Ivy May Hepworth, William Edgar Farthing and Lieutenant Commander Derrick William Graham RN OBE

Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Voller - geograph.org.uk/p/3699730

Ivy May Hepworth (b. 3 Nov 1892), daughter of Vincent Hepworth and Mary Ann (Annie) Rogers, married William Edgar Farthing (b. 23 Dec 1892), son of Frederick William Farthing and Emily Maud Gidley, on 10 Jan 1913, at the church of Saint James the Less, Plymouth. 

Their only son, Edgar Grahame Farthing, was born on 15 Nov 1913 and baptised on 16 Apr 1914 at St Mary's Church Plympton. 

William Edgar Farthing, formerly a clerk at the Great Western Railway, who enlisted in July 1914 in the Royal Garrison Artillery, husband of Ivy May Farthing of 22 Atheneaum St, The Hoe, Plymouth, Devon was invalided home and died at the London Hospital, Whitechapel on 8 Feb 1917, aged 24, of a disease contracted while on active service. Second Lieutenant William Edgar Farthing is buried at Ford Park Cemetery (Plymouth Old Cemetery). 

Ivy Maud Farthing remarried, on 29 May 1925, to Derrick William Graham. 

Derrick William Graham, b. 8 Aug 1900, was the elder son of Charles William Graham a Silk Merchant born in Melbourne, Australia and his wife Edith Eleanor Clodd (m. 1899 in the City of London). In 1911, Derrick (10) and his younger brother, Geoffrey Edward (9) were boarders at Doon House Preparatory School for Boys, Canterbury Road, Westgate-on-Sea. He entered service with the Royal Navy in May 1913, as an officer cadet, at Britannia Royal Naval College, at Dartmouth, Devon. 

The couple had two sons:

1. David William Graham b. 1926 D Quarter in DEVONPORT Vol 05B Page 423, died 1926 D Quarter in DEVONPORT Vol 05B Page 395
2. Michael William Graham b. 5 Jan 1929 in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 1189

Derrick William Graham made Sub-Lieutenant in 1919; Lieutenant in 1921 and Lieutenant-Commander in 1929. His service record places him in Malta in 1928 and Ivy May Graham and son Michael, of 109 Broadfield Road, Catford, SE6, sailed to Malta with RMS Viceroy of India, in 1931.

In 1939, at West Lodge, Villiers Road, Portsmouth, were Ivy M Graham, listed with a birth year of 1896 - it was 1892 - admitting to be four years older than her husband, but not all eight, while Derrick W Graham RN, at that time, was attached to HMS Dolphin (shore establishment), home of the Royal Navy Submarine Service from 1904 to 1999, at Fort Blockhouse, Gosport.

On 1 Jan 1944 Acting Commander Derrick William Graham, Royal Navy (Portsmouth) is listed in The London Gazette, having been mentioned in despaches. His record states "Mentioned in Despaches for zeal, patience and cheerfulness in dangerous waters, and for setting an example of wholehearted devotion to duty, upholding the high traditions of the Royal Navy."

Graham got his OBE (which him indoors tells me stands for "Other Buggers' Efforts") in 1946 for distinguished services during the war in the Far East.

Acting Commander Derrick William Graham reverted to the retired list on 30 Jul 1948. The marriage between Derrick and Ivy was disolved on 23 Feb 1951 and Derrick William Graham immediately remarried, on 17 Mar 1951, to Margaret Hamilton Sterling in Natal, South Africa. Derrick William Graham of St. Paul Road, Vacoas, Mauritius died on 28 Apr 1960.

Ivy May Graham died on 20 Oct 1978 in Portsmouth, just days short of turning 86. She is buried in the churchyard at St Nicholas Church, Durweston, Dorset, where her sister, Ida Lily Soppit, is also buried. Dorset Monumental Inscriptions lists her as "Mother of Grahame & Michael GRAHAM".

• Having joined The Royal Regiment Of Artillery in 1933, Edgar Grahame Farthing married Kathleen Lucy Downs (b. 29 May 1914), in Windsor, Berkshire, in 1949 and on 17 May 1957, they and their two children, of Officers Married Quarters, Andover, sailed to Canada on the RMS Empress of Britain. Edgar Farthing died on 3 Jan 2000 (aged 86) and is buried at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cemetery, North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada. Kathleen Farthing died on 17 Nov 2004 and is buried with her husband.
• Michael William Graham, formerly a Director of Rookery Estates Co, property management company, in Maidstone, Kent, married Rachel M Norman in 1952. He died at 69, in 1998.

Derrick William Graham's father, Charles William Graham, had also died at a relatively early age, 52, in London on 14 Jan 1924. The Probate record quotes him as being of 42 Gutter Lane, London and Mirabelle, Carshalton, Surrey. 42 Gutter Lane was the address of Messrs Courtauld and Co.

William Edgar Farthing's father, Frederick William Farthing, died in 1936 and his obituary in the Western Morning News was interesting: Former G.W.R. Inspector Dies at Plymouth. As well as detailing his 49 year career with the railway, it mentioned a son (Frederick Arthur) who was in the Customs at Southampton and that his wife's sisters, Alice and Lilian Gidley, were formerly headmistresses at Stonehouse. As my father, who had left Plymouth in 1936, had been to school in Stonehouse, means there's a possibility my father's headmistress had been a very distant relative by marriage to my mother.

William George Beamer and Elsie May Carver

HMS Impregnable in the Hamoaze off Devonport Dockyard

William George Beamer, second son of Alfred Beamer and Mary Ann White, at age 16, in 1901, was a member of the crew of HMS Impregnable the 1st Rate (Training Ship For Boys), in the Hamoaze, Devonport off Maker, St Germans, Cornwall. After spending 19 years in the reserve fleet, HMS Impregnable became the Royal Navy's second boys' training ship at Devonport in 1862. 

Having signed up for a further 12 years in the Royal Navy, on 4 Feb 1903, William was discharged, invalided, on 8 Jun 1905. Then on 9 Sep 1905, he enlisted in the British Army in the Devonshire Regiment. One wonders what condition was classed as invalid for the Navy, but still fit for the Army.

So, next we find William George Beamer (26), in 1911, with the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment, stationed at Saint Georges Barracks, Malta. (Part of the Pembroke Army Garrison, at Pembroke, Malta, not far from St. Julian's.)

William George Beamer married Elsie May Carver at the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, which was located in Southside Street/Friars Lane, Barbican, Plymouth, on 17 May 1916. This church no longer exists because it was was destroyed in the Second World War and never rebuilt or replaced. 

