George Thrower

George was born 22 July 1895 in Strumpshaw, Norfolk. His parents were George and Edith Thrower. His father was a blacksmith, as were his great grandfather, grandfather and uncle. This tradition continued down the subsequent generations.

He came from a large family. His siblings were

Rose born 1897

Harry born 16 July 1898

Kate born 1900

Fred born 1903 died 1919

Nellie born 1908

Robert born 1910

Evelyn born 1912

Marian born 1916

In 1901 the family lived in Saxlingham Thorpe where George senior had a blacksmith’s forge. The family continued to live there and in 1911 George was helping his father in the business.

The Thrower family lived in the cottage on the right of the picture.

George’s service records have not survived. According to the Absent Voters’ register he served as a farrier, with the 3rd Field Ambulance as part of the Army Service Corps. His service number was TS/10223.

After the war he returned to live in Saxlingham Thorpe and worked with his father at the forge on the Turnpike.

 In October 1922 he married Clara Edith Wiseman, born 2 February 1895, in St. Mary’s Church, Saxlingham Nethergate. Clara came from Saxlingham Green and her father, Henry was a cowman. She was his only child. Prior to her marriage she worked as a dairy maid on her father’s farm.  George’s occupation was given as blacksmith.

They moved to live at the junction of the main road and Pigot Lane in Framingham Earl. George had a blacksmith’s shop and he was the sub-postmaster for Framingham Earl. It is presumed that Clara helped to run the post office. They lived there for the rest of their lives.

1920

They had four children.

Kenneth G born in 1923

Yvonne N E born on 27 July 1926

 Beryl R born 1928

Dorothy R born 1932

Kenneth outside the post office 1928

George with Nancy (Yvonne) outside the post office

Date unknown ( possibly 1929/1930)

George and Kenneth outside the Forge in 1933

George was an active member of the British Legion and at times carried the standard at memorial services.

British Legion parade in Poringland in 1940.

George is the tall man, behind the flag bearers, carrying a furled standard and wearing a bowler hat.

The Reverend Walker dedicates and accepts the standard held by George Thrower.  British Legion parade 1940

He died in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in Norwich on 30 April 1950 aged 54 years. He is buried in the churchyard of Framingham Earl Church.

His wife was living The Blacksmith House, 5 Pigot Lane, Framingham Earl when she died on 16 June 1977. She is also buried in Framingham Earl.

Acknowledgements

www.ancestry.co.uk

England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005

UK Census Collection

British Army Medal Roll Index cards, 1914-1920

1939 Register- www.findmypast.co.uk

Norfolk Electoral Rolls-Southern Division Saxlingham Nethergate and Thorpe,  (Absent Voters Lists 1918-1920) Poringland 1924- 1930

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar 1858-1995

St Mary’s Church Saxlingham Marriage records (transcribed by Mary Muir)

www.poringlandarchive.co.uk  Photographs of George Thrower and British Legion parade.

Thanks to Dorothy Bundock,  ( George’s youngest daughter) for information about George and his family.

Photograph of Thrower family home in Saxlingham Thorpe, courtesy of Stephen Hunt, whose grandparents lived in the middle cottage of the row of houses.

If anyone has any photographs or information about this person, please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk