The magnificently named Wentworth Joseph Evans was born on October 17, 1857 and spent his early childhood in Melcombe Regis, Dorset. By 1871 the family were living at 18 Gloucester Street, Swindon when Wentworth joined the GWR aged 14. He finished his apprenticeship in 1877 and went on to become an Assistant Foreman in 1897 and then a Foreman in 1905 working in A Shop, B & C Sheds and the Tender Shop before his death in 1912.
Wentworth married Eliza Ann Bugler in Weymouth, Dorset on December 29, 1880 and the newly weds began married life at 20 Carr Street. The couple went on to have three children and lived for many years at 10 Queens Terrace, Station Road.
The 1911 census provides lots of information about the family. Wentworth and Eliza had his widowed father and her widowed mother living with them in 1911. Wentworth’s father, Jabez [James] Evans is described as 79 years old, a retired Engine Erector (no pension). Eliza’s mother, Ann Bugler, is described as 82 years old, a widow and Old Age Pensioner 5/- per week. Wentworth and Eliza’s youngest son Alfred Arthur aged 25 works as a Pianoforte Tuner and is described as ‘totally blind from birth.’
When I checked the burial registers I discovered that Wentworth had died just 9 days after his father. Jabez [James] was buried with his second wife Catherine Evans in grave plot D1588.
A lengthy funeral report was published in the Swindon Advertiser.
The Late Mr W.J. Evans
Impressive Funeral of Late GWR Foreman
Seven Hundred Follows
The funeral of the late Mr Wentworth J. Evans, at the Swindon Cemetery, on Saturday, was the occasion of a most impressive tribute to the memory of the late foreman of the Erecting Shop of the GWR Works. Not only were Mr H.C. King and other officials of the Works present, but the Foremen’s Association, the Medical Fund, and the Council of the Mechanics’ Institute were also represented, while it is estimated that the number of men who showed their respect for their late foreman at the graveside must have numbered also seven hundred. It was the largest number of followers ever known in the Swindon Cemetery.
The cortege formed at Mr Evans’ late residence, 10, Queen’s Terrace, Station Road, and headed by a hand-bier bearing the beautiful floral tributes, and followed by an immense column of mourning men, proceeded to St. Mark’s Church. Here, the building was quite filled when the Vicar (The Rev. A.G.G. Ross) read the first portion of the sad rites for the dead. Re-forming, the procession made its way to the Cemetery, and here the Vicar of St. Mark’s again conducted the service. The remains were enclosed in a polished elm coffin with brass fittings, and the breastplate was inscribed:- “Wentworth Joseph Evans, died April 15, 1912, aged 54 years.
Extracts from The Evening Swindon Advertiser, Monday, April 22, 1912.
Wentworth Joseph Evans was buried on April 20, 1912 in grave plot D1480 where his wife Eliza Ann joined him following her death in 1913.
Radnor Street Cemetery 