Elsie May Carver (b. 22 Nov 1894, bap. 16 Dec 1894 at Holy Trinity Church), was the daughter of Charles Frederick Carver from Clerkenwell, London and Frances Rundle, native of Plymouth. (She was Frances Foster at the time of their marriage, so may have been a widow.) In 1911, the family, including Elsie May (16), had lived at Artizans Dwellings, Notte Street.

William George Beamer was the recipient of a Silver War Badge, having been discharged from the Machine Gun Corps on 30 Mar 1917, under King's Regulation 392 (xvi) “No longer physically fit for war service". "He has a Ministry of Pensions record card which shows him as 22105 MG, residing at 13 Walson Rd, Plymouth. He was discharged on 30.3.17. Cause - deafness. He was also entitled to the Silver War Badge number 197170." (The Silver War Badge was designed to be worn on civilian clothes after early discharge from the army. The accompanying certificate will have read, "Served with honour and was disabled in the Great War. Honourably discharged on ...")

Elsie's younger brother, Charles Frederick Carver (b. 1898), 5th (Prince of Wales's) Battalion (Territorials), Devonshire Regiment, son of Charles F. and Frances Carver, of 5, Artizan's Dwellings, Notte St., Plymouth, was killed in action on 20 Jul 1918 and is buried at Marfaux British Cemetery, France. 

In 1939, William G Beamer, Skilled Labourer HM Dockyard, wife Elsie M Beamer and John F Carver (b. 1902), Road Repair Labourer (Elsie's brother), were still living at 5 Artizans Dwellings, Notte Street, Plymouth - buildings in that street were destroyed in the Second World War and demolished. 

William George Beamer, once more of 5 Artizans Dwellings, Notte Street, died on 1 Jan 1956 and left £605 4s 10d to his widow. 

Elsie May Beamer died in the 4th quarter of 1973, aged 79.

Esther Kathleen Drake and Thomas Samuel Eastabrook and William Henry Lynch and Alfred William Gullick

St Mary's (Our Lady Star of the Sea), Saltcoats
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Leslie Barrie - geograph.org.uk/p/3379097

Esther Kathleen Drake (b. 1887), eldest daughter of Edward Charles Drake and Emma Jane Gloyne, married Thomas Samuel Eastabrook (b. 19 Feb 1880 in Devonport), eldest son of Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook and Eliza Back, in the 2nd quarter of 1906 in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales. 

(Thomas Samuel Eastabrook's mother, Eliza Back, was the daughter of Thomas Back and Mary Drake, who married in East Stonehouse, Devon in 1852, so undoubtedly we've just gone around in yet another circle.)

Thomas and Esther had four children:

1. Ellen Kathleen Eastabrook b. 5 Jul 1906 S Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 351, bap. 29 Jul 1906 at St John the Evangelist Church, Canton, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales
2. Ronald Edmund Thomas Eastabrook b. 1908 M Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 389
3. Minnie Esther Eastabrook said to be born b. 26 May 1909, reg. 1910 S Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 371
4. Richard Ernest Eastabrook b. 1911 D Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 748. Died 24 Nov 1941, see below.

In 1911, Esther Eastabrook (23) Married, was living in North End And Buckland, Portsmouth with daughter, Ellen Eastabrook (4) born in Roath Cardiff, Glamorganshire; Ronald Eastabrook (3) born in Brixton, London and Minnie Eastabrook (0) born in Buckland, Portsmouth. Thomas had previously been attached to HMS Victory II, a land based training establishment for stokers and engine artificers, based in Portsmouth, until January that year, however, at the time of the census in 1911, Thomas Samuel Eastabrook (31) was with HMS Speedwell (1889) in Sidmouth, Devon.

Having joined the Royal Navy on 23 Oct 1899, Thomas Samuel Eastabrook was lent to the Australian Government in 1912 and served with the Royal Australian Navy. Stoker Thomas Samuel Eastabrook of HMAS Brisbane (1915), was accidentally killed, aged 37, on 24 Feb 1917, it says from multiple injuries as the result of a fall. Thomas is buried in Plot C Grave 341 Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta (Kalkara Naval Cemetery) (Image courtesy of MilitaryImages.net).

Esther K Eastabrook then married William Henry John Lynch, (b. 11 Jul 1887), son of John Joseph Lynch (b. 1859 in Tipperary, Ireland, Bandsman Royal Irish) and Rosina Cole Harvey, in the 4th quarter of 1917, in Plymouth, Devon. 

Esther had one further son with her second husband:

5. Hugh Lynch, b. 1917 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 337 (Mother's maiden name, wrongly, listed as EASTABROOK.)

William Henry Lynch had joined the Royal Navy on 18 Jun 1909, as a Stoker 2nd Class, progressed to Leading Stoker and was discharged on 5 Oct 1921, having been invalided. William H and Esther Lynch were living in Plymouth, Devon in 1921. William Henry Lynch was said to have died around 1926, but in fact there is a William H Lynch, whose date of birth is 11 July 1887, living at 37 Union Street, Plymouth in 1939. [To be further investigated.]

Esther Kathleen Drake Eastabrook Lynch, however, married for the third time to Alfred William Gullick in 1928, in Saltcoats, Ayrshire. She's listed as Esther Kathleen Drake Easterbrook under Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Marriages - from which this marriage likely took place at St Mary's (Our Lady Star of the Sea), Saltcoats. At Scotland's People (Ref: 576 / 1 / 32), this marriage is listed as being between Alfred William Gullick and Esther Kathleen Lynch.

Alfred William Gullick (b. 4 Jun 1882 in Stonehouse, Devon, reg. 1883 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 288, bap. 1883 as Alfridus Gulielmus Gullick at the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of Saint Mary and Saint Boniface, Plymouth), was the son of William Gullick, Private Royal Marines from Thrushelton, Devon and Hannah or Anna Maria Murphy from Ireland. Alfred William Gullick joined the Royal Navy in July 1899 as a Boy 2nd Class. He served until 1920 and, as was Esther's first husband, was lent to the Royal Australian Navy, in 1913, serving with HMAS Sydney (1912); HMAS Australia (1911); HMAS Melbourne (1912) and at HMAS Cerberus, before returning to HMA London Depot.

Esther's son by her first husband, Richard Ernest Eastabrook, Dick, was lost with the sinking of HMS Dunedin (HMS Dunedin Society), on Thursday 24th November 1941. Plumber 3rd Class, Richard Ernest Eastabrook is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 56, Column 3. 

