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NETLEY ABBEY MATTERS!
SHARED STORIES A - D
"Shared Stories" - a combination of both Village and Hospital stories, a mixture
of past and present villagers' memories of their own time in Netley Village and/or those of their ancestors
both at Netley War Hospital and Netley Village, plus updates from some of the sources who contributed
to my book - "Unforgotten Lives at Netley Hospital."
If you have a story to tell and are happy to share, then please
let me know via Contact Me.
The featured surnames appear below in this order -
Alger Attrill/Lowe/Dove Barker update Balldelli Butt
Chambers Chaplin Cherrington Clarke/Webster Clatworthy Cosier/Meikle
Cox Crook/Shaw Dawkins/Gallagher Day update Dicker
In June 2021, Garth Alger contacted me via this website to share his memories of
Netley Abbey in the 1940/1950s. His family lived at 38 Hunt Avenue.
"My father Frederick was a bowling green and landscape gardener and had offices behind the now co-op. He was responsible for extending the football pitch and installing the tennis court in the
Recreation Ground.
My Uncle Edward who also lived with us (off and on) was a local character and gentleman of the road.
My Uncle Rick was a local Scout Master and Auntie Helen married a Cundick
(can't remember his first name).
We were also related to the Carters some of whom lived in the Avenue.
My Father got into financial difficulties when he took on the Contract to paint the exteriors
of the houses on the Council estate. He had his shed broken into and all the paint was stolen.
He fled to New Zealand in 1959."
My Netley Abbey Residents' Register showed Charles Frederick and Emma Jane Alger living in
Chamberlayne Road, Netley Abbey in 1920. Emma's maiden name was Carter.
They were married at South Stoneham in 1907.
In 1911, there were Carters living at No 1 Victoria Villas, Chamberlayne Road and between 1964 - 1971,
a Mr W A Cundick was living at 15 St Edward's Road.
Garth confirmed that these were his relations.
Below is an extract from the 1939 Register
I asked if he had any family photos ...
"As we had to vacate 38 Hunt Avenue in a hurry I have no photos.
Also there was another sister whose name was Doris; she married a Fred Gittus and moved to Birmingham.
I remember many happy hours spent in the Bunney with the Edward Brothers who also lived in Hunt Avenue - the bonfires on the grass in the middle of the Avenue and taking lorry
inflated inner tubes to go swimming in the Solent during summer holidays.
I think there was a family called the Cosiers lived in the house at the entrance to the Bunney.
The rumour was that ghosts roamed their back garden because a horse and its rider
drowned in their pond."
Thank you!
-oo0oo-
In early 2019, Geoff Attrill got in touch to check if I could help him trace his relative. Here's what we have so far. If you can help, please let me know via Contact Me and I'll connect you to Geoff.
Attrill, Lowe, Dove Families
"William Lowe was a Private in the Army Service Corps living in the Royal Victoria Hospital when he married my Great Aunt Frances Attrill in 1899 - see the Marriage Certificate below.
There were two other Lowe brothers, Edmund and George, my Grandfather.
George was born in Butlock's Heath in 1881; my father (Edmund) was born in Netley Abbey in 1925 and I was born here too in 1955."
Sadly the Netley Military Hospital Names' database did not show Geoff's William Lowe.
The 1901 Census shows a Private William Lowe, married, age 26 serving with the Army Services Corps at Aldershot Hospital - is this Geoff's Great Uncle William?
Then in April 2019, John Dove contacted me to share the story of his family ties to Netley Abbey.
"I am the son of William and Lucy Frances Dove, nee Attrill.
My parents were married on 23 April 1932 at St Edward's Church Netley Abbey.
My father was from Freemantle, Southampton. I now live in Canada but I grew up and was
educated in Southampton."
Lucy is the Niece of Private William Lowe's wife, Frances Attrill.
Lucy's parents were Sidney James and Elizabeth Attrill.
My Netley Abbey Residents' Register has her parents living at 62A Woolston Road, Butlock's Heath
in 1920 and in 1954, at 15 The Crescent, Netley Abbey.
The Register also has a Captain William Edmund Lowe living at "Heathfield",
41 Station Road, Netley Abbey who is in the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1920.
One last thought - Rob Dove who creates those beautiful photographs/ drawings which
grace the stairway at Lowford Community Centre - are you related here?
If you think you may have a family connection to any of the Folk mentioned on this Page,
please let me know. I'll need to check with the author first but if okay,
I'll pass on their contact details to you.
In January 2021, Christopher contacted me to share the story of his family in Netley Abbey in the 1950s. Let's meet the
Balldelli Family
"During the 1950s, my maternal Grandmother lived with her second husband in a large
house named "West Dene" on Station Road opposite the Railway Station.
Her husband was Giovanni Balldelli. He was a leading academic a noted professor and freedom fighter from Italy. The title of his most famous book 'Social Anarchism' has been adopted as the masthead
for the modern anarchy movement.
"My Mum, Pamela Chapman, nee Balldelli, is the young woman in the white top; my father is
in the jumper on the left; my older sister is the smallest young girl.
My Grandmother is Eve and the man in the suit is her husband, Giovanni.
His daughter, Giovanna, is sat in front of him.
I think the photo was taken around about 1957 or 1958 on the steps of West Dene."
Thank you!
Post-Book Update below!
Private Walter Barker
10th Battalion Hampshire Regiment
At the British Red Cross Hospital, Netley in 1917
suffering from malaria
In April 2019, Cheryl contacted me via this website to share her relative's story.
