Inherited Craziness
A place to share all the nuts found on my family tree

Showing posts with label Police Constable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Police Constable. Show all posts

Wednesday, 20 November 2024

John Charles Stone and Elsie Alberta Wright

Blackchurch rock looking across Mouthmill beach.
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Andrew Bolton - geograph.org.uk/p/1701554
John Charles Stone (Jack) (b. 18 Jun 1890) Police Constable, son of Frederick James Stone and Loveday Jane Land, married Elsie Alberta Wright (bap. 11 Dec 1892 in Bickleigh, Devon), daughter of Albert Henry Wright and Elizabeth Baker, at the church of St Thomas, Exeter on 20 Nov 1911. Witnesses to their marriage were Sarah Ann Wright and Walter Hurford.

Jack and Elsie had three sons, all of whom pre-deceased them:
  1. Frederick Charles Stone b. 1911 D Qtr in ST THOMAS Vol 05B 109
  2. Kenneth John Stone b. 23 Mar 1915 (1915 J Qtr in PLYMPTON ST. MARY Vol 05B Page 292), bap. 28 Apr 1915 in Revelstoke, Plympton (Died, aged 17, in 1932 S Qtr in BIDEFORD Vol 05B Page 500)
  3. Burgess William Stone b. 29 Jan 1918 (1918 M Quarter in PLYMPTON ST. MARY Volume 05B Page 223), bap. 2 Feb 1918 in Newton Ferrers. (Died 1918 M Qtr in PLYMPTON ST. MARY Vol 05B Page 306)
In 1921, John Charles Stone (31) Police Constable was at Sticklepath, Northleigh, Devon. (In Sticklepath village Mill House was used as a bakehouse, then as the Police Station in the early 1900's until the 1930's). Frederick Stone (9) and Kenneth Stone (6) were then living in the household of Walter Hurford (34) at Sickerleigh Cottage, Halberton, Devon, described as his nephews. (Walter Hurford married Florence Wright, Elsie Alberta's older sister, in 1909). There's no sign anywhere of Elsie Alberta Stone.

We get a wealth of information on this family - and confirm some of the other family marriages - from the very detailed newspaper reports of the time.

The Devon and Exeter Gazette of Friday, 16 Sep, 1932, reported:
BATHING FATALITY
Clovelly Youth's Cries for Help
Companion Goes to Aid But is Exhausted
CLERGYMAN HELPS IN RESCUE
INQUEST VERDICT
    A youth was drowned while bathing at Clovelly on Friday afternoon and a companion was only saved by the help of visitors after he had become exhausted by his effort to save his colleague.
    The lad who was drowned was Kenneth John Stone, aged 17, son of P.C. Stone, stationed at Clovelly and his companion, Walter James Wheaton. Both are employed at Clovelly Court. They were bathing at Mouth Mill near Clovelly, and had been swimming for about five minutes when Wheaton heard calls for help. Looking round he saw his companion was in difficulties. He swam to him and tried to keep him up, but Stone pulled him under the water and then released his hold.
    When Wheaton came up again assistance was forthcoming from some visitors on the beach, who had noticed them struggling in the water. They were Stephen S. Gill, of Barnstaple, Mr Lionel Bruce Taylor, of Purley, Surrey, his brother Mr Christopher Douglas Taylor, and their brother-in-law, the Rev Henry Bunny, of the Vicarage, Cullompton. They rescued Wheaton, who by that time was in an exhausted condition, and afterwards swam about in an endeavour to locate Stone, but failed to find any trace of him.
    The search was continued until dark and resumed on Saturday morning, when the body was recovered near the spot where the young man drowned.

