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

Showing posts with label World War I. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World War I. Show all posts

Sunday 31 January 2021

Herbert Joy Tubb and Ada Harriet Bartlett

St Corentine's Church, Cury
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Trevor Harris - geograph.org.uk/p/1817672

Herbert Joy Tubb (b. 1865), son of Edward Tubb and Sarah Elizabeth Joy, married Ada Harriet Bartlett (b. 1870, bap. 8 Jan 1871 in Cury, Cornwall), daughter of John William Ginn Bartlett and Harriet Nanney, in the district of Helston in the 4th quarter of 1892. Baptised in Cury, brought up in Uny-Lelant, Ada was living at Boscawen, Mawgan in Meneage, Helston in 1891, where her father was a Farmer, so likely that was the venue for the marriage, where the parish church is dedicated to St Mauganus, a Welshman.

In 1891, Herbert J Tubb (25) Merchant's Clerk, had been a visitor in the household of Farmer, Samuel Trounson (58) at Penvores, Mawgan in Meneage, which was right next door to the Bartlett household.

Herbert and Ada had two children:
  1. John Bartlett Tubb b. 12 Jul 1893 in HELSTON Volume 05C Page 168
  2. Olive Joy Tubb b. 26 Jun 1898 in HELSTON  Volume 05C Page 169
In 1901, Ada H Tubb (30) was living at Boscawen Cottage, Mawgan in Meneage with son John B Tubb (7) at school and Olive J (2). 

In 1911, the family were living at 4 Athenaeum Street Plymouth. Herbert Joy Tubb (44) Implement and machinery manager, Ada Harriet Tubb (39), John Bartlett Tubb (17) Apprentice Engineer and Olive Joy Tubb (12) at School.

Son, John Bartlett Tubb, Fleet Engineer, of 4 Athenaeum Street Plymouth enlisted in the Territorial Force Royal Engineers, on 18 Sep 1914. At 21, he was 5ft 6in tall with a 36 in chest. In reserve until 23 Mar 1915, he was sent to Gibraltar on 24 Mar 1915, until 11 Nov 1916, where he picked up a dose of Gonorrhea (an occupational hazard?), treated in 1915 - this is well before the introduction of antibiotics that was not until the 1940's. (Gonorrhea: Historical outlook). He was discharged on 9 Jul 1919 at Ripon.

The family, with Herbert, Ada, John and Olive were still in Plymouth in 1921.

Olive Joy Tubb married Richard Donald Broad (b. 2 Feb 1896 in Liskard), son of William Nanscowan Broad and Louise Daniel, in Plymouth, in 1922.
Richard Donald Broad had enlisted in the brand new Royal Air Force (RAF) on 20 Apr 1918 and applied for a Temporary Commission. In Aug/Sep of that year he is listed at RAF & Army Co-Op School as 'Pilot for training'. In Nov 1918 he was assigned to 116 Squadron.
John Bartlett Tubb married Kathleen Margaret Coomb (b. 30 Sep 1896 in Truro, Cornwall), daughter of Arthur Bate Coomb (an Elementary teacher, born in Victoria, Australia) and Lucy Bennett, in Plymouth, in 1925.

Ada H Tubb died, aged 62, in Plymouth in 1932.

In 1939, Herbert Joy Tubb, Agricultural Engineer (Retired), widower, was living in the household of his son-in-law, Richard Donald Broad, Poultry, Pig and Fruit Farmer; daughter, Olive Joy Broad and grandson, David Broad (b. 12 May 1928), at Broadlands, Lifton, Tavistock, Devon. 
Also living at Broadlands, Lifton, in 1939, in the next household was William John Rundle (b. 7 Jun 1909), Agricultural Labourer and his wife. Presumably, Rundle was working for Richard Broad. If this William John Rundle is related to the Rundle clan from Luxulyan, Cornwall - not entirely unlikely given the proximity - then, in another of those monkey puzzle tree branches of my family tree that have ceased to surprise, we could have someone distantly related to my father's mother, working for someone distantly related to my mother's father. God forbid that they could actually be related to each other! 
Meanwhile, John B Tubb, Marine Engine Fitter and Kathleen M Tubb were living at 3 Goldington Avenue, Bedford in 1939.

Herbert Joy Tubb of Broadlands, Lifton, Devon died, aged 74, on 28 May 1940, leaving effects of £1052 3s 11d (circa. £63K in 2022) to Olive Joy Broad, wife of Richard Donald Broad. There was an obituary in the Western Morning News of 30 May 1940 [yet to access].

  • Olive Joy Broad died, in 1971, in Sodbury, Gloucestershire.
  • Richard Donald Broad died, in 1983, in Tavistock, Devon.
  • Kathleen Margaret Tubb died on 17 Mar 1988 in Plymouth.
  • John Bartlett Tubb died, in 1985, in Liskeard, Cornwall.
  • David Broad died, in 2005, also in Liskeard, Cornwall.

