William Baxter, His Wife Emma Baxter, and Their Son Thomas Baxter Who Was Found Drowned at Bisham Church

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, 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, an 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 Wickersham 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.

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 a 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 Walgrave 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. On 5th April 1911 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"Filled up Her Census Paper and Then Died. 

At Pinkneys Green, near Maidenhead. A widow named Emma Baxter, living alone in a cottage. filled up her census paper on Sunday night and then proceeded to her bedroom. She had partially undressed when she fell and was found  dead on the floor at 8 o'clock on the following morning. Dr. Montgomery was called and the police sent for. The doctor, who pronounced life to be extinct. expressed the opinion that death was due to a weak heart. P.C. Gibbons reported the sad occurrence to the Coroner, who did not deem it necessary to hold an inquest. When seen at 8 o'clock Sunday evening, the deceased appeared in her usual health. She was 60 years of age and lived at Pinkneys Green for many years."

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 (William) was to disappear from his house on 23rd September 1912. On 2nd October 1912 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

MAN'S STRANGE DISSAPPEARENCE 

Sensation at Pinkneys Green. 

Considerable anxiety is felt by residents at Pinkneys Green owing to the sudden disappearance of a man who was employed at Messrs. Cooper & Co.'s Brick Works, as a brick-modeller, and who bad resided in the locality with his wife and family for over five years. The man referred to is Mr. Thos. Baxter, and the circumstances of his disappearance are mysterious. A representative of the Maidenhead Advertiser, while making enquiries to ascertain the facts of the case, called upon Mrs. Baxter, the missing man's wife. Naturally, she was greatly distressed and almost prostrate with grief. Still, she was hopeful that at least some news would soon be forthcoming of her husband. "He has been missing since the night of 23rd Sept.," she said," and I feel as if I cannot bear the suspense any longer. If only there were some news, even if it were the worst that could possibly be, I would be glad. The anxiety is simply awful. He left home early on Monday morning to go to work as usual at the Pinkneys Green brickworks and returned home shortly after half-past five o'clock in the evening. He had tea. He was not well, for he had a bad cold, which caused him to stay in bed on Sunday. He left home about 7 o'clock to pay his contribution to the 'Stag and Hounds' Slate Club. So far as I know, he left the public-house about twenty minutes past eight o'clock and no-one has seen him since. He did not return home. Usually, after tea, he changed his working clothing, but that night he did not do so. He went out just as he came from work." 

In further conversation Mrs. Baxter gave the following description of her husband: "He reached the age of 38 years last July. He is 5ft. 4½ns. in height, and has black hair, hazel coloured eyes, heavy dark moustache and a dark complexion. He was wearing a navy blue coat, dark brown trousers, a dark green muffler round his neck, a brown cap and lace-up boots." 

Search parties were formed by villagers and the missing man's work-companions. The whole of the Thicket was searched and the ponds in the vicinity. The efforts, however, have so far proved futile. The Rev. W. H. Skrine, vicar of Stubbings, was mainly responsible for the organisation of the search. We understand that P.S. Woolford, of Cookham, while on duty at Pinkneys Green, saw a man answering to the description of Baxter pass through some bushes. It was not known then, however, that Baxter had disappeared from home. The deepest sympathy is extended to Mrs. Baxter in her distress."

He was missing until 12th October when sadly his body was discovered. On 16th October 1912 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"SOLVED! 

PINKNEYS GREEN MYSTERY 

Wm. [sic] Baxter Found Drowned. 

The Pinkneys Green mystery was cleared up on Saturday, when the body of William Baxter, who had been missing from his home since Sept. 23rd, was discovered floating in the river near Bisham Church, Marlow. The facts were reported in these columns at the time Baxter disappeared. It will be recalled that Baxter left home early on the Monday morning to go to work as usual at the Pinkneys Green brickworks, where he was employed as a brick-moulder. He returned home shortly after half-past five o'clock in the evening and had tea. He had been suffering with a bad cold, which caused him to stay in bed on Sunday. He left home about 7 o'clock to attend a meeting of the Stag and Hounds Slate Club, of which he was secretary. He left the public-house about twenty minutes past eight o'clock and was not seen afterwards. Usually, after tea he changed his working clothes, but that night he did not do so, and went out just as he came from work. Exhaustive enquiries were made by the police and search-parties were organised, but to no purpose. On Saturday last, however, a body was observed floating in the river by the Vicar of Bisham, who was boating, and it proved to be the body of the missing man.