Then in June 2024, Claire Jebali contacted me to buy a copy of my book ...
The photo on the right was taken when Walter first joined the 10th Hampshires in 1915.
The Regiment took part in the siege of Thessaloniki in Greece and this is where Private Barker contracted malaria.
He was sent back to England and admitted to the British Red Cross Hutted Hospital in 1917. He was invalided out of the Army as "unfit for active service", aged 20, in 1919.
The notice below comes from the National Roll of the Great War 1914 - 1918.
Planning to add Claire's Grand-dad's story to my website at a later date, she gave me the following information which allowed me to find more records online - this is our combined update:
"His full name was Walter Parram Pink Barker. He was born on 4 June 1895.
His Parents are Edward (1850 - 1922) and Elizabeth, nee Carpenter (1861 - 1951)
His Service No was 22827, 4th Hampshire Regiment. He was discharged on 29 April 1919.
He married Constance Laura A Renyard (1897 - 1976) in March 1921.
Walter was appointed a Postman at Southampton on 3 February 1922.
Walter passed away in Winchester in 1955.
Walter and Constance's son Parram Edwin Augustus Walter Barker was born on 18 May 1921.
Pre-enlistment, he was a Lorry Driver's Mate.
He served with the 135 Field Regiment Royal Artillery, Service No 1115106. Gunner Barker was captured
at Singapore on 17 February 1942 and was held as a POW at a Japanese War Camp.
Parram died on 19 June 1944 at Chungkai and is buried at Chungkai War Cemetery, Thailand."
Claire emailed on 19 June 2024:
"Well I finally sat down to read your book & imagine my surprise when I saw that my
Grand-dad Walter Barker was already in there on page 8.
My cousin Cheryl gave you his story back in 2019."
Thank you Claire and Cheryl for sharing!
-oo0oo-
Sharon Butt - My memories of growing up in Netley Abbey
Sharon Butt, nee Gilbert, contacted me in 2020 via our Facebook Page to tell me about the isle of Wight Family History website which had several entries relating to members of the VAD
who worked at Netley Hospital.
We got "chatting", as you do, about Netley Abbey etc and I asked her to jot down some of
her memories of childhood etc.
"I was born in Netley in 1958, and grew up there. I’m related, through my Dad, to the French family, and remember Auntie Vi (Violet) very well, along with Ted and Daisy French who lived on Station Road,
just down the hill from and on the same side of the road as the Catholic Church.
Daisy owned two beautiful Samoyed dogs which I found quite alarming to walk past as a child.
Royal Victoria Hospital was always a place of intrigue as we weren’t allowed in to see what it was like until the early 1980s. My Great Grandmother worked at the hospital, I’m guessing in the late 19th/early 20th century. Her surname, I think, was Hopper. She told tales of daring to go into the museum at night.
I grew up with tales of the Grey Lady ghost at the hospital - we could see the hospital dome from our house in Waverley Avenue, and I used to find these stories frightening.
As a small child, I was taken to the Jubilee Hall to children’s parties, put on, if I remember rightly,
by the Conservatives. I remember there often being a conjuror who would magically produce
bunches of flowers from his sleeves, or a string of sausages.
There was always orange squash to drink.
The hall was used for baby clinics, where newborns were weighed regularly,
and rosehip syrup was given out."
[Thank you Sharon]
-oo0oo-
Angela R contacted me back in January 2020 to share the story of her family in Netley Village. I have since found an earlier post she had done in July 2010.
Chambers Family
My Dad, Ernest Benjamin Chambers, was admitted to Netley Hospital sometime during World War 2
after he was blown off his motorcycle. He had a head injury which necessitated a plate being
inserted into his skull.
He later met and married my Mum, Miss Lilian Annie Isobel Rowe at St Edward the Confessor Church, Netley Abbey on 18 October 1947. Dad's address is shown as B Company, Convalescent Wing, Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley.
My Mum's address at the time was 25 Pound Road, Old Netley.
I was born in 1962 in Denzil Avenue.
Dad co-ran Netley Boys' Club FC and together with my Uncle, Lou Jones built a changing room in
the playing field down by the water. The building had a tree coming out of it. If I remember rightly,
it was because they weren't allowed to cut it down.
I was only 11 when my uncle died and 12 years old when Dad died so the memories I have are
very few and far between. I do remember that when we had football matches, I used to run
on the pitch at half-time with the orange quarters and that I used to stand there and cheer them
on with my wooden rattle, religiously.
At the end of the matches, we usually congregated in the Red Lion public house
along Victoria Road.
There was also a time when one of our players broke his leg in a tackle and as there were no
mobile phones then, we had to run across the road to knock on someone's door to ask
them to telephone an ambulance.
I have found these photos.
The one on the left is of my Dad calling for everyone as the coach was arriving
to pick up at the bottom of Denzil Avenue, I think in the 1960s, for an away match.
The one on the right is of some members of the Netley Boys Club football team and partners
along with my Dad and my Uncle after a sponsored walk.
My Dad died in 1974 at Denzil Avenue, Netley Abbey
Thank you Angela!
-oo0oo-
In February 2021, Colin and Caroline contacted me both via this website and Facebook to share information on -
Captain Benjamin Chaplin
Master Mariner, fisherman and Councillor for Netley in 1930s
Ben was a merchant seaman and subsequently a yacht master and professional skipper and a keen fisherman. He was also an active member of the Netley Angling and Cruising Club and latterly the Hamble Angling and Cruising Club and helped organise the Netley Regattas in the 1930s.
