Muriel Thompson - The Sinking of the Lusitania

All Saints Cemetery
Maidenhead Berkshire
UK

"Also of Muriel, dearly-loved youngest daughter of the above (Nathan Curtis Thompson).  Drowned by the sinking of The Lusitania.  May 7th 1915.  - Is All Well With The Child? - It Is Well."

Muriel was born in Maidenhead Berkshire in 1884, the youngest daughter of Nathan Curtis Thompson, a master grocer and his wife, Charlotte Disney.

In her teenage years Muriel attended Wallasey Grange Boarding School for Girls in Westgate-on-Sea in Kent, living at Eyrie House in Roxburgh Road.  By the 1911 Census Muriel had returned to the family home in Fifeld, near Holyport, Maidenhead Berkshire.

In the winter of 1913 Muriel travelled to Miami, Florida to spend time with friends where she remained for eighteen months before booking her return journey on the C Deck of the Lusitania.  It was on the 1st May 1915 at New York, Pier 54 that she alighted the Lusitania for the journey home to England. On 22nd April 1915 the Germany Embassy had issued a warning to all those who intended to travel on the Lusitania.

“NOTICE! Travellers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britain and her allies; that the zone of war includes the waters adjacent to the British Isles; that, in accordance with formal notice given by the Imperial German Government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain, or any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travellers sailing in the war zone on the ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk.
Imperial German Embassy”

Lusitania pictured in 1907

On Friday May 7th 1915, The Lusitania passed in front of the German U-boat U'20 eight miles off the coast of Kinsale, Ireland. She was torpedoed and sank in just 18 minutes at 2:30pm. Of the 1,959 passengers and crew aboard only 761 survived. Muriel was among those missing after the tragedy.  Her loss was reported both in England and America.

On Wednesday 12th May 1915 The Palm Beach Post reported:

"Miss Thompson Lost Life In Sinking Of Lusitania

Name Is Not Included In Published List Of Survivors - Spent Winter With Friends Here.

Miss Muriel Thompson, who was returning home to England on the Lusitania after a winter spent in Miami with friends here, was among those lost when the great vessel sank beneath the waves off Kingsdale [sic] last Friday afternoon, shattered by German torpedoes.  Published lists of those saved have not contained her name, while lists in New York papers give her name among those who drowned.

Miss Thompson made many friends here during the winter which she spent at the home of Mrs. J. B. Patterson at 234 Thirteenth Street."


It seems the confusion over those named on the lists gave Muriel's family false hope.  On Saturday 15th May 1915 the Reading Mercury reported:

"Miss Muriel Thompson Missing.

Among the missing victims of the Lusitania is Miss Muriel Thompson, youngest daughter of Mrs. N. C. Thompson of Firfield, [sic] Bray, near Maidenhead, and sister of Messers. P. and S. Thompson.  Miss Thompson had been in America about eighteen months, and was on her way home in the ill-fated vessel.  Members of the family have visited Ireland, but have failed to find any trace of Miss Thompson and they fear that she went down with the vessel and was drowned."


Of the 1,198 people killed during the sinking of the Lusitania, only 289 bodies were ever recovered.  Muriel was not one of them.  Eventually Mrs Thompson was to give up the search for her daughter.  On Saturday 29th May 1915 the Reading Mercury carried the following announcement:

"Deaths -

Thompson - On the 7th inst., by the sinking of the Lusitania, Muriel, dearly loved youngest daughter of the late Mr. N. C. Thompson and Mrs. N. C Thompson Firfield, [sic] Holyport, Berkshire."

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk
British Newspaper Archive
Wikipedia
Google Newspapers





Cemetery Sunday - Angel - All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery

Praying Angel
All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery
Maidenhead, Berkshire
England

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Cemetery Sunday Blog Hop - Celtic Cross, All Saints Maidenhead, Cemetery

All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery
Maidenhead, Berkshire
England.

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Cemetery Sunday - In Loving Memory Of...

 

In Loving Memory Of... All Saint's Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

 

 

 

 



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Cemetery Sunday - IHS

 

IHS Celtic Cross, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

 

 

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Cemetery Sunday - All Saint's Maidenhead Cemetery

 

Celtic Cross in the fog at All Saint's Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

 

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The Hawker Family - Bakers of Maidenhead

 

 

Monument to Ruth Hawker, Albert Hawker and Mary Ann Hawker, All Saint's Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

"In Loving Memory of Ruth Hawker wife of John Hawker died Nov 4th 1865 aged 47 - Interred in Wesleyan Churchyard -

 

Albert Hawker fourth son of Ruth and John Hawker died July 8th 1892 aged 42.

