Alfred Beamer and Mary Ann White

Adelaide Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen Richards - geograph.org.uk/p/6083118

Alfred Beamer (b. 29 Dec 1853 in Taunton, Somerset), son of James Beamer and Rose Anna Smith (half-brother of Loveday Jane Land and John Land), married Mary Ann White (b. 1851 in Plympton), daughter of Alfred Augustus Harker White and Mary Sorton, on 23 Nov 1879 at Saint George's Church, Stonehouse (bombed in WWII). Alfred Beamer's rank or profession was listed as Private RM (He'd enlisted in the Royal Marines on 29 Dec 1871.)

Alfred and Mary Ann had five children:

1. Alfred Beamer b. 28 Aug 1880 (1880 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 289) [a]
2. Ethel Annie Beamer b. 23 Feb 1883 (1883 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 299) [a]
3. William George Beamer b. 4 Jan 1886 (1886 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 303) [a]
4. Rosa May Beamer b. 7 Jan 1893 (1893 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 408) [b]
5. Frederick John Beamer b. 7 Jan 1893 (1893 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 408) (Died 1896 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 288) [b]

[a] Alfred, Ethel Annie and William George were all baptised, on 19 Jan 1886, at the Anglican Church of Saint Matthew, located in Clarence Place, opposite the former Royal Naval Hospital at East Stonehouse, Plymouth.

[b] Registered at the GRO as Rosa May, this twin was baptised Rosa Mary, when she and Frederick John were both baptised "privately" on the same day they were born, 7 Jan 1893, in Halberton, Devon. Their address at this time was Valley House, Halberton and Alfred was employed as a labourer. (Private baptism: "This means the child wasn’t baptised at Sunday service, usually because it was thought too weak to survive until then. [...] but it can mean the child was baptised by the priest visiting the family home, or by the midwife attending the birth. In fact, according to Anglican practice, in an emergency, a baptism may be performed by anyone who is already themselves baptised.")

In 1881, Mary A Beamer (29), Marines Wife, was at 47, Adelaide Street, East Stonehouse, with son Alfred (0) and her sister Mary J White (19). (Mary Ann, who's mother was named Mary, and her mother before her was also Mary (her parents married, on 15 December 1850, when Mary Sorton was a minor (19), at St Mary’s Church Plympton) had a younger sister, named Mary Jane!)

Again in 1891, Mary A Beamer (38) was listed as the head of the household "Supported by husband", with children: Alfred (10), Ethel A (8) and William G (5), and were living at Union Place, East Stonehouse.

Alfred completed 21 years service in the Royal Marines, with a final date of 6 Jan 1893, however, both William George and Ethel Annie were registered in the National School Admission Registers a Halberton by Nov 1892.

In 1901, they were back in Plymouth at 19, Cecil Street, Stonehouse, with Alfred Beamer (46), Labourer at Victualling Yard, wife Mary (49) and their two daughters, Ettie (Ethel) (18) and Rosa (8). Son Alfred was away, having joined the Royal Marines, while William was away training in the Royal Navy.

And in 1911, at 40 Neswick Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth, were Alfred Beamer (57) Pensioner Royal Marine Labourer Royal William Victualling Yard, wife Mary Ann (59), Rose May (18) (There are no records beyond 1911 for daughter, Rosa May) and Mary Jane White (51), Mary Ann's sister.

Alfred Beamer died, at 68, in 1920 D Qtr in PLYMOUTH Vol 05B Page 329.

In 1921, Mary Ann Beamer (70) Widow, Mother-in-law, was living in what had then become the household of her son-in-law and daughter, Edward and Ethel Priddle, but still at 40, Neswick Street, Plymouth.

In 1939, Mary Ann, widow, was again living with son-in-law and daughter, Edward and Ethel Priddle, at 2 Glendower Road, Peverell, Plymouth.

Mary Ann Beamer of 2 Glendower Road, Peverell, Plymouth, died on 17 May 1950 (1950 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 07A Page 600). She was aged 99. A notice of her death had appeared in the Western Morning News on 19 May 1950 and Mary Ann was buried, on 20 May 1950, at The Parish Church of St Gabriel, Peverell Terrace, Peverell, Plymouth.

Anthony Joseph Mullarkey and Maria Gloyne

Wyndham Street West, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/1777663
With the spire of the Roman Catholic cathedral of St Mary & St Boniface

Anthony Joseph Mullarkey (b. 5 Dec 1864, presumably in Mayo, Ireland), son of Martin Mullarkey and possibly Catherine Loughlin (see below), married Maria Gloyne (b. 1863), daughter of Samuel Pascoe Gloyne and Emma Jane Coombes, on 20 Nov 1887 at the Roman Catholic cathedral of St Mary & St Boniface, Plymouth. Anthony Mullarkey had enlisted in the Royal Marines, at 18, in Liverpool, on 5 Jun 1883. On his Royal Marines record he said he was from Garston, Liverpool, previously a Labourer, and professed to be Roman Catholic. However, in 1881, Anthony Mullarkey (16) General Labourer, had been boarding at 8, Hughes Street, Garston, with his father, Martin Mullarkey (40) and Michael Mullarkey (7). All three were said to be from Ireland.

Anthony Joseph Mullarkey and Maria Gloyne had three children:

1. John Martin Mullarkey b. 10 May 1890 (1890 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 289)
2. Anthony Charles Mullarkey b. 12 Jan 1893 (1893 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 294)
3. Kathleen Mullarkey b. 17 Jan 1896 (1896 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 286)

All three were baptised, on 1 May 1896, at St Paul's, East Stonehouse - The Anglican Church, situated at the southern end of Durnford Street. The family's address on these baptism records was listed as 8 Admiralty Street, East Stonehouse, with their father's rank listed as Private RMLI.

Victualling yard at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda
Captain-tucker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On 20 Dec 1895, Anthony had joined HMS Terror (1856) (a 16-gun iron screw floating battery that became the base ship at Bermuda in 1857), from which he was Discharged Dead (at 32) on 2 Dec 1896.

