Tuesday 27th May 2014
Jean Sanderson Comley writes ~
Dear Danny,
My grandmother, Emily Maria Atkins (born Warminster 1867) married my grandfather, Sidney Sanderson, a brewer, in Warminster in 1893. They lived at 22 Silver Street from 1901 until at least 1911.
I’m interested in finding out which breweries my grandfather might have worked at. Or would he have worked for a publican? He came from a family of publicans in the London area.
My grandmother was the daughter of William Henry Atkins, 1836 – 1897, who was married to Jane Lewis, 1835 – 1896. William Henry Atkins was a hairdresser and hatter until 1881 when he was innkeeper at the Kings Arms, Weymouth Street, Warminster.
Any help or advice would be gratefully appreciated.
Danny Howell replies ~
Thank you Jean for your enquiry.
In the Warminster electoral roll for 1894 – 1895, Sidney Sanderson was listed as an occupation voter, qualifying to vote because he occupied the house known as Fair View at Boreham Road.
According to the Warminster Directory And Local And Village Guide for 1900, Sidney Sanderson was then living at the house known as Holmwood at Ash Walk, Warminster.
But as you correctly say, the 1901 Census and the 1911 Census show him living at 22 Silver Street, Warminster. Kelly’s Directory for 1903, 1907, and 1911 also record Sidney Sanderson at 22 Silver Street. In these Kellys’ directories Sidney is included in the section for ‘Private Residents’. Collins Almanac And West Wilts Directory for 1908 also shows him at the same address.
No.22 Silver Street, Warminster, has long since been renumbered No.34. The property is known for its one-time association with The Warminster Brewery/Anglo Bavarian Brewery which stood to the north-west behind it. It is generally believed that the brewery owned the house as a residence for its head brewer.
Above: Extract from the Warminster Local Board’s Surveyor’s Map showing the location of 22 Silver Street and the proximity of the Warminster Brewery.
The Warminster brewery was demolished in the early 1900s and a row of cottages built on the site. It was Dr. Alcock who submitted plans in 1903 for “Twelve cottages, Old Brewery Road, Warminster.” [Plans in the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office, G16/760/203]. These were built and known as Nos.1 to 12 Obelisk Terrace. They survive today but now have the addresses of No.19 to No.30 Silver Street.
By that time the Warminster Brewery at Silver Street had undergone various changes of owners and amalgamations, including Morgan & Bladworth of Warminster, eventually merging with Bartlett’s Brewery which was at High Street, Warminster (a property built in 1885). An account of Bartlett’s Brewery was published in the Pictorial Record in September 1900.
Above: Bartlett’s Brewery at High Street, Warminster, pictured in 1956, prior to conversion.
Bartlett’s Brewery closed circa 1919 after being purchased by a competitor, Ushers of Trowbridge. The premises then became a factory producing Casein items. The building which had been Bartlett’s Brewery at High Street was converted into a car sales showroom in 1956. The building still survives today but is now occupied by various businesses including a carpet retailer and a dance school. It is now aptly known as ‘The Old Brewery’.
I think it therefore logical to say that Sidney Sanderson worked at the Warminster Brewery which stood behind his home at 22 Silver Street, and probably continued to work for the business after it had merged with Bartlett’s Brewery and transferred to the new premises at High Street, Warminster.
Above: No.34 Silver Street, Warminster, photograph taken by Danny Howell on Tuesday 27th May 2014. It was previously numbered 22 Silver Street and was the home of Sidney Sanderson from 1901 to circa 1913.
As you can see from the photograph No.22 Silver Street is a sizeable house and befits the status of someone who held a senior position in one of Warminster’s major businesses during the Edwardian period.
Collins Almanac And West Wilts Directory For 1912 lists Sidney Sanderson still resident at 22 Silver Street, but The Warminster Directory Almanac Local And Village Guide For 1914 shows Sidney Sanderson as resident at 21 Boreham Road, Warminster.
Boreham Road has since been renumbered and it seems that what was No. 21 is now No.20.
Above: Photograph of 20 Boreham Road, Warminster, photographed by Danny Howell on Tuesday 27th May 2014. It seems this was previously numbered 21 Boreham Road and was the home of Sidney Sanderson from circa 1914 onwards.
Sidney Sanderson later moved from Warminster to London. He died, aged 79, on Thursday 5th November 1942, “after an illness patiently borne”, at 32 Glazbury Road, Kensington, London, W14.
The Silver Street and Boreham Road residences of Sidney Sanderson, and confirmation that he worked for Bartlett’s Brewery in Warminster, are mentioned in his obituary published in The Warminster Journal newspaper on Friday 13th November 1942:
Former Warminster Cricket Captain – Death of Mr. Sidney Sanderson in London. We much regret to hear of the death of Mr. Sidney Sanderson who passed away at his home at 32 Glazbury Road, Kensington on the 5th inst. at the age of 79. He underwent a serious operation just about a year ago which unfortunately did not have the effect of restoring him to his former health. Mr. Sanderson however only took to his bed three weeks before his death which came very peacefully.
He will be remembered by a great many old friends in Warminster where he spent very many years of his life, living on the Boreham Road and in Silver Street with his wife and family. He came to Warminster as Brewer for Messrs. Bartlett’s Brewery in the High Street which was later taken over by Ushers Wiltshire Brewery and their beers were considered quite some of the best brewed in the South of England.
He was connected with the Longleat Lodge of Freemasons, being initiated in 1899. Holding many offices, he was Preceptor to the Lodge for a number of years and became Worshipful Master in 1906. He took office as P.P.G. Swd. Br. in 1909 and was made an honorary member when he retired from the Lodge.
For many years he was Captain of the Warminster Cricket Club in its more successful days. He made an excellent captain, was a batsman far above the average and a good wicket keep and under his skippership the Club for years enjoyed many pleasant games.
The late Mr. Sanderson was a keen churchman attending Christ Church [Warminster] regularly with his family. He was of a most genial disposition and left many friends behind him when he retired to live in London. Much sympathy is expressed to his family in their bereavement.
Footnote: The Kings Arms, Weymouth Street, Warminster, mentioned by Jean, where William Henry Atkins was innkeeper in 1881, is still a public house today but is now known as The John Barleycorn.