasm and perseverance of Dr. Wood-Hill. Whilst it is our town memorial to the memory of the men who fell in the Great War, it will be also to many people, for not a few years, a memorial to the far-seeing vision of Henry Wood-Hill.
AN INSPIRING EXAMPLE
"Human nature is so constituted that it can only realise the meaning and reality of goodness when it is expressed in human lives," he declared. " The goodness of Henry Gilbert Wood-Hill, his courage, unselfishness and devotion to duty, his kindness and courtesy, will be for many days to come a fruitful and inspiring memory to the people of our town.''
From Robert Browning the Rector quoted well-known lines which he thought were peculiarly applicable to "our dear friend": —
One who never turn'd his back but march'd breast forward,
Never doubted clouds would break.
Never dream'd, though, right were worsted, wrong would triumph.
Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better.
Sleep to wake.
"We thank God to-day for the fragrant memory of Henry Gilbert Wood-Hill and for the fine work that he has done for the well-being of his fellow men," Mr. Birch concluded. "We thank God. Too, for the larger work, the higher tasks, which are now his, in the fuller life into which he has entered,"
He felt that the closing sentence of the prayer for the Church Militant expressed the feelings uppermost in the minds of many of them: "We also bless Thy Holy Name for all Thy servants departed this life in Thy faith near; beseeching Thee to give us grace so to follow their good example that with them we may he partaker's of Thy Heavenly Kingdom."
THE CONGREGATION
The Earl and Countess of Stradbroke, of Henham Hall were represented. Included in the congregation were the Mayor and Mayoress of the borough (Alderman and Mrs. Allden Owles), Sir Arnesby Brown, R.A. (Haddiscoe), Mr. and Mrs. John Crowfoot and Mrs. Payne (Geldeston), Mrs. Nicholas Bacon, Raveningham Hall (also representing Mr. Nicholas Bacon and the Norfolk branch of the British Red Cross Society), Mr. Kenneth Metcalfe and Miss Metcalfe (Geldeston). Mrs. B. W. Blower (North Cove Hall), Mrs. R. M. Dowson and Miss Dowson (Geldeston), Mrs. Herbert Todhunter (Gillingham Hall), Mr. and Mrs C E. Hastings and ! Lieut. Francis Hastings (Adeby), Mrs. M. E. Trafford (Dunburgh). Mr. and Mrs. F. W. C. Chartres, Willingham (also representing Major and Mrs. M. E. St. J. Barne), Dr. and Mrs, TR. Grantham-Hill, Mrs. Wm. C. McLaren (also representing Dr. McLaren, who is on active service), Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Smith and Miss Smith, Alderman Dr. Howard F. Warner, Dr. Wm. Wyllys (Yarmouth), Dr. J. M. Taylor also representing Lowestoft Hospital), Dr. L. Gibson (Medical Officer of Health), Dr. and Mrs. H. Muir Evans. Miss Larkman. Barsham (also representing Mr. and Mrs. J. Preston Larkman and Miss Burton), the Misses Turney (Barsham). Mrs. A. L. Freeland and Miss Freeland (Toft Monks), Mrs. Keith Harrison (Geldeston), Mr. and Mrs. Stross.
