Guided Cemetery Walk April 28.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday for a guided cemetery walk. We are always so fortunate with the weather and following a morning of rain we enjoyed a dry and pleasant afternoon.

This week Andy, Kevin and I told the stories of Trooper Cecil Howard Goodman and Scout leader William Rowland Bird among others and I will (eventually) sort out the story of Olive Henry, which has left me in confusion over recent weeks.

Here are a few cemetery photographs. Our next walk is on Sunday May 26.

Guided cemetery walk

Many thanks to everyone who joined us for the first of this season’s walks. The weather was kind and the rain held off.

We were joined by members of the Menham family as Andy spoke about Swindon Town football legend Bob Menham. Kevin followed by telling us of the military career of his son Reginald Menham and reading a poignant letter taken from Mark Sutton‘s book Tell Them of Us.

Further talks included the stories of Frederick and Elizabeth Alley, Minnie Price, Ethelwyn May Collet, Elsie Wootten White and another sporting legend Scottish rugby player Dr. Charles Reid. Jon told us about the continuing work of the volunteers and introduced members of the team who give so much of their time to looking after the war graves and helping visitors find family graves.

There were lots of fascinating conversations as visitors shared their family history stories with us. It was lovely to meet Clare and I hope you found your family grave. I look forward to receiving your information and photographs to publish here.

Our next walk will take place on Sunday April 28. Meet at the chapel for 2 pm.

Guided Cemetery Walks

Looks like we might all see some rain today. But spring is just around the corner and our guided cemetery walks will begin again at the end of this month.

The Spring walks are scheduled for:

March 31, April 28 and May 26.

Summer walks are yet to be arranged but our Autumn walks are already in the diary.

September 1 and 29 and October 27.

Our Remembrance Day Service is Sunday November 10.

Well, what can you expect from a typical guided cemetery walk?

A gentle meander through 11½ acres of our picturesque Victorian cemetery. Our CWGC volunteers will tell you about their work to maintain the war graves and the incredible stories they have discovered. Learn about the people who made Swindon; from the boilermakers to the businessmen. Hear about the women who contributed to every aspect of life in Swindon from the home, the factory floor and the magistrates bench! This year we will have even more stories to tell.

We meet at the cemetery chapel for 2 p.m.

Another chapter in the Uzzell family history

And this time I need some help identifying a couple of photographs.

We’ve already met David Uzzell – the inspiration behind the work of war poet Edward Thomas, so now let’s meet his brother John.

John married Rachel Bennett on Christmas Day 1864 at the parish church in Cirencester. He worked as a baker and in 1871 lived with Rachel and their two children Emily 6 and Frank 4 in Gloucester Street, Cirencester. His parents lived in nearby Factory Yard alongside his brother David and his wife Fanny and their son William.

John and Rachel went on to have a large family of at least nine children. Four sons – Frank, Harris, James John and Raymond and five daughters – Emily Rosina, Edith Ellen, Mabel Harris, Mary Maria and Minnie Bennett. In 1881 they lived in Ashton Keynes; in 1891 they were at 27 Stepstairs Lane, Cirencester and in 1901 they were in South Cerney.

At the time of her death in 1907 Rachel was living at 17 Ipswich Street, here in Swindon. A couple of her married daughters had moved to Swindon, which maybe how she came to be here. She was buried in grave plot B2754 on November 12, 1907.

John survived her by 15 years. He died aged 79 at the Purton Infirmary and was buried with Rachel on September 12, 1922.

And now those photos.

Is this John and Rachel with their children? Or is it John Uzzell the elder with his wife Sarah and their children? Unfortunately, the photograph is undated.

And who is this? John Uzzell the elder or the younger? Is this Rachel? Again, undated.

Daniel Campbell McBeath Walker

Daniel Campbell McBeath Walker was born on October 5, 1834 according to his GWR employment records. The sister with whom he lived, Charlotte Hartford Walker, was born in 1825 in Edinburgh, the daughter of Duncan Walker and Elizabeth McBeath so it is probably safe to assume similar facts apply to Daniel.

