Page 36 • The HERALD • 11th December 2025 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES v MR SWEEP THE CHIMNEY SWEEP keep it clean - keep it safer Open fires, wood burners, stoves etc. Both private and commercial properties Member of the Guild of Master Sweeps Tel: 07971 280906 www.mrsweeplymington.com email: mrsweeplymington@gmail.com 38 Bath Road, Lymington SO41 3SB SOLENT SKIP HIRE LTD FOR ALL YOUR COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC WASTE MINI ~ MIDI ~ MAXI SKIPS ALSO CUBIC YARD BAGS OWN BAG COLLECTION AVAILABLE 023 8066 0123 01590 619700 • 01962 588288 Email: office@solentskiphire.co.uk TALES FROM THE GRAVEYARD OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH, FAWLEY by Patricia Hedley-Goddard, Churchyard Archivist for the ancient parish of All Saints’ Fawley EDWARD (TEDDY) ALFRED MURSELL Teddy’s father, Edward Alfred Mursell was born in 1854 and originally came from West Grinstead in London. In 1882 he married Sarah Whitlock who was born in 1849, and she came from Snetterton in Norfolk. He was employed as the church coachman and gardener. ey had two children, a son named Edward Alfred (Teddy), born on 9th May 1883 and a daughter named Frances Louisa born in 8th September 1887. On 16th May 1887, at the age of 4 years, Teddy started school in West Grinstead. However, when he was older, Edward (Teddy) was privileged, because he was given a private education and attended the Bishops Wordsworth School in Salisbury as a boarder. is was possibly paid for by the vicar who employed his father. In 1898 he received his religious con rmation at West Grinstead, where his parents were still living. On completion of his education in 1911 he went to live with relations in Bitterne where he was apprenticed to his uncle who was a trained carpenter. en for some reason he worked as a gardener and prior to his enlistment into the army, records indicate that Teddy was employed for three years as a chau eur, driving for a Mrs. Farman of Weeke Manor in Winchester. At the age of 32 he enlisted into the army and his Attestation records state that he was a small man, 5 with AGWI the family moved to the Waterside and rented a cottage next to the cattle grid in Exbury Road, Black eld. ey then had two more sons, David Alfred born in 1925 and Anthony born in 1935. On arriving in Black eld and renting accommodation Teddy saw an opportunity to purchase a plot of land, roughly a third of an acre in size, at the end of Saxon Road/Walkers Road in Black eld. He had a home built on this land for him and his family and called it Oakridge where they lived from 1939. In order for the family to have water he dug a 20-feet deep well in the front garden and lined it with bricks. e well only dried up once and then they had to fetch water from the nearest stream. With the garden large enough to grow vegetables, and with his previous gardening experience, Teddy was able to provide fresh food for his family. He also rented out a small part of his land to Albert Nicolas so that Albert could tether his horse there during the day. It was a win-win situation for both Teddy and Albert. Teddy had a piece of unused land kept in reasonable condition plus a supply of horse manure and Albert had grass a safe place to tether and feed his horse. e bungalow no longer exists as the land was sold and a number of dwellings are now built on it. While he was working at AGWI he was on duty when the enemy were returning from a bombing raid over Southampton. ey emptied their bomb bays over the Waterside and a bomb landed on the stores in AGWI setting them alight. Teddy, in his role as one of the protection o cers of the Home Guard, was on duty that night. When on duty he stayed in the AGWI supplied accommodation which had a phone by the bed, which delighted Teddy. at was a real privilege as telephones were not given to the general public. He remained a member of the local Home Guard until it was disbanded in 1945. Teddy retired from AGWI in 1948 a er 28 years with the company. He then became more involved with All Saints’ Church at Fawley and took on the role of Sexton. He was not the grave digger but was responsible for the general maintenance of both the interior and exterior of the church. He sang in the church choir and was on various church committees. Being a sociable person with a sense of humour he was well liked. He used to ride everywhere on his bicycle, and continued cycling well into his 90’s. He donated a book case to the church. He was a much-loved local character, content with his pipe, his church work and his garden. His youngest son Anthony (Tony), who lives in Black eld, said he was a good father. Teddy belonged to the AGWI Dramatic Society and when he was taking part in the Gilbert and Sullivan opera ‘Pirates of Penzance’ he was permitted to take his 1in tall (154 cm), a 35-inch chest and fair hair. On the 22nd November 1915 his records again show that he became a member of the 14th battalion of the Gloucester Regiment. However, before enlisting he married Kathleen Herrington Simmons on 20th November 1915 at St. Marks Church, Southampton. By January 1916 he had been transferred to F company of the 15th Gloucester Regiment at Chiseldon Camp, which was a training camp. He was trained as a ri eman where he began his active service in World War One as Private 27700 Edward Mursell. He was sent to Ypres (or Wipers as the British called that location) in France, from where he survived a er being injured by a gunshot wound in his right knee. He was admitted to hospital in France and was repatriated in December 1916 eventually being sent to convalesce in hospital at Maidstone in Kent. On 10th April 1917 he was discharged from duty to the army, but was transferred to Netley hospital to recover from his wound. He was awarded the silver war badge (no. 166915), the WW1 war medal in 1917 and Victory medal. When he came out of the army in 1918, he went to work in the docks in Southampton as a storeman. His wife gave birth to twins, Edward Herrington and Robert John, who were born on 6th May 1918. At that time his address was ‘Oakdene’, Leighton Road, Shirley. Edward (Teddy) Alfred Mursell However, when AGWI Re nery was looking for employees in 1920, Teddy took the opportunity to join AGWI as a storeman, and he stayed there until his retirement in 1948 at the age of 65. In 1920 his wife gave birth to a daughter, Katherine Mary (who lived until she was 103 years old). On receiving employment Continued on page 37 Extensions, Alterations, Refurbishments, Loft/Garage Conversions & all aspects of Carpentry & Joinery Tel: 07593 135741
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