John Parsons and Emma Burrows

Shillingford : Village Sign & B3227
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3283397

John Parsons (b. 1850), son of William Parsons and Harriet Norman, married Emma Burrows (b. 1856), daughter of James Burrows and Martha Perry, at St Michael & All Angels, Bampton on 31 Mar 1878. Witnesses were Samuel Burrows and Eliza Burrows, Emma's elder brother and his wife.

A report in The Western Times on 19 Jun 1874, tells us that Emma Burrows was, at that time, a servant at the Barleycorn Inn, Shillingford, Bampton.

John and Emma had nine children:

1. James Burrows Parsons b. 7 Aug 1878 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 436, bap. 1 Sep 1878 at St Michael & All Angels, Bampton
2. Lucy Parsons b. 19 May 1880 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 424, bap. 12 Dec 1880 at St Michael & All Angels, Bampton
3. William Parsons b. 4 Jul 1882 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 443, bap. 30 Jul 1882 at St Michael & All Angels, Bampton
4. Sarah Ann Parsons b. 16 Jan 1884 in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 439, bap. 10 Feb 1884 in Bampton. Died, aged 16, in 1900 S Qtr Vol 05B Page 267, buried at Petton Chapelry on 27 Jul 1900.
5. Harriet Parsons b. 1886 J Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 444, bap. 23 Apr 1886, in Bampton. Died in 1886 J Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B 320.
6. Samuel Charles Parsons b. 1887 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 428, bap. 5 Jun 1887 in Bampton. Died, aged 11, in 1898 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 275.
7. Sydney Parsons b. 7 Feb 1889 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 438, bap. 10 Mar 1889 in Bampton
8. Florence Annie Parsons b. 3 Feb 1891 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 424, bap. 8 Mar 1891 in Bampton
9. John Parsons b. 20 Jul 1894 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 408, bap. 26 Aug 1894 in Bampton

Many of the actual dates of birth are those listed when the child was registered at the Shillingford And Petton County Primary School.

In 1881, living in Shillingford, Bampton, Tiverton, Devon, were John Parsons (30) Carpenter from Bampton, Devon; Emma Parsons (25) from Clayhanger, Devon; John B Parsons (2) and Lucy Parsons (0).

In 1891, living at the Turnpike Gate Home, North Hayne, Bampton were John Parsons (40) Carpenter; Emma Parsons (35), Lucy Parsons (10), William Parsons (8), Sarah A Parsons (7), Samuel C Parsons (3), Sydney Parsons (2) and Florence A Parsons (0). Eldest son James was presumably out working somewhere, but does not appear to be listed on this census.

John Parsons died, aged 43, in 1894 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 283.

In 1901, Emma Parsons (45) Widow was living in Shillingford, Bampton, Tiverton, Devon, with James Parsons (22) Labourer on farm who appears have moved back home to support his widowed mother and grandmother; Sydney Parsons (12), Florrie Parsons (10), John Parsons (6) and Martha Burrows (76) Widow, Emma's mother. This time Lucy appears to have escaped the census and William Parsons (18) was Stockman at Mill Head, Bampton.

In 1911, Emma Parsons (55) Charwoman was living in Shillingford with her daughter Florence Parsons (21) Kitchenmaid. James, Lucy and William had all married, Private Sydney Parsons (22) was with the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment at St George's Barracks (Pembroke Army Garrison), Malta and John Parsons (16) was an Agricultural Labourer at Teal Farm, Bampton, Devon.

Four Sons on Active Service: The Western Times of 1 Dec 1916 reported that, "Corporal Sydney Parsons of the Devons, who was also wounded in France, has been spending a week-end at his home, Shillingford, Bampton. He is the third son of the late Mr John Parsons and of Mrs Parsons, and has two older and one younger brother on active service. He is a good marksman, having won at Malta the cup for shooting at 600 yards; also a medal for the highest score at 200 yards. He has served for six years at Malta and Egypt, and expects to take a further part in the great campaign."

The Western Times 9 May 1917 communicated that, "Sergt Sydney Parsons, son of Mrs Parsons of Shillingford, is reported missing."

The Western Times of 9 Nov 1917 reported: "Mrs E Parsons, of Shillingford, Bampton, has received the news that her second son, Corpl. Wm. Parsons, of the Devons, was killed in action [during the Battle of Broodseinde] on the 4th October last and has had a very sympathetic letter from Lieut. J W Chandler, deceased's Company officer, saying "his loss will be felt, both as a soldier and a friend." Corpl Parsons, who in peace time was engaged on the G.W.R. at Bristol, leaves a widow and two children. His elder brother, James, is attached to the Royal Engineers and his youngest brother is a prisoner of war in Germany. Another brother, Sergt Sydney Parsons, is reported missing. Much sympathy is evinced towards the mother, who is a widow."

Have been unable to find the record relating to James Parsons serving in the Royal Engineers, but he survived the war; William Parsons is buried at Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, outside Passendale, near Zonnebeke in Belgium; records sadly confirm that Sergeant Sydney Parsons of the 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment had been killed in action on 23 Apr 1917 [during the Battle of Arras] and is one of 35,942 soldiers with no known grave commemorated on the Arras Memorial; Corporal John Parsons of the Devonshire Regiment, Machine Gun Corps had been captured at Frankreich Serre [Serre-lès-Puisieux] on 16 Nov 1916 and various records show him constantly being sent from one German POW Camp to another, including Laz Mülheim, Dülmen, Minden, Aachen and Cambrai.

Sydney and William Parsons are commemorated on Bampton War Memorial.

In 1921, Emma Parsons (65) was still living in Shillingford, with her youngest son, John Parsons (26) General Labourer for Tiverton Council.

Emma Parsons died at 69 in 1926 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 539.

