Recollections of Nathanial Hiscock, 1885-1904

Nathanial Hiscock recollects his early life growing up and working in Lydiard Tregoze, Lydiard Millicent and Purton, through peace and war. His recollections provide a fascinating insight into village life from memories of school at Hook, 'spare the rod and spoil the child', to encounters with Lord Bolingbroke and mentioning many of the village personalities and their occupations.

Nathanial's half brother was Teddy Hiscocks who moved into Lydiard House and became the Lydiard estate manager on the death of Lord Bolingbroke in 1899. He employed Nathanial as a stable boy - which didn't end well!

From stable hand to farm labourer, GWR employee and joining the Royal Marines in 1904 in which he served for twenty one years, Nathanial Hiscock provides a rich commentary, full of humour and packed with information.

This article is the first part of a trilogy, part two covered his years of service in the Marines and then the Royal fleet Reserve. In part three he recalled his experiences as an Instructor at Haleybury.