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| Halfway House Farm, near Great Dunmow, Essex cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robert Edwards - geograph.org.uk/p/231844 |
Charles Hockley (b. 27 Apr 1876), son of William Hockley and Charlotte Cock, like generations of the family grew up at Halfway House, married Annie Crow, daughter of James Crow and Ann Newcombe, who had lived virtually next door at Philpot End, in Great Dunmow, on 29 Mar 1902.
Charles and Annie Hockley had four children:
- William Charles Hockley b. 7 Sep 1903 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 869, bap. 18 Oct 1903, in Great Dunmow
- James Hockley b. 24 Oct 1909 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 842, bap. 28 Nov 1909 in Great Dunmow
- Annie Hockley b. 14 Jan 1912 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 1696, bap. 25 Feb 1912 in Great Dunmow
- Charles Francis Hockley b. 25 Mar 1915 J Quarter in DUNMOW 04A Page 1630, bap. 2 May 1915 in Great Dunmow
At Halfway House in 1911 were Charles Hockley (35) Farm Labourer, Annie Hockley (33), William Charles Hockley (7) and James Hockley (1).
None of the baptism records say where, but they do all confirm the family's residence at Halfway House. On the last baptism for Charles Francis in 1915, his father's occupation is given as Army Service Corps Serving in France.
Despite about 60% of soldiers’ Service Records being irretrievably damaged or lost completely as a result of enemy bombing in 1940 during the Second World War, Charles Hockley's record survives. Charles Hockley, Service number T4/041670 of Halfway House, Great Dunmow, Essex, had volunteered, age 38 years and 8 months, for 3 years service on 18 Jan 1915, at which time he was 5 ft 4¼ with a 37" chest. The record confirms the dates of birth of his four children, which it says were verified by certificates, but he'd incorrectly remembered the date of his wedding anniversary.
Charles was attached to the 452nd Horse Transport Company (he'd have been used to working with horses on the farm). See: Army Service Corps Horse Transport Companies. According to the list, pre-war, this was the 46th (North Midland) Division and his record does show him with the 46th Division Train - "the ‘workhorse’ of the Division in terms of carrying stores and supplies". Charles' embarked in Southampton on 18 Feb 1915, arriving in Le Havre the following day. It is recorded that the Division spent the first months in the Ypres Salient. Charles was in France until he was discharged on 22 Mar 1919. He received a British War Medal and a Victory Medal.
In 1939, at Halfway House Cottages, Great Dunmow, were Charles Hockley, Labourer Stockman; Annie Hockley; James Hockley, Farm Labourer and Charles Francis Hockley, Heavy Tractor Driver (Agricultural Contract Work).
Charles Hockley died, aged 76, in 1953.
Annie Hockley died, aged 77, in 1955.
- William Charles Hockley of Church Cottage, Tilty, had married Jessica Emma Trott, daughter of Robert William Trott, on 11 Feb 1928 in Tilty, Essex. In 1939, William C Hockley, Gardener, and Jessie E Hockley were living at The Fields, Stansted Mountfitchet. William Charles Hockley died, aged 86, in Bishops Stortford, in 1989. Jessie Emma Hockley died, aged 92, in Harlow, in 1998.
- James Hockley, of Halfway House Cottage, Ongar Road, Great Dunmow, died on 2 Oct 1979. He does not appear to ever marry.
- Annie C Hockley (she didn't have a second name, but the birth date agrees), married Fred Hardy in Great Dunmow in 1937. In 1939, Fred Hardy, Horseman on farm and Annie Hardy were living at Tolliday Cottages, Stebbing, Great Dunmow. Fred Hardy died, aged 80, in 1985 and Anny Hardy, aged 77 in 1989.
- Charles Francis Hockley died on 5 Sep 2012. He'll have been 97.