Harry Adcock: Macebearer to the Mayor and Keeper of the Town Hall

24 June 2015

Harry was born in Loughborough on 24^th March 1877. He was part of a large family – there were 10 children in total – and they lived in what must have been very ‘snug’ accommodation at 32 Russell Street, Loughborough.

Harry left school and, by the age of 14 was already out at work, working in a local hosiery factory.

Harry’s Military Career

At the age of just 15 years, Harry decided to enlist in the army, joining the Leicestershire Tigers Regiment. In order to join up, he pretended to be 18 years old. This was the start of a long and eventful military career for Harry.

Harry Adcock (1877 – 1968)

Harry was sent with the Leicestershire Regiment to fight in the Boer War in South Africa. Whilst there, Harry’s battalion, the 1^st battalion of the Leicestershires, was sent to Ladysmith, where the locals were under siege. The town was relieved, and Harry volunteered to be a stretcher bearer.

Later in the Boer War, Harry was sent to fight at Spion Kop, where he was taken prisoner. Spion Kop was the scene of one of the most violent and deadly battles of the Boer War. It was a defeat for the British Army, and resulted in many deaths.

Harry spent 3 or 4 months as a prisoner in Pretoria. Amongst other British prisoners with him at the time was a certain Mr Winston Churchill. Amidst all the confusion of war, Harry was reported killed in action and a memorial service was held for him at Holy Trinity Church, Loughborough. The reports of Harry’s death were, as they say, ‘grossly exaggerated’ and sometime later Harry turned up safe and well.

Harry was awarded the South African Campaign medal. He was discharged from the army in 1904, but re-enlisted in 1914 at the start of World War 1.

On 18^th September 1914, Harry became a private in the Leicestershire Regiment once again. In January of 1915, he was promoted to Lance Corporal and sent to fight in France. Harry fought with the Leicestershire Regiment in France but later in 1915 he fell ill. His service record mentions his illness but does not go into detail. However, according to the Leicestershire Regiment’s records, Harry became ill after being gassed.

Never one to be kept down, Harry recovered sufficiently to join the 17^th Field Ambulance in France. At the end of October 1916, he was sent to Calais to be returned to England. The following month, he was discharged from the Army.

Harry was awarded the Star, British War and Victory medals for his WW1 service.

In 1921, Harry re-joined the army, enlisting to do 90 days with the 5^th Leicestershire Regiment. In actual fact, he served for a year.

Harry’s Career after the Army

Once Harry left the 5th Leicestershire Regiment in 1922, he found work with the Loughborough Corporation – which later became Loughborough Town Council and is now Charnwood Borough Council.

Harry was appointed official mace-bearer for the Corporation and Keeper of the Town Hall. Both appointments involved many official, ceremonial duties, and he could often be seen at the head of mayoral parades in the Town. Harry served under many mayors of Loughborough.

In 1943, Harry decided to retire from his position. His last official duty was at the Wings for Victory ceremony, which took place at Loughborough College in the summer of 1943. Local newspapers carried articles about Harry’s retirement. All remarked on his upright and smart appearance, and on the dignity with which Harry had carried out his duties.

Harry’s Family Life

Harry married Florence Bassford on 12^th November 1904. They made their home at 111 Storer Road, Loughborough. The couple went on to have 5 children: Lillian, Ivy, Dorothy Mary, Henry and Joyce. Henry, their only son, (also known as Harry) served in the First Army in World War 2.

Harry continued to live in Storer Road after his retirement in 1943. He died in Loughborough in 1968, at the age of 91 years.

Christine Scutt B.A., MCLIP of  www.englishancestry.co.uk

Christine is the great-great niece of Harry Adcock  

A photograph of Harry leading a parade through Loughborough, sent in by his great-nephew Paul Fairbrother.

Harry supporting the mayor as Macebearer during the College Sunday event in 1950.

The Future of the Past: Loughborough History and Heritage Community Day

21 June 2015

10.00 a.m. – 4.30 p.m

Burleigh Court, Loughborough University Campus

A free heritage event for the local community

Join us for:

• Presentations on local history topics
• Panel talks and discussions
• Short guided tours of the University campus
• Stands and displays by local history and heritage groups
• Book signings and ‘meet the author’ opportunities

Refreshments and bar meals will be on sale throughout the event and Sunday lunches available between 12.30 pm and 2 pm in the Burleigh Court Restaurant  (prior booking for Sunday lunches is advised).