 

Mary Ann Hawker second wife of John Hawker died May 26th 1896 aged 83"

 

 

Ruth Hawker was born Ruth Hester in Ascot, Berkshire in 1818 to Giles Hester, a wheelwright, and his wife Susannah Redrup.  In 1838 Ruth married John Hawker, a baker from Boyn Hill, Maidenhead.  In 1839 they celebrated the birth of their first child, a son, John Giles Hawker.

 

In 1841 the young family can be found living in Boyn Hill Maidenhead.  However by the 1851 Census Ruth and family had moved to Maidenhead High Street.  The family had since welcomed the births of Fanny, Mary Ann, William and baby Albert.  Living with the family at the time was seventeen year old George Smith, a baker's apprentice.

 

In 1861 the family was still living in Maidenhead High Street, Young John Giles, Albert and Frederick had joined the family bakery business and Fanny contributed to the household as a milliner (hat maker).  William has since become an apprentice draper in the household of Julius Neve.  Young Louisa, Frederick and baby Robert had joined the family. 

 

Sadly in 1862 Fanny passes away.

 

In 1863 Ebenezer, the last child of John and Ruth Hawker was born.  Sadly two after her youngest son's birth, Ruth passed away.  Later that same year, 1865, Mary Ann Hawker married George Jay, a master baker from Streatham, Surrey.

 

In 1869 John married his second wife, Mary Ann Brant, a dressmaker, in Eton, Berkshire.

 

Mary Ann Brant was born in Cookham Berkshire in 1812 to Thomas Brant and his wife Mary.

 

By 1871 John and his second wife Mary had moved to King Street along with Albert, Louisa, Frederick and Ebenezer.  Just three years later in 1874, later, Louisa married Henry Carter, a draper from Suffolk.  In 1875 they celebrated the birth of their first child, a son Archibald, followed by a daughter Ruth in 1878.  John Giles had since left the family home to become a missionary in East India.

 

1881 the family has moved again to 3 Lansdowne Villas, Norfolk Road, Maidenhead.  John is now listed as a retired baker, young Ebenezer is now an architect.  Living with John and Mary Ann is Louisa, her husband Henry and their two young children.  Frederick has followed his elder brother John in becoming a missionary in East India.

 

Twenty nine year old Albert is a pauper patient at Berks County Moulsford Lunatic Asylum, listed as a lunatic, where he remained until his death in 1892

 

John and Mary Ann had moved again by 1891, into Holly Cottage on Norfolk Road. 

 

Mary Ann passed away in 1896, John was to pass away three years later in 1899.

 

 

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Cemetery Sunday - Cobweb Angel

 

Spider webs on angel monument at All Saint's Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

 

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Taphophile Tragics - Charles Quibell Rogers

 

 

 

Monument to Charles Quibell Rogers, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

"In Memory Of Charles Q. Rogers died March 9th 1950 aged 73"

 

Charles Quibell Rogers was born in 1876 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, to Charles Rogers, a pork pie maker, and his wife Mary Quibell, a provisions dealer.

 

Charles first appears on the 1881 Census, aged five years, living with his parents, elder sisters Elizabeth and Sarah, twin sister Emma Rachel, and younger sister Edith, in Sage Cross Street in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

 

In 1891, fifteen year old Charles, now a pie maker, is boarding in the home of Arthur Barrett, a confectioner and baker at 109 Charmwood Street, St Margaret's, Leicestershire.  Charles's twin sister Emma is working as a general domestic servant in the home of Charlotte Rose at 65 Princess Street, Leicester, Leicestershire.

 

In 1898, Charles married Emma Holmes, the widow of Frederick Holmes, in Shardlow, Derbyshire, taking on Emma's two children from her previous marriage, Frank and Florence Holmes.

 

A year later in 1899, Charles's twin sister Emma Rachel married John Wayness Cheyne, a plumber and gas fitter, in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

 

Charles's new family can be found on the 1901 Census, living at 12 Oakleys Road, Long Eaton, Derbyshire, where Charles's occupation is now listed as a bread maker.

 

Emma Rachel and her husband John Wayness can be found living at 68 Granstead Road,  Colchester, Essex.

 

By 1911 Charles and his family had moved to 57 Oakleys Road in Long Eaton, Derbyshire.  Charles is now working as a confectioner fro the Co-operative.  Frank and Florence are working in the lace making and mending industry.

 

I am unable to locate Emma Rachel and her family on 1911 Census.

 

Charles Quibell Rogers was to pass away on 9th March 1950 in Maidenhead, Berkshire.  His twin sister Emma Rachel Cheyne died aged eighty five years old in Chelmsford, Essex on 28th July 1961.

 

I wonder what brought Charles to Maidenhead and why he lies alone in All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery.