• James Burrows Parsons married Mabel Mary Hayward (b. 1883) at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman on 21 Oct 1908. They had five children: Robert John Parsons in 1910; Doris Annie Parsons in 1912; Beatrice Mabel Parsons 1916; Rosie Florence Parsons 1920 and Malcolm James Parsons 1922. James Burrows Parsons died on 7 Nov 1956 and Mabel Mary Parsons on 24 Sep 1969. They are buried together at St Bartholomew's Church, Lyng, Somerset.
• Thomas Kingdom (b. 1876), son of Isaac Kingdom and Ann Hayward, married Lucy Parsons on 30 Apr 1903 at St Michael & All Angels, Bampton. They had three children: Albert Thomas Kingdom in 1904; Ivy Florence Kingdom in 1909 and Sydney John Kingdom in 1913. In 1911 they had lived in Petton, Bampton, where Lucy was a Sweet Shop Keeper. Thomas Kingdom died, at 43, in 1920. Lucy was still in Petton in 1921. There are no further records for Lucy Kingdom, but a death of a Louise Kingdom, aged 44, in 1926.
• Frank Cottrell (b. 1887) married Florence Annie Parsons in 1919. In 1921, Frank Cottrell (34) Woodman and Florence Annie Cottrell (30) were living at Lugh Barton Cottage, Skilgate, Somerset and in 1939, at 3 Rocknelle Cottage, Bampton, Tiverton. They don't appear to have had any children. Florence Cottrell died in 1965.
• John Parsons married Bessie Grace Bird (b. 8 Jul 1888), daughter of William Bird and Mary Dunn, in Crediton, Devon, in Q3 1922. They had twins: Francis John Charles Parsons and Elsie Betty Emma Parsons born 30 Nov 1922. All four members of the family were at Haddon View, Dulverton, Somerset in 1939. Both John Parsons and Bessie Grace Parsons died in Q3 of 1973.

Charles Hockley and Annie Crow

Halfway House Farm, near Great Dunmow, Essex
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robert Edwards - geograph.org.uk/p/231844

Charles Hockley (b. 27 Apr 1876), son of William Hockley and Charlotte Cock, like generations of the family grew up at Halfway House, married Annie Crow, daughter of James Crow and Ann Newcombe, who had lived virtually next door at Philpot End, in Great Dunmow, on 29 Mar 1902.

Charles and Annie Hockley had four children:

1. William Charles Hockley b. 7 Sep 1903 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 869, bap. 18 Oct 1903, in Great Dunmow
2. James Hockley b. 24 Oct 1909 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 842, bap. 28 Nov 1909 in Great Dunmow
3. Annie Hockley b. 14 Jan 1912 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 1696, bap. 25 Feb 1912 in Great Dunmow
4. Charles Francis Hockley b. 25 Mar 1915 J Quarter in DUNMOW 04A Page 1630, bap. 2 May 1915 in Great Dunmow

At Halfway House in 1911 were Charles Hockley (35) Farm Labourer, Annie Hockley (33), William Charles Hockley (7) and James Hockley (1).

None of the baptism records say where, but they do all confirm the family's residence at Halfway House. On the last baptism for Charles Francis in 1915, his father's occupation is given as Army Service Corps Serving in France. 

Despite about 60% of soldiers’ Service Records being irretrievably damaged or lost completely as a result of enemy bombing in 1940 during the Second World War, Charles Hockley's record survives. Charles Hockley, Service number T4/041670 of Halfway House, Great Dunmow, Essex, had volunteered, age 38 years and 8 months, for 3 years service on 18 Jan 1915, at which time he was 5 ft 4¼ with a 37" chest. The record confirms the dates of birth of his four children, which it says were verified by certificates, but he'd incorrectly remembered the date of his wedding anniversary.

Charles was attached to the 452nd Horse Transport Company (he'd have been used to working with horses on the farm). See: Army Service Corps Horse Transport Companies. According to the list, pre-war, this was the 46th (North Midland) Division and his record does show him with the 46th Division Train - "the ‘workhorse’ of the Division in terms of carrying stores and supplies". Charles' embarked in Southampton on 18 Feb 1915, arriving in Le Havre the following day. It is recorded that the Division spent the first months in the Ypres Salient. Charles was in France until he was discharged on 22 Mar 1919. He received a British War Medal and a Victory Medal.

In 1939, at Halfway House Cottages, Great Dunmow, were Charles Hockley, Labourer Stockman; Annie Hockley; James Hockley, Farm Labourer and Charles Francis Hockley, Heavy Tractor Driver (Agricultural Contract Work).

Charles Hockley died, aged 76, in 1953.

Annie Hockley died, aged 77, in 1955.

• William Charles Hockley of Church Cottage, Tilty, had married Jessica Emma Trott, daughter of Robert William Trott, on 11 Feb 1928 in Tilty, Essex. In 1939, William C Hockley, Gardener, and Jessie E Hockley were living at The Fields, Stansted Mountfitchet. William Charles Hockley died, aged 86, in Bishops Stortford, in 1989. Jessie Emma Hockley died, aged 92, in Harlow, in 1998.
• James Hockley, of Halfway House Cottage, Ongar Road, Great Dunmow, died on 2 Oct 1979. He does not appear to ever marry.
• Annie C Hockley (she didn't have a second name, but the birth date agrees), married Fred Hardy in Great Dunmow in 1937. In 1939, Fred Hardy, Horseman on farm and Annie Hardy were living at Tolliday Cottages, Stebbing, Great Dunmow. Fred Hardy died, aged 80, in 1985 and Anny Hardy, aged 77 in 1989.
• Charles Francis Hockley died on 5 Sep 2012. He'll have been 97.

