War Grave Wednesday - Flight Sergeant Alec Henry Cousins - A Marauder of the Sky

Monument to Flight Sergeant Alec Henry Cousins, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.


Alec Henry Cousins was born in Maidenhead in 1923 to Frederick William Cousins and his wife Bertha Calliss.

A some point after the outbreak of World War Two Alec joined 35th Squadron  Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as an Air Bomber.

Alec's mission to Cologne in Germany on 24th December 1944, along with Pilot, Flight Officer Arthur Thomas Kenyon, Flight Engineer, Sergeant Leonard Williams, Navigator, Sergeant Albert Thomas, Air Gunner, Sergeant Cecil Leonard Blundell, Air Gunner, Sergeant Cyril Arthur Winter and Air Gunner, Sergeant Roy Arthur Yallop, to mark targets and routes with coloured flares for the main bomber stream to follow, was to be his last. 

On that day their Lancaster III PB366 TL-S (Sugar) took of from Graveley Air Field, Cambridgeshire  at 3:35pm.  The weather was reported to be, 'not favourable' with freezing temperatures and fog forecast.  Shortly after take off the plane  failed to climb, taking the roof off a cottage in London Lane, before clipping an elm tree and summersaulting into a field at Low Farm, Great Paxton near the Graveley airfield.  The plane's bomb load was catapulted into a ditch along side the main road to St. Neots.  One of the unexploded bombs hit the wall of Low Farm House.  The aircraft soon caught fire after impact and the first on the scene had to use rakes and hoes to drag the men from the wreckage, all but one died, who later died of his injuries at hospital, died at the scene.

Official MOD records give the reason for the loss as: "Pilot lost control taking of, while in fog conditions due to faulty instrument flying."  Pilot Arthur Thomas Kenyon had only had 272 hours flying experience under instruction with only 19 hours experience as a sole pilot.

There is a granite memorial stone in memory of the men at the entrance of the what was Graveley Air Field and the squadron's colours are displayed in The Path Finders Chapel.

All men lost were buried in their home towns.

Marauders of the Sky

 

See them come home, sliding and roaring by
The bright, beloved, marauders of the sky
Stern and serene young profiles and strong hands
That have dealt death and sorrow over lands
Once fair with peace and wine, young love and song.
They flew impersonal elated and strong
See them come in to land, their smiles, their eyes,
The triumph in their step. But strangely lies
Pain in this mouth, pale horror on that brow
That went unruffled, candid, gay, just now.
They have returned, fierce kinsmen of the wind
Brought back their lives but left their youth behind.

 



Poem by Sergeant Roy Arthur Yallop.

 

 

© Copyright David Purchase and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

 

 



Taphophile Tragics - George and Sarah Woodbridge - Builders of Cookham Berkshire

Monument to George and Sarah Woodbridge, Holy Trinity Churchyard, Cookham, Berkshire, England.


"In memory of George Woodbridge who died September 1st 1854 aged 60 years. Also Sarah his wife who died September 13th 1854 aged 56 years.  Lovely and pleasant in their lives and in their death they were not divided.


George Woodbridge was born in Amersham, Berkshire in 1794 to Henry Woodbridge and his wife Ann Rodgers.  On 9th October 1817 aged 23 George married Sarah Wright.  Unfortunately I have been unable to find any information on Sarah pre 1817.

In 1818 George and Sarah celebrated the birth of their son William, Henry was to follow in 1822, then Mary Ann in 1824, Stephen in 1828, Elizabeth in 1830. Emma in 1836, Edmund in 1838 who sadly died aged eight in 1846, finally Louisa Maria was born in 1841

In 1838 in Windsor Berkshire William Woodbridge marries Amelia Jones

George and Sarah appear on the 1841 Census as living in Cookham High Street.  George's occupation is listed as a carpenter.  Living with them are their children, carpenter apprentice Henry, Mary, Stephen, Elizabeth, Emma, the ill fated Edmund and three month old Louisa.

George and Sarah's eldest child, carpenter William and Amelia are living a few doors away from George and Sarah in Cookham High Street with their children, 2 year old Sarah and 3 month old Amelia.

In 1848 Stephen Woodbridge married Harriet Miles in Cookham Berkshire.  In the same years Mary Ann Woodbridge marries Thomas Mellett.  A year later in 1849 their first child Fanny Mellett is born

1851 and George and Sarah are still living in Cookham High Street.  George's occupations has changed to builder.  Living with them are their daughters, Elizabeth and Emma, as well as George's 17 year old builder's apprentice William Britcher.