Mrs. E. Hartlev and Mrs. Bankes, Miss de Best, Mrs. R. H. Brown, Canon E. F. P. Durnford, RD, and Mrs. Durnford (Sotterley). Canon and Mrs. C. W. Baron-Suckling and Mrs. Eggington (Barsham). Canon E. G. Clowes and Mr. W. S. Clowes (Weston), the Rev. and Mrs; R. F. Fleming, the Rev. and Mrs. H. S. Verrells (Ringsfield), the Rev. J. Colwell Smith (Thurlton), the Rev. W. L. McCormick (Gillingham), the Rev. Alfred W. Paulson (Beccles Congregational Church), the Rev. Harold Bullough (Methodist superintendent minister), Major and Mrs. George Wright (Salvation Army), Mrs. E. E. Messenger (chairman of Bungay Urban District Council and Bungay W.V.S. centre leader), the Misses Tracy, Ald. E. Johnson Hindes, Coun. Paymaster Rear-Admiral C S. Johnson, Mr. Stephen Johnson and Miss C. Johnson, Miss Hellyer, Mrs. J. Gilbertson, Mrs. Walmsley, Lt.-Col. R. F. Lush, Lt.-Col. B. Granville Baker, D.S.O., Coun. Capt. and Mrs F. C. Poyser, Mrs. H. Frederickson, Mrs. G. A. B. Boycott (Dunburgh). Mr. A. E. Tedder, O.B.E., and Mr. O. H. Tedder, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Thompson, Mr. John Clowes, Mr. S. W. Rix. Miss P. E. Sutton (matron of Beccles War Memorial Hospital) and Miss Raikes (masseuse), Sister Cock (Beccles Nurses' Home), Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Clatworthy, the Misses Pocock and Miss Burslem (Geldeston Red Cross), Mrs. C. H. Winter, Mrs. Gilbert (Beccles Red Cross). County-officer W. C. Watts and Divisional Superintendent C. W. Chiddel (St. John Ambulance Brigade), Miss Brown and St. John Ambulance girl cadets, Miss Winifred Simpson (Kirby Cane).
Messrs. A. E. Bunn (secretary of the War Memorial Hospital) and W. Fowler (churchwardens), Ald. W. H. Simmons, Mr W Bryan Forward, (Town Clerk), Mr CL Hamby (Borough Surveyor) and Miss Hamby, Mr WS Clark (Borough Accountant and Deputy Town Clerk) and Mrs Clark, Mrs Oscar W Owles, Mr and Mrs CW Puzey (Shadingfield), Miss G Smith (Secretary of Beccles and District Centre of the WVS), the Misses K and EJ Smith, Councillor and Mrs AE Pye, Mr and Mrs WAG Hardy, Mrs Frank Clarke, Councillor AE Jordan, Mr EL Thrower (Thurlton Rectory), Mr and Mrs John Snowling (also representing Mr HA Hardy), Councillor and Mrs AT Bent, Mrs AE Bunn, Mrs W Fowler, Mr and Mrs JM Murray, Miss Gertrude Hamby, Mr and Mrs BW Goodin, Mr BS George, Mr O Lloyd Smith, the Misses Bowles, Mrs I Pagan, Mrs H. L. Birch, Mrs. G. Watson, Miss Sargent, the Misses Allen, Mr. and Mrs G. S. Humphreys, Mr. W. E. Downing. Mr. W. J. Money. Councillor G F. Robinson Mr. and Mrs. Phillip L. Ashford (Aldeby), Mr. and Mrs. J. Brian Ashford. Mr. D. C. Smith, Councillor H. A. Taylor. Councillor and Mrs. G. S. Odam (the latter, as chairman, representing Beccles Townswomen's Guild), Mr. A. W. Rayner, Miss Foster, Mrs Redit, Mr. W S. Green and Mr. A. S. Green, Col. and Mrs. R. W. Brooks, Major and Mrs. A. R. M. Darby, Capt. A R. Bremerton (representing the Army Quartering Commandant), Adjutant A. H. Moyes, Mr. C. Wilfred Durrant, Mr. C. R. Manning, Mr. D. G. Reeve (secretary, representing the Beccles Committee of the National Council Anglo-Soviet Unity and Friendship), Mr. F. F. Garrood. Miss Garrood, Mr. Chas, Skevens, Mrs. Youngman and Miss Youngman. Mr. L. H. Burman.
