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. 1861), daughter of John Reeby and Mary Francis, at Saint George, Stonehouse, Plymouth on 26 Sep 1889. 

William and Jane 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), in Edgcumbe Street, East Stonehouse.

By 1901, Jane Bailey (39) was widowed, still living in Edgcumbe Street, East Stonehouse, with Lucy M Bailey (10) and Samuel W Bailey (8). Living at the same address was 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.

I haven't yet been able to confirm naval record, nor a death for William Henry Bailey, but it is clear he died between begetting his son in 1893 and 1901, when Jane is listed as widowed. There are no deaths in Plymouth that relate, however there is a record in British Armed Forces And Overseas Deaths And Burials, of a William Bailey (40), in 1894, but no clue if it relates.

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

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.

Jane Bailey (b. 1861) was still living in Plymouth, at 20 Clarence Place, in 1939, but after that disappears and I've found no record of her death.

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.

Charles Walter Street and Margaret Robertson

Former Devonport Market House, Duke Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5191618
Duke Street, Devonport, ran from the junction with Catherine Street and James Street to George Street and the bottom of Ker Street. Devonport Market was on the northern side.

Charles Walter Street (29) Fireman RN, married Margaret Robertson (29), daughter of Archibald Robertson and Mary Ann Thomas Butters, at the church of St James the Great, Devonport on 12 Aug 1894. Unlike her two older siblings, who were brought up by their step-grandfather, Daniel Pellew, Margaret, whose mother had died just 10 days after her birth, was brought up by Margaret Street, as her Foster Daughter. What was the connection that would motivate her to take in the orphaned child, I have yet to discover. 

Born Walter Charles Street in 1865 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 338, mother's maiden name COLLINGS, on his marriage certificate, Charles Walter lists his father as John Street (deceased), Sailor RN. Although I've not yet traced his parents, Margaret Street was reputedly his aunt.

Charles and Margaret had two children:

1. Hilda Margaret Alice Street b. 1896 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 291, bap 1897 at Devonport, St Mary.
2. Walter James Alfred Street b. 1901 J Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 283, bap. 1901 at Devonport, St John.

In 1901, Charles Street (36) Leading Stoker Royal Navy; Margaret (35), Hilda (5) and Margaret Street (62) Widow, Aunt lived in Duke Street, Devonport. 

In 1911, Margaret Street (45) Tailoress was living in Devonport with daughter Hilda (15) and son Walter (9). Charles will have been away, because on 25 Aug 1910, he was loaned to the Canadian Naval Service for 2 years.

Charles Walter Street, giving his date of birth as 21 Jan 1863 (gaining two years), enlisted in the Royal Navy on 16 Mar 1881. His previous trade listed as Waterman. He served for 21 years, until he was pensioned on 6 May 1902. He then joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 7 May 1902, from which he was discharged on 24 Aug 1910 in order to do his Canadian stint. He was redeployed, as a Stoker Petty Officer, from 2 Aug 1914 to 19 Oct 1914 at Vivid II, the Stokers and Engine Room Artificers School in Devonport.

Charles Walter Street died, at 52, in 1917 D Quarter in DEVONPORT.

Hilda Margaret Alice Street married Ernest Harold Harding, Engine Room Artificer RN, on 5 Mar 1923 at Devonport, St John.

Margaret Street died at 72, in 1937 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH.

Walter James Alfred Street died, at 36, in  1938 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH.

Who was Margaret Street? Born Margaret Organ in 1838 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 09 Page 428, there was no mother's maiden name on her birth registration. By the time of her baptism on 13 Jan 1839, her mother was listed as Sarah Organ, 'Widow'. Margaret Ann Organ (24) married Frederick William Street (28) Seaman RN on 21 Aug 1862. Frederick listed his father as William Street, Waterman. Margaret, meanwhile, listed her father as James Organ, Shipwright. I can find no record of the existence of this person. The assumption, therefore, would be that Charles Walter Street's father was Frederick's brother, but I cannot find any records to prove this. There is still no explanation to suggest why Margaret Street took in and perhaps even named, the orphaned Margaret Robertson.

Frederick Thomas Stone and Kathleen Mullarkey

St Paul Street, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/2333440

Frederick Thomas Stone, Leading Signalman, H.M.S. Sandhurst, of 9 St Paul's Street, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, second son of Tom Stone and Margaret Knapman, married Kathleen Mullarkey, tailoress, of 8 Admiralty Street, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, only daughter of Anthony Mullarkey and Maria Gloyne, at the King Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, on 4 Aug 1923. 

Witnesses to the marriage were the bridegroom's first cousin, Charley Stone (best man); Rosina Kathleen Stone, the bridegroom's younger sister (bridesmaid perhaps), and Anthony Charles Mullarkey, the bride's brother who probably gave her away. The bridegroom's father, Tom Stone, and the bride's father, Anthony Mullarkey (both deceased), had been Royal Marines, as were Charley Stone and Anthony Charles Mullarkey. 

Frederick and Kathleen had two sons: 

1. Frederick Anthony Stone born 25 July 1924
2. Douglas John Stone born 27 Sep 1927

Frederick Thomas Stone enlisted in the Royal Navy as a boy of 15, on 6 Jul 1907 and served until 31 March 1924. His naval record lists among his tattoos: an anchor on his right forearm; 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. He re-entered service on 30 May 1932 as a Signalman. As he was still living in Royal Naval Shore Signal Station Cottages in 1957, I deduce that he served through both World Wars.

Royal Hospital School Bell Tower
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger Jones - geograph.org.uk/p/2513717

In 1939, Frederick A Stone was a boarder at the Royal Hospital School (historically nicknamed "The Cradle of the Navy"). I've been unable to locate Frederick Thomas, Kathleen or son Douglas in 1939.

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.

Part of the old Buckland Hospital, Coombe Valley Road
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Baker - geograph.org.uk/p/5105714

Frederick Thomas Stone of 5 Royal Naval Shore Signal Station Cottages, Old Folkstone Road, Dover, died on 11 Nov 1957, aged 65, 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 isn't a beneficiary, Kathleen had presumably pre-deceased her husband, but I've [so far] been unable to identify the relevant record of her death.

Douglas John Stone died in 1985 in Kingsbridge, Devon, at 58.

Frederick Anthony Stone died, also in 1985, on 19 Mar, in Newport, Wales. He will have been 60. There is a record of a marriage of a Frederick A Stone in Newport, in 1950, which might explain his presence there. 

John Martin Mullarkey and Elsie Aitchinson

Church of St Jude, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5813993

John Martin Mullarkey, son of Anthony Joseph Mullarkey and Maria Gloyne, married Elsie Aitchinson (b. 7 Feb 1890), daughter of John George Aitchinson and Emma Bolt, at St Jude's Church, Plymouth on 9 Jul 1918.

Elsie's parents had married, on 29 Jun 1885, at Charles Church, Plymouth. John George Aitchinson of 16 Guldford Street, Plymouth was a Shipwright, son of John George Aitchinson, Petty Officer RN. Emma Bolt was from 10 Guildford Street and her father, John Bolt, was a Shoemaker.

John Martin Mullarkey (20) enlisted in the Royal Navy on 19 Jun 1909 and in 1911, was bobbing about in Malta Harbour on HMS Medea. On 31 May - 1 Jun 1916 John Martin Mullarkey was serving as a Leading Stoker on HMS Tiger at the Battle of Jutland. Tiger was hit a total of 18 times during the battle. John Martin Mullarkey stayed with Tiger until 30 Sep 1921.

After leaving the Royal Navy on 1 Apr 1928, John Martin became a Merchant Seaman. John's naval record says that he had a scar on his left thigh and a heart tattoo on his right forearm. His Merchant Navy record states that the top of his left index finger was crushed. It doesn't say when, where or how. 

John and Elsie Mullarkey had three children:

1. John George Anthony Mullarkey b. 1 Oct 1920. John George Anthony Mullarkey married Lilian K Clarke in 1958. Born Lilian Kathleen May Hood on 18 Apr 1914, Lilian was probably a widow at the time of this marriage. She had previously married Herbert J Clarke in 1933 and potentially brought with her four children from this marriage. John George Anthony Mullarkey of 15 Dundas Street, Stoke, Plymouth, died on 8 Nov 1974. Lilian Kathleen May Mullarkey died on 25 Jun 1991.
2. Lilian Kathleen Mullarkey b. 15 Oct 1922. In 1945, Lilian Kathleen Mullarkey married William George Matthews. They appear to have had one child later that year. Lilian Kathleen Matthews died in 1996.
3. Martyn Mullarkey b. 15 Aug 1930. In 1951, Martyn Mullarkey married Margaret A Pepper and they appear to have one child in 1952. Martyn Mullarkey died, in Plymouth, in 2005.

In 1939, living at 54 Ocean Street, Plymouth, John M Mullarkey's occupation is described as "Greaser Cable Ship Maker Louisa Mackay" (Louisa Mackay was the name of his ship). Son John G A was a Turner And Fitter Apprentice; Lilian K a Shop Assistant and Martyn was at school. Living with them was John G Aitchinson, Retired Shipwright, Widowed (who died in 1941). 

Elsie Mullarkey died in Plymouth, in 1963, aged 73.

John Martin Mullarkey died the following year in 1974.

Thomas Back and Mary Drake

Church of St Paul, Durnford Street, East Stonehouse, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5625201

Thomas Back (39) married Mary Drake (42) at the Chapel of St Paul, East Stonehouse on 22 Jun 1852. Both gave their address as 20 George Street, which is in Devonport. Thomas was listed as a Labourer, son of Thomas Back, Shipwright and Mary Drake as daughter of Thomas Drake, Shipwright. This, I believe, is all nearly true. Thomas Back, bap. 24 Oct 1813 in Stoke Damerel, was actually the son of John Back, Shipwright and his wife Martha. 

Mary Drake, born 20 Apr 1810 and baptised in Stoke Damerel on 15 Dec 1812, was indeed the daughter of Thomas Drake, Shipwright and Frances Poad (who in turn had married, in Stoke Damerel, on 25 May 1784).

On the 1852 marriage, Thomas Back is listed as a Bachelor, however, it is my belief that he had previously married an Eliza Stafford on 7 Aug 1837 at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth. On this marriage, Thomas Back is listed as a Mariner, son of John Back, Shipwright. (There is a Thomas Back b. 1813 listed among Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1835-1857.) In 1841, Thomas Back (25), Eliza Back (20), Eliza Back (2) and Mary Back (0) were among a long list of people (boarders perhaps) in Pembroke Street, one of Devonport's principal streets, with a great number of retailers and public houses. I've not found birth registrations for the girls and cannot trace what became of them.

In 1841, Mary Drake (30) was among a similarly long list of people residing in Hill Street, St Helier, Jersey, along with Frances Drake (75), Edward Drake (9) and Mary Drake (5). There is a baptism record for this latter child, in St Helier, Jersey on 25 Jun 1837, illegitimate daughter of Mary Drake.

We next find Mary Drake (44) Unmarried, Tayloress (sic) in Stoke Damerel Workhouse in 1851, accompanied by Mary Drake (14) born in St Helier, Jersey; George Drake (8) and Thomas Drake (0). George Drake, was born 23 Jan 1843 and bap. 30 Jul 1843, illegitimate son of Mary Drake with abode given as Workhouse. Thomas Drake b. 1850 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 09 Page 429, has no mother's maiden name (illegitimate). He was later known as Thomas Back and named Thomas Back as his father.

After their marriage in 1852, the couple added a daughter:

1. Eliza Back b. 1853 S Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 266

We lose sight of them then until, in 1881, Thomas Back (70) Labourer and Mary Back (72) Tailoress, were found living at 40, Cannon Street, Devonport, seemingly in a separate household, but nevertheless at the very same address as their daughter, Eliza and her husband, Samuel Eastabrook.

Mary Back died in 1883 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 226, with age estimated at 75. Thomas Back died five years later, in 1888 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 217, age given as 78.

Mary Drake's children: 

1. What link is there between this Mary Drake and the Edmund Drake, birth year estimated as 1830, from Jersey, Channel Islands? Mary's oldest illegitimate child was listed, in 1841, as Edward Drake, born around 1832 on the Isle of Jersey. Edmund Drake, from Jersey, Chanel Islands, born 5 Oct 1831, is listed among Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1835-1857. Are Edmund Drake and Edward Drake one and the same person? I believe he must be. Adding to the circumstantial evidence is that Edmund named his eldest son Edmund George and he named his second son Edward and, on both his marriages, Edmund named his father as Edmund Drake (often correct, but also common is saying the same as one's own name when the father is not known). He also lists his father as a Tailor. If Mary is his mother, she was a Tailoress and again, when people make stuff up for the records, there's usually a grain of truth in it.
2. Mary Drake (bap. 25 Jun 1837 in St Helier, Jersey) died on 3 Jun 1878 (1878 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 261) with age estimated as 38 (she was 40). She was buried on 7 Jun 1878, with her abode on the burial record as 40, Cannon Street, Devonport.
3. George Drake b. 23 Jan 1843, bap. 30 Jul 1843. George Drake from Devonport, Devon, whose date of birth was listed as 23 Jun 1843 - January and June could be confused, especially if abbreviated - joined the Royal Navy at the Royal William [Yard] on 31 Jul 1857 as a Boy 2nd Class. In 1861, at 17, George was with the "Royal Navy At Sea And In Ports Abroad". He appears to have served until 13 Feb 1868, when he was invalided. He next turns up, in 1881, aged 39, as a boarder in the household of Cornwallis Johnson from Shelford, Cambridgeshire at 19, Pitt Street, Stansfield, Todmorden, Yorkshire, employed as Cellarman at cotton mill. After that, we lose sight of him unfortunately.
4. Thomas Drake, later known as Thomas Back b. 1850

Henry Hawkins and Sarah Ann "Jessie" Tooze

Alma Street, Sheerness
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Whippet - geograph.org.uk/p/4410976

Henry Hawkins (bap. 5 Apr 1846 in Rackenford, Devon), son of Edward Hawkins and Leah Courtis, married Jessie Tooze (born Sarah Ann), daughter of Thomas Tooze and Mary Summers, on 11 Oct 1868, in West Ham. 

Henry's father, Edward Hawkins, was a Game Keeper and Henry's maternal grandfather, George Courtis, was a Farmer Of 171 Acres.

Henry and "Jessie" had three children:

1. Emily Louisa Hawkins b. 1869 J Qtr in KENSINGTON Vol 01A 132
2. William Hawkins b. 4 Jun 1872 in Detroit, Michigan, Unites States
3. Arthur Hawkins b. 1874 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A 791

In 1871, Henry Hawkins (25) Carpenter; Jessie Hawkins (24); Emily Hawkins (1) born in Notting Hill and Mary Tooze (68) Widow, Pauper, Mother-in-law, were living at Durley Moor Cottage, Holcombe Rogus.

In 1872, Passenger Lists of vessels arriving at New York, Unites States, show Henry Hawkins (26) Carpenter, Jessie Hawkins (26) Wife and Emily Hawkins (2) Child leaving from Liverpool on 14 Mar 1872, on the transatlantic passenger ship City of New York (1865) of the Inman Line. The streets not being paved with gold, however, they were back in the UK by 1874.

In 1881, at 5, Lower James Street, Minster in Sheppey, were Henry Hawkins (35) Joiner from Rackenford, Devon; Jessie Hawkins (34) from Holcombe Rogus; Emily L Hawkins (11) born in Notting Hill; William Hawkins (8) born in the United States and Arthur Hawkins (6) born in Sheerness.

In 1891, Henry Hawkins (45) Ship's Joiner; Jessie Hawkins (44), Arthur Hawkins (16) and Emily L Ridler (21) were living in Alma Street, Minster in Sheppey. William Hawkins was in the Mediterranean with HMS Inflexible, (and 42 days in Malta Gaol), having joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 31 May 1888, until he was Invalided with Asthma on 4 Nov 1909. 

In 1901, Henry Hawkins (55) Joiner Ship Dock Yard from Rackenford, Devon was living in Delamark Road, Sheerness with Jessie Hawkins (54) and two boarders, Oscar Riche (29) Schoolmaster from Cambridge and Alfred J Middleton (30) Schoolmaster from Grimsby, Lincolnshire. William Hawkins was alternating between HMS Victory, HMS Vernon shore establishments and HMS Duke of Wellington (for all three, read Portsmouth.)

In 1911, Henry Hawkins (65) Pensioned Joiner was still living in Sheerness with Jessie Hawkins (64), William Hawkins (38) Naval Pensioner; John Tooze (71) Retired Thatcher (Jessie's older brother); and three boarders.

There is a death of an Arthur Hawkins, aged 39, in 1914 D Qtr in SHEPPEY Vol 02A Pg 1218 and burial in Sheppey, which I believe relate.

Henry Hawkins died, aged 73, in 1919 M Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 1782 and Jessie Hawkins died later in the same year, also aged 73, in 1919 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 1140.

William Hawkins died, aged 63, on 12 Feb 1935 M Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 1470 and was buried in Sheppey Cemetery. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The couple had two sons:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

William George Beamer and Elsie May Carver

HMS Impregnable in the Hamoaze off Devonport Dockyard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Albert Tooze and Flora May Kingsbury

St John the Apostle's Church, Torquay, Devon
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Dixon - geograph.org.uk/p/1769697

Albert Tooze (b. 9 Mar 1880), the youngest son of Thomas Tooze and Caroline Cotterell, married Flora May Kingsbury (bap. 6 Jun 1880 in Sutton Waldron, Dorset), daughter of Henry John Kingsbury and Elizabeth Lancey, at St John's Church, Torquay, Devon, on 28 Mar 1903. Both Albert and Flora listed as 22 and gave their address as 14 Braddons Street, Torquay.

Albert and Flora had two children:

1. Albert Henry Tooze b. 25 Apr 1903 J Quarter in NEWTON ABBOT Vol 05B Page 117, bap. Whit Sunday, 31 May 1903 at St John's, Torquay.
2. Alice May Tooze b. 9 Jun 1906 S Quarter in NEWTON ABBOT Volume 05B Page 117, bap. 22 Jul 1906, at St John's Church, Torquay.

Upon marriage, Albert gave his rank as Stoker H.M.S. Albert Tooze had joined the Royal Navy on 2 Dec 1902. At that time, he was 5 ft 4 in with dark brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion and signed up for 12 years. By 4 Dec 1914, he'd grown to 5 ft 6 in and gained some tattoos: on his right forearm was a woman's head and "FLORRIE" and on his left forearm, a figure playing a flute. Obviously, these were images of some importance to him.

Albert's date of birth on his naval record is 9 Mar 1881, but his birth was registered in the March quarter of 1880 and he was baptised on 16 May 1880. The one year difference could be a simple error, or there may have been some reason why he needed to be a year younger when he signed up. Either way, I think it safe to accept that 9 Mar 1880 was his actual birthday.

In 1911, Albert Tooze (31) Stoker Petty Officer from Holcombe Rogus, Devonshire, was living in Plymouth South East, along with wife, Flora May Tooze (30), Albert Henry Tooze (7) and Alice May Tooze (4).

On 29 Aug 1913, Albert was assigned to HMS Highflyer (1898). From August 1914, she was assigned to the 9th Cruiser Squadron in the Central Atlantic to intercept German commerce raiders and protect Allied shipping. Albert will have been with the ship when she sank the German armed merchant cruiser SMS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse off the coast of Spanish Sahara.

Albert Tooze died on 13 Jul 1915 at San Vicente Hospital, Cape Verde, from shock following the amputation of a leg crushed between lighter and ship, coaling on 23 Jun. Chief Stoker Albert Tooze, HMS Highflyer, is buried at the Mindelo Municipal Cemetery, Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde.

Flora May Tooze (née Kingsbury) died, aged 71, in 1951 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 07A Page 596. She never remarried.

• Albert Henry Tooze (23) Electric Fitter at HM Dockyard, married Lilian Mabel Turner (21), in December 1926 at Emmanuel church, Compton Gifford, Plymouth. Liliam Mabel and two of their children returned from Singapore in 1946. Albert Henry Tooze died in 1987 and Lilian Mabel Tooze in 1992, both in Birkenhead, Cheshire.
• Alice May Tooze married William Henry James Barrett on 17 Aug 1936 at St Jude's Church, Plymouth. They had one son, Peter Barrett (1943-2020). William Henry James Barrett died on 11 Jan 1972 and Alice May Barrett, on 18 Sep 1980, both in Plymouth.

Richard Hooper and Annie Louisa Bailey

Probus Village
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Tony Atkin - geograph.org.uk/p/195028

Richard Hooper (29) Private RM, son of Thomas Hooper and Caroline Huddy, married Annie Louisa Bailey (23), daughter of Thomas Bailey and Lucy Elizabeth Ann Fudge, at the Anglican Church of Saint George in East Stonehouse, Plymouth, on 21 Mar 1883. Listed as Annie Louisa on marriage, registered at birth as Louisa Ann, appears to have been known as Annie. 

