Ross-on-Wye
The Preece and Bennett Families
Laddie married Hilda Preece, who was the eldest daughter of Harry Preece, of Cooper & Preece who were auctioneers and valuers.
Harry Preece was one of the sons of George Preece, who for the second half of the 19th century ran the butcher's shop at No 1 Broad Street. The alleyway on the left side of the building was where all the live animals were driven to be slaughtered at the back. George Preece was one of the old Ross Guardians and one of those responsible for seeing that that Underhill near the market house was pulled down.
The Bennett forebears were Ross merchants in Queen Elizabeth's reign, but before her death they had become yeoman farmers and leased Over Ross Farm until the end of the 17th century. For 100 years from 1817 to 1917 they leased Ingestone in Foy, which was where Laddie was born. In 1917 the shortage of horses, which were requisitioned, forced Laddie's parents, who's father was Philip Charles Bennett, to move to a smaller farm at Netherton in Brampton Abbots. At around the same time, Laddie's eldest brother was killed at Passchendale in October of that year.
Eventually Philip Charles Bennett gave up farming and became a partner in Footit & Bennett.
Many thanks to Nigel Edwards for the supply of the details on the garage.
[Page updated: Feb 15 2011 13:31:59]
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