Mr. P. Button (dispenser at Dr. Wood-Hill's surgery) and Mrs. Button, Mr F. J Meen, Mr. W. C. White (secretary, representing Beccles Amateur Dramatic Society, of which Dr Wood-Hill was the senior vice-president). Miss Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. B. D Shenfield and Mr. H. Pilling (all from Shadingfield), Nurse Read, Mr. and Mrs A. A. E. Smith (Beccles and District Historical Society), Mrs. A. E. Groom, Miss Fiddy, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Grayston, Mr and Mrs. W. Ward, Mr. and Mrs W. M. Sheldrake, Mr. and Mrs A Harbord, Mr. E. C. Burton, Miss Davey, Miss Murray, Mr. and Mrs A. H Poll, Mr. J. C. Poll, Miss Welham, Mr. William Clark (Sergeant-at-Mace), Mr. H. S. Lawrance, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Lawrance, Mrs. F. Lawrance, Mr H. R. Hadingham, Mr. R. K. Took, Mr. G. H. Lawson, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Elliott, Mr. G. R. Gipson, Mr H. A Spashett, Mrs. C. S. Darby, Mrs. J Field, Miss E. Budd, Mrs. W J. Seppings, Mr. and Mrs. M. Woolner, Mrs. G. Clarke, Mr. L. J. Sidle, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Balls, Miss Brooksmith, Mr. and Mrs. F. Garrett, Miss Salter, Mr. H. G. Watson, Mr. J. C. Woodward, Mr. H. Carr, Mr. R. B. Reynolds. Mrs. H. Taylor, Mr. F. E. Balls, Mr. and Mrs. C. Warnes, Miss Wells, Mr. E. Snazle, Mr. F. Bloom, Mr. V. E. Turner, Mr. E. E. Moore, Mrs. C. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Simmonds, Mr. G. E. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. J. Cutler, Mr. J. Reynolds, Mr. B. Reynolds, Miss B. Snell, Mr. G. Sampson, Mr. J. E. Newson,; Mr. W. J. F. Boar, Mr. F. H. Delf, Mr. M. Pitkin, Miss Delf, Mr. and Mrs. E. Charlish, Mr. H.G. Croucher, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Rae, Mr. C. D. Clarke, Mr. R. G. Lee, Miss Hunter and Miss Robinson, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. J. Kerridge, Mr. L. W. G. Steverson, Mrs. F.C. Turrell, Mr. Wm. Smith, Mr. R. W. Aldous, Mr. T. B. Cocks, Mrs. W. Gray. Mrs. S. Holmes, Mr. H. T. Boyce, Miss Spall, Mr. and Mrs. S. Porter (Weston), Mr. J. W. Wright, Mr. J. W. Connolly, Miss Poulton, Mr. H. R. Davis (Weston), Mr. H. L, Andrews, Mrs. H. Reynolds, Mr. A. Steffani, Mr. E. R. Goate.
Mr. J. Howes, Mrs. Spinks (Gillingham), Mrs. Flowerdew, Mrs. Aldred, Mrs. Woolstone, Mrs. Mason, Miss Gant, Mrs. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. H. Oxborough, Mrs. A. G. Blackmore and Mrs. F. Smith, Miss Laker, Mrs. W. Martin, Miss Harrod, Mrs. Rackham, Miss Trundle. Mrs. V. Smith, Mrs. Lawrence (Kirby Cane), Mrs. Challis, Mrs. Wigg, Mrs. Youell, Mrs. Franks, Miss Baker, Miss C. Harper, Mrs. Mutimer, Miss Rush, Mrs. J. Clarke, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Welham, Mrs. V. Spalding, Mrs. A. M. Devereux. Mrs. Randlesome, Mrs. E. Vise, Mr. and Mrs. P. Page, Miss George, Miss I. Sarbutt, Mrs. A. Stimpson, Mrs. Fairweather, Miss Stannard. Mrs. Page, Mrs. Pipe, Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Jude. Mrs. Baldry. Mrs. M. A. Parr, Miss Lockwood, Mrs. Strowger, Mrs. W. Devereux, Mrs. Gladwell (Henstead), Mrs. White, the Misses Simper, Mrs. Clutten. Mrs. Rackham, Mrs. Balls, Miss F. Stowers, Miss G. Martin, Mr. W. Sporle, Mr. E. Clarke, Mrs. P. Curtis. Miss Elliott, Miss Deed. Mrs. Lacey and Miss Thrower.
Absence from town prevented Mr. Hamilton, J. Bunbury and Councillor E. W. Swindells from attending. Mr. P. C. Loftus, M.P., and Mrs. Loftus and Miss M. Lee Barber were also unable to be present
1943 Beccles & Bungay 20 Feb TRIBUTES TON Dr WOOD-HILL:
Council's Condolence
At the invitation of the Mayor, members of the Council met at the Town Hall immediately after the service for the purpose of passing a resolution of condolence.