He skippered the yachts "Seran" and "Cleone" for owner Charles C Regnart
Between 1925 and 1940, he, his wife, Lilly and their daughter Patricia lived at "The Myrtles" on
Grange Road, Netley Abbey.
Patricia (Paddy) Chaplin was a strong swimmer, swimming Southampton Water when she was 11.
Ben retired to Cowes on the Isle of Wight and ran the Royal Standard Pub until his death in 1959.
Colin and Caroline would love to hear from anyone who remembers him or has recollection
of the yachts he skippered during the 1930s.
Drop me a line via Contact Me and I'll pass the info on.
-oo0oo-
Adrian C contacted me in August 2022 to share his memories of growing up in Netley Village ...
Cherrington Family
In May 1949. my family moved to Netley Abbey. My Dad, Richard (known as either Dick or Cherry) was a police constable and got moved from Nether Wallop, near Stockbridge to Netley.
Our family consisted of Dad, Mum Vera, my brother Derek who was 7 at the time and myself,
Adrian, nearly 5. We moved into 46 Hound Road Gardens which was one of two semi-detached
houses on the edge of a small estate of prefabs.
My first friend was Michael Munnings who lived with his family in the next door semi.
Derek and I both attended Butlocks Heath Primary School which I gather has since been
demolished and replaced with houses.
One of my other friends at that time was Nigel Williamson who lived at the top of the hill in
Butlocks Heath. I particularly remember the fun we had in the Brickyard, known as the "Brickey"
which was at the back of our house and also in Hodders woods across the road.
These areas were all ideal for children with vivid imaginations for playing War and Cowboys and Indians!
We used to get into the RVH grounds by going through a hole in the fence and would get up to all
sorts of things which I couldn't possibly describe here!
The only teachers I remember at Butlocks Heath were Miss Padwick who was a friend of my Mum and Dad and Mr Huxford who was our class teacher in my last year there. I remember him with some fondness as he was a great teacher and I am sure had a lot to do with me passing the 11+ in 1954, even though I was only 10 at the time.
Having passed the 11+, I followed my brother Derek to Price's Grammar School in Fareham.
There were a number of boys from the village who attended Price's and we all travelled
by train from Netley Station to Fareham.
The boys I particularly remember are Clive Storey, Richard Donohue and Clive Herring - these were
Derek's friends, being several years older than me. Boys of my age who attended Price's School from Netley were John Smith, Ian Rankin and his cousin, Howard.
There may have been others but names escape me.
I particularly remember Clive Herring - he lived with his parents on the Sea View Estate.
In fact, his family already have a mention elsewhere in the Netley pages.
I remember that in 1956 at the time of the Suez Crisis practically all the Army vehicles being shipped to Egypt had to drive past our house to get into the Royal Victoria Hospital where there was a weighbridge, the nearest one to Southampton Docks.
My Mum and Mrs Munnings were kept busy for days making endless pots of tea for the
soldiers as their vehicles queued past our house.
Meanwhile Dad was on duty on Hamble Lane directing all the Army traffic.
In 1957, Dad was promoted and made the Section Sergeant with responsibility for the whole Netley area which covered not only the Village but also Hamble (as it was called then), Hedge End and West End. This promotion meant that we had to move into the Police Station in the village
at 33 - 35 New Road.
I remember the St George's Day parades when Dad led the parade of Boy Scouts, Girl Guides etc
through the village to the grounds of the Abbey for the church service.
Dad looked most impressive - he was not a small man!
On leaving Price's, Derek joined the Hampshire Constabulary as a Police Cadet.
In January 1960 he was called up for National Service in the RAF. He signed on for an extra year
so that he would be treated and paid as a regular and not as a conscript. It made a huge
difference to his life in the RAF.
He trained as a RAF Police Dog Handler patrolling RAF Nuclear Bases.
In August 1960, I left Price's and started work for an animal by-product company in Portchester
so still had the same train journey every day. However, this did not last for long and in 1961,
I again followed my brother and joined Hampshire Constabulary as a Police Cadet.
After completing training, I was posted to Fareham - a town I knew well by then! -
and yes, it was that same old train journey!
In 1960/61, I became friendly with Stuart Howard who lived in Woolston. We became inseparable.
We went everywhere together, even dated the same girlfriend whom we had met when we
joined Harry Brown's Dance School in Portsmouth Road, Woolston. We both joined the Army,
going our different ways and I have always regretted losing contact with Stuart.
I have tried to find him without success.
In October 1962, Dad retired from the Police and we moved from the Police Station to a flat at Brookvale Road, Portswood. It was at this time I left the Police too and joined the Army, ostensibly for 3 years but stayed for 26 years having been promoted from Trooper all the way up to Warrant Officer Class 1 and commissioned, eventually leaving as a Captain in 1989.
Thank you Adrian
In August 2023, Dorothy Clarke contacted me about her Great Aunt and Uncle whom she visited many times as a child at their home in Netley Abbey. Here's what she recalls -
"I used to visit for holidays 2 - 3 times a year from being very young in the late 1950s until
my Uncle’s death in 1972-ish. My Aunt then sold up and came to live with us in Manchester.
My Uncle, George Webster, was a serviceman and I’m certain he worked at the RVH as a male nurse.
My Aunt’s name was Florence Webster; they lived at 18 New Road, Netley right at the top end near
Grange Road. She used to go to the chapel on the corner of New Road and Grange Road.
