JAMES WIGMORE

DEATH OF MR. JAMES WIGMORE

WELLKNOWN NEWBURY GROCER

A Capable Cricketer

We regret to record the death of Mr. James Wigmore, of Pound-street, Newbury, which took place on Thursday last in a nursing home at Reading. Mr. Wigmore had only been ill about a fortnight. He was 67 years of age.

Mr. Wigmore was in business as grocer and tobacconist in Oxford-street for many years, and formed a large circle of friends, to whom he was affectionately known as “Jimmy.” He was a man of straight dealing, very methodical and careful in all transactions, but did not let his diligence in business deter him from being a real good sportsman, and he was particularly keen on cricket.

Born on April 20^th, 1865, Mr. Wigmore was the fifth son of the late Frederick Wigmore of Buckle bury. He began his schooling at Bucklebury under a Mrs. Brittan, and was then elected to the Blue Coat School, Thatcham. In 1877 he became apprenticed to Mr. Francis Newbery White to learn the “art of a grocer and tea dealer.” Mr. White then occupied one of two shops erected n the site of the Old Globe, in Bridge-street, Newbury, where now stand the premises of Lloyds Bank. It was a five years' apprenticeship, and James had to covenant not to contract matrimony or to play at cards or dice, or any unlawful games, nor to haunt taverns or play houses. His wages were but 6d. A week during the first year, 9d the second, one shilling the third, 1s 3d the fourth, and 1s 9d in the final year. His father agreed to find clothes, washing, medical attendance in illness, and all other necessaries for his son. The lad had to be up at six and be in every night at nine.

Before he was 16 years old, he was doing the travelling for the firm, and in those days there were many privations to endure. Mr. Wigmore many times recalled the great snow storms of 1881. He was caught on the Lilley downs, and had to “anchor” at the Swan Hotel, East Lilley, of which Mr. Birch was the proprietor, for three days. On the fourth day, young Wigmore rode the horse back home to Newbury, but it was three weeks before he went and fetched in the trap.

A week after completing his apprenticeship he was engaged as shopman and traveller by Mr. W.E. Lewendon, of Oxford-street, whom he served for ten years. Mr. Wigmore then took over the shop in Oxford-street occupied by the late Mr. T. Freeman, and ran this business successfully until his retirement 4½ years ago.

Mr. Wigmore was a keen cricketer. He played for Newbury, Speen, Boxford and other local clubs, and for four years he was captain of the Victoria Cricket Club, winning in 1885 the bat awarded for the highest batting average during the season and the following year he secured the ball for having the best bowling average. For Boxford against Wantage Grammar School, he scored 107 not out, and for Speen against a strong team raised by Mr. H. Spiers, Wigmore hit up a merry 102 not out. Single wicket cricket matches were popular in those days, and on a celebrated occasion July 1899, a large company gathered on the Newbury ground to see Mr. Wigmore play Mr. R. Killick of the Broadway. Wigmore won by an innings and eight runs.

Mr. Wigmore married in 1887, at the Presbyterian Chapel, Newbury, Emma, second daughter of the late John and Caroline Vizard, of Speen Hill, and they had one daughter, who survives.

The funeral took place on Monday at the Old Cemetery, Newtown-road, the Rector of Newbury, Rev.W.L. Cooper, officiating.

The mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. A. franklin (son-in-law and daughter), Mrs. Witts, sister, Mr. C. Wigmore (brother), Mr. F. Wigmore (brother), Mr. J. Vizard (nephew), Mr. and Mrs. Rampton, Miss Maslin, Mr. R. Hill and Mr. J. Steptoe, others present being Mr. John Stoodley, Mr. Frank Adnams, Mr. W. Noakes, Miss Stillman, Mrs. Garratt and Mrs. Chapell.

There is a list of wreaths and a photograph of Mr. Wigmore.

Newbury Weekly News 19 January 1933

Mrs. P. p 179 p(K)1

Died 12 January 1933 aged 67

Buried 16 January 1933 Book 1917 p. 168 no. 10938

Also wife Emma died 28 June 1930 aged 67.