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

Showing posts with label Royal Marines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Royal Marines. Show all posts

Sunday 3 March 2024

George Charles Mew and Sarah Jane Fudge

Kingston Cemetery, Portsmouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre - geograph.org.uk/p/2655103

George Charles Mew (24) married Sarah Jane Fudge (b. 25 Dec 1850 in East Stonehouse, Devon), of Bridport Street, Portsmouth, daughter of Thomas Fudge and Ann Beedle, at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 3 Mar 1870. (This will have been in the second church on the site, built in 1843 and demolished 1887). Witnesses were Ann Fudge (bride's mother) and W Hatch.

The bridegroom, a Steward on HMS Asia, lists his father as George Charles Mew, Petty Officer RN. George Charles Mew was born on 31 Mar 1845 at Cove of Cork, now Cobh, Ireland. It's claimed he was baptised at St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh on 3 Apr 1845, but this cannot be true as construction of the cathedral was not even begun until 1868. The baptism record may well be held by the Cobh Parish Office, but was undoubtedly at St John the Baptist Catholic Church, which had stood on that site from 1810 to 1868 (where his parents and my 2x great-grandparents married the year before).

George and Sarah had eleven children in total:
  1. Lucy Elizabeth Ann Mew b. 1870 J Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 478, bap. Lucia Elizabetha at Portsmouth, St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral in 1872. Died, aged 6, in 1876 J Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 324.
  2. Mary Ann Mew b. 1872 J Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 452, bap. Maria Anna at Portsmouth, St John's RC Cathedral in 1872.
  3. George Charles Mew b. 9 Dec 1874, reg. M Qtr 1875 in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 463, bap. 15 August 1877 at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Portsmouth. Died, aged 37 in 1912 M Qtr in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B Page 663.
  4. Annie Louisa Mew b. 18 May 1877 J Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 504, bap. 15 Aug 1877, at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral.
  5. Henrietta Mew b. 18 Oct 1879 D Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 493, bap. 16 Nov 1879 at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral.
  6. Henry Michael Mew b. 10 Oct 1881 D Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B 522, bap. Henricus Michael in 1881, at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral.
  7. Mabel Mary Mew b. 1884 S Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 480.
  8. Lucy Maria Mew b. 1885 D Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 498, bap. Maria Lucia at St John's RC Cathedral, Portsmouth. Died age 1, in 1886 S Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 350.
  9. Lucy Mary Mew b. 1887 D Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 511.
  10. Margaret Marshall Mew b. 1889, reg. 1890 M Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 423, bap. Margarita Marshall in 1889 at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Portsmouth.
  11. Andrew Samuel Mew b. 1892, reg 1893 M Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 458, bap. Andreas Samuel in 1893 at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral. Died, aged 2, in 1894 D Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 301, buried at Kingston Cemetery.
George Charles Mew had enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1863. From 29 Apr 1863 until 31 Dec 1866, he was assigned to HMS Asia (1824), which, by that time was flagship of the Admiral-Superintendent of Portsmouth Dockyard. For much of that time George Charles Mew was a Warrant Officer's Servant or Cook. With HMS Rodney (1833) from 1 Jan 1867 to 4 May 1868, George was back with HMS Asia from 28 May 1868 to 31 Dec 1872 and engaged again from 1 Jan 1873 to 20 Feb 1874. His record in 1873 lists him as being 5ft 3in with brown hair, grey eyes and a dark complexion.

In 1871, Sarah Mew (20) was lodging in Hertford Street, Portsea with her daughter Losie [Lucy] (0) and Anne Bailey (11) Visitor. This will have been her niece, Luisa Anne [Annie] Bailey, who was actually 13. She is also listed with her grandparents, so possibly being counted twice on a temporary visit.

From 21 Feb 1874 to 21 Mar 1874, George became the 4th of my relatives to serve, albeit briefly, on HMS Duke of Wellington (1852). From 6 May to 24 Aug 1874, he was with HMS Newcastle (1860) and his final posting was with HMS Endymion (1865) - which may have taken him to as exotic a location as Hull - from 25 Aug 1874 to 9 Aug 1875, when he was Invalided.

In 1881, George Charles Mew (36) then a Tailor's porter, was a Lodger in the household of his in-laws, Thomas Fudge (72) Navy Pensioner and Ann Fudge (68) at 33, Bridport Street, Portsea, along with wife Sarah Jane (29), Mary Ann (9), George Charles (7), Annie Louisa (4) and Henrietta (1).

Sarah Jane, was baptised as Sara Joanna Mew - listed as a convert - at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Portsmouth, on 3 Jul 1882.

