Down the years Norfolk has had its fair share of heroes - some of them are
well known inside and outside their county: others are content to be recognised
only at home. This book pays homage to both kinds.
Who, for instance, has not heard of Henry Blogg, Cromer's celebrated lifeboat
coxswain; Norse Edith Cavell, shot by the Germans in 1915 for helping the escape
of allied soldiers from Belgium; George Edwards, a son of the soil from Aylsham
who became a tireless supporter of the agricultural poor and a MP; Horatio
Nelson, England's greatest naval tactician, and Bill Edrich, still reckoned to
be one of cricket's best ever batsmen.
But who remembers Jem Mace from Beeston, father of modern scientific boxing,
who was still world champion at the age of 39? And the diminutive Sarah Martin,
who life was quietly devoted to prison reform and to improving the lives of
Yarmouth's destitute during the early years of the nineteenth century? Their
stories are here, and many others. Together they make a truly magnificent record
of Norfolk's great heroes and heroines. They come from every walk of life and
from different centuries, but they all have one thing in common - their lives
are an inspiration to others.
Contents:
Introduction
1. Bill Edrich 1916-1986, A Cricketing Legend
2. Henry Blogg 1876-1954, Cromer's Famous Lifeboatman
3. James Adams 1839-1903, The First Clergyman to win the Victoria Cross
4. Thomas Bilney 1495-1531, The Norfolk Martyr
5. Fanny Burney 1752-1840, Novelist, Diarist and Royal Courtier
6. Edith Cavell 1865-1915, 'Patriotism is not Enough'
7. John Crome 1768-1821, A Master Painter
8. George Edwards 1850-1933, Rural Trade Unionist and Son of the Soil
9. Ted Ellis 1909-1986, Naturalist and Broadcaster
10. Sidney Grapes 1888-1958, Rustic Comedian
11. Tom Higdon 1869-1939 and Kitty Higdon 1864-1946, Teachers who began the
Burston School Strike
12. Robert Kett 1492-1549, Rebel Leader of the Norfolk Peasantry
13. Jem Mace 1831-1910, King of the Ring
14. Mary Mann 1848-1929, Chronicler of the Victorian Countryside
15. Sarah Martin 1791-1843, The Angel of the Bridewell
16. Harriet Martineau 1802-1876, Queen of Journalism
17. Kenneth McKee 1906-1990, Pioneer of Hip Replacements
18. Horatio Nelson 1758-1805, From Burnham Thorpe to Trafalgar
19. Thomas Paine 1737-1809, Author of 'The Rights of Man'
20. Lucilla Reeve 1889-1950, The Breckland Rebel
21. Derek Seagrim 1903-1943 and Hugh Seagrim 1909-1944, The Wartime Valour of
two Norfolk Brothers
22. Allan Smethurst 1927-2000, The Singing Postman
23. Doreen Wallace 1897-1989, Campaign Against the Tithe
24. James Woodforde 1740-1903, Parson and Celebrated Diarist
Index