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. Lilian 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) (Listed as Annie Louisa on marriage, she was registered at birth as Louisa Ann and appears to have been known as Annie), daughter of Thomas Bailey and Lucy Elizabeth Ann Fudge, at the Church of Saint George, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, on 21 Mar 1883. 

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

In 1921, Annie Louisa Hooper (60) Widowed, was living with her son Albert Edward Hooper (28) and his wife Violet Ethel (28) - who was listed as the head of the household and he as husband - at 2, Notte Street, Plymouth.

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, which mentions Richard Hooper. 

William Edgar Farthing and Ivy May Hepworth 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 May 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.

Harry Martin and Mabel Grace Tompson

St Giles, Cripplegate, London EC2
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1209117

Harry Martin (b. Jan 1883 in Westbourne, Emsworth, Hants, son of William Henry Martin and Mercy King, married Mabel Grace Tompson (b. 6 Aug 1878), daughter of Dan Tompson and Sarah Jane Baker, at St Giles-without-Cripplegate, on 25 Dec 1913. Witnesses were Daisy Kritzer (Mabel's sister, Sarah Sophia) and Job Sweeney, husband of Mabel and Sarah's elder half-sister, Eliza Louisa, (who lived in Fore Street, close to this church).

In 1911, Mabel Grace was Lady's Maid in the household of Sir Philip Hickson Waterlow, 2nd Baronet, one of the Waterlow baronets, then Chairman of Waterlow and Sons, at 24 Carlton House Terrace, St Martin in the Fields. Listed as 29, she was actually in her 30s and presumably maid to Lady Waterlow, Sir Phillip's second wife, Laura Marie (née Jones). Meanwhile, Harry Martin, then 26, was a Motor Car Driver, residing at The Stables, Trosley Towers Near Wrotham, Stansted, Kent. Sir Philip Hickson Waterlow had inherited the Trosley Towers (more images) estate from his father (part is now the Trosley Country Park), which confirms that both Mabel and Harry worked for the Waterlows, which is undoubtedly how they met.

The couple had one daughter:

1. Laura May Martin b. 27 May 1920, registered in Malling, Kent (J Quarter, Volume 02A Page 1800, with mother's maiden name THOMPSON), was baptised on 22 Jun 1920, at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster.

That Mabel may have named her daughter after Lady Waterlow might indicate that there had been a particular friendship between employer and employee.

Harry Martin served as a Motor Driver & Mechanic during the First World War, having enlisted on 22 May 1916 at Whitehall, aged 31, in the Army Service Corps (M.T.) At that time he was 5 ft 9¼ in, weighed 140 lbs.

In 1921, Harry Martin (37) Motor Car and Electric Light Attendant; Mabel Grace Martin (40) and Laura May Martin (1) were living at Dairy Cottage, Fairseat, Nr Wrotham, Stansted, Kent.

Harry Martin died, at 37, on 20 December 1921 and was buried, on Christmas Eve, at Stansted (Saint Mary the Virgin) Churchyard (Kent). His military record states that he had developed valvular heart disease after suffering pneumonia - for which he was admitted to Stourbridge Military Hospital in 1919 - and gives his cause of death as "Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Mitral Stenosis." 

One cannot help noticing a great similarity in the style of Harry's grave site and that of the later grave of Sir Philip Hickson Waterlow (who died at Trosley Towers, Wrotham in 1931 and is also buried in Stansted Churchyard), which leads me to speculate that the Waterlows may have arranged their employee's burial. There is a note on the burial record, which says, "ex soldier died at Grosvenor Sanatorium, Kennington nr Ashford". It was used to treat Imperial soldiers & sailors suffering from tuberculosis during WW1.

Mabel Grace Martin (47) married Arthur John Stedman (51) at the parish of St James, Piccadilly, on 31 Jul 1926. Arthur John Stedman, bap. 7 Apr 1872 in Cobham, Surrey, was the son of John Stedman and Mary Ann (Marianne) Elvina Silvester (m. 1867 in Kingston, Surrey). Arthur's first wife, Harriet Jane Judge, who he married in Epsom, Surrey in 1909, had died on 18 Aug 1925 and is buried in Cobham Cemetery. Arthur John Stedman was a bricklayer, as had been his father and Mabel's father, Dan Tompson.

Arthur John Stedman died on 5 July 1938, leaving his estate to Mabel Grace.

In 1939, Mabel Grace Stedman, widowed, housekeeper, was living at 1 Pemry Villas, Elm Grove Road, Cobham, Surrey, with daughter, Laura May Martin, Ladies Hairdresser; Gerald Owen Weston (mechanic and lorry driver) and Mabel's sister, Sarah Sophia, 'Daisy' S S Kritzer, housekeeper.

Mabel Grace Stedman, formerly Martin, née Tompson, died in the 1st quarter of 1967, in the district of Surrey North Western, in her 89th year.

George Fuller and Elsie Elizabeth Fretwell

St Helen & St Giles, Rainham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/4530059

George Fuller (b. 12 Jun 1896), eldest son of George Fuller and Eliza Ellen Hockley, married, widow, Elsie Elizabeth Fretwell on Christmas Day 1919, at the Church of St Helen and St Giles, Rainham, Essex. 

Born Elsie Elizabeth Sear in 1896 D Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 98, her mother's maiden name was listed as MORLEY. The only marriage that could be her parents, was that of George Sear to Sarah Ellen Morley on 20 Dec 1874, at Plaistow, St Mary the Virgin. I've not located them again. 

In 1901, however, Elsie Sear (5) her birth place listed as 'Not Known', appears among a long list of children as a scholar inmate of the West Ham Union Workhouse in Low Leyton, West Ham, London. In 1911, Elsie Sear (14) from Plaistow, was a General Domestic Servant in the household of Montague J Allward (33) Electrical and mechanical engineer station superintendent electricity wks, at 123 Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, London.

