Oldest resident dies at 103 (From Gazette Series)

Oldest resident dies at 103

WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE has lost its oldest resident. Victor Edward Wilcox was 103 when he died at Berkeley Hospital.

Mr Wilcox came to Wotton in 1968, following one of his daughters, Rita, who moved to the town with her growing family, from Bristol.

He and his wife, Violet May, lived in Parklands until 1979 when Mrs Wilcox died. Mr Wilcox then moved to Jays Mead, Bearlands and Katharine Lady Berkeley Mews, finally arriving at Dryleaze House 12 years ago.

He was born in Wrington, Somerset, but when he was ten his mother left him and his five brothers and sisters. He was looked after on a farm, living in a room above a barn.

Dughter Rita said: "He didn't like school much and used to do odd jobs around the farm and whenever the hunting season was on, he'd be off like a shot on the horses."

He later moved to Bristol and worked at the James Robertson jam factory in Brislington. During the Second World War, he helped out when Filton was badly bombed.

He got rid of all the jam jars out of his delivery van to make room for injured people whom he took to Bristol Royal Infirmary.

He married at 21 when his bride was 17. He then started his own business, owning four public houses in Bristol, including The Bulldog at Filton.

While in Wotton Mr Wilcox got involved with Blue Coat Primary School, supporting the school choir's link with Dryleaze House. He presented a Millennium Cup donated by the residential home for the most dedicated school musician.

Cremation took place at Westerleigh, conducted by Rev Dr John May and Mr Wilcox's ashes will be interred in Wotton cemetery's garden of rest.