Brian Gautier's Family History Data

Living with his uncle Richard Baron at this address at 1871 census.

Occupation at marriage

Occupation at birth of Arthur

Occupation at census

Address at census

Occupation on James Harold's Birth Certificate

Address on James Harold's Birth Certificate

Occupation at 1901 Census

Address at 1901 Census

Transcription of a report in the Bridlington Free Press of 26 October 1906:-

GREAT FIRE AT THE NEW SPA, BRIDLINGTON

GRAND HALL BURNED DOWN

Estimated Damage £4,500

FIRE BRIGADES GOOD WORK

On Saturday evening, about nine o' clock, the town was startled by the explosion of two bombs in the neighbourhood of the Corporation fire-station, and the almost simultaneous buzzing of the buzzer on the top of the Corporation electricity works. It was the signal for the fire brigade to turn out, and they turned out in double quick time. The bombs went at 9-25 and by 9-35 the fire engine had started out and was making for the scene of the fire. The Grand Hall of the New Spa and Gardens was ablaze, and the reflection could be seen in the sky for considerable distances. In fact the buzzer was distinctly heard at the village of Hunmanby. The annual fair was in progress at the Old Town on Saturday evening, and even that attraction "paled its ineffectual fires," as it were, before the regrettably grand illumination of the sea front on the south side of the town. A large travelling menagerie was on the same evening exhibiting its long catalogue of animals on the Recreation Ground. A rumour got about in parts of the Old Town that it was the menagerie that was ablaze; and there were visions of lion and tiger hunts along the fields where of old the townspeople used to shelter their cattle under the wing of the monks, from the robbers and the wild beasts of a former day. Soon al steps were towards the New Spa, and many were the feelings of regret expressed as the flames were seen to envelope the hall, and consume everything within it.
How the fire originated is a complete mystery, and it will probably continue to remain a mystery. At about two o' clock in the afternoonthe manage and secretary of the New Spa Company, Mr Hy Hague, was at the Spa, and left the building safe and secure. Later Mr Baron, the gardener, was in the grounds, and had occasion to go several times round the outside of the hall. He left at at 4-30, and then there was no one in the grounds, and everything appeared all right. About 8-45, however, a young lady living in Marine Drive noticed smoke rising from the grounds of the Spa, and called attention to the unusual circumstance, for she was aware that the gardens and grounds had closed for the season a fortnight previously. Two lads about the same time
NOTICED THE SMOKE,
and one of them ran to the gardener's (Mr Baron's) house and aquainted him of his surmise. MrEwart, one of the Spa attendants, was also notified. Mr Baron and Mr Ewart made straight for the grounds, and the former despatched a message to Captain G Rennard of the Brunswick Hotel. Mr Rennard, accompanied by a number of fishermen, lost no time in getting out the light hose cart and in reaching the Spa. The hose was attached to a street hydrant, and a jet of water was sent into the flames; but it was of small account, and the steam fire engine was called for. When it arrived the fire was shooting high into the sky. There was no time lost in getting to work, and Captain Rennard wisely concentrated his efforts on saving the pavilion and adjoining properties. The hall was a mass of flames, and the intense heat could be gauged by the manner in which when the roof collapsed the large girders and uprights were twisted and broken. Within an hour and a half of the outbreak, the hall, converted into a veritable retort, was gutted, and nothing in it or about it could be saved. There was an immense crowd on the New Spa and along the South Cliff, where a full view of the consuming conflagration could be had, and on the piers there must have been thousands of spectators. Shortly after midnight one of the large pillars
CRASHED THROUGH THE SOUTH EASTERN WALL
of the building, but happily no one was injured; and the good fortune characterised all the operations of the brigade and its helpers, which included several of the men of the local Coastguard station. The brigades objective was, as we have stated, to confine the fire to the Grand Hall, and with this object in view their attention was fixed on keeping up the brick partition between the hall and the pavilion. There was a plentiful supply of water, and this object was accomplished, though in the process some damage was done to the glass roof of the pavilion.
The engine and brigade, with Captain Rennard in charge, remained on the scene all night, the engine returning to the station shortly after seven o' clock on Sunday morning. a contingent of the men of the brigade, however, remained, and as late as 4-30 on Sunday afternoon were engaged in coping with the smouldering ruins.
