Cemeteries and graveyards, full of love, betrayal, tragic deaths, murder, and suicide. What will you find?

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Frederick Owen and Ethel Maud Brock - Christmas Day Sweet Hearts



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Sundial memorial to Frederick Owen and Edith Maud Brock, Braywick Cemetery Garden of Rest, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In loving memory of Frederick Owen Brock who passed away Feb 8th 1962 and Edith Maud Brock on Christmas Day 1968.  Both born 1876."


Frederick Owen Brock was born in 1876 to John Brock, a builder, and his wife Elizabeth Cornell.  Frederick first appears on the 1881 Census aged 4 and living with his parents and siblings at The Firs, Felsted Common, Essex.  By 1891 Frederick had moved in with his uncle William Brock, a flour miller, and his wife Harriet, the parents of Edith Maud Brock.  Frederick was an apprentice flour miller at the time he was living with his aunt and uncle's house. 

In 1900 Frederick married his cousin Edith at Ognar, Essex.

In 1901 the newlyweds can be found living at 20 Park Street, St Pancras London.  Frederick is now a baker and confectioner.  1911 finds the family relocated to Kingston -on-Thames.  Frederick is still a baker and confectioner, but the family has since expanded to include Stanley Frederick aged 8, Muriel aged 7 and one year old Iris Doreen.

Frederick passed away on 8th February 1862 in Windsor Berkshire aged 85 and Edith on 25th December 1968 in Maidenhead Berkshire aged 92.


I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year.  Beneath Thy Feet will return in the New Year.


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Sunday 23 December 2012

Cemetery Sunday - Blanket of Snow








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Friday 21 December 2012

Phoebe Eliza Carter and Annie Taylor - Sisters



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Phoebe Eliza Carter and Annie Taylor, All Saints Churchyard, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In ever loving memory Phoebe Eliza Carter who died Jan 19th 1914 aged 40 years - The God of love shall be with you-

Also of Annie Taylor sister of the above who died Jan 27th 1919 aged 46 years - come unto me ye that are weary."


Phoebe Eliza Carter was born Phoebe Eliza Meeks on 10th July 1873 and Annie Taylor was born Annie Meeks in 1872 in Maidenhead Berkshire to James Meeks, a publican at the Greyhound Public House in King Street, Maidenhead, and his wife Eliza Esther Favell.

On the 1881 Census, 7 year old Annie and 6 year old Phoebe are living with their parents and their younger siblings Arthur and Florence at The Greyhound Public House in King Street.  1891 finds the sisters, now both barmaids still living at The Greyhound with their parents.

In 1894 Phoebe marries William Frederick Carter, a fly proprietor (horse and trap) from Wiltshire.  Together they had seven children, William, Winifred, Ellen, Phoebe Elizabeth, Edith, Constance and Reginald.  In 1901 the family are living at 7 Wellington Road, but by 1911 they have moved to 93 King Street. 

Sadly only three years later at the age of 40, Phoebe passes away.

In 1895 Annie marries Charles George Taylor, a grocer from Dover in Kent.

On the 1901 Census Charles and Annie are living at 3 South Road, Maidenhead.  Together they had seven children, one of which sadly died in infancy.  By 1911 The family and their six remaining children, Gladys, Edith, Hilda, William, Thomas and Henry had moved to 40 Uxbridge Road, Hanwell, Middlesex, where Charles is now a sugar buyer for a jam making factory.  Sadly Annie was to pass away 8 years later.  She now rests with her sister Phoebe in All Saints Churchyard.


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Wednesday 19 December 2012

War Grave Wednesday - Frederick George Bennett


"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them".
Frederick George Bennett was born in Marlow Buckinghamshire in 1895 to Henry C Bennett, a paper maker in a paper mill and his wife Julia Joyce.
In 1901 Frederick can be found living with his parents and siblings at Temple Cottages, Bisham Berkshire  1911 and Frederick is still living with his parents in Temple Cottages in Bisham.  His occupation in 1911 is listed as a house boy.
Sometime after the outbreak of World War I Frederick enlisted with the Royal Air force, becoming an Air Mechanic 1st Class.  Unfortunately I cannot find any further information about Frederick's war service or how he came to be injured.  Just before Frederick died of is wounds in Cliveden Military Hospital he married Frances Dora Larter in the September of 1918.  Their time together was short as Frederick died on 21st November 1918 aged just 23 years.



