Throughout history women are invariably identified by their father’s occupation and status, then their husband’s and eventually their children’s and such was the case of Myra Nash.
Born in 1867 Myra was one of Matthew Beasant’s large family of children. Myra was baptised at All Saints Church, Lydiard Millicent on October 6, 1867 and grew up at The Green, Lydiard Millicent. Matthew was a labourer in the GWR Works, making the four mile journey from his home in Lydiard Millicent to the railway factory in Swindon every day.
At the age of 13 Myra was already out at work, employed as a domestic servant for George Seward Prentice and his wife Eliza at Grove House, Lydiard Millicent. However, sometime after 1881 she moved into Swindon and a job as a domestic servant for the Nash family at their new confectionery business premises at 32 Bridge Street. It was obviously while working here that she fell in love with the eldest son Edmund William Nash whom she married at St. Mark’s Church on January 9, 1887.
By 1891, with the confectionery business doing well, Edmund had left his job in the Works to concentrate on the family business, and in the census of that year describes himself as a ‘sugar boiler.’ The couple have one child, Rose. By 1901 they had left 32 Regent Street and were living at 243 Cricklade Road where Edmund describes himself as a ‘confectioner.’ By now the couple have a second daughter, Winnifred, and despite having two children and a family business, the census enumerator does not see fit to record any occupation for Myra. At the time of the 1911 census the family are now living at 104 Cricklade Road, their long time home. Edmund describes himself once again as a ‘sugar boiler,’ the couple’s 19 year old daughter Winifred is employed as a Shop Assistant in the family’s confectionery business and now the couple have a young son, born in 1902 – Edward Montague Nash.
Edward Montague Nash (Teddy) went on to be a talented sportsman, playing county cricket for Wiltshire, but he is probably best remembered as Swindon Town F.C. goalkeeper. As a young footballer he played for Gorse Hill Boys and North End Albion before signing a youth contract with Swindon Town in 1916. He signed a professional contract in 1920, playing in the 1919/20 season until the 1929/30 season when he transferred to Brentford.
He even gets first mention when Myra’s death is reported in the North Wilts Herald, April 11, 1930.
Myra died aged 63, but despite a reasonably well documented life, we really know little about her.
When Myra died in 1930 there is a reference that she had seldom watched her son play of late ‘owing to nerves’ and I am left wondering what Myra’s story really was.
Death of Mrs Nash
Mother of Swindon Town’s Goalkeeper
“Teddy” Nash, the well known Swindon Town goalkeeper, has sustained a sad loss through the death on Sunday night, of his mother, Mrs Myra Nash.
Both the late Mrs Nash, and her husband, Mr Edmund William Nash, are well known in Swindon as tradespeople, and for the last 30 years have carried on a confectionery’s business at 104, Cricklade Street, Gorse Hill, Swindon. Mrs Nash was 63 years of age, and early last night appeared in the best of health.
She very seldom saw her son play for the Town of late owing to nerves.
North Wilts Herald, Friday, April 11, 1930.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 will take place from May 12-18 as we continue to try to remove the stigma and encourage people to talk about their mental health.
Radnor Street Cemetery 