Mrs Frances Carter

On 18 October 2015 The Odiham Society commemorated the five civilians who lost their lives as a result of the bombs which fell at the junction of High Street and Church Street 75 years ago, with a blue plaque and an exhibition in the Cross Barn. 

Frances was born on 20 February 1881 (*The 1939 Register, findmypast.co.uk) but where this was and who her parents were is so far unknown.  It is possible that her maiden surname was Bridgman, as a Frances L Bridgman married Henry Carter in Andover District in 1919.  What is certain is that she was the widow of Henry Carter of Swaffham, Norfolk (as detailed in her obituary (* The Hants and Berks Gazette, 25 October 1940).  We also learn from this obituary that she had  ‘two sons and a daughter’ and that her son, Mr J H Carter, was ‘well known in Basingstoke’.

Henry had died nearly thirteen years earlier on Christmas Day 1927.  At this time the family were living at Ash Close, Swaffham.  Administration of Henry’s estate was granted with his effects, £194.2s., passing to Frances. (* Probate and Wills, findmypast.co.uk)  At some stage in the next few years Frances moved to North Warnborough as she was recorded in the 1939 household register as being a housekeeper at The Anchor Inn.

On 18 October 1940 at 3.00 pm Frances and her Alsatian dog were in Maybanks’ shop in the High Street .  Both were killed.(* Source Hampshire Voice article ‘Voicing Memories’ by Esme Chiverton, nee Reddings).  Frances’s funeral took place in Swaffham, but she is commemorated on the Odiham War Memorial.