TEIGNMOUTH & SHALDON

Katherine was born in Mile End Old Town in London in 1867.

In 1881 Katherine was living at Brimley House, West Teignmouth with her parents (father Anson William Henry Cartwright, M.A. Cambridge, a clergyman described as (without cure of souls 1836 - 1903), her mother Rose Catherine Cartwright (née Crocker 1827- 1906 ), an older sister (Rose Martha Anson Cartwright 1868 - 1928), a cook, nursemaid, gardener, plus the gardener's son.

Inset Katherine Anson Cartwright. Seated beside the Chairman of Teignmouth Urban District Council. Teign Heritage collection

In 1910 Katherine was appointed as a School Manager of West Lawn and Brook Street Schools and in the 1911 census (aged 44) she was living at 45 Bitton Street with a servant, and was described as being of private means.

1915 found Katherine in charge of a Recreation Room for the Forces in Aldershot and in 1916 she was in France, in charge of the Soldiers and Sailors Room at Abbeville, reporting to the Base Commandant & Senior Chaplain.

In 1917 Katherine was back in London in charge of a YMCA Hut, attached to the Military Hospital in the Fulham Palace Road in London. From November 1918 to March 1919 she assisted in a Canteen attached to the Casino Hospital which was staffed by the Harvard University Red Cross Unit from America.

In 1918 she commenced 30 years' service on the Local National Savings Committee.

From 1919 to 1934 Katherine served as an elected member of the Teignmouth Urban District Council, acting as Chairman from 1925-1926.

Katherine Anson Cartwright. Seated beside the Chairman of Teignmouth Urban District Council. Teign Heritage collection

In 1920 she was appointed as a Governor of the newly opened Grammar School.

Katherine lived to be 92, her death being recorded in 1959 in Exeter.

A video about a WW1 YMCA hut in London.

The video gives an idea of how such huts were put to use.

The canteen of this YMCA hut served 5000 meals a day to servicemen.