Tom Stone and Margaret Knapman

Royal Marines' Stonehouse Barracks, Durnford Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth

Tom Stone (b. 11 Dec 1861 in Ashbrittle, Somerset), son of Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway, married and Margaret Knapman (b. 28 Aug 1863 at Mary Rows (Mary Rose?) Cottage, St Budeaux Devon), daughter of Thomas Knapman and Kitty Hern. There's a record of their marriage, in Q1 1889, however, the British Royal Marines Marriage Registers, lists it as the Register Office, East Stonehouse on 5 Apr 1893. As there was no such thing as a Register Office (until after 1929), I assume this was an administrative ratification, once permission was granted, of the ceremony that had taken place in 1889, although there are civil registrations for both dates.

Peter Calver at Lost Cousins, potentially provided the explanation, as these rules would almost certainly apply to Marines too, "... soldiers needed the permission of their commanding officer if they wanted the marriage to be recognised (which is why you will sometimes come across a couple who married each other twice)." Either date was a little late and, in the haste to legitimise their eldest, may have forgotten to ask permission of the CO. 

On 11 Mar 1880, Tom Stone, then 18, enlisted in the Royal Marines, at that time was 5' 6¾", with a fair complexion, dark brown hair and hazel eyes. His record states, "Right little finger amputated through second phalanx." As well as various stints at Plymouth Division, from 1881 to 1884 Tom was with HMS Mallard (1875), a Forester-class composite screw gunboat; from 3 Oct 1889 until 3 Jan 1893, he was assigned to HMS Himalaya (1854). 

In 1881, Tom Stone (19) Private RMLI was in Devonport, Stoke Damerel; There were a Thomas and Catherine Knapman in Tamerton-Foliott in 1881, who I believe to have been Margaret's parents. (Catherine was from Waterford, Ireland.); and Margaret Knapman (16) was a General Domestic Servant to Henry Couch (58) Farmer at Hays End, Tamerton-Foliott.

Tom and Margaret had six children:

1. Archer Henry Stone (Archie), b. 28 Mar 1889 (1889 J Quarter in PLYMPTON ST MARY Volume 05B Page 223), bap. 21 May 1889, at the Wesleyan Methodist church, Tamerton Foliot. Died, at 18, on 11 Nov 1907, in Gillingham, Kent (1907 D Quarter in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 393). Commemorated in Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney, Australia.
2. Frederick Thomas Stone, b. 20 Jan 1892 (1892 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 297)
3. Beatrice May Stone, b. 14 Mar 1894 (1894 J Quarter in PLYMPTON ST MARY Volume 05B Page 189), bap. 27 May 1894 in Hooe, Plymouth
4. Bertram Charles Stone, b. 24 Feb 1899 (1899 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 273) Died 16 Jun 1899 (1899 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 211)
5. Leslie Victor Stone, b. 21 Feb 1901 (1901 J Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 273)
6. Rosina Kathleen Stone, b. 14 Apr 1903 (1903 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 238)

In 1891, Margaret Stone (25) and Archer H Stone (2) had been staying with her sister, Lucy Hoskins (23) in Star Lane, Tamerton Foliott.

In 1901 the family were living at 9, St Paul Street, East Stonehouse, with Tom Stone (39) listed as a Marine Pensioner. (Tom served in the Royal Marines for 21 years (+ 2 days), from 11 Mar 1880 until 13 Mar 1901, transferring to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 3 Jul 1901.) Also listed were Margaret (35), Archie (12), Frederick (9), Beatrice (7) and Leslie (0).

Archer Henry Stone enlisted in the Royal Marines, at 14, on 11 Nov 1903.

Tom Stone, General Labourer and Marine Pensioner, died, aged 43, at 3 Ashley Place, Plymouth, on 2 May 1905 (1905 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 171), from Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

On 11 Nov 1907, Archie Stone (18) died at the Royal Naval Hospital (Medway Maritime Hospital) in Gillingham, Kent, of a Tubercle of the lung (Tuberculosis again) and cardiac failure (1907 D Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 393). Initially, it didn't make sense that there was a commemorative stone to Archer Henry Stone in Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney, Australia (albeit as Arthur H. Stone, Bugler, R.M.L.I. - his mates may not have known that Archer really was the given name he was registered and baptised with). However, this would appear to be one of many memorials to shipmates who died elsewhere. A closer look at Archer's Royal Marines record shows that in Feb/Mar 1907 Archie was with HMS Powerful (1895) that became the flagship of the Australia Station. He then transferred to HMS Prometheus (1898) and finally to HMS Pioneer, at that time a drill ship with the Australian Squadron. Archie's last line with Pioneer says he was 'on passage', which presumably means he was being brought home. 

