John & Eveline Forrest

this item is listed in Social Snapshots 1900-1968 inc. under date 1910

Eveline Forrest. Ready to go on the drag-hunt.

Research by Joan West

John Forrest, born 1841 was the son of John & Ann Forrest

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, baby John was sent back to England aged 1, after the death of his mother.

In 1851 John was at a boarding school in the Isle of Man, aged 10.

Eveline Rogers born 1851 was the daughter of John Graham and his wife of Sheild Hall, Govan, Scotland. She was from a wealthy family which had moved to Cheltenham. Her father John Graham Roger, a landed proprietor, died in 1892, leaving £49,488-7s-1p. Her great grandfather was Charles Macintosh (before 'k' was added), of the garment 'mackintosh' fame.

In 1873 John and Eveline married at Cheltenham

John and Evelyn had 4 children as follows :-

John Forrest born 1876 in Cheltenham married Did not marry - see more at bottom

Charles Evelyn Forrest born 1877 in Lacey Green married Ruth Mary Holmes A Court in 1910. see more st bottom.

George Francis (Frank) Forrest born 1878 in Longdon, Worcs did not marry. see more at bottom

Guy Archibald Forrest born 1880 in Lacey Green married Ellen Dorothy Egerton in 1909. see more at bottom.

On 18th April 1878 John Forrest purchased the Grymsdyke Estate from William Alexander Thomas for £15,000, totalling 282 acres, 2 roods, 24 poles. This included Grymsdyke House, Grymsdyke Farm, Lane Farm, Promised Land Farm, 8 acres of woodland called Speen Firs. In 1878 John Forrest bought Stocken Farm, Lacey Green, for £8,250 from Charles Brown, including part of Coomb, a hamlet near Loosley Hill Road.

Research Note. The part of Stocken Farm, which John Forrest owned at that time, on the west side of the Main Road between the two entrances to Church Lane. Frank Claydon mentioned when interviewed that most people in those days kept a pig and grew potatoes etc., these being the mainstay of the winter and when people wanted to grow more, they talked of having allotments. Mr Forrest, as far as Frank can remember, asked if he should plough up the land between the two ends of Church Lane. The people agreed and he had it ploughed, divided and rented out in plots. Later when the allotments were used less and less he grew corn there and eventually the land was sold by a subsequent owner of Grymsdyke as building land. For more about Frank Claydon click Frank & Maud Claydon

In 1881 census in Cheltenham. John and the 4 children. Eveline absent. John is 39 and retired.

Respect Expected

John Forrest might not be the Lord of the Manor but he was wealthy and employed a lot of people. Certainly Mr and Mrs Forrest were ones to whom to touch the cap or bob a curtsey. They expected the villagers to be in church on Sunday.

It is recorded that at least on one occasion he paid for the schooling of orphans boarded out in the village.

Founded c 1890 the Cottager' Garden Society. click Inquest for details of the first show in 1891

Established The Reading Room.

Ruling Coucillor of The Primrose League in Lacey Green.

Click 1900 A Spectacular Welcome when John Forrest greets his son, home from the Boer War.

Eveline Forrest tried hard to help to promote the sale of pillow lace for the women of the villages. Click 1900 Mrs Forrest helps Lace Sales for more details.

In 1885 John Forrest built Graham Cottage no 1 and Graham Cottage no 2 in the Home Meadow of Stocken Farm. They were semi-detached, sideways on to the main road. He employed Farm Bailiffs, who lived at Stocken Farm, to manage his farms. See 1910 Employees of John Forrest

In 1891 census John and Evelyn living with her parents at 1 College Lane, Cheltenham.

On 27th July 1891 the first Cottagers' Garden Society's Show was held at Grymsdyke. See 1891 Cottagers' Garden Society Show and 1891 Cottagers' Garden Society Tragedy.

The Boys Education. At least two of the boys were boarding at a small prep school at Upland House, Epson, Surrey. It was run by George Frederick Burgess, born 1856 at Lacey Green, one of the sons of the Reverend William T Burgess, one of The Vicars of St.John's, Lacey Green from 1848 to 1880. It was opened in 1884. In 1891 there were 14 pupils aged 9-13. It offered a wide range of sporting activities including football, golf, cricket, swimming, diving, fives, gymnastics, boxing and shooting. The boys were not judged on what they achieved but on how they had done their best. From there all the boys moved on to a boarding school in Uppingham, Rutland.

In 1900 John and Eveline's son returned from fighting in the Boer War in South Africa. click 1900 A Spectacular Welcome, the press report.

In 1901 census Lacey Green, John Forrest 59, and Eveline Forrest 50.

In 1905 Death of Eveline Forrest. In her will she left Speen Farm to her husband John, and her pearls and certain heirlooms to her children.