Alfred William Gullick died, at 74, in 1957, in Saltcoats.

Esther Kathleen Gullick died, aged 88, in 1975, also in Saltcoats. Ref: 662 /1 95. If there was any doubt, her mother's maiden name is listed as Gloyne.

Vincent Hepworth and Mary Ann (Annie) Rogers

Entrance to Wyvern Barracks, Topsham Road, Exeter
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Smith - geograph.org.uk/p/5073188

Vincent Hepworth (b. 2 Sep 1842 in Wakefield, Yorkshire), son of Vincent Hepworth and Sarah Ann Hudson, married Mary Ann Rogers (b. 1852), daughter of Richard Rogers and Martha Perkins (m. 1848), in Exeter, Devon, on 23 Oct 1871, according to the Register Of Marriages & Baptisms, C Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery. Gunner, Vincent Hepworth (31), in 1871, was stationed at The Artillery Barracks Heavitree, now Wyvern Barracks. The barracks were originally simply called Artillery Barracks to distinguish them from the Cavalry Barracks (Higher Barracks). The hidden secrets behind the walls of Exeter's Wyvern Barracks detail the [dire lack of] facilities at the installation. 

If Annie went to live there with her husband, I hope she wasn't expecting much: "... these barracks lacked accommodation for married soldiers – families being separated from other soldiers by a blanket hanging across the room."

Vincent and Annie had at least 13 children, including one pair of twins:

1. Albert Vincent Hepworth b. 1872 S Quarter in EXETER Vol 05B Page 81, bap. 1 Sep 1872 in Whimple, Devon, according to the Register Of Marriages & Baptisms, C Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery. The original church baptism record lists Vincent's occupation as "Officer's Servant".
2. Edith Mary Hepworth b. 30 Mar 1875, bap. 21 Apr 1875 in Kirkee (now Khadki), India
3. George Horbury Hepworth b. 30 Jan 1878, bap. 21 Feb 1878 in Kirkee (now Khadki), India
4. Thomas Richard Hepworth b. 21 Jan 1880, bap. 22 Feb 1880 in Throwleigh, Devon
5. Marie Ann Hepworth b. 28 Jun 1881 in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 71, bap. 1 May 1890 at Holy Trinity Church, Exeter
6. Soffie Hepworth b. Dec 1882 in SAINT THOMAS Vol 05B Page 72, died aged 9 weeks and buried on 14 Feb 1883, at St Thomas, Exeter
7. William Henry Hepworth b. Dec 1882 in SAINT THOMAS Vol 05B Page 72, died at 9 weeks and buried on 14 Feb 1883, at St Thomas, Exeter
8. Charles Hepworth b. 1884 S Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 70, died 1884 D Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 44
9. Rosa Bessie Hepworth b. 20 Mar 1886 in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 65, bap. 1 May 1890 at Holy Trinity Church, Exeter
10. Eveline Maud Hepworth b. 15 Feb 1888 in SAINT THOMAS Vol 05B 66
11. Ethel May Hepworth b. 1890 J Quarter in EXETER Volume 05B Page 78, bap. 1 May 1890 at Holy Trinity Church, Exeter, died at 6 months in 1890 in EXETER and buried on 27 Sep 1890 at Holy Trinity Church
12. Ida Lily Hepworth b. 16 Sep 1891 in EXETER Volume 05B Page 71
13. Ivy May Hepworth b. 3 Nov 1892 in EXETER Volume 05B Page 82

Vincent Hepworth, previously a Boatman, enlisted in the Royal Artillery, on 21 Jan 1859, at Hull. He did two six-year tours to India, from 22 Jun 1859 to 11 May 1866 and from 16 Jan 1873 to 4 Dec 1879, the second time his wife went with him, as is obvious because two of their children were born in India.

His army medical records show he was treated for Gonorrhoea, twice at age 24 and 26. He had ague (archaic name for malaria or another illness involving fever and shivering) twice in India; was twice treated there for hepatitis.

Tying in with the date of their return from India, Edith May Hepworth had been registered at Throwleigh And Gidleigh School, being previously listed at a school in Plymouth, in 1879, until she left that parish in Sept 1880.

Vincent Hepworth of the Coast Brigade, Royal Artillery, served for 22 years, 54 days. When he was discharged, at Plymouth, on 29 Mar 1881, at 42, he was 5ft 9in, with fresh complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. 

Despite having returned to England by then, I haven't found Vincent, Annie or eldest son, Albert Vincent in 1881, but we know they were in St Thomas, Exeter, because of the birth of their child, Marie Ann, there that year. Edith M Hepworth (5) and George E Hepworth (3) were staying with their maternal grandparents, Richard and Martha Rogers at Murchington Village, Throwleigh, Devon.

In 1884, eldest son was causing trouble at the Castle of Exeter - Exeter Crown and County Court - when Albert Vincent Hepworth, 11 years of age, son of a labourer of St. Thomas and another boy, William Way (12), were charged with stealing a cash-box containing £12 in gold and some silver coins. Hepworth claimed that his father was drunk and his mother took the money and gave it to him. They were spared prison or the Reformatory (Industrial School), but Hepworth was sentenced to six strokes with the birch rod.

In 1888 George Hepworth and Richard (Thomas Richard) Hepworth, of 25 Friars' Walk, St. Thomas, were registered at Exeter Episcopal School, from where Richard was sent home in 1889 for theft and George left, confirmed truant. It is perhaps not unexpected that George Horbury Hepworth (12) was sent, on 2 Jan 1890, by Exeter Court - for stealing a bottle of sweets from a shop - to the Devon and Exeter Boys Reformatory, Brampford Wood.

In 1891, Vincent Hepworth (49) Foundry labourer from Wakefield, Yorkshire, was living at Laura Cottages, Horse Lane, Exeter, Devon with wife A (Annie) Hepworth (39) Midwife; A V (Albert Vincent) Hepworth (18) Plaster & mason; Edith M Hepworth (16) Dressmaker apprentice; Thomas R Hepworth (11), Marie A Hepworth (9), Rose B Hepworth (5) and Maude E (Eveline Maud) Hepworth (3). George, obviously, was still away at reform school.

Vincent Hepworth died, aged 51, and was buried on 4 Jun 1893 at Holy Trinity Church, Exeter.

In 1896, Richard Hepworth and another lad were summoned before Exeter Police Court for riding a bicycle without a light at 10:10pm.

