During an event in nearby Hollinsclough a local resident showed us this letter, dated November 11th 1918. The name of the writer is unknown. It records the local reaction to the end of the First World war.
Read on for a transcription:
Dear Harry
Local History
Hollinsclough At War – James Henry Slack
During the First World War many locals were called up to serve in the armed forces. One such man was James Henry Slack who lived nearby at Nab End Farm. James enlisted in Buxton on the 22nd January 1916 aged 20 years old.
James ‘ descendants still have some of his archive relating to his military service, including these notes issuing him with his British War Medal Riband.
Interestingly, James signed up the day after the The Military Service Act was passed – which introduced conscription. However, this wasn’t put in practical effect until 2nd March 1916. The act was extended to married men on 25th May 1916.
How does Buxton turn off your kettle?
Can you see the ‘Otter Controls’ gates nearby? This site was once occupied by this company who were founded in Buxton in 1946. They produced bimetal cutouts and thermostats for a range of applications including the automotive industry and household appliances such as kettles.
We take it for granted that our kettle will turn off automatically when it boils. The device that does this, a small snap-action blade no bigger than a 50p coin, has been made in the millions here in Buxton. In fact, it’s estimated that Otter Controls may have produced up to one billion of them.
Otter Controls still have premises in Fairfield, Buxton.
The Cartoons of Private Jones
We’ve recently catalogued a collection of postcards featuring cartoons in and around the Devonshire Royal Hospital, Buxton. A short description on the back notes that:
The drawings used on these Cards are by Private Jones (Welsh Fusiliers), a patient at the Devonshire Hospital, Buxton
The postcards are dated 1917, and seem to feature the signature of Private Jones, possibly ‘E L’, or ‘F L’ Jones. Many soldiers cane to Buxton during the first world war and it seems Private Jones documented his experience through these sketches and cartoons.
We’d love to know more about Private Jones, or even his stay in Buxton. Do you know anything about him? Perhaps you fancy a little research? Let us know! Scroll down to the bottom of this page to contribute.
A Short History of Chatsworth House
Cavendish died 1557, and after another marriage which ended in her husband dying in 1565, Bess married for a fourth and final time to George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury. When he was appointed the custodian of Mary, Queen of Scots by Elizabeth I, between the years 1569 – 1584, Chatsworth also served to keep Mary a prisoner. Her rooms on the east side of the house are still called the Queen of Scots Apartments today, even though the rooms themselves are much changed.
Chatsworth Hunting Tower
Built either as a banqueting house or a summerhouse, the Hunting Tower was also used by the ladies to watch the hounds whilst hunting, as the name suggests. It also gives views of the deer park. The Tower’s panoramic views are breath-taking and look out onto the park designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown for the 4th Duke during the mid 1700s.