Tag: GWR Works

Richard Renwick Pattison – another story from St. Mark’s churchyard

It is seldom possible to read the words of our working-class ancestors, after all, what time was there to write diaries or even letters, but there is one source where occasionally we can hear their voice and that is in contemporary local newspapers.

In 1874 Richard Renwick Pattison retired from the Great Western Railway Company after a career spanning more than thirty years and the men with whom he had worked all that time had a whip round.

Richard Renwick Pattison was born in Houghton le Spring, Durham in 1819, the son of Christopher and Jane (Renwick) Pattison. He married Sarah Bellwood in Heighington, Durham on December 31, 1839 and by 1843 they had moved to Swindon, the new railway town in Wiltshire.

The GWR records state that Richard R. Pattison, engineer and fitter, was the third foreman of the Erecting Shops appointed in 1843 alongside Thomas Atkinson and Walter Mather. He is recorded as being a member of the team who erected the first engine built at the works, the “Premier,” completed in under two weeks in 1846 and later renamed the Great Western.

When Richard retired in 1874 the Swindon Advertiser covered his testimonial in some length:-

‘On Saturday week, the workmen employed in the B Shed, over which Mr. Pattison had been foreman, presented him with a silver inkstand and a very handsome writing desk, nearly all the men and lads in the department having contributed to the testimonial fund.

The subscribers and friends having been assembled in the B Shed, at the close of the day’s work, the desk and inkstand were duly presented to Mr Pattison by Mr Evans, accompanied by a few brief remarks expressive of the feelings which had dictated the offering, and hoping that the recipient of it might be spared to enjoy it, retaining always the good-will of those over whom for so many years he had acted as foreman.’

Richard then took to the floor and gave the following address:

‘I need not tell you how pleasing it is to my feelings to have this mark of respect shown to me on our separation, for it is really more than I could have expected, for I have done nothing more than to fulfil my duty as a foreman between master and man, and which duty I have endeavoured to fulfil impartially, and without favour. If I have in any way failed in this it has been an error in judgement. But, really, a foreman’s position is the most difficult to properly fulfil that I know of, for what with engines, masters, men, and those confounded boys – a toad under a harrow has a more comfortable life.

However, I may truly tell you all one thing, and that is, that I have never made one favourite in the shop, and those amongst you who have been promoted or raised one step higher up the ladder, have been promoted entirely through your own merit; at least so far as my judgement and conscience enabled me to judge fairly between you. And I am proud to say that there is not a shop in the kingdom that can surpass us for steady good workmen.

Another thing I should like to refer to, and it is this; we have had less change of men than in any other shop, and I sincerely hope this state of things will continue. And I have every reason to believe it will, for I have no doubt my successor will do all he can to pursue the same path; and I hope this splendid testimonial will be an inducement to him so to act, that should the day come when he shall be enabled to retired from his work, he also may receive a similar reward or mark of respect.

Now, fellow workmen, let me once more seriously thank you for this splendid testimonial and mark of respect which I shall highly prize, and which I hope may be handed down by my children for generations to come. But before we part I should like to ask one favour of you all, and that is forgiveness for past hard words, which perhaps was my greatest sin. But then, when you had the word you had the worst. There was no after sting or malice, for that is a thing unknown to me; and I am pleased to be able to say that I take farewell of you all with the best and kindest feelings and wishes, and I assure you I feel the separation more than I can express.’

That same evening the members of the testimonial committee entertained Richard at the Queen’s Arms Hotel. Following a toast to his health Richard spoke a few words, reminiscing on his time in the Works, saying ‘there were one or two things he should like to refer to, because they formed the foundation of his success.’ He went on to say that he had always kept his time in the works and that he could honestly say that for the first two years of his being at New Swindon he never lost ten minutes, and when, after he had been there about three years he lost his first quarter, he thought it would have broken his heart. He and a companion were talking and did not hear the bell ring, and this put him behind, and he could assure them he had never forgotten the circumstance.

He continued – another thing was this: whenever he had a pound he put it by – he put it in a building society, and in fourteen years it became two. This was a point he had always carried out: whenever he could save a pound he saved it, and when he had once saved a pound he never afterwards spent it, but left I to make more.’

