East Knoyle And The Great War East Knoyle Prior to 1914


Life in East Knoyle had continued in the same way for centuries and was


a thriving rural population with people


working on the land or in the service of the large stately houses. With the advent of the steam train in Gillingham in 1859, some inhabitants would have migrated to the major towns and cities for employment opportunities. Those that remained would work on the farms or in the service of the three principle houses. The resident families of the time were the Seymours at Knoyle House, The Wyndhams at the newly built Clouds House and the Milfords at the Rectory. They were patrons of the School, Church and Village Institutions and lived privileged well connected lives.


Knoyle House


Knoyle House had been in the Seymour family since the 16th century but the family’s fortunes were in decline and the estate and house had been rented out to a series of tennants. In 1914 at the time of the war the resident was Beatrix, Dowager Countess of Pembroke and she was the last inhabitant of the house and resided there thirty years. She was a very active patron of the village school.


Clouds House


Before the 1880’s the Seymours had been the leading family in East Knoyle but the Wyndhams arrived in 1888 and built a grand house on the site of land purchased from the Seymours. They then became tthe principal family. Percy Wyndham built an Arts & Crafts property at great expense which burnt down soon afterwards to be replaced by the house we see today. Clouds would have been the main employer in the Village in 1914.


By Dawn Small


Five of the Wyndham family were to die in the war and during the latter part of the war, the house was made available as a convalescent home to wounded servicemen. As the family struggled to up keep the house during the war it was leased out to a series of tenants.


The Rectory


Robert Milford, the Rector and his wife played an active part in village life, not only looking after his paritioners but actively involed in festivals, club days, and establishing the scouts in East Knoyle. They empolyed a governess, maids, a coachman, gardeners, dressmakers and a cowman. In 1912 Mr Neville and his wife became the Rector of the church and would remain until 1932.


Knoyle House pictured from Wise Lane showing the size of the property . (Village Archives)


These large estates and houses were a major source of employment in East Knoyle and the Community thrived. The village supported three public houses, several shops, had a school, village hall, cricket and football team. The football team played on land now used by the bypass. This photograph was taken in 1912 of the young men of this village. We don’t know their names but many of them must have answered the call to defend their country.


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