Postcard from Abroad: A Trip to Stowmarket

Posted By Gettysburgian Staff on Sep 26, 2019 | 1 comment

The grave of Jack Peirs (Photo provided)

By Benjamin Roy

LONDON — This semester, I’m studying abroad in London and Lancaster, but when I’m on campus, I work for the Jack Peirs Digital History Project.

Jack Peirs, an officer in the British Army, served during the First World War, and Special Collections is in possession of many of Jack’s letters. From these, Dr. Ian Isherwood created the project with the help of R.C. Miessler and Amy Lucadamo. I was hired on the project last year to digitally map Jack’s Great War experiences.
Despite the years of research put into the project, until recently, we still didn’t know where Jack was buried. Last semester, Jenna Fleming ’18 finally determined the site of Jack’s grave at St. Mary’s of Grace in Aspall, England.

When I landed in London, I was on a mission to go and see Jack’s grave.

Early on a Saturday morning, I got off the train at Stowmarket, an hour northeast of London and about four miles away from Aspall. The walk to Jack’s grave would be three hours, so I tried to get an Uber, but there were no drivers. When I tried to call a cab, nobody would answer my calls.

Benjamin Roy in front of St. Mary’s of Grace (Photo provided)

In the face of such a problem, I made the logical, British decision and went to the pub. Upon entering the King’s Arms Public House, a quiet pub within sight of the train station, I instantly became aware that I was being watched. Three men were sitting at the bar, and each turned and looked at me with the same blank expression. This was a real local pub, where “everybody knows your name,” and they didn’t know mine.

The woman behind the bar gave me the same evaluative look but with a kind smile. I admitted my predicament and asked for help. The woman behind the bar immediately called the local cabbie’s personal cell phone number and said my cab would be there in an hour.

Much relieved, I sat down and had a pint with the people of Stowmarket. I must admit, however, that I couldn’t understand much of what they said. The East Anglian accent is thick and sounds vaguely Australian. They were honest, funny people. The conversation was cut short when the cab arrived and I began the second part of my journey.

The cabbie who picked me up was named Alan Kelly. Alan owns multiple cab businesses, is a father of five, and is a history enthusiast. He is also one of the friendliest and most genuine people I’ve ever met. We hit it off immediately.

After a twenty minute car ride, Alan and I arrived at St. Mary’s of Grace. It consisted of a substantial and ancient chapel, a churchyard, and a small cottage. Standing in the garden was Jenny Chevallier Guild. She asked who I was looking for in the churchyard, and when I said Jack Peirs, she smiled and asked if I was “from that American project.” Jenny obligingly let Alan and I walk around.
Alan was now totally invested in the adventure and refused to run the meter while we looked for Jack in the churchyard. Alan was actually the one who found Jack’s grave and took pictures of me next to it. Jenny then gave Alan and I a tour of the chapel where Jack was married. Jenny was outrageously kind, and gave us free reign in the chapel.

After the tour, Alan drove me back to the train station. During the drive, Alan and I talked, and he told me that the people of Aspall and Stowmarket took care of each other, looked after strangers, and were fundamentally good people. I wholeheartedly agreed with him. When I reached out for help, the folks at the King’s Arms pulled local strings to get me where I needed to go. Alan gave up an afternoon to help me find what I was looking for. I owe an incredible debt to the people of Aspall and Stowmarket, who helped me when I needed it most.

To anyone who is thinking of studying abroad, don’t be worried about getting stranded. You will get stranded or lost. You will feel helpless. But you’re not. There are good people everywhere, who will be happy to help the next lost American. The greatest evidence I can give is my trip to Stowmarket.

If you’re ever in Stowmarket, stop by the King’s Arms Public House. If you need a ride home, call Kelly’s Cabs. And be sure to visit St. Mary’s of Grace in Aspall.

This “postcard from abroad” appears on page 15 of the September 26, 2019 edition of The Gettysburgian’s print magazine. To submit your own postcard from abroad, email editors@gettysburgian.com.