He first joined the Great Western Railway as a clerk on July 19, 1870 and in 1871 he was boarding with the Brooks family at 3 Eastcott Lane. However, ten years later he was living at 7 Hill Street, Bedminster with his two sisters Charlotte Hartford Walker, an upholsteress and Sarah McIntyre Walker, a Lady’s Maid.

Returning to the GWR employment records, Daniel re-entered the company on January 2, 1882. He was 48 years old. In 1895 he was living with his sisters at 16 Eastcott Lane.

The following inquest was held to establish the events of his traumatic death on May 30, 1895, some of the details are too distressing to be published here and have been omitted.

On Thursday morning Mr W.E. Nicholson Browne, County Coroner, held two inquests at Swindon. The first was held at the “Globe” Tavern, Old Swindon, touching the death of Daniel Campbell Walker, a clerk in the GWR Works, residing in Eastcott Hill.

Charlotte Hertford Walker was the first witness called. She said deceased was her brother, and his age was 60 years. He was a clerk in the GWR Works but had not been to work since Tuesday week. He had a fall in the Quarries about ten days ago, which shook him up a great deal, and he went to Clevedon with witness, and returned on Tuesday last. He had suffered from fits some 12 years ago. About 5 years since he was confined in Dr Iles’ private lunatic asylum at Fairford for some thirteen weeks. The witness also said that his (deceased’s) second brother committed suicide in the same manner. Deceased had a religious mania. He went to bed about 10 o’clock on Wednesday night, when he was very calm and collected. She (witness) looked into his bedroom about seven o’clock Thursday morning, when he seemed to be asleep.

The jury, of whom Mr Job Day was foreman, returned a verdict of “Suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity.”

Extracts from The Swindon Advertiser, Saturday, June 1, 1895

Daniel Campbell Walker of 16 Eastcott Lane was buried in Radnor Street Cemetery on June 1, 1895. He is buried in grave plot B2407, a public grave. His sisters remained living in Swindon until 1903 when Sarah died and was buried in grave plot B2409, another public grave and close to her brother. Charlotte returned to Bristol where she died in 1907 and was buried in Ridgeway Park Cemetery.

A Bench with a View

It was a blustery Monday at the cemetery with a chill in the air and rain on the wind, but it didn’t prevent me from stopping at my favourite bench.

There are four benches (I’m honour bound to keep the 4th one secret) in the cemetery; but this is my favourite one with a view across what was previously known as New Swindon, a railway town.

Here the eye is drawn to the housing development built in the early 2000s on the site of the ‘A’ (Erecting) Shop. A Shop covered more than 11 acres (coincidentally the same size as Radnor Street Cemetery) and was one the largest covered workshops in the world. The red brick apartment blocks, clearly seen from the bench, and the surrounding houses are named in honour of George Jackson Churchward Locomotive Works Manager at the GWR Swindon Works 1902-1916 and Chief Mechanical Engineer from 1916 until his retirement in 1922.

From this bench you can see what remains of the 19^th century railway works, more familiar to a younger generation as the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Village and the railway village, the company houses once home to the early workforce. So many of those railway men and their families moved up the hill to rest in peace in this cemetery.

It was at this bench that I composed the ghostly story of Edie and her soldier son – a tribute to one Swindon family, yet typical of so many others.

This is my favourite bench. Perhaps we’ll meet here one day.

Dr Charles Reid – Scottish rugby international

Following the nail biting Scotland victory over Wales 27-26 in the opening weekend of the 2024 Rugby Six Nations, I am republishing the story of Dr Charles Reid, Scottish International, who is buried in Radnor Street Cemetery.

Edinburgh Academicals – Charles Reid pictured seated middle row 4th from left

Charles Reid was born January 4, 1864 at Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, the youngest son of John and Margaret Reid. By the age of 17 he stood 6ft 3ins tall and weighed in at around 15-16 stone.

