The Swindon connection

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Tuesday 6th May 2003.

I am trying to trace my Swindon relations.

My late father Henry James Whale (Jim) moved to the Westbury area with his father Henry George (Harry), his mother Adelaide (formerly Godwin) and sister Rita Adelaide. A son Thomas (Tom) was born in Westbury.

The family moved to Westbury as grandfather worked in the engine sheds on the railway.

Father died in 1963 and for some time afterward I would visit Swindon with Uncle Tom, and visit cousin Alec (Godwin) who kept pigeons. There were Betty and Harry who lived on the Walcot estate and had a son Royston who was in the Navy.

My mother remarried and slowly lost contact with the Swindon relations.

In her papers there is mention of cousin Rene, Cumner family, Crut family and Edmunds family all in the Swindon area.

I know there are relations who kept in touch with Uncle Tom, who alas was very ill before his death a few years ago.

If anyone remembers my father Jim, my uncle Tom or my grandfather Henry James Whale (Harry) I really would love to hear from them.

D J WHALE

Westbury

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