Introduction

George Sercombe was the husband of Jane Secombe, who served as the headteacher of Hardington School from 1873 to 1911. From 1886 to 1923, George worked as a printing engineer for the Western Gazette. Before moving to Hardington, he lived in Exeter, where he met his wife, and in London. After leaving Hardington, he settled in Yeovil, where he died in 1932.

Early life in Devon

George was born at Dunsford, Devon, in 1853, the youngest of three children born to James and Mary Sercombe.  In the 1850s, his family moved to Exe Island, Exeter, where his father, who had been a farm labourer, became a general dealer.

George’s two siblings were considerably older than him. When he was about nine years old, his sister, Mary Ann, married an engineer named Henry Merrifield.[1] At about the same time, his brother, James, joined the Somerset Constabulary. After Mary Ann and James left home, George was raised like an only child.

By the age of 17, he was working as a smith, probably in one of the brass and iron foundries on Exe Island.

Move to London

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

Marriage

On Christmas Day 1875, George married Jane Mary 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, George began 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.[2]

Move to Yeovil

In December 1911, Jane retired from Hardington school, and she and George 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.[3]

Death

George died on 29 April 1932, aged 78, leaving effects valued at £923-12s-9d, which he left entirely to his wife.[4]

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.[5]

Children

George and Jane had three children:

1876 William George

1879 Ernest James

1884 Hyacinth May.

References

[1] In April 1881, Henry Merrifield was an engine fitter; ten years later he kept the Shakespeare Inn in Bonhay Road and was a brass and iron engineer employing 6 men and 3 boys.

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

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

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

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