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NETLEY ABBEY MATTERS!
PAST LIVES + TIMES OF NETLEY VILLAGE
WHO LIVED IN YOUR HOUSE?
This Page is all about Who lived Where + When in Netley Village!
I've amassed an extensive Residents' Directory as I've trawled through Trade Directories,
Post Office Telephone Books and the British Newspaper Archive whilst researching stories,
articles etc about Netley Abbey Village and its Residents.
I've also found information about the street names and have shared that info here too.
Here's the Search Box. As it's free, it will give you results for other sites as well as this one, sorry!
Many of the houses, particularly in Victoria Road, were multi-occupied. Their frontage was not wide but the houses tended to be deep with sheds/outhouses at their rear. Often there was a shop at the front with that family living above it whilst at least one more family lived behind the shop.
I'm adding more details on to the Register courtesy of the 1921 Census.
However, it is worth noting that many of Netley Abbey's roads were not built
until a much later date!
Sellwood Road and Hunt Avenue - 1932
Sea View Estate - 1937
Priory Road - 1964?
Butt's Road was there in 1921. It wasn't until post-1937 that Butt's Road's houses were
"moved" either to St Mary's Road or to an extended Station Road.
New Road had a number of named properties on the side looking across to the sea by 1921
and on the other side, Arthur Terrace, Lorna Cottages and Wilton Cottages were built
between 1887 - 1914 but the majority of its houses weren't built until the 1960s,
particularly leading to the RVCP.
Dotted throughout the Village were many detached, named properties for which
I've given details of any residents I've identified so far below.
However, it is not practical any more to list residents for Netley Abbey streets.
I'm adding to the Register almost daily so my suggestion is check below what's here and if your
address is not mentioned, Contact Me
"The Gables", 13 St Mary's Road, Netley Abbey
It's moved - it used to be on Butts Road. It's a Nursing Home still thriving today!
Looking at the entries I have of past residents though, since 1895, there has always been
at least 1 medical person there!
1895 Surgeon Lt-Colonel Edwin J Fairland
1900 Lt-Colonel William W Webb, aged 49, RAMC, Royal Victoria Hospital;
his wife, Ellen L, aged 42, Mary A Loving, single, aged 47 Cook;
Mary Westbrook, single, aged 23, Housemaid.
1911 - 1913 Captain Perceval C Newsam Alderson
1920 - 1921 Colonel Alfred William Bowley, born 1866 in Dublin, Retired Army Medical Service;
wife Jean Knox, born 1876 in New York.
Domestic Nurse Matilda Leahy, born 1891 in Limerick; Servant Doris Day, born 1899 in Poole, Dorset
1923 - 1937 Dr J C + Verity Wilkins
1964 Alan W Matthews.
If anyone can fill in the "gaps" or offer more info, please
Contact Me
"Buena Vista", Station Road, Netley Abbey
It was thought that the house called "Buena Vista" had been demolished.
However, recently thanks to excellent detective work by Georgie Hallett, we now know it is
still with us at 93 Station Road, Netley Abbey.
I think it has now been converted into flats but I'm hoping at some point to talk to one of the
current owners to see if they know about its history - or may I send you, Joan W?
Past Residents
There are no entries in the 1891 or 1901 Censuses for Buena Vista.
In 1903 Major Johnson was living in Hound Road, Netley when he applied for permission to add a Conservatory to Buena Vista
1903 - 1917
Major Charles Johnson, 72. Retired in 1903 from the Royal Victoria Hospital.
He married Sophia in 1896.
Housekeeper - Hilda Emily Carter
[His Will is dated 1917]
1921
Head: Edith Grace Greenwood, born in 1885 Auckland, NZ;
Daughters: Margaret Annie, born in 1912 in Farnborough, Hampshire;
May Olivia, born in 1914 in Farnborough
Son: Kemble, born in 1919 in Netley
Servant: Hilda Helts Smith, born in 1900 in Freemantle, Southampton;
Domestic Nurse Ada Ellen Constance Smith, born in 1902 in Southampton
1927
Duncan Gordon Addison-Scott, staff member at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley
1964 - Kenelm Hutchings
Denzil Avenue, Netley Abbey
Denzil Avenue is named after, we believe, the father-in-law of Thomas Chamberlayne.
