Charles Lavery – Swindon’s oldest doctor

The re-imagined story …

When Dr Lavery told me I needed to have my tonsils removed I had nightmares for weeks and it was all my granddad’s fault.

My tonsils were repeatedly getting infected and Dr Lavery said it was affecting my general health and they need to come out. No one could understand why I was so frightened. Dr Lavery even arranged for me to visit the Victoria Hospital and talked me through what he said was a very simple operation, but I wasn’t having any of it – the explanation or the operation. In the end dad said everyone should stop pandering to me and a date was arranged.

When it was all over and I had recovered, mum asked me why I had been so frightened.

“Granddad told me when he had to have his tonsils out the doctor did it on the kitchen table with his mother’s carving knife.”

I won’t repeat here what my mum said to my granddad.

VLUU L100, M100 / Samsung L100, M100

The facts …

Swindon’s Oldest Doctor

Solemn Requiem Mass Sung by Bishop

Solemn requiem Mass was sung by the Bishop of Clifton, at Holy Rood Roman Catholic Church, Swindon, on Saturday for Swindon’s oldest medical man, Dr Charles Lavery (72) MB., Ch.B.

Dr Lavery, who was a cousin of the Bishop, had been a medical practitioner in Swindon for 46 years.

He was a member of the British Medical Association, and was a prominent member of the Holy Rood Roman Catholic Church. He was married in 1901, and his wife died in 1924. He leaves four sons, one of whom, Dr Anthony Lavery, carries on his father’s practice.

At the Mass those assisting the Bishop were Canon Noonan (Swindon), Father Louis Valluet (Devizes), Father Sweeney (Fairford), and Father Meynet (Malmesbury). Other priests attending were Dr Staunton (Cirencester), Dr Grimshaw (St Joseph’s, Fishponds, Bristol). Father Judge (Weston Super Mare, and formerly of Swindon), Canon Cashman (Bristol), and Father Chamonin (Malmesbury).

The chief mourners were deceased’s four sons, and others included the Rev. Ronald Royal (vicar of St Mark’s Church, Swindon) and the Rev. J. Tickner (curate at St Mark’s). Dr Dunstan Brewer, M.O.H. of Swindon (representing the British Medical Association) and many local doctors.

The Bishop afterwards officiated at the graveside.

Extracts taken from the Western Daily Press Monday 19^th December 1938

Dr Lavery is mentioned in many of the stories in the Radnor Street Cemetery archives. You might like to read the following:

Poor Little Freddy Whitby

Joseph and Charles Williams – busy building Swindon

Swindon Tram Disaster

Drowning Fatality at New Swindon

Elizabeth Lyall Embling – the first woman to be buried in Radnor Street Cemetery

Elizabeth Lyall Embling was the first woman to be buried in Radnor Street Cemetery.

Elizabeth’s funeral took place on September 21, 1881 – the cemetery had been open 6 weeks and 5 days. She is entry number 25 in the chronological registers. In the preceding 47 days there had been the burials of 6 adults – a house painter, an undertaker, an auctioneers clerk, a labourer, a medical student and a baker – and 18 children. The details in the register tell us that she was married and worked as a confectioner. Her husband Benjamin provided the death certificate and the committal was attended by the Rev Godfrey A. Littledale. Elizabeth was 41 years old at the time of her death. She was buried in a public grave plot number A179.

Section A was the first area of the cemetery to receive burials when the cemetery opened. It stretches up the hill as you enter at the Dixon Street gate and turn left and continues to the Kent Road gate and down to the chapel. Today it is an area with numerous trees and shrubs but probably fewer headstones than in other sections of the cemetery. This is an area where many of the early settlers in the railway town of New Swindon are buried. Elizabeth herself was the daughter of one such man.

Elizabeth Lyall Watson was born in Scotland, the eldest daughter of David Watson, a fitter, one of the early railwaymen to arrive in Swindon in the 1840s. Elizabeth appears on the 1851 census living at 7 Reading Street with her parents David and Elizabeth and her four younger sisters. They share the property with Eliza Eames, a 47 year old widow from Ireland, a retired needlewoman, and her two sons Edward 18 and Homan 13. Just these few details tell us a lot about the early days of New Swindon. People had come from all corners of the UK to work at in the Great Western Railway Works and that accommodation was hard to come by causing overcrowding in the company houses.

