OPC Vacancy
Contiguous Parishes (Our Neighbours)
Barford St. Martin – Compton Chamberlayne – Dinton – Great Wishford – Little Langford
Websites of Interest
Fovant History Interest Group – Details of WWI military camps, British & Australian soldiers, etc
Baverstock Manor Farmhouse – English Heritage/Images of England
The Parish Church of St. Edith’s
Baverstock (Babba’s settlement) church (St Edith of Wilton), in the decorated style, was well restored by Butterfield in 1883. In the porch is a holy water stoup; there is also an old circular font and three coffin slabs incised with crosses on the floor of the chancel. (Source: The Little Guide, published by Methuen, 1949)
“When I reflect how soon my loved ones may be expelled from this Paradise I regret I have made no effort to secure it for them.”
St. Edith of Wilton, who died AD 984, is patron saint of Baverstock Church. In 1827 the building was described as being in “a wretched state” and underwent its first restoration, completed in 1834, with a second restoration later.
St. Edith’s Gallery St. Edith’s Interior Gallery St. Edith’s Churchyard Gallery
Church Backed Charities and Funding
Church Census
Baverstocke and Hurcott Protestation Return 1641/42
Church Finances
Abolition of Compulsory Church Rates 1869
Church Memorial Plaques & Windows
Church News
Church Officials
Churchyard
Parish Register Transcripts
Baptisms
Marriages
Burials
Please note that the Baptisms, Marriage and Burial transcripts above may not be complete.
Marriage Bonds
Parish Registers held at WSHC
Baptisms 1559-1992
Marriages 1561-1996
Burials 1561-1989
| Confirmations & Visitations 1849-1855 | Meeting for the Election of Synodsmen 1871 | Church Appointments 1801-1868 |
| Re-opening of Baverstock Church 1834 | Gifts to Church from Mrs Penruddocke 1842 | Church Collections for Charities 1848-1866 |
| Powell Family 1709-1798 | George Edwards 1818 | Powell Family 1819-1951 |
| Lieut. Guy Robert Hextall Harding 1944 (Window) | Rev. Charles Hare Earle 1839 | John Henry Leech 1900 |
Parish History
The village of Baverstock is situated in the Cawdon and Cadworth Hundred of Wiltshire and lies in the Nadder Valley, some seven miles west of Salisbury. Travelling towards Dinton the visitor must turn right off the B3089, leaving behind both the railway and the river. Soon, the small church of St Editha appears on the right with the vicarage less conspicuous on the opposite side of the road. The lane carries on towards the fifteenth-century Baverstock Manor Farmhouse and through the farm itself before continuing to wind its way further northwards, until eventually it reaches the foot of the downs with Grovely Wood beyond.
With changes in agriculture, very few of the inhabitants now work on the land; and with no through traffic, the village is probably as quiet today as it has ever been. Ida Gandy, in her delightful book, “Staying with the Aunts”, writes “….it was, and remains, very small, very obscure.” Her grandfather, the Reverend William Hony, vicar of Baverstock and Archdeacon of Sarum, writing a brief review of his life in 1872, ends with the words,”It is all so beautiful”. The inscriptions on the gravestones and memorials, some now difficult to read, commemorate the families that once lived and worked here, included among them Powell, Nowlson, Smith and of course, Hony. However, upon entering the churchyard gate, the visitor cannot fail to notice the long line of white military gravestones. Nearby Hurdcott House, lying south of the River Nadder, was taken over by the Australian army during the Great War, becoming more of a hospital than a training camp as the war progressed. The thirty two British and Australian war graves (3 from London Regiment & 29 from Australian Imperial Force) are testament to those who did not survive their injuries – or the influenza epidemic of 1918.
