Edward Herbert Stradling
Almost universally known as Jack (his father's choice, despite his mother's wishes being entered on their son's Birth Certificate) was born in Usk in September 1914 into a large and loving family in Bridge Street near the Twyn Square. The present family were privileged to have a glimpse of this world when Jack wrote a vivid and moving account of his early years : Recollections - Nine minus eight (he being the last alive of two parents and seven children).
His early life was marred on the occasion of his fifth birthday when his sister Cissie, to whom he was very close, was brutally attacked and maimed in woods above what is now called Ladyhill. Jack's Recollections tell very movingly of his feelings as an impressionable five-year old trying to understand why his birthday was not as he expected. More sadness was to follow when his father died of asthma,
Jack was nine and missed his father very badly. Bill as Jack always referred to him
in later life had worked for Robert Wynn the haulage company in charge of a team of
horses, and often entertained his chums and Jack with tales from his working-life,
which had included a voyage to
One memory which was to prove very influential on the young Jack was marching
alongside bands on recruitment parades with his father during the later years of the First World War - band music was to have a huge influence on Jack's life.
His mother was disabled by a stroke two years after his father's passing and the heavy burden of supporting the family fell on elder son Fred who passed away some years ago. He and Jack were the only children in the large family to reach mature adulthood with families of their own.
Despite setbacks Jack's considerable talents were recognised and he won a Scholarship to Jones' West
After four years Jack left school with good qualifications and went into domestic
service - as did many young people in the late 1920's, there were very few
opportunities even with a decent education. Many years later Jack talked about The
Depression and how he remembered starving miners from the
On the advice of his employer who had been an Army Officer, Jack joined the Royal
Army Medical Corps - in 1932 just after his eighteenth birthday. His first posting
was to
Ivy Stradling (nee Matthews)
Unlike Jack's troubled start, Ivy - in fact Ivy Mabel May Stradling, a generous
amount of names for this modest lady who said herself "best things come in small parcels!"
- had a reasonable childhood, apart from the frequent flooding of the family home in
Blackbarn Cottages by the nearby Olway brook. She was born into the large
Matthews family in Usk in 1916. Their cottage had use of an orchard, so poultry,
eggs, a pig (ready for winter), and fresh milk (her father was a milkman) ensured all her
brothers and sisters too grew up to be long-living with families of their own. Apart
from a brief sojourn in Daventry at the end of her life she was an Usk resident for
all of her (almost) eighty-eight years.
She rarely talked about her childhood, firmly believing the present and future were all
that mattered.Once in a while she could be coaxed into a few anecdotes about the family's
animals, especially Kit her father's dray-horse. Kit's reliability and patience were
valued, particularly at Christmas when Ivy's father Edgar's tee-totalism occasionally
lapsed! One thing she treasured from her younger days was a book, a gift from her
mother. It was the story of Grace Darling, the early Victorian lighthouse -heroine. Her
affection for this book was significant, its values of selflessness and concern for others
were Ivy's too.
Jack and Ivy - Happy years sailing through life's storms.
Jack was just finishing his seven years under the colours when war broke out in 1939.
He saw service in
evacuated from
certainly was! When he got home Ivy presented him with a great treat she had been
saving for him - a tin of sardines. Little did she know that that was all Jack had had to
eat sometimes for weeks on end in
Street in Usk and after a few years moved to their newly built home in Ladyhill, Usk.
Bob came along to complete the family in 1956.
Ivy lived at 31 Ladyhill for the next fifty years.
For many people the time directly after the War was very difficult. Ivy and Jack had
quite a struggle but their determination and hard work paid off. Jack first worked as a
roadman for Monmouthshire County Council Highways Department. His journey to
work involved a sixteen-mile cycle ride morning and evening , maybe this is where his
boundless energy came from! His talents and education were recognised and he was
later taken on to the Admin staff. After a brief foray into a private company - working
in the office of a garage at Woodside in Usk, Jack returned to M.C.C's employ until
his retirement in 1977.
