Chippins

Research by Joan West

Chippins is a house on the west side of Lacey Green Main Road. It is one of the houses built in the 1900's between the two entrances to Church Lane.

Before 1823 it was part of the Common of Princes Risborough. Click Princes Risborough Common to see two maps.

The first map shows the full area of Princes Risborough Common.

The map below that shows the changes made in 1823 when the Enclosures of Princes Risborough took place. The area coloured pale orange denotes Stocken Farm

In 1823 the land on which Chippins was built was allocated to Stocken Farm, then owned by Lord George Henry Cavendish and let to Ann Dell (click Thomas Dell snr & Ann Dell)

However a road was to be constructed cutting through this area which was to become Main Road, Lacey Green

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From the time it was built 'Chippins' was used by Bomber Command for RAF personnel

Group Captain Reginald Charles Jordan lived at Chippins during WW2. He served from 1941 to his death in Malta in 1943.

Group Captain Donald Osborne Finlay, after an illustrious career in the RAF retired in 1959 to 'Chippins' Main Road, Lacey Green.

Research Note. "Don" Finlay was best known to the public as an athlete. An all round athlete competing in long jump, shot put, and javelin, but best remembered as a hurdler. He competed in the Olympic Games in 1932, 1936 and 1948, when he was Captain of the British Team and chosen to take the "Olympic Oath". In 1934 he won gold at the Empire Games and competing in 1950 (aged 41) he still finished 5th.

Research Note

A Motor Accident in 1966 left Don confined to a wheelchair. The family moved to Lacey Green for two or three years before moving to Hampden. Don never accepted new his situation. He died in 1970.