The Aydens of Benhall 

The Great Eastern Railway operated the East Suffolk line running through Benhall  starting originally in Bishopgate and going on to Great Yarmouth, in 1863 the journey time 3 hours 25 minutes. The railways opened up the English countryside and revolutionised the transport of goods and people, it also created a need for local labour and saw people being drawn from farming to work on the railways.

The Ayden family with its 19th century roots in Norfolk farming saw at least two of its sons attracted to the railway one following the engineering route and the other, Benjamin following the managerial route.

Benjamin Ayden

Benjamin Ayden moved to Benhall from Beccles with his wife Eliza and family in the 1870's, they lived in the Gate House next to the railway line in Brick Kiln Lane. The railway then had double track with branch lines before Benhall to Snape and after Saxmundham to Aldeburgh. 

Benjamin's move was courtesy of the Great Eastern Railway Company as a Railway Inspector. Four of his children were employed; Lucy, Home Help: Benjamin Robert (Ted's Father), Shoemaker's Apprentice: John, Railway Clerk: George, Baker's Assistant

Two of Benjamin's daughters married sons of the Newson family living at the other end of Brick Kiln Lane at Kiln House. May Elizabeth and her next eldest sister Esther married Albert and Samuel Newson respectively, Albert and Samuel being the sons of Samuel and Maria Newson who managed The Benhall Brick Works and farmed the acres surrounding Kiln House.

Benjamin Robert Ayden married local Benhall girl Emma Edmunds in June 1889 they had five children: John, Arthur, Lucy, Edward George (Ted) & Emma. By 1901 Benjamin Robert's occupation was shown as Shoemaker & Sub Postmaster.

John Benjamin Ayden

Ted's eldest brother John Benjamin Ayden left Benhall School at the age of fourteen, to become the first ever telegraph messenger at Benhall Green a job which often took him to Little Glemham Hall, the then home of the dowager Lady North.  At the age of sixteen, Lady North took him as a page boy; later he became valet to the Earl of Guildford and went to 

London, from there as a valet to the W.H. Smith of bookstall fame, who was living at Henley-on-Thames. 

Jack, as he was known, next became valet to Sir George Farrer who was connected with the gold mines in South Africa and was given a post in the gold mines on the East Rand at Boxburgh. Being the possessor of a good tenor voice, he joined the Boxburgh Male Voice Choir, and it was at one of their concerts that Ada Reeve heard him sing. This lady singled him out and had him trained and launched him on a theatrical career. He adopted a stage name: "Jack Vincent" and after touring in South Africa, India and Australia, he came back to
England, and was in revue at the Old Empire, Leicester Square with Fred Farren and Ida Crisp. 

It was here that the Late John Gray, an artist that lived at Benhall, saw him but with the advent of the 1914/18 War he was soon in the forces. The keeping up of the morale of the troops soon became another outlet for his talent and he joined the "Archies" concert party. After cessation of war and hostilities he came back to Benhall following an absence of many years. 

The life he had adopted soon called him back to London, and he was soon touring again with various companies, and whilst on a "Moss" tour visited Ipswich. He did several summer seasons at Onchan Head, Isle of Man for Fieldings the music publishers, and at one time managed a small theatre at Richmond. The hectic life with its "ups and downs" took a toll on his health, and he died in hospital at Lewisham at the age of 46.

 

Arthur Edmund Ayden

Arthur Edmund Ayden another sibling of Ted started out as a telegraph messenger and on the 20 June 1908 volunteered to serve in the Navy. He commenced duties in November 1909 and signed on for twelve years. Whilst serving on HMS London he became an Able Seaman on February 2012. He served the 1914/18 War on various ships during which he received decoration. 

On the 15th August 1933 he was "Pensioned to Shore". With the advent of World War II he was mobilised on the 4ü1 October 1939 and his service continued until November 1943 when he was invalided from the Royal Navy as being "Below Naval Physical Standards". He was granted 3 Good conduct Badges. He lived with his wife Catherine in Scotland and when the War Memorial was built outside Edinburgh Castle, Arthur was modelled for one of the servicemen.



Ted Ayden

 

Edward George Ayden was born in Benhall on December 1 1, 1897 and at the age of two and a half years attended Benhall School and after further education, which enabled him to pass the Post Office examination. 

He entered the Post Office service as a telegraph messenger and was stationed at Benhall. He cycled to Glemham Hall as many as three and four times a day besides other journeys to business premises and big houses in the locality. His wage was six shillings per week which included one shilling for keeping his cycle clean, but because of the war he graduated to postman quickly and at one time did the Knodishall round walking from Saxmundham daily for 12/6d per week. He also delivered letters at Snape and it was there that he got to know the men who sailed the barges which regularly came up to the Maltings, and arranged to spend his holidays as a barge cook for five shillings a week and his keep; an experiment which he often repeated and thoroughly enjoyed, especially the occasion, when proudly attired in a new grey suit complete with bowler hat and attaché case, he went to join a barge at some place on the Essex coast and was mistaken for an official of the Board of Trade!

 


 

Ted was enlisted in the Army Service Corps on the 6th June 1916, unfortunately his detailed Army records were destroyed in the WW II blitz. At one time he was selected to entertain the troops at a Christmas party in Arras in 1917, and toured the villages in the district. He appeared on one occasion on the same bill as Percy Edwards, the birdman.

When he returned from the war during which he was severely wounded, date of discharge 19th July 1918, and after a long period in hospital, he took over the duties of sub-postmaster on the death of his father. His salary was then E44 a year and this he supplemented by doing a post round for 7/6d a week.

As a lad Ted joined the Junior Division of the Red Cross and later the St. John Ambulance Brigade for which many people had reason to be grateful, especially those injured whilst playing football. Always keenly interested in sport, he was the founder secretary of the Benhall Football Club in 1919.

On the 24m March 1926 Ted married Catherine Chester who lived in Saxmundham, her father being the Saxmundham Postmaster. Catherine supported Ted, particularly his reputation as an entertainer and organiser.

He was a founder member of the Benhall Club when it was built in 1922. In those early days of the club he put on many shows in aid of club funds and in particular he produced "Benhall on Broadway" in 1932, a show which earned a lot of favourable comment and £10 for the club. He formed his own concert party with himself as the comic turn a position, which with his quick wit and keen sense of humour- he filled admirably.

Besides being postmaster Ted ran a general store and provided hairdressing facilities, it is difficult to imagine how he found the time for which he so generously gave to those things that captured his interest. He held other offices in the village, being vice chairman of the Parish Council, a member of the Parochial Church Council, secretary of the Flower Show, and a trustee and secretary of the village club. 

But it was not only in village life that he was active He was a founder member of the Ipswich branch of the Sub-Postmasters Federation. He was a committee member from 1922 until 1957 when, following cycling accident that resulted in a broken leg, he was forced to curtail some of his activities. The branch presented him with a walking stick bearing an inscribed silver plate in appreciation of his services.

His fellow parishioners held him in great respect and he is still remembered today as someone who selflessly, and tirelessly devoted his whole life to the well-being of Benhall and its people.

Thanks to Rev. Michael Ayden who provided much of the information and photographs for this brief appreciation.

Written by Edward J. Ayden


Village sign for Benhall