Corporal James Langford b 1875, Boer War watch

Stonea Road, Wimblington

History of Stonea Road, Wimblington

The location of Stonea Road is uncertain. No road of this name could be found on either modern or old maps. Suggestions would be welcome.

1891 Stonea Road, Wimblington

Farm House:

Joseph Setchell, 53, agricultural foreman, b Wimblington

Susan, 52, house keeper and poultry redere [?], b Upwell

Emma, 21, mother’s help, b March

George, 19, agricultural labourer, b March

William, 13, agricultural labourer, b March

Annie L Cross, lodger, 26, head teacher of elementary school, b Somerset

Henry Leet, 19, agricultural labourer, b Norfolk

James Watson, 18, agricultural labourer, b March

James Langford, 15, agricultural labourer, b Yaxley

In 1871 James Langford was living in Yaxley

James’s whereabout until he died in 1906 are unclear. He married Mary Jane Brown (b c1877 Hemel Hempstead) but this was after he came back from the Boer War.

He enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1893 when he was 18. He served in South Africa and was awarded the Queen’s Medal.

The watch, which is still kept by his family, was awarded to Corporal Langford for services in South Africa in 1902.

He was buried in Hampton cemetery 16/6/1906. Family traditon says that James went to London having qualified as a quantity surveyor and became a Clerk of Works.

He and Mary had three children:

Iris Beryl Langford, 1903-1981

Majorie Winifred Langford, 1904-1977

James Francis W Langford, 1906-1919

Iris married and lived later in Sawston. Her son was Peter J Kerry.