Charles Henry Scadden

  General Notes:

Margaret Partridge writes to Roger Scadden's group:
One member of our Family who certainly deserves a mention is Frederick Scadden who was born in the parish of St Peters, Portland, Dorset in 1888.
Frederick was the son of the George Robert Scadden who was born on 13 May, 1841 in the small Dorset village of Litton Cheney. It seems possible that George Robert Scadden was himself a military man [although we have not yet located any army records] because we know that his wife, Margaret Murphy was born in Quebec, their daughter, Alice MM Scadden, was born in Ireland c1871, their daughter, Mariann , was born in Jersey c 1872, another daughter, Harriet, was born at Hook,c 1877 and a son George was born at Aldershot, c 1891. Three other sons were born at Dorchester. [ ie. all in or near Military Towns]. However , by 1881 ,George and Margaret had settled on the Island of Portland where George lived- at least until 1901- as a "Farm Carter" or a "Cattleman on a farm".

The records at Kew show that Frederick, [who had been a "mason",] joined the 2nd Battalion of the Dorset Regiment at Dorchester on 8th November 1907. He was aged 19yr. 4mth and was 5 ft 7.75" at the time and weighed 130 lbs with a 32" chest and 3" expansion . He had a "Sallow Complexion", Blue Eyes, Brown Hair and his religion was "C of E". He was on "Home Service" from 8/11/07 to 03/02/09 . In "the Indies" 04/02/09 to 05/11/14, and in Mesopotamia from 06/11/14. He was wounded in "Persian Gulf Action" on 14/05/15 and died on 15 04/15. He was awarded the DCM for Distinguished Conduct and Conspicuous Bravery and Gallant Conduct in the Field. At that time his mother, Margaret was living at 105 Weston Road, Portland. His elder brother, George Robert was serving aboard HMS Grayton. His brother, Charles was living in Weston Road, and brother Thomas was serving with the 1st Dorsets, based at Gosport. His sisters were Alice Ground living at Salisbury, Mary Stone, living at 29, Weston Road, Portland, Harriet Conway and Emily Venner, both living at 125 Antelope Avenue, Montreal, Canada, Annie Asher, living at 2 Bluet St., Maidstone Kent and Martha Downton-address unknown.

Frederick's death is commemorated on the Memorial at the Basra War Cemetery.

Sadly, Frederick's brother Thomas, was later killed in action on 19th September 1918 in Egypt.

Both Frederick and Thomas Scadden are listed on the War Memorial at Top Hill on Portland.

Roger Scadden also notes:
A newspaper report covering the 70th Wedding Anniversary of Mr and Mrs Charles Scadden has already been quoted on the Mailing List. However, I have noticed a different account of the same event which I thought would be of interest.

……From the "Western Daily Press" 28th July 1939 :-


"NEVER HAD A HOLIDAY NOR BEEN TO A CONCERT,

" A 90-YEAR-OLD MAN who with his wife yesterday celebrated the 70th anniversary of their wedding told the Mayor of Southampton [Mr A. H. Powdrill] the story of their early struggle to raise a family of 10 on 16s. a week.

The Mayor and Mayoress called on Mr and Mrs Charles Scadden who live in one of the 25 bungalows built by Southampton Corporation for old folk.

Mr Scadden told the Mayor that he worked on farms in Hampshire and Dorset until he was 74, and never earned more than 16s. a week.

He was born near Bridport [Dorset] and when he was six years old started working from six in the morning until six at night- sometimes longer.

He had to go out into the field and wave a rattle to scare the birds off the corn, for which he received 1s 6d a week.

He was earning 8s a week as a carter when he married, and out of that sum 6d a week was deducted for cottage rent.

When his wages rose to 9s a week the couple decided to raise a family, and Mrs Scadden had four babies in five years. They raised their family by living chiefly on bread and cheese and vegetables.

Tea generally was beyond their reach so boiling water was poured on burnt bread crusts as a substitute.

Holidays they have never had, and they have never been to any form of entertainment- not even a village concert."

  Noted events in his life were:

• source. Roger Scadden

Charles married Mary Louisa. (Mary Louisa was born circa 1875.)