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Post by llosgi calch on Apr 26, 2011 22:14:41 GMT
An email received from Peter Williams...
Dear Sir/Madam, As a youngster during the second world war I stayed at Minera Hall during the school holidays.My aunt was cook to Mr Danson's family.As Mr Danson had his business in Burma exporting timber I only rarely saw him-- my aunt was Gwen Davies, spinster daughter of Jack Davies ,my taid,who was a butcher in the Lodge Brymbo. Mrs Danson,I recall, had two daughters with whome I often played. As Burma became occupied by the Japanese Mr Dansons business folded and he quickly returned to Minera-- most of the staff at the hall in the 1946's now became redundant-- my aunt included. My aunt was given several small items by the family- one of which was a walking stick. This stick is covered with carvings and dates relating to the then young Mr Danson-- I am now in my 70's and would dearly love to return this walking stick to any of the Danson family-- as the family, as I knew them, only consistered of girls, any remaining grandchildren are too difficult to trace. Can you help? Yours respectfully, Peter Williams.
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Post by annedw on Apr 28, 2011 9:10:40 GMT
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Post by tominera on Apr 29, 2011 18:58:47 GMT
Hi, 1945 electors list shows John W Danson, Susan Danson & Violet S.M. Danson Living in Minera Hall-- I can also remember Mr Danson in the early forties taking a daily walk from Minera Hall down to the river in Pant Twyll, then up river and coming out by the school over a stone style. My older brother once told me they used to gather by the style when they saw him approaching and he would point at one of them with his walking stick. This meant the person chosen could jump over the style and help Mr Danson get over it---this was always rewarded with a silver sixpence which was a small fortune in those days. I often saw him coming up Pant Twyll but he always climbed over the style unaided--maybe his money was already running out ;D
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Post by annedw on Apr 30, 2011 8:05:28 GMT
Violet Susan M Danson Birth Date: 7 Apr 1892 Death Registration Month/Year: Apr 1984 Age at death (estimated): 92 Registration district: Chelmsford .Essex A Violet Danson aged 8 and Margaret Danson aged 6 both born in India were scholars at the Convent of the Holy Child Jesus, St Mary Magdalene, St Leonards on Sea , Sussex . They had arrived from Rangoon in June 1900 on the Staffordshire. No descendants from Violet then. Attachments:
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Post by nellie on Apr 30, 2011 16:25:50 GMT
Hi, The 1911 census shows that Mr and Mrs Danson had been married 21 years and had 6 children still living. Only Violet Susan Marie age 18 and Winifred Pauline Marie were living with them. Violet was born in Rangoon, Burma and Winifred in Kensington, London. The two sons John and Edward are possible fathers of the 2 girls and Margaret a possible mother so there is one more child name unknown... NellieT
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Post by nellie on Apr 30, 2011 16:38:22 GMT
Hi again, In 1911 both John and Edward were pupils at Stonyhurst Roman Catholic College for Male Students in Clitheroe, Lancashire. John was born in 1896 and Edward in 1898 both in Rangoon.Nellie T
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Post by nellie on Apr 30, 2011 17:57:13 GMT
Hi, In 1901 Susan Danson was living in Kensington with sons John, Edward and Robert West Wood Danson born 1901 in Kensington. Robert was still alive in 1921 as he travelled with his mother from Burma and also with other members of his family. He was described as an undergraduate. Nellie
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Post by annedw on May 1, 2011 6:57:15 GMT
Apart from John Westwood Danson , this is the only other death registered in Wales.
Deaths Dec 1918 Danson Edward age 38 Wrexham 11b 508
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Post by nellie on May 1, 2011 14:59:50 GMT
Hi again ,Wrexham Leader dated 10 July 1925: 'It is with much regret that we record the death of Mrs Marguerite Eleanor James, the wife of Mr Richard Farrer James. formerly of Gresford, which occurred at Baghdad, on the 1st inst. The deceased lady was the second daughter of Mr & Mrs J W Danson of Minera Hall, and she was married in 1920. She was of a bright disposition and much esteemed. The sympathies of a large circle of friends will be accorded the bereaved husband and two daughters, and his father and mother (Mr & Mrs R Percy James of Kilhendre) and also with Mr & Mrs Danson and family in their great loss." This was Margaret who married in Rangoon in 1920. Robert West Wood died St Pancras district c1964 and had at least 1 daughter Edward Towne died c1967. He married in 1934 and had 2 daughters Winifred Pauline Marie had 2 daughters one of whom died in 1944 about age 12 John Francis marrried in 1934 and had a boy and a girl. There are certainly a lot of grandaughters of J W W Danson who may be difficult to trace! It is probably infringing privacy to find and name the grandchildren as they are probably still alive so there is nothing else to add. Hope someone knows one of the family and can put them in touch with Peter Williams. Nellie
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Post by george on May 5, 2011 22:14:10 GMT
I must say I was pleasantly surprised to read your story about Minera Hall as I have been very interested about life in Minera Hall at the time that Mr John WestWood Danson was living there because my grandfather a Mr George Pemberton worked at the Hall for Mr Danson as his Chauffer. Unfortunately my grandfather left this area a long time before I was born so I don’t know anything about him. I know this is not relevant to your question but as you’ve mentioned you did play with the daughters of Mr Danson so I would assume that you may have met my grandfather George Pemberton so I am asking with a slither of hope that you might have some recollection of him or even any photo’s of him as a Chauffer. Any information regarding Minera Hall and what I have mentioned would be greatly appreciated.
