Introduction

George Oliver Shire served as an engineer in the Royal Navy from 1898 to 1920. While on board HMS Cumberland in 1915, he was included in Hardington’s Roll of Honour. Before joining the Royal Navy, he lived with his parents at Lyatts and worked as a blacksmith. After leaving the Royal Navy, he and his wife initially resided in Plymouth before eventually moving to Langport.

Birth at East Chinnock

George was born at East Chinnock on 23 October 1872, the youngest son of Walter and Sarah Shire. His father was an “engine driver.”

Life at Hardington

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

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

Royal Navy career

On 16 February 1898, George commenced service in the Royal Navy, serving initially at a training school in Devonport.[1] While there, he was initiated into the Carew Lodge of the Freemasons.[2]

He signed on for a continuous service engagement of twelve years and subsequently extended his service 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.[3] At the time, George was an engineer living at 23 Pasley Street, Devon.

In March 1901, while George was at sea, Rosina worked as a cook at 15 Essex Villas, Kensington. 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.

When the First World War broke out, George was serving on HMS Cumberland. In February 1915, he was included in Hardington’s Roll of Honour.[4]

Later life

George retired from the Navy in March 1920.[5] By June 1921, he was a tool smith working in the Castle Ship Breaking Yard at Plymouth. His address was still 6 Durban Road, Peverell.

By 1939, he was a Royal Navy Pensioner living at the Bungalow, Picts Hill, Langport. At the time of his death, he was residing at Wingfield Bungalow on Somerton Road in Langport.

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 their son.[6]

Children

George and Rosina had one child: Raymond Oliver Stuart Shire. He became a motor mechanic with the Langport Motor Company, married Ethel Jane Pym in 1928, and died in 1976.[7]

References

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

[2] United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921: initiated 19 October 1898.

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

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

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

[6] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 24 November 1962, p.7.

[7] Langport & Somerton Herald, 26 May 1928 p.4.