In 1901, Maria Mullarkey (36), Seamstress, Widow, was still at 8, Admiralty Street, East Stonehouse with John (11), Charles (8) and Kathleen (5).

In 1911, at 8, Admiralty Street, East Stonehouse, Maria Mullarkey (48) in receipt of a pension from the Admiralty. Anthony Charles Mullarkey (18) Bugler RMLI was home on leave and Kathleen Mullarkey (15) was an apprentice tailoress to a Military Tailor. John Martin Mullarkey (20) was with the Royal Navy on HMS Medea (1888), anchored in Malta Harbour.

In 1921, Maria Mullarkey (57) was still living at 8, Admiralty Street, East Stonehouse with Anthony Mullarkey (28) Private R M L I and Kathleen Mullarkey (25) Machinist, employed by Mr Cross, R M Barracks.

Maria Mullarkey died at 61 in 1924 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 501.

The Probable Story of Martin Mullarkey and Catherine Loughlin

In 1881, Martin Mullarkey (40) had been boarding at 8, Hughes Street, Garston, Liverpool with Anthony Mullarkey (16) General Labourer and Michael Mullarkey (7), among 15 mostly Irish people, all three from Ireland.

In 1891, Martin Mullarkey (51) General labourer for corporation and his younger son, Michael Mullarkey (17) Shoemaker, were lodging in Thomas Street, Garston. This narrows them down to being from Mayo, Ireland.

On both of these censuses, Martin Mullarkey is described as a widower, which is doubtful (unless Catherine had since died), as several newspaper reports had appeared, one in the Manchester Evening News, on Tuesday, 2 Apr 1872:

AN EXTRORDINARY DEFENCE:-

At Liverpool Police Court, yesterday, an Irishman named Martin Mullarkey was charged with bigamy. It having been proved that he was married, some few years ago, at a Roman Catholic chapel near Westport, County Mayo, and that he was married to a woman named Julia Garvey, in Liverpool, about twelve months since, the first wife being still alive, he was called on for his defence. He said that the first marriage was a forced one; that he was taken sixteen miles from his home by a lot of men, and married in spite of himself. (Roars of laughter.) This was done in the dead of night; and he did not think it was allowed for a man to be married without a certificate or anything of that kind. One of the witnesses for the prosecution admitted that the marriage took place at about eleven o'clock at night. The prisoner was remanded.

A later report, on Tuesday, 16 Apr 1872, named the first wife as Miss Catherine Loughlin, who he had married in Islandeady, Mayo, about 12 years previously. It also went on to say that, "The second wife said she did not wish to prosecute, and the prisoner was discharged." She wished to see no more of him, provided he paid for the expense of maintaining the child.

The Belfast Evening Telegraph on Thursday, 18 Apr 1872, under the headline, BIGAMY MADE EASY, added that Mullarkey had emigrated to England about two years ago (i.e. 1870) and that this second marriage had resulted in the birth of a child. "The circumstance at length reached the ears of the first wife, who came to England in search of her errant husband ..."

Is this the same Martin Mullarkey from Mayo? It certainly fits, unless there were two people called Martin Mullarkey, both in the same city at the same time, up to the exact same shenanigans, which I'd find difficult to believe.

I've not been able to find birth or marriage records in Ireland to confirm, but I think it safe to believe that Anthony Mullarkey was originally from County Mayo, Ireland and that his mother may have been Catherine Loughlin.

Edmund Drake and Eliza Dixon

Plymouth : Plymouth Gin Distillery
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/1185248
The Plymouth Gin Distillery (the Black Friars Distillery) is the only gin distillery located in Plymouth in what was once a Dominican Order monastery built in 1431 and opens on to what is now Southside Street. It has been in operation since 1793.

Edmund Drake (b. 5 Oct 1831) Seaman, upon marriage, listed his father as Edmund Drake, Tailor (he was the illegitimate son of Mary Drake, Tailoress), married Eliza Dixon at the Parish church, Stoke Damerel on 17 Nov 1857. 

Their only son:

1. Edmund George Drake b. 21 Jan 1858 (1858 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 285), bap. 4 Feb 1858 in Stoke Damerel

However, Eliza Drake died in the same quarter as the birth, aged just 22 (GRO Ref: 1858 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 231).

Edmund Drake, Widower, Seaman, then married Esther Elizabeth Palmer, daughter of Charles Palmer and Mary Amelia Oxford at Holy Trinity Church, Plymouth on 7 Dec 1860. (The Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity was in Southside Street/Friars Lane, The Barbican, Plymouth. It no longer exists.) Edmund Drake gave his address at this time as HMS Jason (1859).

Edmund and Esther Drake had a further six children:

1. Edward Charles Drake b. 1861 S Qtr in PLYMOUTH Vol 05B Page 239
2. Florence Esther Drake b. 1867 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 252. Died, aged 1, in 1869 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 181. Buried at Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth.
3. Mary Amelia Drake b. 1869 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Vol 05B Page 247
4. Edith Esther Drake b. 1873 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Vol 05B Page 239
5. Annie Eliza Drake b. 1875 J Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 342
6. Eliza Ellen Drake b. 1876 S Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 329. Died, aged 1, in 1877 S Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 200

In 1861, Edmund and Esther Drake don't seem to be listed anywhere, but Edmund Drake (3), Edmund's son from his first marriage, was boarding with Charles and Mary Palmer, Esther's parents, in Vauxhall Street, Plymouth.

In 1865, there is a record of Shipping agreements and crew lists, suggesting that Edmund Drake (32), birthplace Jersey, was serving on a Merchant ship named Hantoon that departed from Wexford, Ireland.

In 1871, Esther Drake (35) was in Vauxhall Street, Charles, Plymouth, with [Edmund] George Drake (13), Edward Drake (9), Mary Drake (1) and her brother, James Palmer (31) Porter. Edmund was presumably at sea.