"We lament the loss of one who for forty years has given of his best to this town and its citizens," said the Mayor. " His unfailing courtesy and kindness his strong character and outstanding personality will long remain in our memory. He worthily upheld the traditions of a family, who for generations played a prominent part in this town and to whom he was allied by marriage.
"As Deputy Mayor his help and advice were invaluable to me and, however occupied he might be, he never failed to answer any call I might make upon him. I shall miss him very much."
The resolution, adopted on the motion of Alderman E. J. Hindes, an ex-Mayor, seconded by Mr. G. F. Robinson, expressed the Council's deep sympathy with Mrs. Wood-Hill and family and the great loss the borough and its people had sustained by the death of one who had devoted himself so much to their welfare.
A letter conveying to Mrs. Wood-Hill these feelings was despatched immediately after the meeting.
Members present were the Mayor (Ald. Allden Owles), in the chair, Ald. E. J. Hindes, W. H. Simmons and Dr. Howard F Warner, Mr. G. F. Robinson, Paymaster Rear-Admiral C. S. Johnson, Messrs. H. A. Taylor, A. E. Pye, A. E. Jordan, G. S. Odam, and Capt. F C. Poyser. The Town Clerk (Mr. W. Bryan Forward), Surveyor (Mr. C. L. Hamby), Accountant and Deputy Town Clerk (Mr. W. S. Clark), and Sgt.-at-Mace (Mr. W. Clark) also attended.
Sympathy from Southwold
At the meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday evening the Town Clerk (Mr. W. Bryan Forward) read a letter from, the Town Clerk of Southwold (Mr. E. G. Naunton) in connexion with the passing of Dr. Wood-Hill. This expressed "the deep and sincere sympathy of the Town Council of Southwold in the sad and irreparable loss your borough and Council have so suddenly sustained." Mr. Naunton also asked for his Council's feelings to be conveyed to Mrs. Wood-Hill.
The Mayor said he felt sure the Council would wish for a letter of thanks to be sent to Southwold and for a copy of Mr. Naunton's communication to be forwarded to Mrs. Wood-Hill.
Magistrates Sympathy
Before the start of the ordinary business at Beccles Police Court on Friday the Chairman (Lt.-Col. B. Granville Baker. D.S.O.). said the Bench wished to express their deepest and sincerest sympathy with the family of the late Dr. Henry Wood-Hill in their bereavement.
"The Bench also have their own personal regrets to express in the tragic death of Dr. Wood-Hill,'' he added. "He has been a senior member of our community and of this Bench for many years. His loss will be very greatly felt indeed."
Silent tribute was paid by the court.
Pastor's Tribute .
"We are all only too conscious that, with tragic suddenness, we have lost from the life of this town and district one of its outstanding and most influential personalities." said the Rev. Alfred W. Poulson, minister of the Congregational Church, when conducting the usual service at Beccles and District War Memorial Hospital on Sunday evening.
"We shall all miss his gracious and genial personality, his courteous bearing and dealing with people of all classes, his ennobling influence," Mr. Poulson added, "and all who knew him best will miss a very true and kind friend. His kindness was all the more valuable because, more often than not, it was expressed unobtrusively and almost by stealth. We shall all be grateful for the continuing influence of his life and find in his fine example an incentive to sacrificial service for the good of mankind. Thus we give thanks to God for all that his life has meant and must continue to mean, and to Him we commend those whose loss through the doctor's passing is greatest of all."
The tribute was followed by suitable prayers.
"Pedlar's" Appreciation
"We have really lost the father of our town, that's how I feel about it," a Beccles business man said to me after we had attended the memorial service at the Parish Church for Dr. Wood-Hill. That, I think, is how the great majority of us feel about this tragic blow, which has befallen our little borough so unexpectedly. To young and old alike he was the kindest of fathers and we shall miss him greatly.
