Introduction
The life of Louisa Giles provides insight into the individual experiences of women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting the societal changes of that time. Her husband served in the First World War but was discharged due to health issues. After his death in 1918, Louisa remained a widow for 27 years, passing away shortly after the end of the Second World War.
Early life
Louisa was born on October 18 1864, at East Coker, the second of ten children born to Rupert and Mary Anna Giles. Her father, Rupert, was a farm labourer.
Louisa’s upbringing was characterised by migration. Around 1868, the family relocated from East Coker to Chaldon Herring before moving inland to Glanvilles Wootton and ultimately to St. Donats on the South Wales coast, where they lived for about five years.
By April 1881, the Giles family had returned to Dorset and devised a strategy to sustain themselves. While Mary Anna and the children lived at Fortuneswell, Portland, Rupert and the oldest son sought work further afield. The 1881 census shows them boarding forty miles away at Tollard Farnham.
By April 1891, the Giles family had established a temporary residence in Townsend, Tintinhull, before yet another move to Curry Rivel.
Employment at Hardington Rectory
By April 1891, Louisa was employed as a domestic servant at Hardington Rectory, where her responsibilities included the decoration of the church for significant festivals In September 1892, she adorned the font with moss, asters, fruit and vegetables for the Harvest Festival celebrations.[1] A few months later, at Christmas, she helped decorate the church’s interior with “evergreens, holly, pot plants, everlasting flowers and chrysanthemums.”[2]
Married life
In 1893, Louisa married Samuel Mear in the Taunton area. Their first child, Wilhelmina, was born on 31 March 1894 at Ilchester. By May 1894, they were living at Wilton, where Samuel was employed as a gardener.
By February 1896, they had settled in Taunton, initially living in Alfred Street and later, from 1898 or slightly earlier, at 5 Roseberry Terrace, Frieze Hill. The censuses of 1901 and 1911 recorded Samuel’s occupation as a brewer’s drayman.
First World War
On 17 September 1915, at the age of 44, Samuel enlisted in the army and was assigned to the Army Service Corps, serving in a depot at Romsey. On 8 July 1916, he was discharged as physically unfit because he was showing symptoms of tuberculosis.[3] Samuel returned home and found work as a carter for an oil company. He died two weeks after the Armistice, on 26 November 1918, at the age of 48.[4]
After her husband’s death, Louisa assumed the responsibility of supporting her two sons and three daughters who remained at home.
Later years and death
At the start of the Second World War, Louisa was living in the home of her daughter, Wilhelmina, at the Police Station at Seven Ash, Taunton. Soon after the war ended, Louisa passed away, at the age of 81.
Children
Samuel and Louisa had five sons and three daughters.
References
[1] Western Gazette, 30 September 1892 p. 6.
[2] Western Gazette, 30 December 1892 p. 5.
[3] British Army World War I Pension Records 1914-1920. The records describe him as 5 feet 10 inches tall.
[4] Death certificate of Samuel Mear.