Tuesday 18 December 2012

Thomas and Kate Dixon - Currier and Tobacconist



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Thomas and Kate Dixon, All Saints Churchyard, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire.


"In ever loving memory of Thomas the dearly beloved and devoted husband of Kate Dixon who entered into rest January 25th 1913 aged 47 years - his end was peace - May be be numbered with thy saints in glory everlasting -

Also

Kate Dixon who feel asleep February 7th 1955 aged 92 years."


Thomas Dixon was born in Dartford Kent in 1866 to Thomas Dixon, a foreman in a tanning works, and his wife Louisa Wren.

In 1871 Thomas aged 6 is living with his parents and grandmother Elizabeth Dixon in Dartford Kent.  By 1881 Thomas, now a carman apprentice is living with his family at No 1 Tanyard Cottages in Dartford Kent.

In 1881 in Thanet Kent, Thomas married Kate Hughes. 

In 1891 Thomas and Kate are living 35 Spring Vale in Dartford.  Thomas's occupation is listed as a currier.  A currier is a specialist in the leather processing industry. After the tanning process, the currier applies techniques of dressing, finishing and colouring to the tanned hide to make it strong, flexible and waterproof.  1895 sees the birth of their only surviving child, a son, Horace.

Sometime before 1901 Thomas, Kate and Horace move to 72 King Street, Maidenhead Berkshire where Thomas is now a tobacconist.  1911, two years before Thomas's death, he is now a retired tobacconist living with his wife Kate and 16 year old son Horace at 24 St Mark's Road, Maidenhead.  Horace is now a clerk for a local brewer.

Sadly Thomas was to pass away on 25th January 1913 at the age of 47

Unfortunately I am unable to find any information on Kate before her marriage to Thomas in 1884.


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Sunday 16 December 2012

Cemetery Sunday - Fading

 
 
Sandstone weathers over time, leaving some gravestones completely indecipherable.  It is such a shame that there names and the historical information is now lost.
 
The only information readable on the gravestone above is John Pearce.
 




Above is the gravestone of the Brill family.  The only name that remains readable is that of young Arthur William Brill, son of John and Florence Jane Brill of Norden Farm. 

"Born March 18th 1892.  Died Jany 5th 1894. - The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away.  Blessed be thy name of the Lord."

Unfortunately the name of the person memorilised above young Arthur is now completely lost.

By photographing the older gravestones, I hope that in some way I am preserving the information for many many years to come.  Once it has worn away, it is gone forever.


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Friday 14 December 2012

Catherine and John Shelton of Albert Street



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.

Monument to Catherine Shelton and John Shelton.  All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire.


"In loving memory of Catherine, the belioed wife of  John Shelton who depearted this life June 6th 1913, aged 83 years.  Come unto me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Also of

John Shelton who departed this life Jaunuary 15th 1922, aged 91 years.  Rest in peace."


Catherine Shelton was born Catherine Robins in 1829 in Reading Berkshire.  Unfortuantely I have been unable to find any information on her parents.

In 1847 in Eton Buckinghamshire, Catherine married Henry Mealing, a labourer from Bray Berkshire.  In 1851 Catherine and Henry are living in Post Office Lane in Maidenhead Berkshire, with their two children Cathering and Henry Thomas Mealing.  In 1854 Henry Mealing passes away.

John Shelton was born in 1829 in Bisham Berkshire to John Roswell Shelton and Anna Goodchild.

In 1857 in Eton Buckinghamshire, Catherine married John Shelton, a railway plate layer.  In 1861 Catherine and John can be found living in Bridge Street, Maidenhead Berkhshire, along with Catherine's children from her previous marriage, Catherine, Thomas and John, as well as three year old Charles and  onr year old Daniel Shelton (who was to sadly pass away that year), her children with John.

