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Woodman Family Text Jim North Photos Jim North and Tony Beesley (1934-2011) May 2025 My grandfather Henry Oatley Woodman was the gardener employed by William Littlejohn Philip at Sherbrooke (now called Rudloe Arms) for a decade from 1902 to 1912. William Littlejohn ran an engineering business, Spencer’s Engineering Company, where Henry’s elder brother Walter Hellard worked. We might surmise that when William Littlejohn moved to Sherbrooke House in 1902, he required a reliable man to run the gardens and appointed Henry. The two men had fundamental religious beliefs in common. William Littlejohn was a devout Scottish Presbyterian from Glasgow and my grandfather was a Primitive Methodist, who attended the chapel at Beech Road, Box Hill. Their beliefs were based on fundamental Christianity and deeply opposed to anything resembling Catholicism. Right: Henry Woodman and his son William Henry |
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Henry married Mary Jane Baggott (December 1873-1950) from Leicestershire at St Bartholomew Church, Corsham, on 6 August 1904. It is assumed that their marriage was arranged by Mary’s sister Sarah Agnes Merrett (nee Baggott), and the Merrett family of Corsham. He was 31 and she was 30, the last sibling to leave her family home after caring for her parents. Her sister, Sarah Agnes was also married in Corsham Church.
In 1910 Henry and Mary were recorded in the electoral register as living at The Clift, Box Hill, probably Clift Cottage (now part of Faircross House). A couple of years later they had moved to a nearby property on Box Hill at Ebury Cottage but they stayed only a short time before they moved to Chapel Lane, Box.
In 1910 Henry and Mary were recorded in the electoral register as living at The Clift, Box Hill, probably Clift Cottage (now part of Faircross House). A couple of years later they had moved to a nearby property on Box Hill at Ebury Cottage but they stayed only a short time before they moved to Chapel Lane, Box.
St John Ambulance Service
William Littlejohn Philip and my grandfather had interests in common, particularly in educating others. William had started an adult education school in part of Clift House called Adult House. Henry was an active supporter of the St John Ambulance service and rose through the ranks. By 1915 he and Dr Symes led an initiative to train more volunteers at the schoolhouse in the United Free Methodist Church on top of Box Hill. He chaired a ceremony when 31 new members were admitted and 24 people awarded Second Class Certificates. The venture was so successful that the meeting agreed to form an additional brigade in the centre of Box. Henry himself and several other notable Box Brigade officials, including John R King, Albert Cogswell and Walter Wilkins, were all awarded First Class Certificates at the meeting. It was one of his last actions before he was enlisted and served in France in May of that year. William’s wife Margaret was also involved in the local brigade.
William Littlejohn Philip and my grandfather had interests in common, particularly in educating others. William had started an adult education school in part of Clift House called Adult House. Henry was an active supporter of the St John Ambulance service and rose through the ranks. By 1915 he and Dr Symes led an initiative to train more volunteers at the schoolhouse in the United Free Methodist Church on top of Box Hill. He chaired a ceremony when 31 new members were admitted and 24 people awarded Second Class Certificates. The venture was so successful that the meeting agreed to form an additional brigade in the centre of Box. Henry himself and several other notable Box Brigade officials, including John R King, Albert Cogswell and Walter Wilkins, were all awarded First Class Certificates at the meeting. It was one of his last actions before he was enlisted and served in France in May of that year. William’s wife Margaret was also involved in the local brigade.
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Henry’s WWI Service Because of his St John’s Ambulance training Henry was allocated to the Royal Army Medical Corps dealing with the distressing work of tending the sick, ill and dying from the War Front. He probably served on hospital trains when invalids were shipped to dedicated military hospitals both in Europe and at home. The work was heart-rending, the earliest trains having some 500 men laid out on straw in the carriages, whilst medics were performing operations such as amputation and offering aid and comfort. Later trains were built specifically with operating theatres, pharmacies and a greater level of hygiene. Henry served overseas and it is believed that he was gassed and had to undertake convalescence at Netley Military Hospital, Southampton. Unfortunately, most of the records there have been lost. Right: Henry's service photograph for the family in case of non-return |
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Religious Beliefs
My grandfather appears to be the person who advocated Methodism and introduced those beliefs to his children. My mother, Phyllis Doreen, was baptised on 12 May 1911 as a Primitive Methodist at the little chapel on Beech Road, Box, when the family were living nearby at Ebury cottage. Her brother William had a Methodist funeral at Melksham but their sibling Margaret had a Church of England funeral at Keevil.
My grandfather appears to be the person who advocated Methodism and introduced those beliefs to his children. My mother, Phyllis Doreen, was baptised on 12 May 1911 as a Primitive Methodist at the little chapel on Beech Road, Box, when the family were living nearby at Ebury cottage. Her brother William had a Methodist funeral at Melksham but their sibling Margaret had a Church of England funeral at Keevil.
