Persons – Surname beginning with W – Page 4

Allen Williams Walking Up The High Street, Warminster

Sunday 15th March 2015

Allen Williams walking up High Street, Warminster. Photograph taken by Danny Howell on Sunday 15th March 2015.

Are You A Relative Or Were You A Friend Of Katrina Wheelans Who Lived In Warminster? If You Knew Her Please Contact The Police

Tuesday 23rd December 2014

The Police and the Wiltshire Coroner are trying to trace family members or friends of a Warminster resident who died at the beginning of December.

Katrina Wheelans, who was 76, died at her home in Warminster on 5th December 2014. There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.

Katrina lived alone but is believed to have friends or relatives in Sydney and Melbourne and police are appealing for them to come forward.

Anyone who knew Katrina Wheelans is asked to contact audrey.rheinberg@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk

To The Dear Memory Of Hubert Liston Willcox Of Warminster

Sunday 8th December 2013

The memorial plaque to Dr. Hubert Liston Willcox inside the Parish Church of St. Denys, The Minster, Warminster. The photographs were taken by Danny Howell on Sunday 8th December 2013.

The wording reads: To the dear memory of Hubert Liston Willcox, surgeon, who was born in this town and practised here for 10 years. He lost his life by an accident incurred in the course of his duty, and passed away December 3rd 1913, aged 36. Very much loved and deeply regretted. This tablet is dedicated by his father and mother and brothers.

What Did Edward Albert Wrixon Of Porton Do In The War?

Friday 15th November 2013

Tony Lyons of the Bourne Valley Historical Society, writes ~

Like many historical societies throughout the county, we are compiling a detailed account of the men from our area who gave their lives in the two world wars and we have a problem. I wonder if any of your readers knows of an Edward Albert Wrixon who lived in Porton, near Salisbury? He died of natural causes at Salisbury Infirmary in 1942, aged 24, and is buried at Porton. His name appears on the local war memorial but we can find nothing whatsoever about his service details. From a photograph he was clearly in the army but there the trail ends. Local and family anecdotal evidence suggests that he may well have been wounded at Dunkirk and invalided from the army, but nothing more. We hope we can trace someone who knew him. If you can help I would be most grateful if you could contact Tony Lyons on 01980 842907 or email lyons.william@sky.com

An Old Agriculturalist’s Ramblings By Ian Woodcock

An Old Agriculturalist’s Ramblings by Ian Woodcock.

Part 3 (first published in the Deverills And Crockerton Parish News, November 2013)

Following on from my last contribution, I was enjoying working for Col. Jack very much, but was anxious to become boss of my own acres. My wife was of the same opinion, as she, being a farmer’s daughter was missing the benefits of a large farmhouse complete with Esse cooker. She had to put up with a small brand new cottage, which had been built post-war when the restrictions imposed were that only £1,000 could be spent on building it. So whenever the opportunity arose of a farm coming up for a new tenant my ears pricked up and with the added help of a very kind father-in-law, we were off viewing at the first opportunity. This became fairly often and Col. Jack was not happy about my frequent requests for a day off. Eventually I was called into the office for a discussion about my future. A proposition was put to me, if I guaranteed to stay in my present position for five years my salary would be doubled, I would then be able to visit potential farms to rent. I said that I would consider the proposal, but would need to discuss it with my wife, and would come back to him with my opinion. I returned to him to say I would stay for a minimum of three years, to which he replied I could not expect to have my salary doubled! I agreed and he said he would accept my three years and I would receive a £755 increase, which I accepted. We shook hands as no contracts of employment were needed in those days, a gentleman’s word was his bond.

Unfortunately, when two years and six months had passed, I had a visit from my brother-in-law who farmed in Horningsham. He had news that Mr Algar, who was then agent to Lord Bath, who owned Ryehill Farm and tenanted Shute Farm, was relinquishing the tenancy of Shute and disposing of his manager. The proposition was put to me that I could have the tenancy of Shute with the proviso that I had to manage Ryehill Farm as well. He wanted me to take over the two farms as manager on June 21st, following which on September 29th the two would be split and I would farm Shute on my own and continue to manage Ryehill for him. Unfortunately, I could not discuss this with Col. Jack as he was away in Austria on a farming visit. When he returned on a Saturday I contacted him and stated that I wanted to see him rather urgently. We arranged that I would go and walk over the farm on the Sunday after lunch when I could “spill the beans’, which meant I was abandoning him with 1,000 acres of harvesting to be gathered! We set off, me with fear and trepidation as I gave him the news. He stopped dead in his tracks, looked me straight in the face and said “Ian, you’ll never get another opportunity like this, I will release you from our agreement”. This shows what an understanding gentleman he was. The next hurdle to jump was to find a replacement for me, he advertised for someone to be his foreman. There were a number of potential applicants we duly interviewed. Unfortunately we selected the wrong one, he only lasted for 3 months.