In 1871 the family has moved to 11 Princess Street in Maidenhead.  Catherine (listed as Kate) and Thomas are still living with their mother and step father.  The family had since expanded to include George, William, Walter, Frederick and Mary Ann.  Sadly 13 year old Charles Shelton was to die that year from brain disease.

The 1881 Census finds the family in Albert Street in Maidenhead, a few yards from their old house in Princess Street.  Five year old Earnest [sic] had joined the family in 1876.

John and Catherine Shelton remained at 36 Albert Street until Catherine's death in 1913.  John Shelton was to pass away in 1922.


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Wednesday 12 December 2012

War Grave Wednesday - Frederick James and Charles Stevens - Brothers


"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them".
 
 
Frederick James Stevens and Charles Stevens were born in Maidenhead, Berkshire in 1895 and 1893 to Charles W Stevens, a labourer in a sewage works and his wife Elizabeth Susan Cole.
 
In 1901 Frederick aged 5 and Charles aged 7 are living with their parents and sister Lily at No 5 Dolman's Buildings, King Street in Maidenhead Berkshire.
 
1911 and Frederick, now 15 and a caddy at a local golf course, is still living with his parents at No 5 Dolman's Buildings.  Charles, now a private in The Royal Berkshire Regiment, however can be found at Fort Burgoyne, The Red Huts, Military Quarters At Castle Hill And Broadlees in Dover.
 
Sometime afterwards Frederick joined his brother in 1st Battalion of The Royal Berkshire Regiment.
 
Unfortunately I have been unable to locate any military records for either Frederick or Charles.
 
Sadly Private Frederick was the first of the two brothers to die as a result of wounds received in action on January 12th 1915, aged just 21 years.
 
Charles rose to the rank of Lance Sergeant before he too was killed as a result of enemy action on 29th November 1917, aged just 25 years.  Charles in buried in the Moeuvers Communal Cemetery in France.
 
Charles Stevens Sr died around the same time as Charles Jr in the last quarter of 1917.  Perhaps it was the death of his two sons that led him to his grave.  How heartbreaking for Elizabeth to lose two sons to war and then her husband not long afterwards.  Such a sacrifice.
 
 


Tuesday 11 December 2012

Alice and Charles Salway Thompson - Gardeners



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Alice Thompson and Charles Salway Thompson, All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In loving memory of Alice beloved wife of Charles. S. Thompson died Decr 6th 1918 aged 57 years - God is our refuge.

Also Charles Salway her beloved husband died Feb 5th 1945 aged 88 years - at rest"


Alice Thompson was born Alice Pearce in the February 1861 in Bright Waltham, Berkshire to Charles Pearce, a carter, and his wife Amy Collins. 

Alice appears on the 1861 Census aged just 1 month, living with her parents and grandparents David and Sarah Collins at Bright Waltham Green.  In 1871 ten year old  Alice is still living with her grandparents David and Sarah at Bright Waltham Green, however Alice's parents and her younger siblings had moved to Scarlett's Lane in Wargrave.  It's possible that Alice stayed behind with her grandparents to continue her education.

In 1881 Alice is in service as a housemaid for Richard S. H. Jones, a barrister, and his wife Florence at Woodlands in Binfield Berkshire.  That same year Alice married Charles Thompson.


Charles Salway Thompson was born in Little Dunham, Norfolk in 1857 to Robert Thompson, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Ann Harpur, a charwoman (house cleaner).    1872 Charles is living with his widowed mother and five siblings in Little Duhman, Norfolk.  Charles's occupation is listed as a gardener's boy. 

In 1881 24 year old Charles in lodging in the home of Thomas and Martha Crockford at Bear Hill in Wargrave Berkshire.  Charles has progressed from gardener's boy to domestic gardener.

1891 finds Charles and Alice living in Gardener's house along with their four children, Archibald R, William C, Theodore V and Elsie M.  1901 and the family has moved to 68 Powny Road, Maidenhead Berkshire, where Charles is a jobbing gardener and his sons Archibald and William are under gardeners and Theodore is a garden boy.

Ten years on in 1911, the family, minus Archibald and Elsie, are still living at 68 Powny Road, Maidenhead. 

