Pettus at Rackheath

© Godric Godricson

All Saints - Rackheath

Charlotte Stracey 1816 - 1884

© Godric Godricson

All Saints - Rackheath

Robert Goodson - Rackheath



© Godric Godricson



English cemeteries are surprising places and Rackheath is no exception. I had imagined that a cemetery cross is pretty standard although in Rackheath we find a cross looking very different to others and here Robert Goodson's grave is marvellous. The cross is ornate and imaginative. On the day that I visited, it was sunny and hot at around 27 centigrade although in the current cold June it is hard to imagine that temperature anymore.

Hannah Sarah Stracey

Gerald Hyde Charles Stracey

All Saints - Rackheath

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Sir Henry Josias Stracey, Bart (1802-1885)

Norfolk Annals
       A Chronological Record
 of Remarkable Events in the
Nineteeth Century, Vol. 2

"Died, at Rackheath Park, Sir Henry Josias Stracey, Bart.  A prominent member of a well-known county family, Sir Henry for many years occupied a distinguished position.  Born in 1802, he was educated at Eton, and afterwards served for several years in the 1st Dragoons, and on succeeding to the baronetcy, on the death of his father in 1855, he entered with considerable ardour into politics.  Just previously he had been returned without opposition as one of the representatives of East Norfolk on the retirement of Mr. Edmond Wodehouse.  On the dissolution of Parliament in 1857 Major-General Windham, in the flush of the fame he had gained in the Crimea, was brought forward for East Norfolk with Sir E. N. Buxton, and there being divided opinions in the Conservative camp, Mr. Burroughes and Sir Henry Stracey declined to contest the seat.  On the death of Sir E. N. Buxton in June, 1858, Sir Henry was again nominated, and was defeated by the Hon. Wenman Coke.  In the following year he was returned with Sir Edmund Lacon for Yarmouth, defeating Mr. (afterwards Sir E. W.) Watkin and Mr. Young, and sat for that borough until 1865.  In 1868 he stood for Norwich in opposition to Sir W. Russell and Mr. Tillett, and was returned at the head of the poll, but was unseated on petition.  In 1874 he again came forward, in conjunction with Mr. Huddleston, was unsuccessful, and thereafter took no share in polities. 

Sir Henry married, in 1835, Charlotte, only daughter and heiress of Mr. George Denne, of the Paddock, Canterbury.  He served the office of High Sheriff in 1871, and was a Deputy Lieutenant and magistrate for the county of Norfolk".



Sir Henry Josias Stracey, Bart  (1802-1885)

All Saints Church - Rackheath

© Godric Godricson