James Wilfred 1903
James Wilfred was born in the hamlet of Gate Burton that lies on the Lincoln to Gainsborough road beneath the limestone ridge that forms the backbone of the county of Lincolnshire on 2 February 1903.
James was the first child of John William who, at that time, was a waggoner on a farm. This was a relatively skilled occupation compared with agricultural labourers and was, incidentally, the same profession as that of his future wife's father, Albert Cottingham.
James Wilfred ('Jim') met Hilda Mary whilst he was living at Spridlington. Hilda was then 'in service' at Hackthorn Hall, working for Lord and Lady Craycroft-Amcott.
James & Hilda's wedding day
Jim married Hilda Mary Cottingham, the second child and eldest daughter of five children of Albert and Harriett (nee Gillyett) Cottingham on 12 August 1937 at Hackthorn Hall church.
Jim stated on his wedding certificate that he was a builder, but those of us that knew him will say that his knowledge of building work was 'limited' (we are being charitable). His greater passion - and one that was going to endure lifelong -was football.
Having left school at the age of eleven, Jim worked first as a bricklayer at Willoughton and then with a variety of building firms. He played cricket and football for Glentham in the Gainsborough League; for Dunholme & Welton in the North Lincolnshire Village League, and for Aisthorpe & Ingham in the Lincoln League. He was also a football referee during this period. In later years he remained active with Stamford Rovers F.C., for whom he acted as trainer and linesman even into his sixties and then with Stamford Town AFC - 'The Daniels' - where he was a Director.
Jim and Hilda's children were:
Margaret Kathleen born on 14 December 1938 at Ingham
Maureen Ann born on 8 December 1941 at Ingham
During World War Two, Jim worked for the Ministry of Transport, much of the time in Bedfordshire.
Sylvia Jean was born on 19 March 1943, at Long Eaton, Notts
James Brian 5 August 1944 at Long Eaton
David John 30 September 1946 at Long Eaton
In 1946 Jim became an employee of the Highways Department of the Lincoln County Borough, as it then was, as District Foreman.
Geoffrey Charles was born on 14 March 1950 in Lincoln, at 7 West Bight, off Chapel Lane.
In 1952 the family moved to Ipswich where Jim took the title of Highways Superintendent and, two years later, moved yet again: this time to Grantham, Lincs to work for the Borough Council in a similar capacity. Finally, he moved one last time - to Stamford - to work for the Borough Council there.
Jim and his Stamford Borough Council snow plough
Jim & Hilda, circa 1960
James died in Stamford on 4 September 1976. Hilda died on 11 July 1991. They are buried together at Stamford Cemetery.