Friday 29 January 2021

Herbert William Proudlock and Dorothy May Shilcock

Paddington Station
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Malc McDonald - geograph.org.uk/p/5120568

Herbert William Proudlock and Dorothy May Shilcock married, in Portsmouth, in 1922. Herbert William Proudlock's birth was registered in Paddington, London, in 1896. There's no mother's maiden name on the registration, so we must assume that his was an illegitimate birth. But, similarly, it hasn't been possible, without the certificate, to even identify his mother. 

There's no obvious Miss Proudlock born or living locally, so he may well have been found on said station and have had a penchant for marmalade.

In 1911, H W Proudlock (14) from Paddington, London, turns up in the household of a F W Rackley (38) General Labourer, at Westborough Road, Maidenhead, Bisham Bray, Berkshire, described as a Foster Son, but employed as a Page Boy. Not surprising then that he goes to sea. Herbert William Proudlock (b. 30 Apr 1896) enlisted in the Royal Navy, aged 15, on 9 Feb 1912. On his naval record, his previous occupation, "House Boy" was later crossed out and expressed as Domestic Servant. On 30 Apr 1914, his 18th birthday, he signed up for a further 12 years and spent the First World War doing short tours on a wide variety of ships. On 29 Apr 1936, Herbert was Pensioned. Then on 1 Apr 1938, was brought back into service again, served through World War II, being finally released on 17 Sep 1945.

Dorothy May Shilcock, meanwhile, was the daughter of Alfred Eli Shilcock and Florence Ada Poat, who married at St Mary's Church, Portsea, on 6 Nov 1902. Dorothy May Shilcock, born 2 Oct 1901, was baptised on 27 Sep 1908 at St Bartholomew's Church, Southsea (no longer standing?), along with her sister Rosa Louisa and brother Alfred Eli, who had been born on 10 Aug 1908. In 1911, the family, living at 3 Addison Road Southsea, Portsmouth, consisted Alfred Shilcock (38) Engine Fitter, Florence (31), Dorothy (9), Rosa (7), Doris (5), Alfred (2) and Ernest (0). (Although they listed the boys first.)

Herbert and Dorothy had three sons:
  1. Frederick William Eli Proudlock b. 5 Nov 1923
  2. Stanley Victor Proudlock b. 25 Dec 1928
  3. (Further son born 1934 may be still living)
In 1939, Dorothy M Proudlock was living at 75 Lovett Road, Portsmouth with her three sons, while her husband was at sea. Frederick had become a Shop Assistant at a Pawnbroker. (Frederick died, in Portsmouth, in 1997).

Herbert William Proudlock of 34 St. Chad's Avenue, North End, Portsmouth, died on 19 Feb 1970. Dorothy May Proudlock died on 20 Jul 1974.

Cornelius Walter Jones


Cornelius Walter Jones, born 2 Jan 1893 in Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland, eldest son of David Jones and his second wife, Laura Elizabeth White, was my grandmother's elder brother. We've never been able to find his military record, but know he enlisted in the Army and served during World War I. His first cousin's husband, who was in Queenstown with the US Navy, kept a detailed diary and had written that Cornelius (Con) was leaving for Egypt in 1917

The image above, which I admit I downloaded some years ago (the page no longer exists) [1], is dated 10.11.1917 EGYPT. The taller man (that makes perfect sense too as his grandfather, Thomas Jones, had been 5' 9½", which was tall for his time), second from right, back row, is so much like my father it's literally like looking straight into his eyes. His stance, his eyes, ears, nose, mouth, brow line and, above all, hair, are all identical. It's so close a resemblance that it's eerie and uncanny and, unless someone can prove otherwise, I feel sure this has to be my great-uncle, Cornelius Jones.

Though our cousin had thought that Con didn't return from the war, I now know he did, probably suffering shell-shock, for which one of his younger siblings described him as "daft" - such was the lack of understanding. 

Not expecting to find him there in Ireland, we were quite shocked when we read the listing of his burial at the Old Church Cemetery (Cobh)

Cornelius Jones, late of Rushbrooke, Cork, died on 21 Apr 1926 at the Cork District Hospital (now St. Finbarr's Hospital, with its origins in the Cork Union Workhouse and Infirmary). He was a bachelor, previously employed as a labourer. The record says 30, but he was 33 and died from Pneumonic Phthisis (tuberculosis, also known as consumption), after 8 months in hospital. The informant was Helena Lynch, "Inmate" Cork Union. 

Cornelius Walter Jones was buried on 24 Apr 1926, in the family plot at Old Church Cemetery (Cobh), along with his mother, who had died in 1917.

