Research notebook for Cambridge, Essex and Suffolk, 1927 to 1934
- REXW-NOT-006
- Item
- 1927 to 1934
Part of Rex Wailes Collection
A repurposed Army field message book labelled, "Cambs, Essex, Suffolk, 1927".
- The first section of the notebook begins with a schedule of windmills to be visited in Cambridgeshire noting whether a photo is required and who is to be met. Notes, measurements and drawings are taken at each of the identifiable windmills listed at "Place access points" below.
- The middle section of the notebook, written in a brown-coloured ink, plots co-ordinates/directions for various places (possibly mill locations) throughout Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Essex. This section of the notebook also contains a copy of a 1902 letter from Press Bros. of Great Yarmouth to Sidney Russell of Windmill Hill, Cranbrook, Kent, giving details as to a particular mill's construction/workings.
- The next section of the notebook features 56 pages of notes from Wailes' four day trip to Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex in June 1927. Notes, measurements and drawings were taken at each of the identifiable windmills listed at "Place access points" below. Amongst the notes are two sections of narrative diary entries from the trip (including an interlude involving a hedge and a ripped pair of breeches). Noting the recent (1926) loss of Fressingfield, Wailes observes that, "working mills must occupy my time. Derelicts must be content with photograph only".
- The penultimate section comprises 15 pages of lists of windmills in Sussex, Suffolk, Surrey, Essex and Kent.
- The last section is a detailed account of a visit to Thurston, Rougham Common and Pakenham mills on 15 December 1934. Wailes' notes for Thurston Mill are marked, "Examined with Paisley", recording that the mill had been moved from about 1.5 miles nearer Pakenham about 200 years ago and that a mill had been on that site in James II's reign.
Wailes, Reginald (1901-1986), engineer, known as Rex
