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Scoble Family of 8 Mill Lane
Brian Scoble Family photos Brian Scoble October 2017 My family lived at 8 Mill Lane for two generations from the 1920s to the 1960s. It was a very convenient property after my grandfather John Scoble started work as a signalman with the Great Western Railway. He brought up his family there including my father Arthur James Scoble, a railway shunter, who was there until he married. The family were comfortably off with a regular wage and a pension from the railways. They owned their own house at Mill Lane, unlike most people in Box at the time. |
My grandparents John and Lily at Mill Lane
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My great uncle from Sowton, Pinhoe in Devon was very wealthy and offered to buy the whole rank of houses but they didn't take it up. I never lived at Mill Lane and I lived at Boxfields for three years until we moved to Chippenham in 1953. This is the story of the Scoble family and their life at 8 Mill Lane, Box.
Mill Lane Cottages
We get a view of living conditions in Mill Lane when in September 1910 the Box Sanitary Committee at the Rural District Council refused to accept that there was anything wrong with the earth closet lavatories at Mill Lane, Box.[1] They thought that the facilities were not being used correctly and agreed to meet the owners, the Bath and Portland Stone Firms.
The earth closets were in outside sheds in the back gardens, not flushed into sewers by water but into a dry earth pit which needed regular clearing out. It was all rather old-fashioned but needed massive water and sewer installation to modernise with indoor lavatories. The cottages had been let originally to quarry workers at discounted rates and improvements were avoided by the owners because of the low rent.[2] Nothing was resolved and the sewage facilities were not updated until 1946.[3]
Mill Lane Cottages
We get a view of living conditions in Mill Lane when in September 1910 the Box Sanitary Committee at the Rural District Council refused to accept that there was anything wrong with the earth closet lavatories at Mill Lane, Box.[1] They thought that the facilities were not being used correctly and agreed to meet the owners, the Bath and Portland Stone Firms.
The earth closets were in outside sheds in the back gardens, not flushed into sewers by water but into a dry earth pit which needed regular clearing out. It was all rather old-fashioned but needed massive water and sewer installation to modernise with indoor lavatories. The cottages had been let originally to quarry workers at discounted rates and improvements were avoided by the owners because of the low rent.[2] Nothing was resolved and the sewage facilities were not updated until 1946.[3]
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Although the properties were built in the late Victorian period, the road itself has a much older history. It is clearly shown on Francis Allen's 1630 map (left) as a major route from Hazelbury Manor down to Box Mill. We might suppose that it had been used for many years before then.
Possibly it was used at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 which referred to two mills owned by Rainald of Hazelbury. These mills must have been on Box Brook because wind-powered mills were not introduced until the reign of King Richard I a century later. We don't know where the Domesday mills were sited on the brook but they are usually accepted as Drewetts and Box Mills. We don't know exactly when the cottages were built but they don't appear to be recorded before the 1891 census, nor can we be certain who built them. It seems possible that the 1887 amalgamation of several local firms into the Bath Stone Firms Limited may have been the catalyst. |
The 1891 census records the amazing number of 17 adult quarrymen and labourers living in the homes, almost every cottage taking in a boarder. The area changed dramatically over the next twenty years with 8 underground quarrymen in 1901 and only 5 by 1911. Mill Lane extended over to the rank of properties now called Fairmead View. This was originally known as Mill Lane numbers 17 to 26 and the numbers 10 to 16 Mill Lane were never built.
Tenants in Twentieth Century
Most tenants appear to be lower-paid people at the start of the century, mainly farm labourers and carters. Being close to the centre of the village, the houses were prone to theft, including the Extraordinary Story of the Gypsy's Spell and the Teacups in 1924.[4] A gypsy woman, Daisy Goodwin from Wadswick Common, was alleged to have stolen two cups and saucers from Bessie Walters accompanied by threats of casting a spell upon her, which would come true in nine days.
