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All Saint's Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK. |
"Philip Limbrach Townsend died March 21st 1927 aged 71 years.
Louisa Townsend died 19th December 1936 aged 70 years."
Philip Limbrach Townsend was born in 1856 in St Anns, Soho, Middlesex, to parents Philip Townsend, a dairyman and cow herder, and Jane Sims. His unusual middle name comes from that of his paternal grandfather, Limborough Townsend. It seems that over the years Philip's middle name was incorrectly recorded before becoming the name that adorns his grave, Limbrach.
Philip can be first found on the 1861 Census living with his parents and siblings above the family Dairy at 26 Frith Street, Soho, London, Philip married Elizabeth Weston on 25th July 1878. Their marriage was to be a tragically short one. In 1884 they were blessed with the birth of their son Owen Stanley Townsend, who was to sadly die aged 12 in 1896. January 1886 saw the arrival of their second child, a son Aubrey Edward Townsend. Sadly, Elizabeth died that very same month, possibly through childbirth or complications afterwards.
On the 1881 Census Philip and Elizabeth can be found living and running the family dairy business at 26 Frith Street, Soho, London, along with Philip's younger brother William, a cabinet maker.
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26 Frith Street, Soho, London |
On 15th March 1888 Philip marries his second wife Louisa Banger in Abingdon, Berkshire.
The couple can be found on the 1891 Census at 26 Frith Street, Soho, London living with their two-year-old daughter Elsie Margurite. Philip's two sons from his first marriage Owen and Aubrey are living with their grandmother Jane Townsend at a farmhouse in Baldon Green, Baldon Marsh, Oxfordshire.
In 1901 Philip running a dairy at 151 Maida Vale, Paddington, London along with his wife Louisa. His son Aubrey from his first marriage, is now an apprentice electrical engineer, two more children have joined the family, Cecil Philip Limbrach born 1892, and Dorothy May born 1894. In 1902 another daughter was born, Phyllis Louise.
By 1911 The family had moved to Lawnfield House, Bath Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire. However, on the night of the census, Philip, now working as an auctioneer, and his son Cecil were staying at the Marine Mansion Hotel on Marine Parade in Brighton, Sussex. Louisa Townsend bred and showed Pekingese dogs, winning several prizes.
Sadly, another tragedy was set to befall the family. Aubrey joined the Royal Fusiliers and sadly drowned near Huntingdon whilst swimming in the river on 14th June 1919 aged 33.
The Hunts Country Newspaper reported on Friday 20th June 1919:
"Solider Drowned at Brampton
Mr Gerald Hunnybun, the county Coroner, held an inquest at Brampton on Monday, into the circumstances of the death of Aubrey Edward Townsend, who was drowned whilst bathing in the River Ouse on Saturday. There was no jury.
Philip Lembrach [sic] Townsend, of Lawnfield, Bath Road, Maidenhead, said the deceased was his son. He was a private in the Royal Fusiliers. His age was 33, and he was married.
Percy Symons, a private in the same regiment as the deceased, said that at 5.30 Saturday evening deceased left the camp at Brampton and went to the Bathing Place. together with witness and Pte. Strangward. After Strangward had had a bathe he lent his suit to deceased, who then went into the water and swam after the witness. When witness, who was ten yards from the bank, reached the side, he saw deceased go under. Witness made an ineffectual attempt to reach him. The water was very deep in the middle of the stream. Witness and Strangward returned to camp and reported the matter.
This evidence was corroborated by Pte. Strangward, who went into the shed when he saw the deceased swimming.
P.C. W. Jackson said he did not receive news of the occurrence until 7 p.m., as he was on duty at Huntingdon. He dragged the water until 11 p.m., and next morning dragged again and recovered the body at 5 a.m.
The Coroner returned a verdict of "Drowned by misadventure".
He left behind his widow Nellie Lavinia Clarke and a young son Philip Maurice Townsend. Aubrey is buried in a Commonwealth War Grave in Brampton Cemetery Huntingdonshire.
On the 1921 Census Philip and Louisa Townsend are still living at Lawnfield House, Bath Road, Maidenhead, along with their daughters Dorothy May, and Phyllis Louise.
Philip was to pass away on 21st March 1927 whilst in London. On 23rd March 1927 the Maidenhead Advertiser carried the following announcement:
"Deaths
Townsend- On Match 21st 1917, in London, suddenly, Phlilp Limbragh [sic], aged 71, dearly-loved husband of Louisa Townsend of Lawnfield, Maidenhead. No mourning by request."
On 30th March 1927 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:
"Obituary
The funeral of the late Mr. P. L. Townsend, Lawnfield, Maidenhead, and London, whose death was recorded in in last week's Advertiser, took place on Friday at Maidenhead Cemetery, the Rev. C. H. Nash, Vicar of St, Mary's officiating. The widow was too ill to attend."
Louisa was to pass away on 19th December 1936 at her home Lawnfield. On 23rd December 1936 the Maidenhead Advertiser carried the following announcement:
"Deaths
Townsend- At Lawnfield, Maidenhead, on December 19th, Louisa, widow of P. L. Townsend."
In the same issue the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:
"The Late Mrs. P. L. Townsend
Internment At All Saints' Churchyard
The death of Mrs. P. L. Townsend occurred suddenly at her residence "Lawnfield", Castle Hill, Maidenhead, on Saturday last. The funeral took place quietly yesterday (Tuesday) at All Saints' Churchyard, the Rev. J. B. Gordon (curate of St Mary's Church) officiating. The deceased had attended St Mary's Church for many years."
The UK Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects database available at ancestry.com lists Aubrey Edward Townsend as having a daughter named Mauriel, born 11-4-12, but I am unable to find any other evidence of her existence. Do you know anything about her? According to Army records, he left his wife 8 pounds, 15 shillings & 6 pence and Mauriel 17 pounds, 11 shillings.
ReplyDeleteThe Mauriel you're referring to is Philip Maurice Townsend born 11th April 1912 St Pancras London. Son of Aubrey Edward Townsend and Nellie Lavinia Clarke
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