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Tottle Family
Margaret Wakefield Photos courtesy Tottle family via Margaret Wakefield March 2020 It’s rather sad when a family name dies out in a village because part of the history of the area seems to be lost. That might have been the case for the Tottle family who lived in Box for a century in the 1900s until the Box branch of the family died without heirs in 1992. This story tries to amend that situation. This wonderful photo is believed to show members of the Tottle family but details of the people have now been lost. |
The lives of the Tottle family were unfortunately prone to repeated changes in fortune long before they came to Box. For many years, the family lived at Bridgwater, Somerset, and were staunch Unitarians.[1] John Forward Tottle was born in Bridgwater in 1873 to parents John Tottle, stonemason, and Jane French. He was their fifth child and they went on to have three more children at Bridgwater afterwards. At times, John senior prospered, calling himself Master mason employing 1 man and 2 boys in 1881 but, ten years later, he had declined in status when he was simply called bricklayer.
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John Forward Tottle (1873-1952)
It must have been difficult for John senior to finance such a large family, and the infancy of the fifth child, John Forward, was unusual. For reasons unknown he went to live with his uncle and aunt, Walter and Elizabeth Long before he was seven years of age and never returned to live with his parents. Instead he stayed with Walter and Elizabeth who rented Station Cottage, Middlehill, Box, where Walter was employed as a railway porter for the Great Western Railway. It was under his uncle’s care that John Forward was christened in 1887 when he was fourteen. Walter Long would probably have encouraged his nephew into the security of the railway industry when he was old enough but John Forward was tempted into the stone trade aged seventeen. In 1901 he married a girl called Mary Sharp (b 23 December 1874 from Long Eaton, Derbyshire). He continued as a stone mason working as a banker mason for the Bath & Portland Stone Firms and rented one of their properties at Mill Lane, sometimes called Fairmead View. |
Jack Tottle's mother Mary and sister Agnes at 18 Fairmead View
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In 1911 they lived at number 18 Mill Lane and in 1939 they were listed at number 19. John Forward and Mary had two children. Their first was a girl Agnes Elizabeth born 31 December 1903 who only lived for five years until succumbing to scarlet fever (pictured in above photograph). In the Parish Magazine of July 1909, there was a charming memorial to her death and an illustration of the prevalence of childhood mortality at that time: We have… with sorrow …to record the death (only a few days before the [Sunday School] Treat) of one of our Sunday School scholars; she was much beloved by the children and the teachers alike. The parents …. Mr. and Mrs. Tottle… have had much kindness and sympathy shown them by many of the parishioners for which they are deeply grateful. [2]
Their other child was John Henry Walter Tottle (known as Jack), born on 4 July 1910. Still remembering the tragedy of their first child, the parents had Jack christened within three days.
Their other child was John Henry Walter Tottle (known as Jack), born on 4 July 1910. Still remembering the tragedy of their first child, the parents had Jack christened within three days.
Jack (centre) with his parents, John Forward and Mary Tottle, in about 1920
Jack Tottle (1910-1992)
As a sixteen-year-old in 1927 Jack studied at Canning's College, Bath, where he won a prize for penmanship, presumed to mean handwriting and English.[3]
As a sixteen-year-old in 1927 Jack studied at Canning's College, Bath, where he won a prize for penmanship, presumed to mean handwriting and English.[3]
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Jack pictured throughout the early twentieth century: Left and Centre at Fairmead View, Centre with Wilf Clothier, Right at Box Hill.
Jack led a similar childhood to most Box boys: making camps, playing in the woods and quarries and enjoying time in the open air. He was a contemporary of Phil Lambert and Reg Cogswell (seen below with Jack).
His career was spent working for the railway where he started as a clerk and progressed until, in his mid-thirties, he was called up in the Second World War. The Great Western Railway company was a major employer before the war, one of the so-called Big Four operators of joint-stock public railway companies. Despite a fall in rail revenue as more traffic took to the roads, work for the railways was still prestigious, well-paid and with good working conditions.
By 1942, he appears to have had an administrative role in North Wales at Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay, which was the wartime headquarters of the Ministry of Food. Possibly he was required to use his railway expertise on logistics to move food around Britain, particularly imports from USA and Canada entering the country via Liverpool Docks.[4] He met a young lady in the office (probably typing pool) called Joyce. They started dating, he met her parents and they became engaged to be married. It is hard to know how much they had in common and perhaps telling that Jack wrote home to his parents detailing events at a local cricket match: Joyce got quite sun burned (presumably suntanned) which pleased her as much as the game. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out between them. Jack returned to Box after the war, kept the photos of Joyce and her family and remained a bachelor for the rest of his life.
