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Chapter Nine

DENNIS LEA   1907 - 1999



Taking the milk to the station at Malmesbury from Cowage Farm, Foxley


“Like father like son” this old adage could not apply to anyone more than Dennis for he too could turn his hand to many trades, watch repairing and hair cutting were just two of the talents he was well known for.   Dennis was born at Swindon Road, Stratton St. Margaret on the 16th February 1907, the only son of Ernest and Annie Lea, and brought up in Malmesbury.

When I first heard of Dennis, who is my father’s cousin, he was living at Norton, a small hamlet between Foxley and Hullavington.   He was living in retirement after working for the Ministry of Defence for twenty six years, for this he was rewarded the Imperial Service Medal at a parade held at Hullavington RAF base.

I introduced myself to Dennis and expressed my interest in the family.   This turned out to be a very crucial time as Dennis was in the throws of having to move house, lock, stock and barrel, a daunting task for young people let alone a man of his years.   Not making it any easier was the prospect of deciding what had to go and what could stay and fit into a small house from that of a family dwelling.

I visited him regularly for the next few months for the hope of being useful and making his task easier and it was during this period that his mother’s photograph collection came to light.   Well, time marched on and Dennis settled into 2 St. Mary’s Road, Malmesbury, however my visits still continue.   We both seemed to enjoy the benefits from this and we took great pleasure in visiting so many of the beautiful villages of Wiltshire that are usually hidden from the tourists, and meeting people who knew the family.   It had the added benefit of getting Dennis out of the house.   We never run out of conversation and I was so interested and inquisitive about the family, and he has so many tales to tell of a life spent in an era that differs so much from my own.   A typical Sunday afternoon visit would consist of photo taking, visiting villages where the family had lived and perhaps a pint of good old English beer in one of the quaint pubs that are to be found in or between most villages.

My most memorable of all outings I believe must be when we visited “bremilham Mill” the cottage on the side of the river at Cowage Farm.   The lush green banks each side of the water, the overhanging trees, the wild flowers almost uncountable in numbers, made a most vivid contrast to the remarkable almost dazzling colour of the golden yellow rape being grown in the surrounding fields.   I remember saying at the time it was “heaven on earth” and how lucky Dennis was to have been living there as a child with his parents.

At the risk of overwriting about our visiting places that have caught my imagination for their beauty I must mention the village of Charlton, just a few miles from Malmesbury.   On the particular day during springtime that Dennis and I spent a short time there, the scene was perfect.   The flowers were in abundance in the gardens of the eighteenth century cottages opposite St. Anne’s, the parish church, young people were chatting and laughing whilst tending to two magnificent horses in the road, the sun was shining brilliantly and the birds were singing.   How lucky we all are to be surrounded by so much beautiful English countryside.

Dennis was born in one of the four cottages below on the 16th February 1907.   The cottages stood on the side of Pigeon Lane in Swindon Road, Stratton St. Margaret, on what is today the site of the (now demolished) B.O.C. factory.   On the opposite side of Pigeon Lane stands what was for many years the doctors’ surgery ‘Merchiston House’.

The cottages were demolished in 1958 and the photograph of the demolition was taken by a young lad, 10 years old, who lived opposite Pigeon Lane.   His name was David Skull.   David, who has become known for his photographic skills, took the picture with a camera he bought for six pence at a jumble sale.

Missing newspaper cutting showing cottages

The cottage was also the first home of Dennis’ mother and father, Annie and Ernie, after they married on 3rd February 1906, prior to moving to Cowage Farm, Foxley, where they were to spend the rest of the working lives.

I also believe my great grandmother, Sarah Hannah, spent her last days in the cottage. Bremillium Mill is now owned by Mr Richard Turner who lives on his father’s estate at Foxley Farm.

Previous known tenants to have lived at the Mill are:

Ernest and Annie Lea, with their son Dennis.   (Ernie was known locally as the old shepherd)
Mrs Pink, who was the mother of seventeen children
Bill Bell
Mrs Wyles
Mr & Mrs Fred Simpkins
Fred Goodfield
Bill Clark
Tim Rich
Charlie Watts
Albert and Audrey Fishlock

Albert and Audrey were the last inhabitants of the Mill before it was locked up in Jun 1953, when the Mill became unfit to be lived in.   At some time after this date it was boarded up to prevent stray animals from entering the building after a cow had managed to get into the house and climb the narrow staircase.   The animal had to be lowered by slings through a hole cut in the bedroom floor in order to get it back out of the house.


bremilham Mill, the cottage by the river.   Photo approx. 1912
In the photo are Annie, left, Ernie and Dennis.   Ernie made a wheelbarrow similar to the one above for his sister Winifred at Minehead but unfortunately it never reached its destination after being sent by train.



Heaven on Earth was the impression I had of “The Mill” at Cowage farm the most peaceful spot I have ever visited in my entire life.   This was one of the homes of Annie and Ernie while they were at Cowage. Photographs 1992



Missing photograph of inside of Mill


This particular shot was taken at the top of the stairs showing the main bedroom and what is left of the partition between the main and smaller second bedroom, before renovation work started



Number 2 St. Mary’s Road, Malmesbury, the last home of Dennis.
This house is said to be over 300 years old



Another of the many ‘pubs’ Dennis and I stopped at on our trips around Wiltshire villages.
This time it was the “Horse & Groom” near Charlton.


       
left: A young Dennis with his dog.   He really had a great love for animals and this feeling never faltered all his life.
right: A very smart and good looking young man, always neatly dressed and well turned out.



Dennis centre, with friends.   But where was the photo taken?


   
Presentation of the Imperial Service Medal, R.A.F. Hullavington, 28th June 1972


       
Dennis at his parents' grave at Norton Parish Church
Dennis' ashes were buried here on 29th January 1999


~~oo0oo~~

Additional material in the folder, not showing on this page for privacy reasons or due to copyright regulations:
Newspaper cutting.
Photographs
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This page was last updated on 10th April 2007.