4 Crispin Lane

John Thomas Oates - his family and later life

Click here to read about John's early life and military career

During the time John was serving in the Army in South Africa, John's son, William Jack Robert Oates was born.  The 1901 census shows that Annie and their son, John, were living with her parents, George now a woodman and Elizabeth.  They were living in Watch Oak Lodge, the house situated behind the Castle on the lane leading to Kingtonmead Farm which is now part of The Hatch Hill Community.

During the next few years, John and Annie had at least three other children: Dorothy Annie born in 1902 but she died in 1903, Gladys born on 18th May 1904 and became known as 'Dolly' and Harold born on 27th January 1910.  The photo on the right shows (L-R) Dolly, Harold and Jack.

In 1909 the family had been living at Crossways and later in 1911 at Easton Hill when Gladys was enrolled at the Council School.  We know from notes which Harold made later that the family moved from Thornbury, first to Plymouth and then to Nottingham, and that Harold himself went to school in Mansfield.   The 1916 Prewtt's Street Directory shows that J. T. had returned to Thornbury and he was listed as living in St John Street.  When Harold was enrolled in 1918, their address was given as "John Street", and the electoral register of 1918 shows the family living in St John street - we believe however that this meant they were living in the house now known as 4 Crispin Lane as it was often referred to as being in John Street in the past.  The photo on the left below shows John in Crispin Lane.  John was noted as working as 'Agent for Pearl Life Assurance Society' in 1918 when Gladys moved to the Grammar School.  Harold also went on to the Grammar School, starting there on 13th September 1921 when his father was working as a roadman.  When he left the School on 29th May 1925 it was noted in their records that Harold was to work as a clerk in Avonmouth Docks.  It was noted that his parents were anxious for him to take the post there as it was not likely to occur again for several years.

In civilian life, John was active in the local community.  He became a parish councillor and member of the Town Trust.  He was noted for his outspoken comment on local affairs and fought for the fair allocation of the almshouses and for the provision of the first public toilets which are still operating, although now showing their age, at the bottom of St Mary Street (see the photograph on the right).  When he re-enlisted in 1914, he gave his religion as 'Wesleyan.  However he became a member of the Congregational Church and did a great deal of local preaching.  He was also a staunch supporter of the Liberal cause.

John was killed in a motor cycle accident on the A38.  He died on April 29 1937, by which time he had moved back to Crossways.  He was aged 65 years.  Annie died on 23 January 1959 aged 85 years. 

Click here to see a link to photographs of the Oates family

Of the three children; Gladys Dorothy known as "Dolly," Harold and Jack:

'Dolly' - Gladys was known by the name of Gladys when she was admitted to the Thornbury Grammar School on 18th January 1918.  She left on 11th April 1919 and was shown in the school records as being 'At home'.  We understand that she married Edgar John Baylis in September quarter 1930, but we don't know anymore about her.

Harold  - he became a marine engineer working in various places around the country including Bristol, Devonport, and Corby in Northamptonshire.  He married twice, first to Phyllis Joan Watts in Cranmore, Somerset in 1937 and then after returning to Thornbury he married Joyce Harris, the daughter of Norman Harris of Eastland Avenue on 27th January 1954.  The photo on the right is taken from a 1950 Gazette newspaper which said that 'H. Oates, a Thornbury man, had just been appointed as Vice Chairman of the East Midlands Area Conservative Trades Unionist and Labour Advisory Committee.

'Jack' -  we know a lot more about Jack and his family - click here to read this

This page was last updated: 25/03/2012