Oswald (Ossie) Butt Suggested by Penny Newboult June 2023
Left to Right: Oswald Butt, Andrew Hayward, Percy Hancock, Ray Hayward, George Rose, Roger Byfield, John Milsom, Gilbert Sawyer (courtesy John Harris)
It is not often that a true hero emerges in the history of peacetime Box. As far as I am aware, Oswald Butt’s family were not related to the family of quarry-owners and later farmers at Kingsdown and Ashley with the same name. This is the story of Oswald (“Ossie”) Butt renowned chiefly for his true bravery in the face of great danger in the post-war village.
Butt Family from Dorset
Oswald Frederick Butt (1906-1988) was the third child of William Harold Butt (6 February 1876-1946), son of a Dorset farmer, and Effie Elizabeth Osmond (1874-1951). They both came from Lytchett Matravers, Dorset, and married at Poole in 1902. They moved to Godalming, Surrey, where William trained as a postman and in 1906 to The Parade, Box, where Oswald was born. It is not clear why they came to Box except the fact that Effie’s mother before marriage was called Chaffey, the name of the well-known Box family. By 1921 with a growing family, they had moved to Townsend, next to Townsend House.
Butt Family from Dorset
Oswald Frederick Butt (1906-1988) was the third child of William Harold Butt (6 February 1876-1946), son of a Dorset farmer, and Effie Elizabeth Osmond (1874-1951). They both came from Lytchett Matravers, Dorset, and married at Poole in 1902. They moved to Godalming, Surrey, where William trained as a postman and in 1906 to The Parade, Box, where Oswald was born. It is not clear why they came to Box except the fact that Effie’s mother before marriage was called Chaffey, the name of the well-known Box family. By 1921 with a growing family, they had moved to Townsend, next to Townsend House.
The presentation of a barometer on William Butt’s retirement (courtesy Patty Baldwin)
William retired as a postman after 47½ years of service to the Post Office, having started aged 13.[1] The Chippenham Postmaster came to Box to present William with an oak barometer, to remind him on stormy days of his old colleagues still tramping around. The reminiscences included reference to delivering letters by foot to Colerne and that the rounds for the postmen are long and hilly .. of an almost precipitous nature.[2] William recalled that he walked about 18 miles a day, six days a week. It was not his only award because later he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal with a certificate signed by the King.[3] By 1939 they had downsized again and relocated back to 3 The Parade, Box, now called St Jude’s. Most of the children had left the domestic home; Oswald alone remained looking after his parents. After William’s death in 1946, Oswald and his mother moved to The New Cottage in The Parade, the cottage behind the present Parish Council offices (now greatly restored and called The Dean). Effie died in the cottage in 1951.
William and Effie’s daughter Mona, married another Box postman and Methodist, Frederick John Redwood (1895-1953).[4] Frederick came to Box in 1914 and was a great friend of the family, staying with them in 1921. Mona and Frederick lived at Bonnie Lea, Hazelbury Hill in 1939. Oswald’s older brother, Leslie Harold (1906-1988), was a well-known shopkeeper, who married Gladys Irene Hayward from The Cottage, Kingsdown, at the United Methodist Church in 1930. Leslie was trained in furniture restoration and worked in Corsham for Charles Oatley, local auctioneer and furniture dealer, who was a leading Methodist in the area.[5] Oswald was the best man at the wedding. Leslie later moved to Lyme, Upper Ley, Box, where he died in January 1988.
William and Effie’s daughter Mona, married another Box postman and Methodist, Frederick John Redwood (1895-1953).[4] Frederick came to Box in 1914 and was a great friend of the family, staying with them in 1921. Mona and Frederick lived at Bonnie Lea, Hazelbury Hill in 1939. Oswald’s older brother, Leslie Harold (1906-1988), was a well-known shopkeeper, who married Gladys Irene Hayward from The Cottage, Kingsdown, at the United Methodist Church in 1930. Leslie was trained in furniture restoration and worked in Corsham for Charles Oatley, local auctioneer and furniture dealer, who was a leading Methodist in the area.[5] Oswald was the best man at the wedding. Leslie later moved to Lyme, Upper Ley, Box, where he died in January 1988.
