|
Richard William RowlesRichard William Rowles, known as Dick, was born in Frampton on 23 March 1894, the eldest son of Edwin John Rowles, a master mariner, and Ellen Mary née Coole. Edwin was often away from home and on 8 December 1910, while captaining his ketch, Atlas, she was caught in heavy seas in the Bristol Channel and dismasted. Despite the assistance of another vessel, the Atlas and her three-man crew were lost. The family had lived at Clarence House, just below the Three Horseshoes on the village green, but by 1911 were at Blenheim House, near the Institute on The Street. Ellen used her dressmaking skills to provide an income, Dick was a grocery apprentice, his next brother, Frances Edwin John, had no occupation, while their three younger siblings were still at school. The date of Dick's enlistment into the Army Service Corps has not been traced, but while he served in France he came across a consignment of hay bales for one of the Hussars' regiments labelled 'Edgar Coole, Frampton on Severn'; they had been supplied by Dick's relative, Robert Edgar Coole. Dick was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal and his service is commemorated on the plaque in the village hall. Dick worked at Cadbury's as a milk condenser after the war, and remained there for the rest of his working life. On 16 January 1922 he married Effie, the sister of Cyril Vick, at St George's, Nailsworth. They lived in Swindon Cottage, The Street, next to Cyril's butcher's shop at Ye Olde Cruck House. Dick and Effie had no children. Richard William Rowles died on 20 March 1958 and his ashes were interred in St Mary's churchyard. |