After Mr Danson died he left a lot of his staff at Minera Hall large amounts of money including your aunt and in fact it seems that he was indeed quite a wealthy man, I can’t unfortunately disclose figures . His sons and daughters are also named in the will.
My grandfather George caused a lot of upset to my grandmother as after he received his money from Mr J W W Danson he left the area with his new ‘ ladyfriend ‘ to start a new life.
I have researched the name John West Wood Danson on well known family tree sites it seems that there are quite a few family trees that he is connected to. I also think that the Danson family may have artifacts in a Liverpool Musuem.
I hope this information is helpful to you and that maybe you can remember something about George Pemberton. Thankyou
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Post by edunster on Feb 9, 2012 21:12:12 GMT
In reply to Peter Williams' post, I am particularly interested to learn of his connection with Minera Hall, as my mother, Rosemary b.1922, and her sister Hazel b. 1925, were brought up at there by their grandparents as their mother Marguerite had died in Iraq, and their father stayed out there building the railways. My mother, was in fact born in Minera Hall as Marguerite travelled back from Iraq to have her first baby under the supervision of her mother, but did not do so for the second, dying about six weeks later. Rosemary, then 2 years old, and the baby were taken to Marseille by their father where they were met by their aunt Vi to be taken back to Minera. They went to Convent boarding school in Hastings, but spent the holidays at Minera. My mother used to tell me little things about life there - the butting nanny goat, the daily walk with dogs, the rice pudding prepared for her grandfather to have beside his bed in case he woke up hungry in the night, the curries, grandmother mixing tea, grandfather standing at his high desk or travelling to Liverpool on business. I was told that at some stage the building was requisitioned for war purposes, and have often wondered what happened to it since?
If Peter can say how old his playmates were, I am sure I could put him in touch with them again, if he would like that.
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Post by tominera on Feb 11, 2012 15:32:39 GMT
Hi, The building is still more or less intact but probably not in a very good state. It was last used as a clubhouse by The Coedpoeth Branch of The Royal British Legion which closed down in 1998. I do not think it was ever requisitioned during the war. After Mr Danson died in Feb. 1945 and his affairs were sorted, the estate was sold in 1947. Mr Eric Forbes Mitchell bought it and lived there for some time with his family. I believe it was later split up into several flats and eventually the RBL moved in--I have no idea who owns what and where now but it has been in the local news now and again.--There is a photo of it in the book "Lost Houses of Wrexham" and some info about the Hall. I have a copy of a postcard which was for sale on Ebay sometime ago and will put it on this site as it shows the entrance.--Just hope it will be worth looking at as it is a copy of a copy etc Does anyone else have any pics of the Hall ?? --Tom
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Post by tominera on Feb 11, 2012 15:34:56 GMT
The entrance Drive of Minera Hall Attachments:
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Post by tominera on Feb 11, 2012 15:48:44 GMT
Just found this pic. Attachments:
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Post by annedw on Feb 12, 2012 9:46:31 GMT
Edmunster, you may have a better chance of getting in touch with Peter Williams if you contact llosgi calch directly .
admin@minerahistory.com
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Post by edunster on Feb 12, 2012 11:34:54 GMT
Thank you very much for the picture of Minera Hall's driveway, and the photo as it is today - I never realised it has such beautiful honey-coloured stone. The old black and white photos in the family album make it look dark and gloomy, partly because of all the ivy or creeper. It is sad to see the lower windows and door boarded up. My mother was born in the room with the window second down on the far left. Attachments:
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Post by tominera on Feb 13, 2012 19:08:08 GMT
Hi, Thankyou for putting great pic of Hall on site--Was there an approx. date by any chance ?-Regards Tom
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Post by edunster on Feb 14, 2012 8:50:38 GMT
I should say around 1930, but I have just noticed the woman with dog at the door. From the build, I think she is possibly my grandmother, Marguerite, who left with my mother (9 mths old) for Iraq in Sept 1923, so that may date it more accurately.
Can anyone recall the context in which Minera Hall was in the local news in the last few years? The building will deteriorate pretty rapidly if it is not used. Thanks, Erica
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Post by tominera on Feb 15, 2012 17:13:37 GMT
I am afraid the mentions in the local press were regarding fly tipping on the drive and establishing who owned it etc. but I am sorry I do not recall exact details. I believe it was being investigated by Minera Community Council. There is a local councillor who uses this site occasionally and just maybe he will fill in the details -Tom
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Post by nickshelley on Apr 7, 2012 0:52:11 GMT
I'm researching John Francis Danson (1895-1970) - my interest springs from the fact that he was one of a group of undergraduates and public school boys who joined the Army in August 1914 as motorcycle despatch riders. Their unit was involved in the Retreat from Mons and the 1st Battle of Ypres. He and about a dozen others were all appointed as Corporals.
Like some of the others, John Francis was commissioned later in the war (in his case in June 1916). I have seen his service record at The National Archives which shows that he survived the war and returned to his home at Gresford Lodge, Gresford, Denbighshire.
I understand that his sister Winifred Pauline Marie Danson (b. 1903) married one of the other despatch riders, Cecil William Hayes-Sadler and that they emigrated to Kenya.
I am hoping that the story of these despatch riders will be made into a TV programme for the centenary of the 1914-18 war, and for that purpose I would love to find any of his children or grandchildren - as he only died in 1970, it occurs to me that there may be people alive today who actually knew him.
Thank you for your help!
Nick Shelley Chilwell, near Nottingham
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