Richard Hooper was born on 19 Jan 1854 and baptised on 19 Feb 1854 in Probus, Cornwall. He enlisted in the Royal Marines on 19 Feb 1873. On 5 Jul 1878, he embarked on HMS Iron Duke (1870), which departed Plymouth on 4 August, bound for the China Station. At the time of the 1881 Census, Richard Hooper (27) Private RMLI from Probus, Cornwall, was in Hong Kong Harbour. Iron Duke returned home in January 1883, Richard Hooper left the ship on 15 Mar 1883 and clearly, he and Annie married just days later.

Richard's Royal Marine's record show that by the time he was discharged he was 5 ft 5½ in, had brown hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion, with a tattoo of Britannia on his right forearm and a ship on the left forearm.

Richard and Annie had four sons:

1. Richard William Samuel Hooper b. 1884 S Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 313, bap. at East Stonehouse, St George in 1884. Died in 1885 J Quarter Volume 05B  Page 204.
2. Thomas Charles Hooper b. 29 Nov 1887, reg. 1888 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 283
3. Albert Edward Hooper b. 1893 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 295
4. Francis Victor Emmanuel Hooper b. 29 Aug 1897 S Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 283

At Plymouth Division from 16 Mar 1883 until the December that year, Richard Hooper's next assignment was with HMS Royal Adelaide (1828), by then a depot ship. From 1 Oct 1886 until 2 Mar 1888, he was attached to HMS Cambridge, gunnery ship off Plymouth. Stints with Royal Adelaide, HMS Vivid shore establishment (then Royal Navy designation for the barracks at Devonport) followed and finally back to Plymouth Division, Richard Hooper completed 21 years of service in the Royal Marines on 27 Mar 1894.

In 1891, Richard Hooper (37), Annie Hooper (31) and Thomas (3) were living in Edgcumbe Street, East Stonehouse with Annie's mother, Lucy Bailey.

In 1901, Richard Hooper (47) General Labourer from Probus, Cornwall, wife Annie L Hooper (41), Thomas C Hooper (13) Albert E Hooper (8) and Francis E Hooper (4), were still living in Edgcumbe Street, Plymouth. 

In 1911, Richard Hooper (57) was listed as Brewer's Drayman's Pensioner Royal Marine Light Infantry, with wife Annie L Hooper (51), Albert E Hooper (18) Solicitor's Clerk, Francis E Hooper (13) and Lucy Mary Lenora Symons (11) visitor. Thomas C Hooper (23) was with the Royal Navy At Sea And In Ports Abroad with HMS Exmouth (1901). He may have been in Malta.

Both Thomas and Frank joined the Royal Navy and both served during WWI. Frank was on HMS New Zealand (1911), during the Battle of Jutland.

Richard Hooper died, aged 58, in 1912 J Quarter Volume 05B Page 363.

Annie Hooper died, aged 81, on 8 Sep 1940 (reg. 1940 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 783) and there appears to be an obituary in the Western Morning News (yet to access), which mentions Richard Hooper. 

William Trick and Eliza Authers

H.M.S. Royal Adelaide lying at anchor in the Hamoaze at Devonport.

William Trick, son of William Trick and Elizabeth Blake, married Eliza Authers, daughter of Henry Authers and Susannah Osmond, at the Princes Street Congregational Chapel, Devonport, in 1883.

William and Eliza had one son:

1. William Henry Trick b. 14 Jun 1884 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 351.

William Trick, giving his date of birth as 16 July 1856 (this was later corrected to 16 Aug 1858, which agrees with the timing of his birth registration), had enlisted in the Royal Navy on 9 Aug 1871. If he had been born in 1856, this would have been close to his 15th birthday, which is probably significant. As it was, it was a whisker before his 13th birthday. At that time he was 4 ft 10½ in tall, with a fair complexion, dark hair and hazel eyes, weighing 99 lbs.

He was immediately assigned to HMS Cambridge (former HMS Windsor Castle (1858), renamed in 1869), gunnery ship off Plymouth, as a Boy 2nd Class. The training of naval ratings in the use of naval guns was carried out aboard HMS Cambridge. On 8 December 1872, she was driven ashore in a storm and refloated the next day. William was with this ship until 13 Jan 1873, so was on her at the time of this incident. He was made up to Boy 1st Class in Oct 1872, so William appears to have shown early promise.

Most of William's assignments throughout his career were of short duration, joining HMS Cambridge on several different occasions; likewise HMS Royal Adelaide (1828) at various times, with his longest tour as a rating being with HMS Curacoa (1878), which he was with from 24 Feb 1880 until 27 Mar 1883, that served on the Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Station.

In 1891, we find William Trick (34) Warrant Officer RN, living in Palmerson Street, Stoke, Plymouth with Eliza Trick (30), William H Trick (6) and Susannah Authers (67) Widowed, Housekeeper, Mother-in-Law.

In 1901, William Trick (43) Gunner RN, Eliza Trick (40), William H Trick (16) Telegraphist and Mother-in-Law, Susannah (75) incorrectly listed as Trick.

William Trick was promoted to Lieutenant on 6 May 1909.

In 1911, still in Devonport, were William Trick (54) Lieutenant RN, Eliza Trick (50), William Engstrom Trick (2) Grandson, born in Fort William, Canada, as well as Margaret Watts (32) General Domestic Servant.

William Trick was placed on the retired list due to age on 16 Jul 1911 (not yet caught up with the 2 year 'discrepancy'), but was mobilised again, at the start of World War I on 1 Aug 1914, and assigned to HMS Impregnable (former HMS Howe (1860) school ship). He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander on 6 May 1917 and returned to the retired list on 1 Mar 1919.

