George Tubb, Baker and Confectioner of 106 High Street, Maidenhead - Lieutenant of Maidenhead Volunteer Fire Brigade 1877 - 1897

 

Monument to George Tubb, All Saints' Maidenhead Cemetery, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory of

George Tubb

Died June 16th 1902

Aged 55 Years"

George Tubb was born in 1847 in Bledlow, Buckinghamshire to William Tubb, a miller, and his wife Ann Constable. George first appears on the 1851 Census Aged 4, living with his parents and siblings at  Bledlow Ridge Mill, Bledlow Ridge, Buckinghamshire. Living with the family is George's cousin Martha Willis.

Bledlow Ridge Mill, Buckinghamshire
Copyright: Historic England

George's mother Ann passed away in 1857. on the 1861 Census George can be found lodging in the home of William Minds, a miller, at West Wycombe village in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. George's occupation is listed as a miller. George moved to Maidenhead around 1860. In 1865 George married Ellen Absolum in Maidenhead Berkshire. On 7th January 1867 George joined the Maidenhead Volunteer Fire Brigade. That same year George and Ellen celebrated the birth of their son John William Tubb. A daughter Annie Tubb was to follow in 1869.

The 1871 Census finds the family living in Norfolk Park, Maidenhead where George is working as a baker. Living with the family at the time are Sarah Elizabeth Hardy and her grandson George Hardy. Living with and working for the family is John William Tubb, George Tubb's nephew.

On 7th May 1877 George was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant of the Maidenhead Volunteer Fire Brigade. He was soon promoted to Lieutenant.

In 1873 George and Ellen celebrated the birth of another daughter, Ellen Sarah Tubb. In 1881 George and his family had moved to 1 East Street where they opened their home as a beer house called The Free House. Just a year later in 1882 Ellen Tubb would pass away. In 1883 George married Jane Morgan in Maidenhead, Berkshire. In 1886 they celebrated the birth of their son George Absolum Tubb.

On the 1891 Census George and his new wife Jane are living at 128 High Street where George is working as a baker. Living with them is George's daughter Ellen Sarah Tubb, and William Hazell, a baker's boy. George and his half sister Annie are living with Jane's widowed mother Mary Morgan at 15 Risborough Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire. That same year George became a member of the Maidenhead Board of Guardians for the North Ward of Maidenhead, responsible for overseeing the running and operation of the Workhouse. 

On 27th January 1897 George retired from the Maidenhead Volunteer Fire Brigade.  On 10th March 1897 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported on the annual meeting of the Volunteer Fire Brigade:

"PRESENTATION TO LIEUT. TUBB. 

This being the whole of the business, the Mayor rose and said that it afforded him much pleasure to attend not only to listen to their interesting proceedings, but also to make a presentation to Lieut. Tubb, which carried with it the very best wishes of every member of the brigade.—(Applause.) He had the greatest possible pleasure in presenting to Lieut. Tubb the handsome clock before him and also the walking stick, which would be supplemented by an illuminated address when it was completed, as a token of the high esteem in which he (Mr. Tubb) had been held during the past thirty years, and was still held, by the members of the Maidenhead Volunteer Fire Brigade.—(Applause.) He believed he was strictly accurate in saying that Lient Tubb had been a member of the brigade for thirty years, for that was the period to the very day.—(Applause .) The brigade was formed at the end of 1868, and Lieut. Tubb joined it at the beginning of 1867, and seemed to have signalised the event by attending a firee at Taplow in the same year. He had attended practically all the drills of the brigade from the time he joined it, and had discharged his duties with alacrity and goodwill, and thought he might also say with a broad smile.—(Laughter and applause.) Lieut. Tubb had been for 18 years an officer of the brigade, and had graced the Lord Mayor's procession by his presence therein no fewer than four times.—(Applause.) 

Taking into consideration all these and many other merits, the brigade desired to give him some memento of their high esteem and goodwill towards him, and he had pleasure in making the presentation.—(Applause.) The Mayor handed the gifts to Lieut. Tubb amid loud and prolonged applause. The clock was a handsome marble time-piece (obtained through Mr. E. T. Biggs, timekeeper to the brigade), and on a brass plate was the following inscription :—

" This clock was presented to Mr. George Tubb by the members of the Maidenhead Volunteer Fire Brigade, as a small token of the esteem in which he has been held by his brother firemen during the thirty years of his membership. January, 1897. D. Wilton, Captain." 