In 1891, in Clarence Street, Portsea, were George Mew (47) Tailor's trimmer, Sarah Mew (40), Mary A (19) Tailoress; George Mew (16) Shoemakers apprentice; Annie Mew (13) Dressmakers apprentice; Henrietta Mew (11), Mabel Mew (7), Henry Mew (9), Lucy Mew (4) and Maggie Mew (1).

George Charles Mew of Clarence Street, Landport died, aged 48, on 8 Apr 1893 and was buried, on 13 April 1893, at at Kingston Cemetery, in a Catholic Slot, 4th Row, 12th Grave, in Unconsecrated Ground.

In 1901, Sarah Mew (50) Widowed, at 46, Clarence Street, Portsmouth with Harry Mew (19) Stableman; Mabel Mew (16) Corset Maker; Lucy Mew (13); Maggie Mew (11), daughter Henrietta Hazzard (21), George Hazzard (22) Son-in-law, Journeyman Bricklayer and James Eyers (23) Blacksmith, Visitor. Son George Charles Mew (26) was a Stable Lad in the employ of Alfred Willson (50) Trainer of Race Horses in East Garston, Berkshire.

In Q3 of 1905, in Portsmouth, Sarah Mew married James William Holdaway. This gentleman, I believe, was the son of William James Holdaway and Eliza Gardener, bap. 6 Nov 1864 at St Luke's, Southsea, who, at 19, on 24 Feb 1885, had joined the Hampshire Regiment. He served in India from 1886 to 1888; Burma from 1888 to 1891 and in India again from 1891 to 1892 and was discharged on 23 Feb 1897. On 11 May 1897, he had enlisted in the 3rd Battalion Hampshire Regiment and was in Malta from 1901 to 1903. On 23 Mar 1904, he enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery and served in South Africa from 1904 to 1905, being finally discharged on 4 Aug 1905. What happened to him after 1905, however, is [as yet] a mystery.

In 1911, Sarah Jane Mew (61) Widow, employed as a Stay Lacer in a Stay Factory was living at 40 Fyning Street, Fratton, Portsmouth and living with her were daughter Margaret Marshall Mew (21) Assistant Stock Keeper and Alec John Mew (1), who appears to have been Margaret's illegitimate child.

In 1921, Sarah Jane Holdaway (70) Widow, Wife's Mother, was living with her daughter Henrietta Hazzard (41) at 77, Middlesex Road, Eastney.

In The Portsmouth Evening News on 8 Oct 1936, was the following notice: HOLDAWAY (Mew) Sarah Jane. In loving memory of our dear Mother, who passed peacefully away on October the 7th, at 77, Middlesex Road, age 85 years. - From her sorrowing daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. - Will be sadly missed. Peacefully sleeping.

Sunday 4 February 2024

Thomas Bailey and Lucy Elizabeth Ann Fudge

Stonehouse Barracks - Archway entrance
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/4896492

Thomas Bailey (b. 1833) married Lucy Fudge (b. 1836), daughter of Thomas Fudge and Ann Beedle, at the Church of Saint GeorgeEast Stonehouse, Plymouth on 4 Feb 1856. Originally a chapel-of-ease to Saint Andrew's Church in Plymouth (where Lucy's parents married), St George's was destroyed in the Second World War. At this time, Thomas Bailey was a Seaman with HMS Bulldog (1845) and lists his father as Thomas Bailey, Private Royal Marines, as was Lucy's father, Thomas Fudge, Mariner.

As yet, I've not seen a naval record for Thomas Bailey, however, HMS Bulldog, was on that exact date, 4 Feb 1856, in Devonport, in Keyham Basin. She'd just returned from the Baltic Sea from the Russian War (Crimean War) and on 23 Apr 1856, was present at the Fleet Review, Spithead. If Thomas Fudge was still on that ship in April, he was the third of my relatives to be there.

Thomas and Lucy had four children:
  1. William Henry Bailey b. 1856 D Q in EAST STONEHOUSE
  2. Louisa Ann Bailey b. 1858 D Q in EAST STONEHOUSE Vol 05B P 270
  3. Lucy Bailey b. 1861 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 327. Died, aged 3, in 1864 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 270 and is buried at Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth.
  4. Thomas Simon Oliver Bailey b. 1 Oct 1869 in STOKE DAMEREL
In 1861, Thomas Baily (sic) (27) was living in Adelaide Place, East Stonehouse, Plymouth with wife Elizabeth Baily (sic) (23), which appears to be them. Daughter Ann (Louisa Ann) was staying with her grandparents.

In 1871, Thomas Bailey (38) Naval Pensioner, was living in Mount Street, Stoke Damerel with Lucy Bailey (36), William Bailey (14) and Thomas Bailey (1). Louisa Ann [Anne] (13) was once again living with her grandparents, although listed as their daughter and listed under the surname Fudge.

Thomas Bailey of 40 Edgcumbe Street, Stonehouse, died, aged 41, in 1874 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 209, and he was buried at Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth on 19 May 1874.

In 1881, Elizabeth Bailey (44) Widow, Green Grocer, was residing at 47, Edgcumbe Street, East Stonehouse with daughter Annie L (Louisa Ann) (22) Assistant Grocer, son Thomas Bailey (11) and Frances M Grey (17) Servant.

In 1891, Lucy Bailey (53) Green Grocer in Edgcumbe Street, living with her were son William Bailey (33) Seaman Royal Navy; daughter Annie (Louisa Ann) Hooper (31) Dressmaker; son-in-law Richard Hooper (37) from Cornwall, Royal Marine; daughter-in-law Jane Bailey (27); granddaughter Lucy M Bailey (0); grandson Thomas Hooper (3) and Carrie Hill (13) Visitor.

In 1901, Lucy E A R Bailey (65) Widow, had become an Innkeeper, at 48, Edgcumbe Street, East Stonehouse. Unfortunately, there are several drinking establishments in Edgcumbe Street among Public Houses, Inns & Taverns of East Stonehouse, so I haven't been able to discover its name. Living with her was youngest son, Thomas S O Bailey (31) Ship's Corporal Royal Navy.

Lucy Elizabeth Ann Regan Bailey (no idea where the Regan came from) of 1 Durnford Street, Stonehouse, died on 10 Nov 1910, she will have been 74. Probate was granted on 25th of the same month, in Exeter, with beneficiaries being Thomas Simon Oliver Bailey, Annie Louisa Hooper and Richard Hooper.

Ford Park Cemetery
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/4958844
Ford Park Cemetery is a 34.5-acre cemetery in central Plymouth, established by the Plymouth, Stonehouse & Devonport Cemetery Company in 1846 and opened in 1848. Its official name at the time of inception was The Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse Cemetery.

Tuesday 30 January 2024

Henry Sweney MBE and Mary Louisa Efford

Christchurch tramway

Henry Sweney (b. 13 Jan 1874) son of John Henry Charles Sweeney and Susannah Harvey, married divorcee, Mary Louisa Ansley, in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 22 Nov 1901. Born Mary Louisa Efford on 16 Sep 1869 in Torquay, Devon (Volume 05B Page 161), daughter of John Ash Efford Jnr and Louisa Fulford, she had previously married Frederick William Ansley (b. 23 Jan 1866 in Oldbury, Staffordshire), son of Alfred Ansley and Emma Cooper, also in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 1 Nov 1887, with whom she had three daughters: Mary Louisa Ansley, b. 16 Aug 1888; Rose Amelia Ansley (1889-90) and Emma Miriam Ansley b. 18 Apr 1891.

Henry Sweeney had joined the Royal Marines on 8 Apr 1889. He gave his date of birth as 8 Feb 1871, making himself three years older in order to enlist. He was actually only 15, but at already 5 ft 5⁷⁄₁₀in had been tall enough to get away with it. His record confirms his father as John, of 1 Stephensons Cottages, Condor Street, London. Henry grew to 5ft 9½in at final discharge; he had a fresh complexion, brown hair, grey eyes and a tattoo of a basket of flowers on his forearm. 

After initial training at the Royal Marine Depot, Walmer (Deal, Kent) and at Portsmouth Division until 5 Dec 1890, ships that Henry Sweney served on included: HMS Agamemnon (1879) until 1892, while she was part of the Mediterranean Fleet; from 1892 to 1894, HMS Camperdown (1885), again with the Mediterranean Fleet. Henry will therefore have been aboard HMS Camperdown on 22 Jun 1893, when she collided with and sank the battleship HMS Victoria with 358 deaths, off Tripoli, Lebanon. The report here offers the explanation, "Following an order by the admiral to carry out a dangerous and near impossible manoeuvre, taking into account the positions of the vessels, the Camperdown rammed HMS Victoria, off the Lebanon, which sank with heavy loss of life. Camperdown was also badly damaged, but managed to limp into port." 

Henry's final ship was HMS Rapid (1883), then serving on the Australia Station and on 30 Sep 1897, was Discharged by Purchase at Sydney.

