As you might guess, this diminutive grave is that of a child – two young children, infact. Francis John Stanier was born in the summer of 1881 and died in January 1885. He was buried in grave plot A188, aged 3 years old. On May 7, 1886 his 3 week old baby brother Alfred was buried with him. These children were the sons of William Stanier and his wife Grace.
William Henry Stanier was born in Wolverhampton in 1849 and 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, his right hand man. In 1879 he was appointed Chief Clerk Loco & Carriage Department and in June 1892 he was made Stores Superintendent. He was elected to the Swindon School Board in 1879, serving as chairman for many years. He was appointed JP for Swindon in 1906 and for Wiltshire in 1915. He served as Swindon’s 8th Mayor in 1907-8 and Stanier Street is named after him. William Henry Stanier retired from the GWR in 1919 but continued to serve on the Railway Executive Committee in connection with the distribution of controlled materials.
His son, William Arthur Stanier, the elder brother of these two little ones, was born on May 27, 1876 and went on to have 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. He died in Rickmansworth, Herts in 1965 aged 89.
You can’t help but wonder what future those two little boys might have had – Francis who died in 1885 aged 3 years and Alfred who died in 1886 at just three weeks old.
Charles Hurkett was born on August 3, 1888 and baptised at St. David’s, Carmarthen on August 26. Charles was the son of John Hurkett, a Bat. Sergt. Maj. 3rd Brigade, Welsh Div R.A., and his wife Frances. At the time of Charles’s birth the family were living at Glen Cross Villa, Johnstown, but by 1891 they were living at Lympstone in Devon and by 1901 they had arrived in Swindon.
Charles died in 1907 and his grave is marked by a very distinctive memorial. I thought that perhaps Charles was employed in the GWR Works and that maybe colleagues had made this unusual memorial. However, when you look at the back you can see it has the imprint of Affleck and I think it is more likely that Charles worked at the Affleck foundry in Old Town.
William Affleck was born in Gateshead and served his engineering apprenticeship at Hawkes & Son, a large engineering works and iron foundry in the town. He later joined the prestigious Lambeth based engineering firm of Maudsley and Field before moving on to a job with the Great Western Railway at Paddington and eventually coming to Swindon. By 1853 William had struck out on his own, establishing a foundry and engineering works in Prospect.
While there is still more to discover about the Hurkett family it seems we may have solved the mystery of the unusual memorial.
Charles died on April 25, 1907 aged 18 years of age. He is buried in plot B2607 with his parents.
Lewin Tom Clark was one of five children born to Tom and Sarah Jane Clark. His father died in 1891 after which his mother married Joseph Peart, an Printer Compositor, in 1900 and the couple went on to have two children. Lewin trained as a Bootmaker Clicker and served a five year apprenticeship with Swindon boot and shoe manufacturer W. Reynolds.
He served in the 2nd Vol Bat Wilts Regt and on January 10, 1902 he enlisted with the Imperial Yeomanry. His attestation papers reveal that he was 20 years and 1 month old, 5ft 5ins tall and weighed 129 lbs (just over 9 stones). He had a chest measurement of 34″ with a maximum extension of 36″. He had a fresh complexion, brown eyes and brown hair.
He served 118 days at home before being sent to South Africa where he served from May 8, 1902 to October 17, 1902 – a total of 163 days.
On October 26, 1902 he was discharged ‘at his own request.’ His conduct and character were recorded as very good and he was awarded the South Africa 1902 medal.
He returned to his mother and step-father’s house at 19 Lansdown Road in Swindon and a job in the GWR Works, but who was to know his state of mind or what he had witnessed during his time in South Africa.
Swindon Man Killed at Aldershot
Found Dead on the Railway
A Mysterious Affair
A man named Lewin Tom Clark, of Swindon – his parents reside at 19 Lansdown Road – was found killed on the railway at Aldershot on Friday.
Deceased, who was 22 years of age, had been employed in the GWR Works at Swindon.
It still remains a mystery why the young man journeyed from Swindon toAldershot, and why his life should have come to such a tragic end. When the body was searched, no money was found upon him, nor any articles of value. His head was terribly smashed, and he had sustained other injuries, which caused immediate death.
The body was at once removed to the mortuary, and deceased was quickly identified by means of papers found upon him. These included a discharge paper, which showed that he had served a year in the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa. He had a medal for war service, and was discharged with a good character. The Aldershot Police communicated with Sup. Robinson and Inspector Everett at once saw the relatives of the deceased, whose step-father, Mr Joseph Peart, proceeded to Aldershot on Friday night, and identified the body.