William Woodbridge, his wife Amelia and daughters Sarah and Amelia have moved to Park Road in Maidenhead, Berkshire where William's occupation is listed as builder.  Daughter Catherine had joined the family in 1843, followed by William in 1845, Selina in 1848 and John in 1850.

(A post about Catherine and John Henry Woodbridge can be found here.)

Henry Woodbridge is living with his brother Stephen and his wife Harriet above a carpenter's shop in Hornsey, Middlesex.  Both Stephen and Henry are in the building trade.

Mary Ann and her grocer husband Thomas are living a few doors away from William and Amelia in Park Street, maidenhead, Berkshire with their daughter Fanny.

Fifteen year old Louisa is a servant in the Oldfield family home at 20 Portland Place in Islington Middlesex.

Sadly on 1st September 1854 George Woodbridge was to pass away, followed 12 days later by his wife Sarah on 13th September 1854.  Did Sarah die from a broken heart?

George's will, written on 25th March 1848 stated that his store, tools and other effects of work should be sold and the money invested into mortgages and freehold properties for the maintenance of his wife Sarah and two youngest children Emma and Louisa until they turned 21 and until such a time Sarah died or remarried.  George also stated that a quarterly payment of ten pounds sterling should be made to Sarah.  These investments and funds would then pass over to George's sons surviving William, Henry and Stephen in the event of the younger daughter's marrying and their mother's death.


Taphophile Tragics

Cemetery Sunday - I Change But In Death

Decoration found on a stone sarcophagus style gravestone at All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery.

 

 

 

 



Flashback Friday - Weather Worn and Forgotten

*Originally posted 15th May 2012*

? Aged 71 Years

Mary ?

Two weather worn and eroded gravestones found at St James the Less, Stubbings, Burchett's Green and St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

The only information that can be gleaned from these stones are, 'Aged 71 Years' and 'Mary'.

An all too common sight in Britain's churchyards and cemeteries.  The poorer classes were not able to afford the marble and granite markers of their rich counterparts.  Having to make do with softer local stone or Limestone.  Sadly decades and even centuries of wind and rain has stripped them of their identities and thrown them into worn obscurity.

 

 

 

Wednesday's Child - Our Baby Peggy Davis

Monument to Peggy Davis, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire UK.


"Our Baby Peggy Davis fell asleep 8th Sept 194? Aged 1 year."

This beautiful yet sad little cross is always well looked after.  Sometimes there are beautiful fresh flowers left for her.  Sadly however the inscription on the stone is slowly wearing away and won't be readable for much longer.  After I had taken the picture I righted Peggy's flowers and thanked her.

Taphophile Tragics - George and Jane Battcock - Wine Merchants

Monument to George and Jane Battcock, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire UK.


"In affectionate remembrance - George Battcock who died 24th December 1891 aged 76 years.

and of Jane his wife who died December 26th 1895 aged 80 years."


George Battcock was born on 23rd July 1815 in Chelsea, Middlesex to Thomas William Battcock, a coal merchant, and his wife Elizabeth Rubergall.  George was christened on 29th July 1815 at St Luke's, Chelsea, Middlesex.

In 1838 George married Jane King.  Jane King was born on 7th January 1815 in Brentford, Middlesex to John King, a clothes salesman, and his wife Mary Ann Marshall.  In 1840 George and Jane had their first child, a son George Arthur, in 1841 Charles Frederick was born, followed by William Frederick in 1850.

I cannot locate either Wine Merchant George, his wife Jane or their elder children on the 1841 Census.  They appear on the 1851 Census living at 35 Wellington square in Chelsea, Middlesex with 3 month old William Frederick.  The 11 year old George Arthur is boarding at a school in Boston Road, Ealing, along with his younger brother Charles.

In 1861 George Snr, Jane and George Jr, now a wine merchant, had moved to 178 Kings Road in Chelsea, Middlesex.  Charles Frederick, aged 19 is boarding at Remenham Manor School in Henley Berkshire.  William Frederick is boarding at a school in Cheswick Mall, Middlesex.

In 1867 George Arthur Battcock married Margaret Vowe in Uppingham,, Rutland.  Their first child Mary Edith Vowe Battcock is born in 1869 and Hylda Margaret Vowe Battcock in 1871.

1871 finds George Snr, Jane, Charles and William still living at 178 Kings Road in Chelsea.  Both Charles and William have followed their father into the wine merchant business.

