Edith Randlesome

A Civilian, Edith died on 12th of May 1943 aged 59. 

Edith was born at King’s Lynn on 1 August 1883, a daughter of John and Georgina Barnaby. In 1891 her family lived at Valingers Place, King’s Lynn and in 1901 their address was 17 Valinger’s Place and Edith was an assistant in a draper’s shop. 

Edith moved to Lowestoft and in 1911 she lodged at 25 Clapham Road and was the manageress at a confectionery store. 

On 2 August 1919 Edith married George Thomas Randlesome at Saint Margaret’s Church, King’s Lynn. Edith was living at Saint James’ Street, King’s Lynn, and George, a secretary to an education committee, lived at Lowestoft. In 1921 they lived at 47 Royal Avenue, and this was still their home in 1939.

During the Second World War Edith became an Air Raid Warden and was a member of the Women’s Voluntary Service. 

Edith was at breakfast at her home on the morning of 12 May when an air raid took place, this was a preliminary to the main Focke-Wulf Raid later that day. A bomb was dropped on Belle Vue Park but bounced into Royal Avenue and the explosion destroyed Edith's home. She was buried for several hours before being rescued and later succumbed to her injuries.  

Edith’s brother, John, served with the 1/5th Battalion Norfolk Regiment and died at Gallipoli in 1915.