While working on the Great Wyrley in the Great War book for the Heritage Lottery Fund/Local History Society, I thought I would write a few lines on little things that piqued my interest as I went along. These will have something to do with the local townships then, but what I wanted to do was to link them, where possible, to something visible today. This time, I have chosen to say a few words about Henry Croxton, who once lived in one of two adjoining houses on the Walsall Road, Great Wyrley, that carry the name Croxdene.
The two adjoining properties on the Walsall Road, Great Wyrley, that are called Croxdene. P Ford 2023.
Henry Croxton was born on 17 April 1880 in the Castle Church area of Stafford to Henry Croxton (senior), a ‘waggoner,’ and wife Frances (nee Clews). In 1881, the family were living on the Wolverhampton Road, leading out of Stafford towards Wolverhampton, near the current Star and Garter pub. The family would, within a few years, split apart – making them traceable only because a Harry Croxton would leave a touching obituary in the Cannock Courier in 1902 to his mother that had died a year before – a Frances Morris.
Dealing with Henry senior first – he is living at his sister’s pub in Berkswich in 1891, where his mother and another sister are also living. He then appears in Penkridge as a lodger in 1901 – before passing away in 1904, at the young age of 47 years. Henry junior would stay with his mother, but this does get complicated. In 1891, the two are in Bloxwich – living with, and Frances married to, a miner named Edward Morris. Edward had lost his first wife in 1882. Edward and Frances would go on to have children, as well as each having children from their previous marriages.
By 1901, the family are in Great Wyrley and Henry had become an engine fitter; sadly, Frances, Henry’s mother would pass away in the September. Two doors away from Henry (described as Morris on the census) was the Perks family and on 1 May 1902 Henry married Sarah Ann Perks. Sarah was born in Great Wyrley, was around 18-months older than Henry, and the youngest daughter of James, a coal miner, and his wife Louisa.
In 1903, the only child the couple had, Frances Louisa, named after the parental mothers, was born. The family were, in 1911, living with Sarah’s somewhat elderly parents on the Walsall Road. The 1911 census provides another fact that may have shaped his life: that the next property along on the census is Ashleigh, on Slackey Lane (now Hazel Lane), which was the home of Harrisons colliery manager, Thomas Cook. I am not suggesting Cook knew Croxton as a neighbour, however, it is likely that Croxton was an employee at the same Harrisons colliery and, what is more, a member of the Club on Wharwell Lane; Cook helped set up the Club in 1909, and in 1912, after the resignation of the then steward, a new one was sought that lived locally – word of mouth would have spread both at the Club and the colliery and the new man that would come forward would turn out to be Henry Croxton.
Croxdene, the house, was built in 1911. We have no idea when the Croxton family moved into it, but I would suggest if was not when first built then it was not that long after he obtained his new position on 1 February 1912. Whether the name Croxdene is in any way a derivation of Croxton is unknown, it may be purely coincidental.
Croxdene, the left property was that of Croxton, the other that of Westwood in 1921. It is the opposite side of Jones Lane to the Memorial Garden – which was just rough land when the house was built. P. Ford 2023.
Croxton had an early experience in his tenure as steward, when the Club was broken into on the evening of 3 March. He had to give evidence at the Magistrate Court when three brothers from Great Wyrley were arrested for breaking and entering (Croxton’s address was given as Walsall Road, Landywood – but this would apply to both Croxdene or his previous address). The boys smashed a window in the Smoke Room to gain access, then proceeded to empty the contents, presumably into themselves, of many a bottle, pausing only to steal some fags and slash the tyres on Croxton’s bicycle that was stored in the Club.
Harrison’s Club, opened in 1909, where Croxton became the steward in 1912. WH Smith & Son
Croxton, despite being of age, neither volunteered at the outbreak of the Great War, nor served in the armed forces under conscription. He likely didn’t serve as a Special Constable for example, due to his commitments at the Club. The Club did, of course, aid the local war effort during the conflict and Henry in particular went through very difficult times regarding the price and quality of the beers and spirits – as well as the club’s opening times (see https://wyrleyblog.wordpress.com/wyrley-landywood/the-harrisons-club-great-wyrley-war-memorial-history/harrisons-club-and-the-great-war/). which even led to a petition in 1919 by the members over the dreadful quality of the beer sold. This was NOT Henry’s fault, but down to increasing legislation restricting the sale, strength and price of alcohol through the war period.
