Mystery plaque dumped in Hornchurch, Essex

Hi Pete, Phil.
The Pegrum search seems to be making some progress - well done chaps.
Re Oxford I was aware there were many colleges there, but this is from Wiki:

Oxford University:

As a collegiate university, Oxford's structure can be confusing to those unfamiliar with it. The university is a federation: it comprises over forty self-governing colleges and halls, along with a central administration headed by the Vice-Chancellor. The academic departments are located centrally within this structure; they are not affiliated with any particular college.

There are 38 colleges of the University of Oxford and 6 Permanent Private Halls, each with its own internal structure and activities.[28] All resident students, and most academic staff, must be members both of a college or hall, and of the university.

I have sent an email to the general address for Oxford and will see what they come back with but I suspect without a particular College name we might be pushing our luck - no harm in asking though!

Re the visit to LMA I haven't managed it yet, still hope to get there at some point.

Cheers for the continued searches.

Mike

 

Through Ancestry, I have made contact with someone who may be related to Douglas Pegrum, but is going to do some further research to see if she can confirm this.

Phil that is exciting & great news - we think he is my partner's mum cousin brought up in Maymyo Burma as Anglo Burmese, just north of Rangoon. The family story is that the boys of that generation were educated in the royal palace, looks like they moved to the UK at some point.

We would be very grateful for any information you have and a photo of him is a real gift.

The link to Edmonton /Enfield is unknown as yet but I'll start investigating to see if the family can be linked to the area.

 

Thats excellent news mate, well done.

I know that Ed will be pleased with that, although i'm hoping for something that can connect him to Tottenham.

Cheers

Pete

Phil - is it a New Zealand Pegrum you are in contact with? i wont do anything on ancestry to avoid duplication - I did start a pegrum thread but I cant see it there now.

 

Putting this here for future ref

POW CAMPS page 2

Its a list of jap camps.

 

Mike

Was the plaque installed at the sports club?

Pete

 

Latest update

Phil, Thank you so much for making the link. This has really fantastic stuff!

We are just digesting it all. The picture is brilliant - can't wait to show mum (she's 85)

If mum remembers him & why he had a connection with the Tottenham area I will let you know asap. We think there are more Pegrums about in West London & will try that route as well.

In the meantime many thanks & hope to be in contact soon

Kind Regards
Shane & Julie .

 

I think I've mentioned it before - the name Pegrum centres around Waltham Abbey & Nazeing, certainly the Abbey is just up the road from the Club...am wondering if he stayed with relatives when he came over from Burma...time will tell!

Pete

 

Pete/Phil, absolutely brilliant stuff!
Particularly pleasing to see that perhaps Douglas's Mother might get to see the Training Squadron photo through this forum. Fantastic if it is the right family link!.

Yes Pete, the plaque has been re-mounted on the Sports Club but I don't know exactly where or have a photo of it in place. I really must get in touch with Malcolm, the Club manager and see if he can send a photo. I believe it was restored befor re-mounting.
Unfortunately the (unofficial) unveiling was on 11th November last year and Dave King (the original finder) and I, although invited, couldn't attend as we were both at Remembrance events in Hornchurch that day. We are both RBL Branch Committee members.

Many thanks again,

Mike

 

Douglas's Mother

Mike, it is actually the family of Douglas's cousin that I have contacted. The lastest details
Mum was evacuated in '41 to India and as far as we know with most of the family - again this is something we will check when we see her next. She & dad returned in 46/47 but had to leave quickly because of the Independence in '48, some sisters & cousins came to the UK, one went to Oz.

 

Phil

Could you enquire about Douglas' sister? I understand that she was born in 1915.

Well done mate, truly awesome work.

Pete

 

Blimey Phil, sounds like the family spread out a fair bit, I am getting confused, glad you are on top of it!

 

Had a reply to my email to Oxford University, pretty much along the lines I expected..

'I have made a provisional search of our records of matriculated members back which go back to 1932 and have not been able to find a Douglas Frank Pegrum. If you find any further information about him, especially his College, please feel free to contact us again.

If it is possible that he attended Oxford before 1932, please contact enquiries@oua.ox.ac.uk whose records go further back.

Good luck with the rest of your search!'

My understanding of 'matriculated' is someone who is included on a list or register, but does it have some other meaning in the academic world? I did explain that we believe Douglas might have left Oxford possibly before his course ended to join the RAF.
Any ideas how it might be possible to narrow things down to a College? Would his RAF record have a reference to a University College?

Mike

 

Lionel Herbert Pegrum

Phil - was he from Waltham Abbey?

Pete

 

Had a reply to my email to Oxford University, pretty much along the lines I expected..

'I have made a provisional search of our records of matriculated members

My understanding of 'matriculated' is someone who is included on a list or register, but does it have some other meaning in the academic world?

Mike

Usually means enrolled in a University.

In Australia when I was at school in the 60's 'Matriculation" was year 12. After this year you could enter University.

Cheers

Geoff

 

Lionel Herbert Pegrum

Phil - was he from Waltham Abbey?

Pete


Pete, he appears to have been from Surrey

P

 

Is this of any help?

THE ANGLO-BURMESE LIBRARY - Home

WELCOME TO THE ANGLO-BURMESE LIBRARY
dedicated to the collection, indexing and preservation of records and histories of families in colonial-era Burma.

 

Hi Geoff

Thanks for that.

I now have a contact physically in Myanmar, and also an excellent contact in relation to burials in Burma/Myanmar, but I havent asked anything yet - I suspect that the family left Burma before the occupation based on Phils findings, am hoping something comes of that first.

Shame the father was from Surrey, it'd be far too simple for them just to go back to Waltham Abbey wouldnt it !

Still, softly softly catchee monkey.

Pete

 

Pete Keane & Mike L et al,

Everyone, I have great news to resolve your enquiry into Douglas Pegrum.
He was my Dad's older brother.
My Dad told me about another forum yesterday on which Pete Keane had posted about Douglas Pegrum which my Dad happened to stumble upon.
I searched the Web and found this forum and read all the fantastic posts about how you were searching for info. regarding Douglas Pegrum.
My father can tell you EVERYTHING.
I found reading the 46 pages of posts absolutely fascinating.
Especially about my ancestors being educated in the royal palace in Burma which was very amusing.
I was also touched by Ed who was friends with Douglas Pegrum and wanted to know any family contacts.
My Dad will be able to answer all your questions.
Although, he's 88 now, he's still sharp as a whip and very interested in our family history.
We're thoroughly thrilled at the great lengths that you have all gone to, to research Douglas Pegrum.
Looking forward to hearing from you and will relay everything to my father.

Cheers

Ian

 

Ian,

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Great news for the members who have made such tremedous enquiries.

Like you said this is a fascinating story.

Regards
Tom

 

Been a bit of a day today.....

I have e-mailed Ian and his dad, once I have all the correct contact details I will put Dougs family and friends directly in touch.

And maybe some progress on the memorial as well ? Will post when I have more info.

Pete