In 1915, in Islington, Elsie E Sear married George R F Fretwell (registered as Robert George Frederick Fretwell in 1894 M Quarter in ISLINGTON Volume 01B Page 222), son of Frederick Fretwell and Elizabeth Maria Whines.

George and Elsie Fretwell had two children:

1. Lilian Ellen Fretwell b. 10 Aug 1915 S Qtr in ISLINGTON Vol 01B P316
2. George Walter Fretwell b. 1917 M Quarter in ISLINGTON Volume 01B Page 299. Died 1917 S Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 458.

Both birth registrations show the mother's maiden name as SEAR.

Marked Wounded & Missing on 23 Mar 1918, Rifleman G R F Fretwell, 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Rifle Brigade, 1914-1918) died of wounds, aged 25, on 28 Mar 1918, after being shot, and is buried at Guise (La Desolation) Cemetery, Flavigny-Le-Petit, France, in the Allied Sect. 1153. The record lists his widow as living at 21 Athelstane Road, Finsbury Park, London N4.

The Desolation cemetery in Guise

George Fuller, Agricultural Labourer, then 18, joined the Royal Navy on 23 Nov 1915, for the hostilities. At that time he was 5ft 8¼in with a 36½ chest, brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion and was taken on as a Stoker. (The life of a stoker in the Royal Navy). Until 9 Mar 1916 he was assigned to HMS Pembroke II - Royal Naval Air Station at Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey. 

Then he was assigned to HMS Victory II. "Once they had completed their initial training, parade drill, naval history, housekeeping and rifle drill, they were assigned to His Majesty's Ship (HMS) Victory II. Victory was a land based training establishment for stokers and engine artificers, based in Portsmouth", where he remained until 31 Jul 1917. 

On 1 Aug 1917, George was sent to HMS Wallington, which was an ex-Grimsby Trawler, operating as an (Auxiliary Patrol) Base on the Humber. 

George was back at Victory in Portsmouth between 15 Jan 1918 and 20 Dec 1918 and finally, from 21 Dec 1918 until 20 Feb 1919 with HMS Hecla, which had been a torpedo boat carrier/depot ship purchased in 1878, modernised in 1912 and sold in 1926. By 1919, she was at Chatham.

After their marriage in 1919, George and Elsie Fuller added four children:

1. Elsie May Fuller b. 6 Aug 1920 S Qtr in ISLINGTON Vol 01B P422
2. George Frederick Fuller b. 1922 M Qtr in ISLINGTON Vol 01B P346
3. James Walter Fuller b. 26 Oct 1924 D Qtr in ROMFORD Vol 04A P900
4. John Earnest Fuller b. 13 Jul 1926 S Qtr in ROMFORD Vol 04A P963

On the registrations for Elsie and John, the mother's maiden name was correctly listed as SEAR. On George's it has been mis-transcribed as SCAR and on James' an S has been added to make it SEARS. Close enough.

In 1921, George Fuller (25) Labourer for C J Wills & Sons Contractor; Elsie Elizabeth Fuller (24) from Plaistow, Elsie May Fuller (0) and step-daughter, Lilian Ellen Fretwell (5), were living at 21, Athelstane Road, Islington.

But Elsie Elizabeth Fuller died, aged 30, in 1927 S Quarter in ROMFORD.

Lilian Ellen Fretwell married George Frederick Grant (b. 6 Apr 1915), in 1936, in Romford. (George and Lilian Grant had two sons, in 1939 and 1942. George Frederick Grant died in 1972 and Lilian Ellen Grant in 2002.)

And George Fuller remarried to Grace Elizabeth Phillips in Romford, in 1939. Grace's DOB is quoted as 23 Dec 1910, however, the birth record in that quarter is unavailable, so I cannot confirm who her parents were.

In 1939, George Fuller, Cable Laying Labourer; Grace E Fuller, with George, James and John, were living at 6 East Close, Rainham. George F Grant, General Labourer; Lilian E Grant; their eldest (record still closed) and Elsie May Fuller, Farm Worker, were living at 111 Melville Road, Rainham.

George and Grace had three further children in 1940, 1941 and 1953.

George Fuller died at 82, in the 1st quarter of 1979.

Grace Elizabeth Fuller died in 1985.

George Burt and Fanny Jerwood

Tiverton : St Peter's Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/1654824

George Burt married Fanny Jerwood on 25 Dec 1884 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. George Burt's Rank or Profession was given as Sailor. George Burt's father is listed on the marriage certificate as William Burt, Labourer, however, George's father, who had died when he was two, was Edward Burt. 

Fanny Jerwood was the daughter of John Jerwood (b. 1830), Labourer and his wife Sarah Davey (who had also married at St Peter's on 31 May 1853). 

On 26 Nov 1837, Edward Burt (b. 1816), son of Richard Burt, had married Mary Ann Prescott (b. 1821), daughter of John Prescott and Ann Warren, also at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. In 1841 they were living in Bampton Street, Tiverton with son George Burt (b. 1840). By 1851, Edward Burt (34) Labourer and Mary Ann (30), had added Edward (b. 1842), John (b. 1846), Richard (b. 1848) and William (b. 1851), also Mary Carter (71) Lodger. 

In 1859, their son George born in 1840, died, aged 19.

George Burt, born 1863, was actually registered as Sidney George Burt.

Their father, Edward Burt, then died, in 1866, in Tiverton, aged 50. 

In 1870, listed simply as George Burt, son of a widow from Bampton Street, the latter child was registered at Heathcote School.

