The Savory family
of
Cowley, Gloucestershire, England
One of Sir Reginald Savory’s (‘Uncle Reg’) many interests was genealogy, in the particular that of the Savorys. He started serious research around 1928, when he was at the Staff College. Due, no doubt to the many moves service life involved, he mislaid many of the records he had acquired during his time at Camberley.
However, in the five or six years prior to his death in June 1980, he once again paid attention to the subject, this time with the intention of producing ‘an illustrated family tree’.
He often discussed his progress with his nephew, Anthony Savory (‘Tony’), as he was keen for Tony to complete his work.
After his death, Tony found this note amongst his papers, which was clearly his agenda for their next meeting.
“Tony
Family History
Have done a good deal
Some still remains
Time I hand it on
Will you do it?
Hand over in person?
Let me know (rather bulky, many files + books and correspondence)”
The task Reg asked Tony to take over from him was completed in 1982 and makes up much of this site’s contents.
In carrying out that task Tony expanded on Reg’s ideas and recorded something about each generation up to his generation. Much of this was already available in Reg’s files, and it seemed to Tony that not only would the information add to the interest of the history but that it would also give some foliage to an otherwise bare tree.
As far as possible, Tony’s purpose has been to give some details about the personalities of the individuals, indicate some of their achievements and give an idea of what life was like in their day.
Building this website we have built on this, with more information which has come to light since 1982, accessing information from online, military, school, university and press archives, which are more readily available now, as well as from younger generations.
The tree follows the line down from Thomas Savery of Cowley in the County of Gloucestershire.
If you’re reading this site and are part of the family, we’d love to hear from you and add your details to the site. Just email [email protected]
Apart from Reg and Tony without who this site would not have seen the light of day, many others helped Tony compile the information; some members of the family and others either professional or willing amateur researchers. Reg and Tony wanted to note on record their debt to Hubert Savory (no relation) particularly for his contribution in respect of the very early Savorys and their connections with the Savriacs. And Mr Brian Frith F.S.G. and Mr Alan Rolfe F.S.G. who made invaluable contributions. The former in respect of the information he was able to trace about the Savorys when they were based in Gloucestershire and the latter by the provision of information about the family, following the arrival of our forebears in London.
Tony thought it was appropriate the Family History book was completed in 1982. Two years after Reg’s death in June 1980; the year after the famous Savory & Moore shop of 143 Bond Street ceased to trade under the name in 1981; and the same year, David Savory, the last member of the family to be a director of the business, retired in 1982.
It was an end of an era.
This site encompasses the book written by Tony showcasing the Savory family, the story of the world renowned Savory & Moore and many other family stories and successes.
