Herald - Issue 403

11th March 2021 • The HERALD • Page 29 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v HANDY HANDS HANDYMAN S E RV I C E S Your Local Handyman For ALL Your Small Jobs • Gutter Clearance & Clearing • PVCu Fascias, Gutters, Soffits & Conservatory Cleaning • Pressure Cleaning of Paths & Patios •Window Cleaning • Interior & Exterior Painting • Grass Cutting, Strimming • Hedge Trimming • Shed Re-treated/ Roofs Re-felted • Flat Pack Assembly Fully Insured Free Estimates Work Guaranteed References on Request T: 023 8084 0096 M: 07840 860202 • Re-Skimming • Rendering • Coving • Dry Lining • Tacking • Artex Covered • Floor Screeding www.tbrownplastering.co.uk Call: 07919 183989 Friendly • Reliable • Professional • Free Estimates All General Plumbing • Boiler Installations • Boiler Breakdowns • Gas Appliance Servicing • Central Heating Repairs 023 8089 9300 07917 445369 petertarr1@hotmail.co.uk Reg: 3515993 PETERTARR Gas, Plumbing & Heating Carpenter/Handyman available for small jobs Doors, locks, handles, gates, fencing and small painting jobs Free Estimates Tel: 023 8081 1613 Mobile: 07960 050077 There has been a church at Fawley since 971 A.D. and the graveyard contains over 3,500 known souls within it. Over the next few months, I will be writing up the stories of some of the people buried within the churchyard, many with living relatives who have so kindly contributed to these short histories. FLORENCE ANNIE SMITH e mystery of Florence Annie Smith, whose remains are buried in the All Saints graveyard leaves many unanswered questions. Anniewas the 5th of 6 daughters born to James and Mary Ann Smith. eir only son, Sydney James died 15th May 1886 aged 8 years 7 months. ey lived in a large house in Mentmore near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. e father, Mr. James Smith was employed as head gardener for 29 years at Mentmore House, the rst property built for the late Baron M. Rothschild and to Lord Rosebery. Mr Smith was a well-known person in the gardening world, a writer for gardening journals and a committee member and judge for the Royal Horticultural Society. At the time of the disappearance of Florence, the parents had died, and the sisters had moved to a house in Putney, South West London. ey were living in comfortable circumstances and had indoor sta . On the 5th of May 1922, the day of her disappearance, Florence had le the home in Putney telling a maid: “I am going away to the seaside. My sisters know where I am going”. at was the last time they saw Florence. Ten years later in 1932, Miss Helen Smith, the eldest sister, was reading a newspaper article about a skeleton that had been found at Lepe Beach in Hampshire. Near to the skeleton had been found a broach similar to the ones that had been given to all six sisters when Florence was a bridesmaid at a friend’s wedding. e broach consisted of a ve petalled ower, each petal being enamelled in turquoise, had a central diamond, and set in platinum. Helen recognised the description, as did her younger sister Louise, who at that time was in Winchester. Louise journeyed to Lyndhurst, in the New Forest, to identify the broach. It is unknown why Florence came to this area which was very rural at the time. Maybe the family had local connections. One of the sisters told the newspaper: “I expect what happened after Florence went away is that she suffered loss of memory, wandered down to Lepe, and perhaps collapsed”. Florence had been severely a ected by the ‘Spanish In uenza’ pandemic in 1918. At the inquest, held in Lyndhurst, open verdict was recorded as there was no evidence to show cause or date of death. Dr. E. Jones-Evans said that in his opinion, the body had not lain in its grave for more than two years, although Florence had disappeared ten years previously. e Coroner con rmed that he did not intend to re-open the inquest. Miss Helen Smith told the newspaper that they were relieved now that the uncertainty of the whereabouts of their sister had been resolved. Florence Annie’s remains were laid to rest in All Saints graveyard, in Fawley, with a small marked memorial stone. One wonders, why did Florence Annie come to this area and how did she travel down to Hampshire? Possibly by train to Southampton. However, getting from Southampton to Lepe would not have been easy in the early 1920’s. It was not stated whether Florence had departed the house in Putney, carrying any luggage. e distance would have been too far for a lady of her upbringing to have travelled ‘rough’. What had happened in the intervening eight years before the doctor’s surmise that she had probably only been in the grave for two years? Was she a skeleton when placed in the grave? If so, who placed her there? e more one ponders, the more mysterious the situation becomes. As for the rest of the family, the parents had been buried in a grave next to their young son, in Mentmore, Buckinghamshire. Sister Sophia Ada, born 1871, married and became Mrs Roads. She died in 1943. Margaret, the eldest sister married and moved to Adelaide in Australia. She died in 1959. Emma and Helen r e m a i n e d spinsters. They died within four weeks of each other in 1954. ey le all their probate to the youngest, only surviving sister, Louise Sarah, TALES FROM THE GRAVEYARD OF ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH, FAWLEY Written by Patricia Hedley-Goddard, Churchyard Archivist for the ancient parish church of All Saints’, Fawley who died one year later in 1955. She le the remaining estate to her solicitors. Louise, Helen, and Emma were all living, at the time of their deaths, at 4 Lutterall Avenue, Putney, South West London. We will probably never know where Florence was during the period of her disappearance, and it will remain an unsolved mystery under tragic circumstances. New Forest District Council (NFDC) are inspecting coastal areas in the district after reports of waxy palm oil being washed up on neighbouring beaches. Palm oil is toxic to dogs and if ingested can cause a fatal reaction. NFDC Coastal Manager advises: “Dog owners walking on or near the beaches should keep an eye out for any palm oil deposits and if they see any keep their pets off the beach. If we find any palm oil, we will remove it, but it is possible that more could come ashore.” Members of the public are asked to report any sightings of palm oil to: 023 8028 5000 or email: coastal.team@nfdc.gov. uk New Forest Art Society meetings have been suspended since early 2020. However, it is hoped that these will be able to resume in May, using a larger space in Lyndhurst Community Centre, to enable social distancing. A programme of speakers is in place as many have agreed to join them following cancellations over the past year. Meetings are free to members and £5 for non-members. Meanwhile, the committee have been meeting on line and will elect a new committee at the AGM in April. You can read about the society, it’s activities and latest news on their website: newforestartsociety.weebly.com New members are always very welcome. New Forest Art Society Look Out for Washed Up Palm Oil