In 1871, Mary Ann Burt (50) Widow, Seamstress, was still living in Bampton Street with her children: John (25) Mason's Labourer, Lucy (19) Lace Hand in Tiverton Factory, Charlotte (17) Laundress, James (11) and George (7). Emily Peters (19) also Lace Hand in Tiverton Factory and her son Berty Peters (2) were Lodging with them. Mary Ann Burt died in 1877, aged 56.

George Burt, born 4 Nov 1863, enlisted in the Royal Navy, at 15, as a Boy 2nd Class on 8 Apr 1879. He served until 1 Nov 1901 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 18 Aug 1902. He was brought back into service on 2 Aug 1914 until 18 Jul 1917, at shore establishments HMS Vivid (II and III). 

In 1881, George Burt (17) Boy 1st Class was with the 1st Class Iron Screw Ship HMS Superb (1875), moored in Valletta (Grand Harbour), Malta.

Their only child, Charles Edward Burt, was born on 4 Dec 1887.

In 1891, Fanny Burt (27) and Charlie (3), were living at 150 Pembroke Street, Devonport. George was with HMS Amphion (1883) in the Pacific.

Young Charlie was then enrolled at Heathcote School in 1894, when his mother's address was Melbourne Street, Tiverton, even though George was predominantly in Devonport in 1894, first with HMS Himalaya (1854) and then at HMS Vivid II, joining HMS Grafton (1892) on 23 Oct 1894.

In 1901, George Burt (38), now a Leading Stoker, was again at HMS Vivid II, before being pensioned on 1 Nov that year. Fanny (37) was living at 2, Wellbrook Street, Prospect Place, Tiverton, with Charles (13) now a Silk lace maker and Sarah Jerwood (70) Widow, Boarder (Fanny's mother.)

In 1911, George Burt (48) Grocer and dealer, wife Fanny (47) Assisting in the business and son Charles Edward Burt (23) Lace machine hand, were living at 24 Wellbrook St, Tiverton.

In 1921, Sidney George Burt (75) Stoker R N (Retired), H M Navy, was living at 3 Prospect Place, Wellbrook Street, Tiverton, with Fanny Burt (57) and Charles Edward Burt (33) Silk Lace Machinist at J Heathcoat & Co.

George Burt died in Tiverton in 1937, aged 73.

Fanny Burt died in 1938, aged 74.

Edward John Bicknell, Marcella Jones & Harry Babb

Portsmouth Cathedral
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/6829155

Edward John Bicknell married Marcella Jones, daughter of David Jones and Johannah Anne O'Callaghan, at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 12 Dec 1906. Among the witnesses was Marcella's younger sister, Helena Jones. At the time of this marriage, Edward John Bicknell was a Corporal RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery) and was then stationed at Southsea Castle. On the marriage certificate, Bicknell's father is listed as Edward Bicknell, a farmer.

Their only child, David Nicholas Bicknell was born on 20 Jan 1909, at 15 Gold Street, Southsea and baptised, on 10 Feb 1909, at The Anglican Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, now known simply as Portsmouth Cathedral.

In 1891, Edward Jno Bricknell (sic) (10), nephew, had been living with Henry Palmer (42) Butler domestic and Elizabeth F Palmer (54) from Withycombe, Devon, at Hencroft Street, Upton with Chalvey, Eton, Buckinghamshire.

On 17 Dec 1895, Edward John Bicknell, listed originally as aged 14 years, 11 months (although the 14 appears to have been over-written as 15 on the 2nd page), from Withycombe [Withycombe Raleigh], Exmouth, Devon, formerly a Telegraph Messenger, had enlisted for Long Service in the Royal Artillery, at Slough, Bucks. The name and address of his next of kin was given as Mrs F E Palmer, 18 Hencroft Street, Sough, Bucks. In 1901, Elizabeth F Palmer (60) Tailoress, from Withycombe, Devon, was listed at that address.

Records show that Henry Palmer had married Elizabeth Fanny Bicknell, at St Margaret's, Westminster, London, in 1873. In 1881, they had been living at Church End, Tempsford, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, where Henry was Under butler. Elizabeth Bicknell (bap. 5 Jan 1834), listed in Withycombe Rawleigh in 1841 and 1851, certainly had a brother named Edward, born in 1830. However, he had died in 1870, so could not have been the boy's father. In fact, there were very many people named Edward Bicknell, in Withycombe, going right back to the 17th Century. Not one of them were farmers.

There is no birth, nor baptism for an Edward John Bicknell, around 1880/1. The most likely record is of an illegitimate birth of an Edward Bicknell in St Thomas, Devon (under which Withycombe would fall), in 1879. That child, born 19 Nov 1879, in the Village, Withycombe Raleigh, was the son of Rose Creasley Bicknell, Domestic Servant, Cook. His birth was registered by his mother, on 9 Dec 1879 and the name of the deputy registrar on the certificate was Edward John Carter. Is that where the Edward John came from?

There was a Rose Cressly Bicknell b. 1859 M Quarter in TOTNES Volume 05B Page 173 and baptised on 2 Jan 1859 at St Saviour's Church, Dartmouth, Devon, the base child of Elizabeth Bicknell (and a bloke named Cressly, I wouldn't be surprised). Edward John was described as Elizabeth's nephew, but I think it possible that she was actually his grandmother.

That and naming their son after Marcella's father and uncle and not after his father, leads me to think Bicknell had no idea who his father was and, as is so often done, just made one up for appearances on the marriage certificate.

Fort Rowner-Gosport
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Colin Babb - geograph.org.uk/p/704877

When he enlisted in 1895, Edward John was 5' 1⅝' tall, weighed 98lbs, had a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He was then sent to Fort Rowner, Gosport on 21 Dec 1895. Initially passed as fit, he spent 29 days in hospital from 5 Feb 1896 to 4 Mar 1896, suffering from an illness referred to only by the initials V.D.H. (valvular disease of the heart and implies some organic disease or heart malfunction), of unknown cause and was discharged on 7 Mar 1896, as "Not being likely to become an efficient soldier."