Although a map of 1909 shows Denzil Avenue "dotted in", the majority of the houses were not
built until after 1919.
It appears to have been where retired RVH Medical Staff lived if they wished to
remain in the area.
To accommodate this, new houses were built in the "gaps" originally left between the houses
when the road was first built and as a result, many of the existing house numbers changed.
If you can supply any of the original House Nos., please let me know. Thank you.
I have at least one Past Resident for most of the houses in Denzil Avenue.
If you wish to know who once lived in your property, please
Contact Me.
Named properties in Denzil Avenue
If you have now been allocated a House No but I've not shown it here, please let me know!
No 54 - Wallasey
Building Control Plans show Mrs Timson was the first owner in 1923.
James Timson died in 1946. Mrs Timson stayed there until 1964.
No 56 - Le Chaumere
Joseph Trotter is its first owner in 1925 until 1964
No 86 - St Margaret's
1903 - 1912 William Richard Eckett but Mrs Eckett remained until 1925
1911 Census Joseph Dyson whilst employed at RVH
1923 Joseph Brooks
1927 - 1932 Miss Eckett
1935 - 1940 Mrs D F Harris
1946 Mrs Bevan
The Cottage
1927 - 1932 Edward Norman
1937 - 1940 Eric Lionel Rye
1946 - 1954 Henry Alfred Bevis
Myrtle Cottage
1927 - 1946 Arthur Herbert Maycock
Niton
1937 - 1946 Harry Gretton
We have the Gretton Family at No 45 Denzil Avenue in 1964.
May we presume that No 45 is Niton?
Nuthatch
1924 - 1954 Thomas Frederick Appleton is the first owner in 1924.
"Ellis's Rows", No 1 - 15 Victoria Road, Netley Abbey
from 1871 to 1964 so far ...
This row of terraced houses was built between 1858 and 1861 to house, we believe,
the contractors, tradesmen and their families who came to Netley Abbey to
build the Royal Victoria Military Hospital.
The 1861 Census appears to confirm this as virtually all the residents of Ellis's Rows were
Stone Masons, Plumbers, Slaters, Glaziers, Carpenters.
Their families were with them. Many also had Boarders.
Unfortunately, the 1861 Census does not show individual House Nos.
The List is pretty long but if you want to know who was there then, just let me know.
George + Elsie Cosier's Terraced Houses - Nos 20 - 24 Victoria Terrace
Coming from the Abbey Ruins on the left side, these houses are just past the White Rose
Coffee Rooms, No 19 Victoria Terrace, Victoria Road, Netley Abbey (now a Hairdresser)
[See Shared Village Stories l for further information and photo - under Cosier/Meikle Family]
No 20:
1881 - John Clark and his wife Mary, Lacemaker
1901 - Edward Batchelor, 45, married, Clerk at RVH
1911 - 1964 - Bertram Easton
No 21:
1881 - George A Morris, Bricklayer; his wife Ruth; son Walter. George helped build RVH
Their story will appear in Shared Village Stories ll shortly.
1901 - James Thornhill, Sergeant, Army Pay Corps
1911 - Mr + Mrs Parsons
1922 - John Adams, Chimney Sweep
No 22:
1901 - John Kill, Cab Driver, Rebecca Hardy + Family
1911 - 1920 - Arthur John Akhurst
1917 - 1919 - Miss Isabella Judd, VAD Nurse at Woking Military Hospital
1920 - Arthur William Akhurst, wife Charlotte
1964 - Mrs G E Gladwish
No 23:
1901 - Arthur Hooper, 39 House Painter, wife Mary, 33; son Charlie; daughters Lily + Mary
1911 - 1939 - Albert Arthur Gatesman; his sister May Francis Gatesman 1914 - 1915
1964 - Leslie Witham
No 24:
1901 - Eleanor Pratt
1911 - Mr + Mrs Patter
1964 - Frank Dobson
"LYNTON"
77 Station Road, Netley Abbey
1901 - 2021
1901 - Rebecca Hirst + Surgeons-on-Probation as Boarders:
Thomas J Potter, 26;
Ernest A Ayten, 23;
Colin F Marr, 22
1907 - 1913 Owen + Annie Johnson - Army Schoolmistress and their son Douglas
Owen Johnson died in January 1913, aged 67.