The photo below is of my Auntie Florrie standing to the left of Uncle George, who is
holding me. The other two are my Auntie Florrie's brother, Uncle Fred and his wife Mona Hill.
Auntie Florrie and Uncle George lived in a row of terraced houses and I think she owned 3 or 4 of them. She used to be a lady’s companion years ago to a Miss West and was left the houses in her will, I think.
I was only very young when told all this so bits of information may not be quite accurate
but it’s how I remember them.
They were friendly with a family called the Chethams who had a large home with tennis courts
on Station Road I think and also a man called Arthur Bright. Uncle Fred and Auntie Mona lived
for a time in a bungalow in New Road down nearer to the bottom on the opposite side of the
road, near the church I think.
There used to be so many of us came down to Netley Abbey for holidays and stayed at 18 New Road and number 12 and 14 New Road, which belonged to Auntie Florrie. We had some really special times.
Read more about Nos 12, 14 and 18 New Road aka Nos 8, 7 and 5 Arthur Terrace
The house with the tennis courts was on Station Road as you went up towards Netley
Station. It was on the right. It belonged to the Cheetham Family and was sold and quite a few houses
built on it in the late 1960s/early 1970s I think. It was just before you reached the British Legion building.
[Rimpton House?]
Lionel Phipps, the taxi driver, would take us back to Southampton to catch the
Royal Blue coach back to Manchester.
I remember Miss Almond's shop on Victoria Road where I would spend all my holiday
money and the Chip Shop, also on Victoria Road, where I had my first ever pea fritter.
Priceless memories!
Thank you Dorothy
My records show -
Private George Francis Webster
Service No 19578
Labour Corps Depot - No 3 Company Royal Army Medical Corps
He was born on 6 January 1886 at Southwark, Surrey
He first enlisted at London on 6 February 1905.
In July 1908 whilst serving at Gibraltar, he was diagnosed with Asthma and admitted to
Netley Hospital in October 1908 suffering with Spasmodic Asthma.
His voice was hoarse and his breathing harsh.
George suffered from severe asthma throughout his military career.
His admissions to various military hospitals are well-documented, including being
once again admitted to Netley Hospital between 19/10/1910 - 08/11/1910 suffering
with "Hypertrophy of Middle Turbinals". Whilst at Netley, he underwent an operation for two
turbinal bones to be removed after which he could breath more freely through his nose.
George appears on the 1911 Census recorded at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley
He served as an Orderly there until 5 February 1912 when on completion of 7 years'
service, he was discharged to the Reserves, aged 26 years.
He was recalled on 4 August 1914 and posted for duty at Chester.
He served in France for 11 months and on a Hospital Ship in the Mediterranean for 4 months
as a Nursing Orderly.
Whilst on furlough at home at 5 Arthur Terrace, Netley in late 1914, he had to report sick at Netley
Hospital again suffering with chronic asthma. He was discharged to Stanswood Auxiliary Hospital (Convalescent) Southampton on 05/01/1915. However, the Admission Book states that he
was transferred back to Netley Hospital on 04/05/1915 to attend a Medical Board.
He had one acute attack lasting 3 days whilst at Netley.
The Medical Board on 10/12/1915 decided that he was fit for light duty at home but unfit for further service overseas. He was 29 years old and had completed 11 years' service.
He was finally discharged on 5 October 1918, aged 32.
The Clatworthy Family at The Abbey
1884 - ca 1904
I had quite a lot of information about the Clatworthy Family, mainly courtesy of Ken Ford's book "Netley Abbey Village" and several days, rummaging through the Hound Local History Society's Archives. About three months later, I was contacted by Alan Baker, one of the Grandson of Phyllis Clatworthy and he has very kindly (thank you) given me permission to share some of his family photos below.
So, this is our shared story of the Clatworthy Family.
The Clatworthy family lived inside the Abbey itself whilst William Clatworthy was the Caretaker at the Abbey. They served Victorian Teas and had a sign above their shop door which read
"licensed to sell tobacco".
One of the first pupils into the newly-opened Netley Infants School in Station Road, Netley Abbey was Minnie Clatworthy in October 1885; she would be followed by her brother Herbert.
Father, William was born at Kenn, Exeter in 1852; Mother, Elizabeth Ann at Midsommer Norton,
Exeter ca 1856.
Minnie was born in 1879; Herbert in 1881; Phyllis was born on 15/01/1888 and went to
school on 06/07/91, just 3.5 years old.
The 1881 Census has the Family living at Tudor Cottage, Bradfield, Whitchurch, Berkshire.
The 1891 Census shows the following Family now living at the Abbey:
William, Head of the Family, aged 39 - Custodian;
Elizabeth Ann, Wife, aged 35;
Minnie Norah, Daughter, aged 11;
Herbert, Son, aged 10;
Reginald Barrett, Son, aged 9;
Evelyn, Daughter, aged 8;
Edith Amelia, Daughter, aged 7;
Albert Edward Barrett, Son, aged 5;
Phyllis Mary, Daughter, aged 5;
Guy Samuel Quance, Son, aged 1.
Alan writes -
"The first (top left) is of the whole family and was taken in about 1898 - Phyllis is sitting bottom left.
The second is just the children and must have been taken about 1894 - Phyllis is front row on the right.
