Deopham

Deopham's name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the Old English for a homestead close to a deep body of water, likely the nearby Sea Mere.^[2]

In the Domesday Book, Deopham is listed as a settlement of 75 households in the hundred of Forehoe. In 1086, the village was divided between the estates of William de Warenne and Ralph de Beaufour.^[3]

In 1830, a windmill was built in Deopham which burnt down in the 1920s.^[4]

RAF Deopham Green opened in 1943 for use by the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War. The base was at first home to rear echelon units, until it was handed over to the 452nd Operations Group of the Eighth Air Force flying B-17 Flying Fortresses against strategic targets in Continental Europe. In October 1945, the site reverted to the Royal Air Force which closed the airfield in 1948 and allowed it to revert to agricultural use.^[5]

Hackford

Hakeford was recorded as a small settlement of six households in the 1086 Domesday Book.^[6] The small village of Hakeford lies about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north-east of Deopham, and the surrounding area was a separate civil parish^[7] until 1935, when it was merged into Deopham.^[8]

Deopham's parish church is dedicated to Saint Andrew and dates at its earliest from the late-14th century. The building has been Grade I listed since 1959.^[9] St. Andrew's has suffered from vandalism and theft over the last few decades but retains pews from the 17th century.^[10]

St Mary's church at Hackford was begun in the 12th century but is described as "heavily restored" by Historic England; it has been Grade II* listed since 1959.^[11] The church, along with its income, was appropriated to Marham Abbey in 1276.^[7] The benefice was united with Deopham in 1921.^[12]

• Dr. Messenger Monsey (1694–1788), humourist and physician to the Royal Hospital Chelsea

Deopham is part of the electoral ward of Hingham & Deopham for local elections and is part of the district of South Norfolk.

The village's national constituency is Mid Norfolk which has been represented by the Conservative Party's George Freeman since 2010.

Deopham's war memorial is two marble plaques topped with a crown and cross inside St. Andrew's Church.^[13] The memorial lists the following casualties of the First World War:^[14]

And, the following for the Second World War: