Tragedies and disease

1893 – Death of Lieutenant-Colonel C.W. Whinfield

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles William Whinfield of the Royal Engineers, died after a long illness at the age of 53 at his home – Wyeville, Bridstow.

He was born on 23rd May 1840 and his first appointment in the army was 21st December 1859. He was appointed Captain of the Royal Engineers on 3rd August 1872 and was promoted to Major in the year 1881. He retired as Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel in 1883.

He was very respected by all who knew him; he was a staunch Conservative and Churchman, and left a widow, three daughters and one son – Lieutenant H.C. Whinfield of the Queen’s Foot, who had just returned to Malta after being at home with his father for some time.

Lieutenant-Colonel Whinfield was buried at Bridstow Church

1894 – Man found in River Wye

The body of Richard Voyce of Buckcastle, Bridstow, a labourer aged 50, was found in the River Wye near Ross on Wye.

He was a widower, and had lost his job of 12 months with the Rev. W.J. Sawyer of Woodlands, Bristow. He disappeared, and although every effort was made to trace him, when his body was eventually found it was in a very decomposed state.

1894 – Schoolboy thief sent to Workhouse

William Hatton aged just 8, of Bridstow, was charged with stealing part of a wooden fence belonging to Mr. C. Lee Campbell of Glewstone Court.

This was the lad’s second offence, the first being the theft of a walking stick belonging to Mr. Campbell’s bailiff.

The Chairman of the Petty Sessions remanded William to the Workhouse for seven days, and enquiries were to be made for getting him into an industrial school.

1895 – Suspected Suicide of Farmer

John Lloyd, a 52 year old farmer from Gosbrook, Bridstow, set out to milk his cows one Monday morning, taking his single barrel, muzzle loading gun with him.

At 7.30 his wife heard the sound of a shot, and his son went out to investigate – he found his father sitting upright with the butt of the gun at his feet and the muzzle towards his face, most of which had been blown away.

Poor old John had been very depressed following an illness.

1898 – Outbreak of Diptheria at Bridstow

Many cases of diptheria at both Bridstow and nearby Wilton forced schools to close, with both children and teachers becoming ill.

Flu was also rampant, especially amongst the children.