The Inquest
Was held at Aldershot on Saturday. The first witness called was Joseph Peart, compositor, of 19 Lansdown Road, Swindon, who identified the body as being that of his stepson. He was a single man, 22 years of age. He served in the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa, and was discharged in October, 1902. Witness did not know why deceased left Swindon, where he had been employed in the GWR Works. Witness did not think deceased was in any trouble. He had seen him a day or two previous with his young lady. Witness had never heard him express a wish to go to Aldershot.
Josiah Marshall, guard on the South Western Railway and living in London, said he was guard in charge of a passenger train which left London at 3.5 a.m. on Friday for Aldershot, where they arrived an hour later. He returned with the empty coaches to Woking, which he left again at 4.12 a.m. When passing the tunnel at Aldershot he was looking out – it was a bright morning – and when about 250 yards from the tunnel, towards London, he saw the body of a man lying by the side of the line. Witness did not stop the train, but afterwards reported the matter to the police.
A Military Funeral
The funeral of the deceased took place in Swindon Cemetery on Tuesday evening last, when the remains of deceased were laid to rest with full military honours.
Despite a great downpour of rain, there was a very large number of people who followed the solemn cortege to the graveside. The members of the local Companies of the Volunteers, F and G and K and M Companies, under Lieut. D.C.A. Morrison, mustered in strong force to pay a last tribute to their deceased comrade. The coffin was enshrouded in a Union Jack, and on it were placed deceased’s busby and belt. Members of the Volunteers acted as bearers. The firing party, under Sergeant A.C. Woolford, marched with rifles reversed, and the Bank, under Bandmaster Sergeant Jago, with muffled drums. On the way to the Cemetery, the Bank played the “Death March.” Large crowds of people lined the route to the Cemetery, and the spectacle was a most impressive one, the sombre aspect of the black uniforms and muffled drums, being added to by the continuous drizzle of rain.
In consequence of the very inclement state of the weather, the last solemn service was taken in the Cemetery Chapel, only a brief committal prayer being offered at the graveside.
During the firing of a volley over the grave one of the sisters of the deceased was seized with hysterics, and had to be assisted from the graveside.
The service was conducted by the Rev H.M. Hull, and the local arrangements for the funeral were in the hands of Mr F.J. Williams, of Bath Road. The coffin was of polished elm, with brass furniture, and the inscription on the plate was: “Lewin Tom Clark, died June 10th, 1904 aged 22 years.”
Extracts from The Swindon Advertiser Friday June 17, 1904
Lewin Tom Clark was buried in plot B1173, a public grave, with two other unrelated persons. As is the case with public graves, there is no headstone to mark the spot.
Richard Bellwood Pattinson was born in Heighton in Durham on November 28, 1841 and moved to Swindon as a child. His father, Richard Renwick Pattison, was one of a large contingent of railway workers from the north east who moved down to Swindon in the early years.
In 1861 Richard married Alice Grandison, the daughter of another early incomer David Grandison, and the couple had three daughters.
Richard jnr followed his father into the Works, as most sons did. The UK Railway Employment Records provide a resume of the various roles he filled in his working career.
His service with the GWR began as an Office Boy in the Goods Department in April 1854 when he was 12 years old. He worked there until he was older enough to begin an apprenticeship. He then worked as a draughtsman, then a valve setter. He became an Assistant Foreman and then a Foreman. He resigned on June 2, 1897 aged 56 after approximately 43 years of service. Perhaps he was secure enough financially to retire early. Richard died on December 2, 1900, just three years after his retirement. His effects were valued at £10,884 11s 2d, a fortune in 1900.
Death of Mr R.B. Pattison – Mr Richard Bellwood Pattison, who for 23 years was foreman of the B1 and C sheds (erectors’) in the GWR Works at Swindon, died at his residence, No. 7 Sheppard street on Sunday, at the age of 59. The deceased gentleman succeeded his father as foreman in 1874, after a previous experience of 20 years in the workshops, and retired in 1897. He leaves a widow and two married daughters.
The Citizen, Tuesday, December 4, 1900
Richard Bellwood Pattison was buried on December 2, 1900 in grave plot E8497. He is buried with his daughter Sarah Bellwood Jones who died in 1926. His wife Alice and their two other daughters are buried in the neighbouring grave plot E8496
James Sweeper was born in Marlborough in about 1824 the son of William and Harriett Sweeper. On December 8, 1845 he married Jane Gilbert at the church of St. Peter, Marlborough.