In 1881, Edmund Drake (48) Coal Tipper was a boarder in the household of William Brooks (31) Railway Guard at 6, Inchmarnock Street, Roath, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales. Edmund Drake was listed as being from Plymouth, Devon, which is probably, simply, what his landlord assumed. Meanwhile, Esther Drake (44) Sailor's Wife, was then residing at 27, Rendle Street, Plymouth with her son Edward Drake (19) Iron Moulder; Mary Drake (11), Edith Drake (7), Annie Drake (5) and Alfred Nelson (1) Boarder.

In 1891, Edmund Drake (59) Pensioner from Jersey, Channel Islands, was living at 10, Moira Street, Cardiff with Esther Drake (56), Edward Drake (28) Iron Moulder; Mary Drake (21); Edith Drake (19); Annie Drake (16); Emma Drake (29) and granddaughters, Esther Drake (3) and Gladys Drake (1).

In 1901, Edmund Drake (69) Boxman Coal Tipper from St Helier, Jersey, was living at 12, Seymour Street, Roath, Cardiff, with wife Esther Drake (65) and granddaughter, Esther Drake (13).

Esther Elizabeth Drake died at 72 in 1907 S Qtr in CARDIFF Vol 11A 149.

In 1911, Edmund Drake (80) Widowed, Father-in-law from St Helier, Jersey, was living in the household of Fred and Annie Silby at 30 Romilly Road, Cardiff. (Annie Silby, of course, being Annie Eliza Drake, as was.)

In 1921, Edmund Drake (90) Widower, Father-in-law, Able Seaman Retired HM Navy, from Jersey, Channel Islands, was still living with his daughter and son-in-law, Fred and Annie Silby, at 67, Forrest Road, Cardiff.

Edmund Drake died at 91 in 1922 M Qtr in CARDIFF Vol 11A Page 707.

Edward Priddle and Ethel Annie Beamer

St Peter's Church, Wyndham Square, Plymouth
Plymouth's five star-rated building a select few people have been inside of
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Tom Jolliffe - geograph.org.uk/p/2342746

Edward Priddle (b. 12 Apr 1875 in Hackney, London), Sergeant RMLI, son of James Priddle and Catherine Stevens, married Ethel Annie Beamer (b. 23 Feb 1883 in East Stonehouse), daughter of Alfred Beamer and Mary Ann White, on 14 Oct 1905 at St Peter’s Church, Plymouth. Witnesses to their marriage were Alfred Beamer and Emily Luxton, the bride's brother and his intended, who married exactly two months later in Tiverton, Devon.

Edward Priddle, at 16, was employed by his father, a shoe maker, as a Clicker (A boot and shoe clicker cuts the uppers for boots or shoes), in Shoreditch. Edward enlisted in the Royal Marines on 27 Jan 1896 and served for 22 years, until 3 Mar 1918, finally attaining the rank of Lieutenant.

Edward and Ethel had three daughters, baptised at Plymouth, St Peter:

1. Ethel Annie Priddle b. 13 Jul 1906 (1906 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 250), bap. 29 Jul 1906 (Died, aged 2, in 1909 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 169)
2. Winifred May Priddle b. 4 May 1909 (1909 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 249), bap. 20 May 1909
3. Mary Caroline Priddle b. 29 Dec 1912 (1913 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 399), bap. 2 Feb 1913

In 1911, Edward Priddle (35) Sergeant Royal Marines, Ethel Annie (28) and Winifred May (1), were living at 40 Neswick Street, Plymouth. On this census return they confirm that by this point they'd had two children, one of whom had died, and one still living, during their five years of marriage.

In 1921, at 40 Neswick Street, Plymouth were Edward Priddle (46) Retired Lieut Royal Marines; Ethel Annie Priddle (38), Winifred May Priddle (12), Mary Caroline Priddle (8) and Mary Ann Beamer (70) Mother-in-law.

In 1939, the family including Edward Priddle, Retired RM, Ethel A, and Ethel's widowed mother, Mary Ann Beamer were living at 2 Glendower Road, Plymouth. Winifred May Priddle was an Assistant Mistress at a Secondary School in Exeter and Mary C Hadley and her husband, John Harold Hadley (Retail Tobacconist Proprietor), were at 42 Chestnut Road, Plymouth.

Ethel Annie Priddle, of 2 Glendower Road, Plymouth, died on 12 May 1959, leaving £281 17s 9d to her husband, Edward Priddle, Retired Lieutenant RM.

Edward Priddle, of 2 Glendower Road, Plymouth, died on 21 Jun 1962. He was 87. He left effects of £2809 11s to his two daughters, Winifred May Mayner and Mary Caroline Tomkins.

• Winifred May Priddle married Stanley Edmund Mayner (b. 29 Sep 1909) on 25 Jul 1959 at Plymouth, St Gabriel. Winifred May Mayner died, in Plymouth, on 27 Feb 1982. Stanley Edmund Mayner died, also in Plymouth, in 1986.
• Mary Caroline Priddle married John Harold Hadley (b. 30 Mar 1913 in Bristol) at Plymouth, St Gabriel, on 19 Feb 1938. In 1939, John H Hadley, Retail Tobacconist Proprietor, and Mary C Hadley were living at 42 Chestnut Road, Plymouth. On 22 May 1940, the Western Morning News, Plymouth, reported that Mary Caroline Hadley brought an action against her husband John Harold Hadley, who by then was serving in the Army, for desertion and wilful neglect. Hadley, it appears died, in his native Bristol in 1965. Meanwhile, Mary C Hadley remarried Ernest Frederick Tomkins (b. 26 Dec 1915 in Gloucestershire), in Plymouth, in 1951. Mary Caroline Tomkins died on 22 Oct 1996 in Pensilva, Cornwall. Ernest Frederick Tomkins died on 15 Feb 2002.

William Henry Bailey and Jane Reeby

Edgcumbe Street, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Rothery - geograph.org.uk/p/4817390

William Henry Bailey (b. 1856) Seaman RN, son of Thomas Bailey and Lucy Elizabeth Ann Fudge, married Jane Reeby (b. 4 Aug 1861), daughter of John Reeby and Mary Francis, at St. George, Stonehouse, Plymouth on 26 Sep 1889. Witnesses were John Reeby and Lucy Bailey (groom's mother).

