It all began ...
I have been aware of the story of my great grandmother Gertrude, her Romanian origins, Josephine and the Acland Troyte family for as long as I can remember. It was a visit to Huntsham Court - in October 2007 on route home from a holiday in Woolacombe, Devon - that ignited a strong desire to find out more. On the left is a photograph of me sitting on the same stone steps at Huntsham Court (outside the library) where Josephine was photographed with Sammy the dog in 1903. Thoughts of this tiny girl, 104 years ago, separated from her mother and living in this forbidding house in a remote part of Devon would not go away ...
Latest news
Any new information, insights or theories will appear here
Much loved, always in our hearts
John Arthur Lunn (died December 2020)
Maureen Margaret Lunn (died April 2021)
June 2009 - Visit to Berguette - Hugh's grave ...
(use the scroll bar below to see all the photographs)
le Blockhaus d'Éperlecques
the Nazis planned to launch V2 rockets from the bunker
chambres d'hôtes at Millam ...
... highly recommended
coffee at Cassel ...
.. a tiny hilltop town
location of Berguette (48 miles from Calais)
Berguette church
tombstone - H L Acland Troyte
the Devonshire Regiment
Troyte family motto
the two senior officers
graves D1 (left, Horace William Saunders) & D2 (H L Acland Troyte)
24 graves of the junior ranking soldiers
Alan & John
heading back to Calais
Further Research
- Since establishing that Gertrude was born in Bucharest (from the 1911 census), the likelihood of obtaining a copy of her birth certificate has improved. It could provide an insight in to her family background and lead to new family connections in Romania!
- Copies of the wills of Hugh and Jessica Acland Troyte. It is surprising that, working as a nurse, Gertrude was able to buy her own house in Cheltenham - perhaps she received a legacy?
- Records of the purchase of Little Court, Berrow - Jessica's home after Hugh's death in 1918.
- School records for Woodville High, Burnham on Sea.
- Other Lunn family members may read through this site and dig out a forgotten letter, a photograph, a memory, an inscription in a book, which may offer further clues.
- Their is the slimmest of chances that somebody, somewhere might come across this website and have information about the Schnitzer, Acland Troyte or Story families.
Contact me
I'd love to hear from you - send me an email:
T I M E L I N E .....
Photograph of Josephine ("Bratto") & Sammy in its original round mount
Huntsham Court today ...
In the late 1970's, with minimal impact on its Victorian character, the house was turned into a hotel.
There was a change of ownership in 2003 and again the new owners have been careful to keep the house intact. It is now available to rent for house parties and weddings. Visit the Huntsham Court website. The owners David Macbeth & Jaqueline Bratt gave us a warm welcome on our enthralling visit in December 2007.
One of the magnificent bedrooms at Huntsham Court (photo: December 2007)
