21 Pullins Green

Occupants

Edward and Lucy Liddiatt - were shown as living in the house in the 1880 Rate Book and the 1881 census - click here to read more about this family

Jane Drake - Jane was living in the house in the 1887 and 1890 Rate Books and 1891 census.  She was described as a 70 year old widow born in Hartland in Devon and now living on her own means.  Click here to read more about Jane

Alfred and Emma Masters - the 1899 Rate Book and the 1901 census shows the house was occupied by the Masters family.  Alfred J. Masters was a assistant superintendent of assurance aged 39 born in Churchill in Somerset.  His wife, Emma was aged 36 from Wincanton. They had children: Winifred Emily aged 10 born in Bristol, Olive Bermee aged 5 and Gladys aged 4, both born in Kidderminster. 

Alfred James had married Emma Vining in Barton Regis (Clifton) in 1890.  In 1891 they had been sharing a house at 3 Ashley Vale, Bristol - Alfred was employed by the Prudential Insurance Company.

Mrs Reed - the 1905 and 1910 Rate Books show that the house was occupied by Mrs Reed.  This must have been Mary Jane Reed (nee Wilks), the widow of Walter William Reed, the Baptist Pastor (shown in the photo on the left).  They had been married in Newport, Monmouthshire in 1882.

Walter died on 3rd September 1905 aged 39 years.

George William Symes - the 1911 census shows that George and his family were occupying the house. George was a grocer's assistant aged 33 living with his wife, Lois aged 33 and their children: Cecily aged 4 and Lois aged 1.  Click here to read more about them

William Thomas and Beatrice Louisa Liddiatt - the electoral registers of 1921 and 1925 show the house was occupied by William Thomas and Beatrice.  The 1925 Valuation List also shows William as living in this house.  It is assumed that William was the son of Edward and Lucy Liddiatt who were operating the fishmongers at number 11 Pullins Green.   He was born in 1889.

In 1912 William married Beatrice Louise Wiltshire in Thornbury.  Beatrice was the daughter of Charles and Rebecca Wiltshire who were living next door at 23 Pullins Green at the time of the marriage.

We understand from Miss Higgins (a normally reliable source of information) that William and Beatrice had four children, Jack, William, Thomas and Bernice.  Jack was presumably the John Liddiatt born on 2 September 1913.  He was to go to Council School and on to the Grammar School.  We have only found records relating to John and we have been advised by Len Dewes (who is connected to the Liddatt family) that he believes William and Beatrice only had one child, John.  We would love to hear from anyone else who can clarify the situation. 

William Thomas Lambert - the 1926 Rate Book shows 'Bill' was the occupant of the house and he is also listed here in the 1927 electoral register.  Click here to read more

Frank Biddle   - the house was occupied from about 1935 to the late 1950's by Frank and his wife, Beatrice Annie (known locally as 'Trish').  Ernest Frank Biddle was born in 1903, the third son of Ernest Biddle of Oldown.  We suspect he was the son of Ernest Biddle, a carpenter and his wife, who were living in Old Down in 1901.

At the time of his son's marriage in 1955 Frank was shown as a house decorator.  We know from personal experience however that he was head caretaker at the Thornbury Grammar School in 1956 and in the School records it shows he started in this capacity in 1954.  He was there for 14 years until he retired in 1961.  He is well remembered for the strict way that he kept pupils off the headmaster's beloved cricket square and he spent a lot of time riding on the grass mower.

It was however not his work in which Frank made his biggest impact.  He had several other interests.  Frank had an outstanding playing career in both football and cricket.  After finishing as a player, Frank took up refereeing and continued being one for 25 years reaching the level of 'Class 1' in local leagues.

According to the article on Thornbury Football Club written by Walter Phillips, Frank joined the club in 1920 and was active in various capacities until he resigned in 1950 on being made Vice-Chairman of the County's District League.  He had represented the Thornbury club on the League Committee from 1928.  He became Honorary Secretary of the Club in the late 30's and also served as Vice President of the Club and Vice Chairman of the Premier League. 

During the War, Frank served in the VIth Maritime Regiment Royal Artillery which had a base locally at Kyneton House where they trained gunners for service on merchant ships.  He later wrote an article on the history of this regiment.  He was closely associated with the "drop in centre" for soldiers that was set up in the lower part of the High Street, in a building which later became Cranbrook Radios and then a Laundry Service.   This was aimed at soldiers who were in town during the War.  He was also a special constable for many years.  We were amused to read issues of the Gazette for the war time years in which Mr Biddle obviously did his job conscientiously.   He frequently gave evidence against his neighbours for offences such as showing lights or failing to immobilise their motor cars.

Frank had married Beatrice Annie, the daughter of Frederick and Hannah Holley of Crispin Lane in June 1926 at the Thornbury Congregational Church.  Beatrice  was born in Thornbury in 1898.  The Gazette report of their wedding refers to that fact that Beatrice was very popular as a reciter at local concerts.  We know that the 1926 Rate Book shows that Frank Biddle was the occupant of number 7 Castle Street which he was renting from Mrs Smith. Frank and Trish had one son, Donald John, born on 3rd January 1933.  By 1965 Frank and Trish had moved to the first floor flat at Marston House, (34 Gloucester Road) the house next to the Grammar School in which the monumental masons, FK Howell and Craik Smith had lived.   Trish was a deacon and organist of the URC Church and she died in July 1973.

Donald went to the Council School and on to Thornbury Grammar School.  He joined the RAF and went on to become an accountant.  In 1955 at the age of 22 he married at the Congregational Church.  His wife was Ruth Joan Case, a clerk and the daughter of Cyril Hamilton Case, a salesman.  Don had the same enthusiasm for football as his father and was a player and honorary secretary for the Town club.  He also became a referee like his father and went on to become one of top referees in the English football leagues.   He served as a national referee from 1971 to 1979.  In 1960 Don and Ruth were living in Ashley Hill in Bristol when their daughter, Della Louise, was baptised at Thornbury United Reformed Church.

Gilbert and Evelyn Lock - the 1965 electoral register shows the house to be occupied by Gilbert E and Evelyn M Lock.

Albert and Anwyn Morris - the 1970 electoral register shows the house was occupied by Albert T.J. and Anwyn V.D. Morris.

  This page was last updated: 09/01/2012