Elizabeth married Benjamin Embling in the September quarter of 1863. We find the family on the 1871 census living at 23 Queen Street where Benjamin worked as a labourer in the GWR Iron Works. The couple had three children, William 6, David 3 and two year old Elizabeth. Lodging with them was John Beckett, a 22 year old labourer, who worked in the nearby gas works.

And then sometimes the official records reveal inexplicable details. The 1881 census taken on the night of Sunday April 3, 1881 records the Embling family living at No. 9 Mill Street in New Swindon, described as a General Shop. Benjamin occupation is that of shop keeper and he states that he is a widower (this is somewhat difficult to understand as Elizabeth did not die until September of that year). The family number six children – William 16, David 13, Elizabeth 11, Benjamin 8, James 6 and 3 year old Jessie. Benjamin employed 13 year old Margaret Morgan as a domestic servant.

Elizabeth’s death certificate might provide clarification but unfortunately we cannot afford to purchase certificates for the numerous burials we research. So, is this all we can retrieve about the life of this working class woman. There are no surviving letters (if she ever wrote any), no last will and testament, no diary. Perhaps there is a carte de visite photograph somewhere taken in one of the town’s numerous photographic studios. These small photographs survive in great numbers but unfortunately can seldom be identified.

This is a very brief account of one working class woman’s life – the first woman to be buried in Radnor Street Cemetery.

James Amos – member of the Boilermakers Society

amos The re-imagined story …

A report in yesterday’s Advertiser both shocked and saddened me. It began – An old man named James Amos, aged 75, a boiler maker at the GWR works, committed suicide…

Mr Amos was one of the first members of the Boilermakers Society. He joined at Bristol in 1836 before moving to Swindon.

He was one of the first practising trade unionists in our town, campaigning for better and safer working conditions for men in the railway factory.

As a young apprentice in V Shop, Mr Amos took me under his wing. Management was not much impressed by the trade unionist members and we have a lot for which to thank those early, pioneering members. The example of Mr Amos encouraged me to join the union and I remain a member to this day.

James Amos had a tragic and lonely end; and he was so much more than just ‘an old man.’

James Amos

The facts …

Suicide – An old man named James Amos, aged 75, a boiler maker at the GWR works, committed suicide, on Thursday morning, at 41 Regent-street. He had been in ill health during the past two months, and never seemed to have recovered from the effects of the death of his wife several years since. He lived alone, but was attended to by Mrs Poole, a niece who lived next door. She went into the house that morning, and was shocked to find Amos hanging from the bannisters. P.C. Crook was immediately called in, and the body was cut down, but life was found to be extinct. Dr Johnson was also in attendance, and gave it as his opinion that deceased had been dead some time.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, Saturday, November 17, 1888

James Shopland – a local hero

The re-imagined story …

I’ve seen them all arrive at Swindon Junction, the King and Queen in 1924, the young Princess Elizabeth in 1950, politicians, film stars, you name them, I’ve seen them. But I’ve never seen a sight like the day they brought back the body of James Shopland.

I was just a youngster then and recently employed as a station lad. My duties mostly consisted of carrying things around, everything from luggage to parcels. I wasn’t allowed too close to the passengers as they alighted from the trains; I was considered too cheeking and disrespectful. I had a lot to learn and looking back I reckon my education began that day in July 1900.

Early that morning I was told to clear out a small, seldom used room along the platform. I was to get rid of any rubbish and sweep the floor. I was to place a small table there and a couple of chairs and to make sure everything was polished.

“Who are we expecting?” I asked Fred, the head porter, “the bloomin’ Queen herself.”

I soon learned not to give him any cheek. He boxed me round the ear and gave me a good telling off. I was lucky not to lose my newly acquired job that day and for a good few weeks after that I tried to keep out of his way.

The room was to be made ready to receive the floral tributes for a funeral due to arrive that afternoon. So many wreaths and crosses, I had never seen so many. It would be twenty years or more before I saw such a scene again, when the people of Swindon gathered in remembrance at the unveiling of the cenotaph in Regent Circus. For so many of those families there was no body to bury, no grave to visit, no homecoming for those heroes.

But on July 11, 1900 I witnessed the homecoming of another hero, James Shopland who died as he tried to rescue three men in an accident at the Southampton Sewage Works at Chapel.

The funeral cortege left Mr Shopland’s home in Woolston, proceeding by way of the floating bridge to the Dock station. A special carriage was attached to the 2 pm train to Swindon where Mr Shopland was to be interred at the Swindon Cemetery on Kingshill.