Sadly Alice was to pass away on 6th December 1918.  Charles was to live a further 27 years without Alice, before passing away on 5th February 1945.


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Sunday 9 December 2012

Cemetery Sunday - All Saints (Maidenhead) Cemetery



All Saints (Maidenhead) Cemetery, All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead Berkshire is one of my favourite cemeteries to visit.  It's not remarkable or full of impressive monuments to important people from the past (although it has many people of interest), but it has an amazing, calm and welcoming atmosphere.

All Saints Cemetery opened in 1888 when it became apparent that space was running out in the town's churchyards.  The cemetery covers around 5 acres of land, containing space for 10,000 graves.  To date there has been 14,600 interments.  All Saints closed to burials around 1953 when the mordern lawn cemetery at Braywick was opened.  In somce cases interment of ashes is still permitted at All Saints Cemetery.


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Friday 7 December 2012

Frederick Wolff and Ida May - Steamship Business



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Angel monument to Frederick Wolff May and Ida May, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.


"In affectionate rememberance of my dear husband Frederick Wolff May died 16 August 1924 aged 51 - Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

Also in memory of Ida his wife died ? December ?"


Frederick Wolff May and his twin sister Clara Fanny May were born on 10th October 1872 in Hanburg Germany to Frederick Albert May, a colonial merchant and his wife Clara Matilda Wolff.

Frederick first appears aged 8 on the 1881 Census living with his sister and parents at The Birches, Lawrie Park Gardens, Lewisham London.  I cannot find the family on the 1891 Census and I can only imagine that they were out of the country due to Fredrick's work as a colonial merchant.

Clara Mathilda May passes away in Kensington on 25th March 1896 aged only 47 years.  She is buried in Brompton Cemetery, London  In 1901 the widowed Frederick is now living at 10 The Boltons, Kensington London along with Frederick Jr, now a steamship manager with his uncle Gustav Wilhelm Wolff's shipbuilding company Harland and Wolff (manufactorers of the Titanic), and Clara.  In 1903 Frederick Snr marries Louise Spencer Smith, however five years later in 1908 Fredrick Snr dies of typhoid fever and heart disease in Dorest.

I am unable to find a marriage for Frederick or Ida, or indeed any information on Ida's birth other than 1879 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

In 1911 Frederick and Ida have moved to Woodmancote, Cliveden near Maidenhead.  The census retur states that Frederick and Ida have had one child, but they're not living with them at the time the census was taken and I have been unable to trace a birth.

Clara, Frederick's twin sister never married and died aged 76 in September 1949, leaving large sums of money to those who had been in service at her home.  To view some of Clara's family pictures, please click here.



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Wednesday 5 December 2012

War Grave Wednesday - Gerard Hamilton Maffett - Royal Air Force


"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them".

 
Gerard Hamilton Maffett was born 11th June 1916 in Murree, India to Lieutenant-Colonel Reginald Ernest Maffett and his wife Gwendoline Mary de Rutzen.

Gerard was educated at Imperial Service College in Windsor, Berkshire.  In 1934 he finished his education and took a job with the Daily Mail in London.  Four years later Gerard enlisted with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) as a U/T Pilot.  He started out flying Tiger Moths from White Waltham airfield near Maidenhead, Berkshire.  On 22nd June 1940 Gerard converted from Tiger Moths to Hurricane aircraft and joined 257 Sqaudron at Northolt on 7th July 1940.

Gerard flew on his first operation on 18th August 1940 where he is credited for destroying a Dornier Do17 aircraft and damaging a Heinkel He111.

On 31st August 1940, nine Hurricanes took off from Martlesham Heath at 8:25am, they were ordered to partol Debden at 15,000 feet.  The Squadron climbed towards Debden, but encountered two large formations of Junkers Ju88 aircraft at 14,000 feet with several formations of Messerschmitt Bf110s at 16,000 feet.  Unable to catch up with the Junkers Ju88s the squardon persued the Messerschmitt formations.  At least six Messerschmitt Bf110s were destroyed, however the squadron suffered the loss of two Hurricanes.  One of those was Gerard's P3175, which crashed into the foresore at Stone Point, Walton-on-the-Naxe, Essex at arouns 8:50am.  Gereard was able to bail out of his striken aircraft but his parachute failed to open due to low altitude.  Gerard was killed on impact.




