Thomas Fletcher was born in Stratton St Margaret on February 2, 1885, the son of George and Martha Fletcher. On August 2, 1899 he began a 6 and a half year Blacksmithing apprenticeship in the Works.
By 1901 George and Martha had moved to 85 Redcliffe Street in Rodbourne. Here George worked as a carpenter in the Works and Thomas was employed as blacksmith, although not yet out of his apprenticeship.
The last time we see Thomas in Swindon is on the 1911 census when he is 26 years old and living with his parents in Redcliffe Street. When his father completed the census returns that year he stated that he and Martha had been married for 35 years and that they had 6 children, all of whom were still living. Sadly, that would all change.
Mark Sutton continues to be the most knowledgeable historian of Swindon’s sons who served in the First World War and wrote a book entitled Tell Them of Us. If you went to one of Mark’s talks or followed one of his walks here at Radnor Street Cemetery you left feeling you had met the men he talked about, that he had known them himself – and of course Mark has been able to fill in the details of what happened to Thomas Fletcher. He writes:
“He had served an apprenticeship in the Loco and Carriage Dept GWR before leaving for Canada in 1912. He worked then for the Canadian Pacific Railway Company Workshops at Montreal. He joined the army in November 1914.”
Tell Them of Us.
Sergeant Thomas Fletcher was killed in action on August 28, 1918 during fighting to retake the village of Cherisy. He was 33 years old. He is buried in the Sun Quarry Cemetery, Cherisy, France.
Mark made frequent visits to the Western Front battlefield cemeteries, visiting the graves of the Swindon men buried there. I wonder if he ever visited Thomas Fletcher? I bet he did.
Thomas’s father George died in 1923 and is buried in Radnor Street Cemetery in grave plot C1880 with his wife Martha who died in 1937 and their youngest daughter Catherine Shakespeare who died in 1954.
The barely discernible inscription on this headstone reads Mary Ridge died June 1, 1891 aged 87 years – Thy will be done.
Mary Parcells/Parsells was born in Kentisbury, Devon is around 1809. She married William Ridge in 1846 in the Barnstaple registration district. At the time of their marriage Mary was about 37 years old and considerably older than her husband. She also had a three year old son, Arthur Parcells and had given birth to twin daughters Emily and Mary Ridge. She had a third daughter Elizabeth in 1850.
Mary raised her family in this beautiful area on the North Devon coast. In 1861 the family were living at Hele Cottage in the Village of Heal where William worked as a Sawyer but sadly, by 1871 William had died. Mary continued to live at Hele Cottage with her daughter Mary and a young domestic servant called Mary Annie along with two lodgers, Emma Spratt, a schoolmistress and William Vincent Bowen Hewett, a Lieutenant in the Royal Marines (on half pay).
In 1881 Mary can be found on the census of that year living with her daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Edwin Sims at 59 Wellington Street, Swindon. Edwin worked as a Coach Painter in the Works and the couple had a family of five children. (It would seem that the census enumerator mis-transcribed Mary’s age, stating that she was 51 years old when she was closer to 71).
Eventually all Mary’s daughters made their way to Swindon. Emily was the last to marry in 1906 at the age of 59. After a lifetime working in domestic service with a period as a lodging house keeper, Emily married widower William Henry Lawrence, a checker in the GWR Works.
By the time of the 1891 census Edwin Sims had been promoted to Foreman of the Painters Shop and the family were living at 4 Temple Street where Mary died a few weeks later.
Mary was buried on June 5, 1891 in grave plot B2024. Her daughter Elizabeth Sims, wife of Edwin Sims, died in 1899 and was buried with her mother. Another daughter, Mary Small, wife of John Small, died in 1903 and was buried with her mother and sister.
The burial registers indicate that this plot was originally a public grave. Perhaps the two brothers-in-law ultimately bought the grave to memorialise their two wives, sisters Mary and Elizabeth, and their mother-in-law Mary Ridge.
There are some obvious points raised in the following inquest; to establish that machinery and practises in the Works were not at fault and that proper medical attention was received by the victim.
But what I find astonishing is that a 55 year old man, already identified as having a weak heart, and who had previously suffered a rupture and was wearing a truss, was continuing to work as a smith in the Works.
