Research Forum

I know that you contacted the Kewstoke History Group and visited the Library in Weston the last time you asked about these people.  I'm not sure whether you already know this or would be interested in the subsequent owner of Norton Beauchamp House who I believe to be Lt Col Gordon FLEMMING who was married to Dorothy Mary SMYTH-PIGOTT, the daughter of Cecil Hugh SMYTH-PIGOTT who was a young Squire of Weston but died in 1893, only one year after his father.  Cecil, when only 7 or 8 played a prominent part in the opening of Birnbeck Pier. 

Col Gordon Flemming OBE, M.C. served during WW1 in the Gordon Highlanders but later became Hon Col of the 4th Batt Somerset L.I.  Several articles about his activities in Weston can be found in the British Newspaper Archives and his wife was active raising money for the new Hospital in 1928.  By the 1939 Register, Dorothy FLEMMING is to be found living at the house in Kewstoke with 3 of her children and several servants. Gordon is not at home.

The Western Daily Press of 6th August 1937 had this appreciation of Col FLEMMING.

Colonel Gordon Flemming. O.B.E., is gazetted as taking over the Honorary Colonecy of the 4th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry (T.A.) from the Marquis of Bath. Colonel Gordon Flemming 0.B.E . MC.. a son of Sidney Flemming, of London and Cobham, Surrey. He was born in 1885 and educated at Clifton and R.M.C. He married Dorothy Mary, daughter of Cecil Hugh Smyth Pigott, J.P.. of Brocklev Hall, Somerset, He joined the Duke of Wellington's Regiment 1905, Gordon Highlanders 1916 served the Great War 1914-9, and was mentioned six times in despatches. He was gazetted Captain in 1916, Brevt.Major 1918, and retired with the rank of Major. entered the Reserve of Officers 1922.and became Colonel (Territorial Army) in 1927 and was Deputy-Lieutenant of Somerset 1933. He commanded the Somerset Light Infantrv (T.A.) 1923-31. During the War he was awarded the Croix de Guerre

The address of Brigadier and Mrs Gordon FLEMMING was still given as Norton Beauchamp in 1947 when there was an announcement of the engagement on one of their daughters, but it is possible that they may have separated as in 1951 Gordon was named in a divorce petition. There are advertisements for the sale of Norton Beauchamp House in 1955. Gordon FLEMMING died in Hastings in 1974 and Dorothy died in Yorkshire just short of her 100th birthday in 1989.

Thank you Pat for this very interesting information about the later owners of Norton Beauchamp. By coincidence my father, Ian Charles Troup Innes also served with the Gordon Highlanders during World War 1. So there is this additional link, although he never visited Somerset, but married my mother, who was born at Norton Beauchamp in 1912, in Australia.