He played for Edinburgh Academical Football Club, the oldest rugby club in Scotland and the second oldest in the World, which he captained from 1883-1888, beginning his international career in 1881.

Charles Reid’s first cap published courtesy of Edinburgh Academicals

He was 17 years and 36 days old when he was first capped in 1881, the first schoolboy to play in a forward position in an international match. He went on to captain Scotland to 17 wins in 21 games. He was known for his skilful play and his ferocious tackling and today many rugby pundits place him in their ‘fantasy rugby team.’

Charles Reid continues to be a national hero in the history of Scottish rugby and he’s buried here in Radnor Street Cemetery. Perhaps I should let Finn Russell (Bath Rugby and Scotland) know.

Death of Dr. Reid

Well known Medical Practitioner

A Great Rugby Football Player

Famous International

The news of the death of Dr. Charles Reid, partner with Dr. J. Campbell Maclean, of Swindon, was received with unfeigned regret on Tuesday last. Deceased, who was only 45 years of age, passed away at a Surgical Home in London on Monday night, whither he had undergone several operations of a painful malady. He had been in failing health for some time, but the end came somewhat suddenly. Dr. Reid lost his wife by death about four years ago after being married only 18 months.

Deceased was born in Scotland, and was educated at the Royal Academy, Edinburgh, and subsequently studied at Edinburgh University. He secured the degree of M.B., and of C.M. (Edinburgh) in 1883, and practised for some time at Selkirk, where he fell into bad health. He then lived at Craigie with Mr. Campbell for several years, and in 1903 came to Swindon to join Dr. Maclean. He then married, but his wife died 18 months later.

Dr. Reid was an able practitioner, and his opinion was held in high estimation by members of the profession. With patients he was most popular.

Dr. Reid was in his early days a great athlete, and he captained the Scottish Rugby team for many years and possessed no less than a score of International caps. He was the great Edinburgh Academical and Scottish International forward of the early eighties. A new football generation has grown up, but the twenty times capped giant forward is far from being forgotten across the border, he being spoken of as perhaps the greatest forward Scotland ever produced.

The fact that his death took place at the comparatively early age of 45, brings the reminder (says an Edinburgh correspondent) that he was barely 17 when he played against England in 1881 for the first time, and he was only 24 when he retired from football. From 1883 to 1888 he captained the Edinburgh Academical team, and in his last two International matches no fewer than five of the Scottish forwards were Edinburgh Academicals.

The funeral

The mortal remains of the deceased were brought to Swindon on Wednesday night, and the interment took place in Swindon Cemetery this afternoon, where lie the remains of his late wife.

The Swindon Advertiser, Friday, October, 29, 1909.

Dr Charles Reid was buried on October 29, 1909 in grave plot E8478. He had died following a surgical procedure in London. His body was returned to Swindon to lie next to his wife here in the cemetery.

Dr Charles Reid’s medical practice was at 32 Wood Street where he had been based for some four years. His medical qualifications were registered at the University of Edinburgh in 1888. He worked for sometime in Selkirk where he met and married Catherine Louise Steedman. Sadly, Catherine died just 18 months later after their arrival in Swindon.

Swindon Cemetery – practically free of debt

In 1913 the Swindon Ratepayers’ Association met to discuss how the local authority was handling some major projects, including the Swindon (Radnor Street) Cemetery.

Generally speaking things seemed fairly satisfactory. Thirty years after the opening of the cemetery they were happy to reveal it was ‘practically’ free from debt.

There was one last comment in reference to the amount originally paid for the 11 acres of land purchased on which to lay out the cemetery. In 1881 the land was owned by entrepreneurial local businessman (and Local Board Member) James Hinton who was always quick to recognise a profit making opportunity.

A ‘working’ cemetery is one thing, a closed one quite another. A working cemetery has expenses but it also has an income. Unfortunately, Radnor Street Cemetery, closed to new burials for some 50 years, generates no income and in these straightened financial times there is little public money left for maintenance.