[1] The file name of the image above, b4croad3 matches the file name of the now defunct page at the former Royal Munster Fusiliers website at http://royalmunsterfusiliers.net/b4croad3.htm (also mentioned here) appertaining to a Private Frederick R Croad, 2nd R. Munster Fus, who I believe is also in the image. We have no record of what unit Cornelius joined or when, however, two Extra Reserve Battalions of the Royal Munster Fusiliers were mobilised at Queenstown (Cobh). The 6th (Service) Battalion certainly sailed on 9 Sep 1917 from Salonika for Alexandria in Egypt.

Tuesday 26 January 2021

Anthony Charles Mullarkey and Mabel Sarah E Manley

Central Terrace
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger W Haworth - geograph.org.uk/p/333311
Central Terrace: built as Police Quarters for those guarding the depot at Chattenden

Anthony Charles Mullarkey (b. 12 Jan 1893), son of Anthony Joseph Mullarkey and Maria Gloyne, married Mabel Sarah Elizabeth Manley (b. 16 Jan 1904), daughter of William Manley and Jessie Hammacott, in Devonport, in 1926. They had one child, Barbara May Mullarkey, born in 1929.

Anthony Charles Mullarkey had joined the Royal Marines as a Bugler at around 14½ on 18 Sep 1907, becoming a Private when he turned 18 in 1911. On 22 May 1913, he was assigned to HMS Centurion (1911), with which he stayed until 10 May 1919, which means, that on 31 May - 1 Jun 1916, Anthony also took part in the Battle of Jutland, as had his elder brother, John Martin Mullarkey. (As did his future father-in-law, William Manley.)

Anthony left the Royal Marines on 11 Jan 1932. However, in 1939, Anthony Charles Mullarkey, Royal Marine Police and wife - listed as Mabel on official forms, but on Anthony's service record as Sarah, so was presumably known by her second name in the family - were living at No 3 Central Terrace, Chattenden, Upper Upnor, Kent. Central Terrace was built as Police Quarters for those guarding the depot at Chattenden.

Barbara May Mullarkey (1929-2008) married Ronald Stephen Lyons (1927-2014), in Chatham, in 1947 and had three children between 1947 and 1952. 

Anthony Charles Mullarkey, his service record shows, was discharged dead from the Royal Marines Police on 23 Jan 1968. He will have been 75, so I assume he was still engaged as something like a watchman. His Royal Marines and Royal Marines Police service put together add up to a total of 61 years. This surely has to be some sort of record? He is buried at Hoo St Werburgh.

Mabel Sarah Elizabeth Mullarkey of The Elms, 77 Main Road, Hoo, Kent (Residential Home), died on 27 Nov 1990, aged 86. 

The Parish Church of St Werburgh, Hoo
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ifor R Griffiths - geograph.org.uk/p/267759

Charles Ridgeway and Ivy Edna Evans

Fort Regent, Saint Helier, Jersey

Charles Ridgeway (b. 1884), son of Thomas Ridgway and Ann Tooze, married Ivy Edna Evans (b. 5 Jan 1905), in Tiverton, in 1936. The bridegroom was 52 at the time of their marriage, while the bride was 21 years his junior at 31. Nevertheless, this does seem to be Charles' first marriage. Unable to find Ivy's birth record, I cannot discount that she could have been married before.

On 29 May 1901, Charles Ridgeway, previously a labourer from Uplowman, Devon, had enlisted in the British Army. His age of 18 and 3 months on enlistment, would give a birth year of 1883, so it appears that he added a year to his age to sign up. Certainly not the first or last to do so, and if there were any additional urgency or motivation for doing this, it might have been because the Second Boer War was then in progress. Charles later, was at Fort RegentSaint Helier, Jersey and there transferred to the Royal Tank Corps, having previously been attached to the 3rd Hussars

He was discharged, after 21 years service, on 28 May 1922, at the termination of his period of engagement (Para 392 (xxi) KR), having served right through World War I. His address on discharge was 104, Barrington Street, Tiverton, which was his sister, Bessie Ann Quick's address. 

At some point, Charles had been wounded, which I believe is why he was awarded a pension at a rate of 31½d for life from 29 May 1922. (That's 18s 4½d per week, when 20 shillings = £1 in 1922 is worth £58.29 today.)

In 1939, Charles Ridgeway, Groom, was living at 5 Radcliffe Cottages, St Thomas, Devon. His date of birth on the 1939 Register is given as 24 Feb 1884. This was the date he was baptised, so either he was baptised on the very day he was born, or the actual date of his birth is lost in time. Living with him is his wife, Ivy E Ridgeway. There are then two closed entries, so it's possible that they had children (who may well still be alive).

Charles Ridgeway died at the beginning of 1955, aged 70, in Tiverton.

