In April 1891, George Oliver Shire, aged 18, was a blacksmith living in his parents’s home at Lyatts.

Birth at East Chinnock

Oliver was born at East Chinnock on 23 October 1872. He was the youngest son of Walter Shire, an “engine driver”, and his wife, Sarah.

Life at Hardington

By April 1879, Walter and his family had moved to Lyatts.

In about 1888, George’s brother, Christopher, started working as a blacksmith at Langport, opening his own business in about 1896. He may have influenced George to become a blacksmith, although George did not stay in the trade long.

Royal Navy career

On 16 February 1898, George commenced service in the Royal Navy, serving on board a ship named Vivid II.[1]

He signed on for a continuous service engagement of twelve years and then stayed on for another ten. Throughout his naval career, his character was almost invariably assessed as “very good,”

On 24 August 1898, he married Rosina Bowditch, the sister of Christopher Shire’s wife, Ellen, at Langport.[2] George was then an engineer living at 23 Pasley Street, Devon.

In March 1901, Rosina worked as a cook at 15 Essex Villas, Kensington, while George was presumably at sea. When their only child was born on 19 April 1903, Rosina lived in Plymouth. By March 1911, the family home was 6 Durban Road, Peverell, Plymouth, and George’s position in the navy was Engine Room Artificer.

In 1915, George, serving on board HMS Cumberland, was included in Hardington’s Roll of Honour.[3]

Later life

George retired from the Navy in March 1920.[4] In 1939, he was a Royal Navy Pensioner living at the Bungalow, Picts Hill, Langport. His address was Wingfield Bungalow, Somerton Road, Langport when he died.

George died on 5 October 1948, aged 75, leaving an estate valued at £963-16s-4d. His wife died on 17 November 1962, aged 94, at Newcot, Newtown, Langport, the home of her son.

George and Rosina had one child: Raymond Oliver Stuart Shire.

References

[1] Royal Navy Registers of Seamen’s Services, 1848-1939 

[2] Western Gazette, 2 September 1898, p.8.

[3] Western Gazette, 15 February 1915, p.6.

[4] Royal Navy Registers of Seamen’s Services, 1848-1939