In 1905 a stained glass window was erected in the church in memory of Eveline Forrest click 1905 Forest Church Window for detail of the service

In 1910 Death of John Forrest, aged 69, at Cheltenham, after a protracted illness (cirrhosis of the liver)

Village response regarding John Forrest's funeral in Lacey Green Church

On the day of John Forrest's funeral the school turned out to watch the cortege with black plumed horses pass on its way to the church.

The wedding of Cecil James Dell and Louisa Saunders had been planned for that day but had to be postponed until later in the day. Their son Bill was told that this was typical of Mr Forrest.

Conservative Aspirations Extract from his obituary in the Bucks Free Herald: -

John Forrest was a staunch Conservative and Unionist and a convinced Tariff Reformer. He was for many years President of the Princes Risborough branch of the Mid-Bucks Conservative and Unionist Association. He was for a long time Ruling Councillor of The Primrose League. He was J.P. for Bucks and Chairman of the Risborough branch.

He did much to follow the ideals set out in the Conservative Primrose League. Note No doubt this would have impressed the Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, whose home and estate in the Hughenden Valley stretched to include Walters Ash, where their two estates virtually touched.

1910.   Employees of John Forrest by Mrs. Wyatt, daughter of George Floyd, click George & Annie Floyd for George's life story

JOHN FORREST’S FARM BAILLIFFS

When John Forrest died in 1910 at Cheltenham, he owned 3 farms in Lacey Green, Speen Farm, Stocken Farm, and Lane Farm.   He had at least 3 farm bailiffs.   They all lived at Stocken Farm.    Poulton, 1903;  John Crook, 1905;  and William Redding 1907.   John Crook had two daughters.   One, Edith, walked with a stick and was a supplementary teacher at the school.  John Crook was considered a superior type.   Mr. and Mrs. Redding had a daughter Connie, who impaled her leg on the fence at the school, also a son Jack.

TWO GARDENERS

His gardener Mason lived in a Grymsdyke cottage, opposite Grymsdyke.   The under gardener for 16 years was George Floyd who lived in the farmhouse of Lane Farm.   George Floyd was also the secretary of The Reading Room, which John Forrest had provided with newspapers.  The Reading Room was a political idea to provide a ‘club’ to encourage men out of the pubs.   He also ran The Primrose League for John Forrest.

REAL WELL at GRYMSDYKE

John Forrest had a proper well dug at Grymsdyke, first to 303 feet, then later, 48 feet further.    He laid a pipeline   connecting the 6 water tanks at Stocken Farm to those at Grymsdyke.

Note Regarding the Census

After the purchase of Grymsdyke in 1878, John and Eveline Forrest seem to regard that as their main residence, although they are rarely there for the census. They still had family at Cheltenham to visit, and son Frank was born in 1878 at Longdon, Worcestershire. John Forrest, seems to be at different addresses, most often in or around Cheltenham, probably in rented accommodation. In 1901 they were both at Grymsdyke, where Evelyn died in 1905. John died in 1910 in Cheltenham but his funeral was in Lacey Green.

Probate for John Forrest

Probate. John Forrest of Grymsdyke, Lacey Green, died 21st March 1910 at 29 Promenade, Cheltenham, leaving £38,159-13s-8p.

Will of John Forrest. Dated 20th February 1909, John Forrest of Grymsdyke, Lacey Green, appointed his son George Francis Forrest, a member of the Stock Exchange, his friend Reginald John Winterbotham of Cheltenham, solicitor and Septimus Beck of The Mount, Great Missenden, land agent as executors and trustees.

To his Executors All his properties, to be sold.

To the Reverend John Graham Forrest portraits of his maternal grandparents and Charles Macintosh, presented by the City of Glasgow, all silver and plated goods that bore the Forrest Crest of Arms or initials (Heirlooms).

To Charles Evelyn Forrest copies of portraits of Sir John and Sir Graham Moore, collections of medals and portrait of General Alexander Fisher Macintosh, his mother's great uncle, (heirlooms).

The Remainder All other silver and plate, pictures, watch and chain, personal ornaments, apparel and other chattels, without sale, equally between his three sons, John, Charles and George, at the discretion of his executors, notwithstanding one of them (George) having benefit. If there be any doubt or difference between the executors they must settle it by majority vote, but George to have two votes to the others one. If any recipient declines his allocation the residue to be divided to the remaining of his sons, John, Charles or George. All land, properties and other investments to be sold and the proceeds divided.

Support for John. So long as son John shall be under treatment for mental disability his share to be retained and the income applied to his maintenance, support and benefit as shall be advised.