The coffin was carried from the train, through the station and placed in a glass-panelled car. I watched the pallbearers return to collect the flowers and counted more than 60 wreaths and crosses. Some were placed in the car, others were carried by those that followed.

I watched the long line of carriages with many more people walking behind. The procession continued along Wellington Street where blinds and curtains were drawn at the windows and people stood with bowed heads to pay their respects.

The story of James Shopland’s death had already appeared in the Swindon Advertiser, but I was just a silly, cheeky young lad. I had paid no attention. That evening, when I told my Pa about the funeral, he told me how James Shopland had died.

primroses

The facts …

James Shopland, a civil engineer, was born in Purton in 1873, the son of James Rew Shopland, also an engineer.

By 1900 James had moved to the Southampton area and on July 6, 1900 he was at the Southampton Sewage Works, although it was pointed out at the inquest that he had nothing to do with the works, but was assisting in the rescue.

Three labourers working in the press house at the Sewage Works had attempted to free a blockage in a lime vat, firstly by ramming a rod down from the top, which was the usual way of clearing it. However, when this didn’t work, one of them went down into the ejector chamber and tried to free the pipe by undoing it. They tried to remove the cap but this wouldn’t move either, so they proceeded to remove a flange from the bottom and then the upright pipe. This immediately set off a fast flow of sludge and released a smell that rendered the men semi-conscious.

Passing workmen attempted to rescue the three men who were all lying unconscious in the sludge. As a call went out for volunteers, James Shopland arrived on the scene. A witness at the inquest described how as Mr Shopland descended the ladder he saw him put his hand to his head.

At one point someone tried to stop any more men going into the chamber, declaring that at this rate there would soon be fifty dead at the bottom.

James was brought to the surface where artificial respiration was attempted, but he was already dead. At the subsequent post mortem the cause of death was found to be due to congestion of the lungs brought about by carbolic acid gas poising.

The jury at the inquest recorded a verdict of accidental death and commended the noble endeavour made by James Shopland and four others who had attempted to rescue the men.

James was 26 years old and had been married for just a year. He is buried in plot D100 with his wife Helena (Nellie) Elizabeth Shopland. Helena moved to Bournemouth where she lived with her widowed mother-in-law, but she eventually came back to Swindon. At the time of the 1911 census she was living at 159 Goddard Avenue with her sister Violet Blanche Brown. She died just a few weeks later, on June 16, 1911. Her funeral took place on June 20 and she is buried with her husband.

James Shopland D

William Y. Stock – friend and neighbour

Image of Milton Road published courtesy of P.A. Williams and Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.

The re-imagined story …

My wife says she sees less of me now I’ve retired than she did when I was working – not that I think she’s complaining, mind you.

I like to take a brisk walk around the park each morning and I get down to the allotments most days. There’s always some of my pals down there. We have a brew and a natter and put the world to rights. I’ve recently taken up swimming again after more than twenty years. I go to the Medical Fund Baths a couple of times a week and swim a leisurely length or two.

It’s important to look after yourself, no matter what age you are – I learnt how precious and how fragile life is when my friend Bill passed away.

Bill and I grew up as neighbours in Farnsby Street. We went to the same school, joined the same clubs, played football in the winter and cricket in the summer. We started work together as clerks in Works. Then in March 1904 he left – too ill to continue work. Six months later he was gone, aged just 21 years old.

I’ve never taken my life for granted, the Great War taught me that, and losing Bill. I’ve had a good life, a smashing wife and four healthy children and a family that grows and grows, fifteen grandchildren and now the great grandchildren are coming along. I count my blessings every day and I remember my pal Bill.

***Image published courteys of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.***

The facts …

This impressive memorial surrounds two plots D152 and D153. Buried in plot D152 are Walter George Stock and his wife Mary Anne. In the second plot D153 lies their eldest son William Y. Stock.

Walter George Stock and Mary Ann Thomas were married on July 24, 1882 at St. Luke’s Church, Paddington. By the time of the birth of their first child they were living at 4 High Street, New Swindon (later renamed Emlyn Square). By 1891 the couple were living at 48 Farnsby Street and ten years later they were living at No 5 Milton Road with their three sons, a boarder by the name of Francis Shebbeare who was an Engineer’s Pupil, and Elizabeth Williams, a general servant.

The 1911 census provides more information about the Stock family’s circumstances.

5 Milton Road

Walter George Stock 54 Engineer in Testing House born London, Bayswater.

Mary Anne Stock 56 married 28 years 3 children 2 living 1 had previously died Tobacconist Shopkeeper born Coatbridge, Lanark.

