The History of Dereham

The origins of Dereham as a town date back as far as the pre-Saxon era, and it is thought that the name derives from a nearby deer-park.

Historic Fires

Despite its rich history, many of the ancient buildings were destroyed in the fires that took place in 1581 and 1659.

One notable building to have survived is the Church of Saint Nicholas, built in the 13th century by the Normans. A bell tower was added during the 1700s, used as a prison during the Napoleonic wars.

Nearby, Bishop Bonner's cottage also survived, which is now a public museum. This building once consisted of three thatched cottages, and is the oldest domestic building in Dereham. The name comes after Bishop Edmund Bonner, who was the Rector of Dereham from 1534-1540. The property was also owned by Walter Rye in the 1900s, in the 1950s by local 'One Armed Jack', and in the 1960s was taken over by the Urban District Council.

Dereham's Military Role

The county of Norfolk is important for aviation as a whole, though Dereham itself was attacked by a Zeppelin in the First World War. This attack lead to the deaths of five residents, and a local pub being destroyed.

During the Second World War many local men were in the Norfolk Regiment and were taken as Japanese Prisoners of war. The area was also home to a number of American bases, leading to the nickname of "Little America".

There is also a former RAF station nearby, at Swanton Morley, which now houses the Light Dragoons.

The War Memorial

In the town centre, opposite the Council Assembly Rooms, a monument stands to honour those who fell in both the Second and First World Wars. The monument was originally erected on 22nd October 1922, and now comprises of original granite panels as well as three bronze plaques where the names are cast. The memorials are popularly visited on Remembrance Sunday every year, and a flag there flies at special occasions.

Dereham Railway

The railway was first built at Dereham in 1847, consisting of a single track line, eventually expanding and becoming part of the Great Eastern Railway in 1862. The line was important for local industry, and had to be doubled in 1882 due to increasing traffic.

Lines were reduced and withdrawn from 1964 onwards where the last passenger train ran in 1969, and the last freight line in 1989. The railway has, however, been preserved between Dereham and Wymondham, and is used as a tourist line, operated by the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust.