Detective Work
Lilian May FRY 1896-1976 | Bristol
Charles Clement SYMONDS 1894-1983 | Upper Eastville, Fishponds, Bristol
Captain Joseph Charles NEWTON | of Bristol & Australia
James GULLIVER of Avon Street & Milk Street | Bath, Somerset
The Medal In The Garden | George William BRERETON (1874-1940)
An interesting bit of detective work presented itself to me at the end of August on a local Facebook page for Hadleigh, Essex. A local chap named Ron had been digging a large hole in his garden in order to insert a sunken trampoline for his grandchildren, when two feet down he unearthed a silver medal. Closer inspection revealed it to be a King George V naval Long Service and Good Conduct medal for a G W BRERETON. Ron wondered if any members of the Brererton family were still living in the area in the hopes of being able to pass it on back to them, and I decided to help.
Dr George Simpson & Magnus A. O. Williams
A post for help on an Essex local history group peeked my interest this weekend, regarding a giant brass plate unearthed in a Benfleet garden. It’s inscribed “To Dr. & Mrs. George Simpson, Senior Medical Officer, Calr. From Mr. & Mrs. Magnus A. O. Williams, Calr. In affectionate remembrance. Hold ye the good – define it well. 1934”. Could I discover who these people were?