Deopham
| Deopham | |
|---|---|
St. Andrew's Church | |
Deopham Location within Norfolk | |
| Area | 9.79 km2 (3.78 sq mi) |
| Population | 542 (2021 census) |
| • Density | 55/km2 (140/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TG051008 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WYMONDHAM |
| Postcode district | NR18 |
| Dialling code | 01953 |
| UK Parliament | |
| Website | Parish Council |
Deopham is a village and civil parish in the South Norfolk district of Norfolk, England. The village lies 3.9 miles (6.3 km) west of Wymondham and 12 miles (19 km) south-west of Norwich. The parish, which includes Hackford village, Deopham Green hamlet and part of Deopham Stalland hamlet, had a population of 542 at the 2021 census.[1]
History
Deopham's name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the Old English for a homestead close to a deep body of water, likely the nearby Sea Mere.[2]
In the Domesday Book, Deopham is listed as a settlement of 75 households in the hundred of Forehoe. In 1086, the village was divided between the estates of William de Warenne and Ralph de Beaufour.[3]
In 1830, a windmill was built in Deopham which burnt down in the 1920s.[4]
RAF Deopham Green opened in 1943 for use by the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War. The base was at first home to rear echelon units, until it was handed over to the 452nd Operations Group of the Eighth Air Force flying B-17 Flying Fortresses against strategic targets in Continental Europe. In October 1945, the site reverted to the Royal Air Force which closed the airfield in 1948 and allowed it to revert to agricultural use.[5]
Hackford
Hakeford was recorded as a small settlement of six households in the 1086 Domesday Book.[6] The small village of Hakeford lies about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north-east of Deopham, and the surrounding area was a separate civil parish[7] until 1935, when it was merged into Deopham.[8]
Religious sites
Deopham's parish church is dedicated to Saint Andrew and dates at its earliest from the late-14th century. The building has been Grade I listed since 1959.[9] St. Andrew's has suffered from vandalism and theft over the last few decades but retains pews from the 17th century.[10]
St Mary's church at Hackford was begun in the 12th century but is described as "heavily restored" by Historic England; it has been Grade II* listed since 1959.[11] The church, along with its income, was appropriated to Marham Abbey in 1276.[7] The benefice was united with Deopham in 1921.[12]
Notable residents
- Dr. Messenger Monsey (1694–1788), humourist and physician to the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Governance
Deopham is part of the electoral ward of Hingham & Deopham for local elections and is part of the district of South Norfolk.
The village's national constituency is Mid Norfolk which has been represented by the Conservative Party's George Freeman since 2010.
War Memorial
Deopham's war memorial is two marble plaques topped with a crown and cross inside St. Andrew's Church.[13] The memorial lists the following casualties of the First World War:[14]
| Rank | Name | Unit | Date of death | Burial/Commemoration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pte. | Harry Kerry | 1st Bn., Essex Regiment | 13 Aug. 1915 | Helles Memorial |
| Pte. | Arthur J. Morter | 1st Bn., Norfolk Regiment | 15 Jun. 1915 | Sanctuary Wood Cemetery |
| Pte. | Percy R. Hurrell | 1/4th Bn., Norfolk Regt. | 19 Apr. 1917 | Jerusalem Memorial |
| Pte. | Alfred W. Barrett | 1st Bn., Northumberland Fusiliers | 16 Sep. 1914 | La Ferté Memorial |
And, the following for the Second World War:
| Rank | Name | Unit | Date of death | Burial/Commemoration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pte. | Charles H. Bowen | 4th Bn., Royal Norfolk Regiment | 11 Feb. 1942 | Kranji War Memorial |
| Pte. | Wilfred C. Everett | 4th Bn., Royal Norfolks. | 3 Jan. 1944 | Chungkai War Cemetery |
References
- ^ "Deopham (parish): population statistics, 2021 Census". CityPopulation.de. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ "Key to English Place-names". kepn.nottingham.ac.uk. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ "Deopham | Domesday Book". opendomesday.org. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ "mnf16743 - Norfolk Heritage Explorer". www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ "mnf4260 - Norfolk Heritage Explorer". www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ Hackford in the Domesday Book
- ^ a b Blomefield, Francis (1805). "Hundred of Forehoe: Hackford". British History Online. University of London. Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ "Deopham and Hackford Parish Council". Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ Historic England. "Church of St Andrew (1373039)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ "Norfolk Churches". www.norfolkchurches.co.uk. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ Hackford in the Domesday Book
- ^ Hackford in the Domesday Book
- ^ "Deopham - WW1". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ "Geograph:: Denton to Dunton cum Doughton :: War Memorials in Norfolk". www.geograph.org.uk. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
External links
Media related to Deopham at Wikimedia Commons