George Strange and the Strange Family of Hook, by Mark and Lorraine Child

A fearful tale of a brutal man, George Strange (1843-1925) of Lydiard Tregoze, who tyrannised his two wives, was a notorious drunk and bare knuckle fighter.

'The young George Strange was a pugilist, regularly fighting for beer and a purse in a field behind the Wheatsheaf (now Sally Pusseys) on the Wootton Bassett road. His reputation for picking a fight was legendary. It is said that when he walked into the pub, banged his fist on the bar and exclaimed “Here oi be!” the room emptied. Those who didn’t want to be his next victim and those who wanted a good view of anything which might happen next, quickly moved out to the field at the back.'

George's first wife died in childbirth for want of professional help denied by George. His second wife, Sarah Ann Gough, was just 15 years and pregnant when he married her. Between them his two wives produced 27 children.