Robert Ahston Bostock, St. John the Baptist, Penmaen church
Penmaen, Gower. The village
is found at the foot of slopes of Cefn Bryn.
Parc-Le-Breos, the 19th century hunting lodge, the one-time
deer park owned by William de Breos, Lord of Gower.
Penmaen Castle, dating back to the 12th century first
constructed out of timber, even thought there was no co-ordinated Norman
invasion of Wales, important magnates were encouraged to seize land within the
Principality. In return so-called
Marcher Lords were given regal power, within their new territories in
Wales. During 1107, Henry de Beaumont,
Earl of Warwick, was granted the Gower Peninsula, from Henry I in piecemeal
conquest of South Wales. Henry de
Beaumont immediately started to secure his news lands with fortifications raised
on key points. It was then during this
period that the first castles, were built at Penmaen.
The castle was built on upon the summit of a headland having
been protected on the north, east and south-east by the high cliffs. The oval shaped fortification over commanding
views over Threecliffs Bay. It protected
by earthwork rampart, surrounded by a ditch.
The first castle was destroyed by fire, and then a new fortification
was built with a lower portion of the gatehouse reverted in stone, also built
at the same time was a stone hall.
Penmaen Castle remained occupied until 1217 when “all the castles of
Gower”, were destroyed by Rhys Gryg ap Rhys. After this date, the castle was
not rebuilt.
The early church located on the Penmaen Burrows, had been besanded
during the early 14th century, it owned by the knights of St. John. During the 19th century the church
that stands today was restored by a father and son clergy. Its during these work that there is little of
the original church. It was during this
time, however, that discovered under the church alter a gravestone dating from
1623. Its inscription read:
'here resteth
the body of David the sonne of David the sonne of Richard the sonne of Nicholas
the sonne of Rys teh sonne of Leison teh sonne of Rys the sonne of Morgan Ychan
the sonne of Morgan the sonne of Cradocke the sonne of Iustin ap Gwrgan
Sometime Lord of Glamorgan interred the 21 day of August in the year of our
blessed redemption 1623. In this bit of earth likewise reposeth the body of
Jane his wife deceased the 23 of Febr. 1631 whome God consorts in sacred rites
and love death canot seperate marrow from the dove.'
The new church was dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Overlooking the church is the Gower Union
Workhouse, opening during 1861. The workhouse
served all the Gower parishes. The
workhouse was able to accommodate 50 inmates.
Robert Ahston Bostock, who died 1917, was buried in the
churchyard of St. John the Baptist church.
Who was Robert Ashton Bostock?
Robert was born 1860, London. He was the son of Deputy Surgeon General J.
A. Bostock, CB, Scots Guards and grandson of Dr. Bostock FRS.
By the age of 10, at the time of the 1871
Census, Robert was a student studying at Carshalton, Epsom. Further studies at Wellington College, Berkshire. At the time of the 1881, Robert now 20 years
old was residing as a Border at 66 Abington Street, Northamptonshire. He is listed a Medical Student.
 |
| England and Wales Census 2nd April 1871 School, Carshalton, Epsom |
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| England and Wales Census 3rd April 1881 66 Abington Street, Northamptonshire |
After this he followed
the footsteps of his father and grandfather, with training at St Bartholomew’s
Hospital. 1885, Robert was made LSA of
London and MRCS of England, this followed in 1887, with the LRC of Physicians.
During 1886, Robert was the Honorary Surgeon to Queen
Victoria and Surgeon Captain to the Army staff.
1887, Robert was the Surgeon to the Scots Guards. He served with 2nd Battalion,
Scots Guards for 11 years and their Medical Officer. 1892, Robert married at St. Peters, Eaton
Square, Pimilaco, London to Mary Catherine Parry.
Having retired from the army, Robert, moved to Glamorgan,
where he became a local GP. At the time
of the 1901 Census, Robert now aged 40 is residing at Cefn Mor, Penmaen, Gower.
He is listed as a Retired Army Officer J.P.
He is the father of four children, Elizabeth aged 7, John aged 3, Ashton
aged 2 and Harriet aged 11 months. Also,
in the house are 5 servants.
 |
| England and Wales Census 31st March 1901 Cefn Mor, Penmaen, Gower |
After the South African War, Robert assisted with the War
Office, with the impact caused by the war.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Robert, now aged 50, still
residing at Penmaen. Still listed as an Officer
Army Retired. Also residing in the house
are 7 servants. The children are at
different places of the country.
 |
| England and Wales Census 2nd April 1911 Penmaen, Gower |
At the time of the outbreak of the First World War, August
1914, returned to the Colours, getting Mentioned for “valuable medical services”,
he was also becoming President of the Shoreditch Medical Recruitment Board.
1917, Robert caught an illness contracted from active
service, dying on the 12th August at Marylebone, London. His body was brought back home to Penmaen for
burial. He left a will with the effects
of £71,365 5s 7d. His wife, Caroline, died during 1949.
 |
| The Cambrian Daily Leader 26t September 1917 |
The Cambrian Daily Leader published about the death of Robert
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| Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder 3rd November 1917 |
Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder published an article about the death of Robert
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