Gerard's elder brother John Francis Maffett, Wing Commander with the RAF was also killed in action on 12th February 1942.  He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Egham, Surrey.

Reginald Ernest Maffett passed away in 1949 and Gwendoline Mary in 1975 aged 100 years.

Bewteen 1972 and 1973 the remains of Gerard's crashed Hurricane, including instrument panel and windscreen, together with an almost complete engine and the remains of the three wooden propellor blades was recovered.  They're now displayed in The Battle of Britain Muesum in Hendon, London.


They gave their tomorrows for our todays.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Catherine and John Henry Woodbridge - Siblings



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Catherine and John Henry Woodbridge, Methodist Church, High Street, Maidenhead Berkshire.


"In affectionate remembrance of Catherine third daughter of William and Amelia Woodbridge who died July 18th 1862 aged 19 years.

Also

John Henry second son of the above who died July 12th 1880 aged 30 years."

Catherine Woodbridge was born on 13th March 1843 in Maidenhead, Berkshire to William Woodbridge, a carpenter and builder and later on Mayor of Maidenhead, and his wife Amelia Jones.

On the 1851 Census, eight year old Catherine can be found living with her parents at Park Road in Maidenhead.  1861 Census, just over a year from her death Catherine is still living with her parents and siblings at Park Road in Maidenhead, no occupation is listed for her, but her elder sister Sarah Jane is listed as milliner (hat maker).  It is possible that Catherine helped her sister.  Sadly Catherine was to pass away on 18th July 1862.

***
 

 
John Henry Woodbridge was born on 20th September 1849.  One year old John can be found on the 1851 Census with his family at Park Road, Maidenhead and again aged 12 in 1861.  in 1871 the family has moved to Queen Street in Maidenhead.  There is no occupation listed for John, but it is probable that he helped his father in the building industry.  1871 was a busy year for William Woodbridge as he was contracted to build Maidenhead's first main railway station.
 
 
In 1872 in Sussex John Henry married Jane Ann Pacy, known as Jeanie. in 1873 their only child was born Charles Albert Woodbridge.  Seven years later  John Henry was to pass away on 12th July 1880.  The recently widowed twenty six year old Jeanie and eight year old Charles can be found on the 1881 Census living at 1 Grenfell Road (near to the recently built Maidenhead Rail Station).  Jeanie took in lodgers at her home to make ends meet.  Charles was to follow in his grandfather William's footsteps to become a carpenter and builder.  He later named his first born son John Henry after his father.
 
In 1893 Jane Ann remarried John Herridge, a carpenter from Maidenhead.
 
Both Catherine and John Henry are interred in the vaults beneath the Methodist church in Maidenhead High Street.
 



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Sunday 2 December 2012

Cemetery Sunday - Together #2



After taking a picture of the two gravestones sharing a secret here, I vowed to go back to All Saints Cemetery in Maidenhead Berkshire and find out who was buried there and whether they were related in any way.

The left stone:  "George William Harrison who departed this life 13th May 1895 aged 68 years - Cecil Eliza Harrison loving wife of the above who died February 2? 1918 aged 86 years."

George was a railway clerk and moved with his wife from London to Maidenhead in the early 1890s.  Possibly to work with Maidenhead's railway.  Cecil continued to live in Maidenhead until her death in 1915.


The right stone:  "In loving memory of Sarah Elizabeth Broad.  Who died August 17th 1896 aged 42 years - Also Sovaness John Broad husband of the above.  Who died Febry 14th 1904 aged 60 - Also Eliza Wheeler who died Jany 11th 1911 aged 86."

Sarah Elizabeth Broad and her husband, a coachman, lived in park street from 1881 until her death in 1896, where Sovaness continued to live with his mother-in-law Elizabeth Wheeler until his death in 1904.  Elizabeth Wheeler followed them to the grave in 1911.

I have found no connection between the two families, other than they are buried next to each other.


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