 

 

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Cemetery Sunday Blog Hop - All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery

 

All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

 

 

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Blog Hop - Cemetery Sunday - Resting

 

'Resting', All saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

 

 



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Cemetery Sunday - Snow Angel

 

 

Finch Family Grave, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

I realise that I have used this picture for Cemetery Sunday before, but unfortunately this week a family member suffered a health scare, so I haven't had a lot of time available for sorting through pictures.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

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Cemetery Sunday - Until The Day Breaks

 

"Until The Day Breaks"  War Grave, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

 

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Cemetery Sunday - Air Transport Auxiliary Graves

 

ATA - Air Transport Auxiliary Graves, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

Throughout World War Two many personnel lost their lives whilst transporting planes, some of them damaged in battle, to various locations around Britain and France.

 

 

 

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Flashback Friday Colonel David J C E Sherlock - His Lovely Life Ended

**Originally posted 18th September 2012**

 

Monument to Colonel David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire.


"In devoted memory of Colonel David J. C. E. Sherlock D.S.O (distingished service order) Royal Artillery the beloved husband of Constance Nash Sherlock   Born June 6th 1879  His lovely life ended February 18th 1938  Constance Nash Sherlock 1900 - 1959."

David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock was born 6th June 1879 in Dublin Ireland to David Joseph Sherlock and Mary Zeena Elizabeth Murphy.  In 1900 David joined the army, serving in the Great War, first with the Royal Horse Artillery and then later with the Royal Field Artillery.  In 1930 David married Constance Nash.

The Catholic Herald printed a small notice of death for David on 28th February 1938 -

"Gallant service during the European War, in which campaign he was wounded and was six times mentioned in despatches. brought high honour, both from Britain and from France, to Colonel David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock, who died on the 18th inst. at his home at Burnham, Buckinghamshire. The Royal Honours List awarded him the D.S.O., while France made him a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour and gave him also the Croix de Guerre.

Colonel Sherlock was in his fifty-ninth year. The son of Mr. David Sherlock, D.L., of Tullamore, he was educated first of all in Ireland, at Clongowes Wood College, and afterwards at Beaumont. He joined the Army in 1900. In the Great War he served with the R.H.A. and the R.F.A. He retired about eight years ago."

Sadly for such a well decorated man I can find very little information on his life or that of his wife Constance.

Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt
Where Right and Glory Lead

Cemetery Sunday - Angel

 

Finch Family Angel, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

 

 

Flashback Friday - Charles West Cope R.A. Artist to The House of Lords

Monument to Charles West Cope and his second wife Eleanor Mary, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory of Charles West Cope. R.A   Born July 28th 1811 - Died August 21st 1890.  Thine eyes shall see the King in all his beauty."

You can see Sarah Beesleys grave just behind

"Also of Eleanor Mary Cope his second wife who died 20th October 1918 aged 87"

Charles West Cope was born on 28th July 1811 in Leeds Yorkshire to Charles Cope, a water colour painter and art teacher and Ellyn Hill.  He was given the middle name West after the celebrated artist and friend of his father, Benjamin West.  As a child Charles was sent to a boarding school in Camberwell London and later attended school in Great Marlow Buckinghamshire where he suffered a broken elbow in a bullying incident.  In 1827 Charles father died in a stage coach accident, that same year Charles entered the Sass's Academy before becoming a student of the Royal Academy of Arts.

On the 1st September 1840 Charles married Ann Charlotte Benning daughter of Henry Benning, a surgeon and Ann Stockdale.

Charles submitted designs for a competition to decorate the interior of the Houses of Parliament. In 1843, his drawing 'The First Trial by Jury' earned him a prize of £300. In 1844 he submitted a further design called 'Meeting of Jacob and Rachel,' and was one of the six painters commissioned in July of that year to prepare preliminary drawings, coloured sketches, and specimens of fresco painting for the decoration of the House of Lords. He also received 400 pounds for his design of 'Prince Henry Acknowledging the Authority of Judge Gascoigne'. Charles received a commission to execute this design in fresco, and also another of 'Edward the Black Prince receiving the Order of the Garter'.

Charles West Cope

In 1865 and 1866 Charles finished his best frescoes in the House of Lords - 'Meeting of Train Bands to relieve the Siege of Gloucester' and 'Speaker Lenthall asserting the Privileges of the Commons.' In 1867 he was appointed professor of painting at the Royal Academy, and delivered six lectures a year till 1875. In 1867 also he painted a third scene Moonlight from 'Othello' exhibited 1868.

Sadly in 1868 Charles wife Ann was to pass away aged 50.

In 1879 Charles married his second wife Eleanor Mary Smart.  They moved to 11 Craufaud Rise, Maidenhead Berkshire where Charles continued to exhibit his paintings at the Royal Academy of Art until 1882.   In 1883 he retired as a professional artist though he continued to paint for his own enjoyment and also took up boating and cycling. He wrote his autobiography, "Reminiscences", which was completed in October 1889.

