A selection of events in the life of a village, a family, a Captain and some memorial cottages…
1856
Samuel McAulay is born. Father to Francis Willmer McAulay (FWM).
1857
Maud Mary Pocock is born. Mother to FWM.
1890
Samuel McAulay and Maud Pock marry.
1891
Francis Willmer McAulay is born.
1909
It appears that Francis Willmer McAulay was a keen (and competent) cricketer and joined the Brockleby Park Cricket Club until 1914 when he went to war.
1910
Francis Willmer McAulay commissioned as second Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery (T.F.) on 5th October 1910, serving with the 1st North Midland Brigade Ammunition Column.
The first telephone exchange in Laceby opens… (see 1925)
1913
Francis Willmer McAulay promoted to Lieutenant 15th July 1913.
from September 1913 Francis Willmer McAulay is serving with 2nd Lincolnshire Battery of the 230th Brigade RFA, part of 46th (North Midland) Division.
1914
July 1914 First World War breaks out and Francis Willmer McAulay immediately volunteers for service.
1915
21st January 1915, Francis Willmer McAulay is promoted to temporary rank of Captain.
February 1915 Francis Willmer McAulay and his battalion leave for France.
1916
21st May 1916 – Francis Willmer McAulay dies in battle in France.
The will of Francis Willmer McAulay is valued at £7758.
1918
First World War comes to an end November 1918.
A brass plaque is unveiled in St Lawrence Church, Aylesby to commemorate the four men lost in World War I, including Francis Willmer McAulay.
1919
17th August a memorial stained glass window unveiled at St Lawrence Church, Aylesby.
1920
15th June 1920 – Samuel McAulay dies aged 64 – the first transfer of goods by will.
22nd June 1920 – Samuel McAulay is buried in Aylesby churchyard in a family plot.
December 1920 the will of Samuel McAulay shows net worth of £136000. £20k bequest specifically to preserve memory of Francis Willmer McAulay as wife/daughters might direct.
… Mrs M M McAulay is now one of only 25 subscribers to the local telephone exchange demonstrating her relative importance in the village.
Her number is Laceby 11 – Mrs M M McAulay, Aylesby
1925
The architect is commissioned to draw up the plans for the memorial cottages in Aylesby.
1926
5th March 1926 – a conveyancing agreement sets out arrangements for the land and cottages
5th May 1926 – the land purchased from E T Tyrwhitt Blake for £100
28th May 1926 – Grimsby Rural District Council approved the plans by the Sanitary and Building Committee
Throughout 1926 building work is underway by Hewins and Goodhand builders.
At this time, separate plans are drawn up by the architect for a pump and tool house
1928
The now complete Captain Francis Willmer McAulay Memorial Cottages feature in Country Life December 1928.
1929
The cottages now feature in the January 1929 edition of The Architects Journal
Throughout 1929 the cottages appear in various building journals celebrating their architecture.
13th Sept 1929 – deed of gift gifting the land and the cottages into a trust
A new pump and petrol engine purchased
1931
At this time we know the population of Aylesby to be 132
1932
repairs to the buildings, removal of portable stoves, sinks were changes
1935
Records indicate that a new porch was added to the Memorial Cottages.
1936
26th Aug 1936 – Maud Mary McAulay dies – mother of Francis Willmer McAulay.
during 1936 – A G Lee receives McAulay Scholarship to study classics at St Johns College Cambridge
1938
19th Nov 1938 – declaration of trust
1938 at this stage there are 5 cottages for ‘poor people’ and No 6 (West Cottage) for holidays and convalescene, and a common room
1961
May 1961 – the Francis Wilmer McAulay Memorial Cottages Charity is registered with the Charity Commission.
1967
Very first plans drawn up by Pye and Partners for possible conversion of the common room into a further cottage. For some reason this work doesn’t happen at this time.
1986
a review of the buildings carried out and recommended conversion of the common room
1988
Nov 1988 – cottages receive Grade 2 listing after first being turned down in July 1988
1994
Photographs show that at this time the common room was still a common room and had the portrait of FWM hanging above the fireplace.
1995
October 1995 the common room is finally converted into cottage number 7.
November 1995, the first residents move into the new cottage number 7.
2017
at this point we know that the managing agents for the memorial cottages was Grimsby Sailors and Fishing Charity.
2018
Capacity Buildings Ltd takes over as managing agents for the memorial cottages.
2019
Capacity Buildings Ltd is awarded a Heritage Lottery Grant to carry out a project researching the history of the memorial cottages resulting in this website.