In the 1911 census,my grandfaher Frank King from Berkely Gloucestershire was staying at the Speech House hotel whilst working as a bottle washer in a mineral water factory. The head of the houshold George stjohn junior discribes himself as hotel keeper and mineral water manufacturer.

Can anyone shed light on this factory, was it close to the hotel? and are there any records of this enterprise?

thanks in anticpation

John h

Here are two references I can find to Mineral Water Factories in the area

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Kelly's Directory of Cinderford 1894

FORD John & Co., wine & spirit merchants & mineral water makers
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cbennett/cinderford1894.htm

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This factory was opened after the First World War.

At Upper Lydbrook a mineral-water factory opened by E. J. Flewelling, a builder, after the First World War ceased production c. 1970.
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=23267

George St John's father is on the 1911 census - Thornbury age 60

On the 1901 census, George Snr. is living at The Speech House - (Monmouth West Dean, District 8, Page 30)

He is a Hotel Proprietor and Employer - born Hants, Lymington.

with his wife

Caroline - age 50, born Devon, Tiverton
Caroline - 26, born Notts, Southwell
Ethel - 15, born Staffs, Handsworth
Percy - 10 - born Staffs, Handsworth

plus 7 staff, Barmaids/Cooks/Waitress/Coachman/Labourer/Painter

George Junior c 1879 is not there (born Tiverton, Devon - 1881 census, George Snr was a School Teacher)

1891 Census, Handsworth, Staffs (family listed on Ancestry as JOHN)
District 6, Page 10
90 Boulton Road

George St - 40 - Schoolmaster
Caroline - 40 - Schoolmistress
Mabel - 15 Teacher
George 12
Ethel - 5
Reginald - 8 months

There are some of this St John family on the FOD records

George St John age 39 and a Batchelor (Civil Engineer) married Elsie COURTEEN 17 October 1917 (address Speech House)

Buried: 14 October 1931, age 53, Belle Vue Terrace, Skipton, Parish of Newland

His parents deaths (both living at the Speech House are listed also)

Caroline - 15 April 1914 age 63
George St John - 17 June 1916 age 65

Thank you for your prompt reply.Interesting that George StJohn junior discribes himself as a mineral water manufacturer living at speech house hotel. he is single born in Tiverton Devon. Caroline his sister is also there as are a Barmaid,coachman waitress and boots

thanks, more reserarch to do

best wishes

John H