George Henry Gould

(1881 - 1952)

George Henry was the third child of John and Harriet Gould, born on 24th February 1881 in Kingsbrompton, Somerset.

He was admitted to Kingsbrompton National School on 1st April 1884. George and his brother Ernest, were withdrawn from the school on 15 May 1885, eventually returning six months later on 19 November 1885. A precise reason for withdrawal has yet to be established, helping on the land would not have been an adequate reason and would have resulted in a fine. More likely is that George, Ernest and perhaps their father were out of the area for six months.

George Henry and his older brother, Ernest William, were admitted to Coedpenmaen Boy's School in Pontypridd on 10th of October 1887. The family had moved from Kingsbrompton the previous weekend. The family address at that time was given as "Snelling's Houses". The admissions book for the school shows that he progressed through Standards 3, 4 and 5 in 1891, 1892 and 1893 respectively. His date of leaving was given as 5/5/1893 and in the place where the year for Standard 6 should have been written is the word "Work". He would have been 12 years old at that time.

The 1901 census shows that George Henry was living at 21, Mountain Ash Road, Abercynon with eldest sister Rosa Maria and her husband Charles Gregory. Also at the same address were George's father John Gould and brother Ernest. George's younger sister Lilian and Rosa's eldest son William were also listed. (At this time George Henry's mother Harriet and three youngest sisters are known to have been living at an address in Canton, Cardiff).

The 1901 census incorrectly records the ages (by as much as 17 years) and birth places of most of of the family at 21 Mountain Ash Road. A conclusive reason for this discrepancy has yet to be identified.

George Henry married Beatrice Maude (b.1879) in Pontypridd on 23rd June 1907. George was 26 years old and Beatrice 25. Both were living at the 20, Nash Street address associated with Charles and Rosa Gregory (George's eldest sister). Beatrice's father was named as Henry John Rowe and was by then deceased.

Their children:

Sidney - (Baptised at Abercynon, St Donat's Church 20^th January 1909)

William Henry - (Baptised at Abercynon, St Donat's Church 20^th April)

George - (Baptised at Abercynon, St Donat's Church 12^th November 1911)

Frank - (Baptised at Abercynon, St Donat's Church 12^th November 1911)

Victor - (Baptised at Abercynon, St Donat's Church 12^th November 1913)

Vera Maud - (Baptised at Abercynon, St Donat's Church 8^th March 1916)

Jack - (Baptised at Abercynon, St Donat's Church 1918)

Annie Dulcie (Nancy) - born 1923

N.B. George and Frank were twins.

George Henry and Beatrice Maud are known to have lived at 13, Park Street in 1909-1911. In 1913 when son Victor was baptised they were living at 16, Aberdare Road, Carntown, Abercynon. George worked at Abercynon Colliery and his occupation is shown on the Parish Register as "Hitcher", except for a brief spell in 1911 when he was shown as a "Collier". The birth and Christening of their eldest son Sidney in 1908/1909 is the event which is thought to have brought John and Harriet Gould and their seven children together for the family photograph shown in the photographs section. Another photograph of George and Beatrice with a baby (thought to have been taken on the same day) shows George Henry looking sufficiently like the family photograph to make this a possibility.

George and Beatrice's son Victor died aged nine in September 1922 and is buried at Abercynon Cemetery.

George Henry died in February 1952 aged 71 and Beatrice Maud in September 1956 aged 77. Both are buried in Abercynon Cemetery with their son Victor.