1920 - 1940 Major William Nicol Archibald, died 18/10/1937, age 73; his wife was Helen
1964 - Lt Colonel William Smart, MBE
"ARTHUR TERRACE"
New Road, Netley Abbey
1885 - 1942
This was a Terrace of 10 houses, built in about 1886 for the workers at Netley Castle,
located on the opposite side of the road from the Jubilee Hall,
It is now incorporated into New Road, Netley Abbey.
One of the current residents told us that he still shows his address as
"Arthur Terrace" to keep the street name alive.
Another 2 mysteries solved?
Recently Julie (Green) found the article below in the Hampshire Advertiser of 03/01/1885.
It looks like Arthur Terrace and Garfield Terrace may have been named after
20th US President James Abram Garfield and his Vice-President Chester Alan Arthur who
became the 21st US President following the assassination of President Garfield in September 1881.
The House Nos shown on the map are the New Road ones.
Please Contact Me if you wish to know who lived in your house. I've got multiple residents for
some of the addresses!
Above left - Original Street sign on No 1 Arthur Terrace
Above right - Arthur Terrace Nos 1 - 10 "bottom up" 2018
Dick Henshall who has given us such wonderful information about H G Ross and his family also mentioned that he and his wife, Carol lived at 16 New Road, aka 6 Arthur Terrace,
I think sometime in the 1960s.
He writes -
"In the backyard of 16 was the communal well for the block and as we had subsidence problems,
my grandfather at Ross's got me a cast iron cover for it which we then covered in dirt.
I am guessing that it is still there and wonder if the current owners even know about it."
So, Dick's sister, Jackie who still lives locally and I went to ask the current
owners in mid November 2018 ...
The current owner, Simon, had some sad news for us.
When he kept losing the topsoil in that particular part of his back garden,
he had investigated and found a hole in the wall of the well through which the soil had slipped.
He described the inner walls of the well as "exquisitely tiled".
Unfortunately no photos were taken at the time and due to those pesky subsidence
problems, the local authority got involved and you guessed it - the well was filled in!
He very kindly gave us a tour of his house which was full of original features
and took us to see the most wonderful panoramic view he has from the top floor,
the Arthur Terrace houses being higher than the ones in front on Victoria Road..
{Thank you Simon and Dick.}
Nightingale Inn/House
Victoria Road, Netley Abbey
Nightingale House has just been restored to an even earlier version than the above 2010 photo by its new owner, Nick Ide. I'm hoping to get a photo of it the next time I'm over in Netley Abbey to show here.
In the meantime, let's meet some of its Past Residents ...
1861 - 1863 Richard Slade
On the 1861 Census, Richard is 28 years old, an Innkeeper. His wife Mary, 27, daughter Jane, 10 and sister, Sarah Down, 20 are living there too. As is his brother, George, 27, a Butcher by trade and it was from him, the Rt Honourable Elliot Yorke leased the building which would become the White Rose Coffee Room at 19 Victoria Road, just across from Nightingale House.
There are also 2 Lodgers - Thomas Simpson, 24, Stone Mason and James Cook, 47, Joiner. James Judd, 42, Widower, is a Servant.
1880 - 1905 William Gibbons
He loved nothing more than being the Landlord of the Nightingale Inn. There are many articles throughout the website about this gentleman. He died in 1905.
I have lots of gaps coming up now.
If you can fill in any of them, please drop me a line to let me know!
1908 - 1911 William John Muller
The 1911 Census has William as a Naval Pensioner, aged 46 but is currently the Licensed Victualler of Nightingale Inn. His wife is Margaret, 41 and they have 2 daughters, Hilda, 14 and Rhoda, 3 and a son, William who is 6 in 1911.
1914 Pioneer T J Adams
1915 Frank Bertram Peters and his daughter, Ada Bessie (who is attending Netley Infants' School)
1916 Mrs Maud Jennings
The 1921 Census shows several occupants of the Inn:
Mrs Lucy Hines, born 1895 at Gosport and their daughter Lucy, born 1920.
