The redoubtable Susan Legg

Those embarking on their family history research are always told to talk to older relatives first; to ask questions and make a note of family ‘legends’ which often contain valuable information. When Marilyn Beale began her research there were plenty of stories still circulating within her large family.

I recently had the good fortune to meet Marilyn, who I am sure many Swindonians will know, especially those who live in Penhill.

Marilyn moved to Penhill as a young, newly married woman and has spent more than 50 years volunteering in her local community. Beginning with a gardening club and then involvement with the Penhill Forum, the Seven Fields Conservation Group and the Penhill Community Orchard, Marilyn loves her neck of the woods.

We met to talk about Rodbourne where Marilyn grew up. Marilyn is an avid reader and has a great curiosity and interest in history. We talked about the past and her redoubtable grandmother Susan Legg born in 1868 – imagine the changes she would have experienced in her lifetime. She had lived through the reign of five monarchs and had survived the deprivations of two world wars.

Susan was the daughter of agricultural labourer Job Simpkins and his wife Elizabeth. She grew up in Purton and at the age of 14 was working as a ‘nurse girl’ at Dudgmoor Farm, Cricklade for farmer Charles Kennett, his wife Agnes and their two young daughters. In 1890 she married Richard Legg, a general labourer and they went on to have a large family of 13 children. Susan would survive at least three of her children. A daughter Mabel died in 1918 aged 11. Her son George was killed in action during the First World War and is remembered on the La Ferte-Sous-Jourarre Memorial in France. He was 20 years old. Another daughter Elizabeth Jane died in 1921 aged 30 of tuberculosis.

Marilyn remembered hearing stories about her resourceful grandmother who steered her family through financial vicissitude. A go-to woman who those in search of a reliable servant would consult as she always knew of a good, hardworking girl looking for a job.

Susan died at 31 Hawthorne Avenue in 1951 aged 82 years. She was buried on February 26 in Radnor Street Cemetery in grave plot C3544 which she shares with her two daughters – Mabel and Elizabeth Jane and her husband Richard who died aged 70 in 1934.

Marilyn continues to volunteer in her community, serving as a Parish Councillor for the Penhill Ward where she attends the Leisure & Recreation; Environment & Planning and Community Wellbeing committees, which pretty much describes her life’s work.