George Arthur and Margaret can be found on the 1871 Census living with their two young daughters at 2 Brunswick Gardens in Chelsea.  Margaret was to pass away in 1880 in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

In 1873 Charles Frederick Battcock married Charlotte Munday in Surrey.  Their son Cyril Charles Battcock was born in 1875 in Kensington London.

In 1881 George Snr and Jane have moved to 71 Holland street in Chelsea.  Living with them at the time is the recently widowed George Arthur.  Twelve year old Mary Edith is visiting the house of Catherine Hill at 52 Queensgate Terrace in Kensington, London.  Rather strangely George and Mary Edith both appear again on the 1881 Census as living at 3 Craufaud Rise in Maidenhead Berkshire, along with 10 year old Hylda Margaret.  In that same year George Arthur married Emma Woodhill in Kensington, London.  Their son Grenville Arthur Battcock was born in 1882 in Maidenhead.

I am unable to locate Charles Frederick Battcock or William Frederick Battcock on the 1881 Census.

In 1891 the now retired George Snr and Jane are living at 5 Kidwells Park in Maidenhead Berkshire.  Sadly George was to pass away on Christmas Eve of 1891.  Jane Battcock passed away on Boxing Day 1895.

George Arthur, his second wife Emma, Mary Edith and Hylda Margaret are still living at 3 Craudfaud Rise in Maidenhead Berkshire.  Mary Edith's occupation is listed as artist.  Grenville, aged 8 is boarding at Cordwallis School in Maidenhead Berkshire.

I am unable to locate Charles Frederick Battcock or his family or William Frederick on the 1891 Census.

In 1895 however William Frederick Battcock marries Agnes Craig Moore at Holy Trinity church in Paddington London.  The Slough Windsor and Eton Observer reported -

"Battcock - Stewart.  On 22nd isnt. at Holy Trinity Church, Paddington, by the Rev. (illegible) R. Gordon, D.D.  Rector od (illegible) William Frederick Battcock of Roehampton Vale, Surrey, youngest son of the late George Battcock, Esq, Kidwells Park, Maidenhead, Berkshire, to Agnes Craig Moore, widow of the late Francis Pott Stewart, Esq."


In 1901 George Arthur and Emma are living at 24 Craufaud Rise in Maidenhead, along with Hylda Margaret.  Mary Edith is visiting Alfred Appleby and his family in Rodborough Gloucestershire.  Grenville Arthur is a student at Wincester College.

Charles Frederick, Charlotte and their son are living in Chalvey Park in sloughs, Berkshire.  Charles's occupation has changed to brush manufacturer and Cyril is helping his father in the business.

William Frederick Battcock is boarding at 51 Wilton Road, Bexhill, Sussex in the home of Eliza Swann.  Agnes Battcock is visiting the Blackwell family at 16 - 21 St George's Square, Hanover, London.

George Arthur Battcock was to pass away in 1907 in Maidenhead Berkshire, The Slough Windsor and Eton Observer reports -

"The value of the estate of the late Mr. George Battcock, of Amber House, maidenhead; is given as £43,165."

Cemetery Sunday - Prayer #2

 

Praying angel, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK.

 

 

 



Flashback Friday - The Nash Children

*Originally posted 8th May 2012*

 

Monument to James, Florence Catherine, Albert George and Alfred Henry Nash, St Michael's Churchyard, Bray, Berkshire.

"Sacred To The Memory of
James Nash died Feb.y 9th 1878 aged 3 years

Florence Catherine Nash died Feb.y 3rd 1881 aged 11 months
Albert George Nash died Jan.y 18th 1882 aged 5 years
'Of such is the kingdom of heaven'
Alfred Henry Nash died June 1st 1887 aged 3 years"

James, Florence, Albert and Alfred were all the children of James and Martha Catherine Nash, nee Lewis.

James Nash snr was born in Maidenhead Berkshire in 1853, he later became a house painter before he married Martha Catherine Lewis in 1874. The couple soon moved to King Street in Maidenhead and started their family with the arrival of James in 1875 and followed by Albert George in 1876, Frederick William in 1879, Florence Catherine in 1880 and Alfred Henry in 1884, Frank Edward in 1886 and Bessie Louise in 1889. Tragically three were to die in the space of nine years.

In 1891 their mother Martha Catherine Nash passed away, yet she seems to have been buried elsewhere and not with her beloved children.

Poor James had lost three of his children and his wife within 17 years of their marriage. How must this have affected James and his remaining children, the youngest Bessie being a mere three years old at the time?