In 1921, William and Eliza were living in Wembdon, Bridgwater, Somerset.

In 1939, William Trick, Lieutenant Commander RN, Retired; Eliza Trick; William H Trick, Farmer; Hulda N Trick; Henry D Trick and two others, were living at Model Farm, Wembdon, Bridgwater, Somerset. William Trick and his wife Eliza lived and died at Model Farm in Wembdon. Now a Country House, Guest House, it attracts some dubious visitors.

William Trick died on 19 Nov 1943, age estimated as 87, (1943 D Quarter in BRIDGWATER Volume 05C Page 425). Eliza Trick died the following year at 83, in 1944 M Quarter in BRIDGWATER Volume 05C Page 412.

W Trick is remembered on the War Memorial to St Georges Parishioners who served in both wars, inside St George's Church, Wembdon.

Archibald Robertson and Mary Ann Thomas Butters

Devonport Dockyard - Figureheads
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Allen - geograph.org.uk/p/3856679

Archibald Robertson married Mary Ann Thomas Butters on 1 Jan 1861, in the parish of St James, Devonport. On the marriage certificate, Archibald Robertson, Stoker RN, age is given as 20 and his residence as HMS Indus, said to be son of Archibald Robertson, Iron Moulder. Mary Ann, who was 19 and lived at 8 Moon Street, Devonport, had no father listed. Archibald made his mark to sign the register, but Mary Ann was able to scrawl a signature. One of the witnesses to the marriage was a Daniel Pellew.

Archibald and Mary Ann had three children:

1. Mary Ann Robertson b. 17 Mar 1862 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 344, bap. as Mary Ann Pellew Robertson on 18 Feb 1875 at Devonport, St James the Great
2. Archibald John Robertson b. 18 Jun 1863 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 298, bap. as Archibald John Pellew Robertson on 18 Feb 1875 at Devonport, St James the Great
3. Margaret Robertson b. 6 Jul 1865 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 298, bap. 22 Sep 1870 at Devonport, St Stephen.

At the time of the Census in 1861, Mary Ann Robertson (19) Seaman's Wife, had been living at Joll's Cottages, Devonport.

Mary Ann Robertson died, aged 23, on 16 July 1865 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 199. Given the date, I think we can guess what the cause of death was. Mary Ann Robertson of 47 Monument St, Devonport was buried on 20 July 1865, in the Parish of Stoke Damerel.

When he enlisted in the Royal Navy, on 26 Jan 1860, as a Stoker, Archibald Robertson said that he was born on 9 Jul 1837, in Glasgow. He was 5 ft 3 in tall, with a fresh complexion, red hair and hazel eyes. From 26 Jul 1860 to 6 Jul 1861, he was indeed assigned to HMS Indus. He then spent four years, until 1 Jun 1865, with HMS Geyser, Storeship at Devonport, a few months back with HMS Indus in 1865, and HMS Greyhound until 2 Nov 1866, when, at the end of the last line of his record in the cause of discharge column, it says "Ran at St Helena", which indicates that he deserted at St Helena.

Where he went after that is anybody's guess, but it's unlikely he will have stayed long on the small island and far more reasonable to assume he jumped ship there and then lived somewhere far off, under a different name.

On their baptisms, all were listed as children of Archibald and Mary Ann, but were clearly baptised later by their respective foster families. On Mary Ann and Archibald's baptism, their address was listed as 9 Moon Street - Daniel Pellew's address. Margaret was living at 7 Mount Street and one of the Street family, baptised at the same time, was also listed at that address.

In 1871, Mary A Robertson (9) and Archibald J Robertson (8) were described as Orphans, living in the household of Daniel Pellew (63) Naval Pensioner and his wife, Charity, in Morice Town, Devonport. Meanwhile, Margaret Robertson (5) was a Boarder in the household of Sarah Organ (64) in Stoke Damerel, along with her daughters, one of whom was Margaret Street.

In 1881, Mary A Robinson (19) Laundress and Archibald J Robinson (17) General Porter, were again living in the household of Daniel Pellew (70) Naval Pensioner and his wife, Charity, at 9, Moon Street, Devonport Stoke-Damerel. This time they were described as his granddaughter and grandson. That year Margaret Robertson (15) General Domestic Servant, was living in the household of Margaret Street (41) Widow, Charwoman at 21, Cross Street, Devonport Stoke-Damerel, described as her Foster Daughter.

• Archibald John Pellew Robinson enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 17 Aug 1881, giving his date of birth as 2 March 1866 - by saying he was three years younger, he made himself 15, which may well have made it easier to be be accepted for training. He rose to the rank of Petty Officer, before being Discharged Dead at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia on 4 Nov 1898, from a Tumour of the Brain. He is buried at Rookwood General Cemetery.

Who was Daniel Pellew? He claims to have been from Gillingham, Kent, although the only baptism record of a Daniel Pellew is in 1812, at St Mary's Church, Portsea, son of William Pellew and Elizabeth Keeler. 