Ernest Alfred Romney, born 1886 at Southall, Middlesex, Postman at the General Post Office;
Daughters Phyllis Agnes Margaret, born 1911 at Southall and Gwendoline Gertrude Lawrence, born 1913 at Southall
Ernest Ballard, born 1888 in Dorchester, Worcestershire, married, General Labourer at RVH
1927 - 1937 William James Tatham
1964 Reginald Stevens.
There are no signs now but apparently there were, at some point, watercress lines
which ran behind Nightingale Inn?
"Belmont Villa" No 28 Station Road
(Heading up Station Road, on the right hand side)
Past Residents
1921
William Rawlings, born in 1891 at Trowbridge, Wiltshire, Joiner at AVRO Works Hamble
His wife, Vera, born in 1890 at St Denys Hants
Their daughter Jean, born in 1920 at Netley.
1925 - 1927: Mrs Susan Ann Cavell
1927 - George Edwin Jacobs
1937 - 1946: Henry Callaghan
1939 - David M Paling born 09/11/1888, Club Steward; wife Lily born 10/01/1894, Club Stewardess
1939 - Mary Ann Martin, widow, born 14/06/1857
1964: Arthur B Hicks
The Battle of Belmont was an engagement of the Second Boer War on 23/11/1899 in which the British Army, under Lord Methuen, assaulted the Boer forces over open ground,
suffering 200 casualties.
wikipedia.org.uk
SEA VIEW ESTATE
Accessed by car from New Road, was first built in 1937
I have found the first residents for most of the 58 houses.
Drop me a note if you want to know more!
"Colenso"
No 38 Station Road, Netley Abbey
Past Residents:
1921 - Ina Michie, born 1864 in Ross + Cromarty; Daughter Isabella, born 1897 at Netley, Certified Assistant School Teacher, Daughter Elinore, born 1900 at Netley, Shop Assistant Confectionery, Lankester + Crook;
1925 - 1930: James Michie
1937 - 1964: William John Barrett, born 22/01/1884 and Irene E Barrett, born 19/10/1885. He was a Shipyard Joiner.
The Battle of Colenso was the third and final battle fought during the Black Week of the Second Boer War. It was fought between the British Army and Boer forces in and around Colenso on 15/12/1899.
wikipedia.org.uk
Scroll up to read about some spooky tales of
"Goings-on" at the Netley
Abbey Ruins as darkness falls on that eerie place ...?
"Victoria House", 108 Station Road, Netley Abbey
Residents identified so far -
1907 J Hollis
1907 - 1913 Thomas B Provis
1916 - 1917 Rev Henry George Alfree
1925 Captain George Wheelwright
Christine G has been in contact with me via the Facebook Page. She writes -
"My Grandparents, Mr + Mrs Newland, owned the property from 1953 - 1964.
It was a lodgings for trainee pilots at Hamble. The men came from all over the world.
The garden stretched far down the road, part of which now has bungalows built on it"
[Thank you]
Then in 1964, the house became the "St Anthony + St Jude's Rest Home",
managed by Mrs C Scott.
"Nikko Lodge", 110 Station Road, Netley Abbey
1905
Lt-Colonel Charles Birnie Hill and family
1907
Mrs Hill is still living at Nikko Lodge
The Titanic's Second Officer, Lieutenant Charles Herbert Lightoller and his wife, Sylvia lived here
between 1911 and 1918
1921 - 1925
Walter St Clair Easton; his wife Mary Ann, born in 1871 at Jedburgh, Roxburghshire;
Daughters - Sarah Kathleen Sinclair, born 1904 in Whitley Bay, Helen Hall Young,
born 1914 in Sale, Cheshire;
Son - Charles Leslie Young, born 1907 in Whitley Bay, Northumberland
1964 - Horace O Pope; Mrs A E Adams
1971 - 1975 C J Bailey [Hamble 2201]
ABBEY HILL
Runs from Weston Shore uphill to join Victoria Road at Abbey Hall
Its houses are on the right side only going downhill
Netley Castle and its grounds are on the left going down the Hill.
Today the House Numbers on Abbey Hill run strangely. One can only suppose that at some time,
the houses were numbered going uphill from Weston Shore as
House Nos 1 + 2 "Seaview" (now called "Marina View") are located at the foot of Abbey Hill.
Learn more about "Seaview" on Shared Village Stories
Today there are two new houses numbered 1 and 2, within the same courtyard at the top of Abbey Hill, meaning that the House numbers again run downhill from 1 to 10.
