The Larkbarrow Files

Document Overview

This internal memorandum was discovered in archived Somerset County Council education records during a 2024 review of historical personnel files. It documents a leave request submitted by Edith Crane just three days before her disappearance.

SOMERSET COUNTY COUNCIL
Education Department — Personnel Division
County Hall, Taunton

INTERNAL MEMORANDUM

Date: 11 October 1977
From: D. Frobisher, Personnel Officer
To: Mrs J. Hartley-Webb, Head Teacher, Dulverton Primary School
Re: Leave Request — Mrs E.M. Crane (Staff No. 4417)

Dear Mrs Hartley-Webb,

I write to confirm that the application for compassionate leave submitted by Mrs Edith Crane on 8th October 1977 has been approved by this office.

Mrs Crane is granted three (3) days' absence from duties, commencing Monday 17th October 1977 and concluding Wednesday 19th October 1977 inclusive. The reason stated on the application form is recorded as "urgent family matters requiring travel."

Please ensure appropriate cover arrangements are made for Mrs Crane's Year 4 class during this period. Standard documentation should be completed upon her return to duty.

Yours faithfully,

D. Frobisher
Personnel Officer

Significance

This document raises troubling questions. When interviewed in October 1977, Thomas Crane stated he knew nothing of any planned leave or travel. Patricia Wells, Edith's sister, confirmed there were no family emergencies or gatherings scheduled that week.

The phrase "requiring travel" is particularly striking. Where did Edith intend to go? The £40 cash withdrawal on 12 October — one day after this memo was sent — now appears potentially connected to planned travel expenses.

DC Holloway's original case notes make no mention of this leave request. Either he was never informed by the school, or this information was somehow overlooked during the initial investigation.

New Questions

The original application form referenced in this memo has not been located. Personnel files from this period were partially damaged in a 1986 basement flood at County Hall. The Larkbarrow Investigation Group has submitted a further FOI request to determine whether the application form — which would contain Edith's own handwritten explanation — survives in any archive.

Who or what required her attention so urgently that she arranged leave, withdrew cash, yet told neither her husband nor her sister?