Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Frank Pallett (1070)

30/11/1879 –10/08/1945

A cider maker who moved to Berkhamsted and opened a picture framing shop; also a Special Constable

Relatives

May Maggie Pallett — wife

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 1070 Frank Pallett (1879-1945)

Frank was born in Buckland Common, Bucks, 30 November 1879 to Daniel John Pallett, and his wife Rosa Isabella. He was the eldest son of what was to be a large family – he would eventually have six brothers and three sisters.

At the time of Frank’s birth his father was a coal and timber merchant employing five men The 1891 census records him as a carpenter but by 1901 he had become a cider maker and had founded Pallett’s Ciders. Frank was foreman.

In November 1900 an entertainment was given in the schoolroom in St Leonard’s, the next village to Buckland Common in aid of funds for a children’s tea to celebrate the end of the Boer War. It consisted of the farce “Box and Cox” and singing and instrumental music and the Pallet family appear to have entered into it with enthusiasm. “Messrs. Frank and Llewellyn Pallett also largely contributed to the success of the entertainment by their excellent representations of “Mr Box” and “Mr Cox”.” Their sister Edith, a small child dressed as a buttercup, sang “Sweet Little Buttercup”, Frank got an encore for singing “Little Buttercup” and “Angels Whisper”. He had also received rave reviews in March that year for his singing at another entertainment in aid of the local brass band and again in 1902.

On 2 September 1908 Frank married May Maggie Goodson in Tring parish church.

Following transport difficulties the Pallett’s moved the business – now called D J Pallett and Son and making cider and “British wine” – to Rickmansworth and in 1911 Frank and May were living at 56, Talbot Road, Rickmansworth. The census reveals that they had had one child who had died in infancy.

Following further problems Pallett’s Ciders moved to Taunton in Somerset.

Frank established a similar business in Northern Ireland where they lived for 18 years. However, to quote his obituary in The Bucks Herald (17 August 1945) the Troubles “did not make for commercial success as the majority of the cider-drinking trade is with the people of the south. The Republicans put up many barriers against traders in Northern Ireland, and finally Mr Pallett went to Berkhamsted where he opened a shop and picture framing business.”

 In 1939 Frank and May were living at “Shamrock House”, 272, High Street. He was a stationer, picture framer and general toy dealer. Also living with Frank and May were May’s mother, Emily Cato, aged 90, and married couple Lionel and Beatrice Clowe.

During the war Frank was on war-work at East’s Timber Mills and served as a Special Constable.

Frank died 10 August 1945 at West Herts hospital. His home address was “Wynnstay”, High Street.

May survived him until 1952 and is buried here with him.

May Maggie Pallett

06/05/1883 –12/10/1952

An assistant school teacher and accomplished pianist; wife of Frank Pallett

Relatives

Frank Pallett (1070) — husband

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 1070 May Maggie Pallett (née Goodson) (1883-1952)

May was born 6 May 1883, the youngest daughter of blacksmith James Goodson and Emily (née Cato) of Park Lane, Tring.

In 1901, aged 17, she was a “school assistant”, presumably a pupil-teacher helping with the youngest children.

May was an accomplished pianist. She took part in various Tring “entertainments” and also taught piano.

She married Frank Pallett, brewer and cider maker in Tring parish church 2 September 1908, “tastefully attired in a gown of  white cloth and satin.” The honeymoon was spent in Brighton.

Frank’s family business had begun in Buckland Common but moved to Rickmansworth and in 1911 Frank and May were living at 56, Talbot Road, Rickmansworth. The census reveals that they had had one child who had died in infancy. Pallett’s Ciders moved to Taunton in Somerset and then Frank established a similar business in Northern Ireland. They lived there for 18 years until the Troubles caused so many problems that they moved to Berkhamsted where Frank set up a stationery and picture framing business.

In 1939 Frank and May were living at “Shamrock House”, 272, High Street. He was a stationer, picture framer and general toy dealer. Also living with Frank and May were Emily Cato, aged 90, May’s mother, and married couple Lionel and Beatrice Clowe.

During the war Frank was on war-work at East’s Timber Mills and served as a Special Constable. He died 10 August 1945 at West Herts hospital. His home address was “Wynnstay”, High Street.

May survived him until 12 October 1952 and is buried with him here.