Highway House (shop) Box Hill with Margaret Elaine and William Henry Woodman about 1910
Henry and Mary Jane’s Children
Henry and Mary had three children, the youngest being Phyllis Doreen, my mother, who was born in 1911. Her siblings were Margaret Elaine (born 1907) and William Henry (born 1908). They were probably all born when the family were living at Clift Cottage on Box Hill (the property is now part of Faircross House).
Henry and Mary had three children, the youngest being Phyllis Doreen, my mother, who was born in 1911. Her siblings were Margaret Elaine (born 1907) and William Henry (born 1908). They were probably all born when the family were living at Clift Cottage on Box Hill (the property is now part of Faircross House).
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The photograph above left (courtesy https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/c/F272709) appears to be a paid-for studio portrait of the children all dressed in their Sunday best. It shows Phyllis (left) with Margaret behind William. The photo was taken by Herbert Spackman of Corsham about 1916. Because of its formality and the date, it was probably carried by Henry when serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps. The photo above right is of Phyllis Doreen about 1930.
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Above left shown left to right Margaret Elaine, her first husband Henry William Sydee and Phyllis Doreen Woodman. The picture above right is of the girls playing tennis in Melksham.
The wedding of Winifred Merrett and Harold Beesley in 1924. Henry Oatley Woodman is seen far left. It is possible that the button holes of Heny Oatley and Alfred Henry are twigs of Barberry
Audrey Beesley with Phyllis and Margaret Elaine Woodman about 1928
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Wider Family At the wedding of Winifred L Merrett and Harold HJ Beesley on Easter Monday 21 April 1924, Henry Oatley Woodman was invited as the brother-in-law of the groom. Those in the photo are back row: William Woodman, not known, James Merrett (Corsham undertaker), Sarah Agnes Baggott Merrett, not known, Mary Jane Baggott Woodman, Phyllis Doreen Woodman. Front row: Henry Oatley Woodman, Edmond Merrett, Dorothy Merrett (with baby Joyce on lap), Harold Beesley, Winifred Lucy Merrett, Margaret Elaine Woodman, Alfred Henry Baggott. Alfred Henry Baggott, master printer, was brother to Mary Jane Woodman (nee Baggott). He was called upon to prepare fancy, embossed wedding cake cards for family and friends of Mary Jane living at Box Hill and elsewhere. Mary Jane’s daughter, my aunt Margaret Elaine, collected many of these beautiful cards over the years. Some of them I have sent to descendants who I found over the years, including the names Poulsom, Aust and the marriage of Charles William Bond Oatley to Hilda Maslen. |
Family Tree
My Great Grandparents
Walter William Woodman (1844-1885), a tiler and plasterer, married twice, both women being called Mary Ann. His first wife in 1862 was Mary Ann Carrier from Bradford-on-Avon. She died shortly after their marriage, presumably in childbirth. He married his second wife, Mary Ann Hellard (1846-1931), on 27 February 1868 at South Wraxall. Children:
My Grandparents
Henry Oatley Woodman (26 December 1872-14 February 1948) was born at Canhold, Melksham. He married Mary Jane Baggott (1873-1950) from Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire at Corsham on 6 August 1904.
Children:
My Parents
Phyllis Doreen Woodman and Frederick George North (1903-1986). Children:
My Great Grandparents
Walter William Woodman (1844-1885), a tiler and plasterer, married twice, both women being called Mary Ann. His first wife in 1862 was Mary Ann Carrier from Bradford-on-Avon. She died shortly after their marriage, presumably in childbirth. He married his second wife, Mary Ann Hellard (1846-1931), on 27 February 1868 at South Wraxall. Children:
- Matilda Elizabeth (1859-1954)
- Walter Hellard (1871-1950), iron moulder, married Louisa Gertrude Gale (1875-1914) in 1894 and after her death he married Lily Blanche Cundick (1878-1963) in 1917;
- Henry Oatley (26 December 1872-1948);
- Florence Jane (1875-1876);
- Fritz (1876-1945);
- Robert James (1878-1945);
- Susan (1880-1885);
- George (1882-1958).
My Grandparents
Henry Oatley Woodman (26 December 1872-14 February 1948) was born at Canhold, Melksham. He married Mary Jane Baggott (1873-1950) from Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire at Corsham on 6 August 1904.
Children:
- Margaret Elaine Woodman (1907-1986) married Henry William Sydee (1907-1931) in 1931. Henry underwent an operation for appendicitis but contracted typhoid and died 11 months later.[1] In 1940 Margaret married Ernest James Hankin (1905-1973). She had no children;
- William Henry Woodman (1908-1979) married Anne Conway (1916-1988) in 1940;
- Phyllis Doreen Woodman (1911-1982), my mother.
My Parents
Phyllis Doreen Woodman and Frederick George North (1903-1986). Children:
- Geraldine Marie (1936-);
- Nicholas Anthony (1938-2009);
- James Laurie (1941-).
Reference
[1] The Wiltshire Times, 26 November 1932
[1] The Wiltshire Times, 26 November 1932