Oral Hist

I was recently in Somerset, to locate the place I was born. My parents fled London during the 1939-45 War, and I understand that, with the help of the villagers, they were able to stay at Pear tree Cottage, where I was born on the Sixth June 1941, my maiden name was AUGUR. I was Baptized at St. MARYS Church on the Fifth July 1941. I was told by my two older brothers that when they arrived in the village, they were met by Nuns, opposite Pear tree Cottage, and who were very hospitable. They held the key to the cottage and went with them into the cottage and lit the fire, also gave them bread and hot soup. The next day they were visited by the Squire of the village, but unable to remember his name. I am told that my mother was very ill and was pregnant with me, and spent the whole pregnancy in bed. The Squire was very concerned with her health, and he personally saw to it that fresh vegetables, fruit and barley were taken in to my mother every day, and the local village people called in several times during the day, keeping a close eye on her, apparently, there were a few scary moments, when they thought she would not make it through the night. During our stay, my father (Harry Augur) worked at the Aircraft Factory in MARTOCK, he worked nights, and apparently, whilst he was there, a stray bomb hit the factory and killed quite a number of women, but my father was not killed. At the time, my eldest brother, who was nine years old, helped the farmer with the milk churns, before attending the local school, the farm was just along from the Post Office.
I am writing to you, as I was given your name at the Post Office, when my husband and myself visited last month. I was hoping that there are records and dates that you might be able to find out on our behalf, as we are not sure of the date that we arrived in Pear tree Cottage, or the date when we all returned to London. I am hoping that the information I have provided will enable you to help me trace back my childhood.

I look forward to hearing from you - Mrs. Irene Matthews (Augur)
73 Blue Sky Close
BRADWELL
NORFOLK NR31 9JE

Today I had an email from Bob in Florida USA who remembers coming to the village so I will show you what was written, this seems a good opportunity for the ex pats and visitors to the village to recall their memories if you would like to add yours then send me an e-mail and I will publish it with your permission.

Here's what Bob had to say.......

I am sorry that my original e-mail didn’t come through but I will attempt to resurrect it for you. I was doing some research on a watercolor that we have had for years and, on a whim, I decided to see if I could find anything relating to Norton-Sub-Hamdon on the net. Much to my surprise and delight I found your wonderful website. I was prompted to tell you a bit about our relationship to Norton. Get a cup of tea and a biscuit and sit back.

Ever since my older brother married a British war bride, I have been an Anglophile. Therefore, in the 1970s, early in our marriage, my wife, Cecelia and I were looking for an opportunity to live like English people while we were on holiday. We found an ad in Country Life magazine for a company that arranged short term rentals in English homes and we thereby found Norton.

In the next few years we rented three houses in the town and enjoyed meeting our “new neighbors” during our two week stays. Each time we returned we were treated like long term residents who had returned home. The people of Norton were great. Our son, Hunter, particularly liked the village children who would come by to get him in the mornings to, as they would say: “Muck around the village”.

The first house we rented, I believe, was owned by Paddy Ashdown and was located next door to Dr. and Mrs. Elliott across from the fruit farm. Dr. Elliott had been a physician in Africa during the 1920s and had a wonderful photo album with shots of the Prince of Wales landing in a small plane and later playing polo with the local team. Mrs. Elliott’s father was a Paymaster in the Royal Navy and she had a photo of one of the princes in midshipman’s uniform. That photo was backed with a letter from the prince to her father saying that he was going to be alone in the palace for the week and needed some money to live on.

Our daughter, Heather, who was a baby at the time enjoyed the house immensely. The slats on the crib that was there for her were wide apart so we got a cardboard apple box at the store to line the crib with. For the whole holiday she smelled sweetly of apples.

The next house we rented was on a side street and was across from the home of Ms. Beryl Holt. Ms. Holt was retired and regaled us with stories of London during the blitz and how she and her father looked with trepidation to see if their home was still there when they left the underground station. Cecelia invited the Elliotts and Ms. Holt in for a real American dinner of fried chicken. Everyone did without silverware and ate with their fingers.

The next house was on the high street next to where Richard and Val Constable lived with their family and Richard’s mother. We first met Mrs. Constable when she came crashing through the hedge to invite us to drinks and supper. We still have some of Richard’s paintings, sort of a very late Constable, but a Constable none the less. We continued to visit the Constables after we moved to Surrey when I was fortunate enough to get a job in London.

Well, I imagine that I have told you a lot more than you really wanted to know about Norton from 30+ years ago. To us those were golden years that provide many warm and wonderful memories to us.

Kindest regards from,

Bob Anstine
Land O’ Lakes, Florida
U.S.A.

Subject: Norton sub Hampdon Website

Dear Mr Webb

Just a short note to thank you and all the people who put this site
together. I was in the process of researching the Tanner side of my
family at the Somerset Record Office when I stumbled across your site.
It not only saved me a lot of tedious searching through the records but
gave me an insight into my anchestors living conditions with the
article on the housing in Chiselborough. The only disappointment was in
finding out the George Tanner commemorated by the window in the Church
was not mine (on the other hand perhaps I should be glad as I would
probably not be here if it was!).

Thanks again
Doug Smith

PS if anyone in your society is interested I am related to a George
Tanner a Mason who was born in 1818, with the help of your transcripts
I have traced the male line through James, Charles, John to William.