My Great Grandfather (William Clatworthy) had a shop in the Abbey and you can just see the "THY" of Clatworthy in the third photo. (This was the front door of the shop)
When I was a boy it said "William Clatworthy Licenced to sell tobacco" but even the "THY" has gone now."
The 1911 Census showed William was widowed so I looked for a date of death for Elizabeth but Alan has since established from one of his many Irish cousins (his Grandma Phyllis had 9 children!) that
Elizabeth and William had separated by then.
William in 1911 was now living at 44 Porchester Road, Woolston with his sons, Hubert (30) and Albert (25) and his daughter, Evelyn (28). There was also a 2-year old Grand-daughter, Irene Phyllis Baker.
Elizabeth was living with her daughter Phyllis and son-in-law, Harry Baker at 12 Garton Road, Itchen.
Alan also advised that one of William and Elizabeth's sons, Albert Clatworthy was killed by heavy shelling in the small hamlet of Le Sars in the Battle of the Somme on 15 November 1916, aged 30.
He is remembered on Sholing's War Memorial and at the Commonwealth War Grave Memorial at
Thiepval in Northern France.
The 1921 Census shows William still living at 44 Porchester Road, Woolston with his sons, Hubert (40) and Albert (35) and his daughter, Evelyn (38) and 12-year old Grand-daughter, Irene Phyllis Baker.
Elizabeth, 66, is now living with her son, Guy Quance, 31, at 82 Derby Road, Southampton.
The photo below is of Phyllis Clatworthy who was 96 in March 1984. and was at that time,
the last surviving Clatworthy.
Alan has also since let me know that the last surviving child of Phyllis, Leonard, passed away on
21 August 2019 aged 98.
Thank you Alan
In June 2021, Chris Meikle contacted me via this website to share the story of his Family in Netley Abbey. Thank you!
Cosier/Meikle Family
George C Cosier was born on the 7 August 1885 into a hairdressing family and was taught
the craft by his father, also George.
After serving his apprenticeship in the early 1900s, he moved from his father’s business
at Leigh Road, Eastleigh to Netley Abbey and started his own Hairdressing business
at 34 Victoria Road, living in the flat above the premises.
On 8 March 1908, George, aged 23, married Elsie E Baldwin, age 26, at St Edward's Church, Netley.
Elsie was originally from Maldon, Essex.
On 12 November 1910, Elsie (Betty) M Cosier was born at 34 Victoria Road, Netley Abbey.
The business expanded and in 1911, George was running a Hairdressing Salon and a Tobacconist Shop. By the 1930s, George had also become a Newsagent.
Much of his business came from the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley.
Elsie, his wife, also had a business mind and bought and sold furniture & antiques privately,
and at sales and auctions.
Over the years they were married they bought a number of properties in the Village,
- The Sweet Shop at No 37 and The Chocolate Box Shop, both on Victoria Road and
five terrace cottages Nos 20 - 24 Victoria Road.
Tom Peckham in his Village Memories above mentioned the old lady who ran the
Tobacconist/Sweet Shop at No 37 Victoria Road?
Chris read it and commented -
"This lady was my Great Grand-Aunt Grace Ellen (Nell) Baldwin a spinster and eldest sister of Elsie.
Having moved to Netley in the 1930s Aunt Nell bought the shop at No37.
She was quite a character and when you entered her shop, the opening line was most likely -
"What you want mister". She lived on the premises and ran the shop until late 1962.
When in her 80s, her health deteriorated and she ended up staying at Ingleside before she died at
age 82 on 13th March 1963 at Moorgreen hospital."
George & Elsie Cosier’s only daughter, also Elsie, but better known in the village as Betty,
met John McKay Meikle from Falkirk, Scotland at a local dance in 1930.
John MacKay Meikle was born on 12 May 1908.
He had joined the RAMC as a Clerk in 1925 and was stationed at the
Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley.
They were married on 12 August 1931
In 1931, Betty's Dad, George bought Trafalgar House, 52 New Road, Netley for Betty and John.
John & Betty Meikle had two children:
Gordon, born 4 April 1932 and Alan, born 15 March 1937
Below - left to right:
George and Elsie Cosier, Betty (seated) and John Meikle with Gordon standing in front.
(Alan is missing as he was only born that month)
In 1938, George Cosier purchased the next door shop and flat at 33 Victoria Road.
Its walls were knocked down and Nos 33 & 34 Victoria Road now became one shop -
Men’s & Ladies Hairdressing, Newsagent, Tobacconists plus stationery & greeting cards.
When the 1939 Register was recorded on 29 September, George and Elsie Cosier, Betty Meikle
(changed at a later date to Binstead, see below), Gordon and Alan Meikle (closed record) are all living in the flat above 33 - 34 Victoria Road.
The 1939 Register for Trafalgar House states that the "House is locked up. Family away."
When the upstairs flat at Victoria Road was found to be too cramped, Betty took Gordon & Alan
north to Leeds for a short time, where John, now a Sergeant was based with his Regiment.
On their return to Netley Abbey, Betty and the children moved back into Trafalgar House.
In 1939 John Meikle was mobilised with the RAMC to France and returned to England
from Dunkirk in June 1940 saying it was "a miracle to be alive".
He served throughout the war in the Middle East, Sicily and Italy.
In 1944, after the D-Day Landings, John and his Regiment were stationed in Belgium.
By 1945 he had been promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major and he returned to the UK
sometime in 1945.
By this time, Betty had not seen her husband for over 2.5 years and their lives had gone
in different directions. In September 1946, they divorced. The family continued to live at
Trafalgar House with the support of her parents.