It was the events of 1919 that really triggered this article, for after the initial organic celebrations after the signing of the armistice in 1918, peace was only secured after the formal signing the Treaty of Versailles in June 1919. Up and down the country, the weekend of 19 July became the the formal period for rejoicing and Great Wyrley received praise for its ‘Peace Celebrations,’ with it being noted in the Cannock Courier on 26 July that: ‘the hearts of the Committee and the parishioners were thoroughly in the affair, and there was much outside interest manifested.’
The celebrations, in fact, started on Sunday 6 July with a combined procession and ‘Thanksgiving Service’ at the Anglican church. The Courier reported on 12 July: ‘The procession included the Parish Council, Police and Special Constables, under the supervision of Sergeant Wright, Demobilised and Discharged Soldiers, Druids and other members of Societies, Firemen, Tradesmen, Cheslyn Hay Boy Scouts, and Band. The procession, which was unusually large, started at Bentons Corner [Benton Road, the site of the Roll of Honour, opposite to Croxdene] and marched along Walsall Road and on to Wyrley St. Marks Church, where Rev. Lanfear preached an appropriate sermon to a crowded congregation. Suitable hymns were sung and special prayers offered. A collection of £11 was realised, in aid of the Sunday Schools and Peace Celebrations.’
Over the weekend of 19 July properties and streets were tastefully decorated, with an award given to Henry Croxton for Croxdene – the best decorated house – and this is why this story has come about. Further, Henry was awarded another prize for ‘decorating the Roll of Honour with flags, ribbons and small lamps that presented a pleasing spectacle.’ Henry declined this second award as that was ‘purely voluntary.’ We must also remember that while Henry was nominated for the awards, I would eat my pocket watch if Sarah Ann had not been a co-contributor – or even the true artistic talent behind it – although Henry was a keen gardener and had won many prizes at flower shows.
Just for context and general interest in this article: meals and sports were also enlisted to make up the ‘Peace’ programme: ‘The old people were treated to dinner at the Great Wyrley Institute, and the children to a tea at the Schools… and the sports were held in the fields on Monday when a large number of parishioners assembled.’ Local clubs and businesses also rallied around the returning soldiers on or around Peace Day. Harrisons Club, and Croxton, started with a concert being provided for their members, and their friends, on the Friday evening. On the Saturday, however, they provided a meal and a concert in the club room for all the demobilised and discharged soldiers and sailors; there were ‘nearly 200 present, and they thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the entertainment. At the conclusion of the substantial meal Councillor George Goodwin in a few appropriate remarks made the toast “Our local Soldiers and Sailors,” which was enthusiastically received.’
Elsewhere, the publican of the Robin Hood, John Perks (I am not sure if this is a relation of Sarah Croxton), had hosted the veterans from Churchbridge to a meal in the May – indeed, six of the ‘lads’ were not yet back from service – and Gilpins hosted their veterans, giving recognition to those that did not return, in the August.
The Croxton family were still in residence at Croxdene in 1921, and in 1925 Frances married William Wootton, a diary farmer from Black Lees Farm in Saredon. If we fast-forward to 1939, we still find the Croxtons at Croxdene, along with the Westwoods next door – as they were in 1921. In 1939, Henry is still the Club steward. Sadly, he would pass away in 1942. Sarah Ann passed away, I believe, in 1964.
So, when you next pass Croxdene give a nod to Henry and Sarah – especially if you are a member of Harrisons Club. If you read this and live in the house, remember that Croxdene outshone all others in the village during the Peace Celebrations in July 1919 and if you put a flag in the window for Remembrance Sunday you will be simply keeping up a tradition – especially if you nip into Harrisons for a pint after!
In memory of Henry and Sarah and dedicated to Pat, the current steward at Harrisons, and all the terrific bar staff.
wyrleyblog 