'Hocky' Lazell
Of course Hocky was not her real name, it was a nickname from the time when she worked on a telephone switchboard.
Bertie and Hocky took over the village post office on 31/1/1966 from Leslie Edwards and they were succeeded by the Smith’s in 1981.
During her time in Stowupland Hocky was involved in many local activities including the choir and Stowupland Amateur Players.
After leaving the post office the Lazell’s moved to 34 Maple Road.
After her husband died in 1991 Hocky moved to Stowmarket, later moving into a residential care home in Diss to be nearer her son. In 2023 she celebrated her 104th birthday.
Hocky was Bertie’s 2nd wife, he had been widowed in in 1939 when his first wife Anne Moorcroft died.
Bertie was a fireman before and during WW2.
He received a commendation for his actions in 1941 when he was working at Thurrock, Essex. Incendiary and high explosives bombs were dropped on the Crude Oil refinery starting fires over an area of 1/4 sq.mile. Despite ongoing enemy action Bertie went onto the top of a tank that contained petroleum spirit to remove an incendiary bomb that had already ignited. Read more details Bertie’s Commondation.
In 1967 Albert was invited to be a Vice President of the newly formed Stowupland Cricket Club. He declined.
