Mr and Mrs Dashfield – married fifty years.

I can’t help but notice that Mary Dashfield doesn’t get equal billing in this story of her Golden Wedding Anniversary – so I shall redress the balance.

Mary Maria Sartin was born on February 6, 1859 and baptised at St. James with St. Stephen Church, Trowbridge on June 19. She was the youngest child of James and Martha Sartin. James worked as a Wool Dyer and Martha as a Laundress and Mary grew up in the Castle Street/Lower Courts area of Trowbridge.

She married John Dashfield in 1879 and by 1881 they had moved to 37 Cheltenham Street, Swindon with their baby son William.

By 1891 they were living at 1 Lambeth Terrace, Swindon with their six children. By 1901 they were at 21 Westcott Place, the three eldest sons already employed in the Works.

In 1911 Mary had already notched up 32 years as a wife and mother. She states that she has had 9 children of whom 8 are living.

Her life had been one of child raising and housekeeping, so maybe I don’t know that much about her after all, but hopefully this is a more rounded account than the newspaper article.

Married Fifty Years

To-day Mr and Mrs John Dashfield, of 21, Westcott Place, Swindon, celebrate their golden wedding.

Mr Dashfield is 72 years of age, and his wife is two years his junior. Both, who are in the enjoyment of good health, are natives of Trowbridge.

Mr. Dashfield came to Swindon 57 years ago, and entered the service of the GWR as a shunter. At the age of 18 he had the misfortune to lose his right leg whilst in the execution of his duty. He was afterwards given a position as storekeeper in the W Shop, which post he held until his retirement two years ago.

For 40 years Mr Dashfield was a co-worker or shopmate with the present Mayor of Swindon (Councillor G.H. Stevens).

Mr and Mrs Dashfield had a family of nine children, seven of whom are living. One son is at Weymouth, another at Christchurch, a third in Nigeria, and two are in Swindon. One of the daughters is Mrs A.M. Chappell, wife of the licensee of the Borough Arms, Wootton Bassett.

Mr Dashfield is interested in the club life of Swindon, and he is a keen horticulturist.

John Charles George Dashfield died at his home, 21 Westcott Place in 1943 aged 86 years. He was buried in grave plot D769 which he shares with Joan Mary Dashfield who died in 1926 aged 6 years old (most probably a granddaughter); his wife Mary Maria who died in October 1945 aged 86 years and Rosabella Minnie Chappell their daughter who died in 1948 aged 59 years.