1930-1939
The Newcastle upon Tyne Electoral Registers (1741-1974) show John Rankin being on the Electoral register in Newcastle while living at Broomgrove Lodge:
Rankin, John Tennant
(Abode - Broomgrove Lodge, Broomsgrove Road, Sheffield)
1930-1938 Guildhall, 1939 13/15 Mosley Street
Sheffield Telephone Directory shows:
Rankin Jno T, Broomgrove ldg, Broomgrove rd, 10 .. Broomhill61235
The Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland Electoral Registers (1857-1962) also show's John and Margaret S. Rankin being on the Electoral register in Glasgow while living at Broomgrove Lodge:
Rankin, John Tennant
Rankin, Mrs. Margaret S.
135 Buchanan Street, Glasgow
(ancestry.co.uk)
1930
In the Sheffield Independent publication of Saturday, October 4th 1930, the following article appeared:
"WOMEN'S LOSSES IN SHOPS.
ALLEGED BAG THIEF SENT FOR TRIAL.
ALIBI PLEA.
...Mrs. Helm was further charged with stealing a hand-bag and contents valued at £20 belonging to Mrs. Margaret Scott Rankin of Broom-grove Lodge, Sheffield, on 25 February. This hand-bag disappeared while Mrs. Rankin was in Messrs. Cole Brothers.
She was committed for trial on this charge..."
Source: The British Newspaper Archive. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of The British Library Board.
1932
Monday, 1st of February sees in the Sheffield Daily Telepgraphs publication the following letter to the editor:
“JUMBLE SALE IN AID OF
SHEFFIELD DISTRESS.
Sir, - The City of Sheffield Women’s Advisory Committee, in response to an appeal issued to the whole of England by the head-quarters of the Conservative and Unionist Women’s Organisations to form national emergency working parties to help cases of distress in industrial areas, have decided that the needs of the City of Sheffield can best be served by raising a fund immediately instead of trying to form working parties. It is recognised that all persons of good will are already working to this end and it would be impossible to form such parties without over-lapping.
The Committee has therefore decided to organise a jumble sale on a large scale, to be held in the Lower Cutlers’ Hall on Tuesday, February 23rd. By this means help can be given in two ways. The poor of the city can buy good second-hand clothing at purely nominal prices and the proceeds of the sale will be handed to a recognised charitable organisation in the city for distribution, regardless, of course, of the political views held by the recipients.
Our Committee is therefore appealing for gifts of garments, boots, shoes, household goods, etc., in fact anything and everything that is saleable.
A depot will be opened for the receipt of goods on Monday, February 15th, at 148, West Street, which premises have, through the generosity of Messrs. Wm. Hutton and Sons, Ltd., been placed free of all charge at the disposal of the Committee. The depot will be open daily between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. and the Committee are confident that their friends will help them to ensure the success of this effort to bring some measure of assistance to those who, through no fault of their own, are passing through a period of acute hardship and difficulty. - Yours, etc.,
VERA MATTHEWS,
Chairman Women’s Advisory Committee
MARGARET RANKIN,
Chairman Jumble Sale Committee.”
Source: The British Newspaper Archive. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of The British Library Board.
The passenger list for the Elders & Fyffes, Limited ship R.M.S Cavina bound for Kingston shows the following for the Avonmouth departure date of 25th of November 1932:
Contract Ticket No: 27584
NAMES OF PASSENGERS: Rankin, John Tennant
Last address in the United Kingdom: Broomgrove Lodge, Broomgrove Road, Sheffield
CLASS: 1
Port at which Passengers have contracted to land: Kingston, Jamaica
Profession, Occupation or Calling of Passengers: Chartered Accountant
AGES OF PASSENGERS: 54
Country of last Permanent Residence: England
Country of Intended Future Permanent Residence: England
(ancestry.co.uk)
1933
In the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer newspaper publication of Saturday, August 12th 1933, the following article appeared:
"COW IMPALED
Escapades of Beast at Sheffield
A cow on its way to a slaughter-house met with a remarkable accident in Sheffield last night. The beast was being driven down Broomgrove Road, when, because of the traffic, it got out of hand, and bolted. Pedestrians gave chase, but the animal ran into a garden in East Grove Road. Seeing no way out, it attempted to leap over some railings, five feet high, and became impaled on the spikes. The police were summoned, but were unable to release it. The fire brigade were called, and they also failed, so a butcher from the slaughter-house shot it."
Source: The British Newspaper Archive. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of The British Library Board.
1935
1939
In December 1938 it was announced in the House of Commons that in the event of war, a National Register would be taken that listed the personal details of every civilian in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This Register was to be a critical tool in coordinating the war effort at home. It would be used to issue identity cards, organise rationing and more.
On September 1st, 1939 Germany invaded Poland, putting the wheels in motion for Britain to declare war on the 3rd of september. by September 5th, the National Registration Act received royal assent and Registrar General Sir Sylvanus Vivian announced that National Registration Day would be September 29th.
The 1939 "census" shows little information other than that the household consisted of John T. Rankin, a Chartered Account, born 24th June 1878 and his wife Margaret S. Rankin (an "unpaid domestic") born 23rd August 1889. There were 2 other occupants also listed - Isobel M. Torrance (Rankin), a 21 year old Typist and Dorothy M. Havenhand (Fuller) - a 20 year old domestic servant.
Also ...
No. 7 Broomgrove Road is occupied by married Marie G. Derby (again, an "unpaid domestic") as well as Emily G.G. Cowley ("paid domestic"). No other occupants are listed.
No. 9 Broomgrove Road is the home of Master Builder Frank B. Flint, his wife Lillian B. (again, an "unpaid domestic") and (possibly) one other person (name not released in 1939 census).
No. 11 Broomgrove Road (Broomgrove House) appears to be the home of an Analytical Chemist working within the Steel Works - Thomas R. Walker and his Wife Constance D. ("unpaid domestic"), plus (possibly) two others (names not released in 1939 census).
No. 23 Broomgrove Road is the home of George W. and Nellie M. Vickers. George is the Principal of an Analytical Laboratory and his wife, again, an "unpaid domestic". A cook, Margaret F. Brain, is also in residence with one other person (name not released in 1939 census).
No. 25 Broomgrove Road is still the home of the Stevenson's. Blanche L. is now widowed and lives alone. An Edward G Whittaker, (Political Agent Secretary) is also in residence, and housekeeper Everhilda Brewins is also listed.
No. 27 Broomgrove Road, the home of the Barnsley's, has married couple Percy T. and Daisy G. in residence. Percy is a Steel Tool and Tile Manufacturer and Daisy, yet again, an "unpaid domestic". They share their home with what appears to be two other people, although their names have been adjusted after the census, so cannot be accurately revealed.