Yeovil's Virtual Museum

Arthur Leonard Pope

Company Secretary of Aplin & Barrett

 

Arthur Leonard Pope was born in Yeovil on 15 February 1876, sixth of the ten children of wine importer Floyer Bulstrode Pope (1843-1885) and Sophia née Hawkins (1847-1939).

Floyer and Sophia's children were Florence Hawkins (1869-1948), Walter Floyer (1870-1870, Dudley Bulstrode (1871-1945), Sophia Beatrice (1872-1956), Alice Maud (1873-1957), Arthur, Edith Neale (1877-1877), Rupert Cyprus (1878-1879), Hubert Wyndham (1881-1935) and John (1882-1882).

The family had lived in Yeovil since at least 1869. In the 1881 census the family were listed at Princes Street. 5-year old Arthur was described as a scholar. He was later sent to study at the District Royal Asylum of St Anne Schools, Reigate, Surrey, where he was listed in the 1891 census. Arthur's father, Floyer, died in 1885 and following his death Sophia moved to 10 South Western Terrace in Station Road where she was listed in the 1901 census - although I couldn't find Arthur in this census.

On 30 March 1904, at the age of 28, Arthur joined the Freemason's Yeovil Lodge of Brotherly Love, becoming Worshipful Master in 1913. He was described as living in Yeovil with the profession of Chartered Secretary. He was, in fact, the Company Secretary of Aplin & Barrett.

In the autumn of 1904, at Coventry, Warwickshire, Arthur married Alice Margaret Jones (b1879, Neath, Glamorganshire). They set up home at 3 West Park and had three children; Edward Leonard (1905-1965) and Joyce Averil (1912- post-1954). Another child died before 1911.

In the 1911 census Arthur and Alice, together with their son Edward, Alice's sister Katie, a cook and a housemaid, were still living at 3 West Park. 35-year old Arthur gave his occupation as "Company Secretary, dairy and other food products". They would later move to 35 The Avenue.

In 1954, at the age of 78, Arthur still gave his occupation as Company Secretary.

Arthur Leonard Pope died in Yeovil General Hospital on 6 June 1962, aged 86. His will was proved at Winchester in August 1962 and his estate was valued at £52,168 3s 6d (in excess of £1 million at today's value).

 

 

From my collection

Arthur Pope in Masonic regalia. Photographed in 1910.

 

From my collection

Princes Street in a postcard sent in 1912. The Pope family lived at 9 Princes Street - the shop at extreme left with the lady walking past.

 

Courtesy of Jack Sweet  -  This photograph features in my book 'Yeovil From Old Photographs'.

Station Road and Yeovil Town Station photographed in 1896 by John Bell. The terrace of buildings at left, still there today, is South Western Terrace built by Levi Ridout. After the death of Floyer Pope, Sophia and her children moved to 10 South Western Terrace where she was listed in the 1901 census.

 

From my collection

The Avenue photographed in the 1920s, taken from a postcard. Arthur lived here until his death in 1962.