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 - War Grave - Corporal Ronald Victor Smith of the Royal Air Force

**For the month of November in honour of Armistice Day we will be revisiting the local war graves I have researched.  This post was originally published 10th October 2012.**

 

 

 

 

"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".

 

 

Ronald Victor Smith was born in Maidenhead Berkshire in 1893 to Issac Smith, a builder's foreman and Louisa Morgan.

 

In 1911, aged 18,  Ronald is living with his aunt and uncle, George Henry and Amelia Knott, along with his brother Sydney Herbert Smith.  At that time Ronald's occupation was listed as an electrician.

 

Sometime after 1911, Ronald enlisted with the Royal Air Force.  Sadly he was to die either from injuries or illness on 28th November 1918, seventeen days after the end of World War One, aged just 25.


 





World War Two: Anthony Montague and Guy Henry Garrett-Cox - Brothers in Arms.

Sometimes when you set out to research a person you stumble onto tales of bravery and tragedy.  This is one such story.

What intrigued me about this family at first was the fact that Lance Corporal Anthony Montague Garrett-Cox is the only war grave in the small churchyard of St Luke's Church in Maidenhead, Berkshire.  Why was Anthony here on his own when his comrades in both world wars that died at home were buried at All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery?

Details where few and far between.  I managed to find out through the Commonwealth War Graves commission that Anthony's parents were R Garrett-Cox and Gladys Irene Garrett-Cox of Maidenhead.  Their double barrelled surname, instead of making research easier, made it much harder.  Through searching the name via Google I discovered that a second Garrett-Cox, Lieutenant G H Garrett-Cox, had served and died in the Second World War and was commemorated along side Anthony on the Maidenhead War Memorial.  This was too much of a coincidence, they had to be related in some way.

Searching with the forename Garrett and the surname Cox, I was able to find Lieutenant Guy Henry Garrett-Cox's information on the Commonwealth War Graves website.  Lieutenant Guy Henry Garrett-Cox served in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve aboard the H.M.S Helca and died on 12th November 1942.

Guy Henry and Anthony Montague were brothers.  Both were born in Maidenhead to Samuel Henry Reuben Garrett-Cox, A music professor and organist at St Luke's Church in Maidenhead, and Gladys Irene Carter.  Guy Henry had been born in 1911 and Anthony Montague in 1914.  They were Reuben and Gladys's only children.

Just before the outbreak of World War Two on 1st May 1939, Guy Henry married Rosemary Simpson-Hayward in Celyon, Colombo.  In 1941 they celebrated the birth of their son, Martin Hayward Garrett-Cox.

Anthony enlisted with the Intelligence Corps of the British Army and was sent to Mauritius.  Guy enlisted with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve and was stationed on the H.M.S Helca.

During his time in Mauritius, Anthony was attacked and left for dead, he returned home to England where he was sent to hospital.  Sadly the attack in Mauritius left more than physical scars for Anthony and on 4th August 1941, Anthony took his own life.  The Derby Evening Telegraph reported on 6th August 1941 -

"INJURED AND LEFT FOR DEAD

The suggestion that his mind may have been affected by an attack in Mauritius three years ago was made at the Westminster Inquest, to-day, on Lance Corporal Anthony Montague Garrett-Cox, aged 26, of the Intelligence Corps, who shot himself through the head with a revolver.

His father, Mr, Reuben Garrett-Cox, of Maidenhead, said that in Mauritius his son had been struck on the head eight times with a motor jack, and left for dead. 

He was in hospital for three months.

Recording a verdict that the Lance Corporal 'committed suicide while of unsound mind.' The coroner said that the Mauritius injury might have had some bearing on the state of his mind."


It must have been a terrible shock for Anthony's parents and brother.  To get their loved one back from the brink of death, only to lose him three years later.  Sadly, tragedy was about the strike the family again.  Just fifteen months later, Mr and Mrs R. Garrett-Cox were to lose their only surviving child, Guy.