The Fatal Accident in the GWR Works
Inquest This Morning
Mr W.E.N. Browne, County coroner, held and inquest this morning at the Clifton Hotel, New Swindon, on the body of Thomas Barter, a GWR employee, aged 55 years, and lately residing at 59, Radnor Street, Swindon. Deceased, who was a widower, was accidentally struck with a hammer by his mate, and two days after affair died through the injuries received.
Mr J. Gregory was chosen foreman of the jury. Mr. C.R. Pendock, Inspector of Factories, was in attendance.
Mr George Finch, son-in-law of deceased, was called, and said that the latter was a smith in the GWR Works. On Tuesday last he went home about mid-day, and the daughter told witness that he had complained of having had a blow. Later in the day, Dr. Maclean was sent for. Before going home deceased had called in at the Surgery, but a surgery doctor was not sent for afterwards. Witness saw deceased the evening of the next day, and he appeared to be gradually sinking.
By the Coroner: Witness had made no complaint about insufficient attention on the part of the surgery doctors.
By Inspector Pendock: Witness believed that deceased had suffered from a weak heart for some six months before the accident.
By a Juror: A Surgeon was at the Surgery when deceased called and attended to him.
William Berry, who was engaged with deceased in making crown bar ends, said he was striking side blows at the bar, and deceased was stood on his left. The bar happening to swerve witness missed the bar and struck the deceased in the lower part of the stomach. Deceased said he was hurt, but acknowledged to witness that it was a pure accident and not witness’s fault at all. Deceased worked for three-quarters of an hour after the accident, and then he put his coat on and said he was going out to see a doctor.
By the Inspector: Had you been long accustomed to the work?
Witness: Yes, sir. Six years. I have known the deceased for 15 years, and never known him to have a misword with anyone in the shop. He was the best man I ever worked with in my life.
The Inspector: The work you were engaged on was nothing unusual?
Witness: No, Sir. We have made thousands of these same things.
The Inspector: Was the bar hanging by a chain at one end?
Witness: Yes, sir, and in a crane and block at the other.
The Inspector: Did the chain give way at all?
Witness: No sir.
David Jeans, another workmate of deceased, gave similar evidence, and added that he (witness) had gone to the foreman after the occurrence, and made him acquainted with the facts of the same. The foreman promptly ordered witness to take deceased to see a doctor, but deceased said he would go by himself. Witness saw deceased at his home on Wednesday. He was then too ill to speak much, but made witness understand it was all an accident. He said he had gone to the Surgery on the Tuesday, but witness could not gather whether or not deceased had seen a doctor there.
The Inspector: You don’t make any complaint of the appliances you use for this work?
Witness: No, sir, not at all. We have made thousands.
The Inspector: They are properly fitted to the work, and no blame attaches to the Company?
Witness: That is so.
Dr. Carew Webb, assistant to Dr. Maclean, said he was called in on Wednesday evening, and examined the deceased. There was a certain amount of tenderness on the lower side of the abdomen, but no marks of bruising, nor was there any swelling or anything to suggest any serious internal injury. Deceased had been previously ruptured, and at the time of the accident was wearing a truss. The hammer must hit the truss, or the accident might have proved fatal sooner than it did. Witness saw deceased on Thursday morning, and he seemed a little brighter then but on the way to the station later, witness was stopped and asked to go to the house. When he arrived there the man was dead. They told him at the house that deceased had vomited a great deal before he died. Having heard from Dr. Maclean that deceased had suffered from heart disease, witness gave it his opinion that the immediate cause of death was heart failure, due to a weak heart, and accelerated by the accident.
The Coroner then asked Dr. Gardner, of the GWR Surgery, if he wished to say anything, as it had got about the town that the deceased was neglected at the Surgery. Dr. Gardner said that he himself had seen the deceased, and ordered him to go home and keep to his bed, and that the doctor would call in the morning. The doctor did call, but found Dr. Maclean had been called in.
A verdict in accordance with Dr. Webb’s testimony was returned.
Swindon Advertiser, Saturday, August 19, 1899.
F Shop, GWR Works where Thomas Barter was employedpublished courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.