Ivy Edna Ridgeway died, in Exeter, in 1975, also aged 70.

Monday 25 January 2021

William Ebenezer Eastabrook and Mary Connolly

Victorian villa, Marionville Road
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © kim traynor - geograph.org.uk/p/1606980
The house stands in the grounds of St. Ninian's and Triduana R.C. Church.

William Ebenezer Eastabrook, second son of Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook and Eliza Back married Mary Connolly, in 1909. Listed in Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Marriages in Edinburgh, Restalrig, Midlothian, this is likely to have taken place at Ss Ninian & Triduana R C Church

William and Mary Eastabrook had four children:
  1. Mary Magdalen Eastabrook b. 1910 J Q in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 771
  2. Eliza Winifred May Eastabrook b. 1911 J Q in MEDWAY Vol 02A 782
  3. William Ebenezer Eastabrook b. 13 Jan 1913 in MEDWAY Vol 02A 1452
  4. Thomas James Eastabrook b. 1917 J Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 1178. Died 25 Jun 1917 J Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 999 and is buried at Grange Road Cemetery, Gillingham.
In 1911, William Eastabrook (29) Plumber Royal Navy, was living in Gillingham, Kent, with Mary Eastabrook (25) from Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, and Mary Eastabrook (0), born in Gillingham, Kent. 

(The only birth of a Mary Connoly (sic) - other records use Conley and even Connoloy - is in 1882 D Quarter in BERWICK Volume 10B Page 374, which does compute with age given at death, with mother's maiden name of MORAN. Although, I haven't [yet] found a corresponding family.)

William Ebenezer Eastabrook, born 28 Mar 1882, from Devonport, Devon, naval record shows that he enlisted in the Royal Navy on 20 Nov 1906, as a Plumber and served for 22 years, until 19 Nov 1928. Although there has to be an earlier record, as he was already with the Royal Navy At Sea and in Ports Abroad, Ships and Overseas Establishments, at 18, at the time of the Census of 1901. Notably during his career, he was assigned to HMS Falmouth (1910) from 23 May 1914 and from 24 Feb 1915 to 26 Aug 1916. HMS Falmouth was heavily engaged during the Battle of Jutland on 31 May - 1 Jun 1916, survived that, but sank off Flamborough Head, after being damaged during the Action of 19 August 1916. William was then assigned to HMS Pembroke (Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham) on 27 Aug 1916.

In 1921, William Eastabrook (40) Plumber Royal Navy was living at 19 Christmas Place, Gillingham, Kent with Mary Eastabrook (37), Mary Eastabrook (11), Winnie Eastabrook (10), William Eastabrook (8), Sarah McCrudden (15) Boarder and Bernard Marren (2) 'Nursing Child'.

However, Mary Eastabrook died, at 40, on 27 Mar 1923 M Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 902 and was buried, curiously, as Mary Ann Eastabrook, on 31 Mar 1923 at Grange Road Cemetery, Gillingham. 

William E Eastabrook remarried in 1933 to a May Cheeseman. They had a daughter, Rita Nancy Eastabrook, born in 1933, with the mother's maiden name of Yalden. Born May Yalden in 1893 in Medway, as Mary Yalden, she had married Henry Cheeseman in 1915. May had five children, born between 1913 and 1927, from her first marriage. Henry Cheeseman, born 1880, had died on 31 Dec 1930 and was buried at Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham.

In 1939, William E Eastabrook and May Eastabrook were living at 147 Railway St, Gillingham.

William Ebenezer Eastabrook died, aged 78, on 15 Jul 1960 and is buried at Grange Road Cemetery, Gillingham

May Eastabrook, born 28 Jun 1893, died, also aged 78, on 29 Sep 1971. She is buried at Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham.
  1. Mary Magdalen Eastabrook married Henry J Cox, in Medway, in 1929. Mary Magdalen Cox died in Q1/1986 in CHILTERN AND BEACONSFIELD (3252) Volume 19 Page 1374.
  2. Eliza Winifred May Eastabrook, listed as Winnie, living with the family in 1921. Winifred Easterbrook (40) sailed to New York from Southampton on the Queen Elizabeth on 15 Jun 1951. Winifred Eastabrook, born 11 May 1911, died at 84, in 1995 in Sutton, Surrey.
  3. In 1928, William Ebenezer Eastabrook, born 13 Jan 1913, from Gillingham Kent, was a Greenwich School Boy (Royal Naval College, Greenwich). He transferred to the Royal Navy on 1 Jan 1929 and signed up for another 12 years from 13 Jan 1931, advancing to Yeo Sigs (Yeoman of signals), being re-instated in 1943 and again in 1944. William E Eastabrook married, in 1946, in the New Forest, Hampshire. In late 1946 and 1947, as William Ernest Eastabroook, with 17 years experience at sea with the Royal Navy, he was QM (Quartermaster) on the RMS Queen Elizabeth luxury liner service between Southampton in the United Kingdom and New York City in the United States. Also listed as William Ernest Eastabrook, but birth date of 13 Jan 1913 agrees, he died, aged 62, in Southampton, Hampshire in 1975.

