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Ernest Hancock and Family: End of an Era Eileen Bradbury All photos courtesy Eileen Bradbury May 2018 My father, Ernest Francis Hancock, known to family and friends as Podge, was killed in 1958. His death was the talk of Box village. He was one of the last quarry men and he died, as did many of his colleagues, in a tragic underground accident. Ernest came from an age that had passed, where horses such as his beloved Duke, were the only means of transport other than your own feet. He had survived two World Wars, the economic recession of the 1920s and 1930s and lost his life in an accident which could have easily been avoided. His life-story had been repeated many times before by other hard working quarrymen. Perhaps it struck such a chord because it reminded village people of the hardship of Box's past. Right: Ernest and Duke in about 1934 |
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The newspaper report of Ernest's death read, Crushed By Crane. A 58 year old quarry worker was crushed when a crane used for raising blocks of stone toppled over at Hartham Quarry, Corsham.[1] My father and another man were pulling a crane jib up to a hole in the roof of an underground quarry when it fell over and crushed Mr Hancock who was pinned to the floor. His son-in-law Mr Herbert Jacobs of 39 Bargates said that Mr Hancock had worked in the quarries for many years. A representative of the Bath and Portland Stone Firms deplored the loss of a man who had served them well and faithfully for so long and they were exonerated of responsibility for the accidental death.
Two George Hancocks
My family were Box people for many generations. In 1861 they lived at Box Hill working as support workers in the quarry trade, labourers and carters of stone. My great grandfather born 1821 and my grandfather born 1858 were both called George Hancock and in 1861 they lived at Box Quarries by the Road on land owned by quarry masters, the Strong family. These cottages were often little more than shanty buildings and life must have been difficult for my great grandmother Rosina after her husband's death in 1875. She worked as a charwoman, supported by George whilst she struggled to bring up her own young family.
They worked hard and were able to rent better premises at 3 Albion Terrace in 1891, a newer property built in the late 1870s. George was the tenant and continued to live there after Rosina's death, where he took a more lucrative job as an underground stone quarryman miner. He needed the job after he married Emily Kent of Monkton Farleigh in 1894 and they had at least six children, including my father Ernest. By 1911 George was described as a delver, a job working above ground breaking stone blocks into smaller pieces with a pick.
Ernest Francis Hancock, 1900 - 1958
My father was born in Box and lived here all his life. The family were probably doing well before the First World War and they all moved down to the centre of the village to Woodstock Cottages sometime before 1911.
Ernest joined the Gloucestershire Regiment in 1917 leaving his job as an engine driver (stationary), not on the railways, but working for Box Brewery in the Market Place. He was a young man, slight of build, 5ft 3in tall, scarcely more than a child. His ironic nickname in Box was Podge. He was mobilised when he was 18 years old in February 1918, transferred to the Royal Engineers, Signals Battalion serving in Wimereux, France. He volunteered to work as a sapper probably clearing unexploded bombs in France and wasn't demobbed until January 1920.
When he returned to England he was fortunate to get employment with the Bath and Portland and worked in the stone quarry on the Bradford Road. For many years he kept a horse called Duke in stabling where the Mews is (now called The Wharf) and walked to work.
Violence in Inter-War Period
We get some idea of the culture of the times in 1928 from an incident in which Ernest was involved at Box Hill.[2] Ernest was a witness to a violent scuffle originating out of a hand gesture. It ended in blows with a stick, a knife attack to the face and threats of throat-cutting. Ernest leapt in to save lives and with others pulled one assailant away to cries of Oh four of you; I will rip you all up. Fetch a policeman and I will do him the same. Ernest said that the assailant appeared sober and behaved like a person who wanted to kick up a row. Ernest was commended by the chairman of the magistrates for his prompt, active and thoughtful action.
Two George Hancocks
My family were Box people for many generations. In 1861 they lived at Box Hill working as support workers in the quarry trade, labourers and carters of stone. My great grandfather born 1821 and my grandfather born 1858 were both called George Hancock and in 1861 they lived at Box Quarries by the Road on land owned by quarry masters, the Strong family. These cottages were often little more than shanty buildings and life must have been difficult for my great grandmother Rosina after her husband's death in 1875. She worked as a charwoman, supported by George whilst she struggled to bring up her own young family.
They worked hard and were able to rent better premises at 3 Albion Terrace in 1891, a newer property built in the late 1870s. George was the tenant and continued to live there after Rosina's death, where he took a more lucrative job as an underground stone quarryman miner. He needed the job after he married Emily Kent of Monkton Farleigh in 1894 and they had at least six children, including my father Ernest. By 1911 George was described as a delver, a job working above ground breaking stone blocks into smaller pieces with a pick.
