Frederick Self was born 1873 in Benhall to parents Robert Self and Susan Kitson. His father was a Carpenter and the family lived in Alder Carr Lane, Benhall Green. Frederick was privately baptised at Benhall Church on 13th May 1873. He attended Benhall Voluntary School and his first occupation was as a Plumber’s Apprentice.
His first wife was Emma Ellen Baldry then in 1907 he married Charlotte Eunice Smith.
On the 1921 census he was a plumber and painter for Butcher & Co, builders of Ipswich.
From an Oral Recording 2019 with Brian Boulton, Frederick’s grandson:
My grandparents lived at 28 Benhall Green. Eunice Self, a lovely lady who had problems with arthritis, her hands were all screwed up, spent most of her time in a chair when I knew her but she was a delightful lady.
I thought the world of her and I visited her once a week as I was living at Snape.
In fact, I was born at 28 Benhall Green and it was my second home actually.
1930s, 28 Benhall Green
Brian Boulton continues:
Grandfather, Frederick Self, was originally married to a lady from Leiston and after 5 children unfortunately she died as a result of childbirth. He then employed a lady to be his housekeeper, a lady from Kelsale, to help him look after all his children and she had a daughter (Charlotte) Eunice who was working in service in Saxmundham.
At some stage grandfather fell in love with her. They married and went on to have 3 more children.
Frederick and Charlotte Self outside 28 Benhall Green
Grandfather (Frederick Self) was a painter and decorator and he spent considerable time traveling all over the country. His first daughter was born in London when he was working on a very high-class property. Most of his working life was in Benhall, working locally and he also worked for Haywards. He moved from firm to firm and I think he was one of the fore-runners of unionism in this part of Suffolk. He was quite a strong-willed individual and wasn’t prepared to be put down. I think he suffered financially in life because of his approach.
As a result of his being a painter, bearing in mind that in those days paint was made from lead, he suffered from lead poisoning. His last few years were pretty poor. In fact, the photo of him fishing at Langham, was when he was suffering from that, and he used to cycle from Benhall to Langham to fish to just pass his time away.
Frederick fishing at Langham
Brian Boulton concludes:
28 Benhall Green was part of the Benhall Estate until just post-war. Uncle John’s older brother came back from WWII and was offered the chance to buy the house in 1946/47. That remained in the Self family until my aunt Nellie died in 1994 and the place was sold. I have very fond memories of 28 Benhall Green, people often think I’m Snape through and through but I’m not, I’ve got an affinity for Benhall as well.