THE INQUEST. 

The Inquest was held at the " Two Brewers " public-house, Marlow, yesterday (Tuesday), when important evidence was given. The Deputy-Coroner for South Bucks (Mr. G. H. Charsley) conducted the enquiry. 

The deceased's widow, Eleanor Mary Baxter, giving 13, Cromwell-road, Maidenhead as her address, was first called. Her statement was to the effect that she last saw her husband alive on Sept. 23rd. He was 38 years of age. He arrived home from his work at about 6 p.m. For several days he had been suffering from a bad cold apparently influenza—and complained of a bad headache. He had not left the house from Saturday dinner-time until Monday morning. Witness stated that since his mother died suddenly on April 2, [sic] 1911. deceased had never been quite the same, and seemed to worry about it a great deal. However, she had never known him threaten to do himself any injury. He was generally of a bright disposition, and witness did not know of anything else to worry him. Since his disappearance every enquiry had been made, but until Saturday without result. 

A tile-maker named William James Vincent, of Coopers' Pinkneys Green, said that he had known the deceased for many years and had worked with him for the past six months. On the Monday evening they left work together at about 5.30 and deceased said he had a bad cold and had stayed in bed on Sunday. Witness noticed that he was not as bright as usual. He had not heard him complain before, neither had he ever beard him threaten to do himself injury. As they were walking home deceased told him that he (deceased) was behind with his club and asked him to lend him 5s., and which he did. Deceased was generally of a bright disposition and witness had never known him the worse for drink. 

A jurior: [sic] Had he made any remarks previously to you about the club—No. 

Joseph Potter, Landlord of "The Stag and Hounds" public-house, Pinkneys Green, explained that the slate club was carried on in connection with his house and the deceased was secretary of it. At a meeting of the club on September 16th, it was found that there was a deficit of 30s. to £2. Deceased was responsible for this and was spoken to about it. He was given a week to put the amount right and he promised to do so. On Monday the 23rd September he attended a club meeting between 7 and 8 o'clock and paid in about 23s. He left shortly after 8 o'clock and that was the last Witness saw of him. He was well-known and well-liked by everybody.

A juror: Was he threatened with proceedings if did not repay the money?—No. If he had stayed and faced, I think everything would have been set right by the members. He would, of course, have had to resign the secretaryship. 

Geo. Brown, landlord of the "Golden Ball" public-house, Pinkneys Green, said that the deceased was also secretary of the slate club run in connection with his house. At a meeting of the club on March 12th, witness called his attention to the fact that the accounts were about 10s. short. Deceased stated that there were several members, including himself, who had not paid their subscriptions and he said he would see that it was put right. Nothing further was mentioned to him about it, and no further deficiencies were noticed until after he was reported missing from the district. The accounts were then examined, and it was found there was a shortage of about £3 10s. There was no threat made in respect of the deficiencies.  

The Vicar of Bisham, the Rev. W. Farrer, said that while boating on the river near Bisham Church at about 2.15, on Saturday afternoon, he saw the body of a man floating in an upright position. He obtained assistance and sent for the police, who rescued the body, which had apparently been in the water some considerable time. 

George Harding gave similar evidence. 

Inspector Field, of Marlow, spoke to recovering the body, which was taken to the "Two Brewers." In the pockets of the clothing was found a wooden pipe, a penny piece, a tobacco-box, and a hill-head belonging to J. Potter, of the ' Stag and Hounds.' On it was written the name of several persons connected with a club. 

This was the whole of the evidence, and without discussion the jury returned their verdict to the effect that the deceased was found dead in the river, but that there was no evidence to show how he came there. The sympathy of the Jury and the witnesses with the deceased's widow and relatives was expressed."

Connections: Joseph Potter, witness at inquest.

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.

