Charles James Parsons and Eleanor Elizabeth Copeland

Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/6732016

Charles James Parsons (b. 1867 in Rawalpindi, then in India, now Pakistan, presumably an army brat) married Eleanor Elizabeth Copeland (b. 30 Sep 1881 in Gosport, Hampshire), daughter of Benjamin Copeland and Tamar Hockley, at All Saints Church, Shooters Hill, Plumstead, on 4 Nov 1899.

Charles James Parsons, Musician, joined the Royal Artillery, at 15 y & 3 m (but appeared 14), at Woolwich, on 9 Sep 1882. He was 4ft 9¾in, with a fresh complexion, light hazel eyes and a fair complexion. In 1891, Charles James Parsons (23) Musician Royal Artillery, birth place India, was at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Artillery Place, Woolwich. He was reengaged at Woolwich on 4 May 1894 to complete 21 years service; promoted to Bombardier on 1 May 1895; Corporal on 5 Jul 1896 and Sergeant on 20 Oct 1899, then was permitted to continue beyond 21 years in 1903. Under next of kin, is "Father" Joseph Parsons, St John's Road, Deptford. No idea why parenthesis were used. At 41 years and 1 month on discharge, Charles James Parsons, who had been a Musician in the Royal Artillery Band, had grown to 5ft 9in. He was discharged after 3 months notice on 31 Jul 1908, after 25 years 327 days service, with his character described as 'Exemplary' and awarded a Silver Medal for long service and good conduct. 

In 1901, Charles James Parsons (33) Sergeant Royal Artillery Band and Eleanor E Parsons (19), were living - as a separate household - but at her parents' address at 27, Llanover Road, Plumstead.

Charles James Parsons died, aged 41, in 1909 M Quarter in GREENWICH.

Their only daughter, Elsa Euphie Parsons was born, posthumously, on 4 Jun 1909 (1909 S Quarter in WOOLWICH Volume 01D Page 1203).

Eleanor Elizabeth Parsons, Widow, married Frederick William Watson (b. 25 Apr 1877 J Quarter in WOOLWICH Volume 01D Page 1046, mother's maiden name THOMPSON), son of Frederick Watson and Martha Emma Thompson, in Woolwich, on 2 Jun 1910.

Frederick William Watson, Musician, had joined the Royal Garrison Artillery, at 18 y & 4 m, at Woolwich on 6 Sep 1895. He was then 5ft 4¼in, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. He had a small mole on the right side of his nose. In 1901, Frederick Watson (23) Soldier Royal Artillery Band, was at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich Common.

Frederick William and Eleanor Elizabeth Watson added one son:

1. Frederick Charles Watson b. 13 Mar 1911 ( 1911 J Quarter in WOOLWICH Volume 01D Page 1143), bap. 7 Jun 1911, in Plumstead.

In 1911, Frederick William Watson (33) Sergeant Royal Artillery Band from Woolwich, Kent; Eleanor Elizabeth Watson (29) from Gosport, Hants; Frederick Charles Watson, son, under one month; Elsa Euphie Parsons (1) Stepdaughter and Jessie Alice Green (28) Visitor, were at 23 Belford Grove, Woolwich. (Jessie Alice Green was the daughter of Charles Green and Sarah Ann Hockley, her mother's youngest sister, thus Eleanor's first cousin.)

Frederick William Watson served in France three times during and after World War I, in 1915/16 and again in 1919, finally being discharged on 25 Jul 1919. He was also awarded long service and good conduct medal.

In 1921, Frederick William Watson (44) Musician working for Mrs Davis at the Marble Arch Pavilion Cinema (the cinema then was equipped with a Jones straight pipe organ, which is presumably what Frederick played); Eleanor Elizabeth Watson (39), Elsa Euphie Parsons (12) and Frederick Charles Watson (10) were living at 16, Herbert Road, Plumstead.

On 6 May 1924, Frederick Charles Watson, son of F W Watson, Musician of 36, Ellerslie Road, W12, was admitted to Latymer Upper School, public school in Hammersmith, his previous school having been Woolwich Polytechnic. Frederick Charles Watson stayed at Latymer for the Summer 1924, Autumn 1924, Spring 1925, Summer 1925, Autumn 1925, Spring 1926 terms, leaving on 5 Mar 1926 for a Clerkship, Estate Agents & Surveyors.