On 19 Sep 1900, in London, at 18 years and 9 months, Edward John Bicknell, once again enlisted in the Royal Artillery. The record, again, says he was from Withycombe, Exmouth, Devon. Was he cured of his previous condition, or hopeful nobody would tie the two together (which they don't seem to do)?

In 1901, Edward John Bicknell (19) Gunner Royal Artillery, was listed on the census at Leith Fort, North Fort Street, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Part of Tigné Barracks, now incorporated in The Point Shopping Mall, Sliema, Malta.

In 1911, Sergeant Edward John Bicknell (29), from Exmouth, Devon, was listed on the census of Overseas Establishments with 96th Company RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery) at Fort Tigné, Malta. Also listed there at that time were wife, Marcella Bicknell (26) and son, David Nicholas Bicknell (2) (96th Company, I believe, remained in Malta for the duration of World War I.)

But on 27 Oct 1919, Edward John Bicknell, then a Battery Sergeant Major at Sandown Barracks, Sandown, Isle of Wight, filed for divorce from Marcella, citing her adultery with co-respondent, Harry Babb, a Fitter in His Majesty's Dockyard at Portsmouth, with whom she was allegedly residing at 34, Castle Road, Southsea. The final decree was granted on 29 Sep 1920 and Harry Babb was ordered to pay costs of £63 18s 4d (around £2,900 in 2021).

In 1920 and 1921, records show that Sergeant Major Edward John Bicknell was a member of Sandown Masonic Lodge on the Isle of Wight. 

Edward J Bicknell remarried, to Ida G Priestley, on 25 Mar 1921, on the Isle of Wight. Ida Gertrude Priestley (b. 31 Dec 1891), was the daughter of Thomas F (a Yacht steward) and Sophia C Priestley (from Jersey, Channel Islands). In 1901, the family address was Grocer's Shop, 62, West Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight (now a branch of The Co-operative Food). In 1911, Ida Gertrude Priestley (20), had been employed as a Lady's Maid to a Mrs Winifred Walker at 10 Marmion Road, Battersea, London.

In 1921, Ida Gertrude Bicknell (29) Dressmaker & Costumer from the Isle of Wight was a boarder and Edward John Bicknell (38) Soldier, 9th Bde RGA (Attached 34th Bde RFA North Camp Aldershot) a visitor in the household of Ada Smith (55) at 177, Filbert Street, Leicester, Leicestershire.

Edward John Bicknell was discharged from the Army on 18 Sep 1921, at Dover, under Paragraph 392 (xxi) of the King's Regulations - the end of a period of engagement. He was awarded a pension of 51½d per day for life from 19 Sep 1921. His address on discharge was 177, Filbert Street, Leicester. But Edward John Bicknell of 4 Burton Street, Leicester, Bank Messenger, died on 21 Apr 1922, at Leicester Royal Infirmary from shock following an operation, having been diagnosed with stomach cancer 5-6 months previously. He was 40. His death was registered by P H Priestley, Brother-in-law (Ida's younger brother, Percy H Priestley, born 1895).

34, Castle Road, Southsea, alleged address of these shocking adulterers.

Marcella Bicknell had remarried to Henry Babb in the 4th quarter of 1920.

Babb was no easier to pin down than her first husband. The only relevant birth of a Harry Babb, in the 4th quarter of 1894, is in Barnstaple, Devon, with his mother's maiden name given as Ware. There was a marriage of an Eli Francis Babb and Annie Ware on 21 Feb 1880, at St Martin-in-the-Fields, in The Strand, London. Harry was baptised on 25 Jan 1895 at Holy Trinity Church, Barnstaple and the baptism record gives his parents as Levi Frank and Annie Babb, with his father's occupation listed as 'Boots' at the Fortescue Hotel. (The word 'Boots' came from, ‘boot boys’, an occupation in the 1830s and 40s requiring young men to clean the boots of hotel guests. Later, the occupation had become simply known as ‘boots’, and duties included odd-jobs.)

In 1921, Henry Babb (30) - making himself 4 years older - from Barnstaple, Devon, working for the Department (Engineering) H M Dockyard Portsmouth was indeed living at 34, Castle Road, Portsmouth with Marcella Babb (36), step-son David Bicknell (12), four Boarders and one Domestic servant.

In 1939, Harry Babb (b. 17 Nov 1894), Marine Engineer, Marcella Babb, David N Bicknell and a lodger were living at 10 Wilberforce Road.

Marcella Babb of 1 Festing Grove, Southsea, died on 9 Oct 1963, at 80.

Henry Babb, also of 1 Festing Grove, Southsea, died on 19 Nov 1967.

David Nicholas Bicknell never married. He died of a cardiac arrest on 22 Jan 1987, two days after his 78th birthday. The retired production controller still lived at 1 Festing Grove, Southsea. His place of birth on his death certificate was India. The records show that he was, in fact, born in Southsea, so I wonder if his father spent time in India while he was growing up, or did David only think it was India, being just a small child in the heat of Malta?

Festing Grove, Southsea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Kate Jewell - geograph.org.uk/p/3319369

Harry Hockley and Fanny Ann Rootkin

St John the Baptist, Hoxton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre - geograph.org.uk/p/4892565

Harry Hockley (b. 27 Jun 1871), Horse Keeper, son of William Hockley and Charlotte Cock, married Fanny Ann Rootkin (bap. 10 Dec 1871 in Great Dunmow, Essex), daughter of William Rootkin and Louisa Sharp, at St John the Baptist, Hoxton on 27 Nov 1892. Both gave their address as 61 Napier Street. Witnesses were Henry Balden and Mary Emma Hockley, the groom's sister. The previous year, Fanny Rootkin (19) had been a General Domestic Servant in the household of a Henry Smith (45) in Friern Barnet.

