Genealogy Chat

Sadly, my grandma passed away at the weekend and I have been left with an unanswered question. I know she went into service at the age of about 14, in Barton Mills, Suffolk (c 1928), but my uncle tells me this was in the country home of the great scientist, Alexander Flemming, who discovered penicillin. I am so excited that this may be true, especially as I am a science teacher and Flemming is one of the greatest scientists that ever lived. Grandme never mentioned his name to me but there again he wasn't that famous back then, so she may just not have thought about it. Has anyone got any tips for how I could find out. Thanks Karen

I'm sure if you google Alexander Fleming, there will be some biographical detail, which may well include some info about where he lived at varioous stages of his life. Reg

Hi Karen Reg is right, if you google him, he definitely seems to have had a house at Barton Mills at some time. regards Trudy

Karen Did you find out anything? Reg

Hi Karen - nothing to do with your Grandma - but I thought I would share this with you. I thought it fascinating when I got it years ago and saved it but just such a moment as this! Lol Victoria His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day,while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There,mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy,screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.'I want to repay you,' said the nobleman. 'You saved my son's life.' 'No, I can't accept payment for what I did,' the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family home 'Is that your son?' the nobleman asked. 'Yes,' the farmer replied proudly. 'I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.' And that he did. Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London,and went onto become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.

Reg Had a good google but not a lot of luck really. Flemming did have a house in Barton Mills but cant find the name of the house. Victoria Love the story! Well, I guess I'll never know for sure the answer to this mystery - shame. thanks everyone Karen

I just looked up the Alexander Flemming story on Wikepedia and they discount it. Apparently he followed his older brother to medical school after inheriting money from an uncle. Winston Churchill was actually cured by a sulphonamide drug but they did not want to advertise that as it was a german discovery. Pity I prefer the other version. Anne

Hi Karen, I was brought up in Barton Mills, and the house which was Alexander Fleming's holiday home is called The Dhoon. There is a plaque outside which says 'This house was the country home of Sir Alexander Flemming FRS the discoverer of penicillin from 1921 to 1955'. I live in Northants now, but my mum and dad still live in Barton Mills so I still visit sometimes. Next time I am there I could take a photo and email it to you if you like? Jane

Sorry, but that stuff about Churchill sounds like a concocted story. Where did you find it? Do you trust the source?

I hope there's a connection between the 'son of a poor Scottish Farmer' and Alexander Fleming.... I have Fleming/Fleeming's in my tree, in Scotland (1730-1790) that I can't trace back any further... I'd love to have a connection to someone famous, instead of the usual convicts, farmers & the occasional asylum resident. *wink* :)

Ooooooooh - sorry about that. Paul is right - I didn't check my sources. It was such a lovely story that I was happy to believe it despite the nagging feeling that it was too good to be true. I was more bothered by the fact that there were quotes for heavens sake - as though someone had written down the conversations!! THAT should have confirmed my suspicions aye? Victoria