23 New Road, Kings Lynn

History of 23 New Road, Kings Lynn

According to a letter from the family in 2026, Louisa Banner lived in rented accommodation in King’s Lynn at the end of the 1930s whilst working as the manager of a bank there. But she seems to have found permanent accommodation in Chapel Street relatively soon. Thomas was at university and on military service, possibly to be closer to work. Louisa’s husband William had been a victim of World War I. He had been wounded and after many months of rehabilitation, while the family continue to live in Wymondham, he developed severe mental problems and was admitted to the mental hospital in Great Yarmouth. Louisa and her daughter Christina would visit him until his death many years later.

William served with 6th Royal Fusiliers, service number 1495.

Thomas Banner school certificate

When Thomas Anthony Banner was informed in August 1938 of her son’s success in being awarded a senior scholarship by the Norfolk Education Committee, the address they wrote to was:

Mrs L Banner

23 New Road

King’s Lynn

In 1939 Thomas can be found living at Arcade House, High Street, King’s Lynn. In the same household is Louisa Banner born 1891, Thomas’s mother; Thomas is described as a science student. There are four other, presumably students, living in the household, which is led by Emma J Frost, b 1883, manageress cleaners.

In July 1939 Thomas is writing to Christine banner c/o Villa Maria, Upper Bognor Road, Bognor regis, Sussex. Thomas is obviously very busy and in the middle of his Highers, public examinations.

Arcade House,
High Street,
King’s Lynn,
Norfolk.

July 12th 1939.

Dear Christine,

Please don’t laugh at getting this letter just as you are coming home, but you know how I put off letter writing — you ought be thankful that Mum for once is not the same. Really can’t tell you all that’s happened since you’ve been away — even at Lynn — I haven’t got the time! I suppose you know that everything seems O.K. about Civil Service & that you are due for a medical exam. when you come back — if it isn’t what you want it’s something definite to fall back on to earn your living at least.

At the moment I’m more or less in the middle of Higher. We had a horrible Practical Chemistry Paper yesterday — & that was “my best subject last year.” We are due for Physics Practical to-morrow morning. This afternoon we had the swimming Sports and Lancaster didn’t do too badly.

I’m glad you’ve been having a good time of at Bognor — I’ve had quite a decent time here especially at Whitsun, but you needn’t believe what Margaret told you in her letter about me — not unless you like. — all I’ll say is that Eileen — Miss King to you(!!) — is jolly nice. I must stop now else I shall miss the post,

Your loving brother,
Tom

Mum sends love.

The next time we hear from him is in Cambridge, at Emmanuel College.

After the war Louisa Banner received a letter of thanks from Queen Elizabeth II for her hosting of evacuees.

NB: The significance of the following envelope is unclear. Its postal date of 1920 seems to remove its significance to the story of Thomas Banner