Domesday Book Entry Baverstock Parish Jurisdiction Changes 1842 Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary of England Entry 1845
Civil Registration
1837 – April 1936 Wilton Registration District
April 1936 – Present Salisbury Registration District
Location
Baverstock is located in the south of the Wiltshire county, about 11 kms (7 miles) west of Salisbury. Baverstock contains the manor of Hurdcott, a hamlet of a few houses to the south east of Baverstock. (See Hurdcott tab at bottom of page)
Population
Population Figures and other Jurisdictions
Books & Resources
A History of Baverstock by W. H. Sumarez Smith, 1984 Staying with the Aunts by Ida Gandy, 1963
Buildings and Land
| UK Land Tax Redemption 1798 | Notice of Petition for Inclosure 1808 | Baverstock Rainfall & Moon’s Western Almanac 1839-1868 |
| Lightning hits Barn 1843 | Antiquity Find 1846 | Foot and Mouth Disease 1870 |
| Stag Hunt 1871 | Sale History of Yew Tree House 2002-2012 |
Farms
Baverstock Farm
Documents relating to Baverstock Farm & Smith Family (With Kind Permission of Christine Whipp)
| Letters of Administration of Elizabeth Smith 1839 | Inventory & Valuation of Estate of Mr. H. Smith & Mr. James Macey 1879 | Sale of Furniture & Household Effects of Mr. Smith 1880 |
| Letters of Administration of Albert Smith 1921 |
Land Surveys
Listed Buildings
Grade I – Buildings of outstanding architectural or historic interest:
There are no listings for this category
Grade II* – Buildings are particularly important and of more than special interest:
Baverstock Manor Church of St. Edith
Grade II – Buildings are nationally important and of special interest:
| Cross Base in Churchyard of St. Edith | Fricker Monument in Churchyard of St. Edith | Milestone West of Junction with Baverstock Lane |
| Yew Tree Cottage |
Crime and Legal Matters
Assaults
Reward for Attack of Gamekeeper 1812
Burglary
Convictions (General)
Wilts Quarter Session 1728-1890 Committed to Devizes House of Correction 1815-1870 Committed to Fisherton Gaol 1845-1847 Fines Incurred for Crimes Committed 1850-1871
Employment Related Crimes
Leaving Service 1853 Caution to Farm Servant 1871
Miscellaneous Items
Justices of the Peace Request to Change the Division for Baverstock 1842 Court Case – Burridge v Burridge 1927
Poaching
Charge of Stealing a Rabbit Trap 1868 Poaching Charge 1871
Theft
Charge of Stealing Iron 1870
Directories
| Post Office 1849 | Post Office 1855 | Post Office 1859 | Harrods 1865 | Kellys 1867 |
| Post Office 1875 | Kellys 1880 | Kellys 1889 | Kellys 1895 | Kellys 1898 |
| Kellys 1903 | Kellys 1907 | Kellys 1911 | Kellys 1915 | Kellys 1920 |
| Kellys 1927 | Kellys 1939 |
Education
| Anniversary Meeting of Salisbury National Schools 1838 (Announcement) | Anniversary Meeting of Salisbury National Schools Report 1838 | First Meeting of Salisbury Diocesan Board of Education 1839 |
| Lecture on the Arctic Regions 1854 |
Emigration and Migration
Assisted Emigration
Australia
Advertisements for Free Passage to Australia 1838 & 1848
Emigrants
William Fletcher 1838 John Pretty 1838
Employment and Business
Agriculture & Land
Game Lists 1824-1859 Game Licenses 1834
Apprentices
UK Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices 1710-1811
Communications
British Postal Service Appointment 1737-1969
Labouring
Markets & Shows
Cattle Market Purchases 1846-1847 Cattle & Poultry Show 1852 Ram Sale Purchases 1870-1872
Railway
Entertainment for Railway Labourers 1858
Situations Vacant
Miscellaneous Documents
Non Conformity and Other Places of Worship
People and Parish Notables
| John Hungerford Penruddocke 1848 | ||
| Family Notices 1850-1899 | Marriage Festivities at Compton 1853 | Deputy Lord Lieutenants of Wiltshire 1860 |
| In Recognition of Services – Mrs Jane James 1870 | Charles Lever – Fall from a Horse 1871 | Fete in Wilton Park 1872 |
| Inquest Report on Edmund West 1911 | Funeral Notice of Mrs. Manning 1944 |
Associations, Clubs, Organisations & Societies
Salisbury Mechanics Institute 1839 Bath & Western England Society Exhibitor 1866 Shipwrecked Mariners Society 1868-1872
Family Notices
Friendly Societies
Wiltshire Friendly Society Membership 1827-1871 Wiltshire Friendly Society 1844-1870 Wiltshire Friendly Society Anniversary Celebrations 1846
Horticultural Societies
Wilts. Horticultural Society Prizes 1866-1870 Dinton, Baverstock & Hurdcott Horticultural Society Show 1939
Census Returns Transcripts
1841 1851 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
Electoral Rolls, Poll Books & Tax Lists
Tax List 1332 Poll Book 1818 Poll Book 1865 Register of Electors 1960-1961
Family Research
Lane
John Lane’s (previous OPC) Personal Interest in Baverstock include the following surnames:- Bracher – Goodfellow – Larkham – Macey – Nowlson – Willshire/Wiltshire. His Great Grandmother’s sister, Sarah Futcher, married Herbert Smith of Baverstock Farm in 1842, at Fovant. If anyone wishes to contact John regarding any of the names listed please contact the administrator who will pass on any message.
