The edition of the Diss Express published on the 28th January 1944, included reports of two offences of ‘cycling without lights’ in Great Ellingham.
The first is against Margaret Clara Wilkins of Swamp Lane. She received a fine of 15/- (fifteen shillings in ‘old money’) for cycling without lights on the 12th January, 1944. The case was proved by Police Sergeant Makins.
In the other case Patrick Barnard, also of Great Ellingham, received a fine of ten shillings (10/-). He was found to be cycling without lights on January 8th.
Local Artist Christine Fuller
Regular visitors to the website will know that local artist Christine Fuller sketches some delightful illustrations bringing some of these stories to life.
Here is another example of Christine’s work.
She illustrates an evening when Margaret Wilkins and Patrick Barnard were perhaps cycling around the village at night at a similar time!
Illustration Christine Fuller
The illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied.
Margaret Wilkins
She was born Margaret Clara Elizabeth Beales on the 13th March, 1910, possibly at Hackford, to Alfred Henry and Maria Beales (nèe Long).
The 1911 census captures one year old Margaret with her parents living at Beales Cottage, near the Church in Hackford.
Death of Father
Tragically, Alfred Beales, was a casualty of WWI. He is believed to have died on the 17th April, 1917. By this time, Maria Beales had given birth to Minnie, Emmeline, Chrissie.
Mother Remarries
In 1919, Margaret’s mother, Maria Beales, married Edward J Tooke.
Swamp Lane
The 1921 census captures Fleggburgh born 35 year old Edward John Tooke with his 33 year old wife Maria (born Great Ellngham) living in Swamp Lane, Great Ellingham. With the couple are Maria’s daughters, Margaret 11, Minnie 8, Emmeline 6 and Chrissie 3. The Beales girls are now joined by Alice, who was born in 1919. Maria’s mother, 74 year old Elizabeth Long, is also with the family.
Marriage to Thomas W Wilkins
In 1929, Margaret Beales marries local man Thomas W Wilkins.
The 1939 England & Wales Register captures Thomas and Margaret Wilkins living in Swamp Lane. Thomas’s parents, Thomas and Jane Wilkins, are living nearby. This is, of course, where 29 year old Margaret Wilkins is living when she was found to be riding her bicycle without lights in 1944.
Patrick Barnard
He is proving rather elusive. I have yet to find any information about him.
Sources:
1939 England & Wales Register. The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/6590H. Viewed via www.ancestry.co.uk
1921 census RG15/9790/ED5/Sch4
1911 census RG14/11337/17
GRO Index via FreeBMD website
28 January 1944 Diss Express. Viewed via The British Newspaper Archive
Thanks to Cynthia Budd (re her research on Alfred H Beales)