By 1851 James and Jane with their two young children Eliza 2 and 2 months old George, lived above the stables at the Queens Hotel, Swindon. He was 28 years old and employed as a post boy – a job description open to interpretation. Sometimes described as a mail carrier, a post boy was also a person who rode one of the horses pulling a carriage. The two roles could be, and frequently were, combined.
In 1861 James and Jane and their 5 children lived at the Queens Hotel Tap, Railway Station, Swindon. In 1871 James, now widowed, lived at the Queens Hotel Stable with daughter Eliza and sons George, Henry and William. However, sorting out the various town centre Queens Hotels is confusing.
The Queen’s Tap pictured on Trip day 1934 published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.
Swindon Junction Station (now called Swindon Station) was built in 1841-42 by J.D. & C. Rigby. A far more impressive building in those days, it originally consisted of 2 separate 3 storey buildings straddling either side of the railway line and linked by a footbridge. These buildings contained the infamous refreshment rooms and the Queen’s Royal Hotel. Was this where James worked as a post boy and later an ostler (a man employed to look after the horses of people staying at an inn)?
The second candidate is an inn built in 1841 that once stood at the bottom of Corporation Street close to the Whitehouse Bridge. It later became known as The White House and was demolished in 2002, but in James’s day it was called the Queen’s Arms Hotel.
Finally, we have the only one left standing, the Queen’s Tap, opposite the station on the corner of Wellington Street and Station Road.
So where did James live and work between 1850-1870. My money is on the Queens Arms Hotel but then again perhaps he worked at all three hotels at various times.
Jane Sweeper died in April, 1868 aged 44 years and was buried in St. Mark’s churchyard. James married for a second time in 1875 when he was working as a horse dealer in East London. James married Lucy W. Hunt, a widow, at St Leonard’s Church, Bromley and by 1881 had returned to Swindon where they lived at 22 Holbrook Street with James’s son Harry.
It has been much easier to establish James’s last resting place here in Radnor Street Cemetery! He died in 1887 aged 65 and was buried on December 7, in grave plot E8582 with Lucy who had died earlier that same year.
In the cemetery we have a problem with grass and it would appear that it was ever thus …
There was quite a commotion at the monthly meeting of the New Swindon Local Board held in the summer of 1882.
Mr Dawson asked the Chairman if he would be in order in referring to the late sale of grass at the Cemetery? –
Mr Dawson then said there were three tenders received for the grass, one from Mr Wiltshire of £5, Mr Barker £5 and Mr Morris, junr., or one of the young Morris’s, of £4 5s. The committee appointed to sell the grass, Messrs W. Wearing and W. Morris, after opening the tenders, went and looked at the grass, and then Mr Morris said he would give £5 5s for the same for his son, and this was agreed to between the two. He (Mr Dawson) looked upon this as a very unfair and discreditable transaction on the part of Mr Morris, and having said this much left the matter in the hands of the Board.
The Chairman said there certainly appeared to have been some irregularity, but after what had taken place he did not think such a thing was likely to occur again.
Mr W.E. Morris said he had heard a good deal about the said “tenders,” were they in writing or by word of mouth?
The committee had no idea that there was £5 worth of grass at the place, and simply gave instructions that any one wishing to purchase could leave word with the caretaker at the lodge. The grass, however, appeared to have grown very rapidly and hence the competition for it.
The Chairman repeated that much irregularity appeared to have taken place, but the fault rested as much with the whole committee as with any individual member. The sum in question appeared to be so small that no one for a moment would believe that a gentleman in Mr Morris’ position would knowingly sacrifice his honour over it.
After further remarks the subject dropped, and the meeting broke up at an early hours.
Extracts from the Swindon Advertiser, Saturday, August 5, 1882.
By the spring of the following year the situation would appear to have been resolved and the sale of grass was advertised in the Swindon Advertiser.
Swindon Cemetery
The Swindon Burial Board are desirous of selling the GRASS growing in the Cemetery, for cropping or feeding purposes, to the 31st October next.
Particulars may be obtained of the Caretaker at the Cemetery.
Sealed tenders to be sent to the undersigned, on or before the 16th April latest.
J.C. Townsend, Clerk.
42 Cricklade-street, Swindon, 6th April, 1883.
The Swindon Advertiser, Saturday, April 7, 1883
Now I wonder if anyone would be prepared to come and cut the cemetery grass for a fiver today!
One of the first guided cemetery walks I went on was at Arnos Vale in Bristol where the guide introduced us to a ‘husband sandwich’; a man buried with his two wives. As an inexperienced ‘apprentice’ I was slightly shocked (especially by the term), but since then I have come across numerous ‘sandwiches.’ People are ever pragmatic and burials were expensive, making for some unlikely grave companions. Death is a great conciliator.
