Street Names In West Watford
Most people in
West Watford, or Watford generally, will have heard of Farraline Road. This was
originally part of Wiggenhall Road until 1898 after which it was named
after Farraline House. In the 1881 census it is described as
"Farraline House, Watford Field" and in the 1882 directory as
"Farraline, Colney Butts" but never as Farraline House, Farraline
Road (although properties are listed as being in Farraline Road from 1900). Its
position is best illustrated on the map below. It stood in the triangle between
Vicarage Road, Farraline Road and Wiggenhall Road, where the current
"roundabout" is, Vicarage Road at that time being terraced
houses.
The 1881 census
shows only one person resident on the night, 77 year old Letitia Gardner,
described as 'domestic servant in charge of the house'. The 1882 directory
lists it under a 'Miss Smith'. In 1890 and 1895 the house is listed as
Farraline, Vicarage Road, then in 1899, 1902 and 1908 as Farraline, Wiggenhall
Road, in 1914 and 1917 as Farraline, Vicarage Road and in 1922 as Farraline,
Wiggenhall Road again. Later entries may show different postal addresses.
Reginald Owen was
an architect who moved south to head the newly formed architecture department
of the L.N.W.R. One of his most distinguished works was the War Memorial at
Euston Station. He and his family moved into Farraline House in 1917. The
house itself is described at that time as having a day and night nursery, both
upstairs. There was a large garden and a yard with a stable and stable loft,
where the children played, and other outbuildings. The family had a nurse, a
cook-general and a maid, as well as a nursery nurse who accompanied the family
on holiday. Milk was delivered by "Gussy, Bang-Bang", so-called
because he rode a motorbike, although the milk was delivered by horse-drawn
float. Behind Farraline House was a stationers owned by a well-known amateur
footballer, a sweet shop owned by a blind man - Mr Ticknel - and,
opposite, a butcher who looked after the pets when the family were on holiday;
the pets including bantams, chickens, cats and a black & white border
collie called 'Bob'. Reginald Owen didn't own a car, but rode a bicycle with a
cane sidecar (like a bath chair) in which his wife and sometimes the children,
would ride.
Mr Owen's mother
died at the house in 1920 as did his wife in 1924, after which he and his three
daughters moved away, to return to Watford some years later when the daughters
attended Watford Grammar School for Girls. They then lived in a large house
called "Stacey's" in Harwoods Road and then in a house called
"Yeoveney" In Alexandra Road. Members of the family are buried
in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Farraline
House was demolished in 1960.
References:
The majority of family details are taken from the website of James
Owen - http://owen.cholerton.org/home_02.php - and where also other
mentions of the family in Watford can be found. We are indebted to the family
for our use of the information.
Also:
Hertfordshire Genealogy website:
http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/answers/answers-2005/ans5-028-farraline.htm
Street and Place Names in Watford - Alan W Ball
