yeovil people

Lyndall James Fox

Stationer

 

Lyndall James Fox was born in Yeovil in 1879 the son of glover John S Fox (1844-1927) and Ann née Berwick (1845-1906) who had seven sons (Lyndall was the fourth son) and one daughter. In the 1881 census the family were listed at 48 Sherborne Road and again in the following 1891 census at which time 12-year old Lyndall was listed as a scholar.

Although later advertisements would claim that Lyndall Fox Ltd was established in 1898, in the 1901 census, still living at home with his parents and three younger brothers, 22-year old Lyndall gave his occupation as a Stationer's Assistant. He probably started his shop within the next year or two.

In the winter of 1905 Lyndall married Ada Brooks (b1885) who had been working as a general domestic servant. They were to have two children; Ewart Lyndall (b1907) and Edna Muriel (b1909). In the 1911 census Lyndall, Ada and their two children were living above his stationer's shop premises at 33 Middle Street. Lyndall listed his occupation as "Stationer (Dealer, Shopkeeper)" and was noted as an employer.

Lyndall Fox died in Yeovil in the autumn of 1939, aged 60. His son Ewart took over the family business, keeping the name Lyndall Fox Ltd.

At some time, possibly during the 1940s or 1950s, Ewart moved premises (just three doors away - see Gallery) and his premises at 33 Middle Street were taken over by Herbert Higdon who had been running an ironmongery business in the adjoining premises from about 1898.

The original row of shops that included 33 Middle Street were demolished in the 1960s for the new Glovers Walk Shopping Precinct and Ewart established Lyndall Fox Ltd at 4 Glovers Walk. Ewart died in Yeovil in the autumn of 1964, aged 57, but the business continued until at least the late 1970s or early 1980s, also with a branch at Taunton.

 

GALLERY

 


Courtesy of the Western Gazette

Looking in the direction towards the Triangle, volunteers march towards Station Road and then to Yeovil Town railway station as they go off to war in August 1914. Lyndall's stationer's shop is at right.

 


From my collection

This is a 1940s postcard but the photograph was taken around 1923 when Mary Slann was running the Coronation Hotel. Lyndall's shop is at left with the car outside and enlarged below.

 


From my collection

An enlargement from the previous 1923 photograph, showing the front of Lyndall's shop in greater detail.

 

This simple advertisement, typical of many similar Lyndall Fox adverts of the period, is from the Western Gazette's edition of 1 April 1949.

 


From my collection

An advertisement from 1972. By this time there was also a Taunton branch of the business. Although the advertisement states "Established 1898", in fact Lyndall was still employed as a Stationer's Assistant in the 1901 census.

 

The very popular Olivetti "Lettera 22" portable mechanical typewriter (designed in 1949) - sold by Lyndall Fox of Yeovil in the 1960s and '70s and emblazoned with their red and black logo.

 


From my collection

The top (at left) and bottom of a typewriter ribbon tin,  sold by Lyndall Fox of Yeovil in the 1960s and '70s.

 


From the Cave Collection (colourised), Courtesy of South Somerset Heritage Collection

Relocated just three doors along from 33 Middle Street and photographed around 1965. Just a couple of years later and there would be another relocation, to Glovers Walk, when the new shopping precinct replaced all the buildings in this photo.