Tales from the Front (2) explores the life, world, and military service of William Robert Oakley. A former golf caddy, he had joined the 1st Dorsetshire Regiment in time for deployment to the Western Front in August 1914. He fell on the second day of Mons, during which his battalion fought a spirited withdrawal, though one that incurred many casualties.
Tales from the Front (1) recounts the life of Albert James Habgood, a native of Victorian Bournemouth, who served in World War I with the Dorset Regiment. He fell at the Battle of Mons, August 24th, 1914.
Victorian Bournemouth (260) summarises key articles which appeared in the last quarter. It highlighted a range of social history from Waterloo Road to British Indians, and the female condition. Also, it distilled several articles that had assessed the broad sweep of Victorian Bournemouth’s history as it progressed from a stream to a fountain. The last section introduced the next stage in the history of Victorian Bournemouth: Tales from the Front.
Victorian Bournemouth (259) traces how the greenfield Bourne Valley became a County Borough within sixty years. Local leaders and groups guided the community through various challenges, promoting unity beyond religion, politics, and puritanism. The example of the Chrysanthemum Society demonstrated cooperation between classes to create successful events, such as flower shows. Ultimately, the “Fountain” vision prevailed over the “Stream,” although the stream continues through the valley.
Victorian Bournemouth (258) examines how the town built its reputation and developed in ways that resemble marketing strategies used by today’s luxury brands. Both faced challenges about the scope of their marketing efforts. Yet, beyond these marketing concerns, deeper questions about Bournemouth’s underlying social structure emerged.
Victorian Bournemouth (254) charts the successful establishment of Bournemouth’s Public Library through the collaborative efforts of two men having different social backgrounds and political leanings. Despite the opposition stemming from social segregation, the Conservative (Leveson Scarth) remained steadfast in working with the Liberal (Whitting) to create an educational resource that transcended social boundaries. This partnership between the sons of a clergyman and of an innkeeper united a broader team to achieve this transformative goal.
Victorian Bournemouth (248), using temporal analysis of Bournemouth’s Waterloo Road (1891-1921), highlights a shift from social stability to potential disruption. Initially, the street, perhaps anchored by the presence of eventual mayor Charles Hunt, a carpenter, showed little resident turnover. While the Edwardian period saw a peak in continuity, the post-war era is marked by a policeman’s presence, indicating a possible deterioration of social conditions.
Victorian Bournemouth (243) has explored events that concerned Bournemouth’s two Perfect Thrift Building Society funds. Newspaper reports suggest that the savings society perhaps achieved a measure of success. Several people won the lottery prizes, although the draws did not happen often. Malpractice lay not far from building societies at this time and may have reached Perfect Thrift, in Bournemouth and across the network. The founder disappeared after a large shortfall emerged at Leeds, while the secretary at Bournemouth took his family to Valparaiso in 1896. Nevertheless, some working people at Bournemouth, attracted by the dream of thrift, economy, and independence, found themselves assisted by their Perfect Thrift.
Victorian Bournemouth (241) has examined aspects of the strike undertaken in 1897 by local carpenters and joiners. Between the lines of the press reports lies the possibility that the union had too few members to create a strike strong enough to bring down the establishment. In January 1898, a reporter called at the union’s clubroom, only to find that the leader had also returned to work. Thus, the first strike at Bournemouth vaporised, unable to contest a wealthy and powerful network of employers.
Victorian Bournemouth (240) has explored the foundation and activities of the local Trades’ Council, a group which acted as a central point for several of the resort’s unions. Established under the guidance of a tailor, Elias Davies, the group played a role in establishing credibility for unionisation. Davies had an interest in literacy and education. He showed a willingness to speak in public or to write to the press. Although Bournemouth experienced its first strike during the 1890s, the Trades’ Council did not appear to act in a militant fashion.