On the 21st June 1956 we departed from Lower Pertwood after taking all the staff to The George at Longbridge Deverill for a farewell drink and took up residence at Shute Farm.

Claims Against Or Interests In The Estate Of The Late Stuart White

Friday 8th February 2013

Public Notice. Stuart Vivian White (otherwise Stewart Ernest White) (deceased). Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925 any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of the aforementioned deceased, late of Westbury Nursing Home and 7 The Grove, Warminster, BA12 8QL, who died on 10th January 2013, are required to send particulars thereof in writing to the undersigned Solicitors on or before 19th April 2013, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Middleton & Upsall LLP, 94 East Street, Warminster, BA12 9BG.

Farewell To Stuart White ~ A Character Who Was Generous And Big In Heart

Friday 25th January 2013:

Danny Howell writes ~

The funeral of Stuart Vivian White took place at Christ Church, Warminster, at 2.00 p.m. today (Friday 25th January 2013). Stuart was very well-known locally, owned property in the town including the building which houses the Prestbury Club, and was a very generous man. He was small in physique but big in heart. He certainly had a lovely way about him, and was often referred to by those who knew him as “a character”.

The White family were much respected as haulage contractors and coal merchants. Stuart was born on 16th August 1923. His brother John was born seven years later. Stuart attended Sambourne School and sang in the choir at Christ Church. When Stuart was ten years old, tragedy struck, with the death of both his parents. This led to Stuart and John being split up. Stuart went to live with his Uncle Billy in Warminster, and John went to live with an aunt in Westbury.

Stuart went to work in the haulage business for his uncle Billy White, eventually driving lorries and travelling with loads to all parts of the country. In 1972, Stuart became the owner of the business, and he secured contracts with the shoe parts manufacturers, Strode Components, and with hauling stone for the Yeoman Quarries. Stuart was assisted in this by his cousin Roy White.

Stuart retired from the haulage business about twenty years ago, letting out the yard at Portway, but Stuart used to still go and unlock the yard gates every morning and lock them up again at night. For Stuart, “the business” was his life. In 2010 I asked him why he continued keeping the yard, when he was being offered considerable sums of money for it, and Stuart’s short reply was: “Someone else can deal with that sort of thing when I am gone.”

When Stuart sold his bungalow and the land with it, at Deverill Road, for residential development (Giles Hollow), Stuart moved to a house at The Grove, Portway, Warminster.

About three years ago, Stuart went into the Westbury Nursing Home, at Westbury, for a short time stay of respite care, but because he liked it so much, he chose to stay there permanently. He was visited often, not only by family but by many friends who liked to listen to Stuart talking about the old days.

During his long life, Stuart often went to the Old Bell in the Market Place or the Nag’s Head at Portway for a pint and a natter. Up until the time of his death he still enjoyed a glass of Guinness.

Stuart White passed away on 10th January 2013. He was aged 89.

At his funeral, the coffin was carried in to Christ Church, to the music of When The Saints Go Marching In. The hymns Abide With Me and The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended were sung. The Reading was Psalm 23.

The poem When God Saw You Getting Tired (written anon) was read:

When God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be
He put his arms around you
And whispered come to me
He didn’t like what you went through
And he gave you rest
His garden must be beautiful
He only takes the best
And when we saw you sleeping
So peaceful and free from pain
We wouldn’t wish you back
To suffer that again
Today we say goodbye
And as you take your final rest
That garden must be beautiful
Because you are one of the best.

The Battle Hymn Of The Republic (John Brown’s Body) was played as the coffin was carried out of the church. The interment, for family only, took place in Christ Church churchyard. A wake was held afterwards at the Conservative Club, Prestbury House, Warminster.

Donations in memory of Stuart are going to Cancer Research UK, and can be sent to the funeral directors, F. Curtis And Son, 11 Portway, Warminster, Wiltshire.

The Whatley Family And 11 King Street, Warminster Common

Wednesday 10th October 2012

Glyn Scott has contacted dannyhowell.net. He writes ~

I am tracing my family tree. My grandfather, William Whatley, was born in Crockerton in 1880 and moved to 11 King Street, Warminster, when he married Sarah Jane Brown in 1904. At that time he was involved in the coal trade and there is a mention of him in a book I found in Warminster Library, written by a local man who worked with him and subsequently wrote of his memories of Warminster. ~ “The coal came from Radstock but father didn’t have to go and collect it. It came in by train. . . . . As far as I can remember, Bill Smith drove one horse and cart and Billy Whatley had the other one. Bill Smith lived in Bread Street and Billy Whatley lived at King Street.”

I visited King Street a few weeks ago but No.11 has been demolished. There is now a small bungalow there behind the greenery that fronts the site. I wonder if one of your books has a picture which includes No.11 King Street? Attached is a picture of the site:

King Street, Warminster, in 2012. The former home of William Whatley, back in the early 1900s, was situated on the far left.

