Lily Shire (1869-1948), housekeeper, factory worker, glove machinist
Introduction
Lily Shire’s early adult life was marked by adversity. Before marrying, she gave birth to two daughters outside marriage, each by a different father, and relied heavily on the support of her parents and wider family. Later, she established a new life in London with John Anstey, a former soldier and house painter, before returning to Somerset after the First World War. Throughout these changes, Lily maintained close ties with her daughters and siblings, illustrating her resilience and that of the wider Shire family.
Early life
Lily was born on 23 February 1869 at East Chinnock, the sixth of ten children born to Walter Shire and his wife, Sarah Ann (née Andrews).[1] Her father worked as an engine driver operating agricultural machinery, while her mother supplemented the family income as a glover. At the time of Lily’s birth, the family lived at 13 East Street, East Chinnock. Between 1875 and 1879, they moved to Hardington, first occupying a house in the High Street before settling at Lyatts, where Walter became a farmer.[2]
In 1887, Lily formed a relationship with Edwin Mabey, a carpenter from Haselbury who was about two years older than her. Shortly before the birth of their child, Mabey enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry.[3] It is unclear whether his enlistment was related to Lily’s pregnancy. On 24 March 1888, Lily gave birth to a daughter, Elsie Mildred Mabey Shire. The following month, she successfully applied for an affiliation order, which required Mabey to contribute 2s 6d a week towards the child’s maintenance until she reached the age of sixteen.[4] Bringing such proceedings required determination and exposed unmarried mothers to public scrutiny, making Lily’s decision all the more striking.
Lily became pregnant again in 1890, although the identity of the father is unknown. Ada was born on 10 March 1891 at Freeland, near Chard, where Lily’s brother Albert farmed. On the birth certificate, Lily was described as a factory hand, while the census taken a few weeks later recorded her as a housekeeper.[5] Curiously, Ada does not appear in the census despite being alive at the time. She was baptised at Hardington on 26 March 1893.
Marriage and life in London
By the late 1890s, Lily had moved to London. The banns for her marriage were called at Hardington on 14, 21 and 28 May 1899, suggesting that she was temporarily residing with her family before returning to Hammersmith.[6] On 3 June 1899, Lily married John Anstey, a house painter, at St Mary’s Church, Hammersmith.[7] Both gave their address as 40 Davisville Road.
The Hardington banns book records the groom as “Harold John Anstey”, but the marriage certificate and all other records identify him simply as John Anstey. The inclusion of the additional forename appears to be a clerical error.
The 1901 census found John and Lily living in three rooms at Davisville Road, along with Lily’s younger sister Mary and Ada, who was described as John’s niece rather than his stepdaughter. Shortly afterwards, Mary and Ada returned to Hardington. Ada entered Hardington School in October 1903 and remained there until January 1905, while Mary married William Henry Sugg, a glove cutter, at Hardington in September 1904.[8] Elsie continued to be brought up by her grandparents. By her early twenties, she had become a parlour maid in domestic service at New Milton.
By 1911, Ada had rejoined her mother in London. The family then lived in three rooms at 55 Bridgman Road, Chiswick, where Ada was recorded as John Anstey’s daughter. Elsie remained in domestic service until November 1917, when she married Albert Henry Chanin, a chauffeur, and eventually settled in Yeovil.
First World War
John had previously served in the Army Ordnance Corps and was recalled to military service following the outbreak of the First World War. He was posted to France in February 1915, where he served for most of the conflict before leaving the army in March 1919. During his absence, Lily lived at 28 Ramsey Road, Acton, maintaining the household while her husband served overseas.[9]
Return to Somerset
Following John’s demobilisation, the family settled at Yeovil. On 1 December 1919, Ada married Frederick Sage, a railway signalman, at St John’s Church, and Lily was one of the witnesses.[10] Frederick gave his address as 15 Market Street, the home of Lily’s sister Mary Sugg, whose husband had died during the war. He may have been lodging with her at the time.
By 1921, John and Lily were living at 15 Mount Pleasant. John worked as a painter for Brutton & Co., while Lily worked as a glove machinist employed by Thring & Luffman.
John died in 1931 at the age of sixty-one. Eight years later, Lily was living with her widowed daughter, Elsie, at 20 Grass Royal, where she continued to make gloves from home. Also in the household was her grandson, Alan George Henry Sage, who had been evacuated from London.
Lily died in 1948 at the age of seventy-nine.
Conclusion
Lily’s life illustrates both personal determination and the importance of family support. Faced with the social and financial difficulties of raising two illegitimate daughters, she relied on parents and siblings who consistently helped care for her children while she sought work and established a new home. Although her life included hardship, migration, war and widowhood, she maintained strong family relationships across six decades, and both daughters went on to establish families of their own.
References
[1] Civil registration birth index; 1939 Register.
[2] Hardington voters’ lists; Guardian Valuation Lists.
[3] Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Soldier Service Records, 1760-1920.
[4] Western Chronicle, 6 April 1888, p 5.
[5] Birth certificate of Ada Lilian May Shire.
[6] Hardington Mandeville banns book.
[7] St Mary’s, Hammersmith, marriage register.
[8] Western Gazette, 7 October 1904, p.12.
[9] British Army World War I Pension Records 1914-1920.
[10] St John’s, Yeovil, marriage register.
