Kenninghall


Kenninghall is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk.
Kenninghall is located north-west of Diss and south-west of Norwich.

Correct pronunciation

"Kennyle"

History

Kenninghall's name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the Old English for the nook of land of Cena's people.
In the Domesday Book, Kenninghall is listed as a settlement of 36 households in the hundred of Guiltcross. In 1086, the village was divided between the East Anglian estates of King William I and William d'Ecouis.
The manor of Kenninghall found its way into the ownership of the Howard family who held the title of Dukes of Norfolk. The family originally lived at East Hall which was demolished around 1520 and replaced by Kenninghall Place. The palace was built in an 'H' style and was demolished in 1650 though some parts of it remain.
In 1836, the Guiltcross Union House was built in Kenninghall which was to serve as a workhouse for the surrounding area. By 1916, it was serving as an institute for 'mentally defective boys' and was later used to house German prisoners of war during the Second World War.

Geography

According to the 2021 census, Kenninghall has a population of 1,028 people which shows an increase from the 941 people recorded in the 2011 census.

St. Mary's Church

Kenninghall's parish church is dedicated to Saint Mary and dates from the Fourteenth Century. St. Mary's is located on Church Street and has been Grade I listed since 1958. The church holds Sunday service twice a month.
St. Mary's holds a rare set of royal arms from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I as well as a set from the reign of King Charles I. The church also holds a good set of modern stained-glass windows.

Amenities

Kenninghall Primary School is located on North Lopham Road and is part of the Enrich Learning Trust. The headteacher is Mr. L. Ambrose.

Notable residents

  • Jane Howard, Countess of Westmorland- noblewoman, died and buried in Kenninghall.
  • Elizabeth Leyburne, Duchess of Norfolk- noblewoman, died in Kenninghall.
  • Oliver Bernard- poet and translator, lived and died in Kenninghall.

    War Memorial

Kenninghall's war memorials are a set of marble plaques in St. Mary's Church which list the following names for the First World War:
RankNameUnitDate of deathBurial/Commemoration
Bdr.James T. Fulcher124th Bde., Royal Field Artillery24 Apr. 1917Arras Memorial
Cpl.Henry J. Williams12th Royal Lancers15 Apr. 1917Duisans British Cemetery
Gnr.Frederick W. Wells111th Bty., Royal Garrison Artillery20 Jun. 1917Voormezeele Cemetery
Pte.William J. Claxton3rd Bn., Coldstream Guards15 Sep. 1916Thiepval Memorial
Pte.Samuel Davison1st Bn., Essex Regiment13 Aug. 1915Helles Memorial
Pte.George W. MitsonRMns att. HMS Indefatigable31 May 1916Plymouth Naval Memorial
Pte.William A. Fenn2/10th Bn., Middlesex Regiment3 Nov. 1917Jerusalem Memorial
Pte.John W. Ward2nd Bn., Norfolk Regiment14 Apr. 1915Basra War Cemetery
Pte.William T. Wilson3rd Bn., Norfolk Regt.30 Dec. 1917Chatby Memorial
Pte.Cecil J. Wells7th Bn., Norfolk Regt.13 Oct. 1915Loos Memorial
Pte.Stanley Barrett8th Bn., Norfolk Regt.11 Aug. 1917Menin Gate
Pte.Henry J. Witham8th Bn., Norfolk Regt.11 Aug. 1917Menin Gate
Pte.William A. Bilham9th Bn., Norfolk Regt.20 Nov. 1917Ribécourt British Cemetery
Pte.Ernest W. Bush9th Bn., Norfolk Regt.20 Nov. 1917Fifteen Ravine Cemetery
Pte.Edward Francis9th Bn., Norfolk Regt.15 Sep. 1916Thiepval Memorial
Pte.George Francis11th Bn., Queen's Own Regiment27 Oct. 1916Warlencourt British Cemetery
Pte.Frederick Burrows5th Bn., Shropshire Light Infantry25 Sep. 1915Menin Gate
Rfn.Lennox Cunningham23rd Bn., London Regt.13 Dec. 1917Jerusalem War Cemetery

The following names were added after the Second World War:
RankNameUnitDate of deathBurial/Commemoration
LACRonald TrudgillRoyal Air Force Volunteer Reserve26 Jan. 1945Nicosia War Cemetery
St1CSydney G. CunninghamHMS Grenade 30 May 1940St. Mary's Churchyard
A2CStanley C. RolfeNo. 912 Balloon Squadron RAF16 Nov. 1939St. Mary's Churchyard
Gnr.Albert Collings10 Bty., Royal Artillery29 Jun. 1944Plymouth Naval Memorial
Pte.Ernest TrudgillRoyal Norfolk Regiment7 Mar. 1946St. Mary's Churchyard
Pte.Edward H. Ringer6th Bn., Royal Norfolks18 Feb. 1941St. Mary's Churchyard
Pte.George H. Taylor6th Bn., Queen's Royal Regiment16 Jun. 1944Bayeux War Cemetery