Wally carved this from a block of hard-wood in 1899.
It appears to be a "Dickensian" figure, and I would appreciate any comments as to who he might be, and is he worth anything. My photo here is about half-size of the actual carving. 

 Battle-Rouser Maker

    
   "Rousers" were a very   special firework made by  various local men in secret locations (like my Grandad's shed) for the  5th November Guy Fawkes celebrations   held every year with a "Gurt Big Bonfire" on  the Abbey Green.
 It was a dangerous business
  with some local fatalities.
 At five years old I was nearly blinded by one of these flying "bombs" which
exploded a few inches from my face. The St John Ambulance man called to give "First Aid" turned out to be my Dad. It was a bit of a shock for him too. 

 Battle Town Band practised at "The Kings Head" in Mount Street for  many years. Wally can be identified by his Trombone, (it looks like a large paper-clip) and no  doubt some of you will be able name other members of this very, very memorable group of musicians. 
 

            Gardener

My Grandad was like most Gardeners, extremely calm, clever and versatile, and his working day "every day is a working day for Gardeners" was tending the plants in the various gardens within the Abbey Grounds. His week was carefully organised to  include: Band practise, wood-carving,  carpentry,
fire-work making, telling me stories, and teaching me how to use tools.

          Showman
His most enjoyable task was the propagation and culture of Prize Winning Entries in the many Local Flower Shows.
When he wasn't showing, he was judging, . . .  Flowers, Fruit and Vegetables were all a challenge to him, and if he was exhibiting, his entries had to be the "BEST" in the show. And very often, they were.
 And my Dad was destined to follow   in his footsteps. 
   I don't remember my Dad, or my Grandparents ever having a Holiday
               

 
   Wally watering in his favourite "Prize
  Begonias"  in the Abbey Conservatory 

Needless to say that the White family always had fresh fruit and vegetables, for this was one of the "perks" of being a Gardener on a large Estate.  Mr.Reid Partridge ran a small Dairy Farm beside the Kitchen Gardens, so we always had fresh milk as well. His son Ron taught me to milk the Cows at an early age. I was later to find this skill very useful
    -with Goats, in a Palestinian Desert.