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Gloucester Docks &
the Sharpness Canal

 

Bridgemen - Purton to Fretherne

For other bridges, see  Sandfield to Hardwicke  Sellars to Llanthony
 

Cambridge Arms bridge houseBoulton Family
     William Boulton was the first occupant of Cambridge Arms bridge house (picture right), and he was followed by his son William. Between them, they looked after the bridge for 75 years, and the bridge became firmly associated with the family name. Five other members of the family, spanning four generations, also served at other bridges. William senior's father Isaac was at Sandfield Bridge and may well have been one of the navvies who dug the canal - as Isaac's brother Edward certainly was. William senior's brothers Edward and Thomas were at Pegthorne and Parkend Bridges respectively, and his son Charles and grandson Bernard were at Hempsted Bridge.

Alfred Tudor
     Alfred Tudor (right) followed William Boulton jnr at Cambridge Arms Bridge and remained there for twenty years.

Perrett Family
     Three members of the Perrett family followed one another at Patch Bridge over a period of more than 70 years. Alfred was first until he moved to Sims Bridge, bother Henry continued for over 40 years, and he was succeeded by his son Ernie.

Purton Bridges

1827-1831

George Browning

Resigned.

1831-1830s

George Hodder

Moved to Cambridge Arms Bridge?

By 1833-1844

Walter Davies

Formerly at Patch Bridge?

1845-1847

George Hodder jnr

Dismissed for lending his bridge key.

1847-c1879?

James Lewis

Served for over 30 years?

c1879-1910

Felix Longney

Served for 30 years until he was considered unsafe to employ after having had a fit.

1910-1940s

Alfred Hyam

Formerly under-foreman in the Dock Company's stevedore section, he served as bridgeman for over 30 years.

By 1949

Leonard Hyam

 

c1950-1962

Swinbourne Baker

 

1962-1992

Robert Eley

Formerly at Parkend Bridge. Total service 35 years.

Patch Bridge

1827-1830s

Walter Davies

Moved to Purton Bridges?

1830s-1839

Thomas Nicholls

 

1839-1870s

Daniel Tudor

Served for over 30 years.

By 1881-c1886

Lewis Brazington

Moved to Fretherne Bridge.

c1887-1899

Alfred Perrett

Moved to Sims Bridge.

1899-c1945

Henry J Perrett

Brother of Alfred Perrett, served for over 40 years.

c1945-

Ernie Perrett

Son of Henry Perrett.

Cambridge Arms Bridge

1830s-1837

George Hodder

Formerly at Purton? Dismissed for stealing coal from a barge.

1837-1889

William Boulton snr

Son of Isaac Boulton of Sandfield Bridge. Retired on pension after serving for 52 years.

1889-1913

William Boulton jnr

Son of William Boulton snr. Died in service.

1913-1933

Alfred Tudor

Worked for the Dock Co for 63 years.

1934-1949

William Woodward

Drowned in the canal while opening the bridge one evening.

1949-1984

Vernon Hemming

Served for 35 years.

Splatt Bridge

1827-c1828

John Gully

 

c1828-1829

David Higgins

Dismissed for drunkenness.

1829-1830s

John Cowley

Moved to Parkend Bridge.

By 1839-1874

Thomas Rea

Served for 35 years.

1874-c1887

Charles Rea

Son of Thomas Rea.

c1887-c1938

George F Hitchings

Served over 50 years.

c1938-1940s

Charles Bayliss

 

By 1949

Ken Overbury

 

Fretherne Bridge

1827-?

Thomas Critchley

Jointly with Sandfield Bridge.

By 1830-1839

James Harris

Had helped to dig the canal. Dismissed for receiving coal from the master of a barge.

1839-1872

George Cowley

Son of John Cowley of Parkend Bridge.

By 1881-1886

Thomas Rea

Son of Thomas Rea of Splatt Bridge.

1886-1925

Lewis Brazington

Served almost 40 years.

1925-1940

Charles Griffin

Moved from Pegthorne Bridge.

By 1946

Lionel Barrett

 

Sources: Canal Company records, census returns, parish and electoral registers and newspaper reports.

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