TILLEY
with roots in Somerset, England
family
the
Edward Tom and
Ada Margaret's children:
Edward James (Jim) b. 1910 - d. 1992
Robert George b. 1911 - d. 1959
Barbara Helen b. 1912 - d. 1985
Wilfrid Bruce b. 1913 - d. 2002
Richard (Dick) Ernest b. 1914 - d. 1989
Hugh Harold John b. 1917 - d. 1926
Rachel Penelope b. 1920 - d. 2009
Ursula Dorothy b. 1922 - d. 2010
Edward Tom Tilley
Edward Tom (Ted) Tilley was born in Compton Bishop, Somerset on 19 October 1878 to Thomas Tilley (1849) and Annie Tyley (1849). He married Ada Margaret Look (1880-1970) on 19 October 1908 and they had eight children.
A former member of Somerset County Council and former chairman of the Somerset County National Farmers’ Union, Ted farmed for many years at Loxton. As well as actively engaged in farming, he gave much of his time to service to the community in which he lived. He was a churchwarden at Loxton for 41 years.
For a number of years, Ted served as a member of the war agricultural executive committee and he was also a member of the Southern Counties Wool Commission.
For 31 years he served as honourable secretary of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. He was a member of the YFC advisory committee and had served as a school manager at Loxton and Worle, Weston. He was also a chairman of the Weston Harriers.
Ted had served as chairman of the Compton Bishop and Loxton Conservative associations. A prominent Freemason, he was a Master of the Highbridge Rural Philanthropic Lodge in 1932. He was also a member of Axbridge Rural District Council for many years.
Ted and his wife Margaret retired to Hamwood, a very pleasant cottage outside Loxton, and then to 16 Southside, Weston-super-Mare. The farm at Loxton was later taken over by his son George, while the farm next door to his, Church Farm, was run by his youngest son Richard. A daughter, Ursula, married John Boley and they farmed at Lympsham. Ted passed away on 6 January 1961. The funeral was at Emmanuel Church on 11 January, followed by cremation at Canford where his remains were scattered on shrubbery 1.
The birth certificate of Edward Tom Tilley showing that he was born in Compton Bishop on 19 October 1878.
Edward Tom Tilley married Ada Margaret Look on his birthday, 19 October, in 1908 in the parish church of Ditcheat. Their witnesses were his brother Wilfred George and her sister Annie Ellen.
Boer War Service
Ted had been working as a clerk for Stuckey's Banking Company Ltd prior to enlistment. He joined the 2nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen as a Private and fought in the South African (Second Boer) War, 1899-1902.
The 2nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen embarked at Hobart on the transport Chicago, on 27 March 1901, and landed at Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on 24 April. Comprising 12 officers, 241 others, with 289 horses. Six were killed or died; 10 officers and 6 others were struck off in South Africa; 2 officers were appointed from the ranks; 1 NCO obtained an Imperial commission. The remainder returned to Tasmania.
Their service was in the Cape Colony, under General French. Soon after landing, the Corps was engaged with Scheepers at Ganna Hoek Cape Colony, where Trooper Warburton was killed. Trooper Brownell distinguished himself and afterwards received a commission in the Imperial Army. On 19 May, the Tasmanians joined Scobell's Column, which was one of the most successful. On l June, they passed to Colonel Gorring, whose force was formed into a Flying Column, without wheeled transport.
The various leaders commended the Contingent for fearlessness, good horsemastership, and cheerful endurance of the greatest hardships. On 18 August, 1901, Sergeant-Major Young, of the Cape Police, with Quartermaster Sergeant Lynes, Sergeant Coombes, and eight other Tasmanians, charged a kopje where the enemy were strongly entrenched, and captured Commandant Erasmus and others. Young obtained the Victoria Cross. The Contingent were several times successful in capturing influential Boer leaders. For 12 months they were incessantly employed; long marches often being undertaken by night, followed by actions with the Commandoes of Kruitzinger, Scheepers, Myberg, and others.
On 13 February, 1902, Colonel Doran took over the Column, and the Contingent served under him until 4 May. They suffered several casualties, and the strain on men and horses was very great; but the Column did excellent work, and was frequently complimented by General French and Lord Kitchener.
On 22 May, 1902, the Contingent embarked on the transport Manila at Durban, and arrived in Tasmania on 25 June, having called at Albany, Adelaide, and Melbourne en route. They were disbanded on 30 June 1902.
238 Private Edward Tom Tilley
Ted Tilley worked as a clerk for Stuckey's Banking Company Limited at the Weymouth branch, a past constituent of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, before leaving to go to Tasmania.
A letter 22-year-old Ted Tilley wrote home to his brother Herb (1873-1926) and sister Edith (1872-1943) while he was fighting in the Boer War in 1902. For the full letter, click here.
His Certificate of Discharge dated 27 March 1902 after a year and 67 days service abroad earning him the South African War Medal.
As reported in the Somerset County Herald of 6 July 1940, Edward Tom Tilley was elected as councillor for Banwell.
Edward Tom Tilley's Certificate of Exemption from being called up for military service.
In the census of 1891, Edward Tom Tilley is a 12-year-old scholar living at The Cedars in Cross, Compton Bishop with his siblings Lilian, Sarah, Herbert, Bessie, Charlotte, Wilfrid, Ella and Harold.
The census of 1911 shows Edward Tom Tilley was a 32-year-old farmer in Loxton with two domestic servants. His son, Edward James, was one at the time, while Robert George, although not named, is also on the census.
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Ted and Margaret’s niece, Naomi (1916-2019), the daughter of Herb Tilley, was living with them in the 1939 Register and working as part of the Women’s Land Army. Also helping on the farm are his sons Dick and George.
Ted and Margaret Tilley in their retirement cottage just outside Loxton. The picture hanging over the fireplace was a wedding present.
Edward Tom and Ada Margaret Tilley with their seven children.
At the back, from left: Bruce, Jim, Dick and George.
Sitting, from left: Rachel, Ursula and Barbara.
Ted Tilley on a farm implement. The lady talking to him was possibly Mary Daycombe who was a land army girl.
Ted and Margaret Tilley with their seven children at their ruby wedding anniversary. Standing, from left: Tony Phillips, John Boley, Joyce (George’s wife), George, Zena (Dick’s wife), Dick, Bruce, Jennie (Bruce’s first wife) and Jim. Sitting, from left: Rachel, Ursula, Ted, Ada, Barbara.
Ted and Margaret Tilley with two of their grandsons, Robert Tilley (left) and Arthur May.
Ted and Margaret Tilley outside their home Manor Farm in Loxton with Chummy the dog.
Ted Tilley in a motorised bath chair with his wife Margaret on a pier.