The census of 1931 was taken on 26th April. Unfortunately, all of the records for England and Wales were lost in a fire in December 1942. This article is an attempt to list the inhabitants of Wickhamford who were probably recorded in the 1931 census. The basis for this is the Electoral Roll of 1931/32, the Badsey School Registers and the Wickhamford Parish Registers. Other information has been gleaned from the 1921 census and the 1939 Register, taken at the outbreak of the Second World War, and other sites such as Ancestry and Findmypast. In any census, some households would have had members away at the time of recording and others had visitors who normally lived elsewhere. This cannot be taken into account in this exercise. At the 1921 census, 16 people were recorded as a ‘Visitor’.
In 1931, Wickhamford consisted of three roads. The main Evesham to Broadway road consisted then, as now, of Longdon Hill, which ran from the Bengeworth, Evesham, boundary as far as the now-closed Sandys Arms. From there to the eastern village boundary was, and is, Pitchers Hill. From the Sandys Arms is the village street – Manor Road – to the Church and just over Badsey Brook are two houses in Wickhamford Lane. Also, one house on Knowle Hill, lies just inside the Wickhamford parish boundary.
The following is a list of properties in these locations, together with their occupants who lived there in April 1931. Where known, the ages of the occupants is given and should be accurate to within one year. With children in their late teens, it is not possible to know if they were still living at home or had moved away. It is assumed here that if aged 16 or under, they were still in the family home. In some cases, the occupations of the villagers are given, based on entries in the Parish registers and the 1939 Register. The names and locations of the properties used is that given in the Electoral Roll, followed by the current address in brackets. Although the original census returns were destroyed, other sources give the population of Wickhamford as 338 and the number of households making a return as 79. The list below exactly matches the number of households and is near to matching the population at the census with over 300 residents recorded.
It must be borne in mind that this is purely an academic exercise and should be treated as such.
Tom Locke and Valerie Harman, September 2022
LONGDON HILL – from the West to Manor Road
Carrig, Longdon Hill (7 & 8 Longdon Court)
Alfred Woodall (56) – Fruit grower
Florence May Woodall (39)
Porters Plantation, Bengeworth Field (probably a hut in the field, but permanent enough to qualify for the Electoral Register)
William Hooper
The Cottage, Longdon Hill (Orchard Farm)
George William Camden (36) – Farm worker
Nellie Camden (33)
Eric Camden (9)
Joan M. Camden (8)
Audrey M. Camden (0)
The Homestead (Oxley House, Longdon Hill)
Benjamin Ryle Swift (67) – Fruit grower and market gardener
Thirza Ann Veal (62) - Housekeeper
Albert George Veal (37)
6 Wickhamford (6 Longdon Hill)
James Gosling (40)– Cowman
Genevieve Gosling (39)
James Walter Frederick Gosling (10)
Annie M. Gosling (8)
Lois Mary Gosling (6)
Vera Gosling (4)
Dorothy Gosling (2)
(Note – John William Gosling was born around the time of the census, but whether just before or just after not known at present.)
5 Field Farm Cottages (5 Longdon Hill)
Clifford Emanuel Summers (32) – Farm labourer and Milker
Edith Annie Summers (32)
Ernest L. Summers (8)
Gilbert N. C. Summers (6)
John Leslie Summers (3)
Doris Sylvia Summers (1)
4 Field Farm Cottages (4 Longdon Hill)
John Henry Haynes
Alice Elizabeth Haynes (54)
Alice C. Haynes (18)
3 Field Farm Cottages (3 Longdon Hill)
Unoccupied
