Harry Rix’s Business Card
Courtesy Elizabeth Neil
Henry Charles Rix was born on the 21st December, 1892, in Barton Turf, Norfolk. He was the eldest of three children of Henry Robert Rix and his wife Mary Elizabeth nèe London. Henry Charles was known to the family as ‘Harry’.
Harry’s mother died on the 5th January, 1897. Harry was then just four years old. He went to live with his paternal grandparents, Henry George & Ethelinda Rix in Eccles, Norfolk. Henry and Ethelinda ran the village post office.
Young Henry Charles “Harry” Rix. Date unknown
Courtesy Elizabeth Neil
Eccles
The 1901 census captures 8 year old Henry C Rix with his 6 year old sister Marian E Rix within the large household of their grandparents at The Post Office, Eccles. Farmer Henry G Rix is 62 and his wife Ethelinda 61. With them are their sons, George H aged 36, John H aged 34, Frederick 25 and William 23. Henry and Ethelinda’s 33 year old married daughter, Marian Benns, is visiting her parents.
George H Rix has his own account as a carpenter. It seems that John H Rix is working with his brother. It is believed that young Harry Rix may have learnt carpentry skills from his uncle George H Rix.
Eccles School. Date unknown but possibly early 1900s
Courtesy Elizabeth Neil
Harry attended the local school in Eccles.
In 1902, Harry’s father Henry Robert Rix remarried. However, Harry remained living with his paternal family in Eccles.
Carpenter
Nevertheless by 1911, Harry left school and is working as a carpenter.
The 1911 census finds 18 year old Henry Charles Rix living with his 47 year old uncle George Henry Rix at the Post Office in Eccles. They are both working as carpenters.
With them is George’s 37 year old sister, Ethelinda Agnes Rix, who is described as a postmaster’s assistant.
Norfolk Regiment
On the 2nd June, 1914, Harry enlisted with the Norfolk Regiment. After receiving a gunshot wound to his calf, Harry was taken to the underground field hospital in Arras.
Following his recovery, Harry was transferred to the Royal Flying Corp in Montrose. By then, Harry had already met his wife-to-be, Hester Drusilla Larkins. It is believed that they met whilst Hester was working in service at Eccles Hall.
Marriage
An early photograph of Harry & Hester Rix
Courtesy Elizabeth Neil
The couple married in Frettenham, Norfolk, on the 31st March, 1918. Harry was then 25 and Hester 27.
31 March 1918 Marriage Certificate Henry Charles (Harry) Rix & Hester Drusilla Larkins
Courtesy Elizabeth Neil
Royal Air Force
Harry Rix 2nd from right
Courtesy Elizabeth Neil
The following day, the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) merged with the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) to form the Royal Air Force (RAF). Harry continued with the RAF until he was transferred to the reserve on the 21st March, 1919. During this time, Hester (now a married woman) continued to live in Frettenham.
Wroo Farm & Long Street
Harry and Hester’s first home together was at Wroo Farm, Wroo Road, Attleborough – not far from the boundary with Great Ellingham.
However by 1920, the couple had moved to a semi-detached cottage in Long Street. This house had once been occupied by blacksmith Herbert Lebbell and his wife Selena (nèe Houchen).
The 1921 census finds 28 year old carpenter Henry Charles Rix (Harry) with his 30 year old wife Hester Drusilla living in Long Street. The couple have a six month old son, Henry Robert Rix. Henry Robert (later also known as Harry Rix), was born in the Long Street cottage on the 1st December 1920. He was baptised in St James’s Church on the 30th January, 1921.
The Street
By 1923, Harry and Hester together with their young son, moved to ‘The Street’ (now known as Church Street). They lived in the right hand side of a pair of cottages opposite Mill Farm.
The Rix family occupied the cottage on the right from at least 1923 to 1925.
Photograph taken December 2023
Attleborough Road
Left: Harry Rix Snr & wife Hester with son Harry Jnr at their home in Attleborough Road. Right: Hester Rix with son Harry Jnr.