In 1901, Annie Hepworth (49) widow, Midwife, was living at 28, Friars Walk, Exeter, Devon, with Richard Hepworth (22) Artist; Marie Hepworth (19) Dressmaker; Maude Hepworth (13), Ida Hepworth (9), May Hepworth (8), Martha Rogers (70) widow (wrongly listed as Hepworth, but this is clearly Annie's mother) and a 69 year old boarder, a plumber named James.

On 26 Dec 1908, Annie Hepworth remarried, at Holy Trinity Church, Exeter to Henry Wood Adams, widower. (His previous wife, who he had married on 22 Jul 1877 at the church of St Matthew, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, was born Phillis Prudence Adams (was this coincidence or cousin?), and had died, in 1903.)

Henry Wood Adams had also served in the British Army, having enlisted on 3 Aug 1882, in the Royal Engineers, which took him to Gibraltar, Bermuda, Crete, Malta and to South Africa between 1899 and 1902, serving in the Second Boer War. He was discharged on 2 Aug 1903, at Colchester after the termination of his second period of engagement, having achieved the rank of Sergeant.

In 1911, Henry Wood Adams (55) Carpenter and Army Pensioner, was living at 13 Beaumont Avenue Plymouth, with wife Annie Adams (58) and step-daughter, Ivy May Hepworth (18) Dressmaker.

Henry Wood Adams died, aged 76, in St. Thomas, Devon, in 1933.

Mary Ann otherwise Annie Adams of 95 Monks Road, Exeter, died, aged 82, on 5 May 1934, leaving effects of £1156 19s 10d to Edith Mary Dare (wife of Mark Dare) and Ida Lily Soppit (wife of Benjamin Tompson Soppit).

• Albert Vincent Hepworth married Mary Ellen Garrard in Poplar, London, in 1897. In 1901, Police Constable Albert Hepworth (who earlier earned six lashes for stealing) from Exeter, Devon was living at 3, St Leonards Avenue, Bromley, Poplar with wife Ellen, sons Christopher and George and uncle William Rogers. By 1911 they'd moved to 46 Stanley Road, Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex. Albert V Hepworth died, in Hendon, Middlesex, in 1927, aged 56.
• Edith Mary Hepworth married Mark Dare on 10 Oct 1898 at Holy Trinity Church, Exeter. Edith Mary Dare died, aged 60, on 12 Sep 1935, in Topsham and Mark Dare went on to marry his housekeeper, Beatrice Gale, in 1940. Mark Dare died in 1955.
• George Horbury Hepworth (18) enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment on 13 Feb 1896, at Exeter and was transferred to his father's old regiment, Royal Artillery, on 25 Mar 1896, but he deserted at Aldershot on 14 Aug 1896, re-joining 8 days later, awaiting trial for desertion. He was imprisoned in 1898 and finally discharged in 1908, having served in India from 1898 to 1904. In 1939, George Hepworth, Builders Labourer, single, was in Coventry (was he sent?) George H Hepworth died in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, in 1960, at 82.
• [As yet] I can find no further records that I can confirm to relate to Thomas Richard Hepworth, beyond 1901. However, it's interesting to see him then described as an Artist, as renowned artist and sculptor, Dame Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975), was from Wakefield, where his father, Vincent Hepworth, was also born. Could there be a distant connection? That would be another story entirely! 
• Marie Ann Hepworth married Reginald Louis Parr, in Exeter, in 1903. In 1911, they were living in Barton Road, St Thomas, Devon. 
• Rosa Bessie Hepworth married Lewis Albert Parr at St Mary's Church Plympton, on 24 Jul 1915. Lewis A Parr died, aged 53, in Exeter, in 1935. In 1939, Rosalie (Rose Bessie) Parr, widow, was living at 35 Torre Court, Yeovil, Somerset, described as a Qualified Nurse. Rose Bessie Parr died, aged 82, on 13 Nov 1970, in Exeter. 
• Evelyn Maud Hepworth married Arthur Charles Hawker on 23 Oct 1913 at St Mary's Church Plympton and in 1939, was also living at 35 Torre Court, Yeovil, Somerset. Evelyn Maud Hawker died, aged 86, in Wolverhampton, in 1974.

Frederick William Penfold and Harriet Mary Tubb

Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda SeanMD80 (talk) (Uploads), CC BY-SA 3.0

Frederick William Penfold (b. 20 Jul 1863) in Hartfield, Sussex, son of William Penfold and Mary Ann Charlotte Gunn (m. 1851), married Harriet Mary Tubb, daughter of Edward Tubb and Sarah Elizabeth Joy in Edmonton, north London (why that area is unclear), in the second quarter of 1888.

Frederick and Harriet had five children: 

1. Harriet Mary Penfold Tubb b. 1884 Q4 in CHELSEA Vol 01A Page 338
2. George Edward Penfold b. 7 Mar 1889 in SHEPPEY Vol 02A Page 892
3. Grace Joy Penfold b. 27 Aug 1892 in DOVER Volume 02A Page 982
4. Frederick William Penfold b. 8 Oct 1896 in FULHAM Vol 01A Page 305
5. Bert Penfold b. 14 Aug 1898 in ISLE OF WIGHT Vol 02B Page 599

Looking at this succession of birth locations: i. Frederick's mother, Mary Ann Penfold (55) died in in Chelsea, in 1886, so it may well have been to her that Harriet had gone. Frederick's elder brother, John Robert Penfold, Boot Maker, was in Chelsea by 1891; ii. Sheppey makes sense that Harriet was able to return to her own mother for the birth of her first legitimate child; iii. this is the year after Frederick left the navy, so unsure why Dover (Harriet's mother's family, perhaps); iv. Fulham is where Frederick's younger brother Charles lived by 1897 and makes sense to go to his family for this birth, her own mother having died in 1895 and v. the Isle of Wight is where they'd moved in 1898.

Frederick William Penfold, had enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1878, at 15, as a Boy 2nd Class. His father had died in 1873, which may well have been motivation for going to sea. At that time he was 5ft tall, had dark brown hair, brown eyes and fair skin. He'd previously worked as a Gardener. Later, he grew to the lofty height of 5ft 5in and his complexion became ruddy. On 20 Jul 1881, his 18th birthday, Frederick signed up for a further 10 years.