The Mill (Mill Farm)
William Carpenter Manners (70) - Miller
Maria Caroline Manners (59)
Clair Vivian Pope Manners (24)
Reginald Henry Howard Reid (23)
Field Farm (Field Farm)
Charles Martin Oldaker (47) - Farmer
Una Marie Oldaker (46)
Una Mary Oldaker (10)
Ethel Annetts
2 Longdon Hill (2 Longdon Hill)
John Thomas Pitman (43) – Market gardener
Elizabeth Priscilla Pitman (48)
Dorothy Catherine Pitman (18)
James William Pitman (14)
1 Longdon Hill (1 Longdon Hill)
Walter Farman (25)
Constance Farman (24)
Annie M. Farman (0)
Albert Garnet Edwards (32)
MANOR ROAD – from the Evesham/Broadway Road to Wickhamford Lane
36, Wickhamford (2 Manor Road)
James Dolphin (38) - Market gardener
Eva Dolphin (36)
Barbara Doreen Dolphin (13)
35, Wickhamford (4 Manor Road)
William Bennett (61) - Market gardener
Hilote Bennett (56)
Ivy Bennett (23)
Violet Bennett (17)
Lily Hallen (25)
34, Wickhamford (6 Manor Road)
Basil Griffin (52) - Market gardener
Elizabeth Griffin (51)
Sidney Thomas Griffin (25)
33, Wickhamford (8 Manor Road)
Charles Walters (82) – Market gardener
Diana Walters (85)
John Henry Walters (43) - Market gardener
32, Wickhamford (10 Manor Road)
Ethel Colley (38)
31, Wickhamford (12 Manor Road)
Annie Styles (47)
John S. Styles (20)
Frank Styles (18)
Wickhamford (Wickham House, Manor Road)
Albert Edward Carter (59) - Farmer
Mary Louise Carter (60)
Annie Dolphin (57) - Servant
Main Street (Grey Gables, Manor Road)
Hilda Mary Heritage (56) – Market gardener
Percy Cyril Heritage (35) - Market gardener
Annie May Heritage (29)
Mavis Joyce Heritage (4)
Gordon Arthur Heritage (1)
Trevor George Heritage (1)
45, Wickhamford (40 Manor Road)
Robert William Walters (40) - Market gardener
Elsie Jane Walters (44)
Charles William Walters (8)
44, Wickhamford (42 Manor Road)
Wilfred Charles Pitman (39) - Market gardener
Florence Rose Pitman (39)
Freda May Pitman (16)
Hilda Pitman (10)
The Elms (Elm Farm, Manor Road)
John White Mason (65) - Farmer
Elizabeth Mason (65)
Old Vicarage (Old Vicarage, Manor Road)
George Harry Daniels (66) – Market gardener
Mary Elizabeth Daniels
Main Street (Weathervane Cottage, Manor Road)
Edgar Thomas Ellison (42) – Domestic gardener
Ada Mary Ellison (42)
David W. Ellison (14)
Kenneth Austin Ellison (10)
Wickhamford (Brookfield Cottage, Manor Road)
Bertha Drysdale (69) – Independent Means
Dorothy Grace Barrand (29) – housekeeper/companion
(Note - Dorothy Barrant’s Electoral Roll address was just ‘Wickhamford’, the same as that given by Bertha Drysdale, so her role in the household is assumed.)
22, Wickhamford (Robin Cottage, Manor Road)
George Robbins (70) - Market gardener
Mary Jane Robbins (57)
Mary Jane Robbins (29)
Thomas Robbins (18)
Frederick Robbins (16)
28, Wickhamford (52 Manor Road)
Norris Haines (41) – Chauffeur
Florence Jane Haines (42)
Margaret Helen Haines (18)
John Thomas William Haines (10)
27, Wickhamford (54 Manor Road)
Albert Herbert Jarvis
Annie Florence Jarvis
The Nest, Wickhamford (Corner Cottage, Manor Road)
George Albert Agg (57) - Market gardener
Catherine Agg (55)
Albert Agg (23)
23, Wickhamford (on site of Hodys Place, Manor Road)
Emily Hartwell (79)
24, Wickhamford (on site of Hodys Place, Manor Road)
William Pearce (56) - Market gardener
Sarah Pearce (55)
William Frank Pearce (29)
Cecil Reginald Pearce (27)
25, Wickhamford (on site of Hodys Place, Manor Road)
Joseph Henry Plant (38) - Market gardener
Edith May Plant (30)
Joseph H. Plant (8)
Richard Albert Arthur (3)
26, Wickhamford (on site of Hodys Place, Manor Road)
Theodore James Moisey (39) - Market gardener
Florence Caroline Moisey (39)
James Moisey (17)
Gordon Leslie Moisey (15)
Gwendoline May Moisey (13)
Nesta Moisey (7)
The Manor (Wickhamford Manor)