Walter Harry Stock 26 Civil Engineer Rly construction born Swindon

Victor Arthur Stock 15 School born Swindon.

Eldest son William Youri was born on September 17, 1883. The UK, Railway Employment Records 1833-1956 state that he entered employment in the Stores Dept at Swindon Works on October 23, 1899. He is recorded as being ‘absent ill’ from March 1904 and died September 19, 1904. A further addition is made that he was previously employed from July 12, 1897.

Walter Harry Stock trained as a draughtsman in the Loco & Carr Drawing Office. He left the Swindon Works in 1909 and died in Belfast, Northern Ireland in April, 1944.

Youngest son Victor Arthur Stock followed his father into the Works. He later trained as an Analytical Chemist and worked for the Buenos Aires Western Railway. He died in La Pampa, Argentine on June 5, 1929.

Walter George Stock of 5 Milton Road died on January 15, 1922. He left effects valued at £610 to his wife Mary Ann. Mary Ann died on October 5, 1930. Her last home was 11 Stourcliffe Street, St Marylebone, Middx. Mary Ann left administration of her estate to Lloyds Bank Limited. Her funeral in Radnor Street Cemetery took place on October 8.

Stock brothers Stock brothers (2)

Bessie Symons Sparkes and the restored headstone

After more than fifteen years of research at the cemetery, I had never before seen this headstone, dumped in one of the cemetery’s peripheral verges.

In Loving Memory of Bessie Symons the beloved wife of Albert Sparkes died April 23rd 1920 aged 53 years. The rest of the inscription is difficult to read. The headstone was not far from its original site on plot E8516, removed for who knows what reason.

The Sparkes family were well known Swindon butchers at the turn of the 20th century. Frederick Sparkes had a shop at 47 Regent Street while his cousin Albert’s shop was at 60 Fleet Street.

The census returns reveal a large household living over the Fleet Street shop in 1911. Albert and Bessie with their three daughters – Gladys Delia Alberta 19, a student teacher, Elsie Muriel Bessie 17, still at school part time while working as a book keeper for her father’s business and nine year old Dorothy Irene Audrey, still at school.

George Howard, a butcher’s apprentice, Ernest Salter, an assistant in the shop and May Beard, butcher’s book keeper, all lodged with the family along with Winifred Hunt, a domestic servant. The property comprised nine rooms, not including the scullery, warehouse, shop and office, so quite a squeeze to accommodate eight adults and a child.

According to the headstone and burial registers Bessie died at her home at 15 Okus Road, Swindon on April 23, 1920 aged 53 and was buried four days later on April 27. However, confusingly the entry in England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Will and Administrations) 1858-1995 states that she died on 19 May 1919 and that administration was awarded to ‘Albert Sparkes butcher’ on 30 December 1926 when her effects were valued at £45 2s 6d.

Bessie was buried in plot E8516 with her husband Albert who died in 1937 and their daughter Gladys Delia Alberta who died in 1970. Is it possible the headstone was never replaced on the grave after the burial of Gladys?

And then I came across the Sparkes family tree published on the Ancestry website by philipacore and some fab photos.

The Radnor Street Cemetery volunteers have rescued Bessie’s headstone and it now sits on her grave.

Merry Christmas from Radnor Street Cemetery

Charles Frederick Angell – marry in haste, repent at leisure

The re-imagined story …

Marry in haste, repent at leisure was one of my mum’s often repeated phrases. As an impressionable young girl with a tendency to fall in love, I was never sure if this maxim was a piece of warning advice for me or a comment on her own life. Turned out it was both!

But this story isn’t about me and my mum. It’s about Mr Charles Angell who worked in the stores with my dad. Mr Angell and his wife Mary lived just round the corner from us in Florence Street.

Dad knew him well – they had worked together for many years. ‘Unless he has come into a secret inheritance he can’t be worth a lot of money,’ my dad said.

You’ll understand what I’m getting at when I tell you the rest of the story.

Mary Angell died in August 1917. Mum didn’t even know she was ill. She would have helped out had she known. Dropped off a hot meal for the couple, done a bit of shopping for them, that kind of thing. Then just seven months after his wife died, Mr Angell upped and married again. People do funny things in grief, dad said but mum said he was old enough to know better.

His new wife was a Miss Neall. Dad said she was a nice looking woman, not young, but nice looking. That got a glare from mum.

“Well I hope he knows what he’s doing. Marry in haste, repent at leisure.”