Dressing up for the Methodist Fete in 1935. Oswald Butt second left and Leslie fourth left (courtesy John Currant)
Oswald’s Life in Box
The Butt family were very active in the Methodist Church, particularly in fetes and fund-raising events. Leslie was assistant secretary at the church and secretary of the church boys’ club in 1926.[6] In 1933 Oswald was a soloist singer in an end-of-year celebration, whilst Leslie brought the evening to a close with Old Lang Syne.[7] In 1937 Oswald organised the Methodist Fair in the assembly room (now called the Ebenezer Chapel). The stallholders and helpers wore gypsy attire and the Romany presentation was a somewhat novel display for Box.[8] Leslie ran the coconut-shy whilst Oswald and Mona’s husband John Redwood sold ice creams.[9]
Oswald was well-known and respected as a responsible person in Box. He had trained locally as a cabinet maker and by 1939 he was classed as a master cabinet maker. After the war, this work dried up and Oswald had to resort to painting and decorating and general carpentry until he was no longer able to make a living. So, he turned to running a shop from his premises which, started as a bicycle shop with Leslie (which they had already ventured when living at Townsend).[10] In the 1950s and 1960s, Oswald ran a fish and chip shop (now used as the parish council offices).[11] Because he never married, Oswald hired help in the shop, which included washing his apron and clothes. In 1964 he came back to the premises to find a helper, Iris Peters wife of
Bill Peter from 1 Steam Mill Cottages, lying dead on the floor overcome by gas fumes from the fire.[12]
The Butt family were very active in the Methodist Church, particularly in fetes and fund-raising events. Leslie was assistant secretary at the church and secretary of the church boys’ club in 1926.[6] In 1933 Oswald was a soloist singer in an end-of-year celebration, whilst Leslie brought the evening to a close with Old Lang Syne.[7] In 1937 Oswald organised the Methodist Fair in the assembly room (now called the Ebenezer Chapel). The stallholders and helpers wore gypsy attire and the Romany presentation was a somewhat novel display for Box.[8] Leslie ran the coconut-shy whilst Oswald and Mona’s husband John Redwood sold ice creams.[9]
Oswald was well-known and respected as a responsible person in Box. He had trained locally as a cabinet maker and by 1939 he was classed as a master cabinet maker. After the war, this work dried up and Oswald had to resort to painting and decorating and general carpentry until he was no longer able to make a living. So, he turned to running a shop from his premises which, started as a bicycle shop with Leslie (which they had already ventured when living at Townsend).[10] In the 1950s and 1960s, Oswald ran a fish and chip shop (now used as the parish council offices).[11] Because he never married, Oswald hired help in the shop, which included washing his apron and clothes. In 1964 he came back to the premises to find a helper, Iris Peters wife of
Bill Peter from 1 Steam Mill Cottages, lying dead on the floor overcome by gas fumes from the fire.[12]
Oswald kneeling with the dog mascot with the Box Rovers team 1955-56 (courtesy Julia Romain). He was later treasurer for the club.
Act of Supreme Bravery
Oswald also had a sense of public duty and in 1936 he narrowly missed being appointed parish clerk, instead of RJ Dyer.[13]
By 1939 that responsibility was formalised when he was appointed a police reservist. However, it was on 28 January 1963 that his bravery really came to the fore when a fire broke out in the centre of Box. A paraffin stove overturned in a children’s nursery on the upstairs floor of the Manor House. The nanny raised the alarm from downstairs and the mother Josephine Baldrey tried to rescue her daughters Alison, aged three, and Samantha, eighteen months. Josephine had arrived home by chance at this time and Oswald was passing by. They went to the children’s aid along with police constable John Bosley. John went into the blazing room several times but was beaten back by smoke and flames and had to be led away, along with the children’s mother Josephine after she had tried to get access to the nursery window from a sloping roof.[14]
Oswald fought his way through the flames and smoke and reached Alison and carried her out. The infant was taken to hospital but died in the ambulance on the way. Samantha could not be reached until the fire brigade arrived with breathing apparatus. National newspapers carried the details but the tragedy was too great in the area and was largely omitted out of respect by the local media.[15] The children were buried in Box Cemetery and, understandably, the parents left Box shortly after. The Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire recognised both John and Oswald with awards for their bravery. John reported that: We were both lucky to get out ourselves because we were coughing up for days after. The smoke inhalation affected Ossie for the rest of his life.
Oswald also had a sense of public duty and in 1936 he narrowly missed being appointed parish clerk, instead of RJ Dyer.[13]
By 1939 that responsibility was formalised when he was appointed a police reservist. However, it was on 28 January 1963 that his bravery really came to the fore when a fire broke out in the centre of Box. A paraffin stove overturned in a children’s nursery on the upstairs floor of the Manor House. The nanny raised the alarm from downstairs and the mother Josephine Baldrey tried to rescue her daughters Alison, aged three, and Samantha, eighteen months. Josephine had arrived home by chance at this time and Oswald was passing by. They went to the children’s aid along with police constable John Bosley. John went into the blazing room several times but was beaten back by smoke and flames and had to be led away, along with the children’s mother Josephine after she had tried to get access to the nursery window from a sloping roof.[14]
Oswald fought his way through the flames and smoke and reached Alison and carried her out. The infant was taken to hospital but died in the ambulance on the way. Samantha could not be reached until the fire brigade arrived with breathing apparatus. National newspapers carried the details but the tragedy was too great in the area and was largely omitted out of respect by the local media.[15] The children were buried in Box Cemetery and, understandably, the parents left Box shortly after. The Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire recognised both John and Oswald with awards for their bravery. John reported that: We were both lucky to get out ourselves because we were coughing up for days after. The smoke inhalation affected Ossie for the rest of his life.
