Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

West Ham House - Basingstoke

West Ham House, Aldershot. 1910s. Used as a hospital in World War I and demolished in the 1970s. Don't know much about the place but Frederick and Constance must have been living here for a few years while Frederick was in the army. It may have been a military house.

West Ham House, Aldershot

Image from Hantsphere Heritage and Hampshire Library and Information services.

Old West Ham House before demolition in the 1970s

Interior of West Ham House, Alderhot. Picture of CHHC on the wall to the left.

Interior of West Ham House, Aldershot

Interior of West Ham House, Aldershot 1910s

Letter from Frederick to George in 1913 from West Ham House.

Saturday 20 February 1909
Hampshire Chronicle

Can any Lady recommend a good Cook for the country (1½ miles from station)? Kitchenmaid kept. Age 34-40. Wages £32 - £36 - Address Mrs.F.C.Heath, West Ham House. Basingstoke. Wanted March 9th

Saturday 2 July 1910
Hampshire Chronicle

Basingstoke Board of Governors
The fortnightly meeting of the above authority was held at the Union House, Basing, on Friday in last week, Sir R.N.Rycroft, Bart.,(Chairman), presided - - -

Lady Visitors
On the proposition of Mr.F.J.Allen, seconded by Mr.A.Jervois, it was resolved to add Mrs.Heath (West Ham House), Mrs.May (Down Grange), and Miss Mansel-Jones to the Committee of Lady Visitors.

The Chairman said he understood this would not increase the number on the Committee. Other ladies had left, and they wanted to fill the vacancies.

Wednesday 14 September 1910
Morning Post

Mrs.F.C.Heath wished to Recommend M.Sparkes as Kitchenmaid (Second of two) under good cook; early riser, willing and active; two years in present situation; free 1st October. - Address Mrs.Heath, West Ham House, Basingstoke, or M.Sparkes, Holly and Laurel Cottage, Holmwood, Surrey

1911

Census of England and Wales , 1911

Before writing on this schedule please read the Examples and the Instructions given on the other side of the paper, as well as the headings of the Columns. The entries should be written in Ink. 

Name and Surname-  of every person whether Member of Family, Visitor, Boarder, or Servant, who (1) passed the night of Sunday, April 2nd, 1911, in this dwelling and was alive at midnight, or(2) arrived in this dwelling on the morning of Monday, April 3rd, not having been enumerated elsewhere. No one else must be included.

1. Frederick Croften Heath, 

Relationship to Head of Family: Head,

Age: 53

Particulars as to Marriage: Married, 

State for each Married Woman entered on this Schedule, the number of:

- Completed  years the marriage has lasted:  22 years (crossed out in red) 

- Children born alive to present Marriage: 2 (Cuthbert and Martin) 

- Children still living - 2 (crossed out in red)

- Children who have died - none (crossed out in red)

Personal Occupation  - Army Brigardier General, Inspector of Royal Engineers. (411 in blue ink)

Industry of Service with which worker is connected - Army. 

Whether Employer, or working on own account - (blank)

Whether working at home - (blank)

Birthplace of every person - Mersham, near Southampton.

Nationality of every Person born in a foreign country - British Subject by Parentage.

Infirmity - Nil

Constance Mary Helsham Heath - Wife - 42 - Married - 22 years - 2 children - wife to above - Loodiane, North West India - (709 in red ink)

Jane Annie Elizabeth Hackett - Servant - 46 - Widow - Cook - (070 in blue ink) - Holford Bridge, Warwickshire. (100  in red ink)Jessie McKenzie Smith - Servant - 21 - Single - Ladysmaid - Balloch Dunnet, Thuro NB - (506 in red ink)

Catherine Catchpole - Servant - 29 - Single - Parlourmaid - Victoria Brick Field (?), Beecles, (Staffordshire?)