James continued to live and work in King Street with his surviving children until his death at the relatively young age of 51 in 1904. Did so much grief in such a short time prove too much for James? We shall never know.


New Research -

In 1901 Frederick William Nash was subject to a burglary at his home in Furze Platt, Maidenhead.  The Slough, Windsor and Eton Observer reported on the matter -

"Berkshire Quarter Sessions

The county Quarter Sessions were held at Reading on Monday, when Uriah Weston, 24, tinker, and George Henry Wilton, 26, compositor, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering the residence of Frederick William Nash at the Furze Platt, Maidenhead, on Dec 1 and stealing therefrom articles of the value £26.16s.  Wilton, who had already undergone twelve months' imprisonment for housebreaking, was now committed for a similar term, while Weston was sentenced to six months' hard labour."


Frederick William Nash married Susan Amelia Hight just a year after his father's death in 1905.  On the 1911 Census Frederick and Susan are living at 3 Risborough Road in Maidenhead with their two children Reginald Lewis Nash aged 5 and Winifred Mary Nash aged 4.  Frederick's occupations is given as paper hanger.

In 1911 Frank Edward and Bessie Louise are living at 15 Risborough Road in Maidenhead.  Bessie has no occupation listed but Frank is a house decorator.

War Grave Wednesday - ATA First Officer Alan Blair Dorrell

Monument to First Officer Alan Blair Dorrell, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"Jesus said. "Greater love hath no man than this.  That a man lay down his life for his friends."


Alan Blair Dorrell was born on 8th May 1910 in St John, Worcestershire to John Dorrell, a clothing manufacturer, and his with Eveline Francis Hinks.

Alan appears on the 1911 Census aged just 11 months old, living with his parents and elder brother Geoffrey James and younger sister Nora Helen Dorrell, aged just one month, in Mavlern Road, St John, Worcestershire.

Alan obtained his Aviators' Certificate on 24th May 1939 at Worcestershire Flying Club.

First Officer Alan Blair Dorrell died when he crashed the Spitfire VIII he was flying at Byron Hall Farm, Stag Lane, Lowton nr Warrington, in bad weather on 1st December 1943 aged just 33 years.

Alan's name also appears on the Malvern War Memorial, in Malvern Worcestershire.

William Pinder and Georgiana Elizabeth Padmore

Cross monuments to William Pinder and Georgiana Elizabeth Padmore, All Saints churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire.


"In Memory of William Pinder Padmore who entered into rest on September 24th 1888 aged 68 - R. I. P. - Jesu Mercy."

" In Memory of Georgiana Elizabeth Padmore who entered into rest November 13th 1891 aged 59 - R. I. P. - Jesu Mercy."


William Pinder Padmore was born in Lichfield Stafford in 1820 to John Padmore and his wife Charlotte Adeline Padmore.  William was Christened on 5th September 1820.

Georgiana Elizabeth Padmore was born Georgiana Elizabeth Grinder in Middlesex London in 1832 to George Grinder, A chemist and druggist, and his wife Marie Agustini Grinder

In 1851, 19 year old Georgiana Elizabeth is living with her parents and siblings Walter, Annette, Edmund and Henrietta at Grove House, Linden Grove, Kensington, London.

On 3rd November 1859 at St James in Westminster, London, William Pinder married Georgiana Elizabeth Grinder.

In 1861 William and Georgiana are living in Mount Street in Westminster, London.  William's occupation is listed as architect and surveyor.  Living with them at the time is Georgiana's bother Walter Grinder.

1871 and William and Georgiana have moved to Bridge Street in Maidenhead, Berkshire.  In 1872 William and Georgiana's only child, Adeline Lucy Padmore is born.  Adeline Lucy Padmore is Christened on 3rd February 1872 at All Saints church in Margaret Street, Marylebone, London.  Interestingly the person that performed the ceremony was Georgiana's brother Walter S Grinder.

I am unable to locate the family on the 1881 Census.


William Pinder Padmore sadly passes away on 24th September 1888

In 1891 Georgiana Elizabeth and Adeline Lucy can be found still living in Bridge Street in Maidenhead, Berkshire.  Georgiana was to pass away seven months later.  Adeline Lucy Padmore moved to Brighton after the death of her parents.  She never married and died there in 1954.

Cemetery Sunday - Prayer

 

 

Praying angel at All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK.

 

 

 



 

 



Wednesday's Child - Mary Christian Jackson

Monument to Mary Christian Jackson, All Saints Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire


"Mary Christian Jackson born Feb 14th 1892 - Died Oct 9th 1892."