Frederick William Penfold's Naval Career:

• 3 Sep 1878 - 27 Sep 1879 - HMS Boscawen training establishment, then in Portland Harbour with training ship, HMS Trafalgar (1841). While there, on 10 Sep 1879, he was promoted to Boy 1st Class.
• 28 Sep 1879 - 15 Dec 1882 - HMS Northampton (1876), joins Signals and is working his way up the signals levels from Sig 3 to Sig 2 on 3 Jan 1882. HMS Northampton was brand new at that time, completed 7 Dec 1879, so Frederick must have joined the crew in preparation and in 1879 was at Chatham. She then became the flagship of the North America and West Indies Station.

In 1881, Frederick William Penfold (18), Signal boy from Hartfield, Sussex, was listed under Royal Navy At Sea, Ships and Overseas Establishments with HMS Northampton, in Camber, Bermuda (Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda)

• 16 Dec 1882 - 2 Apr 1884 - HMS Duncan (1859) which had been flag ship at Sheerness since 1879. (Exactly the right time and place for Frederick to meet Harriet, who was born and lived in Sheerness. Harriet's father, Edward Tubb, died in Jan 1884. We might conclude that Harriet, 16, sought solace in Frederick.)
• 3 Apr 1884 - 30 Jun 1886 - HMS Carysfort (1878), which in 1884 and 1885, landed men for the naval brigade at Sudan (during the Mahdist War, which claimed the life of Gordon of Khartoum). During this time, there is a note on Frederick's service record saying "Mily Gaol Alexandria 42 days" (Gabbari military prison, Alexandria, Egypt). Doesn't give the exact dates or what for, but 42 days is unlikely to be too serious. Drunk maybe? Apr 1886 Mediterranean. 8 May 1886 Serving in Greek Waters. 19 Jun 1886 Malta.

Crossing Malta's Grand Harbour by Water Taxi

• 1 Jul 1886 - 2 Apr 1888 - HMS Hibernia (1804) which, from Apr 1886, had been in Malta - she became the flagship for the Royal Navy's base at Malta and stationed in the Grand Harbour. 
• 5 Apr 1888 - 14 Apr 1888 - HMS Duke of Wellington (1852), in Portsmouth. (Three of my relatives have served on this ship, including my 2x great-grandfather, Thomas Jones and James Henry Tubb, who was Harriet Mary Tubb's uncle; her father's brother.)
• 15 Apr 1888 - 31 Mar 1889 - HMS Duncan (1859), back at Sheerness. On 10 Aug 1888, Frederick became a Qualified Signalman. He and Harriet married in the previous quarter.
• 1 Apr 1889 - 17 Oct 1889 - HMS Wildfire shore establishment established at Sheerness in 1889.
• 18 Oct 1889 - 26 Nov 1889 - HMS Royal Adelaide (1828), depot ship at Devonport, Plymouth. On 18 Oct 1889, Frederick was promoted to the rank of Ship's Corporal 2nd Class.
• 27 Nov 1889 - 8 May 1890 - HMS Iron Duke (1870), which had arrived in arrived Plymouth Sound, from the Baltic in the October. 13 Dec 1889, departed Plymouth for Portland, to join up with the other part of the Channel Squadron, arriving from Portsmouth. It was then planned that the Squadron would depart Portland for winter cruise, via Arosa Bay (Ría de Arousa), Vigo (Galicia, Spain), Port Mahon (Menorca), and Morocco, returning in April. On 18 Jan 1890, Frederick attained the rank of Leading Signalman. 20 Apr 1890, arrived at Plymouth from Arosa Bay (18th), having been sent home in advance of the rest of the Channel Squadron, having a case of scarlet fever on board. 8 May 1890, paid off at Portsmouth.
• 9 May 1890 - 14 Jun 1890 - HMS Duke of Wellington (1852).
• 15 Jun 1890 - 12 Nov 1890 - HMS Serapis (1866), in Portsmouth.
• 13 Nov 1890 - 25 Nov 1890 - HMS Duke of Wellington (1852).
• 26 Nov 1890 - 9 Jul 1891 - HMS Excellent (shore establishment), the Royal Navy "stone frigate" sited on Whale Island in Portsmouth Harbour. (The third relative - James Henry Tubb and William Henry Middleton - to have spent time here near the end of their careers.)
• 10 Jul 1890 - 20 Aug 1891 - HMS Duke of Wellington (1852).

In 1891, Frederick W Penfold (27), Qualified signalman, married, is a 'Member of crew' of HMS Excellent in Portsmouth Harbour. Harriet Mary Penfold (26), Harriet M Penfold (6) and George E Penfold (2) were visiting Harriet's widowed mother, Sarah E Tubb (61) at her lodgings in Trinity Road, Minster in Sheppey.

In 1898, George Edward Penfold, son of Frederick William Penfold, Commercial Agent, of 22 West Street, Newport, was enrolled at the Newport Board School in Newport, Isle of Wight. His previous school was Board School Southsea.

But the next record we find, is on 22 Sep 1899, when George Penfold, aged 9, from Barnardo Homes, sails to Toronto, Canada on the vessel Arawa. "According to the Barnardo records [Grace Joy] was admitted to the Barnardo's Homes in England on July 22, 1899 at the age of 7 with her brother George." [Source]

In 1901, Harriet M Penfold (32) still listed as married, was at 49, Trafalgar Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, with Frederick W Penfold (4). George E Penfold, in 1901, then 12, was listed as a Domestic in the household of a David White from Scotland, in Assiniboia East, Northwest Territories, Canada. 

Frederick William Penfold, then a house painter (journeyman) of 2 Seagrave Rd, Fulham, died, aged 37, on 7 Apr 1901, of a cerebral hemorrhage (stroke) in Fulham Infirmary. His elder brother, John Robert Penfold of 52, Hogarth Buildings, Westminster is listed as the informant and was in attendance.

We read here that, "According to family hearsay Fredrick left the family at some stage prior to his death and Harriett could not keep the family together and it seems that her son George was put into a Barnardo’s Home and sent to Canada in 1899 at the age of 10." And, sadly, the trail of records does bear this out.

On 31 July 1904, G J Penfold (11) Female (Grace Joy) from Barnardo Homes sailed to Toronto, Canada on the vessel RMS Southwark.

Then on 3 May 1907, the youngest, Bert Penfold (8) from Barnardo Homes sailed to Toronto, Canada on the vessel SS Dominion.