George Crompton Lees-Milne (51) – Private means
Helen Christina Lees-Milne (46)
Florence Evelyn Hodgkins (41) – Domestic servant
Gwendoline Vera Knight (23) Domestic servant
Gertrude Charlotte Diston (22) – Domestic servant
Manor Cottages (1 or 2 Wickhamford Lane)
Esther Ann Hemus (58)
Manor Cottages (1 or 2 Wickhamford Lane)
Unoccupied
KNOWLE HILL – one property within Wickhamford parish
The Ridge, Knowle Hill (The Ridge, Knowle Hill)
Sophia Horsfield (81)
Grace Sophia Horsfield (45)
Florence Dora Ockwell (25) – Domestic servant
PITCHERS HILL – North side, from the Sandys Arms to the Murcot Turn
Sandys Arms Inn (1 Pitchers Hill)
Frank Banner (50) – Licenced Victualler
Edith Banner (50)
Joy Banner (11)
Henry Jarrett Pethard (46) – Market gardener
Florence Mabel Pethard (40)
Broadway Road (3 Pitchers Hill)
Vernon Joseph Byrd Pethard (45) – Market gardener
Elizabeth Mary Pethard (41)
1 Council Cottages (5 Pitchers Hill)
Herbert Henry Smith (42) – Market gardener
Elizabeth Ann Smith (37)
Lawrence Smith (17)
Herbert Smith (13)
Leslie Smith (11)
Edith Maimie Smith (7)
Eric Smith (5)
2 Council Cottages (7 Pitchers Hill)
Charles Henry Parker (37) – Market gardener
Elsie Daisy Parker (37)
James Albert Parker (11)
Kathleen Alice Parker (10)
Olive Margaret Parker (7)
Charles William Parker (5)
Elsie Daisy Parker (3)
Edwin C. (1)
Sydney Samuel Pitman (27)
3 Council Cottages (9 Pitchers Hill)
Gilbert Charles Franklin (36) – Market gardener
Beatrice Rose Franklin (35)
Melvia Joyce Franklin (11)
4 Council Cottages (11 Pitchers Hill)
George Henry Pitts (52) – Market gardener’s labourer
Beatrice Emily Pitts (51)
5 Council Cottages (13 Pitchers Hill)
Frederick Taylor (45) – Market gardener
Mary Louise Taylor (42)
Henry Percy Taylor (15)
Iris May Taylor (13)
Constance Mary Taylor (10)
Stanley Morris Taylor (5)
6 Council Cottages (15 Pitchers Hill)
Hubert Figgitt (63) – Farmer labourer and carter
William John Figgitt (38)
Stanley Figgitt (36)
Amy Figgitt (27)
Hilda Winifred Jean Figgitt (0)
7 Council Cottages (17 Pitchers Hill)
Jesse Davis (64)
Mary Elizabeth Davis (58)
Charles Edward Davis (28)
8 Council Cottages (19 Pitchers Hill)
John George Darby Hughes Field (63) - Market gardener’s labourer
Emily Jane Field (56)
Leslie John Ludlow Field (16)
William James Lloyd George Field (15)
Kathleen Emily Mary field (13)
Henry Francis Darby Field (11)
Frank Halford (49) - Market gardener’s labourer
9 Council Cottages (21 Pitchers Hill)
Emanuel Pike Butcher (70) – Domestic gardener
Lilian Butcher (21)
George Edward Butcher (19)
Clarice Rosabel Butcher (16)
10 Council Cottages (23 Pitchers Hill)
William Holland (57) – Market gardener
Elizabeth Holland (54)
Francis Ronald Holland (25) – Market gardener’s labourer
Harold Holland (21)
Leslie Holland (19)
Norah Evelyn Holland (11)
11 Council Cottages (25 Pitchers Hill)
Charles Edward Grimmitt (43) - Carpenter
Hilda May Grimmitt (21)
12 Council Cottages (27 Pitchers Hill)
Joseph Thomas Perks (37) – Carpenter’s labourer
Annie Elizabeth Perks
Elsie Perks (13)
George Edwin Perks (8)
Doris Emily Perks (5)
13 Council Cottages (29 Pitchers Hill)
Charles Henry Southern (65) – Garden labourer
Maria Southern (53)
Harold Henry Southern (31)
Clarence Leslie Southern (24)
Charles Edgar Southern (21)
Cynthia M. Southern (18)
Frank Southern (16)
Gladys I. Southern (14)
Violet Southern (11)
14 Council Cottages (31 Pitchers Hill)
Jesse Richard Colley (61) - Market gardener & General Store Keeper
Olive Colley (64)
Jesse Colley (33)
Doris Colley (32)
Eileen Doris Colley (9)
Avis Colley (2)
15 Council Cottages (33 Pitchers Hill)
Frederick John Cox (43) – Builder’s labourer
Dorothy Annie Elizabeth Cox (41)
Frederick John Cox jun.