Harry and Fanny Ann Hockley had 14 children in total:

1. Frederick William Hockley b. 30 Oct 1892 in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C 50
2. Harry Charles Hockley b. 1894 M Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 699, bap. 18 Feb 1894 in Great Dunmow, Essex
3. Annie Louisa Hockley b. 1896 S Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 397, bap. 2 Sep 1896 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
4. Alfred James Hockley b. 23 Aug 1897 S Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 425, bap. 26 Sep 1897 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill. Died of wounds on 9 Oct 1916 in France & Flanders.
5. George Hockley b. 1899 D Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 460
6. Ernest John Hockley b. 15 Nov 1901 - assume they meant 1900 - (1901 M Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 515), bap. 28 Nov 1901 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill. Died 1902 M Qtr Vol 04A Page 238 and was buried on 25 Feb 1902 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
7. Frank Sidney Hockley b. 28 Nov 1901 (1901 D Quarter in EPPING Vol 04A Page 516), bap. 28 Nov 1901 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill. Died at 1 month (1902 M Quarter Volume 04A Page 235) and was buried on 13 Jan 1902 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
8. Arthur Thomas Hockley b. 15 Jan 1903 M Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 533, bap. 29 Mar 1903 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
9. Alice Beatrice Emma Hockley b. 14 Apr 1905 J Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A 519, bap. 6 Sep 1905 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
10. Florence Hilda Hockley b. 30 Oct 1906 D Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 521, bap. 27 Jan 1907 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
11. Edith Maud Hockley b. 17 Feb 1908 (1908 M Quarter in EPPING Volume 04A Page 545), bap. 27 May 1908 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill. Died 1908 D Quarter Volume 04A Page 210 and buried on 27 Oct 1908 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
12. Edward Hockley b. 17 Mar 1909 (1909 J Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 512), bap. 19 May 1909 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
13. Dorothy May Hockley b. 7 Oct 1910 (1910 D Quarter in EPPING Volume 04A Page 465), bap. 3 Jan 1911 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill, residence 3 Gingells Cottages, Alfred Road
14. Lily Charlotte Hockley b. 13 Mar 1915 (1915 J Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A  Page 939), bap. 28 Apr 1915 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill

The mother's maiden name on all of these registrations is Rootkin.

In 1901, Harry Hockley (28) Gas Stoker from Dunmow, Essex, lived in Alfred Road, Buckhurst Hill, with wife Fanny Ann Hockley (28), William Hockley (8) [Frederick William] born in Hoxton; Harry C Hockley (7), Annie L Hockley (4), Alfred J Hockley (3), George Hockley (1) and Ernest J Hockley (0). 

In 1911, Harry Hockley (39) Gas Stoker, was still in Buckhurst Hill with Fanny Ann Hockley (39), Harry Charles Hockley (17) Errand Boy for an Ironmonger; Annie Louisa Hockley (14) Domestic Servant; Alfred James Hockley (13) School and Milk Boy; George Hockley (11), Arthur Thomas Hockley (8), Alice Beatrice Emma Hockley (5), Florence Hilda Hockley (4), Edward Hockley (2) and Dorothy May Hockley (5 Months). This record confirms that, by then, they had 13 children, with 10 alive and 3 had died. Frederick Hockley (18) birthplace Hoxton, was a Boarder Servant in the household of James Archer, Dairyman at Kettles Cottages, Dagenham.

Private Alfred James Hockley G/11890 (19) of the 8th Battalion Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment), birthplace Buckhurst Hill, Essex, Died of wounds on 9 Oct 1916 in France & Flanders.

In 1921, Harry Hockley (50) Gas Stoker for the Gas Light & Coke Co, was still living at 70, Alfred Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex with Fanny Ann Hockley (49), Arthur Thomas Hockley (18) Brickmaker's Labourer; Alice Beatrice Emma Hockley (16) General Domestic Servant; Edward Hockley (12), Dorothy May Hockley (10) and Lily Charlotte Hockley (6).

Fanny Ann Hockley died at 62 in 1933 M Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A 550.

In 1939, Harry Hockley, Widowed, Gas Stoker, was living at 53 Loughton Way, Buckhurst Hill with William J Clarke, Master Carpenter; Alice B E Clarke (William J Clarke and Alice B E Hockley had married in 1932); Hilda F (Florence) Hockley, Kite Maker (Toy); Edward E P Ruhle, Secretary & Director Building Manufacture (Edward E P Ruhle and Florence H Hockley married later in 1939); and Phillip J Clarke (b. 31 Dec 1934).

Harry Hockley died at 75 in 1947 M Qtr in EPPING Vol 05A 138 and was buried on 17 Mar 1947, at St John the Baptist Church, Buckhurst Hill.

John Goff and Hannah Mary Cook

Bradfield House
Bradfield House - or Bradfield Hall, the name on the gateposts - in Uffculme parish, south west of the village, near Willand. This is the east front with the medieval great hall in the centre.
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/5773754

John Goff (b. 1861), son of Charles Goff and Elizabeth Lock, married Hannah Mary Cook (b. 19 Oct 1861 in Halberton), daughter of John Cook and Elizabeth Davey, in Tiverton Registration District, in 1883.

