During some 20 years of research at Radnor Street cemetery I have discovered some fascinating family stories. Among my favourites is that of the Alley family who I’ve featured at various times on cemetery walks.
George Richman Alley and his brother Frederick were both born in Trowbridge and eventually made their way to Swindon and jobs in the Works.
This is the story of George (pictured below) with his wife Emma on the occasion of their youngest daughter’s wedding at the Baptist Tabernacle in 1911.
The family moved to Swindon in the 1870s when they lived first at 3 Carfax Street and then at 8 Merton Street. The couple had a son George who pursued a career in the navy and 8 daughters (Annie died just after her 1st birthday).
The bride in the photograph, Eva Ross Alley, married George Babington on March 1, 1911 at the Baptist Tabernacle. The couple managed a draper’s shop at 92 Victoria (next to her sisters’ millinery business). Eva died in 1978 aged 92.
Ethel Gertrude Alley worked as a milliner with her sister Amelia. Another active member of the Baptist church, Ethel married Wilfred Hewer, a tailor. They later ran the Oddfellows’ Arms in Cricklade Street. Ethel died in 1958 aged 74.
Flora Elizabeth Alley was a teacher until she married William Harold Hall. The couple had two children and lived in Country Road. Flora died in 1974 aged 93.
Amelia Annie Alley was the only sister not to marry. She worked as a milliner at 90 Victoria Road and was also a member of the Baptist Church. She died in 1973 aged 94.
Mabel Alley married Thomas Charles Harding. In 1960 she was awarded the British Empire Medal for Meritorious Service as sub postmistress at Westcott Place Sub Post Office for 50 years. She died in Cheriton Nursing Home in 1965 aged 88. Her daughter Vera is the little bridesmaid in the photo.
Maud Richman Alley was a dressmaker. She married Henry J. Lewis in her 40s and lived in Chippenham. She died in 1963 aged 93.
My interest in the Alley family began when I discovered the story of eldest daughter Emma Louisa who trained as a tailor, married Walter Lloyd Hull and moved to Bournemouth. Emma (known within the family as Lousia) took an active role in the Votes for Women campaign in the early 20th century. She joined the Women’s Freedom League formed in 1907 by Teresa Billington-Greig and Charlotte Despard in a break away organisation from the Pankhurst led Women’s Social and Political Union.
Emma was arrested several times, once with several other women who all gave their name as Smith or Smythe. On another occasion she was among a group of women who cheered the magistrate from the dock in appreciation of the way he had dealt with their case.
She returned to Swindon after the death of her husband in 1947 and gave talks to local women’s groups about her involvement with the suffrage campaign. She wore a badge carrying an engraving of Holloway prison. Other suffragette souvenirs she had included a Votes for Women banner and a cocoa mug and a salt pot smuggled out of Holloway gaol!
Emma eventually returned to Bournemouth where she continued to tell her story. She died on July 24, 1967 aged 100 years old.
Who’s Who in the wedding photograph as provided by a family member
George Richman Alley died aged 84 at his home 8 Merton Street and was buried in grave plot D31A on December 1, 1925. His wife Emma died aged 87 at 12 Park Lane and was buried with him on October 24, 1932.
Our next guided cemetery walk is this Sunday, March 31. We meet at the chapel for 2 pm.
Radnor Street Cemetery 