I AM trying to make contact with members of the family of the late Captain Edwin Charles Willoughby and his wife Dorothy Helen, residents of Cheltenham in the early part of the 1900s.

As part of an item of military research I am carrying out into the role of Norton Hall, near Mickleton in the north of the county, as a VAD Hospital for convalescent soldiers during the First World War, I am trying to get in touch with any relatives of a 'Mrs Willoughby' who owned Norton Hall between 1925 and 1935.

Unfortunately, no documents have been discovered that give the Christian names of 'Mrs Willoughby', nor even her initials.

I have details of Captain Willoughby (a former editor of the Gloucestershire Echo). He joined the Gloucestershire Regiment on the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 but died of wounds at Gallipoli in August 1915.

His widow is believed to have been living at Westal Court Farm (near what is today the Dean Close School playing field) at least into the early 1920s. I believe that it may be her who bought Norton Hall in 1925.

There is only one 'Willoughby' in the Cheltenham telephone directory but that person comes from Cornwall and has no links with the First World War Willoughbys.

So, I am appealing for any relative of Captain E C and Mrs D H Willoughby who may be living in the Cheltenham area and who might be able to confirm or eliminate the war widow 'Dorothy Helen Willoughby' as the owner of Norton Hall in the years after the First World War. Contact can be made with me by on 01684 292099 or by email mandmmiddlebrook@talktalk.net.

Martin Middlebrook, 10 Twyning Manor, Tewkesbury, GL20 6DB