39 Back Hill, Ely

History of 39 Back Hill

Beryl Buckwell née Roberson, was born at the Close (now 39 Back Hill); her reminiscences of Ely are recorded in Ely Memories, 1998. In 1911 she was a visitor at Thetford St Mary in Norfolk. Her father was Frank Roberson who in 1911  was 43, b Norfolk, and Clerk to the Commissioners of Taxes. In 1901 The Roberson family were also visitors at Shrublands, Thetford St Mary, Norfolk

One day – when I was a small girl – my father and I walked down Nutholt Lane and turned the corner into Newnham Street. There was not a soul in sight, and no traffic, but walking slowly down the middle of the road was a large lion. We stood still with out backs to the wall and my father hissed at me’Don’t speak or move’. The lion looked us up and down and having decided that we were of no interest, it continued on its way. I suppose it had escaped from the menagerie which used to be held once a year in a field near the station.

1921

Frank Roberson, 56, clerk to commissioner of taxes, b Norfolk

Susan Ethel, 44, b Surrey

Susannah Gertrude Blaze, 26, servant, b Kent

1939

Frank Roberson, b 1864, clerk to commissioners income tax, ARP Isle of Ely

Susan E, b 1876

Rosa Austerlitz, b 1900, servant