Saturday 23 January 2021

William Manley and Jessie Hammacott

Mary Street, Bovey Tracey
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Smith - geograph.org.uk/p/6543679

William Manley married Jessie Hammacott, in Devonport in the 3rd quarter of 1900. William Manley (b. 29 Nov 1869) in Bovey Tracey, Devon, lived in Mary Street, Bovey Tracey with his parents, Joseph Manley and Elizabeth Taylor Williams. Jessie Hammacott (b. 1872) meanwhile, was the daughter of John Hammacott and Sarah Trebble, and hailed from Chudleigh.

In 1891, William (21) was employed as a Blacksmith. William Manley joined the Royal Navy on 22 Aug 1891 and he and Jessie married just before William joined HMS Phaeton on which he served from Oct 1900 to 28 Apr 1903: Phaeton was re-commissioned at Esquimalt (Canada) on 10 October 1900 by Captain Ernest James Fleet, to serve on the Pacific Station. In July 1902 she visited Acapulco, and most of the Autumn of that year she was at Panama. She paid off on 28 April 1903. This commission was the subject of a book in the 'Log' series, entitled: HMS Phaeton, Pacific Station, 1900–1903.

William and Jessie had six children:
  1. William Henry Manley b. 13 Sep 1897
  2. Lilian May Manley b. 2 Mar 1899
  3. Mabel Sarah Elizabeth Manley b. 16 Jan 1904
  4. Sidney Manley b. 1910 
  5. Ronald Manley b. 23 Apr 1912
  6. Dorothy Manley b. 1914 (died 1916, aged 1)
In 1901, Jessie Manley (28) Wife of an armourer was living with their two oldest children at 28, Victory Street, East Devonport.

In 1911, William Manley (41) Chief Armourer Royal Navy and is living with wife, Jessie (38) and children, William Henry (13), Lilian May (12), Mabel Sarah (7), Sidney (0) and William's widowed mother, Elizabeth Manley (72), at 67 Renown Street, East Devonport.

On 28 Nov 1912, William Manley was assigned to HMS Conqueror and stayed with her through to 6 Mar 1919, which means that on 31 May - 1 Jun 1916, William Manley took part in the Battle of Jutland.

In 1921, William Manley (51) Chief Armourer Royal Navy, was living at 4, Garden Estate, St Budeaux, Devonport with Jessie Manley (49), Elizabeth Manley (82) Mother; William H Manley (23) Building & Repairing Ships For H M Navy; Lilian M Burrows (22), Mabel S Manley (17) Shop Assistant; Sidney Manley (9), Ronald Manley (8), Cyril Burrows (22) Building & Repairing Ships For H M Navy, Son-in-Law and Cyril M Burrows (2 months) Grandson.

William Manley retired from the Royal Navy on 17 Jun 1922.

Jessie Manley died in the 2nd quarter of 1926, aged 54.

William Manley died in 1947, aged 77.

  • William Henry Manley married Rose Evelyn Georgina Ide (b. 2 Jan 1897) at St Mark's church, Ford, Plymouth, on 20 Apr 1922. In 1939, William and Rose were living at 4 Stirling Rd, St Budeaux, Plymouth. William Henry Manley died in 1990, at 93. Rose Evelyn Georgina Manley died on 19 Oct 1993, at 96.
  • Ronald Manley married Lilian Annie Richards at The Anglican Church of Saint Boniface on 5 Oct 1935. In 1939, Ronald Manley, Fitter's Labourer Dockyard and wife Lilian were living at 16 Warleigh Avenue, Plymouth, along with Lilian's sister, Vera, Shorthand Typist RN Barracks. Assume they divorced, as Lilian A Manley married Henry R Adams in 1946. Ronald Manley died in 1973. Lilian Annie Adams died on 13 Sep 2012, at 97.

Thursday 21 January 2021

William George Shotter and Annie Louisa Mew

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

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

William and Annie had four sons:

  1. William George Shotter b. 11 May 1899 in PORTSEA Vol 02B 459
  2. Sydney Edgar Shotter b. 18 Jun 1901 in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B 490
  3. Alfred Hector Shotter b. 11 Mar 1903 in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B 485
  4. Thomas Bailey Shotter b. 2 Sep 1904 in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B 465
In 1901, at 215, Lake Road, Portsmouth, were William George Shotter (25) Butcher shopkeeper and Annie Louisa Shotter (24), William George Shotter (2) and George Shotter (17) Butcher's assistant, William George's brother.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Their sons and grandson:

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

Wednesday 20 January 2021

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.

