John Bolton Bigg

A Letter to My Grandchildren

Towards Retirement (1920 - 1930)

1920

This year was very normal, nothing very exciting.

January 28th. The Firm increased my percentage to 2%

April 26th.  Bryan was shifted from the Pension branch to the Hydrographical Depot.

August 14th.  We were all delighted to hear that Philip had passed the Inter BSc.

August 21st.  We all went to Paignton for our holiday and Nora went with us.

In August 1917 Philip had been awarded the Middlesex Junior Scholarship Free Schooling with a grant of £6 for 1st year, £10 second year and £12 third year.  During the year 1919, this was increased to £8, £12 and £14 respectively, and in 1920 to £9, £ 15 and £18.  On July 10th he was granted the Intermediate Scholarship of £25 a year.

Assets at end of the year £1640.


1921

May 28th.  Philip went up to the University of London for an interview and passed. On the same day at Ealing he won the quarter mile race at the School Sports.

May 21st.  Nora's parents went to Jamaica for a holiday and Nora came to us as a paying guest for five weeks.

June 1st.  Philip was admitted as a student to the University of London in the Faculty of Science and on June was notified that he had been awarded the Andrews Scholarship of £25 per annum.

July 16th he won at the School Sports

On the 22nd July he left school.

August 8th.  Grandma Bigg fell and broke her wrists.  She was bad for some time but remained at her apartments and her landlady Mrs Budd was very kind to her.

December 6th.  My percentage of the profits was increased to 2.5%

December 26th. I took the whole family to the Lyceum by Motor and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Assets at the end of the year £1640 no change.


1922

May 15th.  A great event in our family.  Frank was married to Nora Gladys Mackenna (sic) at Christ Church, Southgate.  Mr Smart officiated.  The reception was held at St Johns Hall, all the family being present.

June 1st.  We were awakened in the night by the Rats getting at the Chickens.  I sold the lot for £5-10/-.  We were sorry to part with them.  We had kept them going right through the War and we found them of much interest and profit.

August.  Lil and I went to Eastbourne for our holiday, Bryan and Philip spent three weeks motoring in Wales.

September 18th.  Lord Inverforth asked me to call and see him and "Smoke a cigar".  At a later meeting I was elected the Speaker at the first Arnos Grove Parliamentary Debating society.

Christmas Day.  We had dinner at home, the Mackennas and Arthur and family spent the day with us.  On Boxing Day we went to the Mackennas.

Assets at end of the year £1760-5-1.


1923

January 1st.  We heard that Nora was ill, that she had a miscarriage.

January 12th.  Wireless was first brought into the house and we listened in to "Faust".

February 19th.  Another step forward in family affairs Bryan announced his engagement to WINNIE LLOYD.

August.  Lil and I spent our holiday at Eastbourne, Philip and Mr Hawkins to Devon.

August 9th.  Philip was officially appointed Organist at Christ Church.

September 8th.  Bryan went to Portsmouth on account of an appointment to the Armaments Department.

October 22nd until the 30th.  Philip sat for his final examination Bachelor of Science and on November 21st he heard that he had passed with 1st Class Honours.

Since September Bryan had been going backwards and forwards in connection with his Portsmouth Job, sometimes at Woolwich, Sheffield, and other places; being prepared for the Portsmouth appointment which was not yet fixed.

Xmas Day.  We all went to the Mackennas including Winnie.  Boxing Day we had a big party, the Mackennas, Majors, Lloyds, Rowlands, to tea and supper.  The boys gave us a concert and beat all previous records.

Finished up the year with £1932-10-3


1924

The event of the year was the birth of our first Grandchild. February 12th at 3.15am, A BOY.

March 30th he was christened at Christ Church by Rev. Peploe and named PETER.  Godfathers Bryan and Philip and Godmother Lilias Heatherington.  All to our place to tea including the Mckennas.

April 17th.  Frank and family over for the Easter, Bryan was also home for a week.

May 23rd.  Philip's 21st birthday.  He was not keen on a party so all went to the Aldwich Theatre to see "It pays to Advertise".

June 17th.  The Councillors of Arnos Grove P.D.S. came to present Bryan and Winnie with a beautiful Tea Service.  They had both done good work at the parliament, Winnie having acted as Deputy Clerk.

June 21st.  BRYAN & WINNIE married at Christ Church by the Rev. C.F.Peploe.  Reception in the Lloyd's garden.  It was a beautiful day and it was a success in every way.

July 25th.  To Eastbourne again for our holiday, Philip went to Woody Bay camping.

During July, Philip received his appointment to the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington, to start on 5th August at £280 a year and 36 working days holiday.

The Journey to Teddington being such a long journey by train he bought a Motor Bike, this enabled him to do the journey in a little under an hour and a quarter.

October 8th. We had the Electric Light put in the house.  G.Watson was the Electrician and he completely finished the job in two and a half days.  The cost was £37-10/-.

