Stilwell, Geoffrey Holt

1865 – 20 November 1927

Geoffrey Stilwell, generally known as Holt, was one of seven children born to John Pakenham Stilwell and Georgina Stevens of Yateley, and the oldest of their three sons. The Stilwells were an old banking family, owners of the recognised Royal Navy bank (Stilwell & Sons of Great George Street, Westminster and later, 42 Pall Mall) until the busines was acquired by the London Westminster Bank (later the Nat West).

A family tradition was membership of the Hampshire Volunteers and Holt commanded the 4th Battalion of the Hampshire Territorials (a cycling regiment) for five years, retiring in 1913. His brothers also held the rank of Lieut. Colonel, and two of his sons followed in his footsteps.

The Stilwell family lived at Hillfield, a substantial house which burnt down and was rebuilt as Yateley Place. J P Stilwell found Bronze Age burials in the vicinity and presented the urns to Winchester Museum. His son continued the tradition by reporting on finds of similar material from Moor Place gravel pit, Moulsham. He was also an active member of the Field Club, serving as a Vice-President.

Geoffrey Stilwell’s most significant contribution to the history of the area was the compilation of notes and information which were later (c 1970) ‘edited and arranged’ by Sydney Loader into The History of Yateley. The volume is strong on ecclesiastical material, but unfortunately, the editor didn’t use the opportunity to say anything about ‘Holt’.

Geoffrey Holt Stillwell was injured in cycling accident on 19 November 1927 and died the following day.

Sources

Portrait

Bookplate of G H Stilwell

Bookplate of Holt Stilwell.

Contribution to county’s history

Relevant published works

Stilwell, J (sic) H (1915) Historical Notes on the Parish of Yateley HFC 7, pp 52-60
Stilwell, G H (1926) Find of Ancient Pottery at Yateley HFC 10 pp 82, 83.
Stilwell, G H (c 1975) The History of Yateley, edited by Sydney Loader.