Introduction
Fred Coles’s life can be divided into four distinct phases: his childhood in Glastonbury, nearly eighteen years in the Royal Navy, a period as a smallholder at Hardington Mandeville, and his final years as a sub-postmaster and parish councillor at Moorland near Bridgwater. His time at Hardington is particularly significant because he, along with his wife and her parents, acquired several properties in the parish, probably through the estate sale of October 1920 or shortly afterwards.
Early life
Fred was born at Glastonbury on 9 October 1879, the youngest of five children born to Charles and Charlotte Coles. The family lived at 4 Northover on the western edge of the town, where his father was employed as a smith and fitter at the Morland factory.[1]
Royal Navy career
After leaving school, Fred briefly worked as an errand boy before enlisting in the Royal Navy on 28 September 1895. He served initially as a second-class boy and later as a first-class boy. In October 1897, he signed on for a twelve-year engagement, rising to the rank of Petty Officer. He then continued in the service until 20 August 1913, having completed almost eighteen years in the Navy.[2]
Marriage
Less than two months after leaving the Navy, Fred married Annie Maud Fudge at the Baptist Church in Yeovil, on 12 October 1913.[3] Fred was 34, and Annie was 33.
Annie was the only surviving child of William and Ellen Fudge of South Street, Yeovil. Her father worked as a glove cutter, and her only brother died in childhood. By the time of her marriage, Annie was employed as a teacher at Pen Mill Infant School.[4]
Hardington
By 1921, Fred and Annie were living in Broad Lane, Hardington Mandeville, where Fred ran a smallholding supported in part by his naval pension. Annie’s parents lived nearby at St Bernard’s Cottage. According to the parish rate book for 31 December 1923, Fred owned and occupied a cottage and land in Broad Lane, although its acreage was not recorded.
Annie’s father, William Coombs Fudge, died on 13 February 1921, at the age of sixty-seven. His estate, valued at £357 17s, was left to his widow for life and then to Annie. The will referred to a house at 39 Earle Street, monies in the Post Office Savings Bank, insurance policies and household furniture.[5] However, he had advertised the Earle Street property for sale only a few months earlier, suggesting he may not have owned it when he died.[6] On 11 June 1921, Ellen Fudge sold some of his furniture and effects by auction at the New Inn.[7]
In January 1924, Fred wrote to the Western Gazette defending the right of the Imperial Order of Blue Marines’ Sick and Benefit Society to exclude Liberals from membership. Writing from Rydon, Hardington, he argued that the society’s foundations were “unquestionably Conservative” and maintained that anyone who changed their political views should leave the organisation. The incident suggests that Fred held strong Conservative beliefs and belonged to a generation for whom political loyalties could form part of a person’s social identity as well as their voting preference.[8]
Moorland
Later in 1924, Fred, Annie and Ellen moved to Crossway, Moorland, near Bridgwater, where Fred served as sub-postmaster and parish councillor. Even after leaving Hardington, the family retained property there. In November 1924, Ellen Fudge advertised a five-room cottage in the village to let.[9]
Ellen died on 7 March 1933, leaving an estate valued at £519 12s 6d, which passed to Annie.[10] Annie survived her mother by sixteen years. When she made her will in June 1948, she left the family home at Crossway and her holdings in War Savings or National Savings Certificates to Fred. However, she directed that her cottage at 332 Rydon, Hardington, should pass to Elsie Ellis of Torquay. She also left jewellery to Elsie’s daughter Margaret Ellis, a cameo brooch to Gladys Addicott of Moorland, and her bookcase and books to Eveline Hutchings, whom she appointed as one of her executors. Should Elsie Ellis die before her, the Hardington cottage was to be sold and the proceeds paid to Mullers Orphanage at Bristol.[11] These provisions suggest that Annie maintained close personal connections beyond her immediate family and retained a particular interest in the Hardington property until the end of her life.
Annie died on 15 February 1949, leaving an estate valued at £1,918 5s. Fred survived her by seven years, passing away at Tone Vale Hospital on 24 August 1956, at the age of seventy-six. He died intestate, leaving an estate valued at £568 14s 11d, which was administered by his sister, Kate Earle.¹¹
Conclusion
Fred Coles’s life illustrates the adaptability of many working-class men during the early twentieth century. After almost eighteen years in the Royal Navy, he established himself as a smallholder in Hardington before embarking on a second career as a village sub-postmaster. The acquisition of several properties by Annie and her parents also demonstrates how individuals of relatively modest means could accumulate assets and achieve a measure of financial security. Additionally, Annie’s will shows that property and inheritance were shaped not only by family ties but also by friendships, loyalties and charitable commitments that extended well beyond the immediate household.
References
[1] Western Gazette, 20 June 1879, p.6.
[2] Royal Navy Registers of Seamen’s Services, 1848-1939.
[3] Western Chronicle, 17 October 1913, p.5.
[4] Western Chronicle, 17 October 1913, p.5.
[5] The will of William Coombs Fudge, dated 16 April 1910, proved in London on 15 March 1921.
[6] Western Gazette, 22 October 1920, p.7.
[7] Western Chronicle 3 June 1921 p. 2.
[8] Western Gazette, 1 February 1924, p.2.
[9] Western Gazette, 21 November 1924, p.6; Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 8 September 1956, p. 7.
[10] The will of Ellen Fudge, dated 28 July 1929, proved at Taunton on 7 October 1933.
[11] The will of Annie Maud Fudge, dated 5 June 1948, proved at Bristol on 11 May 1949. Eveline Burt Hutchings (1901-1989) was a primary school teacher; Gladys Mary Addicott (1908-1997) was Eveline’s sister.