There were also a number of tragic accidents to tenants of the houses partly because of the sharp turning at the London Road end and no pavement. Emma Greenman was run over by a motor car in 1907.[5] In 1928 the tragic accident of 82 year old Jesse Slade, deaf and nearly blind, from 22 Mill Lane (Fairmead View) who was heard crying for help at 3am in Bull's Lane.[6]
Scoble Family before Box
My family moved to Mill Lane in about 1923. The family originated in Pinhoe, Exeter, where the great grandfather James Scoble worked as a farm labourer. He was illiterate and signed the registration of his son John with a mark in 1882. They had seven children in the first nine years of marriage and the maintenance of the children was a colossal commitment on the wages of a labourer in the years of agricultural depression in the 1880s. But they all went to school and sought better employment. By 1901 the family had moved to nearby Sowton and had two more children, and James may have acquired some capital as he called himself waggoner on farm. Many of the boys took employment as gardeners and the girls went into domestic service.
The family came to Box to work on the railways. The seventh son, John Scoble (sometimes called Jack), left agriculture and Pinhoe and took employment with the Great Western Railway company as a signalman. He took advantage of free rail travel to go to Weston-super-Mare on Sundays and there he met Lily Hunt, the daughter of a domestic coachman from Banwell, Axbridge.
They married in 1909, lived in Banwell for a few years until they moved to Hullavington railway cottages and later rented the cottage at 8 Mill Lane.
Tenants in Twentieth Century
Most tenants appear to be lower-paid people at the start of the century, mainly farm labourers and carters. Being close to the centre of the village, the houses were prone to theft, including the Extraordinary Story of the Gypsy's Spell and the Teacups in 1924.[4] A gypsy woman, Daisy Goodwin from Wadswick Common, was alleged to have stolen two cups and saucers from Bessie Walters accompanied by threats of casting a spell upon her, which would come true in nine days.
There were also a number of tragic accidents to tenants of the houses partly because of the sharp turning at the London Road end and no pavement. Emma Greenman was run over by a motor car in 1907.[5] In 1928 the tragic accident of 82 year old Jesse Slade, deaf and nearly blind, from 22 Mill Lane (Fairmead View) who was heard crying for help at 3am in Bull's Lane.[6]
Scoble Family before Box
My family moved to Mill Lane in about 1923. The family originated in Pinhoe, Exeter, where the great grandfather James Scoble worked as a farm labourer. He was illiterate and signed the registration of his son John with a mark in 1882. They had seven children in the first nine years of marriage and the maintenance of the children was a colossal commitment on the wages of a labourer in the years of agricultural depression in the 1880s. But they all went to school and sought better employment. By 1901 the family had moved to nearby Sowton and had two more children, and James may have acquired some capital as he called himself waggoner on farm. Many of the boys took employment as gardeners and the girls went into domestic service.
The family came to Box to work on the railways. The seventh son, John Scoble (sometimes called Jack), left agriculture and Pinhoe and took employment with the Great Western Railway company as a signalman. He took advantage of free rail travel to go to Weston-super-Mare on Sundays and there he met Lily Hunt, the daughter of a domestic coachman from Banwell, Axbridge.
They married in 1909, lived in Banwell for a few years until they moved to Hullavington railway cottages and later rented the cottage at 8 Mill Lane.
Life at 8 Mill Lane
John appears to have fitted into Box life from the outset. In 1928 he received the letter below from Mrs Lucy Louisa Awdry on the death of her husband Rev Vere Awdry, father of Rev Wilbert V Awdry, the author of Thomas the Tank Engine books. The funeral was attended by the most distinguished people in Box and John was one of the pallbearers.
John appears to have fitted into Box life from the outset. In 1928 he received the letter below from Mrs Lucy Louisa Awdry on the death of her husband Rev Vere Awdry, father of Rev Wilbert V Awdry, the author of Thomas the Tank Engine books. The funeral was attended by the most distinguished people in Box and John was one of the pallbearers.
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The family were committed Christians and regular church-goers at St Thomas à Becket. Lilian joined the Mother's Union and received a certificate (below left) reminding her of the need to bring her children up in a Christian way in December 1923.
The children were bought up from 1929 as part of the Scripture Union and encouraged to study set readings every day (below right in 1932).