The Fatal Accident in the GWR Works
Funeral of the Deceased
A Large Gathering
The funeral of the poor unfortunate victim of the accident which occurred in the GWR Works last Tuesday took place on Saturday afternoon. Owing to the popularity of Mr. T. Barter amongst his shopmates, the funeral was largely attended, over 100 mourners following. The procession was formed at deceased’s late residence in Radnor Street, and wended its way to the Cemetery where the interment took place, the officiating clergyman being the Rev. J.W. Fish, of Stratton.
Deceased had been in the habit of attending the Clifton Street Primitive Methodist Chapel for many years, and was only recently appointed as one of the trustees of the new building fund.
The coffin was conveyed on a handbier, the bearers being Messrs. D. Jeanes, D. Hunt, Wm. Harvey, Alf Reece, Jas Welch and Thos Brett, all shop mates of the deceased.
The Swindon branch of the A.S.E. was represented by the Secretary (Mr B. Johnson). Deceased was a prominent member of this Society and was Secretary of the Superannuation Fund for this district.
Deceased’s only sister (Miss Barter) was unable to be present as she crossed to Ostend on the morning of deceased’s death.
Last evening a memorial service was held at the Clifton Street Chapel, when an appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. J.W. Fish, who took for his text the following words “There is but a step between me and death.” The rev. gentleman dwelt upon deceased’s life in connection with their church, and also of the good feeling which existed between him and his fellow workers. The congregation joined in singing the special hymn “Sleep on beloved,” and Mrs Westmacott sang as a solo “We shall meet at the beautiful gate.”
No flowers were sent by special request.
Extracts from Swindon Advertiser, Monday, August 21, 1899.
Clifton Street Primitive Methodist Chapel published courtesy of Paul Williams
The funeral took place on August 19, 1899 when Thomas Barter was buried in grave plot D23.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with their sons inspect the wounded Grenadier Guards at Buckingham Palace February 20, 1855.
In 1861 Robert Martin, Grenadier Guard, was part of the District Foot Guards Detachment based at North Camp Aldershot. The Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards had served with distinction during the Crimea War, seeing action at the Alma (1854), Inkerman (1854) and Sebastopol (1854-1855). His military career was drawing to a close.
Robert Martin was born in 1834 in Lolworth, Cambridgeshire, the son of agricultural labourer William Martin and his wife Sarah. At the time of the 1851 census Robert was also working on the land. Was he restless? Did he see his future as just more of the same? Was he looking for an adventure when he decided to join the army?
Robert was no doubt grateful to have survived the horror of the Crimea War. On Christmas Day 1863 he married Harriett Kimberely at St Andrew’s Church, Bordesley, Birmingham. She was 20 years old, the daughter of John Kimberley, a victualler from Small Heath. Robert was 29 and working as a railway servant.
The couple moved around a fair bit and lived in Birmingham and Aberdare before rocking up at Swindon in the late 1870s. In 1881 they were living at 25 Carfax Street – Robert worked as a Railway Guard and his two sons, Alfred 14 and William 11 were Telegraph Messengers.
Harriett died in 1882 and the following year Robert married Fanny Maria Roberts at St. Mark’s Church. They went on to have a daughter, Daisy Harriett Gertrude Maude.
In addition to serving in the military for eight years, Robert Martin worked for the GWR for 43 years. It was said that his ‘familiar figure will be greatly missed on Swindon GWR platform.’
Death of a Crimean Veteran
An old GWR Guard
Mr R. Martin, of Swindon
The Funeral
There was laid to rest in Swindon Cemetery on Sunday afternoon the mortal remains of the late Mr Robert Martin, who passed away in his 72nd year at his residence, 25, Carfax Street, Swindon, last week, after a very short illness.
Mr Martin, whose familiar figure will be greatly missed on Swindon GWR platform, had been in the service of the Co. for the long period of 43 years, during 39 of which he was a passenger guard. During his extended period of service, he gained the entire confidence of all the officials of the line, and he was very popular with regular passengers. His upright soldierly bearing and his pleasant manner made him one of the most familiar figures on the line.
On reaching the allotted span, in January, 1904, he retired from the Company’s service, and his colleagues then, to show their esteem and appreciation, presented him with a silver teapot.
Deceased, who was twice married, leaves a widow and family of five grown-up children – three sons and two daughters.
In his younger days, Mr Martin served for eight years in the Grenadier Guards. He saw active service in the Crimea, and was proud of his possession of Crimean and Turkish medals, with the Sebastopol clasp.