The Works foremen had huge power and influence and were not the best loved of colleagues, but it would seem that Richard Pattison might have been of a different mould, for he received not just one, but two testimonials.

‘On Saturday afternoon last, after the day’s work in the shop, the boiler makers employed in the same department, but under another foreman, presented Mr Pattison with another testimonial, consisting of a silver goblet, and a pair of gold eye glasses.’

Again, we have the opportunity to read the words of Richard:

‘Mr Amos, Mr Sharps, and fellow workmen: This mark of respect is truly more than I could expect of you, for it is no secret that we have been continually at war with each other – my shop against the boilersmiths’ shop. But then it was only a friendly war in our effort to get the company’s work forward. You all know that your esteemed foreman (Mr Sharps), always liked to steal a march over the fitters, and then he quietly enjoyed a laugh at us. But then, we not unfrequently had our laugh at the blessed boilermakers. However, it is very gratifying to find that in our struggle to get the company’s work done we have preserved good fellowship, which is due in a great measure to your good and valuable foreman, Mr Sharps, whom you ought all to esteem, for he is truly a good man.

Now, my friends, you will not expect a long speech from me, but I must again express my sincere thanks for this splendid testimonial and mark of respect, and I wish the goblet had been full of wine so that I might have drunk all your healths. However, I hope you will all have an opportunity of drinking out of it yet, for I hope to have many a quaff from it in memory of bye gone days in the B shop, and of my kind friends there. (Loud and long continued cheering).’

Sadly, after so many years hard work, Richard Pattison did not enjoy a long retirement. He died aged 60 at his home in Sheppard Street on December 4, 1879 and was buried in the churchyard at St Mark’s.

Meet the Margetts family

When the churchyard at St. Mark’s was forced to close to new burials in 1881 it came as a great sadness to the railway families of New Swindon. During Victorian times death was a large part of life; there were funeral rituals to observe and traditions to be kept and large, municipal cemeteries were not so common outside the big cities. But now Swindon was to have one and the first families to have moved here in the 1840s were to be separated in death.

During my recent walk around the churchyard I came across the grave of George and Susannah Margetts. George was born in Buckingham in 1783 just as the Industrial Revolution was picking up pace and more than 50 years before the birth of New Swindon.

In 1841 George was landlord at The Ship in Wantage, Berkshire where he lived with his second wife Susannah and five of his 10 children. But by the late 1840s he had arrived in Swindon where the family lived in Exeter Street. Aged 67 he was working as a carpenter, presumably in the Works as he lived in one of the company houses. Still living with his parents was youngest son Samuel, an apprentice boilermaker.

Another son, Jesse, had also arrived in Swindon where he married Martha Townsend at St. Margaret’s church in Stratton St. Margaret on Christmas Eve, 1849. In 1851 he was living in Taunton Street with Martha and their 10 month old daughter named Susannah after his mother. Jesse worked as a labourer, again presumably in the Works as he too lived in the railway village. Jesse and Martha went on to have a large family of at least 10, possibly 12, children.

The first person buried in the St Marks grave plot was not George, but that of his six year old granddaughter Ellen, one of Jesse and Martha’s children, who died in 1862. There was obviously money enough to buy this plot and in due course an elegant headstone – not every family could afford this as is evident by the paucity of memorials in the churchyard. George died in 1868 having attained the impressive age of 85. His wife Susannah died in 1871.

When Jesse’s wife Martha died in 1885 she was buried in the new Swindon Cemetery, which later became known as Radnor Street Cemetery. She was buried in grave plot E8294.

Jesse quickly married again and in 1891 is living at 72 Albion Street with his second wife Eliza and his youngest son John who is employed as a boilermaker in the Works.

Eliza Margetts, Jesse’s second wife, died in 1904 and was buried in grave plot E7886.

When Jesse died the following year he had the choice of two wives and two burial spaces. He chose to be buried with his second wife Eliza. The remaining space in this grave was later occupied by his sister Rosa who died in 1920.

Sadly, the inscription on Martha’s headstone had partially disintegrated but the burial registers reveal that she does not lie here alone. Her son, also named Jesse, died in 1916 and was buried here with his mother.

