1 Oswald Terrace, Sturton Street

The History of the Talbot Family

1906

Oswald Terrace built, described as a row of ‘seaside villas’ and built by a man called Oswald.

1911 – 1955

Head of household in 1911 is Herbert George Talbot.  Herbert is 28 years old and works as a stereotyper for a printer. He is the son of a railway guard from Broad Street.

Hebert married Elizabeth Hardy in 1907.  Elizabeth is 29 years old and was born in Longstowe.  The couple have a baby daughter called Doris May.

“Special Constables.  Cambridge List for the Coming Year. Special Constables for the Borough fof Cambridge, numbering 108, were sworn in at the Borough Police Court on Friday, before the Mayor…” The 108 names were then listed in alphabetical order and included “Herbert George Talbot, 1 Oswald Terrace”.  His neighbour, Octavius Ruse from 5 Oswald Terrace, was also a Special Constable.  Cambridge Independent Press 31st October 1913.

Herbert shows up in the Red Cross Volunteer Aid Detachment records for World War 1.  He joined up in October 1914 as a Private.  His duties are recorded as ‘air raid, hospital, convoy’.  At the end of the war his rank is recorded as Quarter Master and his total hours worked was 2,659.

The Cambridge Independent Press for the 1st February 1918 listed all the men who were having their exemption from the War certificates reviewed.  All the cases relating to newspapers and printing were heard together and Herbert was recorded as working for the University Press.  His name came up again in October 1918, and this time his job description was detailed, “engaged in preparing stereotype plates in the production of educational and scientific books.” It went on to say “In the case of Talbot exemption was conditional on remaining in the V.A.D.”

“By Order of the Personal Representatives of William Pate, deceased, Cambridge, Sale of Small Freehold Town Properties, comprising; Six Freehold Modern Dwelling Houses, well built of Brick with Slate Roofs and with Long Gardens, situated and being Nos 1-6 Oswald Terrace, Sturton Street.” Cambridge Daily News 16 March 1920

The Cambridge Electoral Registers show Herbert and Elizabeth living at 1 Oswald Terrace until 1955 when they move to 24 Beche Road to live with their daughter Dorothy and her husband Albert Cable Harper.

Sources: 1911 UK Census, Civil Registration Marriage Index (1837-1915), Civil Registration Birth Index (1837-1915), Cambridgeshire Baptisms, British Army – British Red Cross Society Volunteers (1914-1918), Cambridge Independent Press 31 October 1913, 1 February 1918, 4 October 1918, Cambridge Daily News 16 March 1920, Cambridgeshire Electoral Registers, Burgess Rolls and Poll Books (1722-1966),

See also Mill Road Cemetery entry on Herbert George Talbot. He died after a short illness in 1934.