The London and Southampton Railway was first proposed in 1831 and the bill approved by Parliament in 1834 at a cost of £900,000. The section between Basingstoke and Winchester opened on 11 May 1840 – and was the final part of the London and Southampton Railway to be completed. Prior to its construction, all of the traffic between London and Southampton was carried by eight stage coaches, four wagons per week, and one barge weekly on the Basingstoke Canal!
The London and Southampton Railway was first proposed in 1831 and the bill approved by Parliament in 1834 at a cost of £900,000. The section between Basingstoke and Winchester opened on 11 May 1840 – and was the final part of the London and Southampton Railway to be completed. Prior to its construction, all of the traffic between London and Southampton was carried by eight stage coaches, four wagons per week, and one barge weekly on the Basingstoke Canal!
The London and Southampton Railway was first proposed in 1831 and the bill approved by Parliament in 1834 at a cost of £900,000. The section between Basingstoke and Winchester opened on 11 May 1840 – and was the final part of the London and Southampton Railway to be completed. Prior to its construction, all of the traffic between London and Southampton was carried by eight stage coaches, four wagons per week, and one barge weekly on the Basingstoke Canal!
Whitear Family
Walter and Arthur’s father came to Micheldever from Curdridge in 1921. He was a thatcher as was Bill, another brother of Arthur. They were a big family with several more brothers and sisters. Their mother came from Longparish.
Walter Frederick Whitear - known as Fred, married to Molly.
Molly ran the parish Poppy Appeal 1976-1988, including collections at all three churches and a whist drive.
Arthur Clarence Whitear.
Fred’s brother, Geoff’s uncle. He was an Ammunition Technician/Operative in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. At West Moors Ammunition Depot, he was killed in an explosion in 1941. Having exchanged duties with a friend who needed to go on Compassionate Leave. He is named on the Micheldever Village War Memorial
See War Memorial and Supplementary Information
Fred and Molly Whitear's children:
1. Geoffrey - National Service Royal Army Service Corps – 1954-57.
Long distance driver for Southampton firm.
Cricketer. Footballer and North Hants football referee. Bell ringer.
m. Jill Viney – see Mansbridge Family
Parish Councillor
WI President – See WI in History/Groups
Church organist
Pre-school Play Group Supervisor
Geoffrey & Jill had one daughter, Laura
2. Robert (Bob)
3. Tony
Tony's son Martyn - keeps the family archive and genealogy
Click on the scrolling photos below for full details
Fred Whitear War Service Pioneer Corps
Visit of Mayor of Winchester (Mrs Shore) to Micheldever about 1976 Front – Jill (Parish Councillor); Mr Shore (husband of Mayor); Mrs Edith Bassett (old guest); Mrs Shore (Mayor) Mary Alcock (young guest); Queenie Withers (looking after Mrs B) Rear - Ron Durrant (Chairman of PC); Mrs Lonsdale; Fred Messenger (East Stratton).
Fred and Molly Whitear at the Grave of Arthur Clarence Whitear at Damerham 1986
Fred Whitear War Service Pioneer Corps