In 1911, Margaret Stone, widowed and in receipt of Parochial Relief, was living in East Stonehouse, with Leslie V (10) and Rosina K (7). Frederick had enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1907 and Beatrice (17) was working as a Servant for Samuel Reed, Hairdresser and Tobacconist, in Devonport.

On 11 Apr 1919, aged 18, Leslie Victor Stone joined the Royal Tank Corps.

In 1921, Margaret Erne Stone (57) Widowed; Frederick Thomas Stone (29) Royal Navy (Leading Signalman) and Rosina Kathleen Stone (18) were still living at 9, St Paul Street, East Stonehouse. Leslie Victor Stone (20) was with the Army Tank Corps at Pinehurst Barracks, Farnborough, Hampshire.

Margaret Erne Stone died (Erne - misheard with a dropped H - was in reference to Hern, Margaret's mother's maiden name), on 1 Sep 1921, aged 57 (1921 S Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 324), and probate was granted to her son, Frederick Thomas Stone, on 24 Dec 1921.

Stainforth Packhorse Bridge and the River Ribble
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John S Turner - geograph.org.uk/p/433349

Leslie Victor Stone (b. 21 Feb 1901 in Devonport), son of Tom Stone and Margaret Knapman, married Lillian Daniel, in the district of Thorne, South Yorkshire, in 1939. Born Lilian Letts on 15 Jun 1903 and registered in Cardiff, she was the illegitimate daughter of Edith Emily Letts, who was then 16. 

In 1911, Lilian Letts was living with her great-grandmother, Julia Ann Founds, although listed as her grandchild, at Swan Court, Cross St, Northam, Devon. In 1921, Lilian Letts (18) Laundry Maid was living with her grandparents, Alfred and Mary Hannah Letts, in Fore Street, Northam. (Lilian's mother, Edith Emily Letts, married a Frederick George Stone (b. 25 Dec 1873 in Bideford) in 1911. He seems not to be related to the rest of my Stone family.)

Lilian Letts had first married Norman Daniel in Bideford, Devon, in Q2 of 1923 and they had one child, Joan Daniel b. 24 Sep 1923 D Quarter in BIDEFORD Volume 05B Page 656. Norman Daniel died, at 25, in 1930.

In 1939, Leslie Victor Stone, Agricultural Land Worker, Lilian Stone and Joan Daniel were living at 16, Long Grove, Stainforth, North Yorkshire.

Leslie and Lilian had 3 further children: 2 daughters in 1941 and 1943, and a son, Anthony Michael Stone b. 17 Apr 1946, who died, at just 25, in 1971. 

Leslie Victor Stone died, at 63, on 5 Jun 1964, in Fishlake, Yorkshire.

Lilian Stone died, in Doncaster, in 1984.

Resting place of Chief Petty Officer P M Clancy at Milton Cemetery, Portsmouth

Patrick Michael Clancy (b. 16 Sep 1904), son of Patrick Michael Clancy and Elizabeth Flynn, married Rosina Kathleen Stone (b. 14 Apr 1903), daughter of Tom Stone and Margaret Knapman, in Plymouth, in 1926.

In 1901, the bridegroom's father, Patrick Michael Clancy (25), Stoker, from Whitegate, County Cork, was aboard HMS Renard (1892) (an Alarm-class torpedo gunboat), in Devonport, while his wife Lizzie Clancy (27) was boarding at 14, Second Avenue, Devonport along with her two eldest children, Julia Kathleen Clancy (b. 1899) and Mary Elizabeth Clancy (b. 1901). None of the Clancy family turn up anywhere in the records of 1911. Patrick's sister, Mary Elizabeth Clancy died, at 19, in 1920 M Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B  Page 441, but there are no further clues to the rest.