Between the 11th and 12th November 1942, the H.M.S Helca was torpedoed just off the coast of Morroco by a German U-Boat U-515.   Of the 838 men aboard, 556 were rescued, 12 known to have been killed and 273 reported missing, presumed killed.  It is not clear whether Lieutenant Guy Henry Garrett-Cox was one of the known dead or those missing, but what is clear is that Lieutenant Guy never returned home.  Guy Henry Garrett-Cox's body was never recovered.  He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial and the Maidenhead War Memorial.

For more information on the torpedoing of the H.M.S. Helca and the resulting rescue efforts, please click here.

Samuel Henry Reuben Garrett-Cox passed away in 1966 in Maidenhead and Gladys Irene passed away in 1980 in Chiltern and Beaconsfield.  The loss of both their sons must have weighed greatly upon them.

Unfortunately I do not know what became of Guy's wife Rosemary.


Taphophile Tragics
Tombstone Tuesday

Cemetery Sunday - The Fallen

 

Commonwealth War Grave of Lance Corporal A. M. Garrett- Cox Intelligence Corps.  4th August 1941 aged 26.

 

Son of R, Garrett-Cox and Gladys Irene Garrett-Cox of Maidenhead.

 

 

 

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Taphophile Tragics - The Fuller Family

Monument to Charles John Fuller, Emily Charlotte Fuller, Elizabeth Rebecca Fuller, Joseph Fuller and Alice Hambly Fuller, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.


"To The Memory Of Charles John Fuller died Decr 16th 1872 aged 3 weeks - Of such is the kingdom of heaven - Also Emily Charlotte Fuller died March 9th 1884 aged 23 years - Whom the Lord loveth the Lord chasteneth - Also Elizabeth Rebecca Fuller wife of Joseph Fuller died November 4th 1884 aged 54 years - Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her - Also Joseph Fuller passed away March 11th 1917 aged 91 years - Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord - Also Alice Hambly Fuller second wife of the above died Jan 13th 1927 - Asleep in Christ."


Joseph Humpfry Fuller was born in Maidenhead in 1826 to John Humpfry Milhern Fuller and his wife Charlotte.

The Fuller family in Maidenhead established Fuller, Story and Company and built Bell Brewery in Maidenhead in 1852.

I have been unable to locate Joseph before his marriage to Elizabeth Rebecca Silcock in Droxford, Hampshire in 1859.

Elizabeth Rebecca Silcock was born in Ingoldisthrope, Norfolk, to George Silcock and his wife Mary Chadwick.

The first record of Elizabeth I was able to find, after her christening, was the 1851 Census where she is living in Heacham, Norfolk with her widowed mother Mary and her younger siblings, Martha and Francis.

1861 finds the newly married Joseph and Elizabeth living at the flour mill on Ray Mill Island, Maidenhead, Berkshire, along with their 10 month old daughter Emily Charlotte. 

Joseph and Elizabeth's family continued to grow, in 1862 they welcomed their first son Francis Joseph, 1864 saw the birth of their second daughter Jessie Mary, 1865 another daughter Annie Grant was born and another daughter Gertrude Elizabeth in 1866.  A second son Alfred Bell was born in 1868 followed by another daughter, Marion in 1870.  Sadly a third son Charles John was born in 1872 only to pass away three weeks later.

In 1871 Joseph and his family are still living at Ray flour Mill in Maidenhead Berkshire.

In 1881 Francis Joseph as left the family to work as a clerk at a corn exchange in Clapham London and Alfred has been sent to a boarding school in Hove, Sussex.  Joseph, Elizabeth and their remaining children have moved to Calcut House, Craufurd Rise, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

Sadly just three years after the census was taken, both Emily Charlotte and Elizabeth Rebecca where dead.

In 1886 in Barton Regis, Gloucestershire, Joseph married his second wife, Alice Hambly Edmonds.

Alice Hambly Edmonds was born 3rd Aril 1838 to Henry Edmonds, a merchant and his wife Elizabeth.  Alice's father died when she was young, leaving her mother a widow at the age of 27.  Through the 1861 Census until her marriage to Joseph, Alice lived with her uncle George Edmonds, a chemist and druggist in Surrey.