William and Jane Bailey had two children:

1. Lucy Mary Bailey b. 1890 D Q in EAST STONEHOUSE Vol 05B 272
2. Samuel William Bailey b. 1893 J Q in EAST STONEHOUSE Vol 05B 302

In 1891, William Bailey (33) Seaman Royal Navy, Jane Bailey (27) and daughter Lucy M Bailey, were living in the household of William's mother, Lucy Bailey (53), at 47, Edgcumbe Street, East Stonehouse.

Haven't yet been able to confirm a naval record, nor a death for William Henry Bailey, but must assume he died between begetting his son in 1893 and 1901, when Jane is listed as widowed. There are no deaths in Plymouth in that period that could relate, but in British Armed Forces And Overseas Deaths And Burials, there are some deaths of William Bailey, at Sea, in 1894, which may be relevant, but none with any detail that would confirm it.

On the marriage certificates for both Lucy in 1912 and William in 1914, they describe their father's rank as having been Chief Petty Officer RN.

In 1901, Jane Bailey (39) widowed, was at 48, Edgcumbe Street, East Stonehouse (noted on the census as the Stonehouse Inn, of which her mother-in-law, Lucy Bailey, was the Innkeeper), with Lucy M Bailey (10) and Samuel W Bailey (8) and Thomazine Francis (69) Widowed, described as her Aunt. (Thomazine was the widow of Samuel Francis, Sail Maker, who had died in 1898, who was the younger brother of Mary Francis, Jane's mother.)

30, Langdon Park Road
Spudgun67, CC BY-SA 4.0,
via Wikimedia Commons

In 1911, Jane Bailey (49) Widowed, was living at 12 Emma Place, East Stonehouse, with William Bailey (18) Merchant's Clerk at a Coal Merchant, Lucy Bailey (20) and Tamasine Francis (80) Widow, Boarder. (Thomazine died, at 86, in 1917).

In 1921, Jane Bailey (59) was a Visitor in the household of her son, listed as William Samuel Bailey, Assistant Quantity Surveyor and his wife Ellen Maud (née Wilson) at 30, Langdon Park Road, Hornsey, Middlesex.

However, in 1939, Jane Bailey was again living in Plymouth, at 20 Clarence Place.

[So far] I've been unable to identify the record of Jane's death.

Lt Col James Wright OBE and Lucy Jane Ratty

Ruins of Charles Church, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Alan Murray-Rust - geograph.org.uk/p/7530164
Devastated in the Second World War, retained as a ruin as a memorial to the war. Looking like a traditional medieval Gothic church, it is unusual in being one of very few built in the Commonwealth period. Listed Grade I.

James Wright (b. 2 Jan 1872 in Bristol) Bachelor, Civil Service, of 69 Ashley Road, Bristol, son of James Wright and Eliza Beavis, married Lucy Jane Maddock, Widow, of 27 Tavistock Road, Plymouth, daughter of William Pearce Ratty, Shipwright and Elizabeth Hyde, at Charles Church, Plymouth on 23 Sep 1894. Witnesses were the bride's father, William Pearce Ratty and Eliza Mary Wright, James' sister. Lucy was listed as 29, which was a fib.

Born Lucy Jane Ratty on 24 Aug 1862, she was baptised on 2 Nov 1862, again at Charles Church, Plymouth and first married Frank Louie Maddock in the last quarter of 1882. Francis Louis Maddock, b. 17 Sep 1861, was the son of William Henry Maddock and Eliza Tucker Walters. The couple had one son, Frank Reginald Maddock b. 1884 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 345, but who died the following quarter, 1884 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 189. Then Francis Louis Maddock died, aged 24, in 1886 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 180. In 1891, Lucy Maddock (28) Widow, Sister-in-Law was living at 27 Tavistock Road, Plymouth in the household of Richard Holwill and his wife Thirza, Lucy's sister.

James and Lucy Jane Wright had a further four children together:

1. Lucy Wright b. 10 Jun 1895 S Qtr in BARTON REGIS Vol 06A Page 64
2. James William Wright b. 23 May 1896 S Quarter in BARTON REGIS Volume 06A Page 54
3. Frank Reginald Wright b. 1899 D Quarter in BRISTOL Vol 06A Page 213, Died, aged 1, in 1901 M Quarter in BRISTOL Vol 06A Page 156
4. Reginald Stanley Wright b. 24 Sep 1905 D Quarter in BRISTOL Volume 06A Page 193

The mother's maiden name on all of the birth registrations is RATTY. 

In 1901, James Wright (29) Sorting clerk & telegraphist (post office) and Lucy Wright (35ish!) were living at 23 York Avenue, Bristol, while Lucy Wright (5) and James W Wright (4) were staying with James' parents.

In 1911, James Wright (39) Assistant Superintendent (Post Office), Lucy Jane Wright (45 with discount), Lucy Wright (15) Unestablished telephonist; James William Wright (14) and Reginald Stanley Wright (5) were living at 37 Cornwall Road, Bishopston, Bristol. On this census they confirm that they had four children, of whom three were living, during their 16 year marriage.

In 1921, and still at 37 Cornwall Road, Bishopston, Bristol, were James Wright (49) Civil Service Superintendent Post Office; with Lucy Jane Wright (55+) and their youngest son Reginald Stanley Wright (15).

In 1939, Lt Col James Wright OBE, Civil Servant - Retired (Head Postmaster) and Lucy Jane Wright were living at 29 Rockside Drive, Bristol. 

According to Lives of the First World War and his Medal Card (if James Wright's Service Record as an Officer survives, this is not available online and would need to be ordered from the National Archives at Kew), he was first a Lieutenant in the Royal Corps of Signals and then Lieutenant Colonel Chief Signal Officer Lines of Communication - which makes perfect sense with his experience in the Post Office - and served in France during WWI. I've searched online but have not [yet] found the record of his OBE.