William, Emma and Thomas Baxter - Labourers

Monument to William Baxter, Emma Baxter and Thomas Baxter, St James the Less Churchyard, Stubbings, Berkshire.


"Scared to the memory of William Baxter who died April 2nd 1899 aged 61 - Also of - Emma, his wife who died April 3rd 1911 Aged 60 years - For so he giveth his beloved sleep - Also Tom Baxter son of the above who died Oct 12th 1912 aged 38 years - Gone but not forgotten."


William Baxter was born in Coleshill, Berkshire on 21st November 1837 to Thomas Baxter, a general labourer, and his wife Sophia Neat.

He first appears on the 1841 Census aged 3 years living with his parents and elder siblings, Thomas, Eliza and Sarah in Coleshill, Berkshire.

In 1851 William is still living with his parents and elder siblings in Coleshill. Berkshire.  His younger sister Ellen was born in 1850.

I am unable to locate William on the 1861, however on 23rd October 1871 William marries Emma Walker at the parish church of St Peter and St Paul in Coleshill, Berkshire.  William's younger sister Ellen was one of the witnesses to the marriage.

Emma Walker was born in Coleshill Berkshire on 14th June 1851 to John Walker, a agricultural labourer and his wife Elizabeth Hill.  Emma first appears on the 1861 Census, aged 9 years living with her parents and younger brother John in Coleshill. Berkshire.

In 1871, aged 20 Emma is a domestic servant for the Archer family in Coleshill Berkshire.

In 1872 William and Emma had their first child, a son called Fred.  Fred was soon joined by his brother Thomas in 1875, sister Mary in 1878, brother Harry in 1879 and another brother William in 1880.  1881 find the family living in Wickensham Lodge Cottages in Farringdon, Berkshire.

By 1891 William and Emma have moved to Lee's Lane in Pinkney's Green, Berkshire along with Thomas, Harry and William.  Annie Baxter was born in 1884, followed by George in 1889.  Fred Baxter, aged 19 is a servant for Robert Mills, landlord of The Sawn in Streatley, Bradfield, Berkshire.  Mary Baxter, aged 14, is a servant for William Lowe, a baker and grocer of Burchett's Green, Berkshire.

In 1894 Fred Baxter marries Emma Jane Smith

William Baxter sadly passes away on 2nd April 1899.

1901 finds the recently widowed Emma, now working as a laundress and charwoman, living in Town Hall Cottages in Pinkney's Green Berkshire with her sons Thomas, William and George.  A few houses away Annie is s parlour maid for Edward Pemberton Pyott, a retired army colonel. Fred Baxter, now a gardener and his wife Emma (listed as Jane) can be found living in Streatley, Bradfield, Berkshire with their six year old daughter Annie.  Harry Baxter, now a coachman is boarding at the Claxton family's home at 20 Walgrove Road, Kensington London.

I am unable to find any trace of Mary Baxter after 1891.

In 1902 Thomas Baxter married Eleanor Mary Brett in Cambridgeshire.

In 1911 Emma Baxter, now aged 60 is living by herself in Town Hall Cottages.  Emma was to pass away on April 3rd 1911, the day after the 1911 Census was taken.  Thomas Baxter and his wife Eleanor Mary can be found living at Bakers Cottages, Pinkney's Green Berkshire, along with their children William Thomas Baxter aged six and frank Wellington Baxter aged five.  Thomas's listed occupation is, working in clay.  Coopers Brick and Title Kilns are large clay pits in the Pinkney's Green area.  It's possible that Thomas was one of the clay cutters for the pit.

Thomas Baxter was to pass away on 12th October 1912 aged only 38 years.  I wonder if Thomas's occupation had anything to do with his untimely death.

Cemetery Sunday - Her Charm and Loving Ways

Memorial to Elsie May Dean, All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire.


"Elsie May Dean 1913 - 1956 - Beloved wife of John and Mother of Adrian and Deirdre - Her charm and loving ways endeared her to all"


I have found very little out about Elsie May, but the verse on the gravestone intrigues me.  I wonder what kind of wife and mother she was.  Happy?  Always ready to a cuddle and a smile?  Did she always have a kind word for those around and was nothing too much trouble when it came to helping others. 

She was only 43 when she passed away.  Was she ill?  Did she have an accident?  Was her passing sudden and did she get to say goodbye to those that loved her so well.  How many mourned her passing and came to her funeral.

These are the question and many more that lie behind every gravestone in every churchyard and cemetery.  This is what keeps me interested in those that lie beneath our feet.