During more than 100 years in business, Pakeman Brothers advertised themselves as a Civil and Military Tailor, which is hardly surprising!
Founder George Pakeman was born in Uxbridge, Middlesex in 1822, the son of John, a tailor, and his wife Jane Pakeman. He followed his father into the tailoring business, but not the family firm. In 1859 he married Sarah Philpott and by 1863 the couple had moved from Canterbury, Kent and set up in business at 22 High Street, Old Swindon.
But prior to that George can be found on the 1851 census as ‘Master Tailor in the Regiment’ at Ashton Barracks, Hartshead, Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire. However, it was only when I searched for George’s obituary that I discovered the full extent of his military career.
The remains of Mr George Pakeman, one of Swindon’s Crimean veterans, were on Wednesday interred in the Cemetery, Swindon. Deceased, who had served in the trenches before Sebastopol, and had been engaged at the battles of Alma and Inkerman, left the army with the rank of sergeant, after having acted for about ten years as master tailor in the depot of the 50th Regiment at Canterbury.
The Western Daily Press, Bristol, Thursday, November 3, 1904.
George died at his home (appropriately named Inkerman) 129 Goddard Avenue, on October 30, 1904. He was buried on November 2 in grave plot E8617 joining his wife Sarah who died the previous year.
This newly discovered history reveals George Pakeman as a member of the growing number of recently located Crimean veterans buried in Radnor Street Cemetery.
Radnor Street Cemetery 
That’s wonderful to read – I’m delighted to learn about the history of George and Sarah, as their grave is directly behind our house in Ashford Road! I have a feeling that at some time I may have asked if you might consider researching the Pakemans (or Pakemen…?) They don’t seem to have had any children, do they? Perhaps because he was away for long periods.
The grave is practically surrounded by snowdrops in early spring. I’m minded to plant daffodils there now!
An additional (very tenuous) link is that some of my ancestors come from Ashton Under Line!
Best wishes, Jill
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Hi Jill – thank you so much for commenting. They did in fact have a large family – eight children in all. John Henry Pakeman carried on the family run tailors for many years.
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