Monument to Edward John Norsworthy, All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.
"In Loving Memory of My Dear Husband, Edward John Norsworthy who entered into rest January 1st 1895 Aged 26 Years."
Edward John Norsworthy was born in Maidenhead, Berkshire in 1868 to Edward Norsworthy, a plasterer, and his wife Emma Edwards.
In 1871 Edward appears on the Census aged three years old, living with his parents, elder sister Jessey and younger brother William at 21 Victoria Street in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Lodging with the family is Thomas Holmes, a blacksmith.
By 1881 the family had moved to 7 Victoria Street in Maidenhead. Edward's younger sisters Emily had been born in 1872 and Clara in 1874. Sadly in 1882, 10-year-old Emily was to pass away. In 1889 Edward's mother Emma passed away.
Edward was an avid football player and played several matches for Boyne Hill Football Club. He was also a volunteer for the Royal Berkshire Regiment.
Two years after the death of Emma the family are still together in Victoria street. William is working as a house painter, while Edward has followed his father in becoming a plasterer. Living with the family at the time is their cousin Emily Edwards.
In 1892 in Eton, near Windsor, Edward John married Charlotte Sarah Jefferys. Sadly, Edward was to die just three years later on 1st January 1895. On 2nd January 1895, the Maidenhead Advertiser carried the following announcement:
"NORSWORTHY—January 1st, at 7, Victoria Street, Maidenhead, Edward John Norsworthy, eldest son of Edward Norsworthy, after a very brief illness, aged 26. Deeply lamented."
On 9th January 1896, the Maidenhead Advertiser reported on the funeral of Edward:
"VOLUNTEER FUNERAL.
On Saturday afternoon last a very imposing funeral took place in connection with the Maidenhead Company, 1st V.B. Royal Berko Regiment, when the remains of the late Private E. J. Norsworthy were laid to rest in the churchyard All Saints', Boyn Hill.
The young man, who was only 26 years of age, succumbed to a brief but painful illness, at an early hour on New Year's morning. The deceased leaves a widow, but happily no children, having been married about two years. Several years ago he joined the local company of Volunteers, and after three or four years' service, he resigned, owing to his employment taking him away from the town a great deal. On the formation of the Maxim gun detachment last year, Norsworthy rejoined the company and was posted to the gun section, and was present at the annual encampment at Churn in August last. He was much respected by his comrades, and this, no doubt, accounted for the large muster of Volunteers at the funeral on Saturday last--a bitterly cold day.
The Volunteers paraded at their Armoury in York-road shortly after two o'clock, and were joined by a large muster of the Maidenhead Town Brass Band, under Mr. W. J. Harris. Half an hour later these had taken up their position near the house where the young man breathed his last—in Victoria-street. The coffin, which had on it a Union Jack, some military accoutrements, and some elegant floral tokens, was borne from the house of the deceased to an open funeral car by six friends and comrades of the deceased, viz., Lance-Corpls. W. Reckley, W. Johnson, and J. Lloyd and Privs. E. Soundy, F. C. Johnson, and G. Baldwin. The mournful procession then wended its way to All Saints' Church, Boyn Hill. in the following order:— Firing party of Volunteers, under Colour-Sergt. J. Burnham ; Maidenhead Town Brass Band, which played the Dead March in Saul very effectively en route; the funeral car, on which was the coffin containing the corpse; five coaches, is which were relatives of the deceased; about 70 rank and file of the Volunteers, under Sergt.- Instructor Belcher; and representatives from the Maidenhead Conservative Working Men's Club and the "Loyal Queen of England" Lodge of Oddfellows, M.U. Captain L. H. Banbury, commanding the Maxim gun detachment, had been expected to attend, but telegraphed his inability to do so. The procession was met at the church by the Rev. R. P. Newhouse (curate) and the choir, the service in the sacred edifice being choral. The building was filled in every part, and the solemn service was impressively conducted by the Rev. R. P. Newhouse, who also officiated at the grave. The service in the church over, a move made to the grave, where the remains were lowered to their last resting-place, amidst the sobs of sorrowing relatives and sympathising on-lookers.
The service at the grave was brief, and at the close the customary three volleys were discharged by the firing-party. The coffin, which was of polished elm, with brass mountings, bore a suitable inscription. Mr. G. Hooper, of Gloucester-terrace, the Broadway, was the undertaker, and he carried out his duties most satisfactorily. The Volunteers, to the number of about 98 (including the firing-party, bearers, drummers, buglers, and pioneer) formed up outside the church after the funeral obsequies had been performed, and, headed by the Maidenhead Town Brass Band, which played some lively music, marched backed to the Armoury and dismissed.
The Union Jack which was placed on the coffin was lent by Mr. A. E. Whitaker, of Queen-street, who has now presented it to the Maidenhead company of Volunteers. The interment took place close to where lie the remains of the late Private H. Greenwood, who was a member of the local detachment of Volunteers, and who was buried with military honours some three or four years ago. The funeral on Saturday was witnessed by several thousand persons."
In 1900 the widowed Charlotte married William Henry Pillar, a police constable. They remained together until William's death in 1939. Charlotte followed William to the grave in 1956. They had no children.