Large crowds visited the Spa on Sunday - and an enterprising management restricted the dimensions of the crowd and ensured order by by imposing on the eager sightseers a small emtry charge to the grounds. The scene was one of desolation, the Grand Hall having been completely destroyed, only its charred and ruined brick walls remaining. There were many willing helpers - too many, alas! - and the smashed plate glass windows of the pretty bandstand, and the damaged seats and doors testified to the fact. It seems clear indeed that
SOMETHING LIKE A PANIC
had taken possession of the minds of the men - including one or two public men - for instructions, it is said, were given by those not authorised to give instructions to clear the pavilion; and this was accomplished in a most reckless way, many pounds worth of damage resulting. One poor fellow rushed into the bandstand, and proceeded to serve the Company by smashing the large plate glass panes, and asked while he belaboured the windows with a heavy weapon what he was doing, he replied that the fire was coming, and he was "saving the bandstand." He had to be hauled out of the bandstand. Another "helper" would insist on passing through the doorway leading from the pavilion past the Grand Hall, though he could have scarcely accomplished the feat without being converted into a cinder in the doing of it. he had to be dragged back from his mad resolution, protesting all the while.
As we have said the origin of the fire is not traceable. It is known that the smoke in the beginning came from the vicinity of the stage, and that the scenery and fittings under the stage and near to the south-eastern side entrance were the first to be destroyed. In a word there is a suspicion that the fire has been the work of an incendiary.
The total damage is estimated at between £4000 and £5000, and is covered by insurance.
In addition to the Grand Hall a number of greenhouses were destroyed or seriously damaged by the fire or water; and we understand that Mr Baron has lost plants, his own personal property to the value of about £20.
It is not unlikely that on the site of the Grand Pavilion there will be erected in good time for next year's early season, an up to date theatre and opera house.
A word of praise is due to the firemen and the hon. captain of the brigade for the prompt manner in which they turned out in answer to the summons, and afterwards discharged their onerous duties.
It transpires that one of the firemen had a narrow escape from a bad fall. He stepped onto the roof of the pavilion, and the thick glass gave way under him. He fell almost through, but was able to retain hold of one of the beams, and was assisted up again within a few minutes. Another of the firemen had the misfortune to have his hand badly cut.
A SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE
Interviewed by one of our reporters, Mr Baron, gardener, said it was true that though he had left the building secure at 4-30 on Saturday afternoon, when he retuned on the fire alarm being given he found the side stage door open. The door had been secure when he left the grounds; and he did not believe it possible that the fire could have forced it open by the time he returned. It had been padlocked. The stage scenery lay in front of the door under the stage, and the scenery was all right when he arrived about 8-45. The door opened outwards. Hs conclusion was that someone had forced open the stage door and entered the building.
THE YACHT CLUB
At one time the the Yorkshire Yacht Club seemed to be in considerable danger. Flames were shooting up through the coal hole nearly opposite the Club, and spreading over the footpath. The wind at that time was blowing directly over the Club House, and the heat was so intense that it was found impossible to stand on the balcony. The secretary of the Club, Mr Shackles, was on the premises at the time, and he and the attendant were for a time busily engaged in carrying buckets of water, and in assisting in the attempt to subdue the flames. The Club House and Club property ahs been considerably damaged. The wooden pallisading has been badly scorched, and the shrubs and plants wre in many cases ruined. Several of the panes of glass in the upper portion of the Club House have been cracked with the intense heat. It would surely have fared worse had not the wind veered round to the south after ten o' clock, and had not the fire brigade been so promptly on the sceneand done an excellent service.
THE LIFEBOAT HOUSE
It is not the case that the brigade had to play upon the lifeboat house or any ofthe property in Marine Drive, though this would probably have been necessary had not rain been falling heavily at the time. As it was, the lifeboat house was damaged to some extent, every pane of coloured glass over the heavy doors having been broken by the intense heat.

