Reference
Z1192
Title
Wartime papers and photographs of Lt Fred Thorp, Dunstable Home Guard, donated by his son Brian Thorp
Date free text
c.1940-1949
Admin/biog history
Fred Eastham was born at Bolton on 6 December 1904 and changed his name to Thorp on moving to the Luton area in 1933. He married Rose Cornell in 1936 and three sons were born to the couple in 1937-1941, including Brian, donor of the records. Fred Thorp appears to have worked as a marine engineer at Bolton for a time and then at Hayward Tylers of Luton during the war years. These papers and photographs mostly relate to his service as a lieutenant with the 3rd Beds Local Defence Volunteers, later 6th Beds Home Guard. At this time he lived at 34, Lovers Walk, Dunstable, where he lived until his retirement. He had a life-long interest in cycling, being a member of the Lancashire Road Club at Bolton, as well as the Icknield Road Club, Exeter Wheelers, and the North Road Cyling Club from 1952 until his death. He was an excellent shot and was often thrown off fairground shooting galleries as after one shot he could stay all day for nothing (five in the bull from six gave you six more free shots) even if they gave him a different rifle each time. On his retirement (c.1970?) he moved to Beer, Devon, and then to Milton Keynes in July 1984 where he died in December 1985. His wife Rose died in August 2004 and these papers were found among her effects
Archival history
Received via Luton Museum
Level of description
fonds