Chapter 8: EVI THE GARAGE PROPRIETOR

The last child of William and Hannah, Evi was born in January 1891 in Slimbridge. Before the First World War Evi worked with his brother, Frank's, bakery. During the War he served with the Worcestershire Regiment, receiving a injury that necessitate his medical discharge. On his return to Slimbridge he set up in business as a cycle agent and in 1926 started a haulage business based in Churchend, along from the church. The business was based around hauling animal feeding stuffs and became very successful. The business premises remained largely intact until about 1990 when they were demolished to make way for a housing development.

Evi’s House And Garage Forecourt

Evi’s Business Wall Plaque

Evi married Elizabeth, or Bessie, as she was known, Haines. They had four children. Their first was named Evi, but was known as Sonny. He lives in Cornwall. His oldest son, Robert, is a crane-driver at Sharpness docks, and Lawrence and Robert live in Merseyside, in Liverpool and Hale respectively. Bessie died suddenly in 1951. Lillian Gladys Violet, Evi and Bessie's second child, who was known as Val, was a nurse during the Second World War. She died in 1946, six months after marrying Ivor Hobson. Another daughter married and had three children. A son, Tony, is a taxi driver living and working in Gloucester. In addition to their own children Evi and Bessie raised June, Sadie and Donald Smith, children of Bessie's dead sister.

Evi was a prominent and popular member of the local community. He was a keen supporter of Slimbridge football club and was connected with the local flower show, for which he donated several trophies.

Evi died in 1960. He left a large estate. The business was left in equal parts to Evi's sons. Evi owned four properties in Box Road, Cam. He bequeathed one of these each to his sons, and two to his surviving daughter. On Evi's demise Slimbridge Football Club inherited the ground at Slimbridge Crossroads on which they had played for years.

The Grave of Evi and Bessie, Slimbridge

5 . . . . . . . Evi THORNHILL b.1891 d.1960 m.Elizabeth Violet (aka Bessie) HAINES
6 . . . . . . . . .Evi William Henry (aka Sonny) THORNHILL b.1915 d.<2002 m.Winifred E. D. (aka Win) SMITH
7 . . . . . . . . . . Robert E. J. THORNHILL m.Barbara E. MARTIN
8 . . . . . . . . . . . Caroline THORNHILL m.- -
9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . child
8 . . . . . . . . . . . Susan E. THORNHILL m.- -
9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . child
9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . child
8 . . . . . . . . . . . Dawn C. THORNHILL
8 . . . . . . . . . . . John Wayne THORNHILL
7 . . . . . . . . . . Lawrence P. THORNHILL m.Frances A. BURR
8 . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Andrew THORNHILL
7 . . . . . . . . . . Michael W. THORNHILL m.#1 - KNOWLES #2 - -
8 . . . . . . . . . . . #1 Richard Wayne THORNHILL
8 . . . . . . . . . . . #1 David Simon THORNHILL
8 . . . . . . . . . . . #2 Stacey THORNHILL
8 . . . . . . . . . . . #2 Natalie THORNHILL
8 . . . . . . . . . . . #2 Thomas THORNHILL
6 . . . . . . . . .Lillian Gladys Violet (aka Val) THORNHILL b.c1922 d.1946 m.Ivor D. HOBSON
6 . . . . . . . . .KNOWN THORNHILL m.KNOWN
7 . . . . . . . . . . .KNOWN FAMILY
6 . . . . . . . . .Anthony Frederick Harold (aka Tony) THORNHILL m.Jenny E. HOBBS
7 . . . . . . . . . . Martyn A. THORNHILL m.#1 Maureen A. TAYLOR #2 Debbie J. TURNER
8 . . . . . . . . . . . #1 Sara Jayne THORNHILL
8 . . . . . . . . . . . #1 Steven John THORNHILL
8 . . . . . . . . . . . #2 Lee Anthony THORNHILL