Dear Karan
WHEN FETE INTERVENES
We launch this issue’s proceedings with a remarkable story reported in the press nearly 73 years ago and unearthed, as it were, by our regular archive newshound Teresa Williams. The article is from The Daily Mirror of Monday, 16 June 1947 and reads: ‘G.I. Bride of the 1914 War, Nellie Thomas, then 21 years of age, lost a signet ring at a Garden Fete at Northolt, Middlesex in 1921. Despite a thorough search it could not be found before she travelled to America.
‘A fortnight ago she returned to England and at the weekend she visited her uncle, Mr Wm Oakley of Church Lane, Northolt. She found him in the garden digging and as he greeted her he turned over a spade full of soil, to reveal – the ring! Twelve years ago his house was built on the field where the Fete was held.’
How incredible is that? Considering my husband lost his wedding ring on our anniversary while rock pooling on holiday in Jersey a few years back, this gives me real hope. Maybe one day it’ll turn up in somebody’s fish and chips supper!
CLUES TO FATHERHOOD
Sue Wicker has dropped us a line with the interesting tale of her 3x great-grandfather Thomas Rowswell – or Rowsell or Roseswell – who, like so many ancestors, was born illegitimate. Sue says: ‘Thomas was born in 1823 in Churchstanton, Devon (later transferred to Somerset). His
