Thomas White

Tom Charles White was baptised in Thornbury on the 7th February 1887.  Thomas came from an Oldbury family with close associations to the River Severn.  His father, Charles White, was described as a mariner at the time of Thomas's birth.  Tom's uncle, Moses White, had a boat called 'Matilda' which sailed between Lydney and Oldbury with cargoes of coal.

Tom married Florence May Wheeler in Thornbury in the June quarter 1912.   Florence was born in 1893, the daughter of David C Wheeler, a gardener from Heddington in Wiltshire and his wife, Sarah from Crowcombe in Somerset.  In 1901 they had been living in The Street Cottage, Alveston.

Tom and Florence had at least two children: Thomas (Junior) was born on 30th August 1913 and Claude on 3rd January 1915.

The family were living in the house later known as number 1 Saw Mill Lane in 1919 when young Tom started at the Council School.  Thomas was working for Edmund Cullimore at the Saw Mill.  Tom's brother, Harry White also worked at the Saw Mill.

About 1935 the Whites moved to number 1 Crispin Lane.  We understand the previous tenants were asked to leave by the owner Edmund Cullimore as he wanted to house the White family.  They were to remain here all their lives.  Thomas died in 1958 aged 71 years.  Florence died in 1965 aged 72.

Thomas (Junior) (pictured on the left) also started to work at the Saw Mill.  He had an accident with the saw which resulted in him losing his thumb.  In spite of this handicap he went on to become a carpenter, working for many years for Thornbury Rural District council on housing maintenance.  He was keen gardener and often seen pushing his bike up to Daggs allotments.  Tom married Florence W. (maiden name unknown) whose picture is also on the left.  They had a daughter, Pauline and a son, surprisingly also called Thomas (shown on the right).  This Tom learned how to cut men's hair when he was in the forces.  He worked as a hairdresser at Iles for most of his life, although he did work for several years as a carpenter for the Rural District Council in the early 70's.

This page was last updated: 20/08/2008