Blacksmiths
- 1911: Edward FOOKS, age 14, Blacksmith Assistant
- 1911: Joseph FOOKS, age 44, Blacksmith General
The following research on Blacksmiths who have worked at East Lulworth has been provided courtesy of Richard Smith
Edward John FOOKS was born at Christchurch in January 1897 son of James and Ann FOOKS above. In 1911 he was a blacksmith working with his father at East Lulworth, but joined the 1st / 4th Dorsetshire Regiment No. 200503 and was killed in action at Mesopotamia on 19 December 1917. He was buried at Baghdad ( North Gate ) War Cemetery grave No. 11. D. 5, Iraq.
James Joseph FOOKS, known as Joseph, was born 7 January 1867 at East Lulworth son of Robert and Ann FOOKS (see below). He married Emily Lucy WOODS at Christchurch, Hampshire in April 1896 and in 1901 was a farrier at Boscombe, Bournemouth. From 1911 to 1939 he was a blacksmith at East Lulworth, and he died there on 16 December 1945.
Robert FOOKS was born on 19 June 1827 at East Lulworth son of James, a sawyer, and his wife Ann FOOKS nee HASKILL. He married Annie BAILEY about April 1859 and was recorded working as a blacksmith at East Lulworth from 1851 to 1901 but in 1911 aged 83 he had retired. He died and was buried at East Lulworth on 13 November 1913 aged 86.
Charles GROVES was born at Stoborough and baptised at Wareham on 10 July 1825 son of Charles, an inn keeper, and his wife Eliza GROVES nee KIBLE. In 1851 he was living at Stoborough with his mother working as a farm labourer, then as a farrier at East Lulworth in 1861. By 1871 he had become a veterinary surgeon and he died and was buried at Wareham on 1st June 1891.
John S. OSMOND was baptised at Spetisbury on 23 September 1792 son of William and Mary OSMOND nee BALLETT. He married Elizabeth TALBOT at Spetisbury on 26 May 1817, but she died at Poole and was buried there on 18 October 1829. John then married Rachel RICKETTS at Wool on 29 January 1831. He worked as a blacksmith at East Lulworth from 1841 to 1861 but died and was buried at Hammoon on 14 November 1863. Rachel had died and was buried at East Lulworth on 31 January 1852.
John VINCENT was baptised at Turnerspuddle on 9 January 1853 son of Charles, a labourer, and his wife Leonora VINCENT nee SQUIRE. In 1871 aged 18 he was a blacksmith working at East Lulworth, but then I could find no further definite records or a death for him.
Henry WILSON was born at East Lulworth about 1857 son of Joseph, a farm labourer, and Emma WILSON. He was a blacksmith aged 15 at East Lulworth in 1871 but by 1881 had moved to work at Thorpe in Surrey through to 1911. He married Frances Laura SHANKS at Lyne, Surrey on 6 April 1889. By 1921 he had retired and was working as a gardener at Thorpe, where he died and was buried on 30 June 1927. Frances died at Chertsey, Surrey on 12 March 1936.
Richard Smith, 21 September 2026
orchidgrower@btinternet.com
Page last updated 23 September 2026