Speakers include:

• Peter Liddle, former County Archaeologist for Leicestershire
• Dave Postles, author of A Town in its Parish: Loughborough to 1640
• Sara Read, historian and literary scholar, who will discuss the experiences of women in the Early Modern period
• Marianne Whiting, who will be asking ‘Britons, Saxons, Vikings – Who Are the English?’
• Colin Hyde of the East Midlands’ Oral Histories Archive
• Alison Yarrington and Katey Goodwin, discussing Public Sculptures of Leicestershire

See here for the event programme.

The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

For further information contact K.M.Ette@lboro.ac.uk

Memories of the Sixties: When the Beatles came to the Nottingham Odeon

15 June 2015

Programme from a 1979 production of ‘John, Paul, George, Ringo & Bert’ written by Willy Russell and performed at the Nottingham Playhouse. Click the link below to see the full programme.

In the early 1960’s I was a very young teenager and a huge fan of The Beatles. It seemed to be the trend that you were into either ‘The Beatles’ or ‘The Rolling Stones’, but didn’t generally admit to liking both. Aside from the music, I think a lot depended on which member of the group you happened to fancy, so that played a big part in which one you followed. Paul was my favourite, with George a close second.

I saw the The Beatles when they appeared live on stage at the Nottingham Odeon Cinema, after applying by post for tickets. As I remember, it was just pot luck as to whether you were successful or not, but on this occasion my best friend was the lucky one so I got to go along too! However, the tickets were on the back row and although we could just about see the stage, it was impossible to hear anything because of the constant screaming.

No matter, the fact that we could lay claim to ‘being there’ was enough and I can still picture the famous 4 in their grey collarless suits in my mind’s eye today.

When I was 16 (1968) I took a job as a Saturday girl in a dress shop in Nottingham. Everyone wanted to work in the trendy new independent boutiques of the time, but unfortunately this was one geared to the more mature lady.  The main thing was to earn some pocket money.

The pay for the day was one pound (pre-decimalisation) less a few pence National Insurance, but easily enough for a night out. This covered bus fare both ways, admission to a disco and one drink of cider and blackcurrant. Anything left was saved up either to buy an item of clothing from ‘Chelsea Girl’ or maybe some makeup from the ‘Biba’ counter.

Those were the days!

Audrey Pridmore

Note: In 1979, Audrey reprised her trip to see the Beatles when she went to Nottingham Playhouse to watch Willy Russell’s play ‘John, Paul, George, Ringo and Bert’ – voted ‘Best Musical of 1974’. You can see a copy of her programme here.

She went to the Playhouse again the same year to see ‘Teeth ‘n’ Smiles’, a musical play about the sixties written by David Hare.

Find out more about the last of the Beatle’s three performances in Nottingham.

Read an article about interpreting the Beatles by Loughborough historian Marcus Collins.

Launch of new East Midlands History Magazine

9 June 2015

The first issue of a magazine which flags the history and heritage of the region has been published, with a brief to reach out to communities and strengthen connections between universities and local schools, heritage societies and museums.

The new East Midlands History and Heritage Magazine will share information on research, news and events across the six counties of the East Midlands. It is produced by a consortium supported by Bishop Grosseteste, Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Loughborough, Nottingham and Nottingham Trent universities.

To coincide with the opening of the new National Civil War Museum at Newark , issue number one focuses on Britain’s Civil War and includes an article on Rothley by Susan Joyce, entitled ‘Saints and malignants: Rothley and its neighbours in the 17^th century’s times of turmoil.’

East Midlands History and Heritage Magazine is currently available to download, with hard copies available shortly through local libraries and archives.

Read an original document about The Taking of Leicester in 1646 here, reproduced by kind permission of the British Library.

Photographs sought of Charnwood in the 21st Century

7 June 2015

Do you have photographs of Charnwood events and buildings taken between the years 2000 and 2015?

If so, would you consider donating them to Loughborough Library?

Local Studies Volunteers are putting together a new ‘Charnwood in the 21^st Century’ photographic collection and are seeking donations of suitable images from the general public. Donated photographs will enhance the understanding and enjoyment of future generations in the same way that we enjoy the heritage collections available in the Library now.

Images can be taken along to the Library during opening hours. Envelopes should be marked for the attention of Nigel or Sharon in Local Studies.

(Please note that copyright of photographs is passed to the Library on donation.)

Rugby in Loughborough – an exhibition at Loughborough Library

6 June 2015

Rugby in Loughborough – an exhibition at Loughborough Library

The first week of February 2015 saw the opening of an exhibition at Loughborough Library which commemorated the town’s long association with the game of rugby.

