Before the Buses

WILLIAM JOHN LUTON GALE (1887–1956)

William was born on 22nd February 1887 at Frampton Cotterell in Gloucestershire. His birth was registered as William Luton Gale, and he was Christened as William John Luton Gale soon after on 15th April. He was the son of John William Gale and Clara née Williams who had been married on 12th June 1886 at Frampton Cotterell, their fathers being named as John Gale and Luke Williams.

When the 1891 Census was taken on 5th April, the Gale family are found living at Stone Close in Frampton Cotterell (Ref: RG12 Piece 1997 Folio 78 Page 17). John William Gale was a 27 year-old “Coal Miner” who had been born at Westerleigh in Gloucestershire. His wife Clara was 32 years-old, and also with them were their three children: Will John Luton (a 4 year-old Scholar), Hester Ann (aged 2), and Isaac James (aged 1).

Ten years later when the 1901 Census was taken on 31st March, the Gale family were living at Frampton End in Frampton Cotterell (Ref: RG13 Piece 2410 Folio 88 Page 34). John William Gale was a 35 year-old “Coal Miner (Timberman)” while his wife was said to be 40 years-old. Their children in this Census are William (a 14 year-old Errand Boy), Isaac James (aged 11 and indexed as James), Nellie (aged 9), Gilbert (aged 5), and Frank (aged 1). Also with them is Clara’s 81 year-old father, Luke Williams, who is recorded as a “General Farm Labourer,” who had been born at Frampton Cotterell.

On 13th November 1909 at Kingswood near Wotton Under Edge in Gloucestershire, William married Mary née Sparrow (born 7 July 1882 at Kingswood). She was the daughter of James Walter Sparrow (a Coachman and Gardener) and Jane née Francis.

William and Mary soon moved to Monmouthshire where they’re found in the 1911 Census at 17 Bryngwyn Road in Six Bells (Ref: RG14 Piece 31847 Schedule 202). William is a 24 year-old “Colliery Haulier Underground,” and his wife is said to be 25 years-old. Electoral Registers show that they soon moved to nearby 25 Coronation Road in Six Bells.

By early 1914, William Gale had applied for permission to build a stable at the rear of 25 Coronation-road. In February that year, he had submitted an amended plan of the stable, which had been accepted “subject to gulley being fixed outside manure pit.” Throughout the summer of 1914, William advertised in the South Wales Gazette that his wagonette and horses were available for hire (seen right).

The Wagonette was a popular horse-drawn carriage in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. It would typically be driven by its owner, and as it was able to carry several passengers, it was suitable for families or group outings. The seating would generally be of a bench style, with the passengers facing each other.

The 1921 Census (which was taken on 19th June) records the Gale family living at 25 Coronation Street in Six Bells (RG15 Piece 26108 Schedule 158). William is 33 years-old and is running his own business as a “Haulage Contractor.” His wife Mary is 36 years-old, and their children are: Eleanor Cicely Catherine (born 17th November 1911), and Phyllis Olive (born 7th December 1917). They also had a son, Frank George who was born in the spring of 1914, who very sadly passed away soon after birth.

Electoral Registers show that William and Mary Gale only stayed at 25 Coronation Street for a couple more years, but it appears that William had gone into business with his brother Isaac James Gale (born 29th March 1890).

The 1939 Register (which was taken on 29th September) confirms that William and Mary Gale had returned to Gloucestershire. Their address is given as The Green in Iron Acton, located about 2 miles west of Yate (Ref: RG101 Piece 5115I Schedule 73). William is recorded as a “General Haulier Road Repairer.” Also with him are his wife Mary and their daughter Phyllis Olive, and Mary’s brother-in-law and sister, Jessie and Emily Johnson. Also living at The Green in Iron Acton in this Register are William and Mary’s son-in-law and daughter, Cyril Charles Henry Winter Alsopp (born 17th December 1908 at Frampton Cotterell) and Eleanor Cicely Catherine née Gale who were married in the summer of 1933 in the Dursley area (Ref: RG101 Piece 5115I Schedule 74). Cyril was recorded as a “Lister Truck & Tractor Driver at Aircraft Works.” He was the son of William George Winter Alsop and Rose Ellen née Pitt who were married on 22nd August 1898 at the church of St. Philip and St. Jacob in Bristol, their fathers being named as George Winter Alsop and William Pitt.

Mary Gale née Sparrow passed away on 19th April 1947 at the age of 64. William John Luton Gale survived his wife by just over nine years until he passed away on 16th July 1956 at the age of 69.

Credits

The Gale family crest is by houseofnames.com