The Symes Family

George Bernard Symes

Bernard and Laura Symes  had four children: The eldest of these, born on August 3rd 1872 was -

George Bernard Symes.   After being brought up at his parents home at Jubilee House, Gillingstool, George followed in his father's footsteps in becoming a tailor.  In 1891 he had moved to London, boarding in Boyson Road, Newington where he was training as a tailor's cutter.

In 1899 he married Sarah Ann Bishop Coates in Chippenham, known as Annie.  In 1901 George Bernard Symes was a tailor in the High Street with his wife Annie.  The Symes tailoring shop was situated near the top of the High Street.  The above photograph was taken about 1902 and shows the shop by the lamp post in the building next to where Hawkins is now. 

George Bernard also played a very active part in the running of the town, serving on the District Council for 21 years having been appointed in 1913.  He was Chairman of the Finance Committee for his last 10 years of his life. He was also on the old Board of Guardians and Guardians Committee, a Vice-Chairman of the Governors of the Thornbury Grammar School and Chairman of the Managers of the Council School and a Justice of the Peace since 1924.  He loved music and had been a member of the Thornbury Gleemen for 40 years and been their chairman for 20 years.  The small photograph of G B Symes on the left is copied from a photograph of the gleemen.

George died 4th April 1935 aged 63 years.  His funeral took place at the Congregational Church of which he had been a deacon and treasurer for many years.  Sarah Annie died in 1947.  They had had no children of their own.