Forum Topic

CastleBar House History

I wonder if you can help me with some research of earlier residents of Ealing. We have just purchased a 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II which was purchased new by Charles Amherst Robertson of Castlebar House, Ealing.I do know that the property was earlier occupied by the Amherst & the Smith family (Lucy Amherst being Charles Robertson's mother) the house also known as Castle Bear House, Castlebar House and Castle Hill House. Mrs Sarah Robertson passed away in May 1964 & Mr Robertson sometime before 1957 (possibly in 1936 as the car was transferred to Mrs Robertson) as Mrs Robertson sold the car – she was a widow at that time.Any info on C A Robertson & / or the car / house would be appreciated.thanks

Sue Jones ● 4294d13 Comments

Many thanks for confirming the date of his death, this ties in with Charles A. Robertson being the owner of the car as the log book shows the title to the car being changed to Sarah Robertson in 1936.Really do appreciate your help, the new owner of the car will be delighted with the extra history.Sue

Sue Jones ● 4286d

Hi JeffreyGreat information, it certainly does help with my research, I still cannot work out why in 1936 the title to the car was passed to his wife.  There is a link to the Amherst of Canada which is just fascinating.Sue

Sue Jones ● 4286d

Just as an additional note to this thread, Dr Jonathan Oates is the Borough Archivist and is based in Ealing Central Library.  He gives many fascinating talks on local history throughout the year in the Library.  If anyone is interested in pursuing questions on local history, it may be a good idea to contact Dr Oates via the Library service.

Elizabeth Anna Thaddeus ● 4288d

I'm not sure that Charles Albert Amherst Robertson was the owner of the car. I found an obituary in the Times dated 26/6/1935 for Charles Amherst Robertson "ROBERTSON-On June 25th, 1935, at Castlebar House, Ealing, Charles Amherst, beloved husband of Sarah Robertson, aged 68". He would therefore have been born about 1867. Sarah died on 15th May 1964 in her 92nd year (Times, 16/5/64). C.A.A. Robertson could possibly be the son of Charles and Sarah although I have no proof of this. Lucy Ann Amherst (1834-1881) was the first wife of Charles Thomas Amherst (1832-1909) and they had two daughters, Lucy and Sarah. There is a lot more about the Amherst family on the rootsweb.ancestry.com website. Many of them are buried in Brompton Cemetery. Ealing Library has a local history section which would be a useful starting point to find out more about Castlebar House.

Catriona Mitchell ● 4291d

Sue  I've been scratching around on the internet,it seems C A Robertson was actually Charles Albert Amherst Robertson Born in 1898. He became a Major in the Scots Guards,retiring in 1945.  I also found a very slight possibility that the Amherst family may have been linked to Jeffrey Amherst the First Baron Amherst who met a very unpleasant end at the hands of Canadian Indians along with his second in command coincidentaly a Charles Robertson. There is a town in Nova Scotia named Amherst presumably after Jeffrey?

Tony Wood ● 4292d

Hi RoyInteresting that he was Head of the Household which would appear to indicate that C A Robertson was deceased.An & all nostalgia is of great interest, it gives personality to the cars.Thanks for replyingSue

Sue Jones ● 4292d

Not totally relevant to your enquiry, but interesting that my older brother Edward worked at Castlebar House before WW2 when he would have been in his late 20s. Not sure what he did, but was referred to as 'the butler'. Rather illogical as he was a fine carpenter.  Called up to the R.A.F in 1940 he resumed employment at the 'Big House' on demob in 1946 as 'head of household' until death of Mrs Robinson, at which time he helped clear the effects until the fine house was sold for yet another block of flats!  He often mentioned the    Rolls. If my wife and I had a social engagement he would always produce a beautiful Orchid from the greenhouse for her dress. My father also worked there as 'occupational therapy' for a short while after his retirement doing odd jobs. Edward received only a small pension as reward for his many years of service.  Hope this nostalgic background will be of interest.  Best wishes Roy Bartlett

roy bartlett ● 4293d

The RR in question is Chassis Nr 182Gy and is on the website realcar.co.ukThanks for trying to helpSue

Sue Jones ● 4293d

Truly magnificent! I hope it's a regular sight on the roads around Ealing.http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C530451#

Tony Wood ● 4293d

Beautiful.....

Joanna Dabrowska ● 4293d

How wonderful. Did I spot you on the Great West Road the other week?

Jim Lawes ● 4293d

See Ealing Walkabout, p 69 for the house.

Graham Weeks ● 4294d

Would informants be rewarded by a ride in said Roller?

Graham Weeks ● 4294d