Arthur Baynham (1881-1913)
Born: 1881 at Smethwick
Parents: Arthur William Baynham and Elizabeth Pye
Married: 1901 to Ann Elizabeth Burnham
Died: 1913 at Walsall
Arthur was born at Smethwick in 1881.
He married Ann Elizabeth Burnham, daughter of Edward and Mary Burnham at Walsall in 1901, when he was 20 and she was 22. They had four children: Arthur Edward William in 1903; Doris Annie in 1906; Nellie in 1909; and Howard in 1911.
Arthur died at Walsall in 1913, aged 31.
Ann married Edward Anslow in 1918, but had no more children. She died in 1966, aged 87.
Arthur was born at 102 Oldbury Road, Smethwick on 27th May 1881, just after the census was taken; he was baptised in Smethwick on 2nd June.
The census showed that his parents Arthur William and Elizabeth were living there with her mother Eliza and her younger siblings Thomas (14) and Louisa (12). At this time his father was working as a labourer at a railway station.
At the time of the census in March 1901, Arthur was 19 and still living at home, in the same house in which there were now four younger siblings – Louisa (‘Lillie’) (15), Tom (11), and new additions William (Marshall, my grandfather) (3), and Dora (1).
Nellie had moved out and was working as a live-in housemaid locally. Lillie was a tailoress.
Arthur and his father were both working on the railways – father as a points shunter and son as a porter.
In July 1901, Arthur married Ann Elizabeth Burnham at Walsall, when he was 20 and she was 22.
The census a few months earlier showed her living with her brother John and his wife Helen at 36 Whitehall Road, Caldmore, Walsall. She was a tailoress. In 1891 census, she had been recorded at school, aged 12 and living with her parents (who were originally from the ancient village of Staverton in rural Northamptonshire) and two older brothers Edward (16) and John (14) at 15 Queen Street, Pleck and before that, in the 1881 census when she was aged 2, they were all living at 3 Burleigh Street, Chuckery.
Arthur and Ann’s first child Arthur Edward William was born on 18th December 1903.
Some time before 1905, Arthur and Ann had moved to 14 Oxford Street, Pleck (next door to Arthur’s parents’ home, 12 Oxford Street).
Arthur was working as a brewer’s drayman at The Highgate Brewery in Walsall, which had started in 1899 as a small brewing concern; it became best known for its classic Midlands dark beers, including the mild ale which was a favourite of local workers.
Arthur is reported in a local newspaper as giving evidence to the inquest into the death of a fellow Highgate drayman (George Collins, aged 34) who was killed by a runaway dray.
The inquest was held on Thursday 14th September 1905 at the Engine Inn, Wolverhampton Street, Walsall.
The Walsall Observer and South Staffs Chronicle carried a report of the case on Saturday 16th September 1905.
Arthur Baynham, 14 Oxford Street, Pleck, said that be was also employed by the company as a drayman. On the day in question he was following the deceased, when suddenly the horse dashed away, and when he last saw Collins alive he had hold of the reins. He did not know at the time what had startled the horse, but he now thought that it took fright when the breeching (produced) broke. There was a heavy load on at the time. — In answer to a juryman witness said that the harness was examined every week, but not, he thought, by a practical harness maker. —The breeching was examined by several of the jurymen, who expressed the opinion that the leather was rotten and quite unfit for use, one of them remarking that “it was not good enough for a rag shop”. It also appeared that the harness had been imperfectly repaired. Several of the jury expressed the opinion that but for the condition of the harness the accident would not have happened. —Answering Mr. Wylie, witness said that deceased should have gone by way of Orlando Street, but had followed his route that they might be together. —Dr. Riordan said that he saw deceased within a few minutes of the accident, and he died almost immediately afterwards. The head was crushed. — The foreman said he thought they ought to add a rider to the effect that the accident was due to the defective harness. He had had some experience as a brewer’s drayman, and it was the rottenest harness he had ever seen. — Sergeant Haycock (coroner’s officer) said that be had seen Mr. Fletcher, and he had expressed his willingness to make all enquiries he could, but be thought that the man Baynham would know more about the matter than anyone else. —The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” and added a rider stating that the cause of the accident was the faulty harness. —Mr. Wylie, on behalf of the company, expressed his sincere sympathy with deceased’s relatives. The man was on notice at the time, but that was merely because he was not strong enough for the work, and Mr. Fletcher was endeavouring to procure him another situation. He had been discharged from the Army with a good character, and was fully trusted by his employers.
In the house next door, Arthur’s father Arthur William (49) had recently died of tuberculosis – on 25th August 1905.
On 18th May 1906 his sister Nellie (23) also died there, also of tuberculosis
In this period Arthur and Ann had had two more children – Doris on 1st July 1906 and Nellie in 1908.
