In April 1891, James Willy Matraves was a blacksmith living with his father, Thomas, in the High Street.

Early life at Hardington

John was born at Hardington on 15 April 1877. Willy was his mother’s maiden name.

Life in Surrey

On 19 February 1901, James was the best man at his brother John’s wedding at Bournemouth.[1]

By March 1901, James was a carpenter in lodgings at Bridge Farm, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey. On 1 November 1904, he married Amy Attwood of Basingstoke, the daughter of a tailor.

Their only child was born at Bourne, near Farnham, on 24 October 1905.

By April 1911, James, his wife and daughter were living at 1 Glenwood Villas, Frensham, Surrey, where James worked as a carpenter.

Life In Basingstoke

By June 1921, James and his family lived at 52 George Street, Basingstoke. He was a carpenter and joiner employed by W J Harris, a builder of Basing Road, Basingstoke.

In September 1939, they lived at the same address, and James was a builder’s foreman.

James died in the Basingstoke area in 1945, aged 67. Amy died on 24 March 1949, aged 69.

Children

James and Amy had two daughters: Amy Francis and Florence.

References

[1] Langport & Somerton Herald, 2 March 1901, p.5.