Friday, 30 May 2025

Sydney George Blazey and Nelly White

Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Southsea Common, Panels 85 to 90.

Sydney George Blazey (b. 1 July 1888 in Fulham, London), son of William Blazey and Mary Anne Clarke, married Nelly White (b. 21 Feb 1891 in Westminster, London), the daughter of John Charles White and Sarah Elizabeth Saunders, reportedly on 30 May 1915 in Southwark.

The couple's only child was:

  1. Edwin Sidney Blazey b. 14 Jan 1920 at Electric Light Station, Napier Road, Kensington (1920 M Qtr in KENSINGTON Vol 01A Page 200)

Sidney George Blazey had served with the British Army during World War I, as very shortly after he and Nelly had married, on 18 Sep 1915, Bombardier Sidney George Blazey, Royal Field Artillery, his medal card shows, had disembarked in France. (The Royal Artillery in the First World War).

In 1921, at Holland Mews, Kensington were Sidney George Blazey (32), Substation Attendant, Electricity Supply, employed by Notting Hill Electric Lighting Co Ltd; Nellie Blazey (30) and Edwin Sidney Blazey (1).

In 1939, at 9 Holland Mews, West Holland Park, Kensington And Chelsea, were Sidney G Blazey, Electricity Sub Station Attendant; Nellie Blazey and Nancy W J Adams (b. 1909), Clerk To School Governors (Lodger?).

Petty Officer Supply Edwin Sydney Blazey (known as Eddie) served in the Royal Navy on board HMS Janus, Service No. P/MX 61137.

On 22 Jan 1944, HMS Janus "Provided naval gunfire support during assault phase" [of the Battle of Anzio]. On 23 Jan 1944, she was hit by torpedo during air attack off Anzio and sank with heavy loss of life when magazine exploded. 94 survivors were rescued, but 158 of ship’s company lost their lives. Eddie Blazey, who was my 2nd cousin twice removed, was one of those who died at sea that day, aged 24. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Southsea Common, Panel 87, Column 1.

Sydney George Blazey of 29 Lymescote Gardens, Sutton, Surrey, died on 3 Jul 1969, just two days after his 81st birthday. Probate was granted on 11 May 1973, on his estate worth £819, which was after Nelly Blazey's death, on 3 Jan 1973. Probate on her estate of £700 had been granted the day before her late husband's, on 10 May 1973. Neither lists a beneficiary.

Wednesday, 28 May 2025

John Summers and Sarah Middleton

Uffculme: The Square and St Mary’s church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/839640

John Summers married Sarah Middleton, both of them born in Devon around 1774, at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Uffculme, on 28 May 1799

Records suggest that John and Sarah Summers had at least five children:
  1. Elizabeth Summers bap. 21 Jul 1799 in Uffculme
  2. John Summers bap. 17 Aug 1801 in Uffculme
  3. Mary Somers (sic) b. 10 Jun 1804, bap. 25 Dec 1804 in Halberton
  4. Richard Summers b. 13 Aug 1807, bap. 25 Dec 1807 in Halberton
  5. James Summers b. 26 Jun 1813, bap 1 Aug 1813 in Halberton
In 1841, we find John Summers (65) Agricultural Labourer, Sarah Summers (65) and Richard Summers (30), living at Selgars Mill, Halberton.

John Summers died, at 70, in 1844 S Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Vol 10 Page 182 and was buried on 30 Jun 1844 in Uffculme.

In 1851, Sarah Summers (76) Widow, Pauper, was living in Uffculme with her eldest daughter, Elizabeth Tidborough (51) Widow, Worsted Warper.

Sarah Summers died in 1854 S Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 255.