The Lyttleton Times on 13 Dec 1898, reported on: ANSLEY V. ANSLEY
This was a case in which Mary Louisa Ansley petitioned for the dissolution of her marriage with Frederick William Ansley of Wanganui on the grounds of cruelty and bigamy. Mr Cresswell appeared for the petitioner. The respondent did not appear, and was not represented by counsel. The evidence of the petitioner showed that she had lived six and a half years with the respondent, who had commenced to ill-treat her two days after the marriage. During the last six years they had been separated by mutual consent, owing to ill relations arising from the cruelty referred to. Amelia Stevens [1], sister of the petitioner, gave corroborative evidence. The written evidence of William T Clapham, clergyman, of Brisbane, taken by the Registrar on Nov 25, showed that he married the respondent to a woman in Brisbane on August 6, 1896 [2]. The respondent subsequently disappeared, and witness heard that he was already married and in New Zealand. His Honour granted the petitioner a decree nisi, with custody of the children and costs against the respondent.

[1] Amelia Efford married Archibald Stevens, in 1896. In 1911, Archibald and Amelia Stevens were listed on the New Zealand Electoral Roll at the Sailors Home Lyttelton, of which Archibald was the Superintendent.

[2] Frederick William Ansley (30) Bootmaker, who was listed on the Australia Electoral Roll in 1896 at 1 Downing Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane, Australia, married Nellie Ashton, in Queensland, Australia on 6 Aug 1896. Frederick, who died on 20 Apr 1956 (aged 90) and is buried at Aramoho Cemetery, Whanganui, [bio] appears to have been very partial to wedding cake!

In 1911, the New Zealand Electoral Roll places Henry Sweney, Hairdresser, at 89 Lower High Street, Christchurch East with Mary Louisa Sweney, Married, and Mary Louisa Sweney Jun (Jnr) (Mary Louisa Ansley). 

Step-daughter, Mary Louisa Ansley Sweney it appears married Herbert Charles Ford in 1916 and went on to have five children. [Source]

In 1925, Henry Sweney, Commission Agent, and Mary Louisa Sweney were listed at 64 Abberley Rd, St Albans, Christchurch.

Then Mary Louisa Sweney died, at 65, on 22 Jan 1934 and is buried at Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch, Block 31. Plot 14.

(Henry Sweney remarried to a Kathleen Elizabeth Hocking (b. 10 Mar 1892), but unfortunately, I've not been able to find when this marriage took place, nor whether Hocking was her maiden or a previous married name. Kathleen Elizabeth Hocking Sweney died in 1977, aged 85.)

In the 1955 New Year Honours (New Zealand), Henry Sweney was awarded an M.B.E. for social welfare services. This bio offers some background: 

"Henry Sweney came to New Zealand in 1897 after purchasing a discharge from the Royal Marines after 8 1/2 years service. He was house manager of Christchurch Musical Society and Christchurch Harmonic Society and a worker for charity and patriotic funds for nearly 60 years.

In 1909 he and several others founded the Christchurch Competitions' Society. Henry worked as a stage manager and had his own concert party which gave charitable entertainment. He raised money for children's homes and was Justice of the Peace in Christchurch."

Henry Sweney died on 3 Jun 1963, aged 89, and was also buried, on 6 Jun 1963, at Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch, Block 31. Plot 14.

Photos of Henry Sweney provided by Jon Gilbert, descendant of Rosina Sweeney 

Thursday 14 December 2023

Alfred Beamer and Emily Luxton

Castle Street, Tiverton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger Cornfoot - geograph.org.uk/p/6587133

Alfred Beamer, Private RMLI of Cecil Street, Plymouth, son of Alfred Beamer and Mary Ann White, married Emily Luxton, daughter of James Luxton and Anna Maria Hawkins, on 14 Dec 1905, at St Paul's Church, Tiverton. Emily's address at the time of the marriage was Heathcoat Square, Tiverton and her younger sister, Jessie Luxton, was a witnesses (bridesmaid perhaps).

Alfred and Emily's son, Alfred James, was born on 15 Mar 1908 and baptised on 29 Mar 1908 at St Peter’s Church, Stonehouse, Plymouth. But the infant died, in the third quarter of 1908, having bearly reached six months of age.

Alfred Beamer, who had enlisted in the Royal Marines on 15 Aug 1896, just shy of his 16th birthday, was discharged, invalided, on 15 Oct 1908. On 7 Mar 1909, Alfred Beamer (29) Labourer of 40 Neswick St, Plymouth, was admitted to the Devon and Cornwall Sanatorium for Consumptives Didworthy. Consumption was another name for Tuberculosis. When he was discharged from the sanitorium on 15 Jun 1909, the record shows Alfred developed the disease 7 months previously, which ties in with the date he was discharged from the Royal Marines. In the notes it says, "light work - dead".

