I've previously posted about my Bowdler forebears in the Forest, especially my great-grandfather, Oliver William Bowdler (1883-1953).

Those of you who've read my earlier posts may recall that I've previously mentioned my great-grandmother, Lilian Maud Bowdler (nee Evans) having been hauled up in front of the local magistrates for "wandering abroad" the streets of Cinderford in 1922. There is a newspaper article which refers to this incident, which cites that Maud agreed to being sent to the workhouse in Westbury.

During my short trip to the Forest last month I managed to squeeze in a couple of hours at Gloucester Archives. I looked at the Minutes of the Board of Guardians of Westbury Workhouse for the early 1920s. (Time was limited due to husband and son watching a film at the cinema!)

It was greatly moving to find records referring to my great-grandmother, my grandfather and great aunts and uncles who were in the workhouse in 1922-23. Also, there were discussions about my great-grandfather, concerning his payment (and non-payment) of fees for his family.

My Mum (aged 71) has found some of this information difficult to digest, and I appreciate that others reading this post may have family connections and be in a similar position. I'm more than happy to email a full transcript of the information from the archives to anyone interested. This is not an attempt to sensationalise events, just to respect the privacy of those for whom this is still relatively recent (and perhaps new) history.