Taxes
Poor Law, Charity and The Workhouse
Baverstock came under the jurisdiction of Wilton Poor Law Union, with the workhouse being located at Wilton. Its operation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, usually one representing a constituent parish. Overseers of the Poor was the previous term used but their roles were similar in that they administered poor relief such as money, food and clothing as part of the Poor Law system. Usually Churchwardens or Landowners were selected for these roles.
Census
Wilton Union Census Breakdown 1851 Paupers Listed in Census Returns 1851-1871
Charity
Donations to the Poor 1819
Guardians
Wilton Union Guardians Appointed 1835 Election of Guardians 1836 Guardians Dinner & Election of Guardians 1870
Overseers
Removal Orders
Wiltshire Removal Orders 1670-1890
Probate
Probate Index (WSHC) 1548-1875 Claims on the Estate of Revd. Richard Hawkin Hitchins 1827 National Probate Index 1858-1966
Administration Bonds
Elizabeth Smith 1839 Albert Smith 1921
Guardianship
Parishioners Wills
War, Conflict and Military Matters
War Memorials & Military Gallery
For items relating to the Hurdcott Camp please see the Hurdcott Section below.
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen’s Services 1870-1891 Merchant Seaman – Leslie Crawford 1901
WWI
Photographs of Temporary Memorials Sent to Australian Soldiers’ Next-of-Kin Casualties of WWI Named in the Diocese of Salisbury Memorial Book
Casualty Biographies
John Reginald Viney 1916 Herbert George Bradford 1917 Edwin John Dimmer 1919
Military Burials in Baverstock
War Graves Summary Table 1916-1918
British Soldiers Biographies
Edward George Emsley Cyril Alec William Hardy Charles Henry Strawbridge
Australian Soldiers Biographies
| George William Percy Albertson | Alan Malcolm Andrews 1917 | Thomas Baxter | John Robert Biglands |
| Percy Joseph Clark | Alfred James Cowie 1917 | Michael Cummings | Thomas Leslie Davies |
| Stephen Henry Elphick | Lawrence Fitzgerald | Percy Forster | George Fowlie |
| Andrew Shirwood Douglas Gibson 1917 | Robert Hugh Grey | Christopher Hayes | Frederick Donald James Kennedy |
| Michael Kenny | Cyril Claud Mashford 1917 | Donald McIntosh 1917 | William Charles Gordon M. McKellar |
| Charles Forbes Moor 1917 | Frederick John Parkin | Harry Rudolph Phillips | William George Price |
| Alfred W. Pye 1917 | Patrick Reidy alias Wilson | Alfred Renwick 1917 | Thomas Roach |
| Frederick Arthur Woolsey |
General Information For Australian Forces
| Abbreviations Used in Australian Service Records | Australian WWI Recruitment Posters | Disposal Order of Medals of deceased Australian Soldiers |
| Imperial War Graves Commission on Cemetery & Memorial Registers | Headstone Costs for Australian Forces | Medical Classifications for Wounded & Sick Australian Soldiers |
| No Photographs of A. I. F. Permanent Headstones | Australian Graves Abroad 1921 |
WWII
Lieut. Guy Robert Hextall Harding 1944
Hurdcott
Hurdcott House – West Lodge
Hamlet History
Location
Hurdcott is a hamlet in the parish of Baverstock. There is also a Hurdcott located near Winterbourne Earls, Wiltshire.