Transcript of a report in the Bridlington Chronicle:-

«b»Alarming Fire At The New Spa

«/b»Grand Hall Completely Destroyed«b»
«/b»
ESTIMATED DAMAGE £5000

About nine o' clock on Saturday night Bridlington was startled by the explosion of bombs followed by the sounding of the alarm at the Electricity Works, announcing an outbreak of fire.
Instantly the town was in state of wild excitment. At the High Green, were the annual autumn fair was in full swing, people were congregated in large numbers, but above the noise and confusion of organs and French pianos, the clanging of bells, and the shrieking of steam whistles, the sound of the fire bombs wre distinctly heard. The effect was marvellous. In a few seconds there was a general rush in the direction of the Fire Station, and the showmen and stallholders were left in comparative quiet
HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED
Rapidly the news spread throughout the town that the New Spa Theatre was on fire. This grave news proved to be only too real. People rushed from all directions, many of them leaving places of amusementsuch as Bostock's Show, the Grand Pavilion and he Peoples Palace, and as they made their way in the direction of the New Spa the red glow of fire, overshadowed by a dense volume of smoke, gave ample evidence of the serious nature of the fire, and it seemed the work of but a few moments ere the sky was illuminated by a gigantic blaze, whilst thick showers of sparks were carried inland by the southerly wind, and fell in the streets and on the house tops in all directions.
At Hilderthorpe and the Quay, the news created the most intense excitement, and for a while business was practically at a standstill. The markt was almost deserted, and a wild rush was made in the direction of the Spa. Those who were earliest on the scene realised only too well that the theatre was doomed. Already an ominous red flare was seen through the windows, and thick smoke was issuing from the roof. Every moment the fire seemed to increase in volume. Meanwhile Captain Rennard was early on the scene, and with the assistance of many willing hands, a hose was attached to the hydrant in Marine Drive. Leaving capable men in charge of the water-hose already attached, the Captain of the Brigade rode off to the Fire Station. The fire rockets followed each other in rapid succession, and it is to the credit of the Brigade to state that within a few minutes of the reports every man was at his post. The hose-cart followed by the steam fire engine, galloped over Station Bridge and very soon they got to work fron the water main in West Street. Two connections were secured, and the pipes carried past the Yacht Club to the scene of the fire.
NOTHING COULD SAVE THE THEATRE
It was soon found that nothing could save the theatre. The dense crowds of people packed of the Spa Promenade, and at every available point of vantage, watched with keen anxiety the rapid work of destruction. Presently, with a terrific crash, the entire roof of the theatre fell in. Flames and showers of red sparks told of the fierceness of the fire within the four walls of the large theatre. The iron columns supporting long iron girders across the entire building were left standing, enveloped in the red glow and blaze of the burning wood work.
The heat was fierce in the extreme, and the scene as one glanced away from at the eager faces of the thousands of onlookers was one which will be long remembered. The Fire Brigade wisely turned its attention to the work of cutting off the fire at the north end. At one time it seemed that not even the stout brick wall could retard the onrush oof the flames. The heavy ornamental ironwork fixed on the summit of the wall was seen for a short time envloped in flames, finally to fall over and mingle with the ruins beneath. By determined and well directed efforts on the part of the Brigade, the full force of water was brought to bear upon the end of the theatre adjoining the large Glass Dame (sic), wherein is the fine bandstand surrounded on one side with lock up shops and on the other by the Spa Cafe, manager's offices &c.
It was some time before the fierceness of the flames abated, but at length the crowd had the satisfaction of seeing that at any rate the buildings adjoining the theatre would be saved, and this was due entirely to the efforts of the Brigade.
The roar of the flames, the noise of falling timber, the crash of heavy columns and girders, mingled with the hissing and crackling caused by the constant stream of water continued for a long ime. The fire burned in a fierce red glow beneath suspended iron girders bent out of recognition by the intense heat. In the light could be seen only the skeleton of the former building. Windows and window frames, doors and porticos were either totally or partially demolished. For some time the ponderous steel columns stood erect amidst the mass of flames, but presently these fell with a mighty crash on the front side nearest the stage, carrying with it a large portion of the well (sic). At the back of the theatre the staircase entrance leading from Marine Drive was threatened with total destruction, but the flames were eventually overcome. The fire played havoc with the glass-houses under the care of Mr T Baron, (head gardener at the Spa). There the work of destruction is very extensive, for hundreds of plants of every description were completely destroyed, these including some splendid palms and ferns, annd innumerable geranium plants and other varieties which had been stored away for the winter.
THE FIRST NEWS OF THE FIRE
One of the first on the scene of the fire was Mr T Baron, the head gardener. His residence is in Horsforth Avenue, a short distance from the New Spa. On Saturday night at about a quarter to nine a boy rushed into Mr Baron's shopsaying that he had seen smoke coming from the theatre. Mr Baron immediately ran down to the Spa, and when he reached the theatre he saw that the place was on fire at the stage end.One of the first things he noticed was that the stage door was standing wide open, and the fire seemed to be among the scenery around the stage. He instantly closed the door, in order to check the progress of the fire by stopping the draught. He then went round and turned the gas off in the meter-house, and also turned the water on at full pressure from the main. In the meantime he had sent the boy to call the Captain of the Fire Brigade (Councillor Rennard), but the telephone from the Yacht Club had already apprised him of the fire, and he was immediately on the scene. The manager of the New Spa (Mr Henry Hague) was also quickly on the scene, but was powerless to avert the terrible work of destruction.
THE SCENE ON SUNDAY
From all parts of the town and neighbourhood hundreds of sightseers flocked to the scene of the fire on Sunday. The flames had been extinguished and the spectacle which met the eye can only be described as a scene of complete wreckage. Masses of charred wood were piled up in shapeless confusion, with girders and pillars lying about just where they had fallen. These charred heaps contained the ashes of hundreds of chairs, the flooring, beams, and framework of the balconies - in a word, the complete interior of the building was one mass of ruin. There was not a vestage of window left in the whole place, and the splintering of the stone work around the windows testified to the terrific heat. The stage end of the theatre is completely destroyed and only the mere skeletons of the front and back walls remain standing. At the north end the substantial brick wall stands intact. Never before has there been seen such a terrible blaze in Bridlington, and perhaps never has the work of destruction been so rapid.

