In 2019, whilst looking through a collection of old family photographs, a Somerset resident, came across a picture postcard of two small girls, playing happily on the sands at Burnham on Sea. The back of the photograph had been covered up with masking tape. Curious, he carefully peeled the tape away and discovered, typed in print, clues to a story that compelled him to seek answers to the mystery of the little girl on the right of the photo, Estella Maria Teresa Resteghini. As it unfolded, the story proved to be one of great tragedy.
Estella’s father, Severo Vincent Resteghini was born in Kent around the turn of the 20th century. The son of a French mother, they set sail on the SS ‘Le Rochambeau’ to the USA in 1920. In 1929, Severo returned to his home in the Parma region of Northern Italy, where he married a woman named Anna. In 1930 their daughter Adriana was born and on the 25th April 1931, Anna gave birth to their second daughter Estella, affectionately known as Stella. In 1934 the family moved to a small cottage on Love lane, Burnham on Sea. Severo quickly established a popular ice-cream business and had stalls on the sands. He also had another business venture in the surrounding country districts, that of a travelling fish and chip bar. However, for the last two years his health was in decline and he had to enlist the help of his cousin, Alberto Bertorelli with the family business.
SS ‘Le Rochambeau’
Severo Vincent Resteghini
Anna, who was now expecting their third child, spoke no English, but the girls Estella and Adriana were both enrolled at the Convent of the Sacred Heart School. On the morning of Tuesday 10th September 1935, the girls had set out their little desks and were sat in their small courtyard garden, ‘playing schools’. At about 11.00, their father left for work, he saw the children writing and scribbling in their books. He asked Estella what she was doing and she replied, her “times three”, as she’d already had one term at school and was about to return after the summer break. At some point between 11.30 and noon, Anna came to him and said “Hurry! Estella has burnt herself nearly to death”. Severo raced to the hospital to see his daughter. She was in shock and had severe scalding to most of her lower body and arms.
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Later that afternoon, Anna was able to tell him what had happened that fateful morning. She had been doing some washing and set down a two-gallon bucket of boiling hot water in the back yard, as she would normally do. It was placed approximately 3 to 4 yards away from the children. Ten to fifteen minutes later, she then went into the house to check on that night’s dinner. The kitchen was only 7 or 8 yards from the children. She heard laughter from Adriana, which was followed by terrible screams. Rushing out, she saw Estella on the floor, her clothing soaked. She picked up the little girl and took her into the house where she removed her clothing. Adriana was sent to fetch their neighbour, Mrs Ella Hill, a good friend, who had been helping Anna every morning for the past three weeks. She recalls she had been tending to her potatoes when Adriana arrived and said: “Mother wants to see you”. Arriving at the house, Mrs Hill found Anna holding the ‘rolled-up’ body of Estella in her arms. Anna uttered just three words, “Hospital, Doctor, Severlina.” Mrs Hill then took the injured child and carried her down the road to Burnham on Sea War Memorial hospital, where Dr R Childs had received a message at 12.15 to attend the hospital straight away.
Burnham on Sea War Memorial Hospital
Estella had suffered extensive burns, the most severe (third degree burns) in the region of her buttocks, lower part of the abdomen and upper parts of the thighs. Less severe burns covered half the surface of the body. The burns were over practically all her abdomen, chest and back, right arm and the thighs as low as the knees. She was also now in severe shock. Toxaemia set in on the fourth day and she died at 5 o’clock on Sunday, September 15th. Her death was due to the Toxaemia, a chemical poisoning, absorbed from the sores. Her temperature some hours before death, was recorded at 107°F
Two days after her death, a Coroner’s inquest was held. Their findings reported that Estella was well-nourished, well-cared for and healthy, prior to the accident. There was little doubt that the water must have been at boiling point, having recently been drawn from the ‘copper’, a large broiler in the corner of the yard. The laughter heard from Adriana was sadly an innocent child’s reaction to seeing her sister fall into the bucket of water, unable to understand the devastating consequences that would follow. Dr Childs gave evidence to suggest that the burns to the arms were from an attempt to free herself from the bucket in which she was sat. It was clear that the burns were completely accidental and not that of someone: “getting in a temper and throwing water over a person”.
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In his summing up, the Coroner said it was a very sad case of the child of 4 years and 5 months. Unable to speak English and still in shock, Anna did not attend the inquest. Severo, told them that she had been so startled by events, she was unable to remember any details at all. It was recorded that when a child lost their life like that it had to be thoroughly investigated. Not only to see that there was no intentional injury, but also that there was no injury that might have been avoided or foreseen. It was easy to be wise after something had happened and they also knew that familiarity bred contempt. The bucket had been placed in a certain position day after day and that made them think it was quite safe, it was not safe. After considering their verdict, the jury concluded that it was accidental death. The cause of death, as detailed on the death certificate issued on the 19th September is one of ‘Toxaemia following extensive burns sustained through accidently falling into a bucket containing boiling water’. The foreman of the jury expressed sympathy with Estella’s parents and the Coroner added an expression of condolence.
Estella’s coffin was brought into the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart on Monday 16th September. Monsignor Lean V.G. celebrated a Requiem Mass in the morning and her remains were removed to a chapel in the Convent grounds. Interment took place on Wednesday 18th September at the Convent cemetery. The service was attended by a large number of Catholics and sympathising friends. Immediate family included her parents and her uncle, Alberto Bertorelli Mr and Mrs C Forte, Miss Forte (and 2 more). Also present were a number of nuns from La Retraite Convent. The coffin itself was a lead inner shell and an outer coffin of unpolished oak with marble plated furniture. The headstone is difficult to read, but contains an error. It gives her age as 6 years, not 4. The inscription on the breastplate read:
ESTELLA MARIA TERESA
RESTEGHINI
25.4.1931 – 15.9.1935
J.M.J
In the weeks following Estella’s death, Severo’s health took a turn for the worse. On the advice of London specialists, who found his heart was affected, he went to convalesce in Italy at his home in Cogolopchio. Sadly on 25th October, Severo passed away age 32. The funeral took place the following day. Anna, who had travelled with Adriana to be with her husband was also reported to have a chill. On the 30th October, Anna gave birth to a son, he was named Severo, after his father. Anna passed away on 31st October, she was just 30 years old. It was reported that both children were being cared for by their grandmother.
In later years, Severo jnr. moved to England and joined the Parachute Regiment. In yet another cruel twist of fate, he was forced to leave the service prematurely, due to ill health, suffering from a weak heart, brought on by rheumatic fever. Severo passed away in London on 4th April 1961, age just 26.
Estella's Headstone at La Retraite Cemetery
La Retraite, Burnham on Sea