THE INQUEST
    At the inquest a verdict of "Accidental drowning" was returned by the North Devon Coroner (Dr Ellis Pearson).
    P.C. Stone said his son, who was 17, was a footman employed at the Clovelly Court, and was only a beginner at swimming. Witness heard during the afternoon of Friday that his son had go into difficulties while bathing in the sea and had been drowned. A search was made until dark that night, but it was not until Saturday morning that William Braund, a Clovelly fisherman, found the body.
    Wilfred John Wheaton, also an employee at Clovelly Court, stated that on Friday he went to bathe with Stone at Mouth Mill. He could swim, but Stone was not much of a swimmer. There was a strong under-current, and the water was rather rough. The tide was going out. Witness swam out towards the rocks, and Stone then appeared to be about ten yards from the shore.
    Hearing someone shouting for help, witness turned around, and, realising that Stone was in difficulties, swam back to him. He reached him in an exhausted condition, and put his arm around him as he sank. It was a dead weight, and witness was pulled down as well.
    Stone slipped free, and a man named Stephen S. Gill, of Barnstaple, helped witness ashore.
    Lionel Bruce Taylor, or Purley, Surrey, a visitor, said he was at Mouth Mill that day with his brother and brother-in-law. They were paddling when he heard calls, but could not distinguish whether it was one bather calling to another or not. His brother, who was on the hill behind, came down to the beach and said a man was calling for help, and another man in a bathing costume asked them to help him in reaching the swimmers. They went into the water and witness was surprised to see only one swimmer - the other had disappeared.
    Wheaton was got to the shore in an exhausted condition, and witness and the others swam to the spot where Stone had disappeared, and dived two or three times, but failed to find him.
    Constable Stone thanked the visitors who had attempted to save his son, and the local fishermen who helped in recovering the body.

The Western Times, Friday, September 23, 1932
Clovelly Fatality
MR KENNETH STONE LAID TO REST
Parish Loses a Popular Young Man
    The funeral of Mr Kenneth Stone, younger son of Police Constable J C Stone and Mrs Stone, who was drowned while bathing at Mouth Mill, took place at All Saints' Church on Wednesday week. The Rector (Rev. Somers Cocks) officiated.
    Deceased was a quiet, unassuming, courteous young man of sterling character, and he was very popular in the parish, having a host of friends, His sad death cast a great gloom over the district, and there was a large number of sympathising friends and parishioners present in the church and at the graveside. The utmost sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Stone, Mr Frederick Stone and the relatives in the loss they have sustained.
    The family mourners were:- Police Constable J C and Mrs Stone (father and mother); Frederick C Stone (brother); Mrs L J Stone, Cruwys Morchard (grandmother); Mrs R Southwood, West Anstey, Mrs F Hitchcock, Bishops Lydeard, Mrs L Baker, Coombe Florey and Mrs F Harford, Chevithorne (aunts); Mr Phillip Stone, Coombe Florey (uncle); Mr W Southwood junr, West Anstey, Mrs L Baker, West Anstey, Mr W and Mrs R Watts (cousins), Mrs R Anstey, Messrs. W Bale, E Martin, R Arnold, E Moore, S Leach, A Ackland, B Bridgeman, Mesdames L Stacey, R Blight, W Bale, C Ayres, T Vanstone, T Martin, L Ackland, Misses C Ackland, M Blight and E Ackland (friends from Shebbear), and Wilfred John Wheaton (fellow employee at Clovelly Court.)
    The bearers were officers of the "A" Division, Devon Constabulary, in charge of Seargeant Stuart (Hoops) and Inspector Rendell (Bideford). They were Police Constables Butt (Instow), Morcombe (Hartland), Hooper (Horns Cross), Beavis (Bideford). The coffin was of unpolished oak with brass fittings, and the breastplate was inscribed: "Kenneth Stone, aged 17 years, died 9th September, 1932."
    The following were among the general public:- Messrs A E Bushell, T Bale, J Crase, R Anstey, J T Moss, H Braund, E Braund, A Holloway, W Elliott, H Patton, S Williams, F Cleave, J Heal, H Tuke, J Stuart, O May, G Reilly, G Prince, F Robbins, J Headon, W Gist, L Gist, W Jewell, F Littlejohn, W Pengilly, J Whitefield, W Hamlyn, W Cruse, H Carpenter, H Taylor, C Braund, W Braund, G Lamey, J Johns, J Dunn, P Dunn, C Badcock, T Squire, A Dayman, A Beer, J Beer, F Found, E Found, C Prouse, C Pennington, E Rowe, S Wilson, G Attwood, T Jennings, W Jennings, M Beer, G Dark, F Pickett, F Day, W Thomas, J Jennings, L Symons, G Wonnacott, D Cook, W Cook, Capt. Burnard, Capt. H Jenn and Police Constable Cole (Bovey Tracey). Mesdames Hillsdon, D Hilton, E Moss, C Jenn, A May, H Taylor, L Cook, D Cook, J Babb, S Beer, Clements, F Johns, M Johns, M Lamey, A Dunn, N Colwill, M Badcock, E Shackson, F Badcock, H Braund, J Parsons, E Bragg, E Pengilly. Misses Doughton, Falconer, Anstey, F Gist, G Beer, E Johns and H Cook. There was a large number of floral tributes.

