#15150, Somerville Arthur GURNEY

Somerville and Katherine (known as Uncle Tum (or Sommy) and Aunt Kitty by the younger members of the family) .lived at Valleyfield, a house about a mile to the north-east of Runcton on the site of the present-day Parkhill housing estate.  It was reached on foot via 'the long walk.'  Somerville moved into North Runcton Hall in 1881.  Following the death of his father in 1880, North Runcton Hall was inherited by the eldest son, Francis Hay Gurney.  However, Francis was in his sixties and had no wish to move from Keswick Hall, Norwich.  After a year of debate during which the hall stood empty, it was agreed that he would sell the house and some of the land to Somerville.  In 1887 Somerville began a series of major alterations to the North Runcton church.  Lady Katherine is commemorated in a stained glass portrait of St. Catherine in a north window which also includes a representation of the church itself.

Sommerville who was a director of Barclay's Bank, a JP and a Deputy-Lieutenant was created a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1909.  On 19th May 1917 the Western Mail reported that Sir Somerville had died at North Runcton only a month after he and Lady Gurney had celebrated their Golden Wedding.  She died three days later and Lynn Corporation conferred the freedom of the borough upon Sir Somerville.