Emily was born in 1869 in the parish of Lydiard Tregoze, the daughter of George and Martha Lovelock. George was an agricultural labourer and the family lived at Flaxlands Cottages. George most probably worked at Flaxlands Farm, then owned by Viscount Bolingbroke of Lydiard House.
Emily’s childhood was a rural one; Lydiard Tregoze was then out in the sticks, four miles from the industrial town centre of New Swindon. She married Albert James Fry on June 8, 1889 at the ancient parish church of St. Mary’s situated in the parkland next to Lydiard House.
But by 1891 Emily was living in busy Swindon at 22 Carfax Street with her husband James and baby daughter Florence. In 1901 James and Emily were living at 25 Turner Street. James worked as a rivetter in the GWR Works and the couple had five children ranging in age between 9 months and 11 years.
In 1911 the family were still at 25 Turner Street. On the 1911 census returns women were required to include details of their marriage and we can see that James and Emily had been married for 21 years and they had 7 children of whom two had sadly died. We also know more about the accommodation in which they lived – 5 rooms, not counting the scullery, landing, lobby, closet or bathroom.
As we can see from this headstone, Albert James Fry died in 1915, by which time the couple had been married 26 years.
Two years later Emily married her recently widowed near neighbour James William Covey and moved down the road to live with him at number 21 Turner Street. Emily had a long second marriage as well. When James Covey died in 1942 they had been married for 25 years.
Emily’s two husbands were buried together and when she died in 1951 aged 81 years she joined them in grave plot B3321, to spend eternity together, amicably.
This is the last resting place of Charles Henry Wiltshire, one of 104 war graves here in Radnor Street Cemetery.
Charles was born in 1897, the youngest of ten children. His father William was an engine driver and in 1901 the family lived at 32 Regent Circus. In 1911 the family were living at 57 Eastcott Hill. On the census of that year Mary Ann declared that the couple had been married 32 years and 2 of their 10 children had previously died. She could hardly have anticipated the war that was to follow and the loss of yet another child.
Charles’s service records date from May 1, 1916 when he enlisted as an 18 year old. At the time of his death he was an Air Mechanic First Class in the Royal Naval Air Service.
Charles was invalided out of the Royal Naval Air Service on September 1, 1917. His service records state that he was suffering from tuberculosis caused by his military service. He died on October 16, 1918 at the family home, 39 Commercial Road. He was buried on October 22 in grave plot A2459 and later awarded an official Commonwealth War Graves headstone. He is buried with his father William who had died in 1913 and escaped the fear of seeing his young son in service during war time.
Charles’s mother, Mary Ann, was buried with her husband and son following her death in 1927. The last person to be buried in this grave was Winifred Jessie Wiltshire, William and Mary Ann’s daughter, who died in 1948 following yet another world war.
The story of Charles Wiltshire was remembered at our recent special event at the cemetery.
When the end came it was peaceful. Thomas got up early with the intention of sitting with his wife who was ill. He was found dead in his usual chair at 8.30 a.m.
Aldbourne by Kate Tryon published courtesy of Swindon Museum and Art Gallery
Thomas was born in Aldbourne in about 1834, although finding him there has proved difficult. At the age of 17 he apparently upped and left Aldbourne for London, some adventure for a young Dabchick. Did he go alone or was there a flock of them?
It was here he met Ann Hill and on October 16, 1858 they married at Trinity Church, Paddington. In 1861 they were living at 52 Alfred Road, a multi occupancy property in Paddington, where Thomas worked as a porter.
By 1871 the family were living at Wootton Ville, Gloucester. Thomas was working as a railway guard. He had a large family to support – six children aged 10 and under. Another son was born before they left Gloucester. By 1881 they were in Swindon living at 27 Princes Street, 4 more children and their family was complete. Where did they all sleep – those houses weren’t very big.
Thomas & Ann raised 10 of their 11 children – set them up in good jobs, their youngest became a school teacher. Not bad for a Dabchick, Thomas would no doubt reflect.
And at the end there was sadness, but isn’t there always? At his funeral the hymn “Now the labourer’s task is o’er” was sung.