Ernest Francis Hancock, 1900 - 1958
My father was born in Box and lived here all his life. The family were probably doing well before the First World War and they all moved down to the centre of the village to Woodstock Cottages sometime before 1911.
Ernest joined the Gloucestershire Regiment in 1917 leaving his job as an engine driver (stationary), not on the railways, but working for Box Brewery in the Market Place. He was a young man, slight of build, 5ft 3in tall, scarcely more than a child. His ironic nickname in Box was Podge. He was mobilised when he was 18 years old in February 1918, transferred to the Royal Engineers, Signals Battalion serving in Wimereux, France. He volunteered to work as a sapper probably clearing unexploded bombs in France and wasn't demobbed until January 1920.
When he returned to England he was fortunate to get employment with the Bath and Portland and worked in the stone quarry on the Bradford Road. For many years he kept a horse called Duke in stabling where the Mews is (now called The Wharf) and walked to work.
Violence in Inter-War Period
We get some idea of the culture of the times in 1928 from an incident in which Ernest was involved at Box Hill.[2] Ernest was a witness to a violent scuffle originating out of a hand gesture. It ended in blows with a stick, a knife attack to the face and threats of throat-cutting. Ernest leapt in to save lives and with others pulled one assailant away to cries of Oh four of you; I will rip you all up. Fetch a policeman and I will do him the same. Ernest said that the assailant appeared sober and behaved like a person who wanted to kick up a row. Ernest was commended by the chairman of the magistrates for his prompt, active and thoughtful action.
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In 1924 Ernest married Winifred Weston. She was a Wells girl, aged just eighteen when she married. In 1939 Ernest was working as a foreman and stone loader and he, Winifred and family were living at 5 Mill Lane, close to dad's birth place in Woodstock.
It had once been intended to demolish the Cottages and build eight properties after 8 Mill Lane, hence the peculiar numbering where Fairmead View is sometimes called 17 Mill Lane but there are no houses called 9 to 16. At one time Les Bawtree and his wife lived in Woodstock when Les was a hairdresser in the Market Place. It was not the only violent incident in which the family was involved. Ernest's older brother Harry was killed in an accident aged only ten in 1905.[3] The newspaper reported that Harry was getting a lift on a coal trolley belonging to the Radstock Coal Company which was being drawn by horse by carter James Cockle. Near to Drewetts Mill Harry was told to get off the trolley and go home when the carter removed the drag (brake) from the loaded cart. Apparently Harry stayed on the cart and fell off when it started. He was run over by the heavy cart and killed instantly. |
My Life and Memories
I was born in 1935 at 5 Mill Lane shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. As an infant I started schooling at the Methodist Chapel schoolroom because the Box Schools were too full. I remember that we would go down into a stoke hole (coal house for boiler) whenever there was a siren indicating a potential air raid. My childhood memories are still vivid.
I was born in 1935 at 5 Mill Lane shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. As an infant I started schooling at the Methodist Chapel schoolroom because the Box Schools were too full. I remember that we would go down into a stoke hole (coal house for boiler) whenever there was a siren indicating a potential air raid. My childhood memories are still vivid.
Box School in 1949. Back row: Mr Adams, Mr Long, Philip White, Kenneth Gilham, Sidney Hall, Michael Hancock, Donald Dancey, Michael Cottrel, unknown. Middle row: Gordon Fortune, Eileen Hancock, Marcia Cleverley, Audrey Woodhouse, unknown, Peggy Butt, Evelyn Harding, Jean Webster, Mr Luckman, unknown. Front row seated: Mary Franklin, Helen Sumner, Janet Smith, Enid Cannings, Pauline Gibbons, Brenda Ford, Jean Bird, Jean Jefferies, John Angel.
As children we enjoyed the smell of bread baking in Benny Drew's bakery near The Bear pub and, if we were lucky, could sometimes get a bun or a roll for free. Clem Dykes' father would sell milk from the Old Dairy in the Market Place which was poured into your jug and covered over with a beaded cloth. I also remember being told off by Mr Hemmings at the Comrades Club for playing on the Rec near the cricket pitch which he took such great care of.
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After the death of my grandfather at Woodstock, our house at 5 Mill Lane became the centre for the family. In 1939 Henrietta Weston, my maternal grandmother, lived with us and at one time the Nicholas family moved in with us.