The Netley Abbey Hotel was later renamed the "Lake House" by, we think,
the Goold-Adams Family.
There is information on Growth of the Village and Lost but not forgotten about this building.
The Pennington Family had moved into the Lake House by 1881.
"Abbey House" which stands at the top of Abbey Hill is mentioned throughout this website.
Read on below for info on the Abbey Hill houses still there today.
There were several other houses on Abbey Hill which aren't with us now;
their past can be found on Lost but not forgotten
"Linkwood"
No 3 Abbey Hill, Netley Abbey
1937 - 1940: Ernest Henry Allen
1964 - David A Romeril
Linkwood appears to have been built when "Abbey View" was demolished
Abbey View's Past Residents can be found on Lost but not forgotten
"Forest View"
No 5 Abbey Hill, Netley Abbey
1881 - 1884
Commander (Retired) William Henry Payne, Royal Navy, born in 1816 at Maldon, Essex;
Niece - Mary Gilson or Gibson, born in 1839 in Great Baddow, Essex; income from dividends
1891 - 1907
Joseph Saunders, Carpenter, born in Exeter, Devon in 1839
Mary Saunders, wife, born in Exeter, Devon in 1847
Caroline Saunders, daughter, born in Exeter, Devon in 1869, Assistant Lodging Housekeeper.
1911 Unoccupied on Census
1912 - 1925 Miss Curtiss E W Hayward
1909 - 1937 Harold S Hallett
1964 Doris Chun
"Abbeville" on 1891 Census
"Redmile" on 1901 Census
No 6 Abbey Hill, Netley Abbey
Past Residents
Despite being told that the houses in Abbey Hill were not built until ca 1881, I have folk living here
in 1859 - R H + Victoria Andrews!
1881 - 1884:
Surgeon-Major Henry Veale and his wife Clarissa were here.
He was a member of the Medical Staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital
Their servants were Thirza Chivers, Cook, Maria Jesse, Seamstress
and Edward Broad, Groom
1884 - 1885: Mrs Holloway.
1886 - 1896: Joseph Gillman Barratt, MD
1896 - 1901: Arthur Edward Ashworth. He had a Cook - Louisa Horner
1903: Lt-Colonel William A Russell; Staff member of the Royal Victoria Hospital
1911 - 1919:
Mrs Alma Russell, widow 56, Private Means;
Step Daughter Duke Russell, 35, single; Daughter Aileen Russell, 28 single;
Sister Sarah McLoughlin, Widow, 73; Niece Edith McLoughlin, 41, single;
General Servant Fanny Cass, 34, single
In 1916, "Redmile" became the Young Women's Christian Association Hostel,
managed by Mrs Russell and her daughter.
There's more info on Growth of the Village
1919 - 1921
In 1919, Lt Col Richard Pakey Colomb and Colonel George Henry Cooper Colomb.
The 1921 Census has Lt Col Richard Pakey Colomb, born 1859 in Devon, Retired Indian Army;
his wife Hermione Agnes Vivian, born 1866 in Dedham, Essex;
Daughter Gwladys Enid Hermione, born 1901 in Akola, India
1925 + 1930: Captain Edward Albert Singeisen, Staff Member at Royal Victoria Hospital
1927: Rev W S Steggath and A F Peckham
1939: Alfred Bower; Miss Annie Eliza Penney
1944: Laura Mary and Percy Murray
1946 - 1972: Commander + Rev St John A D Garniss and his wife
1972 - 1999: Philip John Burton; Mavis Dorothy Burton
1999 - 2002: Mr + Mrs T M Gibbons
2002 - date: Mr + Mrs Alex Legge
In November 2018, Julie and I were invited to visit "Redmile" by its current owners,
Mr + Mrs A Legge.
Al (Crabtree) showed us round her beautiful house.
It was superb, so many original features and where any had been lost, they had been
replaced sympathetically and in period.
In the kitchen, was the row of original servants' bells below.
Over coffee and biscuits, Al produced the Deeds for their house, going as far back as 1881
In the Cellars of some of the Houses on Abbey Hill, built around 1881, the weight of the house above is supported by tree trunks! Julie took these photos in the cellar belonging to "Redmile".
Thank you, Al, for letting us view your house!