I’m sure further research will discover plenty more members of the Margetts family buried in Radnor Street Cemetery, and maybe some at St. Mark’s before the churchyard was closed in 1881.

War Graves Week – Sapper Percy Harold Comley

Mary Elizabeth Hutchings and Percy Harold Comley are pictured (middle row right) at a family wedding in 1914.

Saturday May 11 sees the launch of the annual CWGC War Graves Week 2024. Radnor Street Cemetery friend and colleague Mark Sutton spent a lifetime devoted to remembering those who served in WWI.

Our thoughts today go out to those parents who lost a son, and in many tragic cases, more than one. But, Albert and Mary Ann Comley were not to know their youngest son had been killed in action.

Percy Harold Comley was born on August 12, 1889 and began work as a 14 year old clerk in the GWR Works. He enlisted on November 24, 1915 and was put in the Army Reserve. He was mobilized on January 5, 1917, a Sapper in the Royal Engineers serving with the 2nd Light Railway Operating Coy.

He had married Mary Elizabeth Hutchings on October 26, 1916 at Christ Church. Less than a year later he was dead.

The charred remains of a telegram survive with his military records. It reads:

“Regret to inform you Officer Commanding 2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station France reports 1st October 218815 PH Comley RE 1st October shell wound abdomen.”

Percy Harold Comley is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery Poperinge, Belgium. Mary Elizabeth never remarried. She died on February 4, 1947 at Weston-super-Mare.

Today our volunteers continue Mark’s work, caring for the Commonwealth War Graves headstones and recognising those remembered on private, family graves. To date they have noted 50 such fallen heroes. For more information about the War Graves Week visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

Mary Ann Comley died at her home 8 Ashford Road and was buried on May 21, 1915 in grave plot E8044. Her husband, Albert Comley, a watchman, died at Guys Hospital, London and was buried with her on August 15, 1916.

James Kibblewhite – athlete

Another day, another churchyard …

Legend has it that amateur Victorian athlete James ‘Kibby’ Kibblewhite would race alongside the train from his home in Purton to the GWR Works in Swindon, an amazing feat, but just one of many achieved by the middle distance runner.

James Kibblewhite was born at Purton in 1866, one of agricultural labourer James and Caroline Kibblewhite’s seven children.  He began work as a Post Office Messenger boy but like his father and brothers later found employment in the Swindon railway works.  Following a full working week as a machinist in R shop, Kibby ran record breaking races at events across the country in a career that spanned eleven seasons.

In 1889 he won the Three Mile Open Handicap Race at the Stamford Bridge Ground, Fulham finishing in 14 minutes 29 3/5 seconds, 9 2/5 seconds faster than the record set by Calne born Victorian super star runner W.G. George in 1884.

“The running of J. Kibblewhite furnishes one of the most remarkable performances of the season,” reported The Times. “Quite recently he ran a very fast mile on the Paddington track, and his record for three miles on Saturday, at the annual sports of the Spartan Harriers, is fresh proof of his abilities as a runner.”

The following year ‘Kibby’ led the Spartan Harriers to victory in the Four Mile Inter Club Race at the Kennington Oval.  “He took the lead very early in the race and won by 200 yards in the fast time of 20 min 20 3-5 sec,” The Times reported.

Competing in Birmingham that same summer he ran the One Mile Race in 4 minutes 23 1/5 seconds in the Amateur Championships, beating W.J. Fowler of the Finchley Harriers.  Back at the Kennington Oval in 1891 Kibby came in first, 80 yards ahead of Spartan Harrier team mate W.J. Manktelow.  “J. Kibblewhite covered the distance in the excellent time of 26 min 14 4/5 sec, a most creditable achievement, especially when the nature of the turf is considered.”

Modern membership restrictions did not apply in the 19th century allowing Kibblewhite to compete for several different clubs and in 1892 he broke the record for the Four Miles Race at Stamford Bridge running for the Essex Beagles.  Towards the finish of the race the crowd broke into the enclosure to greet the runners as Kibby finished in 19 minutes 50 3/5 seconds with a three yard lead.

In 1894 James married Mary Bristow and the couple had four children.  Their three sons all ran competitively.