Cecil Cox (19)
Reginald William Cox (10)
Robert Handy
16 Council Cottages (35 Pitchers Hill)
George Thomas Hancock (36) – Market gardener’s labourer
Gwendoline Hancock (27)
Geoffrey John Hancock (2)
17 Council Cottages (37 Pitchers Hill)
Tom Herbert Collett (38) – Fruit grower
Priscilla Margaret Collett (27)
Anthony John Collett (5)
Pamela A. Collett (1)
18 Council Cottages (39 Pitchers Hill)
Thomas Morton Taylor (43) – Painter and decorator
Catherine Mary Taylor (41)
Charles Thomas Taylor (16)
Catherine E. Taylor (14)
Henry Morton Taylor (11)
Eileen M. Taylor (4)
Frederick John Taylor (1)
3 Pitcher’s Hill (69 Pitchers Hill)
Jesse Harris Collett Newbury (69) – Market gardener’s labourer
Margaretta Newbury (66)
William Arthur Chivers
Pitcher’s Hill (73 Pitchers Hill)
David William Hampton (46) – Market gardener
Kate Hampton (44)
Clara Elizabeth Hampton (16)
Ronald David Hampton (12)
Pitcher’s Hill (75 Pitchers Hill)
Charles William Halford (60) – Market gardener
Edith Florence Halford (41)
George William Halford (16)
Sidney Frank Halford (12)
Vera May Halford (6)
7 Pitcher’s Hill (85 Pitchers Hill)
Frederick John Richard Collett (46) – Woodwork teacher
Constance Collett (44)
John Frederick Collett (13)
Peter Collett (9)
8 Pitcher’s Hill (87 Pitchers Hill)
Claude Sidney Phipps (46) - Market gardener
Louie Phipps (46)
Clarice Phipps (18)
9 Pitcher’s Hill (91 Pitchers Hill)
Allen Ernest Halford (45) - Bricklayer
Leah Rachel Halford (41)
Samuel Halford (24)
Violet Phyllis Halford (19)
Clarence James Halford (2)
10 Pitcher’s Hill (93 Pitchers Hill)
Frederick Lawson Southern (27) – Lorry driver
Ruth Mary Southern (25)
Alice Lilian Annie Cox (29)
11 Pitcher’s Hill (95 Pitchers Hill)
George Joseph Sutton (48) - Market gardener
Annie Maria Sutton (48)
George Lewis (22)
Albert Sutton (17)
Edith May Sutton (14)
Ethel Sutton (12)
John Sutton (7)
Peter Sutton (5)
12 Pitcher’s Hill (97 Pitchers Hill)
Frederick Griffin (28) – Market gardener
Hilda Griffin (29)
13 Pitcher’s Hill (99 Pitchers Hill)
Thomas William Tidmarsh (38)
(Note - He was married to Annie Louisa Rogers Tidmarsh (35) and they had five children; Margaret Elaine (14), Eric Thomas (8), Kenneth Charles (5), Doris Teresa (4) and Annie Grace Naomi (0). The couple separated around the time of the census and then divorced, both remarrying in 1933 and 1934. It is not known if the family was still together on census night in 1931.)
Bungalow, Broadway Road (101 Pitchers Hill)
Reginald Ashley Brewer (35) – Fruit grower
Gladys Brewer (32)
Philip S. Brewer (1)
Bungalow, Broadway Road (103 Pitchers Hill)
Sydney Benjamin Carter (35) – Clerical work at N.F.U., Stratford
Doris Carter (41)
Whitfurrows (Whitfurrows Farm)
Jesse Wheatley (66) - Market gardener
Amy Wheatley (69)
PITCHERS HILL – South side, from Murcot Turn to Longdon Hill
14 Pitcher’s Hill (52 Pitchers Hill)
Robert Turner (66) - Market gardener
William Turner
Gladys Turner (19)
15 Pitcher’s Hill (50 Pitchers Hill)
Thomas Edward Bean (67) – Fruit grower
Ellen Bean (60)
Edward Leonard Bayliss (24) – Farm labourer
16 Pitcher’s Hill (46 Pitchers Hill)
George Edwin Robbins (32) – Market gardener
Annie Robbins (37)
George H. Robbins (11)
17 Pitcher’s Hill (44 Pitchers Hill)
Harry Halford (38) - Market gardener
Mildred Halford (33)
Matilda Elizabeth Winfield (54) – Dressmaker
Stanley Winfield (17)
18 Pitcher’s Hill (34 Pitchers Hill)
William Moore (61) - Market gardener
Emma Pauline Moore (59)
19 Pitcher’s Hill (32 Pitchers Hill)
Charles Robert Mason (52) - Market gardener
Annie May Mason (53)
Frederick Charles (20)
William Harry Mason (14)
Windyridge, Pitcher’s Hill (20 Pitchers Hill)
Mary Ann Evans
Sarah Elizabeth George
Rose Bank (16 Pitchers Hill)
Edward John Pethard (63) – Carpenter & Wheelwright
Annie Georgina Pethard (58)
Cecil Herbert Ward (40) – Dealer in Market Garden produce
Violet Lilian Ward (35)
Pitcher’s Hill (10 Pitchers Hill)
Maria Empey (74) – Independent means
Emily Elizabeth Empey (64) - Independent means
20 Pitcher’s Hill (4 Pitchers Hill)
George Harcourt Edward Brotherton (48) - Market gardener
Sarah Anne Brotherton (48)
Beatrice Florence May Brotherton (21)
Ernest George William Brotherton (16)
Hilda Brotherton (11)
Cecil Edward Brotherton (6)
21 Pitcher’s Hill (2 Pitchers Hill)
George William Howells (45) - Market gardener
Edith Mary Howells (43)