Kenneth John Stone (1915-1932)

(Though I did chuckle to see a Beavis and Butt among the bearers.)

Witheridge, Trafalgar Square And Hare And Hounds Inn

The Western Times, Friday, June 5, 1936
WITHERIDGE HOTEL: PROTECTION ORDER GRANTED. "A protection order in respect of the Hare and Hounds Hotel, Witheridge, was granted at South Molton Petty Sessions on Tuesday to Mr John Charles Stone, now a police constable at Clovelly, who is retiring from the force on June 24th. The order will not take effect until the constable's retirement, Supt. E C Parr pointing out that a police officer could not be the holder of a licence."

Jack Stone did retire from the police in 1936 and became landlord of the Hare and Hounds (see image - undoubtedly Jack behind the bar, as the family resemblance is glaring), which was in the then pretentiously named Trafalgar Square in Witheridge, Devon. Nowadays it's just the junction of Fore Street and Church Street, where the B3137 is intersected by North Street and West Street. The pub has been turned into a residential cottage, so if you drive past, you'd have no idea of it's previous use, as we have on several occasions.

This is confirmed in the 1939 Register, where John Charles Stone (b. 18 Jun 1890) Police Pensioner Now Licenced Victualler and wife Elsie A Stone (b. 28 Oct 1892) were listed at the Hare & Hounds Public House, Witheridge.

John Charles (Jack) Stone died in 1960, aged 70.

Elsie Alberta Stone died in 1973, at 81.

Wednesday, 23 October 2024

Frederick John Jago and Emily Louisa Hawkins

Sheppey - Minster Abbey church from the east
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Rob Farrow - geograph.org.uk/p/7395731
The Abbey of St Mary and St Sexburga, Minster-in-Sheppey

Charles Ridler (bap. 17 Jul 1864 in Luxborough, Somerset), son of William Ridler and Fanny Howe, married Emily Louisa Hawkins (b. 22 May 1869 in Notting Hill, London), daughter of Henry Hawkins and Sarah Ann Tooze, in Strood, Kent in 1890, with whom she had three children:
  1. Eva Ridler b. 1 Mar 1892 J Qtr in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 591
  2. May Ridler b. 20 May 1893 J Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 616
  3. Arthur Ridler b. 16 Oct 1898 D Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 644
In 1891, Charles Ridler (26) Constable of Metropolitan Police from Somersetshire, was at the Police House at H M Dockyard, Sheerness, while Emily L Ridler (21) was still living at her parents' home in Sheerness.

In 1901, Charles Ridler (36) Constable Metropolitan Police from Somerset was living in Police Quarters, 12, Chattenden Lane, Frindsbury, Kent, with Emily Ridler (31), Eva Ridler (9), May Ridler (7) and Arthur Ridler (2).

However, Charles Ridler died, at 42, 1n 1907 J Quarter in STROOD Volume 02A Page 369 and was buried at Sheppey Cemetery on 13 Apr 1907.

Frederick John Jago (27) Bachelor, Engine Fitter, son of John Edwin Jago and Harriett Eliza Philpott, then married Emily Louisa Ridler (40) Widow, at The Abbey Church of St Mary and St Sexburga (Seaxburh of Ely), now the parish church of Minster-in-Sheppey, on 23 Oct 1909. Witnesses were Arthur Hawkins, the bride's younger brother and Eva Ridler, her daughter.

Frederick John and Emily Louisa Jago added a daughter:
  1. Doris Jago b. 16 Nov 1910 D Qtr in SHEPPEY Vol 02A Page 945
In 1911, at 4 Delamark Road, Sheerness, Kent, were Frederick John Jago (29) Engine Fitter, Emily Louisa Jago (41), Doris Jago (4 months), Eva Ridler (19) General Servant: May Ridler (17) Housemaid and Arthur Ridler (12).

In 1921, living at 2, Delamark Road, Sheerness, were Frederick John Jago (39) Engine Fitter at HM Dockyard Sheerness; Emily Louisa Jago (52), Doris Jago (10), William Henry Hawkins (50) Skilled Labourer at HM Dockyard Sheerness (Emily's brother); Eva Ridler (29) and Joan Ridler (4) (Born 1916 D Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 1289, she appears to be Eva Ridler's illegitimate daughter); and two boarders Daniel Ernest Winterflood Crosby (39) Shipwright at HM Dockyard Sheerness and Mabel Alice Crosby (37), as both are listed as married, one images they're husband and wife. Harold Wright (35) Marine Engineer for the Admiralty; May Wright (28) and Alan Wright (1) were living next door at 4, Delamark Road, Sheerness.