Occupation at this address at 1911 census

At 3 Horsforth Avenue, 4 Bridge Street and with nurseries at Cardigan Road, Bridlington noted in Kelly's Directory of N & E Ridings of Yorkshire, 1913. [Part 1: Localities, Court & Trade Directories].

Transcript of extracts from "I Remember, Reminiscences Of Old Bridlington" By S. Gawthorp:-

The New Spa was built in 1896 by Whittaker Bros. of Horsforth......the Spa ..... was then owned by the New Spa and Gardens Company Limited.

Up Piercy Lane was Tom Baron's market garden. Tom Baron was the first gardener of the Spa Gardens, which extended much further than they do now, and had little walks and alcoves with seats. On gala nights these used to be hung with candles in little coloured glass pots.

Occupation at James Harold's marriage

Address on 1915 Voters List. The list also records that he has a shop at 4 Bridge Street, Bridington.

Kelly's Directory 1919

Taken in about 1928. Tom Baron is on the right holding the white jug. The two girls on the bench looking towards the camera are Nancy Smith (daughter of Florence Smith nee Baron) and Florence Joyce Baron (known as Betty) illegitimate daughter of Annie Garrett nee Baron. There are probably more of Tom's grandchildren on the bench but we can't see their faces.

On 22 October 1934 Thomas and Violetta would have celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary. The photograph would have been taken around that time.

Tom annotates these two pages to show that they are leaves from the "old Family Bible".

Occupation on 1939 Register

Address on 1939 Register