|
Bible dedicated to Hopton soldier sparks search
Bible dedicated to Hopton soldier sparks search
A Bible dedicated to a soldier from Hopton who died in the First World War has sparked a search for his family
The Bible, which was donated to a charity shop in Norwich, bore an inscription to Lieutenant Adrian Harry Stewart, a soldier from Hopton who was killed in the First World War. The Bible has since been returned to St Margaret's Church in Hopton near Great Yarmouth, where it had originally belonged
When Jane Gosling opened a bag of items handed in at the Oxfam shop on Magdalen Street in Norwich, she expected the everyday mix of old clothes and bric-a-brac. Instead, she found a large, leather-bound Bible... and a mystery
“It wasn’t until I looked at it that I realised it had a story,” said the 58-year-old volunteer. Inside the front cover there was an inscription dedicated to Lieutenant Adrian Harry Stewart, who was killed in the First World War
Curious about the man named in the dedication, Ms Gosling began researching. Lt Stewart was the youngest son of Colonel Harry Stewart of Hopton Hall, and had served with the Gloucestershire Regiment. He was killed in action in Garua in Nigeria in 1914 and has no known grave
"We were quite moved by it in the shop, and I wanted to find out more," Ms Gosling said. "It is a stunning bible, with no damage to it. It was so heavy I could barely lift it"
Her research led her to Reverend Nigel Lacey at St Margaret’s Church in the coastal village of Hopton, who confirmed the Bible had once belonged to the church. But no one knows how it left - or where it had been in the meantime
Ms Gosling returned the Bible to the church on May 1. It was placed back on the lectern and used in prayers during the Sunday service
"We have all become quite fascinated by the young man in question and tried to research him," Ms Gosling said. "I'm unaware if there are any living relatives or if anyone knows why the Bible left the church. "It would be very interesting to find out more about this Bible's story"
This story originally featured in Great Yarmouth Mercury, and the story can be read here: https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/25156024.norfolk-oxfam-donation-sparks-search-soldiers-family/
Photos of Jane Gosling and Reverend Nigel Lacey above, and inscription in the Bible, right, both courtesy of Great Yarmouth Mercury
Do you have a news story about yourself, church, or organisation; or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in Great Yarmouth or surrounding district?
If so, email office@networkyarmouth.co.uk with details and, if possible, a suitable picture(s)
|
|
|
|