In 1939, still living at 2 Delamark Road, Sheerness, were Frederick John Jago (b. 2 May 1882) Engine Fitter; Emily Louisa Jago, Eva Ridler, Arthur Ridler, Boilermaker; and Joan Ridler, Waitress and Shop Assistant. And, still living next door at 4 Delamark Road, Sheerness were Harold J Wright, Marine Engineer Admiralty Fleet Fuelling; May Wright and Alan Wright.

Frederick John Jago died, on 29 Oct 1956 (1956 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 05B Page 650).

Emily Louisa Jago, died in Sheppey, Kent, on 26 Sep 1958.

  • Eva Ridler died in 1981, having never married.
  • May Ridler (23) had married Harold James Wright (30) on 1 Jun 1916 at Minster in Sheppey, Ss Mary & Sexburga. They had two sons, Leslie Wright b. Q4 1917, who died the same quarter and Alan Wright b. 15 Jul 1919, bap. 31 Jul 1919 at Holy Trinity, Sheerness. Harold James Wright died, in Sheerness in 1967; May Wright died in 1984 and Alan Wright appears to have died in 2019.
  • Arthur Ridler, who served in the Merchant Navy, does not appear to have married. He died, in Kent, in 1976.
  • Doris Jago died in 1987, in Sheppey, also unmarried.

Saturday, 27 July 2024

Henry Ridgeway and Maud Emily Kemp

West Anstey: village
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/147405

Henry Ridgeway (b. 17 Mar 1876), Police Constable, son of Thomas Ridgway and Ann Tooze, married Maud Emily Kemp (b. 10 Aug 1872), daughter of William John Kemp and Mary Prouse, on 27 Jul 1899, at St Petrock's Church, West Anstey, Devon. Maud's father was also a Police Constable.

Henry and Maud had three children:
  1. Harold Henry Ridgeway b. 23 Apr 1900 (1900 J Quarter in NEWTON ABBOT Volume 05B Page 106), bap. 3 Jun 1900 in Denbury, Devon
  2. Gwendoline Maud Ridgeway b. 8 Sep 1904 (1904 D Qtr in NEWTON ABBOT Vol 05B Page 108), bap. 22 Jan 1905 in Denbury, Devon
  3. Horace William Ridgeway b. 21 Feb 1911 (1911 M Quarter in NEWTON ABBOT Volume 05B Page 103), bap. 21 Apr 1911 in Kingsteignton
In 1901, Henry Ridgeway (25) Police Constable, Maud E (28) and Harold H (11 months) were living in East Street, Denbury, Newton Abbot.

In 1911, at 2 Yeoman Terrace, Kingsteignton, Devon, were Henry Ridgeway (35) Devon police constable; Maud Emily (38), Harold Henry Ridgeway (10), Gwendoline Maud Ridgeway (6) and Horace William Ridgeway (1 month). They confirm they had three children during their then 11 year marriage.

In 1921, Henry Ridgeway (45) Police Constable was living at 14, Hillmans Road, Newton Abbot, Wolborough with Maud Emily Ridgeway (48), Gwendoline Maud Ridgeway (16) and Horace William Ridgeway (10)

Henry Ridgeway, Retired police constable and Maud E Ridgeway, in 1939, were living at 5 Torquay Road, Kingskerswell, Newton Abbot.

Henry Ridgeway died, aged 74, in 1950 S Quarter in NEWTON ABBOT Volume 07A Page 448.

Maud E Ridgeway of Haytor House, Kingsteignton (her daughter, Gwendoline Williams' address), died on 28 Dec 1955, aged 83 (1955 D Quarter in NEWTON ABBOT Volume 07A Page 530). Probate was granted to Andrew John Williams, Dairyman and James Marshall, retired police officer.

