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Born in Ipswich on 2nd September 1895 (4th qtr 1895 Ipswich 4a:854), daughter of John and Grace MURGATROYD (née LEVERS)
1901 census...Aged 5, she was at 63 Belle Vue Road, Ipswich with her father John H Murgatroyd [34] wood and iron work instructor for Ipswich Schools Board, born Bradfield, Yorks; her mother Grace E [34] born Sheffield; sister Doris M [3] and brother John D [2]. All the children were born in Ipswich. 1911 census...Aged 15, she was still at 63 Belle Vue Road with her parents; sisters Doris Madelene [14], Phyllis May [8] and Muriel Ida [7]; brothers John Douglas [12] and James Archie [5]. One sibling had died. She married Raymond Frank BIRCHAM in Ipswich in 1923 It is not known when they moved to Bury St.Edmunds but in 1939 they were at 32 Newmarket Road, Bury St.Edmunds, Raymond being a bank accountant and member of the Royal Observer Corps. Hher husband was killed with her when on holiday in Bournemouth, staying at the Central Hotel. see here |
| On 23rd May 1943, 26 Focke-Wulf 190s from Caen in France launched an attack on Bournemouth.25 bombs created havoc. Over 3,000 buildings were damaged, 37 having to be demolished in addition to the 22 destroyed in the raid itself. It was thought 37 were killed in the Hotel Metropole, mainly Canadian service men and probably 54 in the Central Hotel, some Australian and US servicemen. Official records eventually put the death toll at 78. |
photo Adrian Pye