Lucy Jane Wright died on 1 Apr 1942 (J Quarter in BRISTOL Volume 06A Page 1), with age (under) estimated as 77. The Western Times of 4 Apr 1942 carried the announcement: WRIGHT: Lucy Jane, passed peacefully away, April 1, beloved wife of Lieut Col J Wright O.B.E. of 29 Rockside Drive, Henleaze. Internment Canford Cemetery, 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. 

James Wright died, aged 91, on 10 Aug 1963 (1963 S Quarter in BRISTOL Volume 07B Page 209) and is buried with his late wife, also in Canford Cemetery.

John Oxford and Elizabeth Lang

Charles Church, the second most ancient parish church in Plymouth.
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5218300

John Oxford (bap. 26 Dec 1777), son of Henry and Mary Oxford, married Elizabeth Lang (bap. 24 Aug 1778 in Stoke Damerel), daughter of James Lang and Mary Smart, on 4 Sep 1803 at Charles Church, Plymouth.

John and Elizabeth had at least the following children, all baptised at Plymouth, Charles the Martyr (Charles Church, Plymouth):

1. John Oxford b. 7 Sep 1804, bap. 7 Apr 1805. With a subsequent child also named John, it is likely this child died as an infant and there's a burial of a John Oxford, although the age is not listed, on 28 Oct 1805
2. John Lang Oxford b. 29 Nov 1807, bap. 6 Jan 1808
3. Elizabeth Ann Mills Oxford b. 22 Aug 1808, bap. 27 Aug 1809. Died, aged 12, and was buried at Charles Church, Plymouth on 15 May 1820
4. Henry Lang Oxford b. 13 Aug 1810, bap. 28 Oct 1810
5. Mary Amelia Oxford b. 29 Nov 1811, bap. 15 Jun 1817. Baptism lists her as Mary Emilia (sic) and John's occupation as Shipwright
6. Edward Oxford b. ~1821
7. Emma Oxford b. ~1826

Found no baptism records [yet] for Edward or Emma, however, they were on 1841 Census and Emma's marriage, in 1847, confirms her father as John Oxford, Shipwright. With significant gaps, there may have been others.

By 1841, John Oxford (60) was resident in Devonport Workhouse (previously Stoke Damerel Parish Workhouse). Elizabeth Oxford (~65) was living in what looks like a boarding house, in Old Town Street, Plymouth St Andrew, along with Edward Oxford (20) and Emma Oxford (15). 

Elizabeth Oxford died, in Stoke Damerel, on 22 Dec 1845 (1845 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 09 Page 262) and was buried, in the parish of Stoke Damerel, on 26 Dec 1845. Her age, estimated to 60 (she was 67), is likely just a wild guess by the overseers. Her residence at the time of death was 'Workhouse'. "Until the National Health Service was established in 1948, the Workhouse Infirmary was one of the few places where medical care could be obtained free of charge. As a result, many babies were born in the Workhouse and many older people ended their days there." [Source] Inside Plymouth's dismal Workhouses which housed the poor and disabled.

In 1851, John Oxford (74) Widower, is again listed at the Workhouse in Stoke Damerel, proudly listed as "Shipwright Employed Thirty Men".

John Oxford died, aged 76, on 16 Aug 1853 (1853 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 184). Once more, the record of his burial, on 20 Aug 1853, in that parish, gives his last address as 'Workhouse'.

John Palmer and Esther Collins

Winchester - St John The Baptist Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Talbot - geograph.org.uk/p/2386190r

John Palmer (b. ~1776 in Bridestowe, Devon) married Esther Collins (bap. 15 Aug 1790 at St Bartholomew, Winchester), daughter of Benjamin Collins and Mary Heamer, at St John the Baptist, Winchester on 26 Aug 1811. 

John and Esther Palmer, it seems, had at least these four children:

1. Charles Palmer b. 12 Jul 1812, bap. 24 Jul 1812 at St Mary's Church, Hinckley, Leicestershire. As unlikely as that location seems, on the 1851 census, Charles' birthplace is listed as 'Ionkley, Lancashire', which is surely a mis-transcription of Hinckley, Leicestershire. 
2. James Palmer bap. 16 Sep 1821 at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth
3. Elizabeth Palmer bap. 25 Nov 1827 at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth
4. Henry Palmer bap. 18 Jul 1830 at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth

On James', Elizabeth's and Henry's baptisms, John's occupation is Tanner.

It's extremely likely there were other children born between those, but it's difficult to confirm, not knowing when or where and being too early for them appear on census returns together as a family for confirmation. 

In 1841, John Palmer (60) was living in York Street, Plymouth (as was son Charles, in a separate household), with Esther Palmer (50), Elizabeth Palmer (14) and Henry Palmer (11). There is a James Palmer (20), resident at Plymouth Citadel, in 1841, presumably there with the military.

In 1851, John Palmer (75) Tanner, from Bridestowe, Devonshire and Esther Palmer (61), from Winchester, were in Richmond Street, Plymouth.

John Palmer died, aged 78, in 1855 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 251. He is buried at Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth.

In 1861, Esther Talmer (sic) Tanner's mother, widowed, from Winchester, Hampshire, was living in Vauxhall Street, Plymouth in the household of her son Charles - who it appears had taken over the trade from his father.

Esther Palmer died, aged 79, in 1868 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 145. She is also buried at Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth.

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 in Lewes, Sussex) Naval Schoolmaster, HMS Boscawen, Portland, son of John Leese and Caroline Bussey, married Marian Blanche Burgess (b. 1863 in Greenwich), daughter of William Burgess, Printer, at All Saints, Rotherhithe, on 22 Aug 1885. Witnesses were William Burgess and Christiana Elizabeth Burgess (the bride's younger sister).

Henry John Leese began his naval career on 5 Jan 1879, having previously attended Greenwich School, with school ship, HMS Impregnable (1810). From 1 Jan 1881, Henry John Leese (19) was an Ordinary seaman pupil teacher, stationed at HMS President (shore establishment).  