Daisy Maud Spencer, Cousin of Sir Stanley Spencer - A Long Battle with Mental Health

Memorial to Daisy Maud Spencer, All Saints Cemetery, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory of Daisy Maud Spencer who died suddenly August 21st 1911 Aged 29 - Rest in Peace."

Daisy Maud Spencer was born in Cookham Berkshire in 1882 to Julius Spencer, a solicitor's clerk and constable of Cookham, and his wife Sarah Jane Lloyd.  Daisy was the cousin of Sir Stanley Spencer.

Daisy first appears on the 1891 Census, aged 8 years old, living at Belmont Villa in Cookham, High Street (the house next door to Stanley Spencer's famous home Fernlea, however the villa's name has changed to Bellingho), with her parents and elder siblings Mabel Lloyd, an art student born in 1873, Lilly who was born disabled in 1875, and Violet Eleanor born in 1881.

Sadly, Lily Spencer passes away on 19th February 1899 in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The South Bucks Standard carried the following announcement on 24th February 1899:

"Deaths

Spencer. —At Wycombe Marsh, the 19th inst., Lily Spencer, aged 24 years."

In 1901 the 18-year-old Daisy is still living in Belmont Villa (next door to her 9-year-old cousin Stanley Spencer), with her parents Julius and Sarah Jane.  Sadly in 1901 Violet Eleanor passes away aged only 20 years and on 31st December 1902 Julius Spencer passes away in Bournemouth, aged only 54 years. On the 2nd January 1903 the South Bucks Standard reported:

" Death Mr. Julius Spencer.— The village of Cookham has lost one of its oldest and most respected inhabitants in Mr. Julius Spencer who died Tuesday in this week at Margate, where had gone for the benefit of his health. We are informed that the cause death appendicitis, which disease, it will be remembered, nearly robbed the country of its King last June. The funeral will take place 3 o’clock to-morrow (Saturday) afternoon. The deceased, than whom there was no more familiar figure in Cookham and neighbourhood, took keen interest local affairs, which he viewed rather from the standpoint of a critic than a participator in them. He was the head of a family singularly endowed with musical talent, two of his sons occupying the positions of organist at Hedsor Church and Cores End Congregational Church respectively: while a third, Mr. Harold Spencer, has few superiors as violinist."

The Reading Mercury reported -

"Death of Mr. Julius Spencer - The death occurred at Bournemouth Wednesday week, at the age of 54, of Mr. Julius Spencer a well-known and respected inhabitant of Cookham.  The funeral took place at Maidenhead Cemetery on Saturday afternoon and was attended by a large number of relatives and friends, the latter including many residents of Maidenhead and Cookham.  The deceased was one of the oldest continuous season-ticket holders on The Great Western Railway, travelling to London every day to attend at the office where he had been engaged for the past 30 years.  Among other duties, he held the post of vestry clerk to the united parishes of SS Lawrence and Mary Magdalene Jewry.  The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. J. Stephen Barrass, rector of St. Lawrence Jewry." 


In 1903 Daisy was admitted to Bethlem Royal Hosptial for the Mentally Ill, possibly for depression.  Bethlem Royal Hospital was one Britain's oldest hospitals dealing with patients with mental health issues.  Its foundation can be traced as far back as 1247.

Daisy was released seven months later, however on 15th December 1909 she was admitted to Camberwell House Asylum, until her release on 8th June 1910.  This was not to be her last stay at a hospital for the mentally ill.

1911 finds the widowed Sarah still living in Belmont Villa with her daughter Mable Lloyd, now a hospital nurse.

In 1911 Daisy was a patient at Essex County Asylum, her entry gives her age as 27 and her previous occupation as governess. On 10th April 1911 Daisy was admitted for a second time to Bethlem Royal Hospital.

Daisy's probate records states that she died on 21st August 1911 in Bethlem Royal Hospital in Southwark, Surrey, leaving £500 to her sister Mabel. 




 

Air Transport Auxiliary Commander Margot Wyndham Gore, MBE, DO

Memorial to Margot W. Gore MBE, DO, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"Aetheris Avidi. (Eager for the Air). - Cdr Margot W Gore MBE, DO - CO 15 Ferry Pilot Pool, Hamble 1941-5 - Born 24. 1. 1913 - Died 28. 8. 1993."

