James R. in Worcester - A Busy Time

Although a member of the working class, James was a skilled worker, an important distinction in understanding both his life and 19th century England.  In general terms there were three classes in Victorian England - upper (not us), middle and working.  The difference between the second and third group is how they earned a living.  As a rule middle class people worked with their minds, while the working class earned their livings by working with their hands.  At the upper levels of the working class were skilled workers, who frequently earned more money than middle class clerks and bookkeepers.  Originally skilled workers came out of apprentice systems which meant working for little or no money while learning a craft, but by this time, that was no longer a hard and fast rule.  James was fortunate enough to learn a skilled trade as an employee without the financial sacrifices of a formal apprenticeship.

Severn River with Worcester Cathedral in the background

Mould making reportedly required strength and stamina.  That James had those qualities is illustrated in an article in the June 20, 1874 edition of the Worcester Journal.  On the prior Saturday afternoon, Royal Worcester Porcelain sponsored a series of aquatic contests on the Severn River which runs through the heart of Worcester.  James took part in the fourth heat of a single sculling race which he won by 20 lengths before withdrawing from future heats for unexplained reasons.  Possibly it was so he could join two other young men in paired oar races (with coxswain).  Here again James emerged triumphant as he and his teammates won two heats, the first by three lengths and the second by five.

From his first day at Royal Worcester, James' goal was to be a skilled worker so it seems clear he had made an early commitment to self advancement, an important Victorian value.  Further evidence of this is seen in that even though his formal education ended at age 10, he was back in school at 16, most likely as an evening student, studying free-hand drawing at the Worcester School of Art.  At a time when the typical working day was 12 hours a day, six days a week, almost any outside activity like night school was indicative of someone committed to more than survival.  However, James Winder's outside activities went far beyond personal self advancement.

From 1874 to at least 1887, James served his country and community by service in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment.  During the 19th century, Britain maintained a small regular army which was supplemented by volunteer units, organized to serve in time of national emergency.  Such military forces were part time and on standby, much like the National Guard in the United States.

                                                 Training the Volunteers

Why James joined a military unit in addition to long work days, family responsibilities and part time schooling is a fascinating question with only speculative answers.  James did have the example of his father's long military service (most of which was spent in what was known as the Worcestershire Regiment) and also his grandfather, Thomas Window (1768-1841) who apparently served in the local militia during the Napoleonic Wars.  In addition the volunteers were a popular activity for middle or upper working class young men.  Regardless, however whether it was due to paternal example or a variety of personal reasons, over a decade of military service, even if part time, is not something one takes on without some sense of responsibility and commitment.

      One of many newspapers articles noting James participation in rifle competition

Throughout his volunteer service, James was a member of the 14th Company (later Company B) of the 2nd Volunteer (Rifle) Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment.  Each company consisted of two officers, six sergeants and 100 enlisted men with the 14th being one of two companies in the city of Worcester.  While the regiment met periodically for drill and spent time in an annual summer encampment, James major involvement appears to have been competing for the company rifle team in both local and regional contests.  Typically competition consisted of seven shots per man at targets 200 and 500 yards away, most likely with an Enfield muzzle loading rifle musket.  Supposedly some of the more competitive volunteers purchased better quality rifles, no evidence survives as to whether James took things to that level.  Among the contests was competition for tradesman's prizes (item donated by local businesses) where on different occasions James won a hat, an inkstand, a vest, a glass jar and a tobacco jar.

                               

                                     Patch reads - "Best Shooting Corps, 1879"

Although he typically finished in the middle of the pack, James did win trophies, some of which survive in the possession of this great-grandson, James Walsh.  Perhaps the highlight of his competitive shooting took place in 1879 when he and the rest of the 14th company won a county wide match and returned to Worcester in triumph where they were met at the train station by the company band.  Later the company commander entertained James and his nine teammates at his home.  The shoulder patch pictured above is most likely from this event.  There was also a social aspect to volunteer service as the company held annual dinners where James sometimes took part in the musical entertainment.  In 1884 he was part of a group of 10 men who performed as "negro minstrels" with James singing a solo of the somewhat risque song, "Maggie May."  This indicates not only musical talent, but also the self-confidence to perform in "costume" before peers and superiors 

                              "Oh Maggie, Maggie May, they've taken you away

                                They've sent you to Van Diemen's cruel shore

                     For you've robbed so many a sailor, and skinned so many a whaler

                             And you'll never never shine in Lime Street no more"

     Last stanza of "Maggie May," a traditional 19th Century Liverpool Seamen's Song. 

Regimental dinners were not the sole instance of James' evening social activities.  In 1878, now in his 21st year, James became involved in the Ancient Order of Foresters, specifically the Court of Sylvan and Pride of the Park, one of the 22 "courts" or chapters in the Worcester district.  In a time when disability insurance was unknown, these "friendly" societies offered working men a systematic way to protect against "long sickness and death."  In 1884, the Worcester Journal described the growth of these organizations as "one of the most remarkable features and best traits of the English character that could possibly be exhibited."

                       

                                     Inscription reads - "Won by James Winder."

There was also a connection between Forester's dinners and James' military service.  Each Foresters' dinner featured a series of toasts and responses and on at least three occasions James responded to a toast to the "volunteers," further evidence that he was both self-confident and articulate.  At the 1881 dinner, James told the assembled guests he "had no doubt they would be able, as volunteers, to do their duty if called upon." Eventually James was elected to a leadership position in the Foresters, serving right up until his 1891 immigration.  Exactly how James became involved in the Ancient Order of Foresters is unknown, but one very suggestive clue survives.  Also present at the 1878 dinner was one James Hudson, who just happened to be James Winder's new father-in-law!

                          Inscription reads - "Won by J. Winder, September 1880.