The Funeral
Was very numerously attended, there being an exceptionally large crowd assembled in the Cemetery. The first portion of the burial service was conducted at St. John’s Church, by the Rev A.G. Gordon Ross, Vicar of St. Mark’s, who also officiated at the graveside. In addition to the family mourners, there was a large attendance of railway men and local Volunteers…
Following the family mourners came Mr John Brewer (GWR Stationmaster), and Inspector Rochester, and about forty guards, ex-guards, porters, and other officials on the line. Then came about thirty Volunteers, under Sergt. Ellwood. The coffin, which was covered with beautiful wreaths, was of polished oak, with brass fittings, and on the breast plate was the following inscription:- “Robert Martin, died Sept. 18th, 1905, aged 71 years.”
Mrs Martin and family desire to tender their sincere thanks to numerous friends for all kind expressions of sympathy with them in their bereavement.
Extracts from the Swindon Advertiser, Friday, September 29, 1905.
Robert Martin aged 71 years, died at his home in 25 Carfax Street and was buried in grave plot C1694. He is buried with his second wife, Fanny Maria ‘who died on her way to hospital’ July 1911. Robert’s first wife, Harriett died in January 1882 at the age of 38 years and is buried alone in grave plot E7001.
By 1911 the population of Swindon was more than 50,000 with the Great Western Railway the largest employer by a country mile. You might think that the Radnor Street Cemetery residents would probably have a history of employment in the Works, and of course you would be correct. But just occasionally I discover a family with a history seeped in Swindon’s agricultural past.
Chiseldon Church by Kate Tryon
Rachel Hancock was baptised at the parish church Chiseldon on April 24, 1836, the daughter of William Hancock, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Mary.
By 1851 Rachel aged 15 was working as a house maid for Thomas Choules 60, a farmer at Badbury. Choules farmed 326 acres and employed 13 labourers. Living with him was his wife Mary 68 and his nephew Robert 24, a farm bailiff.
An entry in the Chiseldon parish registers record the baptism of Alfred Thomas the son of Rachel Hancock Single woman on April 25, 1851. (Could this be our Rachel?) At the time of the 1861 census Thomas is living with William and Mary Hancock in Badbury (Rachel’s parents). In the 1871 census I discovered Robert Choules living with his family in Swindon where he worked as a Railway Watchman. Boarding with him was Thomas Hancock 19, (is this our Alfred Thomas?)
Rachel married close neighbour Henry Brunsden on October 14, 1858. The couple married at St. James’s Church, Paddington, perhaps because they didn’t want a big, local wedding, perhaps because their first child (John) Henry Brunsden had been born the previous year.
I can’t discover the whereabouts of Rachel on the 1861 census (possibly a mis-transcription) but by 1871 the family are at Snodshill Farm where Henry employs 5 men and a boy, along with two live in servants – Mary Cox 17, a general domestic and Elizabeth Cook 15, a nursemaid. Henry and Rachel have seven children and Henry’s brother John also lives with them.
And Rachel’s life continues to be mis-recorded, right up to the very end.
Inquest at Coate
On Wednesday morning, with painful suddenness, the death occurred of Mrs Rachel Brunsden, widow of Mr Henry Brunsden* of Lane Farm Coate.
Deceased had not been ill for quite three years although she was 75 years of age, and therefore it was found necessary for an enquiry into the circumstances to be held.
Mr Brunsden and his wife have been well known and respected in the neighborhood for many years, and there are a number of grown up sons. Prior to their retirement for their active agricultural pursuits they tenanted the land adjoining the homestead in which they have resided for so many years.
An inquest was held the same evening by Mr A.L. Forrester at the farmhouse.
Ernest Brunsden (son) said his mother went to bed the previous night apparently in her usual health. She rose at 7 o’clock that morning and went downstairs, where she prepared breakfast.
She then took it upstairs on a tray for her husband, who was in bed. Afterwards, when she brought the tray down subsequent to partaking of her own breakfast, she complained of a pain round her heart, and almost immediately after fell down dead.
Dr Beatty said he was sent for, but could only pronounce life extinct. Death was due to heart failure.
A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence.
North Wilts Herald April 12, 1912.
*Henry Brunsden was still alive at the time of Rachel’s death.