So it wasn't just George who was sent to Barnardo Homes, but three of the children: George, Grace and Bert, who became Home Children sent to Canada: "​From the late 1860s right up to 1948, over 100,000 children of all ages were emigrated right across Canada, from the United Kingdom, to be used as indentured farm workers and domestics. Believed by Canadians to be orphans, only approximately 12 percent truly were". "For the most part, these children were not picked up from the streets but came from intact families, who, through sickness or even death of one of their parents, had fallen on hard times."

In Oct 1910, Harriet Mary Penfold (40) Domestic and Frederick William Penfold (13) at School, make their way to Quebec, Canada (and apparently on to Bracebridge, Ontario) on the vessel Lake Manitoba, travelling steerage from Liverpool. Next to Harriet's name is the stamp, British Bonus Allowed, which was was a commission paid by the Canadian government's Immigration Branch to steamship booking agents (not to the immigrants themselves).

In 1911, Fred Penfold (listed as born 1897, but immigration year 1910) was in Guelph, Wellington South, Ontario, Canada in a household with two English ladies: Letia Camocott (b. 1865) and Alice Merridon (b. 1873) Lodger. It doesn't say in what capacity, but as he would then be 15, presumably Fred was either working for them or elsewhere and boarding there. Meanwhile Bert Penfold (12) that year was a Boarder in the household of Canadian couple, George Gilbert (b. 1873) and his wife, Etta, in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada.

All three boys: George Edward, Frederick William Jr and Bert, it seems served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, during World War I.

Grace Penfold (23) married Benjamin Folie (24), son of George Folie, on 10 Aug 1914 in Toronto, Canada. On the marriage record however, in the space where her parents names should be, it has 'unknown' written across the space, so I think we have to assume that her mother had not reencountered her.

In 1916, H M Penfold (48) Female (Harriet Mary) - immigration year 1910 - was in the household of Englishman, Charles M C Westaway (32) in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, seemingly employed as Housekeeper.  

Harriet Mary Penfold (née Tubb) died, aged 67, on 27 Aug 1934 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon.

• George Edward Penfold married Anne Jenette Stuart. George died on 24 Sep 1972, aged 83, and is buried at Cupar Cemetery, Cupar, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
• Grace Joy Fowlie (née Penfold) died, aged 61, on 11 Aug 1954, in Arthur, Wellington County, Ontario, Canada and was buried on 14 Aug 1954 in Greenfield Cemetery, in Arthur Ontario.
• Frederick William Penfold Jr married Lula Pearl Deacon in 1923. Fred died on 15 Dec 1985 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• Bert Penfold married Marjorie Anne Aspin on 11 Aug 1926, in Regina. Bert died, aged 69, on 28 May 1968 and is buried at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Their name liveth forever

Henry John Leese and Marian Blanche Burgess

HMS President in London
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Steve Daniels - geograph.org.uk/p/3352722
HMS President is a stone frigate, or shore establishment of the Royal Naval Reserve; on the northern bank of the River Thames near Tower Bridge.

Henry John Leese (b. 5 Jan 1862), son of John Leese and Caroline Bussey and elder brother of William James Leese, married Marian Blanche Burgess (b. 1863 in Greenwich), daughter of William George Burgess and Emma Chisman, at St Olave's Church, Southwark (more images), Southwark St Olave, in 1885.

Henry John Leese began his naval career on 5 Jan 1879, having previously attended Greenwich School, assigned to school ship, HMS Impregnable (1810), transferring to HMS President (shore establishment) on 1 Jan 1881.

In 1881, Henry John Leese, then 19, had been an Ordinary seaman pupil teacher, stationed at HMS President (shore establishment). Although I've not found where Marian was that year (my guess is working in London) her parents were living at 6, Horsley Road, Rochester St Margaret, Medway, Kent and her father, William Burgess (51), was described as a 'Chelsea out pensioner'. 

Henry and Marian Leese had nine children, three of whom died (numbers confirmed by Henry John Leese' own account on 1911 Census):

1. May Constance Leese b. 1886 S Quarter in BRIGHTON Volume 02B Page 228, bap. at Southsea, St Bartholomew in 1890.
2. Elsie Christine Leese b. 1890 S Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 479, bap. at Southsea, St Bartholomew in 1890. Died.
3. Henry John Leese b. 14 Dec 1892 in Valletta, Malta 
4. Maude Christiana Leese b. 13 Jul 1894 in Malta 
5. Marian Blanche Leese b. 1895 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 301, bap. 1896 in Stoke Damerel, Devon, died aged 1 in 1896 D Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B  Page 361
6. William Gordon Leese b. 17 Jan 1897 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 560
7. John Stanley Leese b. 1898 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 540, bap. in 1898 in Forton (Gosport), Hampshire
8. Edward Lionel Leese b. 1900 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 568, died aged 3 in 1903 M Quarter Volume 02B Page 355
9. Frank Alfred Joseph Leese b. 10 Jun 1909 J Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 565, bap. in 1909 in Forton (Gosport), Hampshire

All that's left of St Olave (in situ)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen Craven - geograph.org.uk/p/1410297
This drinking fountain (no longer working) in Tanner Street Park formed from part of the tower of St Olave's church and was all that was left (in situ) when it was demolished in 1926.

The family are not on the 1891 Census in England as Henry John Leese was stationed at Malta Dockyard between 14 Jun 1890 and 11 Dec 1894.

Henry John Leese was appointed Schoolmaster at Portsmouth Division Royal Marines, at that time located at Forton Barracks, near Gosport in Hampshire, on 29 Jul 1896, position he appears to have held until 30 Apr 1917.

In 1901, Henry J Leese (39) Schoolmaster, Warrant Officer RMLI, born in Portobello, Sussex was living in Forton Road, Alverstoke (his Royal Marines record specifies this as 139 Forton Rd, Gosport), with wife Marian B Leese (37) born in Greenwich; May C Leese (14) born in Brighton, Henry J Leese (8) born in Malta; Maud C Leese (6) born in Malta; William G Leese (4) born in Gosport; John S Leese (3) born in Gosport and Edward L Leese (1) born in Gosport. There are no further records of Elsie Christine after her baptism; she is not listed on this census and I can find no record of a death either, so the most logical explanation is that she must have died as an infant in Malta.

In 1911, Henry John Leese (49) Schoolmaster, WO RMLI, was still living in Alverstoke, Hampshire with Marian Blanche Leese (47), May Constance Leese (24), Maude Christania Leese (16), William Gordon Leese (14), John Stanley Leese (13) and Frank Alfred Leese (1). Son Henry J Leese (18) had joined the Royal Marines in 1910 and was that year listed in Walmer, Kent (Deal).