Already much has fittingly been said about the life and work of Dr. Wood-Hill. In the coming days and weeks there will be many more tributes, for he was, indeed, a citizen towering above his fellows. In every sense he was outstanding. He conferred dignity and distinction upon our town. He was a great man, yet simple in his greatness because he was always so human.
In these stirring times the days of the last war seem very distant, but there are still many local men who remember with deep affection and pride the way in which Dr. Wood-Hill, their fellow citizen, then serving as an R.A.M.C. officer, dressed their wounds and cheered them up at Gallipoli.
From the bottom of his heart he loved Beccles and its people. Noble was his contribution towards making it a more beautiful place in which to live and work. Each of us, too, can do something in this respect. The young trees planted by the Council wherever demolition had left an unsightly scar received his special care and interest. That these trees should be allowed to attain their full growth was a wish very near his heart. These are worthy ways in which we can keep his memory green. Let us resolve, for instance, that nothing happens to detract from the beauty of the little park at the corner .of Bungay and Ringsfield roads, for whose acquisition by the Council he strove so hard and in which he took the fondest interest. Countless visitors to Beccles, or passing through it, have admired the town sign near by, which was his conception. All that was beautiful in this old-world corner of England made a constant appeal to him. He hated that which was ugly. In a host of ways Beccles is much the better for his having spent his life within its bounds
The simple memorial service was a wonderful tribute to him. From all types of homes in town and countryside folk made their way to thank Almighty God for the life and work, in their midst, of a good man, than none was more respected and loved. He was indeed a wonderful example to every one of us, and, if that standard be followed, then Beccles and its neighbourhood will be a still happier and lovelier part in which to dwell.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 20 Feb CZECH UNIT leaves town [presumably Beccles] sends letter of thanks to the Mayor.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 20 Feb ANGLO-SOVIET FRIENDSHIP: Beccles help for Medical Supplies for the Red Army. Parade to morning service at St Michael’s, assembling in the Old Market: Beccles Company of the Home Guard, No 1 Platoon of the First Cadet Corps, Suffolk Regiment, Sir John Leman School Flight of the Air Training Corps, “B” Division of the National Fire Service including Firewomen, Beccles Special Constabulary, Beccles Civil Defence Wardens’ Service and Report Centre staff, Beccles Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade & 1st Beccles Company of Girl Guides. The route to church was by Smallgate, Exchange Square and the New Market. Music was played by the band of the local corps of the Salvation Army.
From the Town Hall to the church a guard of honour for the civic party was provided by St John Ambulance personnel. The Mayor was accompanied by Ald EJ Hindes and WH Simmons, Paymaster Rear Admiral CS Johnson, Messrs HA Taylor, AE Pye, AE Jordan and Capt FC Poyser (members of the Town Council), Mr W Bryan Forward (Town Clerk), Mr CL Hamby (Surveyor), Mr WS Clark (Accountant & Deputy Town Clerk), Dr L Gibson (Medical Officer of Health) and Inspector W Bryant. Councillor EW Swindells could not be with the party as he had charge of the Home Guard..
1943 Beccles & Bungay 20 Feb DEATH: Stephen Poll, aged 59, of 21 Hungate Lane, a Beccles Corporation worker, collapsed and died in Northgate while walking home from his work at the salvage Depot. He had been in the service of the Corporation for 30 years.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 20 Feb WEAR WHITE IN THE DARK suggested by the chief Constable. As to pedestrians, most of the accidents were during the black-out. A piece of bandage on the forearm within sight level would save lives. The casualties in East Suffolk were 445 accidents, involving 37 killed and 498 injured.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 20 Feb COUNCIL: 1.) DEPUTY MAYOR APPOINTED: Alderman EJ Hindes accepted the post in succession to the late Dr Henry Wood-Hill. 2.) ROAD DANGER: Town Clerk to write to the County Council drawing attention to the narrow streets being used by heavy motor lorries travelling at excessive speeds and to the practice of drivers running their vehicles on to the footpaths at a fast pace in order to pass others. 3.) SLAUGHTERMEN: Licences held by WJ Seppings, GW Carver & S Reed were renewed.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 27 Feb SIR JOHN LEMAN SCHOOL: New Headmaster: Dr Leslie R Wood, MSc (Lond), senior geography master at Bedales School, Hampshire, appointed to succeed Mr GS Humphrey. He was chosen from 200 applicants for the post. Eight of them were interviewed by the Governors. He is a married man with a seven-month old daughter.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 27 Feb SEASIDE BAN LIFTED until 1st of April. The ban on pleasure visits to the coastal areas between the Wash and the Thames, and between Hastings and Littlehampton and to the Isle of Wight will remain until 1st of April. The ban on pleasure visits in defence areas remains in force.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 27 Feb ARREST ordered of two Beccles sisters, May Leech & Dorothy Leech, of 10 Hungate, who did not appear to answer the summons for failing to submit to medical examination.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 27 Feb HOME GUARD: G (Beccles) Company of 1st Battalion Home Guard parade: Certificates issued to Cpl Newson, who has done most valuable work on the administrative side and given unstinted help since the very early days of the Local Defence Volunteers.
