FAMILY HISTORY POTTLE, HOWE & BUTLER FAMILIES 4 MILLVILLE, 2 MILLVILLE CAMPSEA ASHE 1912 2013 by Lucy Butler (nee Howe)
I start this history with Kate Alexandra Pottle, the earliest member of my family that I knew. Kate Alexandra Pottle, born 5 November 1901 (my Grandmother) was the only child of Catherine (born 1869) and Samuel Jordan (born 1849). The first few years of Kate s life was spent in Wickham Market, where she attended the local primary school. This building is the old primary school, the building near the Wickham Market Cemetery. 2
When Kate was about 13 the family moved to 4 Millville, Mill Lane, Campsea Ashe, the house is now known as Farm View. The house at that time was owned by a Miss Ling who lived in London and visited her tenants yearly for a fortnights stay! (Please see the Ling family history.) After leaving school Kate found employment at The Creamery, Campsea Ashe which was situated near the railway station where the original Taylor s Hill Bridge Garage was later located. I remember her telling me how the cheese and butter was made each day. 3
Staff at the Creamery During this time Kate met Rowland Walter Pottle (born January 1900) whose family originated from Bromeswell. Rowland, or Roly as he was known, had been in the Navy but was now working on the railway as a porter and then signalman at Wickham Market Station. In later years he transferred to the Melton Signal box, which has since been demolished. 4
Kate and Roly were married on 23 rd July 1928 at Campsea Ashe Church and a reception was held afterwards at 4 Millville. 5
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By 1928 Kate s father had passed away and the newly married couple lived at No. 4 with Kate s mother. Kate and Roly had the front living room and main bedroom and Kate s mother had the back room and bedroom. Kate s mother passed away during 1932 and was buried in Campsea Ashe Churchyard along with her husband. Sadly no grave stone was laid and no record can be found of their entries. Kate and Roly had three children, the eldest being Denis Peter born 25 th June 1929. He was Christened at Campsea Ashe church in the family christening robe which has since been used for many family Christenings. Although named Denis he was always known as Peter. Peter attended Campsea Ashe Primary before moving to Wickham Market Primary/Senior School. National Service followed on from 7
school and he had many a story to tell of his time in Egypt. Peter loved trains and it was natural for him to follow in the steps of his father. He started his career as a trainee driver and worked his apprenticeship as cleaner, then fireman before qualifying as a driver. Peter loved his garden and walking round the village or over the White Bridge to the meadows with his faithful dog Rip at his side. 8
Kate and Roly s second child was Jean May Pottle (my mother) born 2 nd May 1933. Jean also went to Campsea Ashe school before attending Wickham Market Primary/Senior School. I recall her stories of having to walk across the meadows to Wickham or cycling to the school in all weathers, and of times when she hoped the snow would be too bad for them to be able to get to school! Jean loved her pets which included rabbits, chickens and Topsy her special dog who used to go with her gleaning rabbit food from the hedgerows. Jean spent many a happy hour with The Mannings who lived at 1 Millville. After school Jean trained as a children s nanny at Butley with the Greenwell family before moving to London, where she met my father, Arnold William Ashbee Howe (born 25.12.26) in 1956. My parents were married at 9
Campsea Ashe Church on 2 nd March 1957 and started their married life living in London. Judith Mary Pottle was the second daughter of Kate and Roly and was born on 28 th February 1939. Judith was born at the family home, as were the two earlier children, with the assistance of Little Nanna, who was the so called midwife of the time who lived in a cottage near to Quill Farm. Judith was a war time baby and life was difficult growing up in this period. Judith went to Wickham Primary School and enjoyed the academic side of school life. After leaving school she was employed at Percy Stannard s in Wickham Market which later became Seagers of Wickham Market where she undertook all types of administration work. She would cycle to work and then return home for lunch before cycling back again for the 10
afternoon! She later transferred to the Woodbridge branch of the Company. Roly died of a stroke in 1960. Kate, Peter and Judith continued to live at 4 Millville. They purchased the house and I can recall how excited my grandmother was when she told me about having electricity installed and the pantry being converted into a bathroom. Kate loved her home and garden and her village and was a regular attendee at Campsea Ashe Church for either the 8 or 9.30 a.m. Sunday service. She was also a member of the Mother s Union, the Parochial Church Council and the Campsea Ashe Women s Institute. Kate led an active and full life and passed away in October 1985. She is buried with my grandfather, Roly in Campsea Ashe churchyard. 11
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Peter and Judith sold 4 Millville in the Spring of 1986 and moved to a bungalow in Kesgrave. Peter sadly died on 15th April 1991. His ashes are with his parents at Campsea Ashe Churchyard. Jean and Arnold Howe s first child Julia Mary Howe 22 nd February 1960 was born in London. When Julia was a young child the family moved from London and returned to Suffolk to live in Hollesley. Their second daughter Lucy Jane Howe was born on 23 rd July 1964 at Hollesley. During the summer of 1967 the family noticed that Miss Gibson was selling 2 Millville, Campsea Ashe and the family were able to purchase the house and return to the village during the November of that year. 13
Both Julia and I attended the Campsea Ashe Primary School and were taught by Mrs. Chapman and Mrs. Murray. I have wonderful memories of the village school of Christmas parties, and the making of Christmas decorations with Mrs. Murray. It was a lovely friendly school and we were terribly upset when the school was closed and we went to Butley Middle School. I have lovely memories of visiting my grandmother, uncle and aunt at 4 Millville. The family photograph album was always a favourite of mine and I so loved hearing all the family history. Julia married Graham Leslie Hallett on 17 th October 1981 at Campsea Ashe Church and they had five children:- Tobias Luke Hallett, 21 November 1988, christened at Campsea Ashe Church in March 1989. Megan Rose Hallett, 16 September 1990. 14
Thomas James and Robert Oliver Hallett (stillborn) 9 January 1993. Thomas was christened at Campsea Ashe Church in October 1993. Amelia Bethany Hallett 14 August 1996. I met Alan Michael Butler of Ipswich in 1983 and we married on 20 th May 1989 at Campsea Ashe church. We lived in Hollesley and had our two sons:- James Peter Ashbee Butler 1 March 1995, christened at Campsea Ashe Church in May 1995. Henry William Ashbee Butler 17 May 2000. Mum and Dad (Jean & Arnold) loved living in Campsea Ashe and spent many a happy time walking over the meadows and by Ashe Abbey with their family of dogs. They also helped at fetes and events in the village and I recall them giving donkey 15
rides at the fete and walking the donkeys along the road to High House where the fete was being held. Dad spent most of his working life as an electrician at Eastern Electricity and enjoyed helping with the trials of the electric cars. Mum enjoyed her twice weekly visits to help Major General Man and his wife at their home at Quill Farm. Mum and Dad regularly attended Campsea Ashe Church where Dad was a member of the PCC and, in later years, a Church Warden. Mum helped with the cleaning of the church and altar flower duties. Sadly Dad passed away on 21 st January 2009, and Mum died just over a year later on 20 February 2010. They are buried together in Campsea Ashe church yard. 16
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In August 2011 we returned to the village, to the family home at 2 Millville. We are delighted to be back and are enjoying getting involved in the local community. Our sons James and Henry are the fifth generation of our family to live in Campsea Ashe and feel it s a priviledge to be part of the same community, although there have been many changes over the years. I m now on the Parochial Church Council as were both my grandmother and Dad so many years ago. We look forward to the future in our new home. Lucy Butler 2013 18