It would be around this time when George discovered that the large house called "Ingleside" was up for sale. To George, this was the ideal solution - to have both families living in the one house.
However, in order to buy Ingleside, George needed to sell Trafalgar House.
Betty was very unhappy about her home being sold but it was her father's to sell so
reluctantly went along with the move.
George Cosier bought "Ingleside" in 1947.
However, the house desperately required modernising and redecoration.
It had no electricity or plumbed water. Water came from a well. The lighting was still generated from gas mantles and paraffin mantle lights.
Once electrics and plumbing had been installed and many rooms decorated, George and Elsie Cosier along with daughter Betty and her sons Gordon and Alan moved into separate areas of the house.
In 1949, Elsie's Sister, Ida Boreham, nee Baldwin, visited from Canada.
Left photo is Ida with George and Elsie; right photo Ida, Betty and Elsie with Alan sitting.
In 1950 Betty, 30 met William (Bill) Binstead, 39 at a Conservative Club Dance. He was a very good dancer as was Betty. Bill was a widower with two teenage daughters, Jean and Marjorie.
He was a stevedore at Southampton Docks.
A relationship formed from dancing and they married in August 1950.
Bill moved into the house and lived in the ground and first floor rooms that Betty occupied,
originally the servants' end of the house.
In 1953, Gordon Meikle became engaged to Rosalind (known as Doris) Taviner
They were married on 12 June 1954 at St Cuthbert's Church, Copnor, Portsmouth
Although the wedding photos below were taken at Ingleside, Gordon and Doris lived in the 2-bedroom flat above Cosiers in Victoria Road which had been empty since the family moved to Ingleside in 1947.
Bill's younger daughter, Marjorie, was born in 1937 and lived at Ingleside on and off until
she married in 1957.
In 1954, age 17, whilst living at Ingleside, she was a witness to a fatal car accident
in a "head on" crash with a motorcycle at Bursledon Bridge on 23 January.
The motorcycle rider died from multiple injuries, The driver of the car was found guilty and sent to prison.
Extracted from the newspaper account in the Portsmouth Evening News 02/02/1954
In 1954, George Cosier, 68, gave the Legacy of Cosiers at 33 - 34 Victoria Road to
Gordon Meikle upon his marriage to Doris.
Gordon and Doris would have 3 sons, Chris, John, Roger and 1 daughter, Allison.
In 1960, George, age 75 retired from hair cutting at Cosiers on Victoria Road.
On 19 September 1961, George's wife, Elsie died at Ingleside, age 79. She is buried at the Church of St Mary's Hound.
Gordon and Doris remained in the flat above Cosiers on Victoria Road until their youngest son,
Roger was born in 1963. We then moved to the dormer bungalow at 103a Station Road, Netley Abbey.
My sister Allison was born in 1966.
Gordon continued as a Newsagent & business man until 1968, when he and to a lesser extent Doris
decided on a new life in Australia. After nearly 60 years, the Cosier family business was sold to the Spencers.
We had been accepted on the £10 scheme to emigrate to Australia.
Unfortunately from my teenager's view, this didn't happen!
My Mum just couldn't leave close family behind and Australia in 1969 wasn't so close in those days.
The Australia dream gone, Dad needed work and leased a shop in Cheriton Avenue West End before he sold up in Netley and we moved to the Galleon Stores Locksheath/Warsash in 1971.
By 1970, Ingleside was about 75 years old, becoming run down and so in need of a great deal of renovation.
George Cosier, now 84, Betty, 60 and Bill Binstead, 69 were in their twilight years and Ingleside
was just too big to manage. So in 1971, it was sold (for a song) to a group of families,
possibly called the Callaghans, and not much later demolished to make way for the current housing estate known as "Ingleside" - built by Laing Homes in the 1980s.
In 1971, George Cosier with his daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Bill Binstead moved to Sholing.
On 18 March 1977, George Cosier died at the age of 91 and was laid to rest beside Elsie at Hound Churchyard.
Bill Binstead died, aged 87, at Moorgreen Hospital in 1988 and is interred at St Mark's Extra, Sholing.
On 29 May 1997, Betty Cosier/Meikle/Binstead died, aged 86 and is buried at
Hound Churchyard.
On 25 January 1998, my Dad, Gordon Meikle passed away, aged 65 and is buried next to his Mum, Betty at Hound Churchyard. My Mum, Doris, 86, still lives at Abbeyfields Close, Netley Abbey
Betty's first husband, John McKay Meikle died on 29 March 1999.
- and last but by no means least, Chris's own memories of Ingleside and Netley Abbey
"I had a great childhood in Netley from playing with Alan Witham and Mark Storey at the Rec by the shore, being a choir boy at St Edwards, in the Sea Scouts sailing with my best friend Hugh Poore at the Hard near the Victoria Hospital gates.
If we were able to, my school mates and I would sneak into the hospital grounds and
play footy as the goals always had nets up.
The Bunney next to the boundary of Ingleside was also where as kids we would climb trees and
try to dam up the brook at the bottom of the Bunney. Best of all were the grounds of Ingleside.
As children, I remember the times my brothers John, Roger & sister Allison stayed at the house with our Grandmother Betty + Uncle Bill, as we called him.
Sometimes for tea after school, and when Roger and Allison were born, John and I stayed at the house in one of the large cold bedrooms. (Thankfully they were born in April & May!)
The house had a grand look but it was always cool in the summer and freezing in the winter.