During their working lives Jack and Ivy struggled hard to bring up their children. Money was very tight and to bring in extra income Jack turned his hobby-skills as a cabinet maker to good effect - making musical-boxes and similar gift-items to sell . On
one occasion he took his stock on the bus to Chepstow, visiting all the tourist shops there and then walked up through the
Like Jack Ivy too worked hard for many years - in domestic service and on farms, during World War Two at The Royal Ordnance Factory, Glascoed, as a 'Nippie' in a local Café, and finally as a School Meals Supervisor.
Jack and Ivy had a lifelong faith in education and despite considerable sacrifice ensured both their sons (who like Jack had attended 'West Mon') received a University education. Jack also made a considerable contribution to the musical life and education of many young people in the Usk area when he formed the Usk Band in 1971, he taught many of the youngsters himself - with no thought of reward.
When they were confident their children had secure futures Ivy and Jack were able to relax and enjoy their retirement, lasting twenty two years altogether and bringing many happy times including foreign travel. Bermuda was an especial treat - Ivy flew for the first time and absolutely loved it! Holidays with children and grandchildren, social occasions with friends and bands, a lively interest in Usk and its pleasures - not least the pubs! - The Castle and The Greyhound were always firm favourites and often the venue for Sunday lunch with family and friends. (Jack always joked that the County's pension fund manager was looking to get him sooner or later - his retirement years exceeded those working for the County!)
Jack was a very private man but a man who was loved and respected by the many
people who came into contact with him during his long and fulfilling life. " A perfect
gentleman " was a phrase often used to describe him. He took great pride in his
professional life in public service and his methodical approach. This was reflected in the
way he left his affairs - among his papers was a copy of the booklet What to do after
a death in England and
his family - that of poet; an envelope contained a number of deeply felt verses, some
addressed personally to his children.
Jack's last years were dogged by ill-health but he always remained cheerful in public even if his heart was heavy. He was devoted to the welfare of his beloved wife Ivy, doing everything he could to ensure her happiness. After a long battle to control his health problems with medication he was offered an operation which, if successful, would greatly improve his quality of life.
With great courage he took that chance. Unfortunately it was not to be, he passed away
quietly and peacefully surrounded by all his family - a fitting end for a quiet, private man
who enjoyed the love and affection of many friends and whose commitment to his
family was absolute. In October 1999 aged eighty five, Jack Stradling - soldier, public
servant, musician, poet, writer, teacher, craftsman, but above all the most committed
and dedicated of family men, left us.
Jack is greatly missed by family and friends. We are the poorer for his passing.
After Jack
Inevitably Ivy was very badly affected; even with her remarkable strength and resolve she found it difficult to cope. But she did!, and found a new lease of life. During her last years daughter Jean and son Bob - with invaluable help from their partners unsparingly made her part of their everyday lives.
She needed a bit of extra care and attention, but new teeth and glasses, a regular hair-
do to crown her ever-pretty face, plus constitutionals in her wheelchair ensured she
started to glow again with happiness and health. Like a newly-polished lamp she gave
light and comfort to all around. Lamps become dim and after a short illness Ivy knew
she would soon be leaving us. She had a valiant but impossible struggle with pneumonia -
dying a few weeks short of her birthday, aged eighty seven. Her children were fortunate
to be able to spend all their time with her during her last days, they acknowledge she
gave them the strength to cope - as she had throughout her life.
She was reunited with Jack, in her home town of
Mary's.
She earned her rest, and the admiration of us all.
Usk Youth Band
The Usk Band that Jack had formed in 1971 lost impetus, and despite Jack's enthusiasm
(and Ivy's constant support for Jack) faltered after some years of great success in local
music-making. Jack joined Monmouth Band, and as always greatly enjoyed playing the
cornet - as he had with Usk Band - but without the worries of organising and planning -
which of course he had loved too!; he and Ivy particularly enjoyed the social life with
Monmouth Band - including trips to
However, the brief flowering of Usk Band had produced seeds which came to life early in
the new millennium. The very same youngsters and supporters Jack had taught and
encouraged 30 years before - now with partners and children (and grandchildren!) -
formed the very successful and well supported Usk Youth Band.
One of the highlights of their music-making is an annual Carol Concert when a
promising player is presented with The Jack and Ivy Stradling Memorial Cup -
a reminder of two very special people.