Lower Snodshill Farm where Rachel lived for most of her married life
Rachel was buried on April 13, 1912 (when the burial registers record her home address as Love’s Farm) in grave plot C1856. Henry died the following year, aged 88, and was buried with Rachel on October 25, 1913.
Henry James Fortune was 82 years old when he died in 1943. He had lived an eventful life but was there anyone still around who remembered him as a young man? His wife Nellie had died 20 years previously.
So, let’s go back to the beginning.
Henry James Fortune was born on July 5, 1861, in Mells, Somerset, the son of John Fortune, a policeman, and his wife Mary.
As a young man, a little older than 15 when boys these days are still in school, Henry joined the navy. His service records describe him as 5ft 1½ ins, light brown hair, blue eyes, fair complexion. The first ship he served on was HMS Impregnable. On census night 1881 Henry, aged 19, was serving on the HMS Temeraire in the Grand Harbour, Malta. His last service date was April 22, 1886 and the last ship he served on was the HMS Hercules.
By 1886 Henry was settled in Swindon, employed as a Stores Clerk in the GWR Works. The following year he married Ellen Louisa House at Holy Trinity Church, Frome. At the time of the 1891 census he was living at 26 Taunton Street aged 29 years when he describes himself as a Fitters Labourer (another change of occupation?) – Ellen and their two children are visiting her parents in Frome.
Henry was nominated for election to the Management Committee of the GWR Medical Fund Society in 1904 and in 1907 is pictured on a formal photograph seated next to Zacharias Peskett, the long serving treasurer.
On the 1911 census returns the Fortune family are living at 20 Oxford Street where 49 year old Henry works as a railway clerk. The couple have been married 23 years during which time they had 12 children of whom sadly 4 have already died.
In 1939 he was at 246 Ferndale Road, a widowed retired Railway Clerk living with Leonard and Edith Brain (daughter and son-in-law) and their family.
The GWR Medical Fund Society, like many other similar organisations across the country, provided a blueprint for the National Health Service established in 1948. Henry had been gone nearly five years by then. For those who remained on the Medical Fund Committee it must have been a time of mixed feelings. Free health care for all but with that came the eventual dismantling of the Medical Fund and 100 years of endeavour in Swindon.
Henry James Fortune died in St. Margaret’s Hospital aged 82 years. His funeral took place on December 30, 1943 when he was buried in grave plot C3868 with his wife Ellen who had died in 1923.
Before he died on September 27, 1918 Charles Godfrey Montague Deacon had his family firmly on his mind.
Charley was born in 1886, one of William and Rose Deacon’s seven children. He grew up at 4 Western Street where William worked as a brickmaker. When Charley left school he became an assistant in an ironmongers.
Like so many others, Charley’s military records are lost, but we know that he served as a private in the 15th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers and that he died of his wounds (Gas) in one of the Exeter War Hospitals. He was 33 years old.
The UK Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects 1901-1929 reveal an account of Charley’s money and where he wished it to go.
He left £35 3s 9d (about £35.15) and with no wife or children he divided his money between members of his family. To his widowed mother Rose he left £5 0s 7d (about £5.03). He left the same amount to each of his two surviving brothers, Irving Tom and Percival Oscar. To his sisters Daisy, Flossie and Hilda (the wife of Thomas Mott), he left £5 0s 6d each (about £5.02).
His last two bequests reveal another family tragedy. In the autumn of 1916 Charley’s brother Louis Stanley Deacon was ‘found drowned.’ He left a wife and several children. Charley left £3 7s (about £3.35) to ‘GW Bizley Guardian of children of Bro Louis’ and £1 13s 6d (about £1.67) to his nephew Sidney.
Charley gave his life for his country and the money he had saved to his family.
Charles Godfrey Montague Deacon was buried on October 2, 1918 in plot number B2819 which he shares with his brother Louis, his father William and his mother Rose.
Today I’m returning to the story of Georgina Verschoyle and although I am no nearer to understanding how or why she came to be living in Swindon, I do know more about her life here.
A view of St Mark’s Church taken from Radnor Street Cemetery
Following her death a lengthy obituary was published in the parish magazine of St. Mark’s Church.
Requiescat in Pace
Miss Verschoyle died on Dec. 20, and was laid to her rest in the Swindon cemetery on Sat., Dec. 23rd. Her health had been failing for several years, and though the end did not seem near to her friends, she was not strong enough to stand against a bad attack of Influenza, that scourge of our country at the present time.
