The Clutterbuck family

This page only deals with one of the several Clutterbuck families living in the Thornbury area, specifically that of James William Clutterbuck, postman and shoemaker of School House, Gillingstool.

James William and Florence Clutterbuck
James William was baptised on 20 June 1865 by his mother, Mary Ann Clutterbuck.  Mary Ann was the daughter of Isaac Clutterbuck - click here to read more about Isaac

In the June quarter 1866, a year after James's birth, his mother married James Buck, an agricultural labourer.  The 1871 census shows James and Mary Ann living at Baden Hill, just outside Thornbury.  It is interesting to see that in this census and the 1881 census, James used the name of 'James Buck'.  Mary Ann died aged 32 and was buried on 16th April 1873.  The 1881 census shows James had left his stepfather and brother, William, at Baden Hill and he was now an apprentice cordwainer living with Henry Williams at Pullins Green, Oldbury.  

On 28 February 1891, James William Clutterbuck married Florence Pursey in St Mary's Church in Thornbury.  James was aged 24, and Florence was a servant aged 18 and the daughter of Charles Pursey, tailor.   We don't why John reverted to the name of 'Clutterbuck' rather than 'Buck'.

The 1891 census shows James and Florence living in Crossways.  James is working as a shoemaker. 

The 1894 and 1899 Rate Books show James and Florence had moved to 1 Saw Mill Lane.  The 1891 census shows them living there.  James was a postman and shoemaker aged 38 and born in Thornbury.  His wife, Florence was aged 26 born in St Pauls, Bristol.  They had Olive May born in 1892, Daisy Linda born in 1894, Mabel Violet born on 14 September 1895, and Sarah Primrose born in 1899 .

In the years following the census James and Florence had several more children - the school records show:  Florence Rose in 1901, Norman Shaftsbury in 1904, Hilda Ida in 1906, Francis Edward C born in 1906, Kathleen (Catherine L.M.) born in 1911, Athelstan Lloyd in 1913, and Kenneth Maxwell was born on 23rd May 1917.  That makes at least 11 children who survived to school age.  We know that they had at least one child who died young - this was William Victor James who died on 26th October 1900 aged 3 years.

It is interesting to see that in the 1911 census James, Florence and nine of their children were living at 3 Horseshoe Lane which had only FOUR rooms.  It appears from this census that their daughter Sarah Primrose was recorded under the name of 'Clara'.

The school entrance records show that the family continued living at Saw Mill until at least 1906, then they are shown in Bath Road in 1908 and in School House, Gillingstool from 1910 until at least 1940's.  They are shown in Horseshoe Lane in 1925 and 1932, but we assume that this also refers to School House which was later numbered 3 Horseshoe Lane when street numbering was introduced in the 1950's.

The War Pensions Records show that at the outbreak of the First World War, James was one of the first men to enlist which he did in Bristol on 7th August 1914.  He enlisted for four years in the 4th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment.  By our reckoning James would have been 49 years old at this time, but his enlistment papers show he gave his age as 42 years 6 months.  He must have been determined to serve his country!  The army doctor declared him fit so he was accepted.  We don't know what happened to James, but his time in the army only lasted 1 year and 343 days.  He was discharged 'being no longer physically fit for further war service' and was awarded a disability pension until 1919 on the grounds that  he suffered from chronic rheumatic arthritis.

Although being unfit for war service, he proved in his fitness and served the community in other ways as the Gazette newspaper article on the right shows.

In 1941 James and Florence celebrated their Golden Wedding.  The newspaper report shows that they were still living at School House where the party took place.  One guest at the  party was Miss F. Smith of Morton who was a bridesmaid at the wedding.  The report mentions that James served the Post Office for 35 years before he retired in 1925.  At the time of their Golden Wedding, James and Florence have 11 children living, 22 grandchildren and  2 great grandchildren.  

James died on 15th February 1950 aged 85 years.  The 1958 electoral register shows Florence still living in 3 Horseshoe Lane with Daisy.  Florence died on 30th November 1958 aged 85 years. 

Norman Shaftsbury Clutterbuck
Norman was born on 17 April 1904, the son of James and Florence Clutterbuck.  By 1932 Norman had married Gwendoline and they were living at 10 Pullins Green.  The Council School record shows that they has a son, Vernon Shaftesbury Maxwell Clutterbuck born on 28 September 1932.  They had 2 other sons: Dennis and Ronald.  At some time after 1970, Norman moved away from Pullins Green to the flats in Gloucester Road.

Of James and Florence's other children, we know that:

Katherine M L Clutterbuck married Reginald Wheeler at Thornbury Methodist Church in the December quarter of 1934.  Their photograph appeared in the Gazette of January 5th 1935.

Olive May married Andrew Callard in Thornbury in 1915. They had a daughter, Betty, born in 1916 who started at the Council School in 1921 whilst she was living in School House under the guardianship of Mrs (presumably Florence) Clutterbuck.  She left school later in the year to move to Bristol.

Mabel Violet who was born on 14 September 1895 and started the Council Upper School in 1903 and leaving there in 1909.  Mabel married Albert Knowles window cleaner from Bath Road.  Alfred died in 1945 aged 67 years.  Mabel died in 1951 aged 55 years. 

Sarah Primrose married William Henry Billett in December quarter 1919.

Kenneth Maxwell - the Gazette printed a report on 11th June 1938 of Kenneth's 21st birthday party.  It was held at the Picture House cafe and music was provided by the New Syncho Five Dance Band.  His father spoke and sang 'We are the Gloucester Boys'.  At the time Kenneth was employed as a postman and the party was attended by six other postmen.

This page was last updated: 04/06/2011