By John Slaughter
Carol Saul’s article in the last journal concerning the Saul Mineral Water Manufacturers included details about John Bycroft Saul. Member Dorothy Saul-Pooley is a direct descendant and has supplied further information about him. Of particular interest is that John Bycroft Saul married twice. There appears to have been no issue from the first marriage and details are sketchy. However I did find in the GRO indexes a marriage in 1920 between a John B Saul and Emily Randall in the St Martins registration district. I also found a death entry of a Emily E Saul in 1924 in the Rochford registration district. These entries seem particularly relevant as Dorothy told me that his first wife had died from TB and they had consulted a medical practitioner in Southend, Dr William Douglas Watson. Here he met the doctors daughter Juliana who became his second wife. Dorothy has agreed to write an article for the journal about John Bycroft Saul so I will leave more details about his life to Dorothy.
Family butchers Sauls of Spratton are celebrating their centenary this year, the business having been set up in 1926 by Frank Evelyn Saul. His grandson Christopher Saul joined the Society in 2006 and is now helped by his daughter Emma. A history of the business would make a very interesting article for the journal and hope that this can be arranged in due course.
Wearing my other hat as Treasurer, we are in need of a Financial Examiner for the 2025 accounts. The accounts are very simple and no significant accounting knowledge is required. If anyone is able to assist please contact me and I am happy to discuss. n