Daniel Pellew, Able Seaman, married Elizabeth Pike, in Northfleet, Kent on 26 Dec 1844. Daniel Pellew, Widower, Mariner HMS Bellerophon, then married Ann Leach, Widow, who lists her father as James Butters, Fisherman, in Stoke Damerel, in September 1851. Daniel Pellew, Widower, Mariner HMS Impregnable, married for the third and final time to Charity Horn on 16 Dec 1855, in Stoke Damerel. Mary Ann Thomas Butters, bap. 27 Mar 1842 in Torpoint, Cornwall, was the illegitimate daughter of Daniel's second wife, Ann Leach (née Butters) and therefore, he was step-grandfather to Mary Ann and Archibald John, who he brought up and who added Pellew to their names at baptism. Without blood ties (and many times even with), others would have sent those children to the workhouse. Despite three wives, Daniel Pellew, seems to have no biological children, which might explain why.

Daniel Pellew (73) of 9 Mount Street, died on 17 Mar 1882 and was buried on 25 Mar 1882, in Stoke Damerel. In 1891, Charity Pellew (68) Widow, Laundress, was still living in Moon Street. Charity Pellew (70), of 11 Moon Street, died on 1 Dec 1894 and was buried on 4 Dec 1894.

Harry Authers and Mary Ann Pellew Robertson

Royal Naval Memorial, The Hoe, Plymouth, Devon
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Christine Matthews - geograph.org.uk/p/3106428

Harry Authers (as Henry Authers), son of Henry Authers and Susannah Osmond, married Mary Ann Pellew Robertson (b. 17 Mar 1862 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 344, bap. 18 Feb 1875 at Devonport, St James the Great), daughter of Archibald Robertson and Mary Ann Thomas Butters, in Plymouth, Devon, in the 2nd quarter of 1887. 

Harry and Mary Ann had two sons:

1. Harry Archibald Pellew Authers b. 13 May 1891 (1891 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 362), bap. 4 Jun 1891 at Devonport, St James the Great.
2. Archibald John Authers b. 31 Dec 1894 (1895 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 336). Died 1 Nov 1914 (See below).

Also listing himself as Henry Authers and his date of birth as 6 Mar 1863, Harry had enlisted in the Royal Navy on 15 Apr 1885, becoming a Stoker and progressing to Leading Stoker and ultimately to Acting Chief Stoker until he was invalided at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth on 5 Nov 1897. 

In 1901, Harry Authers (38) Pensioner, Stoker R.N., Mary Ann Authers (39) Laundress, Harry A Authers (9), Archibald J Authers (6), as well as a Sarah Godfrey (45) Widowed Machinist at H M Dockyard, Boarder, were living in Palmerston Street, Stoke, Plymouth.

Harry Authers died, aged 38, in 1901 S Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 193.

Mary Ann Pellew Authers then died, at 42, just two years later, in 1903 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 132.

Both of the boys joined the Royal Navy. Harry would have been only 12 when his mother died and Archibald just 9. Both were listed as having come from GH School, which I can only assume was the Greenwich Hospital School.

1. Harry Archibald Pellew Authers enlisted as a Boy 2nd Class on 6 Nov 1906, at just shy of 15. He progressed to the rank of Petty Officer, retired in 1931, was mobilised in 1938, finally being invalided in 1947. He married in 1946 and died, at 90, in Tavistock, Devon in 1982.
2. Archibald John Authers enlisted as a Boy Ship's Steward on 7 Dec 1909, also just shy of his 15th birthday. He was lost in HMS Monmouth (1901) on 1 Nov 1914, at 19, killed in action at the Battle of Coronel, off the coast of Chile. Ship's Steward Archibold John Authers, son of the late Harry and Mary Ann Authers, is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial on The Hoe, Plymouth, Devon.

William Thomas Eastabrook and Catherine Eliza Authers

Mulberry Street, New York City (c. 1900) Library of Congress

William Thomas Eastabrook, elder son of Richard Eastabrook and Susana Derry, married Catherine Eliza Authers, daughter of Henry Authers and Susannah Osmond, in the 3rd quarter of 1871, in Stoke Damerel, Devon.

Registered as Caroline Authers (1854 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 253), born 25 Feb 1854 and baptised, as Eliza Caroline Authers, on 12 Mar 1854 at St Peter, Plymouth, she was 17 at the time of her marriage.

William and Catherine had at least eleven children:

1. William Henry Authers Eastabrook b. 17 Apr 1872 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 308.
2. Susanna Eastabrook b. 11 Apr 1874 in Manhattan, New York, United States. Birth record states that she was the "Mother's 2nd child". Died, aged 2, on 2 Sep 1876 and was buried on 4 Sep 1876 at Evergreen Cemetery, on the borders Brooklyn and Queens, New York.
3. Unnamed male Eastabrook b. 3 Aug 1876 in Manhattan, New York.
4. John Samuel Eastabrook b. 21 Dec 1877 in New York, USA.
5. Catherine Eliza Eastabrook b. 1879 J Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 323, died at 8 months, on 30 Jan 1880 (1880 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 283), buried 8 Feb 1880 in Stoke Damerel.
6. Susannah Catherine Easterbrook b. 20 Mar 1881 J Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 327, bap. 24 Jun 1881 at St Mary's Devonport.
7. Beatrice Alberta Eastabrook b. 28 Jul 1883, bap. 17 Aug 1883 at St Mary's Devonport. (Seem to have missed the GRO registration.)
8. Ethel May Eastabrook b. 16 Dec 1885 (1886 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 318), bap. 22 Jan 1886 at St Mary's Devonport.
9. Harry Clifford Eastabrook b. 17 Sep 1888 (1888 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 305). (Not found baptism.)
10. Eliza Ellen Eastabrook b. 1891 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 308, died, in 1892 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 299.
11. Lawrence Aubrey Eastabrook b. 24 Nov 1897 (1898 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 309), bap. 9 Jan 1898 in Devonport, Devon.