Oswald with his young nephew Edward Redwood near St Jude’s in the Market Place (courtesy John Harris)
Personal Life
Oswald never married but was engaged for decades to Nellie Blanche Follwell (1904-1998) from 1950 until the 1980s.[16] Nellie was born in Bathford to Frank Lanaway and Mary Ann Follwell. Frank was head gardener at Shockerwick House, judge for sections of the 1927 Bath and West Show and a special constable during the Second World War.[17] Nellie played her part in the war as an air raid precaution officer. Nellie was a school teacher for all her adult life, ending at Bathwick Primary School. After he retired from gardening, Frank and his family moved to Woodlands, Ashley, next to the garage. Nellie inherited the property after her father’s death in 1962.
After the trauma of the 1960s, Oswald moved into Woodlands although Nellie always made it clear that there was never any ‘hanky panky’ in their relationship. Oswald died there on 1 July 1988 and Nellie died a decade later, on 8 January 1998. After Nellie’s death, there were Follwells at Woodlands in the early 2000s when Brian and Elana Follwell lived there.
Oswald never married but was engaged for decades to Nellie Blanche Follwell (1904-1998) from 1950 until the 1980s.[16] Nellie was born in Bathford to Frank Lanaway and Mary Ann Follwell. Frank was head gardener at Shockerwick House, judge for sections of the 1927 Bath and West Show and a special constable during the Second World War.[17] Nellie played her part in the war as an air raid precaution officer. Nellie was a school teacher for all her adult life, ending at Bathwick Primary School. After he retired from gardening, Frank and his family moved to Woodlands, Ashley, next to the garage. Nellie inherited the property after her father’s death in 1962.
After the trauma of the 1960s, Oswald moved into Woodlands although Nellie always made it clear that there was never any ‘hanky panky’ in their relationship. Oswald died there on 1 July 1988 and Nellie died a decade later, on 8 January 1998. After Nellie’s death, there were Follwells at Woodlands in the early 2000s when Brian and Elana Follwell lived there.
There are few people who now remember the 1960s and this terrible tragedy. It would clearly be wrong to disrespect the wishes of the parents of Alison and Samantha Baldrey for privacy after 1963. But the story of Oswald Butt’s heroism should not be ignored and it seems wrong to caste into oblivion the memory of those little girls who were loved and treasured in their lives.
Oswald Butt
Family Tree
William Harold Butt (6 February 1876-1946), son of a Dorset farmer, married Effie Elizabeth Osmond (1 July 1874-20 September 1951) at Poole in 1902. Children:
Oswald Butt
Family Tree
William Harold Butt (6 February 1876-1946), son of a Dorset farmer, married Effie Elizabeth Osmond (1 July 1874-20 September 1951) at Poole in 1902. Children:
- Mona Effie (27 May 1903-20 February 1999) married Frederick John Redwood (1895-1953) in 1927. Child Ewart Frederick (1933-2006);
- Leslie Harold (1905-1988) who married Gladys Irene Hayward in 1930. Son Ronald Leslie (1931-2000);
- Oswald Frederick (15 October 1906-1 July 1988), master cabinet maker and a reserve policeman in 1939; and
- Ewart William (1912-).
References
[1] Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 3 October 1936
[2] The Wiltshire Times, 3 October 1936
[3] The Wiltshire Times, 16 January 1937
[4] The Wilshire Times, 26 September 1953
[5] The Bath Chronicle, 25 October 1930
[6] The Wiltshire Times, 30 October 1926
[7] The Bath Chronicle, 17 February 1934
[8] The Wiltshire Times, 13 February 1937
[9] The Wiltshire Times, 17 July 1937
[10] See Shops in 1920s
[11] The Wiltshire Times, 7 November 1953
[12] Bristol Evening Post, 5 March 1964
[13] The Wiltshire Times, 23 May 1936
[14] Western Daily Press, 5 March 1963
[15] The Daily Mirror, 29 January 1963
[16] The Wiltshire Times, 11 November 1950
[17] Bath Chronicle, 16 July 1927
[1] Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 3 October 1936
[2] The Wiltshire Times, 3 October 1936
[3] The Wiltshire Times, 16 January 1937
[4] The Wilshire Times, 26 September 1953
[5] The Bath Chronicle, 25 October 1930
[6] The Wiltshire Times, 30 October 1926
[7] The Bath Chronicle, 17 February 1934
[8] The Wiltshire Times, 13 February 1937
[9] The Wiltshire Times, 17 July 1937
[10] See Shops in 1920s
[11] The Wiltshire Times, 7 November 1953
[12] Bristol Evening Post, 5 March 1964
[13] The Wiltshire Times, 23 May 1936
[14] Western Daily Press, 5 March 1963
[15] The Daily Mirror, 29 January 1963
[16] The Wiltshire Times, 11 November 1950
[17] Bath Chronicle, 16 July 1927