#2727, Bill Noel HUMPHREYS

I hope his immediate family will not think ill of me when I describe Bill as one of the very best of England's erudite eccentrics.  He belonged to an increasingly rare breed; the nicest, kindest and most knowledgeable person you could hope to meet.  I don't know, but he must have had a classical education. Following his father, and inheriting from him a giant interest in, and collection of, family history, ephemera and artefacts he strived to maintain and enhance the family's ancient home and contents.

Amongst the inheritance were some letters written by James Humphreys (1775-1833) #10378 (Bill's great great grandfather) which contained an eye witness account of the Battle of Waterloo.  Bill's father had wanted them published but never got round to it so when Bill told me of his corresponding wish The Cobbold Family History Trust stepped in and Letters from Waterloo saw the light of day in July 2016 skilfully edited by Dr Clive Hodges.

The book is dedicated "in admiration of their striving to the memory of James Humphreys, his forebears and descendants."  Bill certainly strived and deserves our admiration.

Anthony Cobbold

September 2025