Mr. Christmas Holly Cattermole’s stationery shop, Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby c1906.

An original, real photographic postcard posted in 1906. Printed by Chadwick & Allen, 72 Rosmead Street, Hull. The location is 375 Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby.

Christmas Holly Cattermole was born in Heigham (Norwich) on 23rd December 1855 and Christened in Woodbastwick (Norfolk Broads) on 18th May 1856. His parents were James Cattermole, licensed victualler, and Sarah Cattermole. (We will try to determine which public house James and Sarah ran.)

In 1871, Christmas Holly Cattermole was a clerk to the G.C.R. (at a station). He was lodging in Little Walsingham. In 1890, Christmas Holly Cattermole was a printer and stationer on Fish Dock Road. He lived at 32 Levington Street. As the photo shows, he had moved to 375 Cleethorpe Road by 1906.

Christmas Holly Cattermole married Elizabeth Jane Plush (from Ewshot, Hampshire) in St Giles, London in 1887. They lived at 68 Blundell Street, Cleethorpes in 1901 (after they moved from Levington Street c1892). At the time, they had a son, James, born 1890, in Grimsby. The couple had a daughter, Etheldreda Mary Cattermole. She was born in in Grimsby in 1891 and sadly died in 1892, aged 7 months. Robert Cattermole was born in 1894. Sadly, he died later the same year, aged just one month. Harry Cattermole was born in 1902. In 1911, Christmas Holly, Elizabeth Jane and their boys James and Harry were living above the shop at 375 Cleethorpe Road. James was a clerk in a savings bank.

In 1920, Christmas Holly Cattermole still had his shop on Fish Dock Road as well as his shop/home at 375 Cleethorpes Road. The couple were still living at No. 375 in 1927. They were selling fancy goods as well as stationery. After 1927, they soon retired to Caistor, where Elizabeth Jane Cattermole died in 1930, aged 73. Christmas Holly was still living in North Street, Caistor in 1939. He died in Louth in 1947.

James Cattermole married Hilda Fletcher in 1920. He became a sales director for a biscuit manufacturer and the couple lived at 52 Park Drive, Grimsby. He died on 13th April 1967. Hilda died on 13th May 1967. They had a daughter, Barbara Cattermole, who married Alan C Browne in Grimsby towards the end of 1967. It was quite a year for Barbara!

Henry Cattermole was a shopfitter’s surveyor in Leeds. He married Rachel May Clark in Sculcoates, Hull in 1932. They had a son, David, born 1935. Harry died in 1980.

The postcard was posted by Aubrey in Grimsby on 19th July 1906. The recipient was Mrs Tomlinson, 51 The Vineyard, Richmond Surrey. Aubrey says that he arrived in Grimsby safely and on time (7.35). His train did almost a record run into Peterborough. It did 80 miles in 80 minutes. He hopes to hear that Mrs Tomlinson reached home safely and comfortably. He adds that the view on the photo is exactly opposite his place.

Research by Grimsby & Cleethorpes Museum.