In 1939, Frederick W Watson, Porter (Flats) and Eleanor Watson were living at 1a Challoner Mansions, Challoner Street, West Kensington.

It appears that Eleanor Watson may have died, at 80, in 1962. 

Elsa Euphie Parsons married William Arthur Connelley, son of William Connelley and Marian Jenny Cook, in Camberwell, in 1935. In 1939, William A Connelley (b. 15 Aug 1911) Postman and Elsa E Connelley, Solicitor's Clerk, were living at 8 York Close, Merton, Surrey. William Arthur Connelley of 99 Erith Road, Belvedere, Kent died, at 52, at St Nicholas Hospital, Plumstead on 2 Sep 1963 and left over £6500 to his widow, Elsa Euphie Connelley. Elsa Euphie Connelley of 122 Grove Road, Sutton, Surrey, died on 17 Apr 1992.

Frederick Charles Watson of 29 Elmwood Drive, Ewell, died 10 Jul 1985.

James Shopland and Loveday Jane Stone

Bridge and Uplowman church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Smith - geograph.org.uk/p/4097757

James Shopland (b. 1885), son of James Shopland and Caroline Sydenham, married Loveday Jane Stone (b. 6 Apr 1884), daughter of Frederick James Stone and Loveday Jane Land, at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman on 2 Nov 1904. Witnesses were Mary Ann Stone and Frederick James Stone. 

James Shopland's father, James Shopland (1850-1908), was a Wheelwright and Carpenter of Chevithorne Village. In 1901, James Shopland (16) had been employed as a Dairyman's Labourer to Samuel B Thornton, residing at The Island Cottage, Lowman Green, Tiverton. Then, on 8 Jun 1901, adding two years to his age and claiming to be 18 years and 3 months, James Shopland, enlisted for Short Service in the Devonshire Regiment and served until 7 Jun 1913, when he was discharged at the end of his first period of engagement. James' record says he passed classes as Mounted infantry, Certified. From 23 Jul 1902 until 21 May 1903, James served in South Africa, in the aftermath of the Second Boer War. From 22 May 1903, until his discharge, he was assigned to Home, presumably actual home, as a reservist.

James and Loveday had five children:

1. Frederick James Shopland b. 19 Nov 1905, bap. 17 Dec 1905 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, as the family's address at the time was 3 Adam's Court, Barrington Street, Tiverton. In 1927, he married Elizabeth A P Cox and in 1939, they were living at 131 Eden Grove, Bristol. Frederick James Shopland died in 1971, in Weston-super-Mare.
2. Loveday Jane Shopland b. 14 Feb 1907, bap. 17 Feb 1907 at Cove. In 1928, Loveday Jane Shopland married Leonard Southcott in Bristol. Their address in 1939 was 34 Pylle Hill Crescent, Bristol. Leonard Southcott died, aged 47, in 1950, in Bristol and in 1952, Loveday Jane Southcott remarried to a James J Basten-Rank. James J B Rank died, aged 68, in 1966, in Weston-super-Mare. Despite this, her death in 1995, in Taunton Deane, is registered under Loveday Jane Southcott. 
   
3. Albert Geoffrey Shopland born 21 Jul 1908. In 1930, Albert Geoffrey Shopland married Annie Richards in Bristol and in 1939 were living at 3 Chessington Avenue, Bristol. Albert G Shopland died, in Bristol, at 35.
4. Sidney Arthur Shopland bap. 27 Feb 1910 at Bickleigh. On 13 Jun 1929, Sidney Arthur Shopland enlisted in the Royal Artillery. Unable to find a marriage, but Sidney A Shopland died, aged 58, in 1968, in Bristol.
5. John James Shopland born 1911. There is more than one John Shopland in the relevant areas and none specifically listed as John James, so it hasn't yet been possible to isolate subsequent records for him.

In 1911, living at New Cottages, Seckerleigh Farm, Halberton, were James Shopland (27) Farm Labourer, Loveday Jane (27), Frederick James (6), Loveday Jane (4), Albert Geoffrey (3), Sidney Arthur (1) and boarder, Robert Charles Harris (38) Farm Labourer, from Penzance, Cornwall. 

