Lingfield Road - No 6 of an Occasional Series

As a contrast to Numbers 37 to 51 and 53 to 59 I thought I would look to the 'other' side of the street where only names count.

Bemerton is a delightful looking house; only slightly marred by a 1970s extension. It was one of the first houses built on Lingfield Road in the 20th C. We know it wasn't listed in the 1911 census but it does find a listing in the 1913 Kelly's Guide.

The house was probably built to the orders of the first occupant Alfred Humphrey and his wife Charlotte. He was in business as a Wine and Spirit merchant. Both the 1891 and 1901 censuses show him trading in Crowborough. But in 1911 they are both living a few doors up in Arundel House. Supposition on my part, but I like to think Bemerton was built to his specification! His listing in the 1913 Kelly's directory would suggest the house would have been completed in 1912.

Alfred died in 1930 with the estate split between his wife and his brother Fredrick. His wife Charlotte stayed on living in the house until her death in 1938. Her portion of her husband's estate also passed to her brother-in-law Fredrick.

At the time of the 1939 Register the house was then occupied by Percy Ward Brigstocke a doctor who had worked extensively in the Middle East spending time in both Gaza and Damascus. During WW1 he attained the rank of Major (with the RAMC) and served with the International Red Cross.

As a doctor he (fortunately) kept his entries in the University of London Register of Medical Student updated; during 1942 he moved a mile and a half to a house in Hermitage Lane. He died in 1960.

Who took the house over I wonder? It remains one of the few houses in the road which have kept their original name. What I cannot determine is why the house is named after a delightful village just outside Salisbury. Having lived there in the 1980s this house name has always fascinated me.