"Thymira" or "Tighnamara"
No 7 Abbey Hill, Netley Abbey
1881 - 1891
Georgiana C Browne, aged 61
Servants on 1881 Census:
John Pettit, Butler;
Mary Leward, Housemaid.
1901
Cyd Gabriel; Annie Morgan, Cook; Susan Hallam, Parlourmaid
1907 - 1917
1911 Census Josiah Groves, 79, Private Means; wife Lilla Sophia, 53; Cook Mrs Caroline Rebekah Maxted;
Winifred Ethel Shears, 21, single, domestic servant
1921 Census
Major General Howard Carr, born 1863 at Winford, New Ross, Ireland, Retired, Army Medical Service.
Wife Harriett Constance, born 1868 at Kilkenny, Ireland; Daughter Kathkeen E M, born 1908 in India
Family is gone by 1935.
1937 - 1941 Richard E Bailey
1939
Dorothy Gladys + Alfred Bowers
"Penshurst"
No 8 Abbey Hill, Netley Abbey
1881 Census
Rev George W W Minns, age 43, Vicar of Weston, Jean P Minns, Wife, age 40
Boarders: Herbert G G Cook, 16; Charles H Cook, 14
Servants: Olga Moeller, Governess, 27; Clarissa Ives, Housemaid, 26;
Fanny Alder, Housemaid, 17; Ellen Bowles, Cook, 19
1884 Surgeon-Major W Cherry, Royal Victoria Hospital
1891 Census - Lt-Col Frederick Hobbs
1893 - 1895 Southampton Seamen's Orphanage for Boys' Home
[Info received from Andrew Williams August 2021]
1901 Census
John Wells Slater, Publisher; Emily Rebecca Slater, wife
Servants - Ellen Amelia Barnes, Cook; Amelia Jane Wiffen, Housemaid
1911 Unoccupied on Census
1920 - 1925 Henry G Ross + Family
1927 Lt-Col Owen Reginald McEwen
1934 Major Snodgrass
1937- 1939 Horace Pope
1964 Frank B Crabtree
There are also records showing the following folk lived at the house when it was called -
"Wintonia" and "Winton Chase":
1927 - 1939 William Frank Sandell
1939 Richard Edward + Rose Eliza Bailey
"Villa Nova"
No 9 Abbey Hill, Netley Abbey
1881 Census
John D MacDonald, age 54, Inspector-General of Hospital Fleets
Ely Walker, father-in-law; Patrick Walsh, Coachman;
Servants - Elizabeth Diaper, Housemaid; Mary Rose, Cook
1964 R M Neal
2018 Councillor Ben Manning
"HOMELESS!"
The following folk are identified as living on Abbey Hill at the time shown
but in which house is, as yet, unknown:
1881 B Douglas;
1884 Henry Neale;
1891 Captain George Knapp
1907 Joseph Barrett
1916 - 1925 Captain A W Brooke Smith
1940 William Henry Roots + Marianne Markham Roots, Surgeon.
Hopefully sifting through the Censuses will locate some of them.
If you can help, please let me know via Contact Me on the Menu on the left.
Thank you.
The Lives and Times of "Fishponds", Netley Abbey
1891 - 1938
Only recently did I discover that "Fishponds" used to be Fountains Park House.
Now I understand why I couldn't find out much about Fountains Park!
Past Residents of "Fishponds"
1891 - Edward Thomas
1901 - Clara Gulliver, Cook for Mrs Davis;
1901 - 1907 - Mrs Annie Davis
1909 - Col H G L Crichton
1911 - J Stowe
1916 - 1917 Lt Col George Johnston Stoney Archer
1925 - 1938 Richard Edward Crichton
The Coastguard Station and Cottages, Station Road, Netley Abbey
1863 - 1920
These terraced houses were multi-occupied as Coastguard Officers with their
families came and went.
I hold information on most of them. The children went to Netley Infants School,
just round the corner in Station Road.
Andrea E is happy to share her family's story ...
When I was about 7 years old in 1960, the family moved from Priory Road into No 1 Coastguard Cottage. After about 4 years my father, Les Knight decided to take a job in Nigeria.
I came home from school one day to find all my things packed up, a wooden crate made for the dog and my young brother, Peter, sobbing. My elder brother wasn't there. The next day we started our long journey to Lagos, Nigeria. It took 2 days flying and stopped in different countries to re-fuel.
