Introducing James Gillingham

James Gillingham was born in 1839, the son of David, a court shoemaker who had set up a high-quality business in Chard under the name of the “Golden Boot”. David died when James was only ten years old and his mother carried on the trade with a manager. James, followed in his father’s footsteps and went to London and after a brief apprenticeship as a shoemaker came back to run the family business and support his mother. This he did very successfully too as she lived to the ripe old age of 91. Many of the images in this tour have been taken from his photograph album. This album is held in the archives of the Museum.

James Gillingham led a full life. He was a town councillor, a campaigner for temperance and a supporter of charitable causes He was a fervent admirer of John Stringfellow, the pioneer of powered flight, whose name and achievements he praised at every opportunity. The memorial to Stringfellow in Chard cemetery was inspired by James Gillingham, as was the plaque on Stringfellow’s house now part of the Blue Plaque Walk.

 James Gillingham is renowned for being a pioneer in the development of artificial limbs, (prosthetics). However, he was a man of remarkable talent. This exhibition will share his life, his wide ranging achievements and then the impact his work has had on modern day life. He was a keen photographer and left a rich record of what life was like for his family and the others who lived in Chard, south Somerset. James was a family man. However, and in running a very successful business his family had luxuries that many others did not have.

The Gillinghams were a unique Chard family. As you travel though this exhibit reflect on his genius, but also how other families might have lived in the Town at the same time. Read a short reflection on Victorian life at the time of James Gillingham.

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