Such a concession! What kind of light work can the dead do, FFS? 

By 1911, Emily Beamer (28), widow, had returned to Tiverton, at 1 Melbourne Street and was again working at the Heathcoat Lace Factory, as a spinner.

In 1912, Emily Beamer remarried to a John Heard, in Tiverton. 

In 1921, John Heard (49) Labourer from Oakford Devon, Emily Heard (39), and John's two children from his previous marriage (to Lily Holmes in 1901, who died in 1911), Beatrice Lily Heard (19) Lace Folder (at Heathcoat) and Sidney John Heard (13) were living at 125, West Exe South, Tiverton.

John Heard died, aged 59, in Exeter.

In 1939, Emily Heard, widow, was living with a single lady, Beatrice E Gollop, at 26 Castle Street, Tiverton

Emily Heard died, in Tiverton, in 1962, aged 79.

Thursday 23 November 2023

Alfred Beamer and Mary Ann White

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

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

Alfred and Mary Ann had five children:
  1. Alfred Beamer b. 28 Aug 1880 in East Stonehouse [a]
  2. Ethel Annie Beamer b. 23 Feb 1883 in East Stonehouse [a]
  3. William George Beamer b. 4 Jan 1886 in East Stonehouse [a]
  4. Rosa May Beamer b. 7 Jan 1893 in Tiverton [b] 
  5. Frederick John Beamer b. 7 Jan 1893 (d. 1896, aged 3) in Tiverton [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, so it could be the case that some private, at home baptisms, were performed by a member of the child’s family.")

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 at 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. 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. 

Monday 20 November 2023

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, son of Martin Mullarkey and possibly Catherine Loughlin, married Maria Gloyne, daughter of Samuel Pascoe Gloyne and Emma Jane Coombes, on 20 Nov 1887 at the Roman Catholic cathedral of St Mary & St Boniface, Plymouth. On his Royal Marines record, Anthony Mullarkey (b. 5 Dec 1864), had said he was from Garston, Liverpool. He had indeed enlisted in the Royal Marines, in Liverpool, on 5 Jun 1883, his previous job being a Labourer and professed to be Roman Catholic.

However, in 1881, Anthony Mullarkey (16) General Labourer, had been boarding at 8, Hughes Street, Garston, along 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
  2. Anthony Charles Mullarkey b. 12 Jan 1893
  3. Kathleen Mullarkey b. 17 Jan 1896
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 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 in East Stonehouse in 1924, aged 61.

Saturday 14 October 2023

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

Ethel Annie Beamer, daughter of Alfred Beamer and Mary Ann White, married Edward Priddle, Sergeant RMLI, son of James Priddle and Catherine Stevens, 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, born in Hackney, London on 12 Apr 1875, at 16, was employed by his father, who was a shoe maker, as a Clicker (A boot and shoe clicker is the person who cuts the uppers for boots or shoes), in Shoreditch. Edward subsequently enlisted in the Royal Marines on 27 Jan 1896 and served 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 born 13 Jul 1906, bap. 29 Jul 1906 (died 1909, at 2)
  2. Winifred May Priddle born 4 May 1909, bap. 20 May 1909 
  3. Mary Caroline Priddle born 29 Dec 1912, 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

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 (m. 1959) and Mary Caroline Tomkins (m. 1951). 

Thursday 21 September 2023

William Henry Middleton and Alice Maud Osmond

Admiralty Mews, Deal
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Philip Halling - geograph.org.uk/p/1407334

William Henry Middleton
(b. 4 Nov 1888), son of Emma Middleton, married Alice Maud Osmond, in Tiverton, on 21 Sep 1918. Alice Maud, known as Maud, (b. 2 Nov 1888, bap. 23 Dec 1888 at St. Mary, Willand), was daughter of John Osmond (son of Henry Osmond from Halberton) and Annie Osmond (daughter of John Osmond of Willand).

In 1891, John Osmond (29), Annie (34) lived in a cottage in Kentisbeare, Devon along with daughters Alice M (2) and Emily M (0). At that time, William Henry (2) was living with his grandmother, Jane How at Habridge Cottages, Steart Road, Stoodleigh, Tiverton.

By 1901, however, when Maud (13) was still at home with her family, then living at 1, Crosslands [Cottages], Halberton, William Henry (13) had already left home and was employed as an Agricultural Labourer by John Hussey (38) Farmer at Wood & Honeyland, Tiverton. (Honeyland Plantation?)