Our house was rented out. I never saw my friends and school mates again for many years.
My elder brother, Michael, eventually took over the house but the renters had caused a lot of damage, so it was sold. It was one of the saddest times of my life.
That house could tell a lot of stories ...
Thank you, Andrea!
One of our Past Residents, Mr Martin, gives us some history about the Coastguard Station and its Cottages -
"Outside Southampton Gate, just past The Prince Consort, there were 8 cottages which were used by members of the staff of the Hospital for their families. They were known as the "Coastguard Cottages" because in past years, the Chief Boatmen and HM Coastguard employees and their families were billeted there."
He relates the following story -
"When the Hospital was handed over to the US Navy, the cottages became vacant.
I wrote to the War Department to suggest that the cottages could provide accommodation
for those made homeless by the bombing raids.
The War Office replied that this was an excellent idea but that the cottages
were the property of the Admiralty.
So I then wrote to the Admiralty making the same suggestion.
Yes, you've got it! They wrote back to say that the properties belonged to the War Office!"
Past Residents living at Netley Abbey Ruins and Lodge
In 1881, Thomas Stubbington, 60, and his wife Charlotte were looking after the Abbey Ruins
Between 1884 - 1901, the Clatworthy Family was there.
During 1905 - 1935, Charles Edward Willoughby was the Abbey Caretaker.
The 1911 Census shows he was 41, his wife Matilda, 38 and they had their nieces Ellen Louisa and
Beatrice Bertha Barstow living with them.
Courtesy of the 1921 Census, we know Charles was born in Christchurch, Matilda in Portsmouth.
Beatrice is still there and working as a Telephonist.
Charles's cousin A W Wills, born 1846 at Selbourne, widowed, is living there too.
During 1937 - 1939, the Custodian was William George Mould, born 15/05/1891.
His wife is Margaret Ann. The 1939 Register shows one closed record.
In the 1970s, Robert and Dorothy (Dimp) Cousens were the Abbey Custodians
One of their relatives contacted me recently to let me know. I'm waiting to hear more!
I wonder if anything was ever found out about the skeletons and reported ...?
And last but by no means least - strange goings on in and around the Abbey Ruins ...
A motorist whose car engine inexplicably died as he passed the Abbey one day, saw two amorphous figures moving across from the church towards the ruins after which the engine burst into life again.
A phantom woman dressed in white and carrying a parasol apparently sometimes drifts across the lawns and beneath the elegant arches.
A Mr Slown decided to search for the Abbey's legendary hoard of treasure.
Armed with a pick and shovel, Slown finally succeeded in finding the entrance to an underground passage.
We will never know what nameless horror drove him from the blackness of the tunnel,
as screaming in terror, he collapsed and died of heart failure.
His dying plea though has passed into the folklore of Netley Abbey -
"In the Name of God", he beseeched, "block it up"!
And surely everyone by now knows about the fate of Mr Walter Taylor when he thought to
demolish the Abbey when its ownership passed to him in 1719 ...?
"The Haunted Places of Hampshire", Ian Fox
And let's not forget the Curse of Netley Abbey
"By the authority of God, Father Almighty, and the blessed Virgin Mary, and all saints,
we excommunicate, anathematise, and deliver over to the devil, all the
aforesaid malefactors, that excommunicated and anathematised and
delivered to the devil they may be.
Accursed they be infidels, in highways, in foot paths..."
The idea of the Curse of Netley Abbey may date back to a medieval service of excommunication
carried out by the Abbot.
Apparently found in a book called 'The Festival' last printed in 1532, is a script of the holy service
given in the Abbey Church. It would appear that four times a year, the Bishop would lead a
Curse on anyone who offended the Monks of Netley Abbey.
The Bishop, dressed in white, would stand in the pulpit, lifting his cross, he would read out a
list of names of malefactors, and then he would lead the Curse.
The Curse goes on to condemn all the aforesaid to burn in hell, unless they immediately repent.
It was obviously not a good idea to get on the wrong side of the monks of Netley!
It is perhaps not surprising that it is the site of the Abbot's Lodging House which inspires most
feelings of unease to visitors of the ruins, some of whom complain of a foul and disgusting smell
and others insist they have been ...
