So distraught, Ephraim left Newmarket, never to return
For Denise Rogerson, the 100th anniversary of the Newmarket Town Hall fire brings back particular and very poignant memories.
See also - The night when tragedy struck
Sarah Starling, one of the three who perished as a result of the burns they received in the blaze, was married to Denise's great-great uncle, Ephraim Starling.
Denise, who lives in Kennett, only became aware of the link through her grandmother, who told her the story of how her great grandmother had been asked by Sarah to go to the town hall with them on the fateful night, but had declined because she was pregnant at the time.
Denise had always been interested in tracing her family's history and her research combined with a bit of luck eventually brought her to meet her great-great uncle in 1985 as he celebrated his 100th birthday in Hounslow, Middlesex.
He died the following August at the age of 101.
Denise visited Ephraim before he died and although his memory was faltering, the old man told her of his heartbreak at the tragic loss of his young wife in the town hall fire more than 70 years ago.
He was so distraught that he left Newmarket, never to return.
His wanderings took him as far afield as Canada, but he finally returned to England and settled to work as a butler – a career he continued until he retired at the age of 73.
He did marry again and he and his second wife Mildred had a daughter, who gave them a granddaughter and two great grandchildren.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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