Robert Thomas Bridle and Mary Jane Strange

Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium
WernervcCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Robert Thomas Bridle (b. 8 Sep 1892), son of Edwin Symons Bridle and Lucy Lindsey, married Mary Jane Strange (b. 1890 in Cholsey, Berkshire), daughter of William James Strange and Mary Jane Freeman, in Wandsworth, in 1915. 

They had one daughter:
  1. Lucy Mary Bridle b. 1 Nov 1915 D Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 1116
On 11 Dec 1915, R T Bridle (24) of 17, Caistor Rd, Balham, enlisted in the East Kent Regiment. However, on 17 Oct 1917, Robert Thomas Bridle (26), 36th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, husband of M. J. Bridle, of 17, Caistor Rd., Balham, London, died of wounds, no doubt sustained during The Third Battle of Ypres (Battle of Passchendaele). Private Robert Thomas Bridle is buried in grave ref XI. I. 18. at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.

In 1921, Mary Jane Bridle (30) Widow was living at 19, Caistor Road, Balham with her daughter, Lucy Mary Bridle (5).

In the 4th quarter of 1925, Mary Jane Bridle remarried to Thomas Hartland (b. 1888), son of Joseph Hartland and Fanny Silke Stone, again in Wandsworth. 

They also had one daughter:
  1. Ruby Eileen Hartland b. 1926 D Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 927
In 1939, Thomas and Mary Jane Hartland were living at 16 Chetwode Road, Upper Tooting, Wandsworth

Thomas Hartland died, in Wandsworth, in 1951. Mary Jane, in 1979.

  • In 1938, Lucy Mary Bridle married Leslie Charles Cogger (b. 6 July 1913 in Wandsworth). In 1939, Leslie C Cogger, Shop Assistant Tailoring and Lucy M Cogger, Tailor's Machinist, were living at 54 Templecombe Way, Merton, Surrey. Lucy Mary Cogger died in 1989 and Leslie Charles Cogger, in Merton, in 1990.
  • In 1953, Ruby Eileen Hartland married George Percy Bailey (b. 1926 in St Pancras). George Percy Bailey died in 2015 and Ruby Eileen Bailey in 2016, both in Southampton, Hampshire.

Tuesday 19 January 2021

William C J Truscott and Beatrice Gwendolen Kerslake

Beatrice Avenue, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/1776659

Beatrice Gwendolen Kerslake (b. 1909), daughter of Lewis William Kerslake and Beatrice Hoare, married William Clarence James Truscott, son of Willie James Truscott and Eleanor Hilda Warren, in St Thomas, Exeter, in 1933. Whilst neither are blood relations, having discovered that Beatrice lost her mother at the age of two and knowing the tragic circumstances of her half-brother's death (who was my cousin), I couldn't help wondering, what happened to Lewis William Kerslake's daughter from his first marriage. 

William Clarence James Truscott (b. 24 Dec 1909, bap. 10 May 1910, at St Mark's, Ford, Plymouth), parents had married, on 11 Mar 1909, at The Anglican Church of Saint James the GreatDevonport, Plymouth. Their marriage certificate details that Willie James Truscott, Shipwright RN, was the son of James Robert Truscott, a fitter at the RN Dockyard, whilst Eleanor was the daughter of William Henry Warren, Pensioner RN.

Willie James Truscott (b. 7 Jul 1883) enlisted in the Royal Navy on 11 Jul 1899, just after his 16th birthday. He was assigned to HMS Thunderer on 15 Jun 1912 - the day she was commissioned - and remained with this ship until 24 Jan 1921, which means, of course, that on 31 May - 1 Jun 1916, Willie James Truscott, Shipwright 1st Class, took part in the Battle of Jutland.

From 25 Jan 1921 to 28 Feb 1922 Willie James Truscott was assigned to HMS Colleen depot ship at Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland - at the same time my grandfather was at this same establishment. Small world. Again. Although, even if they met, they'll have had no idea of a family connection in the future.

Willie James Truscott retired from the Navy on 6 Jul 1923.

There was a strong naval tradition in this family: at the time of the marriage of Eleanor Hilda Warren's parents, William Henry Warren (b. 29 Jun 1857 in Maker, Cornwall) and Jane Ann Pearce, in Stoke Damerel on 8 Nov 1882, the groom was listed as Seaman, HMS Agincourt (1865) - which allowed me to find his naval record from a Boy on 1 Jan 1873 through until 30 Jun 1895). It also lists the bridegroom's father as a Pensioner (unlikely to be anything other than military at that time) and the bride's father, Charles Pearce, as a Seaman.