Henry John Leese is still registered in Alverstoke in 1921.

Henry John Leese died, aged 70, on 15 Apr 1932 (J Quarter Volume 02B Page 734) and is buried at Clayhall Naval Cemetery (Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery).

Marian Blanche Leese died seven years later, on 15 Apr 1939, aged 75.

Alverstoke, chapel
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Faherty - geograph.org.uk/p/5531868
Mortuary chapel at Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery (Clayhall Cemetery).

The six surviving children: 

1. May Constance Leese died, unmarried, aged 81, in Portsmouth, in 1967.
2. Henry John Leese (70) was discharged dead from the Royal Marines, to which he'd obviously devoted his entire life, on 15 Nov 1962.
3. Maude Christina Leese died, aged 83, also still a spinster, in 1977.
4. William Gordon Leese enlisted in the Royal Navy on 20 Jul 1912, but was declared invalided on 8 Feb 1921 at Haslar Hospital. William G Leese died, aged 71, in 1968 in Gosport.
5. John Stanley Leese died, at 80, in 1979 in Stockport, Cheshire.
6. Frank Alfred Joseph Leese joined the British Army, Coldstream Guards in 1928. Frank A J Leese married Faith K Partridge (née Stead) in Acle, Norfolk in 1947. He died in 1990, in Norwich.

Edward John Bicknell, Marcella Jones & Harry Babb

Portsmouth Cathedral
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/6829155

Edward John Bicknell married Marcella Jones, eldest daughter of David Jones and Johannah Anne O'Callaghan, at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 12 Dec 1906. Among the witnesses was Marcella's younger sister, Helena Jones. At the time of this marriage, Edward John Bicknell's rank was Corporal RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery), then stationed at Southsea Castle. On the marriage certificate, Bicknell's father is listed as Edward Bicknell, a farmer. 

Their only child, David Nicholas Bicknell was born on 20 Jan 1909, at 15 Gold Street, Southsea and baptised, on 10 Feb 1909, at The Anglican Cathedral of St Thomas of Canterbury, known simply as Portsmouth Cathedral. 

On 17 Dec 1895, Edward John Bicknell, listed originally as aged 14 years, 11 months (although the 14 appears to have been over-written as 15 on the 2nd page), from Withycombe [Withycombe Raleigh], Exmouth, Devon, formerly a Telegraph Messenger, had enlisted for Long Service in the Royal Artillery, at Slough, Bucks. The name and address of his next of kin was given as Mrs F E Palmer, 18 Hencroft Street, Sough, Bucks. In 1901, there was an Elizabeth F Palmer (60) Tailoress, from Withycombe, Devon at that address. 

In 1891, as Edward Jno Bricknell (10), at Hencroft Street, Upton with Chalvey, Eton, Buckinghamshire, with Henry Palmer (42) Butler domestic and Elizabeth F Palmer (54) from Withycombe, Devon, described as their nephew.

Records show that Henry Palmer had married Elizabeth Fanny Bicknell, at St Margaret's, Westminster, London, in 1873. In 1881, they were living at Church End, Tempsford, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, where Henry was Under butler. Elizabeth Bicknell, listed in Withycombe Rawleigh in 1841 and 1851, bap. as Elizabeth Nanny Bicknell on 5 Jan 1834, had a brother named Edward, born 1830. However, he died in 1870, so cannot be the boy's father.

Fort Rowner-Gosport
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Colin Babb - geograph.org.uk/p/704877

When he enlisted in 1895, Edward John was 5' 1⅝' tall, weighed 98lbs, had a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He was sent to Fort Rowner, Gosport on 21 Dec 1895. Initially passed as fit, he spent 29 days in hospital from 5 Feb 1896 to 4 Mar 1896, suffering from an illness referred to only by the initials V.D.H. (valvular disease of the heart and implies some organic disease or heart malfunction), of unknown cause and discharged on 7 Mar 1896, as "Not being likely to become an efficient soldier."

On 19 Sep 1900, in London, at 18 years and 9 months, Edward John Bicknell, once again enlisted in the Royal Artillery. The record, again, says that he was from Withycombe, Exmouth, Devon. Was he cured of his previous condition, or hopeful nobody would tie the two together (which they don't seem to do)? 

There are many people named Edward Bicknell, in Withycombe, going right back to the 17th Century. None of them were farmers. And I can find no birth, nor baptism for an Edward John Bicknell, around 1881, anywhere near the area. The closest is an illegitimate birth of an Edward Bicknell in St Thomas, Devon (under which Withycombe would fall), in 1879. That child, born 19 Nov 1879, in the Village, Withycombe Raleigh, was the son of Rose Creasley Bicknell, Domestic Servant, Cook. No father listed. His birth was registered by his mother, on 9 Dec 1879 and the name of the deputy registrar on the certificate was Edward John Carter. Is that where the Edward John came from? As yet, I haven't been able to establish any link between Elizabeth Fanny Bicknell and the boy's mother, Rose Creasley Bicknell. 

That and naming their son after his maternal grandfather and uncle and not after his father, leads me to think that Bicknell had no idea who his father was and, as is often done, simply made one up for the marriage certificate.

Leith Fort flats, North Fort Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © kim traynor - geograph.org.uk/p/2623474
The flats were to be demolished, but the wall and remnants of the old fort were to remain.

In 1901, Edward John Bicknell (19) Gunner Royal Artillery, was listed on the census at Leith Fort, North Fort Street, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Tigné Barracks, before its demolition in 2001. Image: Billy Shewring, CC BY-SA 3.0.

In 1911, Sergeant Edward John Bicknell (29), from Exmouth, Devon, was listed on the census of Overseas Establishments with 96th Company RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery) at Fort Tigné, Malta. Also listed there at that time are wife, Marcella Bicknell (26) and son, David Nicholas Bicknell (2).

96th Company, I believe, remained in Malta for the duration of World War I. 

Edward John Bicknell was Mentioned in Despatches at least once.

On 27 Oct 1919, Edward John Bicknell, then a Battery Sergeant Major at Sandown Barracks, Sandown, Isle of Wight, filed for divorce from Marcella, citing her adultery with Co-respondent, Harry Babb, a Fitter in His Majesty's Dockyard at Portsmouth, with whom she was allegedly residing at 34, Castle Road, Southsea. The final decree was granted on 29 Sep 1920 and Harry Babb was ordered to pay the costs of £63 18s 4d (around £2,900 in 2021).

Marcella Bicknell then remarried to Henry Babb in the 4th quarter of 1920.