On the baptisms of Susannah in 1881, Beatrice in 1883 and Ethel in 1886 William Thomas Eastabrook is described as Seaman R.N. and the family's address as 26, St John Street, Devonport, Stoke-Damerel. On that for Lawrence in 1898, R.N. and living at 42 Palmerston St, Stoke, Plymouth.

In 1871, just before his marriage, William Eastabrook (21) Butcher (as had been his father before him), was a Servant in the household of Sarah Payne (27) Butcher, in Morice Town, Devonport, Plymouth.

On 1 Jan 1873, William Thomas Eastabrook, from Stoke Damerel, Devonport, with birth date given as 10 Aug 1849 (his birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1848, so this seems to be a year out), joined the Royal Navy, as a Butcher. At that time being 5 ft 2 in, with brown hair, grey eyes and a ruddy complexion. He was assigned to HMS Audacious (1869), which from 23 Nov 1871 - 17 Mar 1874 served as a Coast Guard Ship at Hull, in the Humber. It appears that William Thomas "Run [at] Hull" (deserted) on 17 Apr 1873.

By Apr 1874, we find the couple in Manhattan, New York for the birth of their 2nd child. They had clearly emigrated and this, it must be remembered, is within a decade of the American Civil War. History of NYC - 1870s.

• Introduction to Immigration from 1870–1905
• Immigration to the United States, 1851-1900

The family's address on the burial record for daughter, Susanna, was 168 Mulberry St, New York. Mulberry Street, is a narrow thoroughfare that includes parts of Chinatown and Little Italy in The Five Points neighbourhood in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Five Points gained international notoriety as a densely populated, disease-ridden, crime-infested slum. "Nicknamed 'Death's Thoroughfare', it was here, where the street crooks its elbow at the Five Points, that the streets and numerous alleys radiated in all directions, forming the foul core of the New York slums." So notorious, Manhattan's Mulberry Street has been subject of books, films and music.

On 8 Oct 1878, William T Eastabrook became a naturalised American citizen. The record gives his address as 20 N Moore St, New York and his occupation as Milkman. Witnessing his naturalisation was Henry Authers (wife's father).

They had stayed in New York for around five years, but returned to the UK by the time of the birth of fifth child, Catherine Eliza Eastabrook, in 1879.

On 26 Feb 1880, William Easterbrook (sic) (leaving out the Thomas), from Devonport, Devon and giving his date of birth as 9 Aug 1856 - one day adrift from that on the previous naval record and having now lost eight years in age - joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class, this time advancing to Chief Stoker and serving for 20 years, until he was pensioned on 28 Feb 1900.

In 1881, transcribed as William I Easterbrook (sic) (32) Stoker RN (at sea) is listed at 26, St John Street, Devonport, Stoke Damerel with Catherine E Easterbrook (27), William H A Easterbrook (9), John S Easterbrook (4) born in the United States; ? Easterbrook (0) Daughter [later named Susannah Catherine]; K T Easterbrook (20) Sister [mystery - not identified birth] Nurse and Eliza Arthers (sic) (20) Tailoress - Catherine's younger sister.

In 1891, still in St John Street, Devonport, were Catherine Easterbrook (37) Dressmaker; William H A Easterbrook (19) Blacksmith; John S Easterbrook (14), Catherine Easterbrook (10) [Susannah Catherine]; Beatrice A Easterbrook (7), Ethel M Easterbrook (5), Harry C Easterbrook (2) and Eliza E Easterbrook (0). William was at sea with HMS Mildura from 18 Mar 1891 until 4 Nov 1891. She served primarily in Australian waters.

In 1901, William Esterbrook (sic) (49) Naval Pensioner Admiralty from Devonport, Devonshire, was living in North Road, Central Cardiff, with Catherine Eastabrook (47) Sub Postmistress; Catherine Esterbrook (20) Lady Clerk (Commercial); Beatrice Esterbrook (17) Post Office Assistant; Ethel Esterbrook (15) Apprentice to Stationer and Lawrence Esterbrook (3).

William Thomas Eastabrook of 80 Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff, died on 11 Jun 1908. His age was estimated as 52 - which would agree with the birth date in 1856 given on his second enlistment in the Royal Navy - he was actually 59 - and was buried in the parish of St John the Baptist Church, Cardiff. Probate was granted on 29 Jun 1908 to beneficiary, Catherine Eliza Easterbrook.

In 1911, Catherine Easterbrook (57), Widowed, Sub Postmistress from Plymouth, Devonshire, was still living in Central Cardiff with Harry Easterbrook (22) Railway Clerk; Ethel Easterbrook (25) Postal Assistant; Frank Powell (26) Boarder, Kitty Murrell (30) and Kitty Murrell (1) Visitors. (Daughter Susannah Catherine, known as Catherine and clearly also as Kitty, had, as Catherine Susannah, married Charles Murrell in 1907.)

C E Easterbrook from Devonport, Devon, was still living in Cardiff in 1921.

Catherine Eastabrook or Easterbrook (as it says on the Probate record) of 42 Llanishen St, Cardiff, died, aged 80, on 29 Jun 1934 J Quarter in BRIDGEND Volume 11A Page 853 and was buried at Cardiff, All Saints, leaving her effects to sons, William Henry Eastabrook and Harry Clifford Eastabrook.