Bourton-on-the-Water

Archaeological notes made by Dr. C. Scott-Garrett (c.1930-1967); papers and photographs kept by Mrs. H. O'Neil, mainly relating to Bourton-on-the-Water (1934-1978)

• <persname>Scott-Garret, C, 1885-1972, archaeologist of the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire</persname>
• <persname>Garret, C Scott-, 1885-1972, archaeologist of the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire</persname>
• <persname>O'Neil, Helen, d 1984, of Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire</persname>

(Acc. 2871 4725) Documents deposited by Mrs. H. E. O'Neil, 14 May 1973 and 11 November 1983

Some detailed notes relating to the investigation of archaeological sites were transferred to Corinium Museum where other relevant records and finds are housed.

Mrs. Helen O'Neil was a resident of Bourton-on-the-Water for many years and became an authority on the village's history. She lived at Camp House before her marriage and returned there after her husband's death in 1954. Camp House was built on the ancient site of Salmonsbury camp and Mrs O'Neil became interested in archaeology during excavations of the camp in the early 1930s. She joined the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society in 1933 and remained an active member until her death in 1984. The collection contains several references to Mrs. O'Neil's husband, Bryan H. St. John O'Neil, chief inspector of ancient monuments.

The collection also contains the notebooks of Dr. C. Scott-Garrett which were bequeathed to Helen O'Neil under the terms of his will. Dr. Scott-Garrett was a chemist by profession and supervised the production of acetone at the wood distillation works in the Forest-of-Dean during the first world war. He returned to Lydney in 1930 so that he could pursue his longstanding interest in archaeology and local history. He was involved in the excavation of Chesters Roman villa at Woolaston and supervised several digs undertaken by the Forest-of-Dean local history society, of which he was a member. He presumably knew Mrs. O'Neil through the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society to which he delivered talks and papers.