Frederick William Nash

 
1858 - 1926

The most colourful landlord of the Angel Hotel in years past was Frederick William Nash who took over in 1916 and ran it for the next ten years. He was a newcomer to the town but despite this, soon made a host of friends and became a respected member of the community. 

Nash was born at Coldham Green, Hillingdon, Middlesex, on 2nd March 1858, one of twin boys in the family of eight children of Jonathan Edward Nash and his wife Matilda. His father was the adopted heir of his grandfather's elder brother who had been childless, and as a result he inherited a large amount of property around Coldham Green but the fortune was subsequently lost in speculation and litigation and he survived into the 20th century running a market garden at Southall Green, but in very reduced circumstances.

Frederick trained as an architect and surveyor but spent little time in the profession and eventually became a licensed victualler. Little is known of his early life but after marrying Julia Huntley they went to Canada to seek their fortune. The couple returned to England during the Great War and came to Bourne to take over the Angel Hotel. The reason for their choice is unknown but it is believed that Nash was related to Horace Stanton, a prominent and influential solicitor in the town, who may have suggested that the hotel was vacant and even helped in the legal practicalities of its purchase.
 

Nash was soon involved with the social life of the town, helping to found the Bourne Swimming Club and giving practical help to the Bourne Abbey Bowling Club, the town cricket club and amateur operatic society as well as being instrumental in the purchase of new uniforms for the Bourne Town Band. He was also a dedicated Christian, giving much of his time to the church and he was also a member of the Hereward Lodge of Freemasons which held its meetings in the banqueting hall at the Angel Hotel. 

Mrs Nash died on 2nd July 1921 at the age of 50. Frederick survived her until 28th August 1926, when he died at the age of 68, deeply mourned by his twin brother Albert who wished only to join him in death. The funeral was held at the Abbey Church, conducted by the vicar, Canon John Grinter, and attended by a wide circle of friends and business acquaintances, including a large contingent of fellow masons from the Hereward Lodge where he had been held in such high esteem. He was buried in the town cemetery alongside his wife.

The couple left four sons, two in Canada, one at Godalming in Surrey, and one at Bourne, Norton Dale Nash, who had accompanied his parents to England and had become a familiar figure in the town by walking around in buckskins and on occasions, a full Red Indian costume, and was frequently pictured by Ashby Swift, the local photographer.

Frederick Nash is on the left of this picture taken with his twin brother Albert Edward Nash (left) and his son, Norton Dale Nash, is pictured in his cowboy buckskins by the Bourne photographer Ashby Swift (right).

See also The Angel Hotel     Horace Stanton

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