Mary Stretton b1900

About

  • Summary:
     

    Wife of John Weston Stretton, Mary was a well known and respected member of the Kidderminster Community, working tirelessly for voluntary organisations. She shared a passion with her husband for helping young people through the Scout and Guide movement, becoming Division Commissioner for the local Guides. In 1958 she joined the Women’s Voluntary Service, becoming the Assistant County Organiser until she had to resign following a stroke in 1967.

  • No of documents: 86
  • No of Images: 31
  • No of photo albums: 9
  • Born: Thursday, 30 August 1900
  • Birthplace: Kidderminster, Worcestershire
  • Died: Tuesday, 27 April 1971
  • Bio:
     

    Family:
    Mary was the fourth child of James and Annie Grace Smellie. James was an important industrialist, buying into a partnership with a manufacturer of iron and brass fenders and fireplace items in Dudley. In 1904 the partnership was dissolved and James developed his company into a highly successful business supplying prestigious properties with fireplaces and ancillaries including Balmoral Castle. His career is described in this letter that he penned to his customers. From 1924-25 James was Mayor of the County Borough of Dudley. Mary’s mother, Annie Grace, was also a respected member of the local community but sadly died during their tenure as Mayor and Mayoress, as reported here. James was awarded the MBE but we have no documentation relating to this herein.

    Mary’s brother, Major William Smellie, served in the 7th Worcesters and was badly gassed and wounded in WW1. Brother Cecil lost an arm in WW1 and nearly died, happily to recover and work as ADC to General Sir Herbert Mullaly in Chatham.

    Brother James, known as Jimmie, was more fortunate. He qualified in medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 1916 and immediately went to the Middle East with the R.A.M.C. After the war he had a variety of jobs are detailed in his obituary in the Times from 1961.

    Early days:
    We know little of Mary’s upbringing and education.

    Career:
    As wife of John Weston, Mary played a close, supportive role, even to the extent of producing silk-net squares when John was developing his inventive treatment for inguinal hernias. John had a keen interest in Scouting, being District Commissioner for more than ten years, and Mary worked with him, providing organisational skills for the Girl Guides and then becoming District Commissioner of the Guides for many years, then Chairman of t the Executive Committee until 1965. Mary was also very active in voluntary organisations, joining the Women’s Voluntary Services in 1959, later to become the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service where she became Deputy County Organiser in 1961. Mary had to resign from this position in 1967 due to ill-health, having suffered a stroke.

    Towards retirement:
    Living in Lea Grange, at the top of Bewdley Hill in Kidderminster, John and Mary were looking forward to retirement in the early 1950s and started building a bungalow called Cobblers Corner off Whitehill Road and overlooking the Devil’s Spadeful area.

    Tragically, John died whilst making a presentation to the student nurses at the hospital in 1952 and before they could both move to the new house and enjoy their retirement together.

    Later years:
    On 18th March 1953 the contents of Lea Grange were auctioned off and the house was subsequently sold to Dr Miles with Mary moving to Cobblers Corner. Here she was joined by her son, Antony John and, after her stroke, by a resident housekeeper.
    Mary died peacefully at home on 21 April 1971.

  • Place of Death: Kidderminster, Worcestershire
  • Marriage Date: Tuesday, 24 April 1923