The room that was always warm was the kitchen. It had a large Rayburn type cooker that was kept stoked with coal every day. When we stayed at the house we ate, washed and if we were lucky, watched the little B&W TV there, before going upstairs to bed in the arctic zone.
No central heating in those days!
The front lawn was a lovely sunny area and I remember the family christenings and summer tea & cake afternoons in the 1960s. We were very lucky at that time to have had our own playground in the woods (next to the Bunney) and the extensive gardens.
As kids, they were happy times.
[For a tour and a couple more photos of the house and gardens, pop over to
Lost but not forgotten]
I found this on the same website as above - another tribute to Angela Chamber's Dad and Uncle!
Dave Cox writes ...
Netley Boys Club FC - a Memory of Netley
I remember playing for Netley Boys' Club - the team was run by Ernie Chambers and Lou Jones, RIP both of you.
They were amazing and we had a good team - Chris Queen in goal, he had trials with Newcastle United; his big brother, Bob, George Jones, Lou's son was Captain, Kevin Crotty, Arthur Chambers, Roy Kinge who married my sister-in-law, Chippy Woods.
Our Resident photographer was Ken Skinner (still best friends).
We played on Saturday afternoon on the castle grounds. I also remember our supporters who
followed us every week. I wish we could go back to those days, we had fun and played
for each other.
Originally posted online on 24 June 2013
Did any of the above "ring a bell" with you?
Please let me know via Contact Me on the left!
Crook/Shaw Family History
Back in July 2020, Steve Crook got in contact with me to tell me about his family's
connections to Netley Abbey Village. Steve was a resident himself in the Village until 1988.
"My Paternal Great Grandfather was John Crook the Boot Maker mentioned on the site in 1927.
He served his apprenticeship to a Boot maker in Romsey and opened his first shop in Sholing
before moving to Netley Abbey.
I know the shop he was working in when he retired was in Station Road (where the Launderette is now) and he had a Birthday party at the Jubilee Hall to celebrate his 100th Birthday in 1973.
His Grandson (My Father) still lives in the village today.
On my Mother's side, my Great Grandfather, Joseph Shaw, was born in Wakefield, Yorkshire and,
aged 15 years, joined the Welsh Royal Fusiliers.
A career soldier, he served in the Boer Wars in South Africa and was in the British Expeditionary Force that went out to France in 1914.
Within a month of hostilities commencing, he had been wounded and was eventually returned to
the Royal Victoria Hospital for treatment.
His Family were moved to Netley to be near him and were billeted at 66 Victoria Road, a house that
stayed in the family until 2009.
When his treatment was completed, he was invalided out of the Army as unfit for active service.
To supplement his Army Pension, he took a job as Gate Keeper at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
My Mum remembers taking his tea up to him in the gatehouse when she was a little girl.
He is buried in the Royal Victoria Hospital Military Cemetery."
"The wedding of Miss Winifred Beatrice Shaw, the third daughter of Mr J Shaw, 66 Victoria Road, Netley Abbey and Corporal A Medhurst, RAF, youngest son of Mr + Mrs Medhurst of 89 New Road, Chatham was solemnised at St Edward’s Church on Saturday, 17/12/1932.”
Hampshire Telegraph 23/12/1932
Violet Gladys Shaw was born on 09/10/1906 and was a pupil at Netley Abbey Infants' School in 1915.
In late January 2020, Robert Baptie contacted me via the website and added more information about the Crook Family.
He writes - "I have attached a photo of John and Annie Crook and their 9 children taken ca 1908.
John Crook was my Great Grandfather."
Robert goes on to explain -
"The boy at the front on the left is George, my grandfather.
He and John ran the boot repair shop at 33 Station Road in Netley and I think that the photo was
taken at the back. George died in 1965 and John retired the year after at the age of 93!
I was born in Bursledon but lived in Netley from 1962-1982 when I married and
moved to Hedge End.
You rightly identified my old residence, 23 Queen's View and my father Robert Frank Baptie.
Jean Crook (George's daughter) being my mother who grew up living in 12 The Crescent,
also one of 9 children!
Her brother, Ray Crook who still lives in Netley, and is in his 89th year, used to run the Garden Centre which was next door to the post office."
See Growth of the Village for the photo of the Garden Centre in Station Road.
Attached below is a piece from the Daily Echo covering his 100th birthday.
Annie Crook passed away on 29 April 1953, aged 79
John Crook passed away on 15 March 1974, aged 100.
They are buried together in St Mary's Churchyard, Hound.
So, coming back to Robert's info now ...
"Annie Rogers was my Great Aunt. I'm wondering if Elizabeth (Rogers) could identify her Nan?
Annie Beatrice Crook married Edward Rogers in 1913.
However, I am not entirely sure who Annie is in my picture. She is one of the two elder daughters and is either standing at the back with her hand on her father's shoulder or the one sitting in front of her. Annie is the eldest but only by a year."
So, with Robert's permission, I emailed the above Crook Family photo to Elizabeth who, it turns out,
had never seen the photo and was delighted!
Elizabeth -
"What a wonderful, wonderful picture!!! Thank you so much for sending us a copy.
I suspect it is the lady standing at the back with her hand on her father’s shoulder."
I have since introduced Robert and Elizabeth to each other via email.
Don't you just love a Happy Ending!
Click on Shared Stories R - W to read about the Rogers Family
In June 2019. Julie and I accepted an invitation from Shirley Welch to visit her at home to see her
collection of family memorabilia.