Could these even be related to Admiral William Truscott (1734 - 1798)?

In 1939, Beatrice G Truscott was living at 91 Bonhay Road, Exeter, with the couple's two children (still living), while her husband, William C J Truscott was lodging with his uncle and aunt, Alfred C and Phyllis Warren (his mother's younger brother) at 95 Beatrice Avenue, Plymouth. William Clarence James had followed in his uncle's and grandfather's footsteps as an engine fitter.

Beatrice Gwendoline Truscott died in 1974, in Plymouth, aged 65.

William Clarence J Truscott died, also in Plymouth, in 1981, aged 71.

Sunday 17 January 2021

Walter James Baker and Laura Alice Stone

Combe Florey: village street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/56115

Laura Alice StoneFrederick James Stone and Loveday Jane Land's eighth child, married Walter James Baker, in Tiverton, in 1923 and went to live in Combe Florey, Somerset, where Walter had been born and brought up.

Walter James Baker (b. 27 Feb 1898) was son of Andrew Baker (b. 1865) and Elizabeth Annie Coles (m. 1892 in Combe Florey). In 1901, Andrew Baker (36), Stockman on Farm, wife Elizabeth A (35), son George A (8), Mary L (6) and Walter J (3) lived at Yard Wood Cottage, Village Street, Combe Florey. 

By 1911, Walter James Baker (13), still living at home in Combe Florey, was a "Labourer in garden domestic". Then on 1 Nov 1915, aged 17, Walter enlisted in the Royal Marines and served until 6 Jan 1920. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 8 Jan 1920, from which he was discharged on 7 Jan 1925.

Walter and Laura had two children: 
  1. Irene Venetta Baker (later Phelps) born 1 Jan 1925
  2. Dennis Christopher Baker born 21 Dec 1925
In 1939, still living in Combe Florey, with wife Laura A and children Irene V and Dennis C, Walter was employed as a Civilian "Orderly At Military Camp".

Walter J Baker died in Taunton district, in 1965, aged 67.

Laura Alice Baker died five years later in 1970.

Monday 11 January 2021

Thomas Samuel Eastabrook and Esther Kathleen Drake

St Mary's (Our Lady Star of the Sea), Saltcoats
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Leslie Barrie - geograph.org.uk/p/3379097

Thomas Samuel Eastabrook (b. 19 Feb 1880 in Devonport), eldest son of Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook and Eliza Back, married Esther Kathleen Drake (b. 1887), daughter of Edward Charles Drake and Emma Jane Gloyne, in the 2nd quarter of 1906 in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales. (Thomas Samuel Eastabrook's mother, Eliza Back, was the daughter of Thomas Back and Mary Drake, who married in East Stonehouse, Devon in 1852, so undoubtedly we've just gone around in yet another circle.)

Thomas and Esther had four children:
  1. Ellen Kathleen Eastabrook b. 5 Jul 1906 S Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 351, bap. 29 Jul 1906 at St John the Evangelist Church, Canton, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales
  2. Ronald Edmund Thomas Eastabrook b. 1908 M Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 389
  3. Minnie Esther Eastabrook said to be born b. 26 May 1909, reg. 1910 S Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 371
  4. Richard Ernest Eastabrook b. 1911 D Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 748. Died 24 Nov 1941, see below.
In 1911, Esther Eastabrook (23) Married, was living at 124 Toronto Road, Portsmouth with daughter, Ellen Eastabrook (4) born in Roath Cardiff, Glamorganshire; Ronald Eastabrook (3) born in Brixton, London and Minnie Eastabrook (0) born in Buckland, Portsmouth. Thomas had previously been attached to HMS Victory II, a land based training establishment for stokers and engine artificers, based in Portsmouth, until January that year, however, at the time of the census in 1911, Thomas Samuel Eastabrook (31) was with HMS Speedwell (1889) in Sidmouth, Devon.

Having joined the Royal Navy on 23 Oct 1899, Thomas Samuel Eastabrook was lent to the Australian Government in 1912 and served with the Royal Australian Navy. Stoker Thomas Samuel Eastabrook of HMAS Brisbane (1915), was accidentally killed, aged 37, on 24 Feb 1917, it says from multiple injuries as the result of a fall. Thomas is buried in Plot C Grave 341 Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta (Kalkara Naval Cemetery) (Image courtesy of MilitaryImages.net). He is also commemorated on the Australian War Memorial, Campbell, Canberra.

Esther K Eastabrook then married William Lynch, in the 4th quarter of 1917, in Plymouth, Devon. 

Esther had one son with her 2nd husband:
  1. Hugh Lynch, b. 1917 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 337 (Mother's maiden name, wrongly, listed as EASTABROOK.)
William Henry Lynch was said to have died around 1926.