In 1921, Patrick Michael Clancy (16) R N Boy was a visitor in the household of Peter Cassidy (47) from Meath, Ireland, Labourer at H M Dockyard, at 88, Pembroke Street, Devonport. (Cassidy's son, Francis Noel Cassidy, also 16, was also an R N Boy and his elder son a Leading Seaman, so he may have been staying with a shipmate's family, if no family of his own was left.)

Patrick Michael Clancy had joined the Royal Navy on 16 Mar 1920, when he was aged 15, as a Boy 2nd Class, he became an Able Seaman on his 18th birthday, 16 Sep 1922, and a Leading seaman by the time of his marriage.

Patrick and Rosina had two children:

1. Theresa Margaret Clancy b. 28 Aug 1927, in Devonport
2. Patrick Michael Clancy b. 1929, in Portsmouth

The entire family seemingly evade the 1939 Register. 

With HMS Renown from 1 Sep 1939, on 10 Mar 1944, Patrick was promoted to Chief Petty Officer and assigned to HMS Cyclops. 

Patrick Michael Clancy was invalided in June 1945 at Royal Naval Auxiliary Hospital, Southport. Patrick Michael Clancy of 50 Mayles Road, Southsea, died on 18 July 1946, aged 41, at the Infectious Deseases Hospital Portsmouth (presumably Priorsdean Infectious Diseases Hospital in Portsmouth, across Milton Road from St Mary’s Hospital). Chief Petty Officer Patrick Michael Clancy, Son of Patrick Michael and Elizabeth Clancy; husband of Rosina Kathleen Clancy, of Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, is buried in Portsmouth (Milton) Cemetery, Plot M. Row 17. Grave 55.

Then Patrick Michael Clancy, son of Mrs. R. K. Clancy, of Milton, Portsmouth, Constable in the Palestine Police Force, died, on 4 Jun 1947, aged 18. He was buried at Haifa (Sharon) British Civil Cemetery, Haifa, Israel, Plot 4. Grave 6.

Both father and son's gravestones are united by the same inscription:

 

"IN THE SHELTER OF THY SACRED HEART, DEAR JESUS, MAY HE REST".

In 1951, Rosina K Clancy remarried, in Portsmouth, to a Cyril West. 

Rosina Kathleen West died in 1979, aged 76, in her native Plymouth.

In 1951, Theresa Margaret Clancy, daughter of Patrick Michael Clancy and Rosina Kathleen Stone, married Stanley Victor Proudlock (b. 25 Dec 1928), son of Herbert William Proudlock and Dorothy May Shilcock, in Portsmouth. 

(Herbert William Proudlock and Dorothy May Shilcock had 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. 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.)

Stanley Victor Proudlock and Theresa Margaret Clancy had twin boys in 1953 and on 14 May 1954, Stanley V Proudlock (25) a Riveter of 87 Eastney Caravan Site, Portsmouth embarked in Southampton on Cunard's RMS Samaria, bound for Quebec. On 11 Jun 1954, Theresa Proudlock (26) and their two sons followed, also on RMS Samaria. They later added a daughter.

Theresa Margaret Proudlock (née Clancy), "passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at the age of 87." [Source] Stanley Victor Proudlock died on 8 May 2015. They are buried together at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Orangeville, Ontario, Canada.

Adolphe Jacques Froissant & Emma Jane Rundle Trevail

St George's Church, Hanover Square, London W1
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1533353

Adolphe Jacques Froissant (b. 8 Feb 1844 in Binas, Loir-et-Cher, France), Bachelor, Cook of Belgrave Square, London, son of Pierre Jacques Alexandre Froissant and Victoire Honorine Langer, married Emma Jane Rundle Trevail (bap. 25 Feb 1843 in Luxulyan, Cornwall), daughter of Joseph Trevail and Jane Rundle, at St George's, Hanover Square on 4 Apr 1867.

The couple had one daughter:

1. Florence Emma Froissant b. 29 Nov 1871 (Registered 1872 M Quarter in ST GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 346), bap. 21 Jul 1875 at Christ Church, Down Street, Mayfair.

