Overton Family History

By Angela Gooch on March 29th, 2008

SKEGNESS GOLDEN WEDDING
Mr and Mrs Charles Overton
Many congratulations have been extended to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Overton, of 25, Alexandra Road, Skegness, on the completion of 50 years in “double harness.”
The happy event took place on Saturday, May 18th, 1929.

Mr and Mrs Overton hold a sad yet proud distinction locally, in that of their five sons of military age who served in the Great War, four—William, Jack, Fred and Arthur—failed to return. The fine service record of the family was enhanced by the fact that a daughter served in the W.R.A.F., holding non-commissioned rank, and other members took part in Red Cross work locally. There are five surviving children, two sons and three daughters.

Mr Overton, who is 72, was born near Winthorpe Church, and Mrs. Overton, who is 71, hailed from Huttoft, and later lived at Burgh, where the couple were married on May 18th, 1879. They came to Skegness on the day after their wedding and have resided in Alexandra Road for 49 years, 31 of which have been spent in their present house.

Prior to his marriage Mr Overton was employed at the Burgh Gravel Pits, and on settling in Skegness he worked at the Earl of Scarbrough’s gravel pits on Wainfleet Road, where his father was foreman. He subsequently entered the employ of the old Local Board and continued under the succeeding authority, the Skegness Urban Council, his service totalling 26 years.
He met with a serious accident in 1912, being knocked down by a motor cycle in Lumley Square one night in October, while going to meet his wife from a Church function. He sustained a double fracture of one leg and was incapacitated for a long period. Since that time he has been unable to do any heavy work.

Naturally Mr. and Mrs. Overton have witnessed tremendous changes during their 50 years’ residence in Skegness. At the time they came the Pier was being built and They have seen the place develop from a mere fishing hamlet to rank among the leading seaside resorts in the Kingdom.