Shirley had lots of newspaper clippings, postcards and photos.
Dawkins/Gallagher Family
Her Grandparents were James Gallagher and Eva Dawkins.
James was born on 18 December 1899; Eva on 31 December 1901.
They met at Netley Hospital where James was serving with the RAMC as a stretcher-bearer and
Eva was a Domestic worker. They were married in Colchester in 1926.
The top postcard is from Southampton Football Association asking Netley Hospital to allow James Gallagher to play as "inside left" in the Inter Association Cup tie against Bournemouth FA at Boscombe and the bottom one is from Hampshire County Cricket Club offering James a trial.
The family is living at 21 Denzil Avenue, Netley Abbey.
Eva's sister, Mabel (Dawkins), lived in the "bungalows in the park" before she moved to New Road. She married Victor Dawkins (different branch) who lived in Station Road, Netley Abbey.
The 1939 Register shows James's employment is "Groundsman and Coach", with the family living at Oakleigh, Netley Common.
James and Eva had four children still living with them in 1939 -
James V Gallagher, born 02/10/1927;
Patrick M R Gallagher, born 05/11/1931;
Valerie E D Gallagher, born 05/01/ 1938;
and one "closed record" possibly Maureen, Shirley's Mum.
James died in July 1960, aged 60; Eva died in 19999, aged 98.
One of their sons, Patrick M R Gallagher became an Aircraftsman in the RAF, at Calshot,
Service No 2463614.
He used to get day release from the RAF to go and play cricket. . owever, it was his abilities in football which brought him first to the notice of Eastleigh Spartans, closely followed by Fulham Football Club!
Patrick, wearing No 11 shirt, played for Fulham against Brentford, winning 5 - 2 on Thursday 07/12/1950 and, also against Charlton Athletic on Thursday 20/03/1952, both in the Mid-Week League.
Shirley gave us copies of the two photos below of Netley Sports Team for which
Patrick played in the 1955/56 season.
Other Family News
Eva later worked in the Hospital Laundry, date unknown.
Shirley was born in 1948. Her Mum also worked in the Hospital Laundry; she used to cycle
every day from Sholing.
Shirley's Uncle Jimmy died in a motor cycle side-car accident when he was only 21 years of age.
Post-book update - Photo below added!
Agnes was born on 23 February 1871 in Thurlow, Suffolk
The 1871 Census shows her Parents are Richard P and Mary Ann; she had 5 brothers and 2 sisters.
Following the Great War, the Army School of Massage was opened at Netley, with the QAIMNS
Nurses continuing to teach massage. The Incorporated Society of Trained Masseuses (ISTM) became
the Chartered Society of Massage and Medical Gymnasts on 9 June 1920
Agnes was a registered Physiotherapist from 1920 to 1938.
The Register shows Agnes serving at Netley Hospital in 1920 - 1921.
Agnes collected messages and poems from soldiers whom she collected in a little book which is
still in the family's possession today.
Agnes is listed in the 1911 Census as a Nursing Sister visiting Sydney Cottage in Broxbourne.
She died, unmarried, in Suffolk in 1958. aged 87.
Jane added the photo above and gave us the following insight into her Great Great Aunt -
"She looked like a tiny figure always with a cigarette in her hand.
My Aunty remembers her as a tough character."
Thank you Jane!
-oo0oo-
Elizabeth, the GG Granddaughter of George + Cicilia contacted me in October 2020.
She lives in New Jersey, USA and looked out some photos of her family to share with us.
I've combined Elizabeth's info with what I had on the Netley Dicker family
For many years, George Dicker was the Butler for Miss Lydia Jane Cumming Rashleigh
but on her death in 1909, he retired.
Cissy had been a Housemaid in the Rashleigh household for a number of years.
George and Cicilia (nee Coles) Dicker
The 1891 Census has the family living at 9 Arthur Terrace, New Road, Netley Abbey.
www.Ancestry.co.uk
They had 2 sons - Edward, born 19/09/1884 and John William, born 17/01/1886
By 1894, the family had moved to 8 Grange Lane, Netley Abbey.
Their daughter, Mabel, was born on 28/09/1894.
She married Corporal L Fox, RAMC, on 06/12/1926
John William Dicker married Adeline Ellis
He passed away on 12 October 1953, aged 67; his wife on 2 May 1945, aged 55.
Both are buried at St Mary's Churchyard, Hound
George was a keen exhibitor at the flower shows. He was never tired of giving an interesting talk on the friendly rivalry shown at these exhibitions, and also on the village in former days.
A shame the newspaper couldn't get his name right!
Cicilia passed away at the age of 81, at their home. She had been ill for five weeks previously.
She was a staunch member of St Edward’s Church and the Mothers’ Union.
She leaves a husband, two sons and one daughter (who is in Malta).
Hampshire Telegraph 28/06/1935
George passed away in February 1943, aged 92. He was a lifelong member of the Oddfellows and a sidesman at St Edward's Church for 40 years.
He had had the honour of waiting on Queen Victoria when she visited Sir Charles Pearson, Commanding Officer, at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Hampshire Telegraph 19/02/1943
Elizabeth's Connections ...
Behind is Grandfather Leslie
Front row L to R:
Great Grandmother Adeline, Leslie's younger brother, George and Great Grandfather, John
Above - John's brother, Edward.
Thank you Elizabeth!
There was the 1st of 4 pages of Shared Stories! The remaining pages will be visible once I've updated them.
