In April 1871, Giles Hodges Paul, aged 13, was an apprentice blacksmith living in his stepfather’s home in the High Street.

Early life at Hardington

Giles was born at Hardington in 1858. He was the son of Thomas Paul, a farmer, and his wife, Mary Ann. His father named him after a brother who had died two years earlier. A few weeks later, Giles’s father was dead, too. He had farmed Cary’s Farm after taking over from his father-in-law, Robert Bartlett.

On 3 January 1861, Giles’s mother, Mary Anne, married Giles Hodges, her late husband’s cousin.

Giles’s mother died on 11 August 1868, aged only 36.

On 4 February 1875, Giles’s stepfather re-married, which may may have prompted Giles to leave home.

Life as a Farrier in London

By April 1881, Giles had moved to London, where he worked as a farrier and lodged at 5 Graham Street, St Luke’s. He remained a farrier throughout his residence in London.

On 14 August 1882, Giles married Alice Wedge at St Mary, Islington. She was a domestic servant, and her father was a slater’s labourer.  Giles and Alice both gave their address as 31 Tibberton Square.

They spent the first decade or so of their married life in and around Chelsea. In August 1883, their address was 90 Pavilion Road. In November 1884, their address in the baptism register is not clearly recorded but may read “150 Pavilion Road”. From 1886 until at least October 1892, their address was 1 Little Exeter Street, where they occupied two rooms.

Farming in Hampshire and Surrey

Their youngest child was born at Twyford, Hampshire, on 25 August 1899.

By March 1901, Giles had retired, and he and his family lived at 58 Oakley Road, Croydon.

By April 1911, they had moved to Sugham Farm, the Common, Lingfield, where Giles was a farmer.

In June 1921, Giles lived at the Nest, the Common, Lingfield, and farmed at Piers Farm, Lingfield.

When he died on 15 October 1932, aged 74, his address was “The Farm,” Lingfield, Surrey, and he left an estate valued at £15,474-10s-10d

Alice died on 14 August 1949, aged 88, leaving an estate valued at £2,833-8s.

Children

Giles and Alice had five sons and two daughters.