History With Trevor Bevis

Station Road, March by Trevor Bevis

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tation Road, March, is one of the ancient town’s busiest throughways. It gives access to the prolific marshland and Wisbech, March’s old rival.

In the times of steam power, March railwaymen cycled to and from Whitemoor Marshalling Yards at all times of the day. When returning home, some called in for a “quick ‘un” at the Prince of Wales public house. The pub was built in the 1800s and stood next to a big house. Both buildings have been pulled down since the Second World War and Norfolk Court residential estate developed. Originally, Station Road was Fen Lane and the Prince of Wales stood in an isolated spot. I recall to mind, the time when the railway Home Guard marched along Station Road for dismissal near the station. In the early days of the war they wore neat uniforms but had no rifles; the regular army was a priority. But March Home Guard units carried bayonets on parade. The men looked tough and local people felt significantly safer by their presence and regular parades. When issued with rifles, the town’s Home Guard units practised on a field between Whitemoor and Coldham. Expended bullets were frequently discovered there. Home Guard units at March frequently used St Wendreda’s church tower as a look-out post and had refreshments in the clock chamber. It was a very cold experience in winter. From the tower battlements, Ely Cathedral and Whittlesey brick kiln chimneys could be seen and on occasions an enemy plane made an appearance.

Illustration: The Prince of Wales public house, Station Road, March. The building and large house nearby were demolished and Norfolk Court, a new residential development, built on the site

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