George Sercombe worked for the Western Gazette as a printing engineer from 1886 to 1923.

Early life in Devon

George was born at Dunsford, Devon, in 1853. His father, James Sercombe, was a farm labourer who moved to Exe Island, Exeter, where he made  a living as a general dealer. In April 1861, George was at school; in April 1871, he was a smith.

Move to London

By December 1875, George had moved to West Hackney to work as an engineer. He lived in Derby Road, near Victoria Park.

Marriage

On Christmas Day 1875, George married Mary Jane Godsland at St Peter’s, West Hackney.

Move to Hardington

Jane had recently been appointed school mistress at Hardington, and George joined her there, occupying a cottage provided by the school managers.

In April 1881, George was away from home, working as a fitter at Bruton and staying at the Temperance Hotel.

Joins the Western Gazette

In 1886, he started working at the Western Gazette as head of the machine room and stereotyping department. He was one of the new staff members hired to replace the many who left when a syndicate acting for the Conservative Party bought the newspaper. He used to walk daily to Yeovil and back.[1]

Move to Yeovil

In December 1911, Jane retired from Hardington school, and she and her husband moved to Yeovil to live at Hill Grove Avenue in a house they named “Mandeville”.

Retirement

George retired from the Western Gazette in November 1923 after thirty-seven and a half years of service. His colleagues collected to buy him a gold watch “as a slight mark of regard and esteem.” However, he declined to attend a formal presentation.[2]

Death

George died on 29 April 1932, aged 78, leaving effects valued at £923-12s-9d, which he left entirely to his wife.[3]

Jane’s later life

After George died, Jane lived with her son, Ernest, at 10 Crofton Park, Yeovil, for a few years before moving to 6 Alexandra Road, West Southbourne, Bournemouth. She died there on 18 April 1935, aged 83, leaving effects valued at £1,266-10s-10d.[4]

Children

George and Jane had three children:

1876 William George

1879 Ernest James

1884 Hyacinth May.

References

[1] Western Gazette, 9 November 1923, p.4.

[2] Western Gazette, 9 November 1923, p.4.

[3] The will of George Sercombe, dated 29 December 1899, proved at Taunton on 29 June 1932.

[4] The will of Jane Mary Sercombe, dated 15 March 1933, proved at Bristol on 31 May 1935.