The children of Eveline and John Forrest were all born in the 1870s. The following is a brief summary of their lives: -

John Graham Forrest, born 1875 at Cheltenham. Got an M.A. at Oxford and in 1901, aged 26 was curate at Rushden, Northants. C of E. He was known to be hard-working and gave his income to help others. A few days before his ordination he broke down, becoming depressed, questioning his own moral character and developed anxiety towards his father. He saw a number of doctors and for a year was a paying guest with Dr. C S Segunde in Gloucester Place, London.

3rd February 1909. Admitted to Chiswick House Asylum, Chiswick, Mddx. It was run by two brothers, the Tukes, more in the style of a country House. Not the usual idea of an asylum. After 11 years, although he had had the shock of the death of two of his brothers, he was able to go out to visit friends and family. The following year, in August 1921 he went to Cheltenham to visit Dr. Liddondale and in October a further month's leave was given him.

His Body Found. At 6pm on 20th October 1921 the police found a body in the River Severn near Tewksbury which was identified as John Graham Forrest. He was 46 years old. In his will he appointed his brother Guy Archibald Forrest his sole executor. In his will he left Guy all his estate, including the heirloom pearls originally his grandmothers, with a request to put crosses of holly at Christmas and flowers at Easter on his mother's grave at Lacey Green. The cost not to be more than one guinea. Himself not to be buried there, but in a public churchyard near to where he might die. No memorial to be erected anywhere in his memory. Probate £31,504-13s-3d.

Charles Evelyn Forrest, born 1876 at Lacey Green. He joined the regular army. In 1901 he was a lieutenant in the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry living in Cowley Barracks, Oxford. He married at Oxford, 20th August 1910, Ruth Mary Holmes a Court. Her father was the chief of Police in Oxfordshire.

His Military Career. 1899- 1902. With 43rd Ox and Bucks 1st battalion, mounted infantry in the Boer War, South Africa, He was slightly wounded at Elandsfontein, fought in 5 operations. click 1900 A Spectacular Welcome for his homecoming.

Awards. Was awarded The Queen's Medal with 3 clasps, The King's Medal with 2 clasps, was mentioned in dispatches and awarded the DSO (Distinguished Service Order). Promoted to Major.

From 1910 In India. 1914 WW1 Mesepotamia. In command of "S" Company throughout operations on the Tigris, battles of Es Sinn and Ctesiphon where he was killed in action 22nd November 1915. He is buried at Al Basrah, Iraq. Probate. Major Charles Evelyn Forrest D.S.O. £43,983-4s-8d

George Francis (Frank) Forrest born 1877, Longdon, Worcestershire.

1901 aged 23 a clerk at the Stock Exchange, London, boarding at Hampstead. in 1911 he was living in Pegglesworth, Gloucestershire.

Died 18th December 1914, aged 37, unmarried. Probate £30,417-15s-2d

Guy Archibald Forrest, born 1879 at Lacey Green.

1909 Married at Bromley, Kent to Ellen Dorothy Egerton. Their son, Charles Evelyn Macintosh Forrest was the only grandchild of Evelyn and John Forrest.

Career. Before marriage spent 2 years in the South African Constabulary. September 1914 Guy joined the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force in Patricia's Canada Light Infantry Imperial Flying Corps. 20th October 1914 Medal with star. 19th December 1914 promoted to Corporal. 20th December 1914 embarked Southampton to Versaille, France. Promoted sergeant.. 7th March 1915, taken as a casualty to Sheffield Hospital where he stayed for two months. 9th November 1915, discharged from Canadian army to join new army in England.

Later Travels He then appears to have travelled a lot. 1925, Mansfield to Sanfransisco, USA . 1933 Sydney, Australia to Liverpool, England.

Death He died 1934 at St.Minver, Cornwall, of stomach cancer. In his will he left everything to his son, who was his sole executor. His widow died in 1964. Probate £3,500-4s-8d.

Note. It appears that Guy inherited £2000 from his mother but nothing from his father. However he was left £31,500 from his brother John. Did he have funds from his father before he died, so not in the will, or had there been a falling out? We just do not know.  

Previous Bequest to the Four Children Under a marriage settlement dated 7th July 1873, and another of 1892 under the will of Charles Macintosh Roger (Eveline's brother) £2000 each to Eveline's children, John, Charles, George and Guy. Note. There would have been some from the residue of Evelyn's estate. This appears to be the only benefit Guy received from his parents. Certainly the other three died wealthy men in comparison to him.

To the Staff. To George Timms, coachman, Martha Hammond, housemaid and Edith Dimmock, cook and housekeeper, £50 each. In a codicil of 11th January 1910, Annuities to George Timms £1-5s-0p a week, to Martha Hammond, 12 shillings a week and Edward Bryant, butler, £150.