Arthur’s brother Tom (21) died in early 1911 (his death was the subject of an inquest).
By the time of the census in 1911, Arthur and Ann were well established at 14 Oxford Street, Pleck with their three young children – Arthur Edward William (7), Doris (4) and Nellie (2). Another child, Howard, was born on 10th June 1911, a couple of months after the census was taken.
Arthur was still working as a brewer’s drayman at The Highgate Brewery in Walsall, but two years later he died following a work-related accident at the brewery.
His death on Saturday 23rd February 1913 was the subject of an inquest on Monday 25th February at Walsall Hospital.
A local newspaper, The Walsall Advertiser, reported on the inquest on Saturday 1st March 1913 – ‘Fatal Fall From a Ladder’
An inquest was held at the Hospital on Monday afternoon by Mr. J. F. Addison (Borough Coroner) concerning the death of Arthur Baynham (31), drayman, 14, Oxford Street, Pleck, who died on Saturday from injuries received at the Highgate Brewery on Friday.—Mr. Hodgkinson appeared for the Highgate Brewery Company, and Mr. H. C. Thomas (Factory Inspector) was also present. Sidney Allsopp, Mill Lane, Bloxwich, employed by the Highgate Brewery Company, said he had known deceased for about six years. He was always a steady man. On Friday deceased was employed pulling some ivy from a wall and witness was helping him, and holding the ladder. Deceased was at the top of the ladder, pulling the ivy down. The ladder consisted of two short ladders, one tied to the other. One was longer than the other, and the short one was put at the top. After deceased had been working about two hours the ladder broke, and deceased fell, dropping on his left side. Witness at once went to him. but deceased could not speak to him. Witness called tor assistance and deceased was taken to the Hospital. Questioned by the Coroner, witness said that deceased would fall a distance of about 20 feet. The foot the ladder was about four yards from the wall. In reply to Mr. Hodgkinson witness said deceased was pulling hard at the ivy when the ladder broke. James Fletcher (secy. to the Brewery Company) gave evidence of identification. Dr. Salmond said that deceased died on Saturday from concussion of the brain. Mr. Addison pointed out that the foot of the ladder was twelve feet from the wall and he thought that was more than usual. The strain on the ladder would be greater than if the bottom had been nearer the wall. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.” Mr. Hodgkinson and the jury expressed sympathy with the relatives.
Arthur was survived by Ann and their four children – Arthur Edward William (9), Doris (6), Nellie (4) and Howard (2).
Ann married again in 1918, to Edward Anslow.
She appeared in the 1939 Register as Ann Anslow, “Housewife” and was still living at 14 Oxford Street, Pleck, Walsall. Living with her were her husband Edward who was an unemployed watchman and her two children Arthur Edward William (35) who was recorded as invalid (incap:) and Howard (28) who was working as a motor driver (all classes).
Howard nearly lost his driving licence in 1933, as reported in the Walsall Observer of 2nd December under the heading ‘Bad Form Of Good Turn’:
That a good turn was being done for one of them by giving him a lift home was the plea put forward when three young men were summoned in respect of a number of inter-related motoring offences. Howard Baynham (22), 14 Oxford Street, was summoned for carrying more than one pillion rider when driving a motor-cycle in Oxford Street on Saturday night, November 11, and Frank Marshall (21), 25 Collins Street, and Norman Howard (20). 13 West Bromwich Road, who were the pillion riders, were summoned for aiding and abetting Baynham. In addition. Baynham was summoned for driving the motor-cycle when not covered by third-party insurance, and Marshall, the owner of the machine, was summoned for permitting Baynham to do so. Baynham and Marshall were each fined 40s. and Howard was ordered to pay 10s. A road transport driver by occupation, Baynham pleaded that he would lose his livelihood if disqualified from driving, and the Bench therefore decided not to disqualify him, although the Chairman warned him that he would run that risk if not more careful in future.
Arthur’s elder daughter Nellie had died on 27th March 1932, aged 23.
His younger daughter Doris married Montague French in mid 1932. He was a career serviceman who had joined the RAF in 1924; as a Warrant Officer in Bomber Command, he was mentioned in despatches in 1943. She died at Sandwell in November 2002, aged 96.
His younger son Howard married Mary Miriam Swann, daughter of Richard and Florence Swann of 66 Corporation Street, Pleck in 1940, when he was 29 and she was 26. Howard died in a flying accident in South Africa on 25th April 1942, aged 30.
Arthur’s wife Ann died at Walsall in 1966, aged 87.
His elder son Arthur Edward William died at Walsall in 1980, aged 77.
Census and other notes:
- the newspaper report had Arthur’s name as “Arthur Baynum”