The children were bought up from 1929 as part of the Scripture Union and encouraged to study set readings every day (below right in 1932).
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The GWR prided themselves on their care for their employees. They provided social and educational facilities and encouraged staff to take first aid courses. The President of the Bristol Social Club Union spoke of uniting staff into one happy family and the bond between them all to help one another into the sunshine of life.[7] Whilst that might sound rather corny today, the workers clearly enjoyed the support they received in employment with a good company in the years leading up to the Great Depression in 1930s England. John was clearly a good employee and was awarded his ambulance label (demonstrating his first aid abilities on his uniform) in 1927.
After the opening of the Railway Halt at Mill Lane, the cottages were very convenient to board a train at the Halt or a slightly longer walk to the main station at Box Station. Little wonder that Arthur James Scoble followed his father's trade and before
1939 he became a railway shunter with GWR. John died in December 1968. The vicar of Box recorded his passing, Many will remember him, one of the old railway men, limping to his church, a devout and good man.[8]
After the opening of the Railway Halt at Mill Lane, the cottages were very convenient to board a train at the Halt or a slightly longer walk to the main station at Box Station. Little wonder that Arthur James Scoble followed his father's trade and before
1939 he became a railway shunter with GWR. John died in December 1968. The vicar of Box recorded his passing, Many will remember him, one of the old railway men, limping to his church, a devout and good man.[8]
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Above Left: GWR Certificate of first aid and Right: blue badge to signify reserved occupation worker
Arthur James Scoble
Working for the railways was a reserved occupation (deemed an essential service) in the Second World War and Arthur was spared active military service. To avoid social pressure as a draft-dodger (which had included assault and white feathers in the Great War), the government and major employers issued badges for reserved occupation servicemen. Arthur's job was not without danger and he probably shunted armaments into the Central Ammunitions Depot under Box Hill.
Working for the railways was a reserved occupation (deemed an essential service) in the Second World War and Arthur was spared active military service. To avoid social pressure as a draft-dodger (which had included assault and white feathers in the Great War), the government and major employers issued badges for reserved occupation servicemen. Arthur's job was not without danger and he probably shunted armaments into the Central Ammunitions Depot under Box Hill.
Arthur and Kathleen's wedding in 1944. Kenneth (right) was best man
Arthur (below left) married Kathleen May Bullock on 29 January 1944 while she was serving in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during the war.[9] She was living at Oldfield Park, Bath, where her father Sidney was also in a reserved occupation as an engine driver. They took their honeymoon in Cheddar during the years of severe wartime rationing. Arthur was a model GWR employee, organised, disciplined and very ethical. He was a religious man who pumped the organ at Box Church every Sunday and refused to allow Kathleen to do washing on the Lord's Day.
Arthur James Scoble
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May Scoble
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Other Children
Ken had worked briefly at the Co-op, Box before joining the army aged 19 in 1939. On a posting to Newtown, Powys, Wales as Royal Artillery Sergeant, he met Violet M Rees whom he married at the close of the war in 1945. They lived in Newtown where Ken trained as a teacher. He was a larger than life character, a qualified football referee, keen golfer, bowls-player and freemason. They lived in Newtown most of their married lives. Sadly they both died in May 2009 within two days of each other.
Their obituaries described them as very sociable and fun-loving, totally devoted to each other.
Edith May Scoble won prizes at Box School for the domestic course (cookery) and was awarded a book as the school captain's prize.[10] She was an active girl, performing in various school plays and performances.[11] My father passed the eleven-plus to go to grammar school but my grandfather refused as he said he couldn't afford it. Possibly the same was true for May.
Ken had worked briefly at the Co-op, Box before joining the army aged 19 in 1939. On a posting to Newtown, Powys, Wales as Royal Artillery Sergeant, he met Violet M Rees whom he married at the close of the war in 1945. They lived in Newtown where Ken trained as a teacher. He was a larger than life character, a qualified football referee, keen golfer, bowls-player and freemason. They lived in Newtown most of their married lives. Sadly they both died in May 2009 within two days of each other.
Their obituaries described them as very sociable and fun-loving, totally devoted to each other.