The Company’s No 2 Platoon was the winning team in the Spigot mortar competition for the battalion: L-Cpl LB Pearce, Ptes RC Squires, MM Scarfe, HT Hazell & JW Law.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 6 Mar LARGE PIKE: Mr George Starkings, 26 Gosford Road, landed a 20 lb pike in the River Waveney [PHOTO page 1]
1943 Beccles & Bungay 6 Mar SURPRISE FOR 80 YEAR OLD: Mr Albert E Dennington, 42 Ingate received a Ministry of Labour & National Service notice to join the Home Guard. He was in the Norfolk Volunteers for a quarter of a century. Three of his sons served in the last war, two were wounded and one taken prisoner. He spent his working days as a bricklayer on the railway in different parts of East Anglia, starting at the age of 15, and retiring 50 years later.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 6 Mar FORMER BECCLES SCHOLAR of Sir John Leman School, John Atkins, who was a pupil from 1927 to 1932 a “leading young poet”.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 6 Mar SUBMARINE THRASHER CREW given a civic reception at Shoreditch including Leading Seaman Alec G Adams, elder son of Mr & Mrs GW Adams, 48 Frederick’s Road. He is an old boy of Peddar’s Lane Council School, he has served on Thrasher since it was commissioned. The submarine was adopted by the town. [PHOTO 13 March 1943]
1943 Beccles & Bungay 6 Mar WEDDING: Sgt Alexander Burch RAF to Miss Constance N French.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 6 Mar DEATH of Mrs Frances Kearns, aged 90, of Avondale, Waveney Road.
1943 Beccles & Bungay 6 Mar Dr WOOD-HILL: Tribute by SW Rix: “Upwards of 40 years ago a vacancy occurred in the office of Poor Law Medical Officer for the Wangford Union [Shipmeadow]. Dr Wood-Hill wrote to the Clerk of the Guardians asking if there was an opening for a general practitioner.. He got the appointment and set up a plate and a pony cart in Station Road, quickly earning golden opinions from a gathering number of patients.
In 1903 he joined the Crowfoot partnership, one member of which was William Baylay Crowfoot, who died September 11th 1907, a young man of promise and eldest son of William Miller Crowfoot, who was far the ablest intellect among a number of clever contemporaries and of world reputation. On September 29th 1908 married Amy Vaughan Crowfoot, eldest daughter of William Crowfoot (who died in 1918).
He was a lover of music, an artist, and a man of enquiring and searching nature, who felt the lack in a small town of other intellectual minds with whom he might share his views; an enthusiast with a wonderful power of gathering round him other enthusiasts in any scheme on which he set his heart. As a physician he gave great importance to and quickly diagnosed the ‘mental attitude’ of his patients, frequently hummed himself in at the front door, and never failed to scrutinise the books and pictures in the sitting room before admission to the sick room.
Shortly before acquiring the house in Northgate, in which he lived during his married life and died, he had been advised to wait for an expected vacancy in a house in Old Market, but decided otherwise, and dear old Mrs Stanford lived to attain the respectable age of 105. [she died in 1923 or 1924]
1943 Beccles & Bungay 6 Mar