Put together by the Library’s Local Studies Volunteers with help and support from the Rugby Development Foundation, Loughborough Rugby Football Club, the Midlands Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Loughborough Endowed Schools partnership, the exhibition was sited in the Local Studies area of the Library and ran until the end of March 2015.

Photographs courtesy of Sharon Gray of Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group.

Loughborough to Berlin (2) Leicestershire & Rutland Family History Society Tour 2015

5 June 2015

In May 2015, the Leicestershire & Rutland Family History Society organised a most enjoyable visit to Berlin. The focus of the visit was Berlin during WW2 and we were accompanied by Bill McQuade, a specialist military historian.

We travelled by coach, with an overnight stop at Essen both travelling out and on our return. Although this was a long journey, it did emphasise to us how far it was for the armies to get from France to Berlin, and we realised we were driving through “Happy Valley” in the Ruhr, where  there were the heaviest anti-aircraft defences.

Checkpoint Alpha

We also experienced going through Checkpoints Alpha and Bravo on the approach to Berlin through the former Eastern Germany. Our guide had first-hand experience of serving in Berlin during the Cold War so we were able to learn about what life was like at that time. After what could have been a very lengthy delay at Checkpoint Alpha, the military convoys would have to drive at a steady 55 kph all the way to Checkpoint Bravo, otherwise they would be interrogated to ensure that no detours or illegal stops had been made. They made sure the vehicles were in good working order before setting out as they did not want to have to account for breakdowns!

Our guide pointed out several things of interest en route: the old racecourse stands that still flank the main road into Berlin, the USA training area, the Radio Tower used by Hitler etc. and talked about the Berlin Airlift.

Our first full day in Berlin was spent visiting a WW2 war cemetery with more than 3000 graves. Most were the graves of the RAF, whole crews buried together, and some Prisoners of War including Michael Sinclair (The Red Fox from Colditz) and Denys Street (The Great Escape).

Streetlight designed by Adolf Hitler

We drove back into the city along Heerstrasse, which had street lights personally designed by Hitler – reputedly sketched on a napkin. We spent time at the Olympic Stadium, the Victory Column, the Staufenburg Monument, Topography of Terrors outdoor museum, the Holocaust Memorial and the site of Hitler’s Bunker. Several of the group visited the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial church which is the remains of the bombed church with a new bell tower and church joined to it. It is known as the “blue church” due to its lovely blue stained glass windows, or as the “lipstick and powder box” by locals due to its shape.

For me, the most moving part of the tour was when we visited the Wansee Conference Centre, which was where the senior officials of the Nazis met to discuss and decide on the “final solution” for the Jews. It was chilling to see the original documents displayed alongside an English translation, recording the comments and recommendations of those planning the forced evacuations to camps (“able-bodied Jews will be brought to those regions to build roads, whereby a large number will doubtlessly be lost through natural reduction”), forced sterilisation for part-Jews and other ideas for coordinating the destruction of the Jews in Europe.

Glienicke Bridge

We walked along the Glienicker Bridge where spy exchanges were made during the Cold War. Then followed a more light hearted visit to the Cecilienhof 1945 Conference Centre and the Sans Souci Palace, with its beautiful architecture and park lands and Frederick the Great’s tomb, scattered with potatoes. We lunched in Potsdam and could view either a Soviet war cemetery or go shopping. Other highlights of our tour were seeing the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, looking at memorials to those killed crossing the Wall, the Soviet Memorial and the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. We had plenty of free time to explore: we decided to go to the ghost station at Nordbahnhof S-Bahn and the Wall Memorial Museum , which has a very interesting short film about the Wall’s defences and how it was constructed.

We certainly saw and learnt a lot during our 6 day tour; thanks to Peter Cousins of the LRFHS for organising this. We are looking forward to joining another tour next year.

Diane Coppard

Ladybird Books – but not as we know them!

1 June 2015

An exhibition in Loughborough Library Local Studies area – 1st April to 27th May 2015

In April 2015, Loughborough Library Local Studies volunteers staged a display of over 125 not-so-familiar Ladybird titles to mark the centenary of the famous children’s book imprint being registered by Loughborough stationers and publishers Wills & Hepworth Ltd.

Among the items on show were examples of Ladybird books in several unusual guises, including those translated into well-known and more exotic foreign languages, a display on the Initial Teaching Alphabet reading scheme of the 1960s and English language editions aimed at children learning English as an additional language.

The exhibition was opened by Mr Ray Wright, a printer with the company for 38 years and among those employees present when the factory closed in 1999.