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. 9 Jun 1886 (1886 S Qtr in BRIGHTON Vol 02B Page 228), bap. 23 Mar 1890 at Southsea, St Bartholomew.
2. Elsie Christine Leese b. 29 May 1890 (1890 S Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 479), bap. 3 Aug 1890 at Southsea, St Bartholomew. Presume died as an infant, possibly in Malta.
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. 6 Nov 1895 (1895 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 301), bap. 19 Jan 1896 in Stoke Damerel, Devon, died at 1 in 1896 D Qtr in ALVERSTOKE Vol 02B Pg 361
6. William Gordon Leese b. 17 Jan 1897 (1897 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Vol 02B Page 560), bap. 19 Sep 1897 in Forton (Gosport), Hampshire
7. John Stanley Leese b. 2 Feb 1898 (1898 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 540), bap. 8 Feb 1898 in Forton (Gosport), Hampshire
8. Edward Lionel Leese b. 23 Feb 1900 (1900 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 568), bap. 10 Apr 1900 at Forton, Hampshire, died aged 3 in 1903 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 355
9. Frank Alfred Joseph Leese b. 10 Jun 1909 (1909 J Qtr in ALVERSTOKE Vol 02B Page 565), bap. 11 Jul 1909 in Forton (Gosport)

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, 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 at 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), John S Leese (3) 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).

In 1921, Henry John Leese (59) Elementary School Teacher was living at 139, Forton Road, Gosport, Alverstoke, with Marian Blanch Leese (57), May Constance Leese (35), Maud Christine Leese (26) Elementary School Teacher; John Stanley Leese (23) Pattern Maker; and Frank Alfred Joseph Leese (12).

Henry John Leese died, aged 70, on 15 Apr 1932 (1932 J Quarter in ALVERSTOKE 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 (1939 J Quarter in GOSPORT Volume 02B Page 822), aged 75.

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 Alfred Joseph Leese married Faith Kathleen Partridge in Acle, Norfolk in 1947. Frank died in 1990, in Norwich.

Andrew Ephire King and Annie Jones

The former St. Luke's church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jonathan Thacker - geograph.org.uk/p/5436811

Andrew Ephire King (b. 10 Nov 1894), Chief Yeoman, United States Navy, son of Joseph Damos King and Josephine Martel, married Annie Jones (b. 30 Sep 1890), only daughter of Nicholas Jones and Ellen White, at St Luke's Church, Cork, Ireland on 18 Aug 1919. Witnesses were Frederick Joseph Lee and Nelly Jones. The couple met in 1917, wrote their daughter, Margery, later "... when Dad was on one of the destroyers sent by the US Navy to patrol the south coast of Ireland and convoy supply and troop ships to English and French ports." Later, "When Cork became "out of bounds" to the crews of the US Fleet when the Sinn Féiners attacked them, Dad asked Mum to come down to Rushbrooke / Queenstown to visit him. In this way, Dad became acquainted with Nellie and the rest of her family, often going to Rushbrooke for tea when he had a few hours liberty when his ship was in port." 

From Andrew's diary: April 24, 1918: "Liberty was granted today. I went ashore at 4:30 p.m. and went to see Nellie Jones. Today was her 24th birthday. She had made a chocolate cake and some cookies so we had a quite nice little tea party. I gave her a gold pendant for a gift. Novak came up about 7:30 with a fruit cake that his sister in Portland, Oregon had sent him. We had cocoa and some of the cake. Returned to the ship at 10:30 p.m."

After they married, Annie King applied for permission to depart for the United States, expecting to sail on USS President Grant on 6 Sep 1919, giving her future address in the US as 31 Chapel Street, Dover, New Hampshire.

Andrew and Annie King had three children:

1. Douglas Andrew King b. 23 Mar 1921 in Norfolk, Virginia
2. Edith Mary King b. 22 Feb 1923 in Brooklyn, New York
3. Margery Ellen King b. 6 Apr 1927 in Cork, Ireland

In 1920, Andrew King (25) and Annie King (29), were living in Duval, Florida.

In 1921, Annie King applied for a US Passport for herself, accompanied by her minor child, Douglas Andrew King.

In 1930, in Norfolk, Virginia, were Andrew E King (36), Annie King (40), Douglas A King (9), Edith M King (7) and Margery E King (3). In 1935, they lived in Portsmouth, Virginia. A record shows that on 7 Jul 1935, Douglas Andrew King (14) travelled from Cobh (Queenstown), on the RMS Laconia, arriving in Boston in 14 Jul 1935. Margery remembered them visiting the family in Rushbrooke in the 1930's.

And by 1940, they had moved out to San Diego, California, with Andrew E King (45), Annie King (49), Edith M King (17) and Marjory E King (12).

Andrew Ephire King sailed from Pearl Harbor on 7 Aug 1942, on USS Henderson, while she did service as a transport between California and Hawaii during World War II, arriving in San Francisco, California on 15 Aug 1942. He was still serving in WWII. Was he in Pearl Harbour the year before?

On 5 Apr 1945, Douglas Andrew King (24) married Daisy Mae Hadlock (19), daughter of Ivan Hadlock and Esther Smith, in Hampton, Virginia. In 1950, Douglas A King (29) Aeronautical Engineer; Daisy M King (24) and two children, aged 3 & 2, were living in Elizabeth City, Virginia, USA.

Margery and her mother travelled to Ireland and England, visiting Dave and Kitty in Rushbrooke, Queenie and Alice in Cork City, my grandparents in Birmingham and stayed with Marcella in Portsmouth, in 1946. Margery wrote that, "My mother had kept in touch with her cousins all through WWII while we were in the USA and was anxious to see them all again."

A licence had been applied for, for the marriage of Margery Ellen King to a Donald William Gemmel in January 1950, but this marriage never took place. Margery never mentioned this. No surprise. I always knew her as Mrs Margery Hamilton, but haven't been able to find any record of a marriage for her.

Edith Mary King married John Kenneth Crawford, in Cork, on 7 Aug 1950. Her parents went to Ireland for the wedding, and returned on RMS Franconia, leaving Liverpool on 21 Sep 1950, arriving in Quebec on 29 Sep 1950. The Crawfords had at least one son (name and birth date unknown, but thought to be still living in Ireland), as Margery often mentioned her nephew - to whom she said she had given all of Andrew Ephire King's detailed diaries.