By 1895 James Kibblewhite’s running career had ended.  He sold some of his prizes, valued at more than £1,000 and with the proceeds built a home he named Spartan Cottages after his old club.

Image published courtesy of Duncan and Mandy Ball.

James Kibblewhite died in 1941 and is buried in the churchyard at St. Mary’s, Purton.  Today Kibblewhite Close in Purton is named in his honour.

With grateful thanks to Bob Townsend.

Henry Alfred Stanier – railway royalty

The Stanier family were railway royalty in Swindon.

William Henry Stanier entered the services of the Great Western Railway on November 7, 1864 in the Managers Office, Loco Works, Wolverhampton. He moved to Swindon in 1871 at the insistence of William Dean, Chief Locomotive Engineer and became Dean’s clerk and personal assistant, and became his right hand man. In 1879 he was appointed Chief Clerk Loco & Carriage Department and in June 1892 he was made Stores Superintendent. His son, William Arthur Stanier had a prestigious railway career. He became Assistant Works Manager at Swindon in 1912 and then Works Manager in 1920 before being head hunted by the London Midland and Scottish Railway where he became the Chief Mechanical Engineer. He was knighted on February 4, 1943.

But did you know that William Henry’s brother, Henry Alfred Stanier, also left Wolverhampton and moved to Swindon?

Photograph of Henry dated 1873

The third of Thomas and Ann’s four sons (they also had a daughter), Henry grew up in Wolverhampton. By 1871 the two elder sons, Thomas and William, were working as railway clerks while 18 year old Henry was a Canal Carriers clerk.

He married Caroline Annie North on January 21, 1879 and soon after moved down to Swindon. His employment records state that he re-entered the Great Western Railway employment on May 4, 1882 as a clerk in the Wagon Department, Manager’s Office. By 1901 the family were living at 12 London Street where Henry remained until his death in 1930.

Caroline Anne Stanier nee North – Henry Alfred’s wife

And I made a lucky find on Rootsweb – a photograph taken of the Stanier family outside William Henry’s home, Oakfield, Bath Road, Swindon, dated 1888. The four Stanier brothers are pictured as follows: seated left – Charles Frederick, standing – Henry Alfred, seated middle – William Henry and seated right – Thomas William.

Henry died on February 7, 1930 was buried in grave plot C1886A. His wife Caroline joined him there when she died just six months later.

The death occurred at Swindon, on February 7, at the age of 77, of Mr. H.A. Stanier, who, at the time of his retirement from the Company’s service, in May, 1917, was chief clerk in the carriage and wagon department. Mr Stanier took a keen interest in local affairs, and especially concerned himself with Poor Law administration. He will be remembered for much devoted work for the welfare of the inmates at the Stratton Institution. Mr. Stanier also took an active part in the work of the Mechanics’ Institution and the adult school movement.

Great Western Railway Magazine March 1930.

Henry and Caroline’s grave before our volunteers got to work

Walter Perkins – one of the ordinary people of Swindon

The purpose of this blog is to record the lives of the ordinary people of Swindon, and that is exactly what Walter was.

Born in 1884 Walter makes an appearance on the 1891 census when he lived at 20 Vilett Street. His father Joseph, born in Banbury, was an Iron Moulder in the Works. His mother Elizabeth, born in Stratton, was busy having babies – five by 1891. She had 9 in total with 7 surviving childhood.

By 1901 the family were living at 21 Farnsby Street. Walter 17, and his younger brother Hubert 14, had already begun their Fitting apprenticeships in the Works.

In 1911 Walter was one of 6 children still living at home with Joseph and Elizabeth at 63 Curtis Street. He was the eldest at 27, William John Perkins, his youngest brother, was 9.

Walter married Florence M. Farr in the June quarter of 1919. He died on May 18, 1933 aged just 49 years. He was buried in grave plot C88 where he was later joined by his sister-in-law Frances Annie Hardiman who died in 1959.

There are so many facts about Walter’s life that remain unknown. Did he serve in WWI? Did he and Florence have any children?

Walter Perkins, one of the ordinary people of Swindon.

