|
Born in Hackford, Reepham Norfolk on 23rd September 1897 (4th qtr 1897 Aylsham 4b:83 1898), son of Herbert and Edith BIRCHAM (née GREENACRE)
1901 census...Aged 3, he was at "near Malthouse Yard", Hackford, Norfolk with his father Herbert W BIRCHAM [39] tailor/outfitter born Hackford; his mother Edith A [39] born Worstead 1911 census...Aged 13, he was at 15 College Road, Norwich with his parents Hos mother had lost one of her two children. He married Maud Violet MURGATROYD [2-9-1895] in Ipswich in 1923 It is not known when he 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. His wife Maud was killed with him 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
