An active member of the community
As his predecessors had done, the Squire played a full part in the life of his county. As High Sheriff of Norfolk (1951-2) he was required to witness two hangings, and as a JP he administered justice. He was actively involved in the founding of the University of East Anglia which conferred an honorary D.Litt on him in 1969, and to which he bequeathed his working library of books on Norfolk history, but he did not relish public prominence.
A tragic loss
Robert did not marry and the central tragedy of his life was the loss of his younger brother in 1941. The Victory V plantation behind the house was planted at the end of the war both to celebrate the allied victory and to commemorate his brother Richard.