44 Sun Street, Isleham

History of 44 Sun Street

Arthur Houghton’s birthplace. Arthur’s reminiscences were published in 1988 as “Memories of Isleham Village”; he includes a detailed description of his childhood.

“I was born on 11th July 1911 where all my family for generations back were born.”

“Christmas was a marvellous time when I was a young bouy. I can remember when I was about 8 years of age., I had a watch in my stocking. I thought it was the most wonderful thing in the world. Also there was an orange, sweets and nuts. My brothers and sisters had games and story and painting books. I think, looking back, that it was being a large family which made Christmas so wonderful. we were awake about 5 o’clock in the morning to see what we had in our stockings. When we cam down we had to go in to the front room out of the way. At other times we were only allowed in there on a Sunday. For Christmas Day breakfast, there would be a huge pan of beef frying and pork sausages. For Christmas dinner we nearly always had a goose. The house would have trimmings put up and instead of a Christmas tree we always had a line which would be put up in a corner of the room next to the ceiling and it was trimmed with ivy. Then on it would be sugar clocks, sweets and sugar mice, coloured candles, lanterns, etc. ”

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1911 Sun Street

Robert Houghton, 28, gardener’s labourer

Ellen, 27,

Violet,4,

Robert, 2,

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1921 Sun Street

Robert Houghton, 38, farm labourer A H Worth Lark Hall, b Isleham

Ellen, 37, b Norfolk

Violet, 14, b Isleham

Robert, 12, b Norfolk

Arthur, 9, b Isleham

William, 7, b Isleham

Christopher, 1 m, b Isleham