November 5th.  Frank and Nora moved into their new house at 57 Connaught Gardens Muswell Hill N 10.  They stayed with us for a time between the removal.

December 24th.  The Firm presented me with a solid silver plate in commemoration of 20 years service.

December 25th.  ALL THE FAMILY at home to sleep.  We had to dinner the Mackennas and Lloyds, and to tea the Bradshaws.  On Boxing-Day we went to the Mackennas to dinner and on Saturday all the family to the Bradshaws.

 

Assets at end of year £2081-2-5.


1925

We had several visits from Bryan & Winnie, and Frank & Nora during the early part of the year, and I spent a week end with Bryan at Southsea.

July 11th.  We started our holiday at Mrs Tobins, Boscobel Towers, Terrace Mount, West Cliffe, Bournemouth.  Phil came with us, coming and going by Motor Bike, and did the journey in an hour less time than our train.

August 16th.  Frank's second child was born at 12.30am, a girl.  Frank, Peter and the dog stayed with us until Sept. 6th.

September 4th.  I purchased an Austin 7.  The last winter was a very trying one for Phil going to business by the bike, and after getting the job it seemed a mistake to let him come to grief doing the journey.  It was a case of either living at Teddington or running the car, so I provided the car and he paid the expenses.

September 7th.  Phil and Mr Hawkins started off in the car for Clovelly.

October 7th.  Aunt Mary passed away.  Aged 86.

October 11th.  WENDY PATRICIA was christened at Christ-Church by Rev. Stainsby, Pam & Barbara acted as Godmothers, and Philip, Godfather.

Xmas Day.  Frank and family, the Bradshaws, Nellie Lucas and the Leas spent the day with us.  Bryan remained at Southsea the Lloyds going to them.  It was not thought advisable for Winnie to travel up to Town.

December 28th.  Philip took Joan Bradshaw to see Peter-Pan on the films at the Palladium.

End of the Year £2466-8-8.


1926

Philip started the year very badly, he remained at home for a month owing to boils following a bad attack of Chicken Pox.

February 20th.  Bryan's first child was born.  Saturday at 4.15pm - a girl.

April 10th.  Hazel Mary was christened at Christ Church.  The Lloyds came to tea.

May 4th to 15th.  The great Trade Union Strike lasted.  Mr Brown of Broomfield Lane took me and several other men to the City each day in his car.

May 23rd.  PHIL'S BIRTHDAY.  23 years of age.  He announced his engagement to Joan Bradshaw.  Her age was 18 years 9 months (birthday 12 August).

June 1st.  Phil took the Organ at St Paul's Cathedral, Womans Union Service.  Christ Church Choir led the singing.

July 10th to 31st.  Holiday at Cromer at Mr Smith's Hazelwood Prince of Wales Road.  Philip and Joan stayed with us, Frank and family in the Town.

October 1st.  I went to see Bryan's new place at Priddy's Hard.

November 27th.  We had the Phone installed.

December 12th.  Grandma Dowell passed away.  She was buried in Abney Park on the 15th.

December 25th.  Bryan and family with us from Monday 20th to Monday 27th.  Frank and family 24th to Tuesday, Joan with us Xmas Day.

Assets at end of year £2957-19-5.


1927

April 20th.  Frank's third child, a boy, was born at 6.00am Wednesday.  He only weighed 5lbs. It was a time of much anxiety, we were afraid it would not live.

July 7th.  We all went to Cromer again.  Frank and family, also Phil with the Car.

About this time I converted my Sun Life policy into a fully paid up one for £350.  There were Bonuses attached value £110 and I estimated that subsequent bonuses would bring it up to the original figure of £500.  The premiums were rather heavy and I felt that I should want all the money I could lay my hands on to live when I broke up.

September 18th.  JOHN MICHAEL was christened at Muswell Hill, it being considered too big an undertaking to come to Southgate.  Phil and Joan were present.

Xmas.  The usual big party.  Bryan and family from 22nd to 27th.  Frank and family from 24th to 28th.  Joan and the Lloyds on Monday for Christmas dinner.  We had games during the evening and Frank and Phil excelled all previous records in their decorations of the Supper table.

Assets at the end of the year £3653-10-10.


1928

January 21st.  Grandma Bigg came to stay with us.  She had not been at all well and seemed very depressed, and Lil had very generously offered to look after her, so having empty rooms we decided it was our job to take her in.

April 5th.  Nora and the family came to stay over the Easter, Frank having arranged to assist Phil in decorating the house Philip had bought at Hampton.

May 26th.  PHILIP was married to EDITH JOAN BRADSHAW, Saturday, at 12.30 at Christ Church, the Rev C F Peploe officiating.  There was a full choir present and the Bells were rung after the ceremony.  The wedding reception was held at Alderman House in the garden and everything was a great success.  The weather was perfect.

