Edward James Underhill was born on 14th July 1868 and baptised in Thornbury on 6th September 1868. He was the son of James Underhill and his wife, Emma. Edward gained an ‘Atwells Scholarship’ to attend the Thornbury Grammar which he joined on 11th January 1882. On 3rd September 1890, Edward James married Alice Beatrice Chambers in Thornbury. Alice was born in Wrington in Somerset in 1865. She was the daughter of William Oliver Chambers and his wife, Sarah Ann (nee Marshall). At the time of the 1891 census Edward and Alice were living with her parents in their house at Alveston.
Edward and Alice settled in Thornbury. They were shown as tenants of Alice’s father living at 71 High Street in an indenture dated 9th September 1891 and in the 1894 rate book. By 1899 they had moved to 47 High Street , a property owned by John Taylor Chambers. They continued living here for the rest of their lives.
Edward and Alice had at least six children: Winifred Alice baptised on 4th October 1891, Caroline Edith baptised on 2nd October 1892, William Edward baptised on 5th August 1894, Frank Arthur born on 11th March 1896 and baptised on 5th April 1896, Harold Charles baptised on 11th March 1899 and Lucy Annie baptised on 19th September 1900. Of these, Caroline died aged 1 year 1 month and was buried on 25th October 1893, William died aged 2 and was buried on 26th May 1897 and Harold died after 25 days and was buried on 16th March 1899.
The 1901 census shows he was a solicitor’s clerk aged 32, living at 47 High Street with his wife, Alice B a draper and dressmaker aged 36 from Wellington in Somerset and their three children: Winifred A aged 9, Frank A aged 5 and Lucy A aged 9 months.
The records of the Thornbury Cricket Club show that Edward was very active in the cricket club and much appreciated by them. The following thumbnail sketch was written about him by Edgar Mervyn Grace and we are grateful to Les Summerfield, the Cricket Club and Mike Grace for allowing us to use these notes:
“E. J. Underhill was an Old Thornburian and Solicitor’s Clerk, he played regularly for Thornbury for two decades before World War I, and afterwards became an ideal scorer and a very fair umpire for many years. When he took on the duties of umpire his daughter obliged by taking over scoring”.
Edward became a solicitor’s clerk although he had a great number of other interests including: Secretary to the Castle Cricket Club (where he had once been vice-captain of the second eleven and then the scorer), the Floral and Horticultural Society (where he was secretary for over 30 years, only retiring in 1922), the Ancient Order of Foresters (where he was the secretary for 23 years), and Branch Manager of the Ministry of Labour Employment Exchange, Insurance Agent, Clerk to the Thornbury Consolidated Charities and Correspondent for Bristol Times and Mirror. He was also responsible for arranging the annual Church Parade of Friendly Societies on behalf of the hospitals. Towards the end of his career he acted as Branch Manager of the local Labour Exchange.
Whilst Edward was busy with all his activities, Alice was a draper and dressmaker running a depot in Thornbury for baby linen and fancy goods. She was also a member of Thornbury Mother’s Union and the Women’s Institute. The report of the marriage mentioned her work at the Food Office in Thornbury and the help she gave her father in his secretarial work. They also found time to have three children: Winifred Alice baptised on 4th October 1891, Frank Arthur born on 11th March 1896 and baptised on 5th April 1896 and Lucy Annie born on 28th June 1900 and baptised on 19th September 1900.
The 1911 census describes Alice as a fancy draper and her eldest daughter, Winifred was assisting in the shop and Frank had become a telegraph messenger.
Documents amongst the applications for exemptions for military service held by Gloucester Records Office tell us a lot more about Frank’s short life. They show that before the War Frank was a builder’s clerk employed by PG Hawkins. On 21st September 1914 he joined the RAMC, but was discharged on 30th May 1916 as being physically unfit for further service. He was suffering from chronic eczema contracted whilst in the Army and aggravated by his military service. Frank found work as an auctioneer’s clerk working for Luce, Young and Alpass in their office, market and sales work. During this period he must have recovered his health and found it necessary to apply for exemption from military service. It was claimed that his employers needed him and that he was still suffering from eczema in spite of a recent medical examination which declared him fit. Frank was granted temporary exemption until 30th November 1917. Frank did eventually return to the Army, serving as a Private in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment 10th Battalion when he was killed in France on 19th April 1918. He is listed on the war memorial at Tyne Cot in France and St Mary Church, Thornbury.
Winifred Underhill married William Henry Till of Grange Cottage, Morton in May 1918.
The 1921 census shows Edward, Alice and their daughter, Lucy living at 47 High Street. Edward was described as the manager of the Local Employment Office which was located in Castle Street. Alice ran a toy and fancy goods shop from their home. Lucy had become a ‘supplementary teacher’ in the Council Infants School.
The 1926 Rate Book shows that Edward had bought the property at 47 High Street and he was now listed as the owner. He died in January 1928 aged 59. He was buried in Thornbury Cemetery on 26th January 1928. The report of his death in the Gazette said that he had been a comparative invalid for many years. Alice died in August 1933 aged 69. Of their children, Winifred married William Henry Till of Grange Cottage, Morton in May 1918, but she died aged 27 and was buried on 30th October 1918. The others appeared to have moved away.