Died in his Chair
Swindon Railway Veteran Passes Away
The remains of the late Mr Thomas Sawyer, who was one of the oldest inhabitants of Swindon and a railway veteran, were laid to rest in the Cemetery on Monday afternoon. The funeral was largely attended by railwaymen, amongst whom were many “old hands” and intimate friends of the deceased. From the residence, 48, Princes Street, the cortege proceeded to the Sanford Street Congregational Chapel, where a service was conducted by the Rev. J.H. Gavin, who also officiated at the graveside. At the chapel service the well known hymn, “Now the labourer’s task is o’er” was feelingly sung, and the organist subsequently played the Dead March in “Saul.” Six railway employes, in uniform, acted as pall-bearers.
Mrs Sawyer and family wish to thank all kind friends for their kindness and sympathy in their sad bereavement.
The deceased, who was in his 79th year, was a native of Aldbourne. He entered the service of the GWR Company at the age of 17 years, when he joined the Goods Shed staff at Paddington. After serving there for some time he was transferred to Gloucester, and later to Swindon, where he worked himself up to the position of Chief Goods Inspector. He retired from the Company’s service 13 years ago. While at Paddington he was married, and his golden wedding was celebrated three years ago. There were several children of the marriage. Mr. Sawyer never had a serious illness, but the illness of his wife and the death of one of his daughters, which took place in October last, affected his health. He got up as usual at an early hour on Friday, when he expressed his intention of going to sit with his wife, who was dangerously ill. This he did, but at 8.30 a.m. he was found dead in his chair. Deep sympathy is felt for the family in their bereavement.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Smith & Son, of Gordon Road.
Extracts from the North Wilts Herald, Friday, June 6, 1913.
Princes Street changed little between 1913 and 1965. Image published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.
Thomas Sawyer died aged 79 years at his home, 48 Princes Street. He was buried on June 2, 1913 in grave plot E7309. Ann died a month later. She was buried with her husband on July 12, 1913.
This photograph was published in Swindon in Old Photographs collected by The Swindon Society in 1988. The pet tombstones were discovered in the grounds of the Goddard family home The Lawn, but it is unlikely they will be there now.
Jessie Henrietta Goddard was born in 1850 at the London home of Ambrose Lethbridge Goddard and his wife Charlotte. She was baptised in Swindon on June 7, 1850 in the old parish church of Holy Rood during a service to bless the building of the new one, Christ Church.
Charlotte Goddard died in 1904 and following a lifetime devoted to her mother, Jessie moved into Tollington House, Faringdon where she would spend her last years surrounded by her pets.
But, the instructions in her will may seem at odds with her reputation as an animal lover.
‘My dogs Jill and Gem, to be put to sleep when I die, and buried with me if possible.’ She added:- ‘I should like Mr Crundell to come and put to sleep my pony Kitty, and my dogs Jill and Gem and Jasper, if he is still here.’
Perhaps Jessie feared for the future of her much loved pets after her death. Who would take care of them? Would they pine for their mistress – perhaps they too were elderly.
Jessie was buried on September 23, 1920. Whether her beloved dogs were buried with her is not known.
Jessie is pictured here with her parents and her four brothers published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.
Sudden Death of Miss Goddard
We deeply regret to announce the death of Miss Jessie Henrietta Goddard, which took place with most painful suddenness at her residence, Tollington House, Faringdon, early on Sunday morning. It was the custom of Miss Goddard, who was a great lover of animals, to rise early in the morning and tend to the needs of her pets, often before the rest of the household was astir. On Sunday morning it was noticed that she had not performed her customary duties and about 8 o’clock, the maids having heard no movement upstairs, entered her room and were horrified to find their mistress lying dead on the floor in front of the bedroom window, which she had evidently been in the act of opening when seized with heart failure, which must have proved instantly fatal. Medical aid was sent for but Dr. Dornford, who was quickly in attendance, pronounced life to have been extinct for about two hours.
Miss Goddard, who was the daughter of Mr Ambrose Lethbridge Goddard, J.P., of “The Lawn,” Swindon, had resided at Tollington House for the past fifteen years and was held in high esteem by a large circle of friends. She was a great lover of nature and besides her animal pets, took a keen and personal interest in her garden, where it gave her much pleasure to welcome her friends and neighbours. A few years ago she took an active and practical interest in the advancement of the effort to encourage home industries, a movement, which it is to be feared, has not materialised, as she, for one would have wished.
The funeral took place at Swindon on Thursday afternoon, when the remains were laid to rest in the family vault in the Old Churchyard, which immediately adjoins the family residence, in the company of numerous relatives and friends.
Extracts from The Faringdon Advertiser, Saturday, September 25, 1920.
There are no members of this branch of the Goddard family buried in Radnor Street Cemetery. They have their own mausoleum at the ancient Holy Rood Church.
Radnor Street Cemetery 