Illustration Christine Fuller
The illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied.
The report of a case before the local Magistrates at East Harling was published in the Diss Express on the 24th August, 1945:
Fines amounting to £24 with £7 3s costs were imposed on Robert Levell of Penhill Farm, Great Ellingham, dealer, who pleaded guilty to three charges of failing to keep records of sales of poultry, rabbits and hares, and one of recklessly making a false statement in respect of poultry bought at an auction
Who is Robert Levell?
The Great Ellingham Invasion Committee Records does not include the name Robert Levell. Accordingly, Robert Levell came to Great Ellingham after 1942.
The 1939 England & Wales Register (providing a snapshot of the civilian population at the beginning of WWII), lists poultry dealer Robert Levell at Wood Farm Cottage, Attleborough. Along with Robert is his brother, James Levell (born 1897) and their housekeeper married woman Margaret Potter (born 1907).
There are two other persons in the household. However, these names have been redacted to protect the privacy of living individuals. I think it likely that they are children – perhaps two of the many evacuees to the area.
Born in Carleton Rode
Robert Levell was born in Carleton Rode on the 7th June, 1908, to George Levell and his wife Rebecca. On the 12th July, 1908, Robert was baptised in the Parish Church at Carleton Rode along with his sister, Amelia Georgina.
The 1911 census captures 42 year old Carleton Rode born pig dealer George Levell with his 35 year old wife Rebecca and four of their seven children. James 13, Amelia Georgina 4, Robert 2 and infant Louisa.
Move to Wood Farm, Attleborough
By 1921, George and Rebecca and the four children are living ‘near Wood Farm’, Attleborough. George Levell is a poulty and cattle dealer. Aged 23, James Levell is working as a labourer for ‘Mr Dring at Wood Farm, Attleborough’. Robert and Louisa are attending school full time.
As mentioned, in 1939, Robert Levell is still living near to Wood Farm, Attleborough.
Marriage
At the age of 32, Robert Levell marries his housekeeper Margaret Potter (nèe Berry). The couple probably continued to live near Wood Farm, Attleborough.
However by August of 1945, Robert (and I presume Margaret) came to live at Penhill Farm, Great Ellingham. I do not know how long Robert and Margaret Levell lived at Penhill Farm.
Brother James Levell
I wonder whether Robert’s brother, James Levell, also moved to Great Ellingham at a similar time. In 1946, James Levell married Doris E Bartram. The couple may well have made their home in the village.
James Levell died at the age of 58 in January 1956. He is buried in the churchyard of St James.
Death of Robert Levell
Robert Levell died in 1969 at the age of 60. His death is registered in the Norwich Outer District between January and March of that year.
Sources:
1939 England & Wales Register. The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/6590DAncestry.com. 1939 England and Wales Register [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2018.
GRO Index. Also viewed via FreeBMD website
Great Ellingham Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office PD 609. Viewed via www.familysearch.org
Wreningham Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office PD 60. Viewed via www.ancestry.co.uk
1921 census RG15/9789 ED2, Sch.73
1911 census RG14/11458/158
24 August 1945 Diss Express. Viewed via The British Newspaper Archive website
1942 Gt Ellingham Invasion Committee Records. Sue Fay