In 1881, Adolphe Froissant (37) Cook (Unemployed) from France was living at 9, Worcester Street, London with Emma J Froissant (38) Wife, Lodging House Keeper from Cornwall, England; Florence E Froissant (9) Daughter born in Pimlico; Harry Keam (17) Joiner from Cornwall; Eliza Stevens (17) General servant; Henry Griffin (24) and William E Beckett (20) Lodgers.

Adolphe Jacques Froissant of 9 Worcester Street, Pimlico died, aged 47, on 26 Dec 1890 (1890 D Quarter in WINDSOR Volume 02C Page 288). Probate was granted to Emma Froissant, to whom he left an estate valued at £426.

In 1891, still at 9, Worcester Street, St George Hanover Square, London, were Emma J Froissant (48) Widow, Landlady; Florence E Froissant (19), Harry Keam (27) Joiner, Cousin; and Sarah A Day (19) Servant.

The Herts Advertiser of 22 Oct 1892 reported on, "... the temporary transfer of the licence of the Royal Oak, Windsor Street [Luton] to Mrs Emma Froissant of London. The references proving satisfactory, the application was granted." And on 8 July 1893, the Luton Reporter listed the Royal Oak transferring from Emma Froissant to Henry Mellins Ollivant.

In 1901, listed as Emily Froissant (57) Widow from Luxulyan, Cornwall, she was living at 14, Balfern Grove, Chiswick with Florence Froissant (27) Daughter and Harry Keam (37) Carpenter and Joiner. (At that same time, Emma's sister, Dahlia Orton, was living next door at 16 Balfern Grove.)

As 'Emily' Froissant, Emma Jane Rundle Froissant died, at 66, on 16 Feb 1909 (1909 J Quarter in BRENTFORD Vol 03A Page 54). Probate was granted to her brother, Charles Trevail & brother-in-law, Charles Archer.

In 1911, Florence Froissant (claiming to be 29) Actress from Belgravia, London was Boarding at 7 William St, Leamington, Warwickshire.

In the 2nd quarter of 1911, Florence E Froissant married a Henry E Wright, in Grantham, Lincolnshire. There are no clues to Henry Wright's origins.

In 1921, there was a Florence Emma Wright (52) Widowed, from Kensington, London at a Boarding House in Great Clacton, Essex, which could relate.

There was a picture of Florence Froissant on a page of "Stage Gossip" in the Leicester Chronicle of 4 Jul 1925, which carried the following item:

Chef to a King

A passion for Paris is confessed to by Miss Florence Froissant, of the "Chuckles" company. Her father was French, and was chef to King Edward VII, after holding similar high positions in Paris, where Miss Froissant was herself trained originally as a modiste. She had the nasty experience when playing once at the Coliseum, Portsmouth, of falling down eight flights of stairs, but just managed to go on and give her act. Florence tells me that among other things she has been pianist to R. G. Knowles.

Her father was certainly French and a cook/chef. Living in Belgravia and dying in Windsor, I already felt sure he must have worked for the Royal Family or closely within their circle. However, Adolphe Froissant couldn't have worked for a king who ascended the throne in 1901, when he'd already died in 1890, but I suppose it possible he did so while Edward was still Prince of Wales. 

There are newspaper reports that confirm Florence worked with R. G. Knowles at least in 1911 and was appearing at the Empire (later Coliseum), Portsmouth in 1912. As to the rest, it's impossible to confirm or deny.

Florence Froissant, using her maiden (and professional) name, appears at theatres around the UK and Ireland through until the end of the 1920s. She appears in comedy, music hall, musical theatre, vaudeville and panto. She was appearing on South Parade Pier, Southsea, in "a lavish production in seven scenes" of Cinderella, which opened on Boxing Day 1927 and featured, a snow ballet and the parade of an "electrically illuminated crystal coach drawn by midget ponies". Florence Froissant, who played the Fairy Godmother, according to Keith Prowse featured the song Charmaine (written in 1926 and published in 1927, later made popular by The Bachelors in 1963). 

It hasn't [yet] been possible to discover what happened to her next, but I suppose her death would be registered under Florence Emma Wright, of whom there have been many, so without knowing where and what age she may have been claiming to be, impossible to isolate the relevant record.