In 1921, James Shopland (35) was working for the Great Western Railway at Temple Meads Station, Bristol, and was living at 34, Pylle Hill Crescent, Totterdown, Bristol, with Loveday J Shopland (37), Frederick J Shopland (15) Machanist (Printing); Loveday J Shopland (14) Out of work; Albert J Shopland (12) and Sidney A Shopland (11).

In 1939, Loveday Jane Shopland (née Stone) was still at 34 Pylle Hill Crescent, Bristol, with her daughter, Loveday Jane Southcott. She was listed as married, but there was no sign of James. Loveday Jane Shopland died, aged 56, in 1941, in Taunton, Somerset. James Shopland died, in Bristol, in 1955.

William George Shotter and Annie Louisa Mew

The Newcome Arms
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/6667175

William George Shotter (b. 21 May 1876), son of William Thomas Shotter and Hannah Jane Bussey, married Annie Louisa Mew (b. 18 May 1877), daughter of George Charles Mew and Sarah Fudge, with the venue for the marriage listed as Portsmouth Register Office, in 1898. 

William and Annie had four sons:

1. William George Shotter b. 11 May 1899 in PORTSEA Vol 02B 459
2. Sydney Edgar Shotter b. 18 Jun 1901 in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B 490
3. Alfred Hector Shotter b. 11 Mar 1903 in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B 485
4. Thomas Bailey Shotter b. 2 Sep 1904 in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B 465

In 1901, at 215, Lake Road, Portsmouth, were William George Shotter (25) Butcher shopkeeper and Annie Louisa Shotter (24), William George Shotter (2) and George Shotter (17) Butcher's assistant, William George's brother.

In 1911, still at 215 Lake Road, Landport, were William George Shotter (34) Master Butcher, Annie Louisa (33), William George (11), Sydney Edgar (9), Alfred Hector (8), Thomas Bailey (6) and Norah Annie Gossell (20) Servant.

In 1911, William George Shotter is also listed in Public Houses, Inns & Taverns, at the Newcome Arms, 189 Newcome Road, Kingston, Portsmouth.

In 1917, at age 40, William George Shotter, of 215 Lake Road, Butcher and Publican, was granted conditional exemption from military service. 

In 1939, William George Shotter, Licensed Victualler and Annie Louisa Shotter, were living at 34 Chichester Road, Portsmouth.

Annie Louisa Shotter of 36 Colville Road, Cosham, Portsmouth (wife of William George Shotter) died on 22 Aug 1960 at St Christopher's Hospital (formerly Fareham Union Workhouse), an elderly care hospital, leaving her effects to William George Shotter, retired Licensed Victualler.

William George Shotter also then of 36 Colville Road, Cosham, died on 25 Apr 1965 at the Yarborough Medical Home, North End, Portsmouth. 

Their sons and grandson:

• William George Shotter, formerly a telegraphist, enlisted in the Royal Naval Reserve on 15 Oct 1917, from which he was discharged on 16 Feb 1919. On 15 Nov 1922, he married Bessie Isabel Spencer, in Portsmouth. Their only child, William George Shotter, was born on 23 Apr 1923. Then on 18 Feb 1924, William George Shotter (24) enlisted in the Royal Artillery, from which he was discharged on 5 Dec 1938. In 1939, William George Shotter, Overseer General Post Office, and Bessie I Shotter were living at Leamengton, Pound Farm Road, Chichester. Their son followed his father into the Royal Artillery. Gunner William George Shotter, son of William George and Bessie Isabel Shotter, of Chichester, Sussex died, aged 19, on 21 Jan 1943 and is buried at Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery, near Majaz al Bab, Tunisia. (During World War II, Tunisia was the scene of Operation Torch (8 November 1942 – 13 May 1943), which was the Allied invasion of North Africa. CWGC Commonwealth War Graves in Béja & Medjez-el-Bab, Tunisia, North Africa.) William George Shotter of St James Hospital, Locksway Road, Milton, Portsmouth, a mental health facility, died on 24 Feb 1986.
• Sydney Edgar Shotter married Sylvia Mary Owens, in Portsmouth, in 1926. They appear to have two children, born in Southampton. In 1939, Sydney E Shotter, Deputy Supt Mercantile Marine Office Board Of Trade, and Sylvia M Shotter, were living at 13 Lansdowne Avenue, Grimsby. Sylvia Mary Shotter died in 1975 and Sydney Edgar Shotter died on 21 Apr 1981, both in Nottingham.
• Alfred Hector Shotter (23) Civil Servant, married Marjorie Alice Marchant (26) on 5 Jun 1926 at St Mary's Church, Merton, Surrey. They had one son, born in Kingston upon Thames, in 1929. Alfred Hector Shotter died, in Kingston upon Thames, in 1977.
• Thomas Bailey Shotter married Nora Winifred Carter in Portsmouth, in 1930. They had one son, born Derbyshire, in 1934. In 1939, Thomas B Shotter, Civil Servant Unemployed Assistance, and Nora W Shotter, were living at 132 Whitton Dene, Hounslow. Thomas Bailey Shotter died, on 12 Feb 1984, in Westbury on Trym, Gloucestershire.

