Norwich Road, North Walsham 1902-3
A brief sojourn here, in a new house. Canon Owen had no curate for the time, so he was glad of Father's help at Spa Common etc. When Mr. Mackie came there was Sunday Duty in the neighbourhood, and particularly at Witton where Mr. Procter (Procter on the Book of Common Prayer) was very old, and at Edingthorpe where the rector was ill.
Edingthorpe Rectory 1903-22 We settled in very happily here, in a village to whose charm Siegfried Sassoon has paid homage. It is near sea and broads, and consequently in the summer one might meet anyone in or near North Walsham.
*Witton Park - next village was one of the homes of the Earl and Countess of Kimberley, and she was ever a kindly friend. Lord Wodehouse , the heir, was one of England's polo champions.
We made many new friends in the shape of P. G. 's, French, Swedes, Greek, as well as our own nationality, and when the War came we had many military guests, Middlesex Yeomanry, IMB. Signals, R. F. A etc. and best of all the H. Q. Staff of 193rd Brigade, with the genial Brig. Gen. Maclachlan and Captain Furniss, who were with us so long as to seem part of the family. Bernard had joined the army (9th Foot) in 1906 and in 1914 left Ulster as a 'Contemptible'. After going through everything including being gassed at Hill 60 he was drowned when the "Royal Edward" went down in the Aegean.
For myself, this period includes school, College and a degree, and sundry experience as private secretary at Westfield, long visits to the Foundress thereof in her London hotels, private coaching (Rose Buxton) and History jobs at Surbiton, Belstead and Christ's Hospital. But for the generosity of Muriel Partridge my dream of college life would not have been realised, and consequently, without a degree my jobs would not have been possible, so l owe her an immeasurable debt.
Father's age and health made retirement wise, so we left the dear old Rectory and took a house at Mundesley, which we caIled "Edingthorpe".
Manor Road, Mundesley, 1922-37
The freedom from responsibility and the work of a big house and grounds lifted a load from my People. In 1923 they paid a visit to Romford and came on to me, June 9th to 13th, a Red Letter occasion for me. Next year 1924 - April - Dad died and was buried at Edingthorpe.
Submitted by Paul Cubitt on our Facebook group - 04/10/2017