Childhood
Royal’s parents were Henry Kerry and Nellie. Her father was a farm labourer who met Nellie Brett a dressmaker from Attleborough; they were married on December 24th 1902.
The following image shows Royal’s brother Cyril Kerry in a very splendid pram:
Photo reproduced with thanks to Wendy Eastell
The following photo shows Royal’s parents, Nellie and Henry, and her four siblings – Cyril, Clifton, Irene and Elsie:
Photo reproduced with thanks to Wendy Eastell
Nellie was pregnant with their 5th child when Henry was called to serve in the Great War (1914-1918); he served in the 1st battalion Essex regiment. The story of Royal’s father, Henry (Harry) Kerry, is told here.
The death of Henry meant that Nellie was left with four children and a fifth to be born 6 months later. Royal Gwendoline Kerry was born on 17th February 1916. She was named after the ship on which her father lost his life, the Royal Edward. Nellie had been convinced that she was having a boy. If this had happened, he would have been named Edward. Apparently, Royal never liked her name!
Nellie raised the five children alone at The Cottage, The Loke in Deopham Green (where Royal was born). Nellie had moved there after Henry died.
The following photo shows Royal in the foreground with her sisters Irene (on the left) and Elsie standing behind.
Photo reproduced with thanks to Wendy Eastell
School
Royal and her siblings went to the Tin school on Pye Lane. Later Royal went to Deopham County Primary school on Vicarage road when the Tin Tabernacle (as it was often referred to) closed in 1924.
The following photograph, taken outside the Tin Tabernacle, shows Royal in the front row, third from the right. The date on the board held by the boy in the centre of the front row is 1919.
Photo reproduced with thanks to Jacky Phoenix
Royal’s brother Clifton is the second from the right in the following photograph:
Photo reproduced with thanks to Wendy Eastell
Eventually Nellie’s children left home except for Elsie who stayed with her mum until Nellie died in December 1962 aged 87.
Marriage
Royal met and married Archie Rowland Tooke, they had 5 children, Ivan, Gwendoline, Roderick, Wendy and Jill. They initially lived in Low Common, then moved to Ivy Cottage and later to White Cottage, Deopham Green. The 1939 register shows Archie, Royal and Roderick living in the Ivy Cottage in Deopham Green.
Archie worked at The Briton Brush factory in Wymondham.
The following splendid photo shows (from left to right) Horace Bond, Archie Tooke, Ray Warmer and Russel Longon.
Photo reproduced with thanks to Wendy Eastell
Archie working at Briton’s Brush factory in Wymondham:
Photo reproduced with thanks to Wendy Eastell
Archie used to spend some evenings with a few of the other local men chatting, in Jimmy Sturmans shop at the Green Corner, which was also a a petrol station. Archie passed away suddenly at the age of 72.
Royal did various jobs to help support the family such as Land work and fruit picking. During the 2nd World War she did washing for the Americans stationed at Deopham airfield. For the last 12 years of her working life she was employed at Morley Nurseries, starting there at the age of 60, cycling there until she was 72.
Left to right: Royal Tooke, Mary Capes and Gwen Rostron:
Watering Chrysanthemums at Mill Farm.
Photos reproduced with thanks to Wendy Eastell
After the children left home Royal enjoyed being a member of Deopham W. I., taking part in the plays (doing her Norfolk dialect) and playing for their darts team. After retiring she enjoyed gardening, and spending time with family, shopping and family get togethers. After having a pacemaker fitted at 99 she could still be seen sitting weeding in her garden; unfortunately she fell and broke her hip three months before her 100th birthday and had a partial hip replacement. However, after her stay in hospital, and in Ogden Court, she was able to return to her home about six weeks later, and on February 17th 2016 she received her card from Queen Elizabeth which she treasured.
100th Birthday
Photos reproduced with thanks to Wendy Eastell
Royal carried on living at White Cottage until she passed away, January 18th 2018 - a month before her 102nd birthday, having lived in Deopham all her life.
Photo reproduced with thanks to Wendy Eastell
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| 17/2/24 | Published |
Deopham History 