A walk through Radnor Street Cemetery reveals some striking new discoveries as the Community Payback Team continue their excellent job of work, for example, this striking monument with its crazy paving gleaming in the summer sunshine.
In
Ever Loving Memory of
Arthur William
Burson
Who Fell Asleep 18th
May 1934 Aged 73 Years
Nothing in my hand I bring
Simply to they cross I cling
Also of
Emily Anna
Wife of the above
Who entered into Rest
14th March 1950
Aged 85 years
Arthur William Burson was born in Steventon, Berks, the son of farmer Richard Burson and his wife Louisa. In 1871 Richard was farming 140 acres and employing six labourers and two boys at Sutton Courtney, but Arthur appears to have been unwilling to follow in his father's agricultural footsteps.
By 1881 Arthur had moved to Swindon and was working as a grocer's assistant, living above the shop at 57 Bridge Street. In 1888 he married Emily Anna Solway and at the time of the 1891 census the couple were living at 52 Fleet Street where Arthur appears to have his own business.
Ten years later and the family business was at 94 Commercial Road, approximately where the TSB Bank is now situated. Arthur describes himself as a Grocer & Provision Merchant. By now the couple have three daughters, Edith, Elsie and Hilda, fourth daughter Grace was born in 1903.
Arthur went on to become a JP and by 1903 the family were living at Hedworth House, 69 Bath Road.
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Arthur died on May 18, 1934. Probate was made on June 26 to his widow Emily Anna and his son in law Frederick Augustus Dadge, a railway clerk. Arthur's effects were valued at £56,668 6s 6d.
Emily outlived her husband by 16 years. She died on March 14, 1950 at the Cheriton Nursing Home in Westlecott Road. Her last home had been at number 4 Corby Avenue, Old Town.
She left her estate of £41,430 10s 7d to her daughter Edith Dadge who by this time was also a widow and Kenneth Burson Dadge, draughtsman, presumably her grandson.