Local Lynx No.131 - April/May 2020

destroying the plane. Initially retaining the heavy machine
gun, which they later abandoned, the crew divested
themselves of German currency and other “enemy items”
and set off armed with their individual pistols, intending to
avoid internment by posing as Dutch airmen. They headed
towards the Holt road past the cottage of Mrs Allison,
mother of two small children whose husband was away in
the army, as she watched the fire from the bedroom window
and heard them talking amongst themselves.
Two local constables, PC Bunnett of Binham and PC
Massingham from Holt police station arrived soon after,
alerted by a Home Guard motor cyclist. Incredibly, unseen
by anyone, the three fugitives made their way through Holt
and then on towards Salthouse. In the early morning they
opened fire on aircraft beacons in the area of Kelling Heath
and later made a small fire to warm themselves. The RAF
contacted PC Charles Henry Barnard the local officer at
Kelling police house and the unarmed officer cycled to the
area and found the three at Salthouse Heath. He bravely
approached them and at 6.10am they surrendered.
What happened then could only happen in “dear old
England”. George told the surprised Germans: “You look
all in. You had better come back and have some breakfast”.
He took them to the police house where his wife Vera made
tea and cooked breakfast before re-inforcements arrived in
the shape of PC George Chapman and the “enemy” started
on their journey to a POW camp via Holt Police Station.
It is comforting to know that in the midst of all the hatred
generated by the most horrific confrontation man had ever
known, such acts of normality and humanity still happened.
The story was researched by Mr Russell Reeve of
Colchester, whose sister Vera Reeve was one of the first
Norfolk policewomen. In 1991 Mr Reeve along with the
families of the late PC Barnard and PC Chapman met up
with Pilot Alfred Plank-Von-Bachselten and revisited the
scene of their wartime adventures.
VICTORY IN EUROPE:
A SHARED MOMENT OF
CELEBRATION 8 TH MAY
2020
As part of the national celebrations for the
seventy fifth anniversary of the end of the
Second World War in Europe, the village
hall management committee plans to host
an afternoon tea for the residents of Sharrington and Brinton
on Friday May 8 th .
Residents will be invited to arrive at the hall at 2.30pm
and to join the „Nation‟s Toast to the Heroes of World War
II‟ at 3pm by raising a glass in celebration of the heroes of
the war, „To those who gave so much; We Thank You‟.
Invitations will be delivered to the residents, all of whom
will be welcome.
If you have any memorabilia relating to the period that
you would be willing to make available for display on the
day, please let me know by email r.dubbins@
btinternet.com or telephone 01263 862261.
Roger Dubbins Chair Sharrington VH management
committee
CHURCH NOTES
Sunday 12 th April is Easter Day and we will celebrate
this with the Holy Communion at 9.30am. The church will
be dressed with lovely floral displays and hopefully the
atrocious weather will have moderated and allow the
sunshine in.
As you probably know the May Day bank holiday has
been moved to Friday 8 th May so that everyone can
remember VE Day and the 75 th anniversary. You can read
about the village hall tea party on 8 th May in a separate piece
and on Sunday 10 th May our church service will be at the
usual time of 9.30am and will include a reading of the
Tribute to the Millions, followed by coffee and cake after
the service.
It was very sad to hear of the passing of Betty Rivett on
the 2 nd February, although not unexpected as due to ill
health she had been rather reclusive in recent months,
although pleased to see visitors from time to time. Betty and
her husband John farmed in Sharrington for many years and
eventually the farm went to their son Nick and wife Claire
while they moved to a new house at the top of Brinton Hill.
Betty was a very active member of All Saints
congregation. At one time she was a churchwarden and a
member of the PCC. She enjoyed playing bridge, anything
to do with horses (although she never rode), racing, shows
and was a jump judge for some years.
It was so lovely that she was able to meet and hold her
first great granddaughter just before she died.
I will remember Betty for her beautiful smile and her
friendship. May she rest in peace.
It was also with sadness that we received the news that
Peggy Heron had also passed away in early February at the
age of 94. Peggy had moved to Sharrington with her
daughter Barbara and son-in-law David about two years go
and quickly joined our church congregation. She was upset
that she had to give up driving but she loved our little
church and enjoyed the services very much. Frailty and age
meant she could not come to church any more and we
missed her presence and will continue to do so. Rest in
peace Peggy, and our condolences to Barbara and David.
Finally my usual reminder to donate to the food bank
in church, remembering Easter and contributing special
gifts such as small chocolate eggs, biscuits and toiletries
as well as the usual staples of cereals, soups, juice, tins
and so forth. Thank you.
APG
25