There is a lot of excitement within Swindon Borough Council about the imminent opening of the ‘new’ museum in the Civic Offices, Euclid Street. In this new (and very welcome) climate of heritage appreciation perhaps Radnor Street Cemetery will soon bask in the glory too.

Municipal Matters

Meeting of the Swindon Ratepayers’ Association

A meeting of the Swindon Ratepayers’ Association, convened to discuss three questions of absorbing interest to those concerned in the government of the town – the Poor Law administration, the derelict canal, and the various undertakings of the Council – was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening. Major F.G. Wright presided…

As regards the Swindon Cemetery, it is now practically free from debt, the annual charges for interest and sinking fund on a small out-standing loan only amounting to about £27 per annum.

As you are aware, we have purchased land for a new cemetery at Whitworth Road, which is now being laid out, and which will be ready for use probably by next spring. Before the new cemetery was purchased, the loss on the Swindon Cemetery every year used to amount to something a ½ d rate. Last year, nothwithstanding the increased charges arising out of the purchase of the new cemetery at Rodbourne, instead of being a loss, there was a slight profit after paying all working expenses and interest and sinking fund charges. This was brought about by a revision on the scale of charges in the Swindon Cemetery, etc., the income for the past year on the Swindon Cemetery being no less than £923, as against £621 in 1910, £638 in 1911 and £856 in 1912. Of course, this will not continue in future years, as there will be additional working expenses when the new cemetery is opened.

Only 10 acres of land are at present being laid out at the Whitworth Road Cemetery, but this is expected, will last at least 20 or 30 years. The total area of land purchased in 35 acres, and the remainder will be let out and will produce an income. The Swindon Cemetery will also last for a great many years yet. The purchase money paid for the 35 acres of land at Whitworth Road was £3,016, while the purchase money for the 11 acres at Swindon Cemetery was £3,970. I leave you to form your own opinion on the favourable nature of these transactions…

Extracts from the North Wilts Herald, Friday, October 31, 1913.

Cemetery volunteers at work clearing the paths

Cemetery volunteers maintain mown paths creating access to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission graves.

Views of a Spectator

If, like me, you enjoy walking through old cemeteries and reading the inscriptions on the headstones you will find the views of this ‘Spectator’ thought provoking. At the beginning of 1881 the cemetery question was upper most in the thoughts of many Swindonians.

A cemetery should be a wooded garden, with walks and avenues and glades according to its size, and not, as in most villages now, a stonemason’s yard, studded with squat temples and tombs, or with tall, meaningless headstones so mouldy that it would be nearly impossible to read the inscriptions, even if the undertakers did not have them made as illegible as possible, in order to “make business” of the work of cleaning them out. These headstones are the destruction of all beauty or solemnity in a graveyard. Nothing uglier or more meaningless in form has ever been conceived by man, and nothing worse adapted for exhibiting an inscription. If they are upright, they gradually sway out of the perpendicular with their own weight; and if they are flat, they destroy the reverential vegetation which else, without means, watchfulness or exertion, would, but for the stones, clothe the surface of the grave. They are, besides, utterly needless. What is required by each grave is a number cut in granite – cut solid, we mean, not out of granite – a number distinguishable for centuries, and referring to a granite tablet, which need not be more than six inches by a foot, with an inscription identifying, describing, and, if you will, praising the dead. – Spectator

The Swindon Advertiser, Monday, January 3, 1881

Swindon Borough Council workers have recently done a grand job at the cemetery. I am sharing here some photographs taken by Kevin a CWGC and dedicated Radnor Street Cemetery volunteer.

This path clearing project is a work in progress by our own dedicated volunteers

The Summer Cemetery

Listening to Storm Jocelyn battering Britain, I’m looking forward to kinder, calmer climes. While the bluebells hunker down and the ox-eye daisies rest their roots, let’s revisit the summer cemetery. With our guided walks paused during the winter months, we are compiling our 2024 calendar of events – dates to be announced soon.

Meanwhile, you might like to check out our video page where you can see Noel’s sunny reports from New Zealand.