Edith May Scoble won prizes at Box School for the domestic course (cookery) and was awarded a book as the school captain's prize.[10] She was an active girl, performing in various school plays and performances.[11] My father passed the eleven-plus to go to grammar school but my grandfather refused as he said he couldn't afford it. Possibly the same was true for May.
Marg Scoble
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Kenneth Charles Scoble
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Colin Scoble and family
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The youngest son, Colin, also joined GWR as a fireman. He was recorded as a prize swimmer in 1935 in the famous Swimming Club which Dr James Martin ran in Box Brook. His brother, Kenneth, received the certificate below.
The story of the Scoble family at 8 Mill Lane lasted only a few decades but their details reflect the long history of the road over centuries in Box. The story of the house reflects social changes in the village as it developed from a deeply rural society to a commuter village. The houses themselves are part of the story of domestic improvements the in the inter-war years, which altered our standard of living beyond all measure. Even the employment of the male members of the family on the railways has come and gone, the once major industry has now virtually ceased.
Family Tree
Great grandparents:
James Scoble (1853 - 1929) married Hannah Pope (1853 - 1929) in 1873.
Children: Edith E (b 1874); William (b 1875); Alice M (b 1876); Emma (b 1878); James (b 1879); Hannah (b 1881);
John (b 2 April 1882 at Pinhoe, d 1969); Charlie (b 1885); and Bessie (b 1889).
Grandparents:
John (2 April 1882 - 1968) married Lilian E Hunt (b 15 July 1886 - ) in 1909. Children:
Edith May (b 1910); Kathleen Patricia (b 1911); Arthur James (1915 - 1993); Kenneth Charles (b 1920, d 20 May 2009);
John C (b 1922); Colin (d after 2009); Marg (unknown details); May (unknown details).
Parents:
Arthur James (b 24 May 1915 at Hullavington, d 6 February 1993 at Chippenham) married Kathleen May Bullock on
29 January 1944. Children: Brian (b 3 November 1944)
Great grandparents:
James Scoble (1853 - 1929) married Hannah Pope (1853 - 1929) in 1873.
Children: Edith E (b 1874); William (b 1875); Alice M (b 1876); Emma (b 1878); James (b 1879); Hannah (b 1881);
John (b 2 April 1882 at Pinhoe, d 1969); Charlie (b 1885); and Bessie (b 1889).
Grandparents:
John (2 April 1882 - 1968) married Lilian E Hunt (b 15 July 1886 - ) in 1909. Children:
Edith May (b 1910); Kathleen Patricia (b 1911); Arthur James (1915 - 1993); Kenneth Charles (b 1920, d 20 May 2009);
John C (b 1922); Colin (d after 2009); Marg (unknown details); May (unknown details).
Parents:
Arthur James (b 24 May 1915 at Hullavington, d 6 February 1993 at Chippenham) married Kathleen May Bullock on
29 January 1944. Children: Brian (b 3 November 1944)
References
[1] The Wiltshire Times, 3 September 1910
[2] The Wiltshire Times, 11 June 1910 and 9 July 1910
[3] The Wiltshire Times, 12 October 1946
[4] The Wiltshire Times, 23 August 1924
[5] The Bath Chronicle, 15 August 1907
[6] Bath Chronicle and Herald, 2 June 1928
[7] The Wiltshire Times, 5 November 1927
[8] Parish Magazine, December 1968
[9] The Wiltshire Times, 5 February 1944
[10] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 29 December 1923
[11] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 11 August 1923
[1] The Wiltshire Times, 3 September 1910
[2] The Wiltshire Times, 11 June 1910 and 9 July 1910
[3] The Wiltshire Times, 12 October 1946
[4] The Wiltshire Times, 23 August 1924
[5] The Bath Chronicle, 15 August 1907
[6] Bath Chronicle and Herald, 2 June 1928
[7] The Wiltshire Times, 5 November 1927
[8] Parish Magazine, December 1968
[9] The Wiltshire Times, 5 February 1944
[10] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 29 December 1923
[11] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 11 August 1923