Many who read these lines, perhaps far away now, will remember the time when she came to Swindon thirteen years ago. In those days Church life was just starting in S. Mark’s Parish. She threw herself with untiring energy into the work as a volunteer helper, and indeed continued as such to the end.
Before she had been in the parish many weeks she obtained the Vicar’s permission to commence a Bible Class for Men. The attempt was a decided success. A good number joined at once, and between 50 and 60 men have assembled, while on one of the last occasions when she presided over her Class at the new Parish Rooms, over seventy men were in attendance.
During the whole of the same period she has conducted a large Mothers’ Meeting, and for the last few years a Bible Class for Women at S. John’s. Unlike many of the kind, these classes have never diminished in the numbers of those attending them. People who have experience in such matters know well that classes such as these can only be kept together for so long a period by diligent and unceasing work and earnest prayer.
It is however in the District that we think that Miss Verschoyle’s work has chiefly been done. Well trained in Church work in earlier days at Clewer, Guildford, Market Drayton, S. Giles’, Reading, and S. Luke’s, Torquay, she had attained the habit of regular and systematic visiting. From early morning to late evening she was to be seen every day in all weathers going to all parts of the parish amongst the sick and the whole, bearing the message of comfort. Her daily visits to the dying were a striking feature of her work. Many a one in Paradise will, we believe, thank God for that regular earnest teaching which helped to bring the soul out of darkness into the light of Christ, while many a one living now, who may read these words will gratefully acknowledge that the turn in his life was due to her sympathy and help.
Miss Verschoyle knew the secret of success, viz., that no work for God can prosper unless His help is sought. She was regularly to be seen in her place at the daily Services of the Church, gathering strength into her own life, that she might be the better able to impart it to others. Indeed the Church was very dear to her; she enriched it with many costly gifts, and as each Festival came round, she spent time, money, and labour in decorating the Font with flowers.
We need scarcely say that she was beloved and respected by those amongst whom she worked. While we thank God for her work in the Parish, let us pray to Him to send to our Parish other such workers, and let us ask Him to give us grace to profit by her teaching and example, that when the great day comes, we may be found worthy to be on the King’s right hand among those to whom the word of comfort shall be spoken, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
InsideSt Mark’s Church, Swindon
The Late Miss Verschoyle.
Dear Friends,
It has been suggested to me that some of those who have known Miss Verschoyle and her work in the parish may like to place some kind of memorial to her in S. Mark’s Church, where she was so constant a worshipper. I do not think it would be suitable to have an organised collection for such a purpose as this, but if any of those who read these words like to send a contribution, great or small, I will very gladly receive it. The nature of the memorial must be decided by the amount contributed. Yours truly, Maurice Ponsonby.
Throughout the year fund raising updates appeared in the parish magazine until in November the Rev. Ponsonby declared it was probably time to close the account and think about how the money should be spent.
I wonder if anyone can tell us what kind of memorial was chosen for Miss Verschoyle and whether it still survives in St. Mark’s today.
Fr Toby from St. Mark’s has sent the following words and kindly offered to provide a photograph.
The memorial is a window in the south aisle depicting Matt 15.28. The dedication on a plaque underneath reads: “This window is given by many friends in grateful memory of Georgina Verschoyle who fell asleep on Dec. 20th 1893 after 13 years of unceasing labour for God in this parish. Requiescat in pace.”
Clara Ellison had taught at Even Swindon School for 25 years when she resigned in 1908. Then aged 48 she might have expected to remain in post for a few more years. There is no mention that she was suffering from poor health so we have to ask did her husband’s bankruptcy case influence the members of the Swindon School Board?
Clara Illidge Shelton was born in 1860 in Birmingham, the daughter of William Shelton, a cab driver, and his wife Elizabeth. By the time of the 1881 census Clara was living in Eastbourne where she was employed as an assistant school mistress and lodged with William Cole and his family.
On December 1, 1883 Clara (by then living at 34 Wellington Street, Swindon) married John Ellison, a brass finisher in the Works, at St. Mark’s Church. Even Swindon Infant School was built in 1884, which is the earliest date at which Clara could have been teaching there. By 1891 the couple were living at 17 Linslade Street where John describes himself as a Brass Finisher and Clara as a School Board Teacher. They had two young sons, Gerald 6, and Wilfrid 4. Clara’s widowed mother Elizabeth lived with the family.
