Some notes collected by Danny Howell in 1993:
George Augustus John Oliphant was the son of John Stuart Oliphant (Director of Funds to the Indian Office).
George was delicate as a child and was educated privately. He was taught farming during his youth and after a period as a farm pupil he was appointed sub-agent to the Shrewsbury Estate in the Midlands. Some years later he became agent to his uncle Sir George Meyrick and took charge of Meyrick’s agricultural properties as well as the Bournemouth Estate.
In September 1890 George married (May) Mary Elizabeth Knyveton Harland. She was born on 30 July 1865 and was the daughter of Prebendary E.H. Harland of Bishton Hall, Colwich, Staffordshire. Harland was for many years Vicar of Colwich.
Eventually George Oliphant took up farming on his own account at Chatley Farm, Norton St. Philip, where he had a herd of pedigree Jersey cows.
At Chatley Farm, George started to breed bloodhounds, but finding the countryside around the farm too confined he and Mrs. Oliphant moved to Shrewton, on Salisbury Plain, where they could “manhunt” with the Chatley pack. Mr. and Mrs. Oliphant were the first to hunt bloodhounds as a pack. George was, for a number of years, secretary to the Bloodhound Club.
May Oliphant became one of the most astute judges of bloodhounds in the country. She found herself in constant demand as a judge at all the leading shows and also gained many prizes and trophies as an exhibitor. She was Chairman of the Ladies Branch of the Kennel Club for a number of years.
While at Shrewton, May took a great deal of interest in local affairs. She worked as secretary for the District Nursing Association. On her retirement as secretary she was made a vice president.
George Oliphant was appointed a magistrate for Wiltshire in about 1911. He regularly attended the Salisbury Court and later “sat” at Warminster. As a young man he took a great interest in politics and worked hard for the Conservative cause. He also took great interest in local government and served as a member of the Board of Guardians at Christchurch, Andover and Amesbury.
During the First World War George Oliphant gave valuable assistance to the War Office, working as honorary Compensation Officer. He also “sat” on the Amesbury tribunal.
Mr. and Mrs. Oliphant moved from Shrewton to Warminster, about 1932, naming their Boreham Road home “Chatley”. The house contained valuable oil paintings of bloodhounds and included one of their dog Chatley Blazer. One of these paintings could still be seen on a wall inside a public house called the Sherlock Holmes, in London, in the early 1980s.
During his time in Warminster George was a staunch member of the town’s Conservative Club. A staunch churchman, he attended St. John’s Church. His obituary in the Warminster Journal noted that he was of a genial and likeable disposition, made many friends, and lent his knowledge and advice to anyone who needed it.
George Oliphant died at Westbury & District Hospital on Friday 28 February 1941. He was 75. He had undergone an operation but despite hopes for his recovery he suffered a relapse. His funeral was held at St. John’s Church, Warminster.
May Oliphant died at Chatley on 20 June 1949. She was 83. Her funeral was held at St. John’s and was officiated by the Rev. Horace Wake (former St. John’s priest) and Rev. C.F. Hanna. May’s body was interred in her husband’s grave.
Mr. and Mrs. Oliphant’s daughter, Dorothy Jean, was born at Mudeford, near Christchurch, on 28 November 1892. She came to Warminster in 1951, living first at Upper Marsh Road but later at Chatley, Boreham Road.
When she was a young woman Jean was involved with the Limehouse Mission in London. She was one of the original committee members who started camps in 1938 on the Warminster Town Football Ground at Weymouth Street, for war-blinded St. Dunstan’s ex-servicemen. These annual visits were suspended during the Second World War but resumed in more permanent accommodation in 1946. When age overcame the original committee the Rotary Club took over the organization and running of the camps, using facilities at the School of Infantry.
Jean Oliphant served as a commandant of Warminster & Westbury Red Cross and also served as a leader of the Warminster & Westbury Red Cross Good Companions Club for the Physically Handicapped. She was a member of the Warminster Red Cross until her death having achieved 70 years membership in various parts of the country.
She drove her car up until she was 89.
Jean Oliphant died at Warminster Hospital on 11 June 1985. She was 92. Her funeral service was held at St. Aldhelm’s Church, Bishopstrow, and was conducted by the Rev. Alan Elkins. Interment followed afterwards at St. John’s Churchyard, Boreham Road, Warminster.