| SIR CHARLES WHEELER KCVO by John Blamire-Brown These notes have been compiled mainly from newspaper cuttings, many from the Express & Star and from information kindly supplied by the Royal Academy. So, they reveal a portrait of Sir Charles as others saw him. Sir Charles's, as he saw himself, is to be found in his Autobiography "High Relief" which was published in 1968 by Country Life Books. It seems impertinent to bowdlerise his own autobiography and these notes have been compiled without reference to that. John Blamire-Brown Sir Charles Wheeler KCVO (1892-1974) Introduction Sir Charles Wheeler, who was born and buried in Codsall, achieved national fame by his Presidency of the Royal Academy – the first sculptor to hold this high office – his Knighthood, and local fame by his Freedom of the Borough (now City) of Wolverhampton and locally by his Presidency of the Codsall Civic Society. So, his lifetime achievements and local connections interest us. Childhood Charles Wheeler was born at The Cottage, Church Road, Codsall, on 14th March 1892 and was baptised in Codsall Church by the Vicar, Reverend Oliver Dunn, on St George's Day. He was given the names Charles Thomas. His father (Samuel Phipps Wheeler) was a journalist. His mother was Annie Florence, third child of Jeremiah Crowther, a Works Manager. The Cottage is red brick with black and white half-timbering. The family did not stay long in Cod-sall and moved to Goldthorn Terrace, Wolverhampton. During Sir Charles's presidency of the Royal Academy of Arts, Codsall people thought it right to place a plaque on the house where he was born as a tribute to him. The bronze plaque, previously approved by Sir Charles, was provided by local subscription including a donation from the Codsall Parish Council. Mr John Harness and his wife (the former actress Penelope Shaw) and their daughters, Caroline and Jessica, then lived at the house and readily agreed to the plaque being placed near their front door. Mr Harness was a joint managing director of the Engraving Co. Ltd. of Wolverhampton. The plaque was designed by a friend of Sir Charles, Mr Horace J Sadler, of 59 Codsall Road, Wolverhampton. When Sir Charles came to view the plaque on 10th October 1960, he said: "Not only is my name now inscribed in imperishable bronze, but I am glad that the name of the Royal Academy, whose servant I am and which for two hundred years has encouraged the arts, should be brought to my native village. Usually a plaque is not erected until after one's death and to view one during one's lifetime is a little like a man reading his own obituary. Sir Charles was accompanied on this occasion by his wife, his elder brother John and his niece, Mrs J Baugh. Those present included Geoffrey Woodward who was then Chairman of both the Codsall Parish and the Seisdon Rural District Councils. At one time, the planning of the route of the bypass of Codsall Square threatened 'The Cottage'. Representations at the time by the Seisdon Rural District Council urged the saving of the property because it was the birthplace of Charles Wheeler. |
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