Distinguished Old Framlinghamians

Framlingham is rooted in the county of Suffolk, but Framlinghamians have spanned the world from the age of Empire, through times of conflict and into the modern era, in pursuit of trade and adventure. There are those who have made their mark in business, sports, academics, as artists and writers, in agriculture, in the services, the media and in the world of entertainment. You can learn about them here, and you can nominate additions.

Services

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Captain Harold Meldrum MC (1911-1914)

During WW1 served in 14th Battalion of Gloucestershire Regiment and was awarded the Military Cross on 27 July 1916 “For conspicuous gallantry.... Read more

During WW1 served in 14th Battalion of Gloucestershire Regiment and was awarded the Military Cross on 27 July 1916 “For conspicuous gallantry. He led a bombing party into the enemy’s trenches, captured and brought back a machine-gun after killing the gun crew, and successfully bombed dug-outs. They were heavily shelled when returning.”

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Lt Col Servais FitzWalter Marius del Court MC* (Stradbroke 1908-1914)

During WW1 he was wounded twice while serving on the Western front from 1915 to 1918 and then in North Russia in... Read more

During WW1 he was wounded twice while serving on the Western front from 1915 to 1918 and then in North Russia in 1919. He was first awarded the Military Cross on 18 October 1917 and was awarded a Bar to his MC on 21 January 1920. He died in 1970.

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Mr Victor Laurence Fisher OBE (1909-1914)

Not much known, but appears to have qualified as a doctor, served in WW1 and worked for P&O. At some point was... Read more

Not much known, but appears to have qualified as a doctor, served in WW1 and worked for P&O. At some point was awarded OBE.

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Colonel Charles Robinson Robbins MC DFC (Stradbroke 1911-1914)

After the leaving the College went to the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. During WW1 he served in the Royal Artillery and... Read more

After the leaving the College went to the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. During WW1 he served in the Royal Artillery and Royal Flying Corps and was first awarded the Military Cross and then the Distinguished Flying Cross. He went on to become a Company Director and President of the Commercial Aviation Association and was also Chairman of the South African Air Force Association. He also appears to have written a book on aerial photography, which fits in with his DFC citation.

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Mr Archibald Stanley Hatcher MM (Kerrison 1912-1913)

During WW1 served in Machine Gun Corps (14th Light Armoured Motor Battery) and was awarded Military Medal on 3 July 1919 “For... Read more

During WW1 served in Machine Gun Corps (14th Light Armoured Motor Battery) and was awarded Military Medal on 3 July 1919 “For bravery in the field (Mesopotamia)”. After the war he was a farmer in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).

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Brigadier Basil Bedsmore Rackham CBE MC * (1907-1912)

During WW1 he served in the Royal Naval Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and was awarded the Military Cross on... Read more

During WW1 he served in the Royal Naval Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and was awarded the Military Cross on 26 March 1917. He was awarded a Bar to his Military Cross on 26 July 1918. He was awarded a CBE in 1945 and in 1947 was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Middlesex and then of Greater London.

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Group Captain William Lancelot Jordan DSC* DFC (1909-1911)

During WW1 he flew Sopwith Camels and was first awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on 22 February 1918. He was awarded a... Read more

During WW1 he flew Sopwith Camels and was first awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on 22 February 1918. He was awarded a Bar less than a month later and a few months after that he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He is credited with downing 39 planes in total – 8th highest by a British pilot. He died on 20 August 1925 in a motor accident, aged 28.

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Mr Shirley George Kingsley MC (1910-1911)

Served in WW1 in Royal Flying Corps and was awarded Military Cross on 3 March 1917 “For conspicuous gallantry in action. He... Read more

Served in WW1 in Royal Flying Corps and was awarded Military Cross on 3 March 1917 “For conspicuous gallantry in action. He was attacked by 3 hostile machines and shot down. To ensure that his machine would be destroyed, he deliberately landed in the sea at great risk to himself, as he had been wounded and only with difficulty swam ashore.”

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Mr Frederick Mighell MM (1907-1911)

During WW1 served in Honourable Artillery Company and was awarded the Military Medal on 26 April 1917 “For bravery in the field”.

Major John Howell Stransom DCM TD (Rendlesham 1904-1911)

During WW1 he served in 5th City of London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) of the TA. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct... Read more

During WW1 he served in 5th City of London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) of the TA. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 23 June 1915. In 1933 he saved a life from drowning. In business he was a merchant and manufacturer specialising in ivory and hard woods. He was Hon Treasurer of the SOF from 1937 to 1939 and President in 1945 and 1946.

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Air Marshal Sir John Henry D’Albiac KBE CB DSO (1908-1910)

Involved in 1915 in one of the first, if not the first, attack made on a submarine by a British aircraft. Subsequently... Read more

Involved in 1915 in one of the first, if not the first, attack made on a submarine by a British aircraft. Subsequently awarded the DSO for his role in this raid. Died in 1963.

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Lt Ralph Addis Markham MC MM (1903-1910)

Farmer in Canada. During WW1 served in 20th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Was awarded the Military Medal on 9 December 1916 “For bravery... Read more

Farmer in Canada. During WW1 served in 20th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Was awarded the Military Medal on 9 December 1916 “For bravery in the field” and on 16 September 1918 was awarded the Military Cross “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While in charge of a patrol he located an enemy post, which was protected by a double belt of wire. In face of heavy bombing, he successfully rushed the post and killed or drove out the garrison. Though severely wounded, he bombed two of the enemy and stayed to see his wounded evacuated. He did splendidly”.

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Major George Turner MC (1908-1910)

Regular Army Officer who during WW1 served in Suffolk Regiment in France & Belgium. He was awarded Military Cross, but no further... Read more

Regular Army Officer who during WW1 served in Suffolk Regiment in France & Belgium. He was awarded Military Cross, but no further details available. During WW2 he served in South Staffordshire Regiment.

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Mr Percy Kyme Hobson MC (1905-1909)

Served in WW1 in Royal Flying Corps and won his Military Cross on 22 June 1918. He was credited with shooting down... Read more

Served in WW1 in Royal Flying Corps and won his Military Cross on 22 June 1918. He was credited with shooting down 7 German planes during WW1. In December 2011 we came across a hand written journal of his describing his fascinating life and this can be read via the link.

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Major General Frederick Whitmore Burch CSI CIE MC DL (Rendlesham 1903-1909)

Was awarded MC in 1916 for conspicuous gallantry. During WW2 he served in India and in 1946 successfully organised India’s victory celebrations... Read more

Was awarded MC in 1916 for conspicuous gallantry. During WW2 he served in India and in 1946 successfully organised India’s victory celebrations in New Delhi.

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Air Commodore Philip Lionel Lincoln CB DSO MC (Garrett 1904-1909)

Outside of his WW1 and WW2 service he worked for R Passmore and Co, becoming their President and the President of the... Read more

Outside of his WW1 and WW2 service he worked for R Passmore and Co, becoming their President and the President of the Building Industry Distributors. During WW1 he was awarded the MC on 25 November 1916 and the DSO on 3 June 1919. He was appointed CB in 1945. He was a judge for 5 seasons with the Ski Club of Great Britain and a Vice President of the SOF. He died in 1981 at the age of 89.

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Nominate a Framlinghamian

We have no hard and fast rules about who should be recognised as a “Distinguished Old Framlinghamian”, and are always interested to hear about people who are exceptional in all sorts of ways – so please feel free to click on the link below, and complete a nomination form.