But was there a prejudicial attitude to Mrs Ellison prior to the events of 1908? In 1896 Mr Henry Day (Head Teacher at Even Swindon Mixed School) and Mrs Clara Ellison (Mistress at Even Swindon Infant School) both applied for an increase in their salaries. The School Management Committee initially recommended that they both receive a £10 annual increase whereupon Committee member Mr McRae immediately opposed both applications. In the case of Mr Day there was no seconder but Mr Keene also raised an objection in the case of Mrs Ellison. Some discussion followed when another member, Mr Sewell, entered a protest against Mrs Ellison holding the post, and ‘keeping a single girl out of work.’
But then came the matter of John Ellison’s bankruptcy in 1908 and a recommendation by the Teaching Staff Sub-Committee “that Mrs Ellison, head mistress of the Even Swindon Infant School be given three months’ notice to terminate her engagement.” Swindon Advertiser, Friday, May 22, 1908.
By August 1908 John’s bankruptcy examination was closed and Clara had resigned.
Even Swindon School published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library
Presentation – On Wednesday afternoon, at the Even Swindon Infant School, Mrs Ellison, late headmistress, was the recipient of a very handsome pair of bronzes, given to her by the teachers (past and present) on the occasion of resigning her position as headmistress, which post she has held for 25 years. In making the presentation, Miss Witt said how very much they all felt the parting, but they hoped Mrs Ellison would be spared many years to enjoy the rest so thoroughly earned. – In reply, Mrs Ellison, thanking them, said how much she would value their beautiful present, and the very happy time spent amongst them would never be forgotten by her. She wished them every success, and trusted they would all work as happily together in the future as they had always done in the past.
Swindon Advertiser, Thursday, August 20, 1908.
Clara died the following year and was buried on October 1, 1909 in grave plot D128, a public grave, which she shares with her husband who died in 1924 and one other, probably unrelated, person.
The first woman to be employed in the Great Western Railway Swindon Works’ offices is believed to have been Elsie May Calladine. Elsie started work in the Mileage Office on January 1, 1912 aged 14. She is pictured far right at the end of the second row in this fantastic photograph taken in 1916 and reproduced in The Great Western at Swindon Works by Alan S. Peck. New mechanised account systems introduced in January 1913 and an expansion of office space saw increasing numbers of women clerks employed in the GWR Swindon Works’ offices, numbers which escalated during the years of the First World War.
I have been able to trace all of the young women pictured here in 1916 wearing their ‘uniform’ of smart long dark skirt and white high necked blouse with tie strings and bows.
In the second row, third from the right, is Freda Dening, one of two talented sisters about whom I have previously written. In the front row, seated third from the left, is Miss Gladys Florence Alice Noble, supervisor in the Freight Statistics, Addressograph offices and pictured in the centre of the back row is Mabel E. Carpenter, who married her second husband in 1973 when she was 74 years old and he was 89. Her husband was Frederick William Hawksworth, the last Chief Mechanical Engineer at the Swindon Works, who was previously thought to have never married. The couple lived at 30 Tithe Barn Crescent where Frederick died in 1976 and Mabel in 1982.
Pictured at the left end of the third row is Phyllis Mary Peters. Phyllis was born on November 14, 1899, the youngest of four children. Her father John was an engine fitter and the birth place of his children indicate his movement across the railway factories of the north east. Edgar was born in Newcastle and Lucy in Gateshead while Winifred and Phyllis were born after the family arrived in Swindon. Phyllis began work in the GWR Swindon Works’ offices on December 13, 1915, just after her 16th birthday.
At the time of the pre-war census in 1939 Phyllis was living with her widowed mother Lucy at 45 Goddard Avenue where she stated her occupation as that of Railway Clerk. As an unmarried woman Phyllis had been able to continue her career.
Phyllis died at St Margaret’s Hospital on April 14, 1957. She left effects valued at more than £10,000 (a legacy of her many years employed in the Works) to her two nephews, her sister Lucy’s sons.
Phyllis was buried in grave plot E7773, which she shares with her parents and her sister Lucy.
Radnor Street Cemetery 