Annie King of 28 Oceana Avenue, Ocean Park, Maine (wife of Andrew Ephire King, Retired Lieutenant Commander U.S.N.), died on 21 Dec 1950, at the Trull Hospital, Biddeford, Maine, aged 60, leaving her effects to her husband. Annie King is buried at, New Town Cemetery, Rollinsford, New Hampshire.

On 26 Sep 1953, Margery King left Cobh on the MV Britannic, presumably for her father's marriage, on 24 Oct 1953, at the Methodist Church, Plymouth, New Hampshire, to divorcee, Elma Marguerite Wyman (née Dunphy).

Andrew Ephire King, who died on 1 July 1983, Lieutenant commander United States Navy Mexican Border, WWI & WWII, is also buried in the family plot at New Town Cemetery, Rollinsford, New Hampshire.

Douglas Andrew King died on 13 Mar 2002.

We visited Margery in Ireland in 2014. Her sister, Edith, had died not long before. Margery must have died in 2016, which, sadly, we only discovered when the Post Office returned my correspondence. Her contribution to this research has been invaluable: even when the family stories she was told weren't quite true, they provided valuable clues that I continue to pursue and hope that I can also answer some of the questions she left unanswered.

See also:

• The Queenstown Patrol – the US navy in Cork Harbour in WWI
• Passport photos of women who left Cork for the US
• Ireland’s US Navy ‘war brides’
• The US Navy at Queenstown

Thomas Fudge and Ann Beedle

Church of St Andrew
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5713509
The Minster Church of St Andrew, also known as St Andrew's Church, Plymouth.

Thomas Fudge (b. 1808), of the Royal Marines, married Ann Beedle (b. 1813), at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth on 12 Aug 1834. Neither could sign their own names. Witnesses were Catherine Murray and James Boulter.

Thomas and Ann had three children:

1. Lucy Elizabeth Ann Fuge (sic) bap. 7 Aug 1836 in East Stonehouse
2. Thomas James Fudge b. 1843 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 09 Page 341
3. Sarah Jane Fudge b. 25 Dec 1850, reg. 1851 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 09 Page 389

On Lucy Elizabeth Ann's baptism, her father's occupation is given as Drummer, Royal Marines. The registrations of Thomas and Sarah confirm their mother's maiden name as Beedle. Despite there being long gaps between each child, checking year by year through the records at the General Record Office did not reveal any others, possibly because Thomas was often away at sea.

Navy Allotment Records list Thomas Fudge of 26 High Street, Stonehouse as a Fifer aboard HMS Endymion (1797) in 1841; in 1844 with HMS Mutine (1844) and HMS Mutche in 1845. In 1845, Thomas Fudge from Stonehouse was listed among Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1835-1857.

In 1841, Ann Fuge (sic) (25) (ish) was one of a very long list of people (too many for a private house) in Fore Street - with Louisa Fuge (sic) (4) - Lucy, clearly. Fore Street was the site of various establishments such as the Wesleyan Sailors' and Soldiers' Home and the Royal Sailors' Rest and Institute and it could well be one of these establishments they were staying in.

In 1851, Thomas Fudge (43) Greenwich Pensioner, his birthplace listed as East Stonehouse, Devonshire was living in Edgcumbe Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth with wife Ann Fudge (38), Lucy Fudge (15), Thomas Fudge (7) and baby Sarah Jane, incorrectly listed as Sarah Ann Fudge (sic) (0).

In 1861, at 10 Providence Place, East Stonehouse was Thomas Fudge (53) Seaman; Ann Fudge (47), Thomas Fudge (17) Rope Maker; Sarah Fudge (11) Scholar and Anne L Fudge (3) Granddaughter. (Who I believe is Louisa Ann Bailey, daughter of Lucy Fudge, who had married Thomas Bailey in 1856.)

In 1871, then living in Bridport Street, Portsea, Hampshire, were Thomas Fudge (64) Seaman Pensioner, Anne Fudge (58) and Anne Fudge (13) listed as their daughter, but must be their granddaughter, Louisa Ann Bailey.

In 1881, Thomas Fudge (72) Navy Pensioner was living at 33, Bridport Street, Portsea with wife Ann (68). Living with them were their son-in-law George Charles Mew, married to Sarah Jane, along with four grandchildren.

Ann Fudge died, aged 71, in 1885 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 352. Thomas Fudge died back in his native EAST STONEHOUSE, in 1888 J Quarter, Volume 05B Page 205, with his age estimated as 83.

Frederick Thomas Stone and Kathleen Mullarkey

St Paul Street, Plymouth (number 9 is the darkest caramel coloured one)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/2333440

Frederick Thomas Stone (b. 20 Jan 1892 in Stonehouse, Devon), Leading Signalman, H.M.S. Sandhurst, of 9 St Paul's Street, East Stonehouse, son of Tom Stone and Margaret Knapman, married Kathleen Mullarkey (b. 17 Jan 1896 in Stonehouse, Devon), tailoress, of 8 Admiralty Street, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, daughter of Anthony Mullarkey and Maria Gloyne, at the King Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, on 4 Aug 1923. Witnesses were Frederick's first cousin, Charley Stone (best man); Rosina Kathleen Stone, the bridegroom's younger sister (bridesmaid?), and Anthony Charles Mullarkey, the bride's elder brother who probably gave her away. The couple's fathers, Tom Stone and Anthony Mullarkey (both deceased), had both been Royal Marines, as were Charley Stone and Anthony Charles Mullarkey. 

Frederick and Kathleen had two sons: 

1. Frederick Anthony Stone b. 25 July 1924 (1924 S Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 417)
2. Douglas John Stone b. 27 Sep 1927 (1927 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 404)

Frederick Thomas Stone had enlisted in the Royal Navy as a boy of 15, on 6 Jul 1907 and served for 21 years until 25 Nov 1928, by which time he was a Yeoman of Signals. He re-entered service with the Royal Navy Shore Signal Service (RNSSS) on 30 May 1932 as a Signalman. As he was still living at Royal Naval Shore Signal Station Cottages at the time of his death, at 65, in 1957, he must have remained with the service through both World Wars.