Charles died in Bournemouth on 21 August 1890, after a brief illness.

Notice of Charles West Cope's death

The Slough, Eton & Windsor Observer reported on Charles's funeral;

"Funeral of Mr. C. W. Cope, R.A. -

On Monday at mid-day, the remains of the late, Mr. Charles West Cope, R.A. were interred at Maidenhead Cemetery, the first part of the service being read at St. Luke's Church, in the parish of which Mr. Cope had resided for the last ten years.  The Rev. W. G. Sawyer, the late Vicar, conducted the service.  The funeral was of a private character, being attended only by the nearest relatives and friends.  Owing to the time of year, when nearly everybody is away, none of the members of the Royal Academy were able to be present, and tokens of sympathy and regret for unavoidable absence were received from Sir F. Leighton, President Royal Academy, and from Messers. Richmond, Alma, Tadema, Horsley, Wells, and others.

The funeral arrangements were satisfactorily carried out by Mr. J. C. Webber, High Street.  Mr. Cope, who had resided in Maidenhead for some considerable time, died at Bournemouth, after a short illness, with comparatively little suffering, and in full possession of his intellectual powers till the last day of his life.  He had just entered his 80th year, his birthday being the 28th of July and the day of his death  the 21st of August."

Eleanor moved to Henlow, Kidwells Park, Maidenhead, where she remained, alone apart from her cook and parlour maid until her death on 20th October 1918

War Grave Wednesday - First Officer Wilbur washington "Bee" Acton ATA

 

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.



Wilbur Washington "Bee" Acton was born in the USA to William Acton and his wife Irene in 1916.

On 8th July 1944 First Officer Wilbur Acton was flying an Anson I NK773, when an Oxford X7134 plane descended below the cloud cover and collided with Wilbur's Anson.  Both planes crashed just five miles north of Hullavington, Robourne, Wiltshire.

RAF Pilot Bernard Norman Philips of the Oxford was killed, along with Squadron Leader William Alfred Law.

On July 20th 1944 Flight Magazine reported -

"Air Transport Auxiliary

First Officer Wilbur Washington (Bee) Acton, U.S.A., A.T.A., killed in the course of ferrying duties in England."

It seems at odds that the sacrifice these brave men and women made could simply be summed up in one sentence.

I have no idea why Wilbur had the name Bee associated with him.  Records of this particular accident are difficult to find.

Restored Anson Mk I Bomber in flight

Source - Wikipeadia

 

Flashback Friday - Fading Sarah Beesley

**Originally posted 7th August 2012**

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012

Memorial to Sarah Beesley, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory Of Sarah Beesley widow of the late David Beesley who entered into rest 3rd April 1894 aged 89 years."

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012

I noticed this stone in the background whilst taking a picture of a far fancier monument.  The colour, beautiful craving and the fact the words are slowly fading drew me to it.  How long before all trace of Sarah is wiped from the stone forever?

Sarah Beesley was born Sarah West in Great Marlow Buckinghamshire in 1804 to James, an agricultural labourer and Sarah West.  Sarah West and David Beesley married in 1840 in Upton cum Chalvey, ten years after their first daughter Sarah was born in 1830.

Sarah lived with her husband, a fruitier and their children in Littlewick Green, White Waltham.  When David died in 1870 Sarah took over the business.  The 1871 Census finds Sarah recently widowed living with her Son Henry and daughter Annie.  Her occupation is listed as fruitier and baker.  In 1881 Sarah had moved to 1 Jasmine Cottage Craufaud Rise, Maidenhead to live with her daughter Annie, now married to Alfred T Taylor a bank clerk.  Sarah was still living at 1 Jasmine Cottage along with her daughter's family when she died in 1894.

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012

Flashback Friday - Darling Dick Russell

Originally posted 24th July 2012

 

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012

"In Loving Memory of Darling Dick.  The dearly beloved son of DICK and GID RUSSELL who died on his seventh birthday July 9th 1896 - Teach Me Thy Ways O Lord!"

Dick Russell was born on 9th July 1889 in Walton-on-Thames Surrey to Richard Russell a Stockbroker and Lina Mary Scott.  Dick's mother was from a very wealthy family, her mother being Lady Maria Scott and her sister Countess Mabel Edith Russell (no relation to Richard Russell).  Countess Mabel and Lady Maria Scott where implicated in the great Russell - Scott Scandal.

Dick appears on the 1891 Census aged just one year old, living with his mother and farther as well as grandmother Lady Maria Scott and his aunt Countess Mabel at The Fisheries in Bray, Berkshire.

One thing I don't understand is why Lina is listed on the memorial as GID.  Maybe it's a nickname like Dick for Richard.  I guess we will never know.