An unusual occupation?

[Pauline]

I was looking at a distant relative in the 1939 Register and was somewhat amused by the Ancestry transcription of his occupation: "Retired Civil Scroat".

Sounds to me like a contradiction in terms!

(The actual register has 'Retired civil servant'.)

 

[At home in NZ]

 

[Lankylady]

Pauline, in my experience and in certain areas, 'scroat' is a derogatory term for someone who's a bit rough and ready!

 

[Bob Spiers]

I came across an extract from a London Trade Directrory for 1845 trying to find an ancestor James Crouch in London, offering a most unusual trade service

I know my James Crouch (1821-1889) shows an occupation of 'Painter' and at another time 'Grainer'
(simulating wood grain I believe)


He lived throughout in Bethnal Green so maybe an entirely different James Crouch. But that aside, in what form do you suppose one would offer warm and cold baths as a Trade rather than (say) as Public baths? That does intrigue me.

 

[peter]

You will no doubt recall from my newsletter that public baths only came into being after legislation was passed in 1844, and only proliferated after a second act in 1850.

My guess is that a warm bath incorporated a heater, whereas a cold bath didn't. This article (found via Google) doesn't answer your specific question, but it provides a lot of background information that may help to narrow down the answer.