Introduction
In 1921, Walter James Ash was living at Hardington Moor, one of several men in the village affected by the economic dislocation that followed the First World War. Although he described himself on the census as a “Transit Clerk, Central Registry, Southern Command, Salisbury (out of work),” this description seems inconsistent with his recent role as a publican. His presence in Hardington, where he had few close ties and limited job prospects, appears to have been temporary. This article explores the circumstances that brought him to the village and considers how far his recorded occupation reflects his actual employment, or a preferred sense of identity at a time of uncertainty.
Early life
Walter was born on 10 April 1874 at Barnstaple, the seventh child of George and Frances Ash.[1] His father was a journeyman baker who, after marrying at Salisbury in 1865, moved to Exeter and then Barnstaple before returning to Salisbury by 1877. Walter’s mother came from Downton, a village six miles southeast of Salisbury, where her father worked as a saddler. Following her mother’s death in 1851, she was raised by an aunt in Salisbury. Downton would later feature in Walter’s life story.
After a short time living at 3 Green Croft, Salisbury, George established his own business in Winchester Street, first at number 62 and later at 28 and 30. Walter appears to have worked for his father until he was at least in his mid-twenties.
In April 1898, Walter was severely assaulted by a gardener named Lionel Staples after they left the Bell Inn. Staples punched him in the head and ribs following an earlier disagreement in the pub. This incident suggests that Walter had the courage to report the assault to the police, despite Staples threatening to kill him if he did so.[2]
Early married life
In his late twenties or early thirties, Walter began courting Florence Ann Guppy, who was probably working in domestic service in the city. The couple married at Florence’s home parish of Hardington Mandeville on 7 August 1905. Walter was 31, while Florence was 20. Their daughter, Doris Sybil, was born on 2 September 1906, followed by Madge Florence on 20 March 1912.[3]
In December 1906, Walter’s mother died intestate at the age of 63, leaving an estate valued at £545.[4] Her death may have precipitated the closure of the bakery, as by 1911, George and his daughter, Martha, were living with relatives at Southampton. Walter secured a position as a steward at the Liberal Club, and by April 1911, he and his family lived in a six-room house at 8 Bedford Road. Later that month, Walter and Florence travelled to Hardington for the funeral of Florence’s mother, Angelina Guppy.[5]
Licensee and post-war dislocation
His position at the Liberal Club appears to have led to a career as a publican. He was the licensee of the Plumbers’ Arms, Pewsey, from September 1914 to August 1915, the Three Horseshoes Inn, Downton, from March 1916 to 1920, and the Duchess of Albany, Ox Row, Salisbury, from September 1920 to April 1921.[6] When at the Three Horseshoes, Florence was charged with selling whisky above the legally set price and Walter with aiding and abetting, although the case was later dismissed after it was established that she had mistakenly used an outdated measure.
After leaving the Duchess of Albany, Walter and his family moved to Hardington Moor, where Madge enrolled at the village school. On the 1921 census, Walter recorded his occupation as a “Transit Clerk, Central Registry, Southern Command, Salisbury, (out of work).” If he did hold this position, it was probably temporary or part-time, and his recent employment suggests that ‘out-of-work publican’ would have been a more representative description.
George Porter from Downton boarded with them while working for a Yeovil building firm as a plumber.
The reason for their move to Hardington is unclear. Although Florence was born and grew up in the village, her parents were both dead, and only one of her eleven siblings still lived there. Given the limited job opportunities available in the village and the lack of strong family ties, the move is unlikely to have been economically motivated.
After 1921, little is known about Walter’s life. In the early 1930s, he was the licensee of the Star Inn, High Littleton, and by 1939, he was a retired Club Steward living at 1 Doreen Cottages, Westbury.[7] He died in the Warminster registration district in 1953 at the age of 78. Florence died in the Trowbridge registration district in 1961 at the age of 76.
Conclusion
This article shows that Walter’s stay at Hardington Moor was a temporary phase, marking a brief interlude in his career as a publican and club steward. His description of himself as a transit clerk at Southern Command may reflect a desire to project a clerical identity associated with the army rather than that of an unemployed publican.
References
[1] Civil registration birth index; 1939 Register.
[2] Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 23 April 1898, p.8.
[3] Civil registration birth index; 1939 Register.
[4] National probate calendar.
[5] Western Gazette, 5 May 1911, p.3.
[6] Marlborough Times, 25 September 1914, p.3; Marlborough Times, 13 August 1915, p.5; Kelly’s Directory of Wiltshire, 1915, p.176; Salisbury Times, 10 March 1916, p.4; Kelly’s Directory of Wiltshire, 1920, p.102; Salisbury Times, 10 September 1920, p.8; Salisbury Times, 15 April 1921, p.3.
[7] Somerset Guardian and Radstock Observer, 10 February 1933, p.15; 1939 Register.