In Cherished Memory of

My dear Husband

Walter Perkins

Who passed within the veil

May 18th 1933

Resting where no shadows fall

Peacefully sleeping he waits us all

William Henry and Sarah Daniels

Most of us would extend a helping hand to a family member on hard times. Make sure they had food in the cupboard, perhaps lend them some money, maybe even put them up for awhile until they get back on their feet, but Sarah Daniels went way beyond this.

Sarah Bull married William Henry Daniels in 1855. By the time of the 1861 census they were living at 42 Westcott Place. William worked as an Engine Driver. They had a 4 year old daughter Dianah and living with them were Sarah’s elderly mother and William’s brother Samuel, an Iron Factory Labourer.

Ten years later Sarah and William had 3 children. Sarah’s mother died in 1867 but Samuel Daniels, now an Engine Driver, continued to live with them. Perhaps Samuel wasn’t down on his luck, perhaps he just liked living with his brother and enjoyed the home comforts.

In 1881 William and Sarah were living in Merton Street with their daughter Diana, now 24 years old and sons Mathew 19 and Frederick 16, both employed in the Carriage Works. Oh yes, and Samuel as well.

In 1891 the family were living just round the corner from the cemetery at 5 Clifton Street – they even employed a young servant girl to help Sarah with the housework. Only younger son Frederick continued to live with William and Sarah – and Samuel of course.

William Henry Daniels, Engine Driver, died aged 62 years old at 55 Farnsby Street in March 1895. In 1901 Sarah is living with Samuel at 22 Reading Street, where he is recorded as head of the household.

Sarah died in 1909 at Boxbush House, Brinkworth. She was buried on April 3 in grave plot B2414 with her husband William – but without Samuel!

Job Richardson – House and Estate Agent

Image of Rodbourne Road published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.

It’s not very often I get the opportunity to visit a house owned by the same family for 100 years (unless they are an aristocratic family) but recently I did. One hundred years of children running up and down the narrow stairs, one hundred years of washing on the line. There was even a saucepan dating back to those days – how many meals had been dished out from that pan and eaten at the kitchen table where I looked at family photographs and letters?

At the end of the 1860s Even Swindon was still mostly farmland but with the Great Western Railway Works on the doorstep it was growing fast. Development began in the 1870s with the sale of Northaines Farm, Edwards Farm and part of Even Swindon Farm and an early speculator was Job Richardson.

Job Richardson was born in 1842 in Somerset, the son of coal miner Elijah Richardson and his wife Eleanor. By 1861 19-year-old Job was also working in the Somerset coal mines.

In 1866 Job married Henrietta Milsom in Radstock.  Sadly, Henrietta died the following year, during or soon after the birth of her daughter Henrietta Milsom Richardson. She is buried in the churchyard at Radstock, most probably with the baby who died. By 1871 Job had moved to Bath, lodging in St James Parade, where he worked as a mason.

In 1872 Job married Sarah Rebecca Tanner at the parish of Widcombe, Somerset and by 1877 they had arrived in Swindon where Job bought land in Even Swindon. In 1881 Job was living at 33 Henry Street (quickly renamed Hawkins Street to avoid confusion with a street in the town centre) and working as a House & Estate Agent.

1884 notice published courtesy of Rodbourne Community History Group.

Job and Rebecca later moved to 133 Clifton Street but continued to rent out their properties in Rodbourne. Job died in 1903 and is buried in grave plot D163 with his father-in-law Henry Tanner who died earlier that same year. Rebecca sold her stake in the Rodbourne properties in 1924 and was buried with her husband and her father on January 4, 1928.

Locked out!

So, what do you do when you go up to the cemetery with a long list of graves to find and photograph to discover the cemetery gates are locked. Well you go to another churchyard instead!

There are few remaining headstones in the churchyard at St. Mark’s. It is unlikely there were ever many more as this was the burial place of the early residents of the railway village, most of whom were young with large families and little money.

By the end of the 1870s burial space at St Mark’s was running out and a new burial ground was urgently needed. This and the increasing demands of the large non-conformist congregations for an independent burial ground saw the establishment of Radnor Street Cemetery in 1881.