The facts …

Charles Frederick Angell married Mary Tanner at St Mark’s Church on August 31, 1889. He worked as a labourer and she worked as a domestic servant. Two years later they were living at 21 Avenue Road, Old Town.

By 1901 they had left the leafy suburbs of Old Town for a more modest property in Beatrice Street, Gorse Hill where they lived with Mary’s widowed father Daniel and her sister Emma and nephew William.

At the time of the 1911 census they had moved just down the road to 28 Omdurman Street. They state on the census returns that they had been married for 21 years and had no children.

Mary died in August 1917 when the couple lived at 9 Florence Street. The funeral took place on August 20th when Mary was buried in grave plot A2534 in Radnor Street Cemetery.

Charles Frederick Neall was 61 years of age when he married Julia Elizabeth Neall 54, at St. John’s Church, Paddington on March 30, 1918 but less than a year later the marriage had obviously soured.

The following notice was published in the North Wilts Herald, Friday 10th January, 1919.

I, Charles Frederick Angell, late of 3 Florence Street, Swindon, will NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for any DEBTS incurred by my wife, JULIA ELIZABETH ANGELL, now residing at 7 Market Street, Swindon.

Julia eventually left Swindon and when she died in the September quarter of 1923 her death was registered in the Tonbridge area of Kent.

Within a year, Charles took the plunge again. He married Alice Pring Johnson on June 9, 1924 at St Mary’s church, Charlton Kings, Glos.

Charles died on January 1, 1930 at his home 28, Hunter’s Grove, Swindon. He was 72 years old. The death announcement published in the North Wilts Herald described him as ‘the loving husband of Alice Angell.’ His funeral took place on June 4, when he was buried with his first wife Mary.

Sidney James Maidment – Veteran Fireman

The re-imagined story …

Mr Day, my head teacher at Even Swindon School, spoke up for me. He said there was a lack of supervision in the family home, that my mother couldn’t cope after my father left her, that I was seldom in school and had fallen behind in my education.

I wanted to be a fireman when I left school. I didn’t know how you went about it though. Was it like the army, did you have to enlist somewhere? Or did you have to do an apprenticeship like in the Works? Did your dad have to put your name down somewhere – well that wasn’t going to happen. Sometimes I’d wait outside the fire station – you probably don’t remember the old station in Cromwell Street – just in case there was a call out.

I remember Mr Maidment. He attended the fire at the Great Western Hotel garage. I’m one of the boys in the photograph. What a blaze that was. They thought it had been caused by the heat from the laundry next door.

The facts …

Sidney James Maidment is pictured proudly wearing his long service medal awarded for 25 years’ service in the Swindon Fire Brigade. Yet despite a funeral service attended by representatives from Swindon Corporation and the Fire Brigade, Sidney Maidment was buried in a public grave with three other unrelated people.

Theatre Tragedy

Swindon Attendant’s Sudden Death

Veteran Fireman

There was a tragic incident at the Empire Theatre, Swindon, on Monday evening. Mr Sidney James Maidment, of 2, Rolleston Street, had for the past 22 years acted as evening bar attendant, and he went to the Theatre as usual on Monday. He was seen to go into the circle bar, and was then apparently in his usual health. Some ten minutes or a quarter of an hour later, Mr. R. Manners, son of Mr. Alfred Manners, had occasion to go to the bar. Noticing that the electric light had not been switched on, Mr Manners opened the door and went in, and was startled to find Maidment lying motionless on the floor. Apparently deceased had fallen down on entering the bar, and he lay there lifeless. Death is attributed to heart failure.

A doctor was summoned, but life was extinct, and the body was removed on the borough ambulance to deceased’s home. He had been at home ill for several weeks, and only returned to his duties quite recently.

Deceased had been in the employ of the Swindon Corporation for many years as steam-roller driver, being the oldest driver. He was also for many years a member of the Swindon Fire Brigade, holding the position of engineer. He was a member of the Brigade before it was taken over by the Corporation, and in the old days he used to drive the horses when the engine was conveyed by that means to outbreaks of fire.

Deceased, who was 65 years of age, was a widower, his wife having died some years ago. He leaves a grown-up family of two sons and three daughters. There was no inquest, as deceased had been attended by Dr. Rattray.