The photo left shows my sister Elsie as a bridesmaid seen in the back garden of 5 Mill Lane. Showing in the background of the picture are the steps leading up to the old Mill Lane Halt platform. In 1949 the village started fundraising for a new community hall to replace the old Bingham Hall. A fete was held on the Rec in July with displays of Box manufacturing industries which included talks by Mr Miller and Mr Browning about transport, a display of stone garden ornaments by Maurice Sheppard, Box Rubber Mills talking about its export initiatives and a stand from Chelsea flour Products.[4] Many local people had stalls on the Rec and there were gymnastic displays and sports races. I won the Girls 13-15 100 yards and the 11-15 Skipping Race. A very successful day. I was aged 13 that year and I left school shortly afterwards. |
I married Arthur Bradbury in 1954 and we lived at various houses in Box: 5 Mill Lane, the caravan park, Queen Square and then in 1966 we moved into Bargates, where I have been ever since. I remember it well because it was the year when England won the World Cup and all the children from nearby houses gathered on Bargates Green to re-enact the Final match.
I had various jobs, for many years working in the Queen's Head, later in the cheese factory in Corsham and at a shoe shop in Bath.
I had various jobs, for many years working in the Queen's Head, later in the cheese factory in Corsham and at a shoe shop in Bath.
A family group in the early 1940s: Elsie, my mother Winifred, my father Ernest, Barbara behind, May and me as a child in the front.
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I am fortunate to have my family nearby and enjoy the company of all my family including my great grandchildren. As a family we are related by marriage to many local families, Angell, Nicholas, Jacobs, Bradbury, Coles and Butler. These days many children have moved away from Box and there has been a large number of newcomers moving into the village, bringing fresh ideas and helping to re-establish the community spirit which makes Box so unique. Right: Podge at the wedding of his daughter Barbara (courtesy Brian Nicholas) |
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Hancock Family Tree
George (1821 - 1875) married on 14 September 1859 Rosina Beazer (b 1824 in Box), who was his second wife.
George's children included:
William (b 1845); Matilda (b 1848); George (1858); Elizabeth (1861); James (1864).
George (1858 - 1924) married Emilie Kent (b 1859 at Monkton Farleigh) in 1894. Children included: William George (1884 - 1954); Gertrude E (b 1890); Winifred (b 1893); Harry (1895 - 1905); Ernest Francis (1900 - 1958).
Ernest Francis (1900 - 1958), known as Podge, married Winifred Dorothy M Weston (b 1906) in 1924. Children:
Elsie M (b 1924) who married Frank R Angell in 1946
May L (b 30 October 1925) who married Trevor Nicholas in 1945;
Barbara J (b 1927) who married Herbert G Jacobs in 1948;
Eileen M (me, born 15 June 1935) who in 1954 married Arthur Dennis Bradbury (1915 - 2002;
So far we have been able to trace any connection between this branch of the Hancock family and those of Bob Hancock and his ancestors who ran the Quarryman's Arms at Box Hill. If any one knows differently, we would love to hear from them.
References
[1] Wiltshire Gazette & Herald, 6 March 1958
[2] The Wiltshire Times, 14 April 1928
[3] Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 22 June 1905 and Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 24 June 1905
[4] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 6 July 1949
George (1821 - 1875) married on 14 September 1859 Rosina Beazer (b 1824 in Box), who was his second wife.
George's children included:
William (b 1845); Matilda (b 1848); George (1858); Elizabeth (1861); James (1864).
George (1858 - 1924) married Emilie Kent (b 1859 at Monkton Farleigh) in 1894. Children included: William George (1884 - 1954); Gertrude E (b 1890); Winifred (b 1893); Harry (1895 - 1905); Ernest Francis (1900 - 1958).
Ernest Francis (1900 - 1958), known as Podge, married Winifred Dorothy M Weston (b 1906) in 1924. Children:
Elsie M (b 1924) who married Frank R Angell in 1946
May L (b 30 October 1925) who married Trevor Nicholas in 1945;
Barbara J (b 1927) who married Herbert G Jacobs in 1948;
Eileen M (me, born 15 June 1935) who in 1954 married Arthur Dennis Bradbury (1915 - 2002;
So far we have been able to trace any connection between this branch of the Hancock family and those of Bob Hancock and his ancestors who ran the Quarryman's Arms at Box Hill. If any one knows differently, we would love to hear from them.
References
[1] Wiltshire Gazette & Herald, 6 March 1958
[2] The Wiltshire Times, 14 April 1928
[3] Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 22 June 1905 and Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 24 June 1905
[4] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 6 July 1949