The walking-stick was a substantial one, and was silver-mounted. Lieut. Tubb, on rising to acknowledge the gift, was enthusiastically received. He said that he was sure he was unable to express his feeling towards them for their kindness to him that evening, but he must take that opportunity of personally thanking the Mayor for honouring them by his presence, and for so kindly making the presentation to him. He thanked very much the Captain and the officers and firemen for their very great kindness to him, in presenting him with the gifts that had been handed to him that evening. He was very sorry to have to give up, and but for the express orders of Dr. Moore he would have tried to keep on a little longer. Thirty years ago he was the youngest member of the brigade, but there had been a great many alterations and changes since then. He was very much obliged to them all for their kindness in the past, and especially for having honoured him by retaining him as an ex-officio member of the brigade. He should be pleased to attend the various meetings of the brigade, and to be amongst them whenever be could, for he was very much interested in the brigade.—(Applause). It was hard for him to retire, because this was one of those things that a man could not go back to again, and it was a case of giving it all up for the remainder of a lifetime. He could say no more than to again thank them for the handsome present they had made him.—(Applause.)" 

 

By 1901 George's family and business had moved to 106 High Street, Maidenhead. Living with and working for the family are Ethel Barber, and Emily Johnson, shop assistants for the bakery, William John Smith, the bread maker, and Harriet Roe, and Martha Bliss, domestic servants. Visiting the family at the time of the Census is William O'Shea, a post office sorter,  and Jane's nephew.

106-108 High Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

On 16th June 1902 George passed away at his home, 106 High Street, Maidenhead. On !8th June 1902 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"DEATH OF MR. GEORGE TUBB. 

We very much regret to have to record the death of a much-respected and townsman—Mr. George Tubb, baker and confectioner, High-street and Market-street, who passed away on Monday evening last. Mr. Tubb had been in failing health for some time past, but was able to superintend his business and to discharge his public and private duties up to within a few days at his death. He suffered principally from heart affection, but was also troubled with asthma, bronchitis and other maladies. He did not take to his bed, however, until Friday last, and his condition was such on Saturday that it was deemed advisable to send for those of his children who were away from the town. On Sunday, however, he appeared much better, and when his eldest son left to return to hew at Leigh-on-Sea, there was no indication that Mr. Tubb was likely to pass away. 

Late on Sunday, there was, unfortunately, a change for the worse, and though Mr. Tubb's medical attendant (Dr. Plumbs) did all he possibly could for him, the sufferer passed away at 8.30 on Monday evening. He was in his 56th year. 

Mr. Tubb came to Maidenhead when but 12 years of age, and had thus resided in the town nearly the whole of his life. He was at first in the employ Mr. Beck, a baker who carried on business in the High-street, and marrying somewhat young in life, Mr. Tubb started business on his own account, In Bridge-street (the shop now occupied by Mr. Green). Later he moved to Norfolk Park, then to East-street, and next to the top of the High-street, removing between eleven and twelve years to  the more commodious shop and premises where he died. Mr. Tubb conducted a very successful business, and his genial presence will be missed by his fellow-tradesmen as well as by his large number of town and country, and the public generally. He was one of those too few people who find a spherical pleasure in seeking to do others a good turn, and for this reason among others his death is much regretted. 

Mr. Tubb never sought municipal honours, but took an active interest in local affairs, and was for several years a member of the Maidenhead Board of Guardians, being a co-opted member at the time of his death. The old people of the House and the children had a genuine sympathiser and warm and generous-hearted friend in Mr. Tubb, and his visits to the House were always eagerly anticipated by young and old alike, who were always made happier by his little attentions. 

He was a prominent member of the "Loyal Queen of England" lodge of Oddfellows (M.U.), and filled all the principle offices in his lodge, and represented the district at annual conferences of the Order.

He joined the Maidenhead Volunteer Fire Brigade as far back as 7th January, 1867, and was appointed Pioneer in place of Pioneer Thomas, deceased. He was made Sub-Lieutenant on 7th of May, 1877, and was soon afterwards promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He held this position when he retired on 27th January, 1897. He was probably the most successful Collector the Brigade ever had.On his retirement, Lieutenant Tubb was presented with a marble timepiece, an illuminated address, and a handsome walking-stick, as a mark of the high esteem in which he was held by his comrades. He took a deep interest in the brigade after his retirement from active service, and attended many of it's meetings and parades.

Mr. Tubb's interest in local affairs is evidenced by his wonderful collection of newspaper cuttings and documents concerning municipal work and important public gatherings and celebrations. He possessed, also, a number of old photographs and prints of local events, and a complete set of photographs of the Mayors of Maidenhead, dating back to almost 1863. His collection includes portraits of Mr. "Quaker" Smith, Mr. S. M Preece, Mr. Robert Walker, Mr. Robert Nicholson, and Mr. R. Illsey.

Needless to say, much sympathy is felt with Mrs. Tubb and the sons and daughters of the deceased in the sad bereavement they have sustained. 

The funeral will take place to-morrow (Thursday) afternoon, at 3.30, at the Cemetery. Before his death, Mr. Tubb expressed a wish - which will no doubt be respected - that there should be no flowers sent on the occasion of his funeral, and the latter should be as private and simple a character as possible."

In 1911 the widowed Jane can be found living with her nephew William O'Shea at Sunydene, Talfourd Road, Peckham, London.