The whole of my family being now married, with a home of their own, the most important of my life's WORK IS DONE and I can conclude this part of my remembrances.

My dear wife and I are now on our own again, with a ten roomed house, but with the responsibilities of Grandma Bigg.  We began to talk about moving into a smaller house.

July 10th.  Fred Lea passed away after a few day's illness - Double Pneumonia.  He was buried on Friday 13th.  This was a great shock to the family, no one realising that he was seriously ill.

July 14th to August 14th.  We went to Cromer for our holiday, Frank and family took apartments there.  Mrs Willcox and her daughter kept house to look after Grandma.

During our holiday we discussed buying land at Ruislip, having settled that both Frank and ourselves would do so prior to going away.  We took three plots, and arranged with the builder to put up two houses, Frank and I taking a plot and a half each, the house and one plot freehold being £985, half a plot £80.

September 8th.  Frank and his family came to stay with us owing to his having sold his house at Muswell hill and being unable to find any other accommodation elsewhere.

About this time Jack Gould died and Harry Dowell informed me that his will was sworn at about £8000, also that of Fred Lea at £500.

December 25th was spent at home.  Frank and family, Phil and Joan, Bryan and Winnie could not come owing to Winnie being only just getting over a miscarriage.

Assets at the end of the year, £5114.


1929

January 18th.  Frank moved into his new house at Ruislip and on February 12th Nora and the children left us for their new home.

March 2nd.  The Firm gave a dinner to the staff at the Criterion Restaurant.  It was a tip top affair with Music, Dancing, and Lil astonished me by dancing with Mr Grumbar.

March 18th.  Owing to the pending move I had resigned my job as warden at Christ Church and at the Council Meeting I was presented with a Gold Watch costing £33-7-6 and Lil with a cheque for £1-6/-, the total money collected being £34-6/-.

April 18th.  I sold 79 Selborne Road to Mr A J T Fuggle for £1275, including sundry articles of furniture, this was after advertising and employing sundry house agents for four months.

May 14th.  We moved to Ruislip, starting at 8.30 and finished unpacking at 8.15.

June 11th.  We had a very great shock at the office.  Mr See died in the night at 1am at Blois, France whilst on his holiday with Mrs See.

July 13 to 27th.  Lil and I spent our holiday at Lynton Cottage Hotel and went on many motor trips.  Frank took no seaside holiday this year owing to his move.

September 6th.  Mr Grumbar issued a notice about a suggested reorganisation of the staff and books.

October 18th.  Mr Grumbar still in the throes of his reorganisation, and decided to install a new "Control System".  The books to be discarded and entries kept on sheets of paper.

October 28th.  Six men had notice to leave.

November 5th.  During the discussion about allocation of work to the remaining office staff, Mr Grumbar, in the presence of Mr FitzGerald, told me that he did not think that I should remain at the office late, I having done my turn in the past, but to let the others ie Bradford and Gibbons take it on.

December 25th.  Frank and family came in for the day.  Bryan and family went to Southsea, also the Lloyds.  Philip and Joan went to Southgate.

At the end of the year my assets were £6056.


1930

January 15th.  Another stepping stone in life.  Mr Grumbar suggested that I might like to retire whilst still in good health and enjoy a few years leisure, before I became too old to do so.  He offered me £300 a year for 5 years, £250 a year for 5 years and then £200 a year for the end of my time, and suggested starting at the end of March.

Thinking that a "bird in the hand was worth more than two in the bush" I wrote accepting, and received an agreement which read "In consideration of past services" &c.  I consulted Murray Hutchinsons as to its value, and on their advice had it stamped at a cost of £6.

February 9th.  Grandma Bigg began to be seriously ill and we had to employ a night nurse.

March 28th.  RETIRED FROM BUSINESS.  The staff invited me to a farewell dinner at the Mecca, Leadenhall Street and presented me with a Glass House value £25.  It was a very happy affair, speeches, dancing, games.  Frank was present and took me home.

This terminates 50 years in the City, the last 25 being with Grumbar and See.

April 11th. Grandma Bigg passed away after being unconscious for three days.  We buried her at Abney Park.

April 21st.  Phil's first child was born at 1.30 am

July 5th.  We went to Feltham for a fortnight.  Phil and family, Bryan and family, and Frank and family all came at various times and we spent a very happy time together.

September 20th.  Frank and Nora went to Paris for Frank's remaining weeks holiday and spent a hectic time, we looked after Peter and Michael, Wendy went to the McKenna's.

December 20th.  Frank heard that he had passed the Bankers Institute Examination in Income Tax and came out second and was awarded a prize valued £4 in books.

December 25th.  The whole family to us for Xmas, and stayed four days.  We are very fortunate and happy to still have the whole family around us and we thank the giver of all good things for all his mercies.

The whole of our sons are doing well at their various occupations and have happy wives and homes.

Assets at the end of the year £6138.

Last Page