By 1942, he appears to have had an administrative role in North Wales at Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay, which was the wartime headquarters of the Ministry of Food. Possibly he was required to use his railway expertise on logistics to move food around Britain, particularly imports from USA and Canada entering the country via Liverpool Docks.[4] He met a young lady in the office (probably typing pool) called Joyce. They started dating, he met her parents and they became engaged to be married. It is hard to know how much they had in common and perhaps telling that Jack wrote home to his parents detailing events at a local cricket match: Joyce got quite sun burned (presumably suntanned) which pleased her as much as the game. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out between them. Jack returned to Box after the war, kept the photos of Joyce and her family and remained a bachelor for the rest of his life.
Joyce with Jack in 1942. Wartime Friendships often failed to last.
Friends in Box
Back in Box after the war, Jack tried to re-establish a career and a social life. His job with GWR was still available but the railways had been severely run-down through under-investment over many years. It quickly became clear that private companies could not operate the rail network successfully and they were all nationalised in 1948 to create British Rail. The service struggled on for a few years until the Beeching cuts of 1963 closed many branch lines and ended both Box Station and Box Halt. We might surmise that working on the railways was not fulfilling at this time and Jack and many of his contemporaries took to sport to replace work satisfaction.
Back in Box after the war, Jack tried to re-establish a career and a social life. His job with GWR was still available but the railways had been severely run-down through under-investment over many years. It quickly became clear that private companies could not operate the rail network successfully and they were all nationalised in 1948 to create British Rail. The service struggled on for a few years until the Beeching cuts of 1963 closed many branch lines and ended both Box Station and Box Halt. We might surmise that working on the railways was not fulfilling at this time and Jack and many of his contemporaries took to sport to replace work satisfaction.
Jack was close friends with Wilfred Clothier (31 August 1906-2002), slightly his senior and also a clerk at Box Railway Station. This photo shows Wilf’s marriage to Gertrude Elizabeth Clothier (4 July 1906-1994), possibly his cousin, on 9 May 1933. Wilf and Gertie lived at 7 The Bassetts and Wilf rose through the GWR ranks until he was appointed Box Stationmaster in 1948 succeeding Albert Frederick Wheeler on his retirement.[5] Jack and Wilf shared an enthusiasm for sport and devoted considerable time to it. Wilf was later described as: Although not tall, he had an unplayable fast serve on the tennis court and regularly enjoyed badminton in the Bingham Hall.[6]
Tabby Park tennis club in 1948 (courtesy Margaret Wakefield)
Sporting Life in Box
In Box Jack was best known for his sporting achievements. He was a stalwart of the Tabby Park tennis club playing on the High Street courts east of the present Post Office before they were sold for property development. He and Anna Grayson tried to reform the club on the new facilities on The Rec after they were built in 1967 but membership was insufficient to join a league and the new facilities were used for local residents.
Jack had a long association with the Box Cricket Club, playing for the First Eleven before World War II, then the Second Eleven and finally undertaking administration work as he grew older. He was also a keen member of the Gay Nineties Dance committee holding New Year celebrations in the Bingham Hall. The Badminton Club started in the Bingham Hall and later moved to the Selwyn Hall.
Conclusion
Jack Tottle lived all his life in his parents’ home at Fairmead View. He was essentially a civilised and self-contained man of upright demeanour and dapper appearance. His was a quiet, modest life of enjoyment in his immaculate garden and the regular company of his life-long friends. He was a man of keen intellect, always interested in current affairs and with a deep love of literature. In younger days he pursued his love of cricket with occasional trips to watch County games or to Lords. He always had his annual holiday with his cousins in Barry, South Wales. But mostly, he was content to enjoy the unhurried but rewarding life that he had chosen to live in the village that had always been his home. It is hard to believe that Jack's life would have been the same had the Second World War not interrupted our lives. But with the pressures and stress of life today, we might envy the quiet contentment of a less complicated life.
In Box Jack was best known for his sporting achievements. He was a stalwart of the Tabby Park tennis club playing on the High Street courts east of the present Post Office before they were sold for property development. He and Anna Grayson tried to reform the club on the new facilities on The Rec after they were built in 1967 but membership was insufficient to join a league and the new facilities were used for local residents.
Jack had a long association with the Box Cricket Club, playing for the First Eleven before World War II, then the Second Eleven and finally undertaking administration work as he grew older. He was also a keen member of the Gay Nineties Dance committee holding New Year celebrations in the Bingham Hall. The Badminton Club started in the Bingham Hall and later moved to the Selwyn Hall.
Conclusion
Jack Tottle lived all his life in his parents’ home at Fairmead View. He was essentially a civilised and self-contained man of upright demeanour and dapper appearance. His was a quiet, modest life of enjoyment in his immaculate garden and the regular company of his life-long friends. He was a man of keen intellect, always interested in current affairs and with a deep love of literature. In younger days he pursued his love of cricket with occasional trips to watch County games or to Lords. He always had his annual holiday with his cousins in Barry, South Wales. But mostly, he was content to enjoy the unhurried but rewarding life that he had chosen to live in the village that had always been his home. It is hard to believe that Jack's life would have been the same had the Second World War not interrupted our lives. But with the pressures and stress of life today, we might envy the quiet contentment of a less complicated life.