George Arthur Hockley and Evangeline Dowell

Long Grove Asylum

On 9 Jun 1897 George Arthur Hockley, Footman, b. 1879 in Great Canfield, Essex, enlisted in the Royal Artillery at Woolwich. At that time he was 18 years and 6 months old; 5ft 7½in, weighed 127lbs, with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. The record lists his father as Daniel Hockley and siblings as Frederick, Beatrice and Rose, in Great Canfield, so there can be no mistake. However, only 35 days later, on 13 July 1897, he was discharged, having been found to have given a false answer at attestation. Among the questions on his application form, was "9. Have you ever been sentenced to Imprisonment by the Civil Power?" He said no, but George Arthur Hockley had been convicted of a felony, tried and imprisoned by Civil Power. 

A report of the Aylesbury Petty Sessions of Saturday, October 24th, in the Bucks Herald of 31 October 1896 provides some details:

THE ROBBERY AT THE LILLIES, WEEDON

George Arthur Hockley, footman, was brought up in custody charged with stealing £7 17s in money, the property of Mr G A Brittain, of The Lillies, Weedon. Supt. Pitson said that up to the present time the defendant had been a footman in the employ of Mr Brittain at The Lillies. On Friday morning, when the defendant got up at seven o'clock, he reported to his master that the house had been broken into. In consequence of this, Inspector Bunker and he (the Superintendent) went there and found that apparently someone had entered the house by the drawing-room window, opened the door into the hall, and then gone into the library, which had been completely ransacked, the drawers of a writing table having been forced open, and money amounting to £7 17s stolen. In consequence of the circumstances of the case, Inspector Bunker and P S Shore went there that morning to complete the inquiries, which resulted in the arrest of the defendant now charged with the offence. He asked for a remand until such time as he could go into the case. The Chairman: Can you name a time? Supt. Pitson said that he had to send to London over the case. He would ask for a remand until Wednesday. Defendant offered no objection to the remand, and the Bench adjourned the case until Wednesday, when Mr G Butcher further remanded the defendant until today (Saturday).

I haven't had access to a record of what happened next in the case.

The next event, in the 3rd quarter of 1904, George Hockley, son of Daniel Hockley and Sarah Skinner, married Evangeline Dowell (b. 17 Sep 1884), daughter of Edwin Dowell and Ellen Jane Jones, in Epsom, Surrey.

Evangeline was born in Dartmouth, Devon and brought up in Southsea, Hampshire, her father having been a Chief Band Master, Royal Navy.

In 1911, George A Hockley (33) was an Attendant at Long Grove Asylum, while Evangeline Hockley (26) was a Nurse at the same institution. 

Long Grove Hospital, formerly Long Grove Asylum, later Long Grove Mental Hospital, was a mental hospital in Epsom, Surrey, regarded as a showpiece and attracted excellent medical staff.  By 1911, four years after it had opened, there were 2127 patients - 1121 males and 1006 females.

In 1939, George A Hockley, Mental nurse (retired) and Evangeline Hockley, Nurse (retired) were living at 2 Marlow Road, Brighton, with Alfred G Russell, Professional Musician, and his wife Nellie,  Evangeline's sister.

George A Hockley died, age estimated as 86, in Brighton in 1966.

Evangeline Hockley died, at 87, in 1971, also in Brighton.