Image of Chapel Street, Gorse Hill published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.
The lives of the ordinary people of Swindon never cease to amaze me. When I began researching the Rodway and Sellwood families of Gorse Hill I discovered a combined military history spanning almost 70 years.
Ellen Rodway was born in 1856 in Newport on the Isle of Wight, the daughter of Joseph Rodway, a soldier who served in the 28th Regiment of Foot from 1843 to 1864. In 1861 Joseph was serving in St. Helena, Coast of Africa, where Ellen’s brother, Joseph Thomas and sister Jane were both born before the family returned to England. By 1871 Joseph Rodway and his family were living in Barton St. Michael, Gloucestershire and in 1881 they were in Stratton St. Margaret where Joseph, the former soldier, worked as a railway porter. And we tend to think people didn’t move about much in the old days!
Joseph Thomas Rodway would later enlist in the Royal Marines, serving for more than 20 years. His son, William John Rodway, aged 16 in 1911, was a soldier in the Kings Royal Rifles and on census night of that year was staying with his uncle William Rodway at 126 Chapel Street.
In 1881 Ellen Rodway married Henry Sellwood who had recently retired from B. Brigade R.H.A. (Royal Horse Artillery) aged 24 and was described as a Royal Hospital Pensioner. Henry settled down to a job in the railway factory and married life in Gorse Hill.
In 1891 the couple were living at 116 Chapel Street with their four children, Henry 9, Joseph 6, Rosa 4 and one year old Robert. By 1911 they had moved to 95 Edinburgh Street, which remained their home until Ellen died in 1940.
Henry died in 1918 and was buried on October 17 in grave plot B2850 joining two of the couple’s sons – Robert Charles who died in 1907 aged 19 and Joseph William who died in 1914 aged 28.
Ellen died on May 7, 1940 at her son’s home in Broad Street aged 83 years old. Her funeral was reported in the North Wilts Herald. She was buried on May 11 and joined her husband and two sons in grave plot B2850.
Ellen’s mother, Kate Rodway, died at 44 Chapel Street in 1901. She was buried in Radnor Street Cemetery on May 7 in grave plot A317, a public grave. Her husband, that old soldier Joseph who served in the 28th Regiment of Foot for more than 20 years, died at 126 Chapel Street in 1910 aged 84 and was buried with his wife on September 3.
Mrs E. Selwood
The funeral took place on Saturday, of Mrs Ellen Selwood, of 95, Edinburgh-street, Swindon, who died on 7 May, at her son’s home, 66 Broad-street, a few days before her 84th birthday. The service at the *Russell Memorial Church was conducted by Rev. Burgin, who also officiated at the interment in Radnor-street Cemetery.
Chief mourners were: Mr F.R. Selwood (son and daughter), Mr W. Rodway (brother), Mrs C.D. Love (granddaughter), Mrs. E.M. Selwood (daughter-in-law), Mr T. Robins, Mrs E. Bell, Mrs. L. Scott, Mrs M. Griffiths.
Funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. A.E. Smith and Son, 24, Gordon-road, Swindon.
North Wilts Herald, Friday, 17 May, 1940.
Image of Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.
*The Russell Memorial Church was built in 1890 on the corner of Cricklade Road and Edinburgh Street. It was named after Thomas Russell the early missioner.
Radnor Street Cemetery 