Water End, Wrestlingworth, Bedfordshire

[Retriever]

Does anyone have any information re Water End during WW2?

My grandmother, a Londoner all her life, lived there during the War and I would dearly like to find out why Water End.

She mentioned seeing the Italian prisoners of war going past the cottage on their way to work at the farm so I presume the cottage she lived in was "tied".

Obviously this is a very long shot but you never know!

[chempat]

This is quite a local history society that you could try and contact:

http://www.pottonhistorysociety.com/

Added:
Looks as if Wrestlingworth have their own history society, mentioned inside here:
http://www.wrestlingworthandcockaynehatley-pc.gov.uk/village_link_feb_march_2015.pdf

Facebook page:
Wrestlingworth and Cockayne Hatley

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wrestlingworth-and-Cockayne-Hatley/133053967226?fref=nf

[Retriever]

Thanks for that chempat, will check them out.

[stevew101]

A little bit of information about the Prisoner of War Camps in the area.

1.

Old Woodbury Hall
Gamlingay
Bedfordshire

Map Ref - TL 2136 5286

Camp No 561

The camp was a large Country House

2.

Hutted Camp
Sutton Park
Potton
Bedfordshire

Map Ref TL 220 490

Camp No 628

Demolished - Probable location - Sutton Park Golf Course (Club House)

Probably the camp from where your grandmother saw the POW's.

One of my relatives used to transport the POW's from the camps to the farms during WW2.  Sometimes they were taken as far as the Fens.

The area has always been heavily farmed due to the rich Sandy soil. 

Steve

[Retriever]

Thanks for that.

She mentioned a large field of (I think) cabbages growing opposite the cottage, so I expect there was a lot going on around her. Funny the things that remain in the memory, if only the more important information had!

I have found out that the electoral rolls for that time (pre and post the War) are held at Bedford so hope to get there sometime to see if I can find out anymore from those.

[stevew101]

Good luck - The cabbages are still there.   

Steve

[Retriever]

Must be a bit passed their best by now