  • In 1918, Harold Henry Ridgeway, had joined the Merchant Navy and married Doris Clark in Marylebone, London, in 1928. Harold Henry Ridgeway died in 1980, in Torbay, Devon, at 79. 
  • Gwendoline Maud Ridgeway married Andrew John Williams, in Newton Abbot on 29 May 1939. That year Andrew J Williams (b. 29 Dec 1904), Dairyman, Gwendoline M Williams and Wilfred H Green (b. 1890) Salesman Disabled War Pensioner, were living at Haytor House, Kingsteignton. Andrew John Williams of Cherry Trees, 22 Grosvenor Ave, Cadewell, Torquay died on 29 Oct 1993. Gwendoline Maud Williams died in Q1/2004 in TORBAY (4221A) Reg A93A Entry Number 106, at 99.
  • Horace William Ridgeway married Euphemia I Wilson, in Wetherby, Yorkshire, on 4 Jun 1938. The Aberdeen Press And Journal announced on 6 Jun 1938: RIDGEWAY-WILSON: At Wetherby Parish Church, Yorkshire on 4th June 1938, by the Rev. Milnes, Horace William, son of Mr and Mrs Ridgeway, of Torquay, South Devon, to Effie, younger daughter of the late James Wilson and of Mrs Wilson, 8 Victoria Crescent, Cullen. In 1939, Horace and Effie were at Devon Cottage, Wharfe View Estate, Wetherby. Horace was a "Sales Representative For Manager Of Glazed Tiles Fire Places", while Effie was "Private Secretary To Director Woollen Merchants". The record says Euphemia was born 8 Nov 1906, but found no birth record. Horace William Ridgeway died, at 85, in Q1/1996 in TORBAY (4221C) Reg C26A Entry Number 173. There was a death of an Effie Ridgeway, with birth year listed as 1908, in Q3/2007 in WIRRAL (0371B) Reg 1B002 Entry Number 42.

Saturday, 20 January 2024

Stephen Botterill and Elizabeth Tubb

Shakespeare Road, Gillingham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Whippet - geograph.org.uk/p/3889536

Stephen Botterill (bap. 3 Apr 1844 in West Haddon), younger son of Stephen Botterill and Mary Thompson, married Elizabeth Tubb (bap. 29 Dec 1850 at St Mary's Church, Portsea), daughter of Edward Tubb and Hannah Bussey, at Christ Church, Watney Street, St George in the East, on 20 Jan 1876. At the time of his marriage, Stephen was listed as a Police Constable in Chatham. One of the witnesses was Stephen's cousin and brother-in-law, Benjamin Tompson. Elizabeth's address was listed on the marriage certificate as 299 Cable Street, which was where Benjamin and Mary Tompson lived.

Stephen and Elizabeth had seven children:
  1. Alice Bottrill b. 1877 J Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 477
  2. Mary Elizabeth Botterill b. 1881 M Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 586
  3. Stephen Botterill b. 3 Sep 1883 D Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 556
  4. John Botterill b. 20 May 1886 J Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 606
  5. Grace Hannah Botterill b. 1888 D Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 603
  6. Florence Botterill b. 1891 D Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 587
  7. Gertrude Botterill b. 1894 M Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 608
In 1881, Stephen Botterill (39), Police Constable; Elizabeth (29), Alice (4) & Mary Elizabeth (0), were at 7 Unity Cottages, Gardiner Street, Gillingham.

In 1891, living at Hadden House (clearly named after Stephen's birthplace, which seems a bit pretentious), Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, were Stephen Bottrill (50), Police Constable; Elizabeth Bottrill (40), Alice Bottrill (14), Mary Bottrill (10), Stephen Bottrill (7), John Bottrill (4) and Grace Bottrill (2).

In 1901, at 85, Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, were Stephen Bottrill (58), employed as an Excavator, Elizabeth Bottrill (46), Mary Bottrill (19), John Bottrill (15), Grace Bottrill (11), Florence Bottrill (9) and Gertrude Bottrill (7). (Alice had married in 1899, while Stephen had joined the Royal Navy.)

Stephen Bottrill died on 30 May 1904, aged 63 (1904 J Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 375), although probate wasn't granted - to sons, Stephen and John - until 30 June 1933, after their mother had also died.

In 1911, Elizabeth Bottrill (57), widow, tailoress, was living at 80 Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, with her three youngest daughters: Grace Bottrill (22), Florence Bottrill (20) and Gertrude Bottrill (16).

In 1921, Elizabeth Botterill (71) widow, was living at 80, Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, Kent with son John Botterill (35) Leading Stoker, Royal Navy.

Elizabeth Bottrill died in 1932 J Quarter in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 982. 

These pages are my notes on work in progress. Follow That Page can monitor changes, as further research is done. Where something is unconfirmed, I've tried to make this clear, but include the information as it may provide further clues.

General Register Office (GRO) references for births and deaths, where appropriate, are quoted, so that you can more easily locate certificates. I do not routinely purchase certificates for any, other than my direct ancestors, which I'm willing to share.

If you have information, certificates, etc., you can offer, please get in touch.