Courtesy Elizabeth Neil
Before 1928, Harry and Hester Rix along with their son, Harry, moved to a prefabricated bungalow along the Attleborough Road.
Kellys Directories of 1929 and 1937 lists Henry Charles Rix as a wheelwright, builder and undertaker in Great Ellingham. His workshops were in the barn which once stood opposite the Post Office.
The barn which once stood at the corner of Chequers Lane and Long Street. Harry Rix’s workshop was once in the barn
Courtesy Robert Daniels
1939
Harry & Hester Rix. c.1940s
Courtesy Elizabeth Neil
The 1939 Register (a snapshot of the civilian population at the outset of WWII), finds Harry and Hester living in Attleborough Road. Harry (shown in the documentation as Henry), is described as a ‘builder own account’.
After this time, but before 1942, Harry and Hester shared their home with ‘Nan’ Olry, whose American husband was based at Deopham Green.
Ashby
At some point in time, Harry Rix built a bungalow in Long Street for his uncle and aunt, George and Alice Rix. This bungalow became known as ‘Ashby’. Harry had his builder’s yard next to ‘Ashby’.
George and Alice Rix continued to occupy ‘Ashby’ for the remainder of their lives. George died in 1939 and was buried in the churchyard of St James on the 16 July. Alice died in 1942 and was buried in the same churchyard on the 10th December.
1942
The Great Ellingham Invasion Committee Record lists Harry and Hester still living in Attleborough Road. Harry is described as a Special Constable. Hester has been assigned Casualty Service duties. With the couple are ‘Miss Rix’ and ‘Mr Benes’. These are believed to be Harry’s sister, Marian Rix, and his uncle, George F Benns.
Move to ‘Ashby’
Following the deaths of both George and Alice Rix, Harry and Hester put their bungalow in Attleborough Road up for sale and moved into ‘Ashby’ in Long Street.
Poster for the Auction Sale of the Rix’s Bungalow along the Attleborough Road. 15 March 1943.
Courtesy Elizabeth Neil
Community
Not only did Harry Rix provide employment to several villagers over the years, Harry also immersed himself into village life. He was a churchwarden and a member of the St John Ambulance Brigade. He also regularly played bowls in the village.
When Harry and Hester’s son, Henry Robert Rix (Harry Jnr), married in 1951, a newspaper report of the marriage confirmed that Harry Snr and Hester were still living at ‘Ashby’. At this time, their son’s home was in Penhill Road.
Group of villagers standing outside Harry Rix’s workshop at the barn in Chequers Lane. Date unknown but possibly 1960s. Marian Rix 2nd (sister of Harry Rix) 2nd in from right
Courtesy Elizabeth Neil
Deaths of Harry & Hester
1963 Harry Rix with wife Hester
Courtesy Elizabeth Neil
Henry Charles Rix aka Harry Rix, died in 1976. Hester died around six years later in 1982.
Sources:
1901 census RG13/1866/125
1911 census RG14/11477/71
1921 census RG 15/9790, ED 5, Sch 146; Book: 09790
(Census returns viewed via www.ancestry.co.uk)
1939 England & Wales Register. The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/6590H. Ancestry.com. 1939 England and Wales Register [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2018.
Norfolk, England, Church of England Marriages & Banns 1754-1938. Norfolk Record Office; Norwich, Norfolk, England; Norfolk Church of England Registers; Reference: PD 245/8. Ancestry.com. Norfolk, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1938 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.
UK & Ireland, Find a Grave Index 1300s-current. Ancestry.com. UK and Ireland, Find a Grave® Index, 1300s-Current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
Original data: Find a Grave. Find a Grave®. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi.
Register of Electors. 1920-1931. Polling District of Great Ellingham. Southern Parliamentary Division of Norfolk. Available www.findmypast.co.uk
1929 & 1937 Kellys Directories
1942 Gt Ellingham Invasion Committee Records. Sue Fay
Great Ellingham Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office. PD 609. Also available www.familysearch.org and some subscription sites
Many thanks to Elizabeth Neil, granddaughter of Harry & Hester Rix.