At 18, Frederick Thomas Stone was 5ft 5½in with dark brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. Among his numerous tattoos were an anchor, two female figures and a bird on his right forearm; Eagle, snake, Ensign, rose and thistle. Clasped hands and heart and 8 dots on left forearm.

In 1939, son Frederick Anthony Stone was a boarder at the Royal Hospital School (historically nicknamed "The Cradle of the Navy"). Frederick Thomas and Douglas John do not appear anywhere on the 1939 Register. The only entry for a Kathleen Stone of the right age is that detailed below.

On 11 Aug 1943, Douglas J Stone appears on a "List or Manifest of Aliens Employed on the Vessel as Members of the Crew" of the Marquesa, as an apprentice on his 1st trip to New York. He was 16, 5' 4" and 123lbs.

Frederick Thomas Stone of 5 Royal Naval Shore Signal Station Cottages, Old Folkstone Road, Dover, died on 11 Nov 1957, aged 65 (1957 D Quarter in DOVER Volume 05B Page 594), at Buckland Hospital, Dover, leaving effects of £960 12s 5d to Frederick Anthony Stone, Chief Electrician R.N. and Douglas John Stone, Laboratory Assistant. 

As she wasn't a beneficiary to Frederick's will, it would be easy to assume that Kathleen had pre-deceased her husband, but there was no death record in the relevant period and there looks to be another possibility: There are only two records (that I could find) of deaths of someone named Kathleen Stone, born 1896. One was in St Albans and there are other records in that area to prove that is a distinct person, so that death can certainly be discounted. 

The other is of a Kathleen Stone, born 1896, listed as married, who in 1939 was patient at the East Riding Mental Hospital, Beverley, Yorkshire. 

The later Probate record shows that this Kathleen Stone died there, at Broadgate Hospital, on 4 Feb 1968. My research hasn't discovered any other Kathleen Stone locally, for example, who this might have been. 

The East Riding Archives, searched the records they hold and were unable to link her to Frederick Thomas Stone, nor discount it either; there's no mention of family members, but they were able to tell me that this person "was admitted on the 31 Aug 1937, her care was being charged to Bridlington." Further searches produced no local person in the Bridlington area either. 

There was, however, a signal station at Flamborough Head, which is only around six miles from Bridlington. There is nothing on Frederick's records to suggest that he went there, but it would follow the usual pattern in the Royal Navy Shore Signal Service to be posted and move from station to station, so he might well have done, which might account for her presence in the area if this is her. This could be casting aspersions, but sadly, all of the circumstantial evidence does persuade me that it is still possible it was and, hopefully this information might lead to something that either confirms or refutes it.

• Douglas John Stone died, at 58, in DOR Q1/1985 in KINGSBRIDGE (4111) Volume 21 Page 1587.
• Frederick Anthony Stone married Barbara Matthews (1927-1999), in Newport, Wales, in 1950. Frederick Anthony Stone died, on 19 Mar 1985, in Newport, Wales (DOR Q1/1985 in NEWPORT (8362C) Volume 28 Page 994). He will have been 60. 

Charles James Renshaw and Lilian Mary Back

Church of St Paul, Durnford Street, East Stonehouse
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5625215

Charles James Renshaw (b. 10 Feb 1884 in Rugby, Warwickshire) son of James Renshaw and Frances Elizabeth Green, married Lilian Mary Back (b. 4 Nov 1889), daughter of Thomas Back and Elizabeth Mary Horn, both of 11 St George's Terrace, at St Paul's Church, East Stonehouse on 29 Jul 1910.

Charles and Lilian had three children:

1. Dorothy May Renshaw b. 28 Jan 1913 (1913 M Q in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 519), bap. 13 Mar 1913 at St James, Devonport. Died, at 27, in 1941 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 1024. 
2. Margery Lilian Renshaw b. 31 Jan 1915 (1915 M Q in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 543), bap. 11 Jun 1915 in Stoke Damerel
3. Bernard Charles Renshaw b. 23 Jan 1923 (1923 M Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 515), bap. 1923 in Devon.

In 1911 Charles Renshaw (27) Engine Fitter at Government Dockyard, from Rugby, Warwickshire and Lilian Mary Renshaw (21) were living with Lilian's mother, Elizabeth Mary Back, at 36 Durnford Street, East Stonehouse.

In 1921, Charles James Renshaw (37) Engineer at the Royal William Victualling Yard; Lilian Mary Renshaw (31), Dorothy Mary Renshaw (8), Margery Lilian Renshaw (6) and Elizabeth Mary Back (61) Wife's Mother, were living at 7 Duckworth Street, Devonport.

In 1939, still at 7 Duckworth Street, Plymouth, were Charles J Renshaw, Fleet Engineer; Lilian M Renshaw; Dorothy M Renshaw, Incapacitated; Bernard C Renshaw, Fitter and Turner Apprentice; Howard J Ryall, RN Petty Officer; Margery L Ryall and one closed record (the Ryall's first daughter).

Charles James Renshaw died, at 73, 1957 J Qtr in PLYMOUTH Vol 07A 558.

Lilian Mary Renshaw died, in 1973, at 84.

• Margery Lilian Renshaw married Howard James Ryall (b. 23 Aug 1914 in Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland) in 1938, in Plymouth. The couple appear to have had two daughters, born in 1938 and 1944. Both Margery and Howard Ryall died in 2006.
• Bernard Charles Renshaw married Valerie Frances Glanville in Plymouth in 1975. He doesn't appear to have married previously. Born Valerie Frances Bawden (b. 6 Sep 1913 in Barnstaple, Devon), she previously married Edgar Bruce Glanville, in 1936, in St. Germans, Cornwall, with whom she had two children, in 1940 and 1946, but presumably divorced, as Edgar Bruce Glanville (b. 11 Dec 1907), died at 81, in 1988. Valerie Frances Renshaw died, at 82, in 1995. Bernard Charles Renshaw died in 2004, at 81.