A Monthly Publication

 On Remembrance Sunday I was just one of the many taking part in the parade from the United Services Club to the Cenotaph and then onwards to the Service at St. Edmund’s Church. Always a poignant celebration it was suddenly all the more significant because reading the names on the Cenotaph, listening to them being read out, and then reading them again on the memorial in the church, many of the names were familiar to me from my researches into the history of Hunstanton. The Crowns, the Willoughbys, Wales etc., are all part of our heritage of Hunstanton, and suddenly they cease to be mere names and one comes to realise the sacrifice those heroes had made. May they never be forgotten.

Another war – another hero.

Hunstanton St Edmunds was a thriving town in 1902, a year which marked the end of the Boer War. In April 1902 the 3^rd Norfolk Regiment arrived back in Norwich after 2 years service in South Africa. Over 350 Norfolk men returned home, the majority of them were from Norwich, but there were some local heroes; twenty-two from Lynn, one from Snettisham, one from Sedgeford, three from Heacham, and one from Hunstanton. The celebrations started at King’s Lynn where hundreds of people assembled outside the railway station and a force of the local volunteers prepared to meet the returning soldiers. At 7.32 in the evening the blasts of numerous fog horns announced the train was arriving. On that train was Captain Richard Bagge, the nephew of the Mayor of Lynn. Not many minutes later Captain Bagge was on a train to Hunstanton. Here, the town had been decorated; bunting flew everywhere, a triumphal arch made of evergreens had been erected at the station and bore the message “Welcome to Hunstanton.”  On a similar arch at Captain Bagge’s residence in lower Greevegate was written “Welcome Home”. From the Sandringham Hotel, the pier head, and all public and business premises stretched streamers of flags.

At the station the welcoming party included Mrs. Hamond Le Strange, the Rev. H. Barrett and Captain W. Pattrick, who was the commander of the local detachment of Volunteers. An escort was formed of the King’s Own Yeomanry and the Fire Brigade; Mr. Mallett, the headmaster of the school, was in charge of the children who had been supplied with flags. Whilst waiting for the train the crowds were entertained by the Volunteer Band.

Stationmaster Barrett was, as befitted his position, busy arranging the welcoming party on the platform. The volunteers were drawn up in double line, with the Fire Brigade, school children and a few privileged friends. After a long period of waiting, the gaily decorated train steamed into the station at ten minutes past eight.

Great bursts of cheering and a salute from the volunteers welcomed Capt. Bagge as he stepped from the train. Rev. Barrett made a short speech of welcome, thanking him for the honour he had conferred on the town by serving his country in South Africa. After thanking him for his kind reception, Captain Bagge was escorted to an open carriage. Mounted yeomanry headed the procession, which marched off by way of Westgate, High Street and Greevegate to Mintlyn House, the band playing martial airs en route. The carriage was drawn through the streets by members of the Football Club, followed by large crowds of the townspeople. Outside his house Captain Bagge made a short speech thanking the town for his enthusiastic welcome before entering his gaily decorated house where a party of relatives and guests were waiting to give him a family homecoming.

In June, Captain Bagge was invested with the Distinguished Service Order by King Edward VII at St. James’s Palace.

Captain Bagge later married a South African Lady he had met whilst serving in South Africa. They had five daughters, who were great benefactors to our town and amongst charities they supported was the first children’s home which later developed into the St. Christopher’s Home.