Although Belgium was initially neutral in the First World War, Germany invaded on August the 4th 1914 after the King of Belgium, King Albert had refused safe passage to Germany on their way to attack France . Many refugees fled the country to escape the German invasion as “cities were burnt and civilians murdered”
More than 50,000 civilian civilians died in the first month and one and a half million Belgians fled 1 million of them to the Netherlands. Many fled to England.
Downham Market Gazette October 10th, 1914
Belgium refugees at Denver and Fincham
2 Belgium non combatants, with their wives and children all reached Downham last weekend. They are being cared for at Hill House Denver by Mr ER Pratt JP of Ryston Hall ,who is sparing nothing to give these poor unfortunates all the comfort that lies in his power. These men are being found suitable employment on his estate, and the women and children seem happy in their new and delightful surroundings.
On Thursday evening 13 more refugees arrived. They were given tea on the railway station and were afterwards driven in a conveyance from the Crown Hotel to Fincham where they are to be accommodated under the superintendence of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Gerard Noel of the Moats. Local Gentry are assisting most generously providing the refugees with both food and clothing one family is from Malines and the other from a village between Maline and Louvain
The vast majority of Belgians were Catholic
Lynn Advertiser Friday October 9th, 1914
Lynn Advertiser November 20th, 1914
Gifts from women of strap set of clothing bedding etc with and other articles were sent to the Belgians in Fincham.
Downham Market Gazette January 9th, 1915
Wimbotsham News
Belgium relief funds. Mr and Mrs Turner assisted by the teachers and children of the council schools by means of local contributions, children’s weekly subscriptions and a whist drive have raised the sum of £6.65 towards the Belgium relief funds and has allocated it as follows, 2 Guineas to Miss Noel Fincham for those in the immediate local locality, two Guineas to the Belgian Vice Consul at King’s Lynn for those in distress in Belgium and two Guineas to the Schoolmasters Fund for the Relief of Belgium teachers and families.
Fincham Local History Society 