Robert Hanks was born in Bristol, the son of Thomas and Elisabeth Hanks, and baptised at St. Phillip and St Jacobs, Bristol on October 16, 1796. He married Elizabeth Phillips at St Paul’s, Portland Square, Bristol on September 10, 1820 and the couple had six surviving children.

The 1841 census finds the family living at an address at the Viaduct Foundry, Newton in Mackerfield, (Newton le Willow) Lancashire, where both Robert and his eldest son, also named Robert, are working as mechanics.

By 1851 the family had arrived in New Swindon where they lived at 13 High Street (later renamed Emlyn Square).

In 1866 Robert was killed in an accident in the Works when an iron truck on which he was working toppled over, crushing him. He was 71 years old.

It is said that after this fatal accident, Joseph Armstrong, Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Superintendent, began a series of measures designed to improve safety in the railway factory.

Thomas George – Wanborough farmer

Thomas George had three very different occupations during his lifetime – that of Engine Fitter and Turner; Beerhouse keeper and finally farmer!

Thomas was born in about 1848 in Pencombe, Herefordshire, the son of Timothy and Martha George. By 1871 he was living in Swindon at 43 Taunton Street lodging with George Miggens and his family and working as a Turner. The following year he married Lucena Rathbone at St John’s Church, Bedminster.

By 1881 Thomas was a beer house keeper and green grocer living at Bridge House, 34 Fleet Street with Lucena and their four sons. Lucena died in 1889 aged 42. She was buried on February 27 in grave plot E8225.

In 1890 Thomas married Mary Smith Thomson and in 1891 the couple are recorded on the census as living in Park Lane in a property called Rathbone Villa, presumably named after his first wife. Lucena’s seven sons still lived at home with Thomas and their stepmother Mary. The elder three, William, Henry and Albert were all Engine Turner apprentices.

And then in his fifties Thomas decided to try his hand at farming. As a child growing up in Herefordshire there had been periods when he had lived with both his grandfather and his uncle on farms in Yarpole and Lucton. So, at around the turn of the 20th century, Thomas moved to Kite Hill, Wanborough where he remained until his death in 1930.

Mary, his second wife, died in 1920 and was buried in grave plot E8086 with her parents George and Mary Smith Thomson and her sister Agnes Cooper Thomson.

In 1922, in his mid 70s, Thomas married again. His third wife was Catherine Burns Thomson, his second wife’s sister.

Thomas died in 1930 and was buried on November 12 in grave plot E8087. Catherine died just six months later and was buried with him.

The late Mr T. George – The funeral of Mr T. George, who died at his residence, “Blenheim,” Kite Hill, Wanborough, took place at Swindon Cemetery on Wednesday, the first part of the service being at St. Mark’s Church. The family mourners were: Mr W.T. George (New Cross, London), Mr H. George (Swindon), Mr S. George (Wanborough), Mr P. George (Clydach, Swansea), (sons), and Mr S. Mills (Swindon). (cousin)

Others present were: Messrs. A.W. Norris, G. Turner and G. Gibbs. Floral tokens were received from Mrs George (widow), Mr and Mrs W.T. George, Mr and Mrs S. George and son, Mr and Mrs P. George, Ernest and Olive George, Mr and Mrs Allen (Bristol), Mr S. Mills and family, Mr and Mrs G. Turner and Mrs Bray, Mr and Mrs H. Stratford, Mr and Mrs Cook, Mr and Mrs Norris and Mr and Mrs G. Gibbs.

The coffin was inscribed, “Thomas George, fell asleep Nov. 7th, 1930, aged 83 years.”

The deceased was an old member of the ASE, and formerly a well-known Swindonian, having being employed in the GWR Works. He was a member of the 2nd Wilts Battalion Volunteers, and was the last surviving non-commissioned officer. Subsequently he held an off-licence in Fleet Street and the Volunteer Inn. Leaving urban pursuits behind 34 years ago, he started farming at Wanborough, and continued until a short while ago. His local friends and neighbours came to regard him as a very straightforward man, who took much interest in national affairs.

North Wilts Herald, Friday, November 14, 1930

Recent views of houses in Park Lane. Could one of these be Rathbone Villa? We’d love to hear from you if it is.