WW2 Keeper of house of ill repute

[monica meg]

I would appreciate any pointer's to help with another family legend.
My G Grandfather, so it was whispered kept a house of ill repute, during WW2 in Lower Peover, Cheshire. Apparently my father was sent to him from Manchester during the war, after word reaching my Grandmother of the situation, he was quickly collected and returned home.
His name was Benjamin Burnett born 1873 in Salford, Wife Ellen born 1876 in Manchester.
I do not know where to start with this, and cannot trace death index's and have no information on Lower Peover.
Not sure if I really want to verify this
monica meg

[Redroger]

One possibility would be the electoral registers for the area, both before and after WW2. Most of these still survive, and would give a good idea of the number and gender of adults in the premises at the time. Then, assuming you are able to establish the address look in the local newspapers, or possibly the Sunday papers for any reports concerning the premises. Good hunting, and don't let your finds put you off.

[monica meg]

Thanks Redroger, being new to this, oh okay a numpty I do not know how to access electoral registers, could you give some advice. This could help me learn more and may help in other areas of research.
monica meg 

[Redroger]

The local reference library should have them, failing that, if you are within range and sufficiently mobile the British Library in St. Pancras has a very complete set. The problem with them is that they are arranged by parliamentary constituency and are listed in address order, since 1973 though prior to that some rural areas had them listed in surname area, which would help find your ancestors but could make locating others at the address more difficult. There is always Kelly's directory for the area which usually gives the name of the head of the household only in respect of residential addresses. If the place concerned was a public house then there is usually a separate listing which makes things easier. Hope this helps.

[Redroger]

Just looked and find it's near Knutsford, and still has a parish council which suggests in WW2 it may have been very rural. Ask the Reference Library at Knutsford which constituency it's in now, and which it was in on the 1935 and 1945 electoral registers. They should at least be able to give you directions to a book which has it. Then proceed as I outlined in previous posts, if it is as rural as it seems then it shouldn't be too difficult once you find the register.

[Luzzu]

Hi,

Not sure if this will be useful but during WWII until about 1950 Peover Hall was requisitioned for use by General George Patton and the US Army.

 

Luzzu

[Redroger]

Some people might consider this requisition to make it a house of ill repute, but since you now know the address it makes pre and postwar identification smewhat easier.

[monica meg]

Think I may pour a small whisky before I start this one
This family history addictive.
monica meg

[Luzzu]

Sorry, I wasn't suggesting the US army had made Peover Hall a house of ill repute.  I was just thinking there might be a need for such a place nearby, if you know what I mean.

I think Peover Hall is in between Lower and Over Peover.  Redroger is right, Peover was very rural and to a certain extent still is.

Luzzu