1911 CENSUS

Analysis of the 1911 census gives an indication of the nature of the Kettlestone population during World War 1.

POPULATION TOTAL 222

· ALMOST HALF THE POPULATION WAS UNDER 21

· THERE WERE ONLY 10 RESIDENTS WHO WERE OVER 65

· ONLY 22 ADULTS IN THE POPULATION WERE BORN IN KETTLESTONE THOUGH 90% WERE BORN IN NORFOLK

· MUCH OF THE POPULATION MOVED AROUND TO FIND WORK

CENSUS SUMMARY

MALES

112

FEMALES

110

OVER 65

10

UNDER 21

96

ADULTS BORN IN KETTLESTONE

22

CHILDREN BORN IN KETTLESTONE

61

BORN OUTSIDE NORFOLK

22

WHY was the population so transient?

ALL CHANGE AT MICHAELMAS

Most of the employment in Kettlestone was in agriculture. Jobs were advertised in local newspapers, and generally these positions were temporary for as little as a year. A cottage was usually provided with the job, but at the end of the year workers were forced to move on to find new employment and accommodation. For example, In 1911 Edward Daniels, a horseman on a farm, and his wife Sarah lived in a cottage in the Street Kettlestone. Edward was born in South Walsham and Sarah in Little Witchingham. They had 4 children, one was born in Drayton, one in Taverham and two in Wood Norton.

Henry Tennant , a yardman on a farm, and his wife Eliza also lived in a cottage on the Street. He was born in Dunton and she in Wells. One child was born at South Creake, one at Little Snoring and two in Kettlestone.

FARM TENANCIES

As well as farm workers moving around the area at Michaelmas, farms often became available to rent at Michaelmas. The tenancy of Manor Farm changed hands at least twice during World War 1.

10^th October 1915 Several families leave the parish this Michaelmas involving loss of regular church attendance and communicants and choir.

8^th Oct 1916 Many removals from parish this Michaelmas

6^th October 1919 Many flittings this Michaelmas. Mr Wright leaves Manor Farm, and Mr Cook leaves Lower Farm House. Captain and Mrs Prentice come to Kettlestone House, Mr Flint to Manor Farm as owner and occupier

EMPLOYMENT IN KETTLESTONE 1911

In 1911 nearly all the adult men worked on farms or had jobs associated with the land. The following list shows the number of men in each type of employment.

FARM WORKERS

47

RAILWAY

4

BLACKSMITH

2

GROOM

2

GARDENER

2

ROADMAN

1

BAKER

1

PAGEBOY

1

CLERGYMAN

1

WAGGONER

1

CARPENTER

1

SHOPKEEPER

1

IMPACT OF THE WAR ON EMPLOYMENT

28 men from Kettlestone enlisted in the army in WW1, nearly half the adult work force. This must have had a significant impact on the village, especially as these were the youngest and fittest men.

Their occupations are shown below:-

FARMWORKERS

15

BAKERS

2

GROCER’S ASSISTANT

1

BLACKSMITH

1

IN SERVICE

3

UNKNOWN OCCUPATION

6

15 FARMWORKERS LEFT FOR THE FRONT. THIS IS ABOUT 33% OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MEN EMPLOYED IN AGRICULTURE.