Stocks-Review-Summer-2023

12 | Ibstock Place Stocks Review | Summer 2023

his daughter Winifred recounted in the early 1930s how he read the palm of Mrs Wallis-Simpson then a guest, prophesying that she would be ‘Queen of England’ in all but name. The house was originally owned by the Duchess of Sutherland and she was responsible for adding the Ballroom where many lavish events were held. Winifred (aged 19) had been presented to Queen Mary after her debutante year in which she held her own ball at Ibstock Place and later herwedding reception also took place at the House. The photo shows James standing at the doors of the ballroom with his maids. It was very poignant for me to standing at the same spot all those years later when I visited Ibstock - a granddaughter he never knew. The Paget family were very kind to my grandfather and his family; they allowed his four children - Reginald, Frederick, Kathleen and Joan - to regularly swim in the pool in the garden. It was one of the first private outdoor pools in Britain but, sadly, without the knowledge of the benefit of chlorine the pool quickly became polluted with algae. This didn’t stop the Clare family using it frequently; many photos were taken of their exploits in which the maids would also join. James was treated as part of the Paget family as the photos of his time at Ibstock Place House indicate; there is a photo of him pouring champagne into Anne Paget’s mouth! The house was run with a staff of 15 –James Clare, my grandfather, was the Butler. His first-born son, Reginald, went on to marry the Chauffeur’s daughter Pamela Luddington at the local church. This marriage did not last andmy father Regwent on tomarrymy mother Elva Andrew in Haifa, Palestine in 1947, having attained the status of Major in the Royal Army Service Corps.

A Note f rom the Pas t

James Thompson Clare Butler to the Paget Family in the 1930s

Guy Oswald Smith at Shottesbrooke Park, Berkshire. There is a photograph of him in the Rose Garden wearing what appears to be a butler’s mode of dress beneath a protective long apron. Shottesbrooke today remains a private home to the Vansittart family. In 1916, after turning 35, my grandfather marriedTheresaSpenceron15thJulyat the ParishChurch St. MaryMagdalene, Holmwood; they went on to have four children and lived at Enmore Gardens, East Sheen not far from Ibstock. His sons Reg and Frederick attended Richmond Grammar school. James served as Butler to Major John Byng Paget of Ibstock Place Roehampton. There are many photos of him there looking very content in what was likely to have been his final position as Butler. When his second son Frederick William married in 1943 James was shown as ‘Butler Retired’ . The Pagets entertained lavishly with numerous parties for which they were popularly known. Major Pagets’s party trickwastotell thefortunesofhisguests;

My grandfather, James Thompson Clare, served as the Butler to the Paget family whilst they lived at Ibstock Place House in the 1930s. Sadly my grandfather died before I was born which has made finding out about his life very important to me. With all the advances made in accessing history over the years it has been exciting discovering his life. He was born 29th November 1880 at 133 Sotheron Road, Watford, the first-born child to John and Esther Clare. In the 1901 census his occupation was recorded as Stewards Room Boy at Middleton Stoney, Oxfordshire, the home of Victor Childs Albert Jersey (7th Earl of Jersey). James was aged 20 but may have well been working there before that date. Ten years later, as noted by the 1911 census, James (aged 30) was recorded at Acton Reynald Hall, Shawberry in Shropshire, the home of SirWalter OrlandoCorbet (4th Baronet).

James died on 19th May 1953 at his home in Edgmond, Shropshire.

It is possible that my grandfather may have also served as the Butler to Basil

Written by LouiseGoodall, grand-daughter of James Thompson Clare.