Buildings and Land
Inquisition of Lands Held by Bartholomew & Margaret de Badelesmere 1311 Appointment of Select Commissioners for Land and Assessed Taxes 1842 Hurdcott House for Sale 1921
Crime and Legal Matters
Court Officials
| Reward for Stolen Lamb 1825 | Reward for Stolen Sheep 1836 | Damaging a Hedge 1856 |
| Stealing Apples 1856 | Stealing a Rail 1837 | Troublesome Prisoner 1872 |
Employment and Business
Pitched Market Proposal 1847 Harvest Home 1861
Miscellaneous
Reward for Missing Animals 1867 & 1871
People and Parish Notables
| High Sheriffs for Wiltshire 1758-1856 | Family Notices 1800-1849 |
| Nomination of Sheriffs 1815 | Burgess for Borough of Downton 1827 |
| Inquest Report on James Hayter 1836 | |
| Wedding Report of Rev. George F. S. Powell & Miss Everilda Law 1852 | Family Notices 1850-1899 |
| Local Exhibition 1852 | Laying of Foundation Stone for School at Barford 1853 |
| Wedding Festivities at Hurdcott 1868 | |
| Fete In Wilton Park 1872 | Wedding Report of Rev. Canon Whitefoord & Mrs. Powell 1890 |
Associations, Clubs, Organisations & Societies
Wiltshire Friendly Society Membership 1827-1871
| Hunting Meets 1830-1890 | Salisbury & South Wilts Society for the Protection of Agriculture 1844 |
| South Wilts Anti-League Association 1844 | South Wilts & Warminster Farmers’ Club 1844 |
| Prizes Awarded at Salisbury & Wilts Horticultural Society 1845 | South Wilts Hunt Meeting – Letter to Editor 1871 |
Family Research
Powell Family
Powell of Hurdcott House Lineage
Probate
Inquisitions Post Mortem of Lands Held
War, Conflict and Military Matters
Wilton Volunteer Rifle Corps 1859
Hurdcott Camp
At the outbreak of World War I there became an urgent need to accommodate the increasing requirements for Military Training & Transit camps. Towards the end of 1914, John Combes, of East Farm at Fovant, was informed that part of his land was to be requisitioned for one such camp. Subsequently, land to the east and west of his farm was also commandeered and an area stretching from Compton Chamberlayne to Sutton Mandeville became one vast Military Camp. A single track railway connected the camps to the main line.
The camp located at Compton Chamberlayne became known as Hurdcott Camp as it was on land that was part of two farms – Hurdcott and Naish’s. In March 1916, this section of the camp was taken over by the Australian Imperial Forces and became their No. 3 Command Depot.
| Hurdcott Army Camp | Hurdcott Camp Poems |
| Map showing Army Camps at Fovant, Compton Chamberlayne & Hurdcott During WWI | Letters Home from Cpl. Thomas James Quinn 1917 & 1918 |
| Casualty – Pte. Herbert Edward Webb, A.I.F. 1918 | Central Queenslanders Contact 1918 |
| Western Australians in Camp 1918 | Sale of Dismantled Hutting – No. 5 Camp 1920 |
Henri – Little French Orphan
Henri was a young French orphan who attached himself to a succession of different British Regiments before finding himself with the 4 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps on Christmas Day, 1918. Henri was smuggled into England via a bag marked Oats & was adopted by the squadron as their mascot & became known as “Digger”. Air Mechanic Tim Tovell took on the role of guardian & when the Squadron was being demobilised back to Australia, Henri was again hidden & arrived in Australia with his guardian in 1919. Henri stayed with Tovell in Queensland & later moved to Melbourne so he could become a mechanic with the Royal Australian Air Force. Henri was killed in a road accident in 1928 at the age of 21. Henri – The French Orphan
Acknowledgements
Grateful thanks to previous OPC John Lane for his contribution to this page