William Henry "Bill" Middleton, giving his birth date as 10 Dec 1889, then enrolled in the Royal Marines on 4 Nov 1907, at Exeter (record says was underage between then and 9 Dec 1907), and was sent to Royal Marine Depot, Deal, until 2 Oct 1908, before Plymouth Division. William Henry was promoted to Corporal in 1911, and Sergeant in 1916 while serving on HMS Roxburgh (1904), which he was with from 4 Jun 1912 until 13 Aug 1916 - she was hit by a torpedo on 20 Jun 1915 but escaped with serious damage to her bow - latterly at the North America and West Indies Station.

From 13 Apr 1917 until 26 Nov 1918, Bill was with HMS Highflyer (1898), which means that he was present in Halifax, Nova Scotia during the Halifax Explosion on 6 Dec 1917. 

"Royal Navy cruisers in port sent some of the first organized rescue parties ashore. HMS Highflyer, along with the armed merchant cruisers HMS Changuinola, HMS Knight Templar and HMS Calgarian, sent boats ashore with rescue parties and medical personnel and soon began to take wounded aboard."

From 27 Nov 1918, Bill was transferred back to Plymouth Division, with a brief sojourn at HMS Excellent (shore establishment) near Portsmouth on 23 Dec 1918, but was Invalided on 25 Sep 1919. While I don't know the nature, can only surmise it may have been as a result of the Halifax blast.

Remarks on his marine's record say, "Has a good knowledge of semaphore ..."

In 1921, William Henry Middleton (32) Road Chargeman for Devon County Council, and Alice Maud Middleton (32) were living at Lower Trickey Cottage, Ash Thomas, Halberton, Devon.

In 1939, William H Middleton, Road Chargeman for Devon County Council, and wife Alice Maud were still at Trickey Cottage, Ash Thomas, Devon. Lodging with them was Frederick H Kerslake (20) Railway Clerk, nephew, son of Maud's sister Emily and her husband, Frederick James Kerslake.

Bill and Maud didn't have children, for what reason I'm unaware, but they had a cat named "Stripy" (a tabby, obviously), who, I was told, used to drink milk out of a jug on the windowsill, by dipping his paw in the jug (like Arthur from the Kattomeat ad). In our family, if you cleaned your plate at the end of a meal, someone would exclaim, "Poor old Stripy!", intimating that the poor cat, fed on scraps, would therefore go without. I only hope this was in jest!

Bill Middleton died in 1967, aged 78. Alice Maud Middleton of Tidcombe Hall, Tiverton, died on 21 Sep 1982, only a few weeks short of her 94th birthday. 

Tiverton : Tidcombe Hall
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/6337380
Early 19th century house, shown as Tidcombe Rectory on late 19th century Ordnance Survey map. Much altered in late 20th century. The building was also once a Marie Curie daycare unit.

Monday 4 September 2023

Thomas Simon Oliver Bailey and Ada Mary Hartwell

Clifton Suspension Bridge

At almost 42, Thomas Simon Oliver Bailey (b. 1 Oct 1869), son of Thomas Bailey and Lucy Elizabeth Ann Fudge, married the 25 year old, Ada Mary Hartwell (b. 1886), daughter of Thomas Cooper Hartwell and Julia Adelaide Hodges, at St Paul's Church, Clifton, Bristol (photo) on 4 Sep 1911.

Thomas Simon Oliver Bailey had enlisted, at 14, in the Royal Marines on 22 Nov 1884, in which he served until 20 Feb 1896, having attained the rank of Corporal in 1894. On 21 Feb 1896, he signed up for 12 years with the Royal Navy, as a Ship's Corporal, from which he was pensioned on 16 Dec 1909.

In 1911, Thomas Bailey, from Stonehouse, Devonshire, listed as 40, was a boarder in the household of John Milton Mann (53) Fine Art Dealer, in Clifton, Bristol and was employed as a Toll Collector by the Clifton Suspension Bridge Company. Meanwhile, Ada Mary Hartwell (24), from Chadbury, Worcestershire, was in service as a domestic cook in Long Ashton, North Somerset, just outside the boundary of city of Bristol urban area.

Thomas and Ada had two children:
  1. Dorothy Ada Bailey b. 19 Sep 1912 D Quarter BRISTOL Vol 06A Pg 8
  2. Stanley Thomas Bailey b. 1914 S Quarter in BRISTOL Vol 06A Page 7
Then along came the First World War and Thomas Bailey was re-engaged by the Royal Navy in Aug 1914, until his final discharge on 1 Mar 1919. 