Babb was no easier to pin down than her first husband. The only relevant birth of a Harry Babb, in the 4th quarter of 1894, is in Barnstaple, Devon, with his mother's maiden name given as Ware. There was a marriage of an Eli Francis Babb and Annie Ware on 21 Feb 1880, at St Martin-in-the-Fields, in The Strand, London. Harry was baptised on 25 Jan 1895 at Holy Trinity Church, Barnstaple and the baptism record gives his parents as Levi Frank and Annie Babb, with his father's occupation listed as 'Boots' at the Fortescue Hotel. (The word 'Boots' came from, ‘boot boys’, an occupation in the 1830s and 40s requiring young men to clean the boots of hotel guests. Later, the occupation had become simply known as ‘boots’, and duties included odd-jobs.)

In 1920 and 1921, records show that Sergeant Major Edward John Bicknell was a member of Sandown Masonic Lodge on the Isle of Wight. 

Edward J Bicknell also remarried, to Ida G Priestley, on 25 Mar 1921, on the Isle of Wight. Ida Gertrude Priestley (b. 31 Dec 1891), was the daughter of Thomas F (a Yacht steward) and Sophia C Priestley (from Jersey, Channel Islands). In 1901, the family address was Grocer's Shop, 62, West Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight (now a branch of The Co-operative Food). In 1911, Ida Gertrude Priestley (20), had been employed as a Lady's Maid to Mrs Winifred Walker at 10 Marmion Road, Battersea, London.

Edward John Bicknell was discharged from the Army on 18 Sep 1921, at Dover, under Paragraph 392 (xxi) of the King's Regulations - the end of a period of engagement. He was awarded a pension of 51½d per day for life from 19 Sep 1921. His address on discharge was 177, Filbert Street, Leicester. But Edward John Bicknell of 4 Burton Street, Leicester, Bank Messenger, died on 21 Apr 1922, at Leicester Royal Infirmary from shock following an operation, having been diagnosed with stomach cancer 5-6 months previously. He was 40. His death was registered by P H Priestley, Brother-in-law (Ida's younger brother, Percy H Priestley, born 1895).

In 1939, Harry Babb (b. 17 Nov 1894), Marine Engineer, Marcella Babb, David N Bicknell and a lodger were living at 10 Wilberforce Road.

Marcella Babb of 1 Festing Grove, Southsea, died on 9 Oct 1963, at 80.

Henry Babb, also of 1 Festing Grove, Southsea, died on 19 Nov 1967. 

David Nicholas Bicknell never married. He died of a cardiac arrest on 22 Jan 1987, two days after his 78th birthday. The retired production controller still lived at 1 Festing Grove, Southsea. His place of birth quoted on his death certificate was India. The records show that he was, in fact, born in Southsea, so I wonder if his father spent time in India while he was growing up. 

Festing Grove, Southsea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Kate Jewell - geograph.org.uk/p/3319369

George Burt and Fanny Jerwood

Tiverton : St Peter's Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/1654824

George Burt married Fanny Jerwood on 25 Dec 1884 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. George Burt's Rank or Profession was given as Sailor. Fanny Jerwood was the daughter of John Jerwood (b. 1830), Labourer and his wife Sarah Davey (who had also married at St Peter's on 31 May 1853). George Burt's father is listed on the marriage certificate as William Burt, Labourer, however, this looks like an error as records suggest George's father was Edward Burt. As his father had died when George was two, he would never have known him.

On 26 Nov 1837, Edward Burt (b. 1816), son of Richard Burt, had married Mary Ann Prescott (b. 1821), daughter of John Prescott and Ann Warren, also at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. In 1841 they were living in Bampton Street, Tiverton with son George Burt (b. 1840). By 1851, Edward Burt (34) Labourer and Mary Ann (30), had added Edward (b. 1842), John (b. 1846), Richard (b. 1848) and William (b. 1851). Living with them was Mary Carter (71) Lodger. 

In 1859, the son George born in 1840, died, aged 19.

George Burt, born 1863, was actually registered as Sidney George Burt.

Their father, Edward Burt, then died, in 1866, in Tiverton, aged 50. 

In 1870, listed simply as George Burt (Sidney is never used again), son of a widow from Bampton Street, he was registered at Heathcote School.

In 1871, Mary Ann Burt (50) Widow, Seamstress, was still living in Bampton Street with her children: John (25) Mason's Labourer, Lucy (19) Lace Hand in Tiverton Factory, Charlotte (17) Laundress, James (11) and George (7), both at School. Emily Peters (19) also Lace Hand in Tiverton Factory and her son Berty Peters (2) were Lodging with them. Mary Ann Burt died in 1877, aged 56.

And so, George Burt, born 4 Nov 1863, enlisted in the Royal Navy, at 15, as a Boy 2nd Class on 8 Apr 1879. He served until 1 Nov 1901 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 18 Aug 1902. He was brought back into service on 2 Aug 1914 until 18 Jul 1917, although at shore establishments HMS Vivid (II and III). 

HMS Superb (1875)

In 1881, George Burt (17) Boy 1st Class was with the 1st Class Iron Screw Ship HMS Superb (1875), moored in Valletta (Grand Harbour), Malta.

George and Fanny's only child, Charles Edward Burt, was born on 4 Dec 1887.

In 1891, Fanny Burt (27) with son Charlie (3), were living at 150 Pembroke Street, Devonport, while George was with HMS Amphion (1883) in the Pacific.

Young Charlie was then enrolled at Heathcote School in 1894 and at that time, his mother's address was Melbourne Street, Tiverton, even though George was predominantly in Devonport in 1894, first with HMS Himalaya (1854) and then at HMS Vivid II, joining HMS Grafton (1892) on 23 Oct 1894.

In 1901, George Burt (38), now a Leading Stoker, was again at HMS Vivid II, before being pensioned on 1 Nov that year. Fanny (37) was living at 2, Wellbrook Street, Prospect Place, Tiverton, with Charles (13) now a Silk lace maker and Sarah Jerwood (70) Widow, Boarder (Fanny's mother.)

Sarah Jerwood having died in 1910, in 1911, George Burt (48) Grocer and dealer, wife Fanny (47) Assisting in the business and son Charles Edward Burt (23) Lace machine hand, were living at 24 Wellbrook St, Tiverton.

George Burt died in Tiverton in 1937, aged 73.

Fanny Burt died in 1938, aged 74.

Tiverton: Wellbrook Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/1993212