Margot Gore in ATA uniform.

Margot Wyndham Gore was born in East Preston, to William Wyndham Gore, a mining engineer, and his wife Martha Lord, at Worthing, Sussex on 24th January 1913.  she spent her early childhood in Ireland before the family returned to England in 1929.

In September 1939, Margot was an assistant instructor at Romford Flying Club, having made her first solo flight in November 1938.  Margot started with the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) on 24th June 1940 as a woman pilot. 

"First Officer Gore is a very steady and reliable pilot and has undertaken responsibilities in the office which she has carried out well."

She was one of only two female Commanding Officers in the ATA, commanding No, 15 Ferry Pool Hamble, the other being Marion Wilberforce.  This was highly unusual and at the beginning of the ATA many felt that women pilots were taking the jobs of male pilots.  C. G. Grey, editor of The Aeroplane, an influential magazine of the time reported -

"The menace is the woman who thinks that she ought to be flying a high-speed bomber when she really has not the intelligence to scrub the floor of hospital properly."

However as more and more women joined the war effort and qualified to fly, they were slowly accepted. Margot Gore herself was quoted as saying on the subject -

"I never had anybody say anything derogatory to me or nasty, in any way, [there was] surprise... particularly later on when we came in four-engines.  They did look very startled when a rather small person got out of a very big aircraft."


Margot was one of only four female ATA pilots that received and MBE for their services to their country in its hour of need.  After the war Margot continued to fly as an instructor at white Waltham Airfield and for the WAAF (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) Volunteer Reserve Flying Branch.

Margot sadly passed away on 28th August 1993 in Henley aged 80 years.

Joseph Hammerton and His Wife Sarah Hammerton - Grocers of Maidenhead High Street

Memorial to Joseph and Sarah Hammerton, All saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In Memory Of - Joseph Hammerton - Born April 14 1810 - Died June 30 1861 - Thou art with me;  Thy rod and they staff comfort me.  Also Sarah - wife of the above - Born March 1 1814 - Died January ?? 1875 - Rest illegible."

Joseph Hammerton was born on 14th April 1810 in White Waltham, Berkshire.

Sarah Hammerton was born Sarah Harbut on 1st March 1814 to George Harbut and his wife Ann Smith.

On 14th April 1846 Joseph Hammerton and Sarah Harbut married in the parish of Bryanston Square in Middlesex

Joseph first appears on the 1851 Census as a grocer living with his wife Sarah, born in Chilworth, Hampshire and their children, Sarah born in 1848, and Joseph born in 1850, in Pope's Lane in Maidenhead, Berkshire.  Sadly, Pope's Lane no longer exists, but at the time it was a small, cramped alley way full of shops and houses.

In 1861, just a few months before Joseph's death, the family have moved to the High Street in Maidenhead.  Lucy Ann had been born in 1853, and George Andrew in 1853.  Sadly, Joseph Snr passed away on 30th June 1861.

1871 finds the widowed Sarah and her children, Joseph, Sarah, and Lucy still living and working at the grocer's shop in Maidenhead High Street.  Unfortunately, I am unable to trace George Andrew on the 1871 Census, but he does appear on the 1881 Census as a valet for the Byles family in London.

Sadly, Sarah was to join her husband in the grave as she passed away in the January of 1875

Little Herbert Victor Penford of Princess Street, Maidenhead, Berksire

Gravestone monument to Herbert Victor Penford, All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"In loving remembrance of Herbert Victor Penford born 25th December 1880.  Died 7th July 1881 - Asleep in Jesus."

Little Herbert Victor was born on 25th December 1880 to Edward Penford, a general labourer, and his wife Fanny Harrington, a laundress.

Herbert or Hubert as he appears on all records, except his gravestone, appears on the 1881 Census aged only 3 months old, living with his parents and elder brother Edward Henry at his maternal grandmother, Mary Harrington's house at 6 Princess Street in Maidenhead Berkshire.

Sadly, little Herbert passes away on 7th Jul 1881 aged just 6 months old.