Records show Thomas and Ada and both children in Plymouth in 1921.

Ada Mary Bailey died, aged 40, in 1927 in Plymouth Volume 05B Page 427.

Thomas S O Bailey, Widowed, was listed at 25 Victoria Street, Plymouth in 1939 with his daughter Dorothy A Bailey and he died, aged 79, in 1948 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 07A Page 634.

  • Dorothy A Bailey married Vincent Prete in Plymouth, in 1947.
  • Stanley Thomas Bailey married Vera Muriel Helen Crabb, at Emmanuel Church, Plymouth, on 2 Aug 1941.

Saturday 12 August 2023

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 Merchant Seamen, Merchant Navy & Maritime.

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.

Monday 7 August 2023

Albert Stone and Agnes Jones

Tiverton : King's Crescent
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3053842
On Bert's Marines record, Agnes' address is given as King's Crescent, Tiverton.

Albert Stone (Bert), son of Charles Stone and Emma Middleton and brother of Charley Stone, married Agnes Jones (Daisy), daughter of David Jones and Laura Elizabeth White and sister of Ellen Stone (née Jones), married, on 7 Aug 1926 at the Anglican Church of Saint Matthew, which was in Clarence Place, opposite the former Royal Naval Hospital at East Stonehouse, in Plymouth. 
As you may have deduced, the two brothers married two sisters.

On 27 July 1914, at the age of 14½, Albert Stone enlisted as a Bugler in the Royal Marines and from 7 Dec 1914 until 29 May 1917, was assigned to his first ship, HMS Hilary (1914), a former passenger steamship, converted to an armed merchant cruiser for service during the First World War. She was commissioned into the Royal Navy at Liverpool on 6 Dec 1914 and patrolled between the British Isles and the Denmark Strait, often in the area between the Outer Hebrides and Faroe Islands and also to the Shetland Islands. 

On 25 May 1917, HMS Hilary was torpedoed and sunk west of the Shetlands, by German submarine, SM U-88, captained by Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger. Schwieger was infamous for sinking RMS Lusitania two years earlier, an event Agnes (Daisy) remembered as a child, living in Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland, where both survivors and dead were brought ashore. 

Bert was one of the survivors in the seven lifeboats from HMS Hilary, picked up by the naval drifter Maggie Bruce or the destroyer HMS Sarpedon.

After that, Bert was transferred to Plymouth Division and was at Deal from Sep 17 to Apr 18, becoming a Private in Dec 17, shortly before he was 18.

From 25 June 1919 to 21 Aug 1919, Bert embarked on HMS Cornwall (1902), presumably for her return journey from Bermuda to Devonport.

In Oct-Nov of that year, he was at HMS Impregnable training establishment (at that point the former HMS Black Prince (1861) in Devonport. And then at the HMS Vivid shore establishment from Dec 1919 until Dec 1920. 

His subsequent excursions were with: 

Bert, who had been promoted to Corporal in July 1927, was discharged at the end of his second period of engagement in Jan 1939. But, on 27 Sep 1939, he was back for service during World War II, until 1 Jan 1942.

They had two sons, Albert Henry Stone (1927-1999) and one living.

In 1939, Albert Stone, Postman, wife Agnes, son Albert H (Harry) and two other occupants were living at 9 Falconhurst Road, Birmingham.

Albert Stone died in 1974. Agnes died in 2000.

Monday 3 July 2023

Charley Stone and Ellen Jones

St George's Church, Tiverton

Charley Stone (Char), son of Charles Stone and Emma Middleton, married Ellen Jones (Nell), daughter of David Jones and Laura Elizabeth White, on 3 Jul 1922, at St George's Church, Tivertongenerally considered to be the finest Georgian church in Devon, and one of the best examples in England. Witnesses were Francis Stone, the groom's uncle; William Henry Middleton, the groom's elder half-brother and their mother, Emily Stone (former Emma Middleton). Given that line up, my feeling is that Bill was best man, while Frank gave away the bride as her own father was back in Ireland.

Charley Stone born 6 Jun 1898 at 1 Silver Street, Tiverton, and baptised on 20 Jul 1898 at St Peter’s Church Tiverton, lied about his age when he enlisted in the Royal Marines at Exeter on 18 Jan 1915, which is why this and many subsequent records suggest he was born a year earlier in 1897. The marines can't ever have discovered the one year discrepancy though, because his record notes the 139 days he was underage, from 18 Jan 1915 to 5 Jun 1915, but 6 Jun 1915 will only have been his 17th birthday, not his 18th.

