An Introduction to the 1941/1943 Farm Survey
Presented by John Meads 2007
A 1965 photo of Glendon Lodge (east of the A6 Finedon road) shortly before its demolition. In 1941 it was part of Buccleuch Farm and owned by the ironstone company Richard Thomas Ltd.
During the Second World War, the Government undertook a farm survey that it hoped would give a clear picture of the state of
Farmers, smallholders and owners of large fields were sent forms by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries through County War Agricultural Committees from 1941 to 1943. From the way in which they were filled in, it would appear that some were visited by an official who filled in the forms and some were completed by the occupier.
With the help of a Heritage Lottery grant, Burton Latimer Heritage Society has purchased the returns from The National Archives that relate to farms and smallholdings in the Parish of Burton Latimer and these have been summarised below. Some refer to farms that have land in both Burton Latimer and other parishes and it will noted that all the large farms are occupied by tenant farmers, only some of the smaller holdings being owned by the occupier. The principal landlords were Capt. J.L. Harpur, who was living at Barton Seagrave while his home at Burton Latimer Hall was occupied by the Land Army, Burton Latimer Glebe (to help pay the Rector’s stipend) and the ironstone company Richard Thomas Ltd. of Irthlingborough. The efficiency of several farms was affected by the requisitioning by the War Office of 1000 acres at the Wold for use as an army training area.
Some surveys are less informative than others. Whether this is due to some of the pages being lost or not returned is difficult to establish after over sixty years. Because there were over 180 questions on the full set of forms, some of the questions needing more than one answer, we have summarised some of the headings in the tables that can be seen when you click on the farm name. Some information such as water and electricity supply, farm roads, use of fertilizers and infestation by vermin or weeds has been left out altogether but can be supplied to anyone with an interest in such things!
To read a summary of the survey results, click on the Ministry Reference Number beside the name below or on the reference number on one of the two maps shown below, where more detailed information can be seen.
| 1/1 | Frank & William Attfield, Windmill Farm, |
| 71/5 | Butlin & Turner, |
| 71/6 | James Bennie, Home Farm, |
| 71/7 | Mr. H. Craddock, Sunnyside Farm, |
| 71/10 | A.S Denton, Home Farm, |
| 71/12 | S.J. Dunmore. |
| 71/13 | J.E. Davies. Holmfield, |
| 71/14 | S.J. Farrow. [Church Lane, south-west of the cemetery] |
| 71/15 | W.H. Gilliat, North Close. [ |
| 71/16 | H. Garton. Dairy Farm, |
| 71/22 | Messrs Loake and Sons. Bridle Lane Farm [Between Bridle Lane and the railway line] |
| 71/23 | Mrs. A.M. Preston, The Poplars, |
| 71/24 | John Meadows, Hogs Hole Farm |
| 71/25 | |
| 71/28 | G.F. Smith, Braybrook Close. [East of Church Lane approaching the cemetery] |
| 71/29 | J.H. Smith, The Bungalow, |
| 71/30 | |
| 71/31 | William Talbutt, |
| 71/35 | T.A. Walsh, |
| 71/36 | Capt. J.L. Harpur, Rookery Field [ |
| 71/37 | Messrs. Weetabix Ltd., Weetabix Mills, |
| 71/38 | J.G. Plowright, Bungalow Farm, |
| 71/39 | W.M. Damms, The Hall Farm, |
| 71/53 | H. Cole, The Nurseries, Victoria Street |
| 71/2 | Burton Latimer Co-operative Society Field, |
| 71/3 |
|
| 71/8 | Mr. W.J. Church, |
| 71/9 | Mr. H. Tompkins, Buccleuch Farm & Glendon Lodge, |
| 71/11 | J.T. Dixon, Barnfield Farm, |
| 71/17 | T.E. Mills, |
| 71/18 | |
| 71/19 | Harry Ringrose Gent. Top Lodge, [Burton Wold] |
| 71/20 | P.E. Herbert, Lodge Farm, [Burton Wold] Finedon |
| 71/26 | H.O. Perkins, Burton Wold Field 40 Acre Allotment |
| 71/32 | C.Tilley, Black Lodge, |
| 71/34 | Jos. Westley, Beechwood, [ |
| 71/50 | H. Ward, |
| 71/51 | F.E. Underwood, The Bungalow, |
| 71/54 | W. Batty, |
| 71/55 | W. Mills.Home address: |