The Funeral

The remains of the late Mr Maidment were laid to rest yesterday afternoon amid very impressive scenes. The Swindon fire engine was used as a hearse, and the brigade turned out in practically full force, under Capt. Baker. Many of the deceased’s colleagues, who served in the brigade with him were present to pay a last tribute. There were numerous wreaths, which were placed on the coffin and on the engine. Large crowds lined the route from Rolleston street to St. Paul’s Church.

The cortege was met at the church by the Vicar (the Rev. Alan Leslie), who conducted the service. Afterwards the procession was reformed and made its way to the Cemetery, where the curate of St. Paul’s (the Rev N.S. Willis) performed the last rites.

The mourners were: Mr Sidney W. Maidment and Stanley G. Maidment (sons), Misses Kate E. Maidment, Gladys Maidment, and Maud Maidment (daughters), Mr. H. Boreham, Mrs M.G. Maidment, Mrs. S.G. Maidment, Mrs Oakley, Mrs Titchener, Mr. W. Oakley, Mr and Mrs Anger, Mr Trevor Matthews, Councillor H.R. Hustings, and representatives of the Empire Theatre staff and of the High Street and Prospect Working Men’s clubs. Messrs J.J. Hamp and J. Boulton also attended at the graveside to pay a tribute of respect to an old employee of the Corporation. Past members of the Fire Brigade present included ex-Captains Reeves and Cox, and ex-Firemen Wiltshire, Ludlow, Eden, Woolford, and Hinton. The bearers were Firemen Frampton, W. Smith, and Ludlow, and Engineer Rogers.

North Wilts Herald, Friday, October 31, 1924.

*Sidney James Maidment pictured left attending the fire at the Great Western Hotel in 1913. Image published courtesy of P.A. Williams Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.*

Sidney James Maidment’s long service medal published courtesy of P.A. Williams, Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.

The aspirational Percival Seymour Scott

The re-imagined story …

When I was growing up in Swindon there was a ‘can do’ atmosphere in the town. If you wanted to make something of your life you could, yes even those from disadvantaged families.

From the very early days Swindon was an ambitious town with a self belief that permeated all aspects of life. It was taught in the schools and colleges; preached in the churches and chapels and honed and forged in the Works.

It was said an apprenticeship in the Works was the hallmark of excellence and recognised across the world.

Take George and Eliza Scott’s boy. He grew up in Ashford Road, one of the many roads of ubiquitous red brick terrace houses that crept up Kingshill, but what an exciting life he led. They must have been so proud of him. I’m sure they would say it was worth all the sacrifices they made.

The facts …

George Albert Scott and Eliza Seymour were married in the Providence Baptist Chapel on July 9, 1892. George was 26 and worked as an Engine Fitter and Turner in the GWR Works. He was born in Bristol in 1866 and first appears in Swindon on the 1881 census living with his mother Caroline and stepfather Charles Jefferies at 10 Queen Street. Aged 15 years old, George had already begun an apprenticeship as an engine fitter.

Eliza was born in Lechlade in 1871. In 1891, the year before her marriage, Eliza was living with her parents at 124 Stafford Street. Her father John was a grocer and Eliza worked as a dressmaker.

The newlyweds set up home in Ashford Road where the family would live for more than 70 years. They had three children, Percival born in 1896, Ivy in 1898 and Gwendoline in 1906. The 1911 census records the couple’s only son Percival 15, was a part time student whilst working as an Office Boy in the Works.

In 1915 Percival joined the Royal Navy for the duration of hostilities (the First World War). His naval records describe him as 6ft ½ ins tall with black hair, brown eyes and a dark complexion. At the beginning of 1918 he transferred to the newly created RAF.

In 1920 Percival married Elsie Holbrow, the daughter of another railwayman Samuel Holbrow and his wife Minnie. The following year Percival’s name appears on the Ship’s Register of the SS Highland Glen bound for South America where Elsie would join him at their home in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The couple apparently made return visits to Swindon and are recorded as passengers on the Asturias in 1926, their destination 47 Deacon Street (the home of Elsie’s parents), their permanent residence Argentina. They were too late to see Percival’s mother Eliza who died in 1922.

Elsie died in Buenos Aires just three years later on January 29, 1929 aged 32. Her details are recorded on her parents’ headstone.

George Scott married for a second time in 1924. He died in 1928 aged 62 years and was buried with his first wife Eliza in Radnor Street Cemetery plot E7492. His second wife Margaret died in 1973 and was buried in the same grave.

Percival remained in South America until at least the 1960s when he is recorded as living in Peru but he died closer to Swindon at his home The Hermitage, Combeland Road in Minehead on November 5, 1979.