John and Hannah (known as Annie) had seven children:

1. Charles Goff b. 1883 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 406. Died, aged 20, in 1904 J Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 13 and was buried, on 5 Jun 1904 at St Mary's, Kentisbeare.
2. Bessie Goff b. 1884 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 416
3. Henry Goff b. 15 Feb 1887 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 409, bap. 10 Apr 1887 at St Mary's, Kentisbeare.
4. Edmund Goff b. 1890 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 413. Killed in action on 18 Jul 1917, see below.
5. Rose Ellen Goff b. 31 Jul 1893 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 402, bap. 10 Sep 1893 at St Mary's, Kentisbeare.
6. Arthur Goff b. 19 Jul 1896 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 384, bap. 13 Sep 1896 at St Mary's, Kentisbeare.
7. Harold Goff b. 7 May 1899 J Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 19, bap. 11 Jun 1899 a St Andrew's Church, Broadhembury

In 1891, John Goff (30) Carpenter, Cottage, Kentisbeare, Annie Goff (29), Charles Goff (7), Bessie Goff (6), Henry Goff (4) and Edmund Goff (0).

In 1901, John Goff (39) Estate carpenter in Kerswell, Broadhembury with Annie Goff (39), Edmund Goff (10), Rose Ellen Goff (7), Arthur Goff (4) and Harold Goff (1). Charles Goff was not listed anywhere; Bessie Goff (16) was a Domestic Servant at Gowers Turners, Fore Street, Cullompton and Henry Goff (15) was a Farm Servant at Kentismoor Farm, Kentisbeare.

In 1911, John Goff (49) Estate carpenter was at Bradfield, Uffculme with Annie Goff (49), Edmund Goff (20) Baker; Arthur Goff (14) and Harold Goff (11). The 1911 census confirms that the couple had 7 children, of whom 6 were, at that time, still living. Bessie Goff (26) was a Domestic Servant in Holland Villas Road, Kensington, London (Holland Park). Rose Ellen Goff, who will have been 17, I assume was out working, but didn't find her.

On 2 Aug 1912, Edmund Goff (22) listed as a Farm Labourer embarked in London on the SS Roscommon, bound for Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, where he arrived, after a 56 day voyage, on 27 Sep 1912.

On the 1913 Australia Electoral Roll, Edmund Goff, Baker, was listed "Care Of Mrs Reed, Sachs Street, Cairns, Herbert, Queensland, Australia". Then in 1915, Edmund Goff, Baker was in Rankin Street, Innisfail, Queensland, Australia, where the record suggests he had been since 20 Jul 1914.

Williand War Memorial
cc-by-sa/2.0
© Martin Bodman
geograph.org.uk/p/5820655

On 13 May 1916, Edmund Goff enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and on 20 Oct 1916, embarked on Australian Troop Transport, HMAT A17, Port Lincoln, with the 12th Machine Gun Company, 6th Reinforcements, from Melbourne, Victoria. The record gave his home address as 'Care Of Mrs E Wallace, Innisfail'. It also gave his next of kin as John Goff of Willand, Cullompton, Devon, England.

Edmund Goff, Private, 13th Australian Machine Gun Corps., A.I.F., Service No. 415, son of John and Hannah Mary Goff of Willand, Cullompton, Devon, England, was Killed in Action, in Belgium, on 18 July 1917. (Battle of Passchendaele). He is buried at (the presumably aptly named) Mud Corner Cemetery, Wallonie, Belgium, Grave II. B. 2. Personal Inscription: FAME & GLORY EASE NOT OUR ACHING HEARTS. He is remembered on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, the Innisfail Cenotaph and on Willand War Memorial at St Mary the Virgin Churchyard, Willand Old Village.

In 1921, John Goff (59) Estate Carpenter working for Mrs Adams; Hannah Mary Goff (58), Arthur Goff (24) Coal Miner; and Harold Goff (22) Motor Driver were living in the New Buildings, Willand, Devon.

John Goff died, aged 76, in 1936 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 483.

In 1939, Hannah M Goff, Widowed, Old Age Pensioner, was living with daughter & son-in-law, Charles & Rose Hole in Station Road, Culmstock.

Hannah Mary Goff died, at 87, in 1949 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 07A 948.

• Henry Goff married Eveline James Drew (b. 9 Dec 1888), daughter of Edwin Drew and Fanny Louisa James, in Truro, Cornwall, in 1909. The couple had one son, George Henry Goff b. 1910 M Quarter in REDRUTH Volume 05C Page 157. In 1911, Henry Goff (24) Nurseryman from Cullompton, Devon; Eveline James Goff and George Henry Goff (1) were living at Treleigh Redruth, Cornwall. Son George Henry died, aged 9, in 1919 D Quarter in REDRUTH Volume 05C Page 221. In 1939, Henry Goff, Smallholder and Eveline Goff were living at Salem House, Chacewater, Truro. Eveline James Goff died on 10 Dec 1961 and Harry Goff died, at 89, on 6 May 1976 and are in buried in St. Paul's Churchyard.
• Rose Ellen Goff married Charles Edward Hole (b. 22 Jan 1891 in Tiverton), son of Robert Hole and Rosa Ellen Jones, in Tiverton, in 1921. In 1939, Charles E Hole, Storekeeper Coal & Corn, Rosa E Hole and mother-in-law were living in Station Road, Culmstock. Charles E Hole died, at 75, in 1966, in Taunton, Somerset and Rose Ellen Hole died, at 80, in Newton Abbot, Devon.
• Arthur Goff married Florence May Jarvis (b. 29 Sep 1899), daughter of Charles Jarvis and Sarah Spurway, in Tiverton, in 1927. The couple had three daughters. Florence May Goff died on 3 Mar 1984 and Arthur Goff less than two weeks later, on 16 Mar 1984. They are buried together Cullompton Cemetery.
• Harold Goff married Elizabeth Margaret Viney (b. 8 Jan 1905), daughter of James Viney and Elizabeth Featherby, in Tiverton, in 1930 and had 3 daughters. Harold Goff died in Uffculme, on 24 Apr 1978 and Elizabeth Goff, in Exeter, on 24 Mar 1995.