Family Tree
Alfred Tottle (b 1805) married Martha Ackland (1828-1905) at Wellington, Somerset in 1850. Children: William (1855); Alfred (1857); Samuel (1860); Martha (1863); Elizabeth (1865); James (1869). Granddaughter Bessie (1880).
Charles (b 1806) and Mary Tottle (b 1796) lived at Pig Cross, Bridgwater, the site of a cattle and pig market, in 1841. Charles described himself as Master Builder by 1861 and they had moved to 13 West Street, Bridgwater. and had at least two children including: Rebecca (b 1828); John (b 1834).
John Tottle (1834-1910), stonemason, married Jane French (1845-possibly 1921) at Clifton on 26 May 1866. They had at least eight children: Agnes Eliza (b 1867); Arthur (b 1869); Harold (b 1870); Alice Mary (b 1871); John Forward (b 1873); Emily (b 1876); Walter Stanley (b 1877); and Bernard E (b 1882).
John Forward Tottle (b 22 June 1873 at Bridgwater - 1952) lived at Station Cottage, Middlehill, in the care of his uncle Walter Long (b 1844 at Shrewton), a railway porter, and aunt Elizabeth (b 1841 at Cannington, Somerset) in 1881 and 1891. He lived with them from at least aged 7 years. John Forward Tottle, banker mason, married Mary Sharp (b 23 December 1874 at Long Eaton, Derbyshire). In 1911 they lived at 18 Mill Lane and in 1939 John F, Mary and John Henry Walter Tottle (4 July 1910 - 1952), railway clerk lived at 19 Fairmead View. Children:
Agnes Elizabeth Tottle (31 December 1903-1909); John Henry Walter (Jack) Tottle (4 July 1910 at Box – 31 October 1992)
John Henry Walter (Jack) Tottle (4 July 1910 at Box – 31 October 1992). Having lost their first child, John Forward and Mary Tottle had Jack baptised within 3 days.
Alfred Tottle (b 1805) married Martha Ackland (1828-1905) at Wellington, Somerset in 1850. Children: William (1855); Alfred (1857); Samuel (1860); Martha (1863); Elizabeth (1865); James (1869). Granddaughter Bessie (1880).
Charles (b 1806) and Mary Tottle (b 1796) lived at Pig Cross, Bridgwater, the site of a cattle and pig market, in 1841. Charles described himself as Master Builder by 1861 and they had moved to 13 West Street, Bridgwater. and had at least two children including: Rebecca (b 1828); John (b 1834).
John Tottle (1834-1910), stonemason, married Jane French (1845-possibly 1921) at Clifton on 26 May 1866. They had at least eight children: Agnes Eliza (b 1867); Arthur (b 1869); Harold (b 1870); Alice Mary (b 1871); John Forward (b 1873); Emily (b 1876); Walter Stanley (b 1877); and Bernard E (b 1882).
John Forward Tottle (b 22 June 1873 at Bridgwater - 1952) lived at Station Cottage, Middlehill, in the care of his uncle Walter Long (b 1844 at Shrewton), a railway porter, and aunt Elizabeth (b 1841 at Cannington, Somerset) in 1881 and 1891. He lived with them from at least aged 7 years. John Forward Tottle, banker mason, married Mary Sharp (b 23 December 1874 at Long Eaton, Derbyshire). In 1911 they lived at 18 Mill Lane and in 1939 John F, Mary and John Henry Walter Tottle (4 July 1910 - 1952), railway clerk lived at 19 Fairmead View. Children:
Agnes Elizabeth Tottle (31 December 1903-1909); John Henry Walter (Jack) Tottle (4 July 1910 at Box – 31 October 1992)
John Henry Walter (Jack) Tottle (4 July 1910 at Box – 31 October 1992). Having lost their first child, John Forward and Mary Tottle had Jack baptised within 3 days.
Reference
[1] Western Daily Press, 10 August 1921
[2] Parish Magazine, July 1909
[3] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 22 January 1927
[4] https://colwynbayheritage.org.uk/the-ministry-of-food-a-vital-contribution-of-colwyn-bay-during-wartime-2/
[5] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 19 February 1949
[6] Courtesy Anna Grayson
[1] Western Daily Press, 10 August 1921
[2] Parish Magazine, July 1909
[3] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 22 January 1927
[4] https://colwynbayheritage.org.uk/the-ministry-of-food-a-vital-contribution-of-colwyn-bay-during-wartime-2/
[5] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 19 February 1949
[6] Courtesy Anna Grayson