Char did his training at the Royal Marine Depot, Deal, until 18 Aug 1915. Then after a brief period at Plymouth Division, was assigned to HMS Revenge (06) on 1 Feb 1916 and stayed with this ship until 24 Jan 1918, being promoted to Corporal on the 1st day of that year.

Revenge (left) and the battleship Hercules (right) at the Battle of Jutland

Consequently, on 31 May - 1 Jun 1916, just five days before his 18th birthday, Charley Stone took part in the Battle of Jutlandthe largest naval battle of the First World War. "In the course of the battle, Revenge had fired 102 rounds from her main battery [...]. She also fired 87 rounds from her secondary guns. She was not hit by any fire during the engagement."

British battleship HMS Glory at Murmansk
From 23 May 1918, until 16 Jul 1919, Char was assigned to HMS Glory (1899), of the British North Russia Squadron, which took him to Archangel and Murmansk during the North Russia intervention. "Glory was based at Archangel to protect supplies that arrived there for the Russian Army. The squadron's mission evolved after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 into preventing the supplies that had been delivered from falling into the hands of the Red Army." Arrived just in time for A Fire, a Riot, a Bombing, and a Mutiny. Like most who went through these events, Char never spoke about his experiences, except to a brother who was also a Marine, and what I've been told only intimated that things were really bad (understatement) up there. 
HMS Royalist (1883)
Continuing his amazing ability to turn up in all the wrong places at the right times, from 12 Feb 1920 to 15 Mar 1922 Char was sent to HMS Colleen (formerly HMS Royalist (1883)), which was then the depot ship at Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland, at the height of the Irish War of Independence. Being hulked (stuck in one place), allowed more opportunity to fraternise with the locals, obviously. The 1921 Census shows Charley Stone (24) [i.e. still maintaining he was a year older than he really was], Corporal R M L I, was with the Royal Navy, Armed Forces Overseas.

Nell and Char's only child, Charles Francis Stone (Frank) was born, on 17 July 1923 at The Military Families Hospital, Devonport and christened at The Anglican Church of Saint Paul, Durnford Street, East Stonehouse on Sunday, 5 Aug 1923. This was the day after the wedding of Char's first cousin Frederick Thomas Stone and Kathleen Mullarkey, at which Char was best man and could have been the new baby's first "social engagement" - not that he'd have remembered it - but it feels like a real connection to the past to imagine that maybe Maria Mullarkey, the bride's mother, may have fawned over the new infant (as you do). The family's address at that time was 36, Admiralty Street, East Stonehouse. Now The Fig Tree Restaurant, this was once a shop.

Nell and Char's only child, Charles Francis Stone (Frank), aged around three.

The rest of Char's Royal Marines' career was spent mostly at Plymouth Division - they lived in the Eastern King battery where Frank played football on the landings - and at HMS Impregnable training establishments in Devonport: the former HMS Black Prince (1861) in late 1922 and the former HMS Ganges (1821) in 1923/24. Char was promoted to Sergeant from 9 Aug 1924, Colour sergeant from 2 Apr 1931, and Quartermaster sergeant (QMS) in Aug 1932, retiring on 5 Jun 1936. 

Charley Stone's uniform tunic now in the possession of the Royal Marines Museum

(Here's an exhibit you wouldn't see on display, even if the Royal Marines Museum wasn't currently homeless. So I consider myself fortunate that I was able to visit when it was still housed in the former officers’ mess on the Eastney Barracks (now to be turned into a five-star hotel) a few years ago and had made arrangements for a private viewing of the tunic pictured.)

Nell and Char on their
25th Wedding Anniversary
in 1947, in the garden of 117,
Corisande Road, Selly Oak.
After he retired from the Royal Marines, Char took a job as a Post Office Van Driver in Birmingham, which is where we find the family in 1939, at 117 Corisande Road, Selly Oak with Charley Stone, Postman Driver (Heavy Work) still listing himself as a year older and Ellen trying to bridge the four year age gap and be two years younger. Frank (16) was working as a Stationery clerk at the Screw Works. 

Char had worked as a gardener before he'd joined the marines, having worked in the kitchen garden at Knightshayes Court in Tiverton. In Birmingham, he grew soft fruits - I remember being sent up the garden to pick raspberries and blackcurrants - and he had a greenhouse stuffed full of his favourite fuchsias that, in his Devon accent were always pronounced foosherrs.

Charley Stone died on 10 May 1973 at Selly Oak Hospital. He was 75.

Ellen Stone died on 31 Jan 1993 in Highcliffe, Dorset, in her 99th year.