Victoria Mary Chissaton(?) - Servant - 29 - Single - Housemaid - Tore Lane, Isle of (all crossed out)Margaret Annie King - Servant - 17 - Single - Kitchenmaid - (070 in blue ink) - Newbury, Berks. (300 in red ink)

To be filled  by the Enumerator - 1 male, 5 females, 6 total

Write below the Number of Rooms in this Dwelling (House, Tenement, or Apartment), Count the kitchen as a room but do not count scullery, landing, lobby, closet, bathroom, nore warehouse, office, shop. - 25 rooms.

I declare that this Schedule is correctly filled up to the best of my knowledge and belief.Signature - F.C.Heath, Brigardier General

Postal Address - West Ham House, Basingstoke.

Saturday 28 October 1911
Hants and Berks Gazette and Middlesex and Surrey

Knocking Down Chestnuts
In consequence of complaints made to the police about the danger caused to the public by throwing missiles from the road into chestnut trees at West Ham Park, a constable in plain clothes was set to watch and the result was that informations were laid against five boys and a photographer. The cases in which the boys were concerned were heard in the Children's Court on Tuesday by the Mayor (Mr.F.A.Prance), Mr.E.C.White, Mr.W.Cannon, and Mr.F.Hillary.

The defendants in the first case were Louis Victor Walsworth (13), George Gosling (12) - who had been summoned in the name of Goddard - William White (12), and George Smith (11). White lives in George Street and the other three live in Alexandra Road. They were charged with throwing stones to the danger of passengers and to this they pleaded not guilt: Walsworth, however, admitting that he threw sticks.

P.C.Wherrell said that on Tuesday, Oct 17th, at 5 p.m., he saw the defendants in Worting Road throwing at the chestnut tress in West Ham Park. Some three sticks and some stones. Witness was concealed behind a hedge on the south side of the road opposite the second lodge, and about ninety yards from the defendants. Several vehicles passed while they were throwing, also foot passengers and cyclists. They continued throwing for about a quarter of an hour. He could not say which of the defendants threw sticks and which of them threw stones. - - -

Supt.Reynolds said these cases were the outcome of complaints received respecting stone-throwing at this place. It had become a regular nuisance and he had been obliged to put a constable there all day to try to stop it. The fence had been broken and the stones were thrown over into General Heath's park.

The Mayor said it was no doubt a wanton nuisance. The Bench did not consider that the parents in these cases had conduced to the offence; but they could not continually overlook these offences and therefore the defendants must pay 6s. 6d. each.

The other case was dealt with in the public Court, the defendant, who did not appear, being Frank Hobbs, of 60 George Street, photographer. - - -

The evidence in this case was that about 12.30 on the 17th inst., P.C.Wherrell saw the defendant throw stones from the road into the chestnut trees in West Ham Park. He continued doing this for five or six minutes, during which time three motor cars passed, also a woman with a baby in arm. Witness went to the defendant, who told him he only three to get some chestnuts.

The Mayor said that in this case the defendant was old enough to know better. So bad had this nuisance become that it involved the expense and trouble of having a constable there. The defendant would be fined 5s. and 9s. costs.

Wednesday 17 April 1912
Morning Post

Wanted at once, for the country, thoroughly-experienced useful Maid; Scotch preferred for North Country; must be good dressmaker, hairdresser, and packer; tall, nice appearance; age not under 26; wages £22-£26 - and all found; personal character required; no agencies - Address Mrs.F.C.Heath, West Ham House, Basingstoke

Saturday 21 September 1912
Hampshire Chronicle

Marriage of Mr.N.Dunlop and Miss Fitzpatrick.
The marriage of Mr.Nathaniel Dunlop, son of the late Professor James Dunlop M.D., of Glasgow, and Miss Maud Marion Fitzpatrick, daughter of the Rev. N.R.Fitzpatrick, Rector of Worting, was solemnised on Wednesday afternoon at Worting Parish Church in the presence of a full congregation. - - -

The guests present included - - - Mrs.Heath (West Ham House) - - -

Saturday 29 March 1913
Hampshire Chronicle

Through the agency of Messrs. Edwin Fear and Walker, of Winchester, several well-known residences have recently changed hands, including "West Ham House," Basingstoke, previously in the occupation of Brigadier-General Heath C.B., re-let on lease - - -