Esther Kathleen Drake Eastabrook Lynch, however, married for the third time to Alfred William Gullick in 1928, in Saltcoats, Ayrshire. She's listed as Esther Kathleen Drake Easterbrook under Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Marriages - from which this marriage likely took place at St Mary's (Our Lady Star of the Sea)Saltcoats. At Scotland's People (Ref: 576 / 1 / 32), this marriage is listed as being between Alfred William Gullick and Esther Kathleen Lynch.

Alfred William Gullick (b. 4 Jun 1882 in Stonehouse, Devon, reg. 1883 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 288, bap. 1883 as Alfridus Gulielmus Gullick at the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of Saint Mary and Saint Boniface, Plymouth), was the son of William Gullick, Private Royal Marines from Thrushelton, Devon and Hannah or Anna Maria Murphy from Ireland. Alfred William Gullick joined the Royal Navy in July 1899 as a Boy 2nd Class. He served until 1920 and, as was Esther's first husband, was lent to the Royal Australian Navy, in 1913, serving with HMAS Sydney (1912)HMAS Australia (1911)HMAS Melbourne (1912) and at HMAS Cerberus, before returning to HMA London Depot.

Esther's son by her first husband, Richard Ernest Eastabrook, Dick, was lost with the sinking of HMS Dunedin (HMS Dunedin Society), on Thu 24th Nov 1941. Plumber 3rd Class, Richard Ernest Eastabrook is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 56, Column 3. 

Alfred William Gullick died, at 74, in 1957, in Saltcoats. Esther Kathleen Gullick died, aged 88, in 1975, also in Saltcoats. Ref: 662 /1 95. If there was any doubt, her mother's maiden name is listed as Gloyne.

Sunday 10 January 2021

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.

Wednesday 6 January 2021

Walter Ward and Harriet Mary Penfold

Chiswick High Road
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/6619235

Harriet Mary Penfold Tubb, as she was registered upon her birth in 1884, daughter of Frederick William Penfold and Harriet Mary Tubb, it is reported, "...  did not go to Canada [as her siblings did] as she was 15 years old and had gone into service." And indeed, in 1901, we find Harriet M Penfold (16), as a General domestic servant in the employ of Joseph Wain (41) Draper and shopkeeper at 288, High Road, Chiswick, Middlesex. (Harriet's late paternal grandmother, Mary Ann Charlotte Gunn, was originally from Chiswick, so perhaps this had some bearing on the location?)

In 1903, we find Harriet in Hackney, for the birth of her first child. Then in the first quarter of 1906, Harriet, apparently known as Hetty, married Walter Ward, in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. Unfortunately, it's been impossible to locate Walter on previous census returns, to be able to pinpoint where they coincided. We have to take it on trust that Gladys Grace is Walter's daughter, as she's later listed with the surname Ward, but there is no guarantee of this.

Walter and Harriet had at least seven children:
  1. Gladys Grace Penfold b. 1903 S Qtr in HACKNEY Vol 01B Page 539
  2. Walter Ernest Ward b. 1907 M Qtr in BRIDGEND Vol 11A Page 903
  3. William George Ward b. 1908 J Qtr in BRIDGEND Vol 11A Page 945
  4. Herbert Edward Ward b. 1910 J Qtr in BELPER Vol 07B Page 732
  5. Frederick John Ward b. 1912 M Qtr in BELPER Vol 07B Page 1346
  6. Alma Mary Ward b. 1914 M Qtr in ASHBY DE LA ZOUCH Vol 07A 159, died age 6 in 1920 S Qtr in ASHBY DE LA ZOUCH Vol 07A  Page 91 and buried on 17 Aug 1920 in Blackfordby, Leicestershire
  7. Mabel Joy Ward b. 10 Dec 1919 in ASHBY DE LA ZOUCH Vol 07A 162
Walter Ward, 32 in 1914, will have been of an age to have served during World War I and although it would be difficult to isolate his service record, I think the evidence for this is the gap in children between 1914 and 1919. 

In 1911, at 24 Sleetmoor Lane, Somercotes, Derbyshire, were Walter Ward (29) 'Night repairer under ground', born in Costock, Nottinghamshire (a birth registered in Loughborough, in 1882, may relate); Harriet Mary (26) born in Chelsea; William Ward (34) 'Coal contractor under ground', Brother, born in Clay Cross, Derbyshire; Gladys Grace Ward (7), Walter Ernest Ward (4) born Nantymoel, Wales, William George Ward (3), born Caerau, Bridgend and Herbert Edward Ward (1) born Swanwick, Derbyshire.

So far, I've been unable to identify further records for this family, except Mabel Joy, who married Douglas A Clayton in Mansfield, Nottingham in 1939 and reportedly died, in Guelph, Wellington South, Ontario, Canada, in 1998.