I would be very interested in any information which throws light on my grandfather. Incidentally he moved to the Rhondda Valley sometime after 1917 when the coal trade started to run down. He became a miner and ended his working life as the safety man for his pit in Treorchy. He died in about 1954.

Danny Howell has replied:

Hello Glyn, Thank you for your email regarding 11 King Street, Warminster, the former home of your grandfather William Whatley and his wife Sarah Jane. I don’t think I’ve included a photo of that property in any of my books, so no luck there. I do have photos taken at Warminster Common, including maybe King Street, so I’ll have a look through to see if No.11 is among them and if I find one of 11 King Street I’ll gladly get a copy to you.

I presume you know the following info about the Whatley family:

A marriage of Benjamin Whatley to Emma Crofts is registered in the Warminster district during July August September 1879.

1881 Census, Potters Hill, Crockerton
Benjamin Whatley, head of household, married, age 30, shepherd, born Crockerton.
Emma Whatley, wife, married, aged 25, born Crockerton.
Benjamin Whatley, son, aged 10 months, born Crockerton.

The death of Emma Whatley, aged 31, is registered in the Warminster district during January February March 1887.

There is a marriage of Benjamin Whatley to a Ruth Clifton, registered in the Warminster district during January February March 1889.

The 1891 Census, at No.43 Sand Street, Longbridge Deverill
Benjamin Whatley, head, married, age 40, shepherd, employee, born Longbridge Deverill (Crockerton).
Ruth Whatley, wife, married, age 34, born Hill Deverill.
William Whatley, son, age 10, agricultural labourer, born Longbridge Deverill (Crockerton).
Frank Whatley, son, age 5, born Longbridge Deverill (Crockerton).

The 1901 Census, Church Street, Longbridge Deverill (near the School House):
Benjamin Whatley, head, married, age 47, shepherd on farm, worker, born Crockerton.
Ruth Whatley, wife, married, age 44, born Longbridge Deverill.
William Whatley, son, single, age 20, cowman on farm, worker, born Crockerton.
Walter C. Whatley, son, single, age 18, horse keeper on farm, worker, born Crockerton.
Cecil F. Whatley, son, single, age 16, shepherd on farm, worker, born Crockerton.

1901 Census, 11 King Street, Warminster
William Whatley, head, age 30, married for 7 years, no children, coal porter, worker, born Crockerton.
Sarah Jane Whatley, wife, age 27, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Do keep in touch. Cheers, Danny Howell.

Glyn Scott has responded:

Dear Mr. Howell, Thank you so much for your email. Well, so much information. I am very grateful to you. I had got as far as the death of Emma and the remarriage to Ruth. My sister, who is 7 years older than I (the war got in between us!) informed me that Sarah Jane was born in Street, Somerset, so I had not looked at Warminster and therefore had not been able to find an address showing all of the siblings. Thank you for offering to look through your photos. I have attached three pics:

William Whatley holding his granddaughter (Glyn’s sister) in 1940.

William Whatley’s wife, Sarah Jane Whatley, holding her granddaughter (Glyn’s sister) in 1940.

Glyn Scott’s grandfather William Whatley.

Once again, many thanks. Glyn Scott.

Treasured Memories Of Ruth And George Woodham

A gravestone at St. John’s Churchyard, Boreham Road, Warminster,
photographed by Danny Howell
on the afternoon of Monday 30th April 2012.

The inscription reads:
Treasured Memories of
A Dear Wife and Mother.
Ruth Olive Woodham.
Died March 22nd 1968,
Aged 56 years.
Also of
George Clifford Woodham
Died October 22nd 2000,
Aged 93 years.

Memories Of Miss White’s Toy Shop At George Street, Warminster

Wednesday 11th April 2012

D.B. Starke, of Radyr, Cardiff, writes ~

Dear Mr. Howell,
I recently acquired a copy of your book ‘Five Connected Lives’ and have enjoyed reading it, particularly the section about Marjorie Fudge.

I was born at Salisbury in 1920; my maternal grandparents and two aunts and their families lived at Warminster so that I came to know the town very well. We visited frequently; as I recollect the return rail fare from Salisbury was 1/6!

In their latter years my grandparents lived in George Street right opposite Miss White’s toy shop. This was a veritable Aladdin’s cave and carried a good selection of cap and blank cartridge pistols amongst other things. I was a regular customer and remember Miss White very well – she was the tall and grumpy one and I was somewhat in awe of her. I think that she regarded small boys with considerable suspicion.

Thank you for a good read which brought back so many happy memories.

Danny Howell replies ~

Thank you D.B. Starke. I’m glad you enjoyed reading the book and I was pleased to hear your anecdote about Miss White. If you were born in 1920, that makes you 92 years old or thereabouts, so I guess you have many such recollections. Once again, thank you for sharing the story of Miss White’s toy shop. The property, now numbered No.7 George Street, Warminster, BA12 8QA, has been owned since the mid-1950s by my aunt Diana Turner, who runs The Baby Shop there still to this day.