In 1891 Joseph and his second wife Alice are living at 2 Craufurd Terrace in Maidenhead, Berkshire.  Joseph's children from his first marriage have all left home to live in various locations throughout the UK.

On 12th June 1894 at St Luke's Church, Jessie Mary Fuller married John Edward Gripper, a retired corn merchant twenty years her senior.

In 1901 Joseph and Alice are boarding in the home of John Vokes, a stone mason, at 3 Clifton Terrace, St Thomas, Hampshire.

By 1911 Joseph and Alice had moved to Hillsboro House, Gringer Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.  The house still stands today and is currently subject of a planning dispute.  The current owner wishing to demolish Hillsboro House and it's Coach House to erect apartment housing.  The planning office is against this.

Six years later Joseph passes away on 11th March 1917.  His second wife Alice followed him to the grave in 1927.


Taphophile Tragics
Tombstone Tuesday

Cemetery Sunday - Cliveden War Cemetery

 

 

Cliveden War Cemetery, Cliveden House, Near Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England.

 

 

For a previous post on Cliveden War Cemetery, please click here.

 

 

 

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Flashback Friday - War Grave - Reginald John Pope

For the month of November in honour of Armistice Day we will be revisiting the local war graves I have researched.  This post was originally published 26th September 2012.

 

 

 

"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".

 

 

 

Reginald John Pope was born in 1901 in Whymondham Norfolk to Elias Pope and Sarah Betts, Crockery Hawkers.  Reginald's family were Gypsies, travelling folk who sell their wares up and down the country.  On the 1911 Census the family are shown living in 'A gypsy caravan at Blackamore Lane, Maidenhead, Berkshire', with their eight children, many of whom, including Reginald were attending a local school. 

 

Reginald served in the 4th Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment and may have fought in the Battle of Megidoo,  sadly he died in Maidenhead on 19th October 1918.  The fact that Reginald has a Commonwealth War Grave suggests that he died as a result of injury or illness sustained during his war service.  Unfortunately I have been unable to track down any of Reginald's war service records, which is not surprising as many WWI records were destroyed or damaged by fire during the Blitz.

 

 

 



Taphophile Tragics - Ann Ballantine

Monument to Ann Ballantine, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.


"In Loving Memory of Ann widow of Joseph A Ballantine of Bristol who feel asleep Sept 3rd 1884 aged 77 years."


Ann Ballatine was born in Somerset, England in 1807.

I first found her and her husband, Joseph Arthur Ballantine, an accountant, on the 1851 Census living at Richmond House in Bristol, Gloucestershire.  Living with them at the time are their six children, Jane, Arthur, Joseph, Harriet, Edmund, and Ellen as well as their niece and nephew Elizabeth and Thomas Jackson. In 1852 the family welcomed another daughter, Sarah.

Sadly in 1856 Joseph Arthur Ballantine passed away in Swansea.

Five years later in 1861 the widowed Ann is still living in Bristol with five of her children, Jane and Arthur had left the family by 1861.  Harriet had married James Whyte, a provisions store owner in 1859 and had a daughter Annie Harriet born at sea in 1861.  Still living with the family is Ann's niece Elizabeth Jackson.

In 1871 Ann can be found living at 11 Devon Place in Newport, Wales with her son Joseph and youngest daughter Sarah.

1881, just three years before Ann's death is can be found living with her son Joseph and her daughter Ellen at 24 St Mary's Road, Kensington, the lodgings house run by her eldest daughter, Jane Ballantine.

Ann was to pass away on 3rd September 1884 in Maidenhead, Berkshire.


Taphophile Tragics
Tomnstone Tuesday

Cemetery Sunday - Lean On Me

 

Fallen gravestone propped against a footstone, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

 



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Flashback Friday - Sextons of Holyport Berkshire

**Originally posted 5th October 2012**

 

 

Monument to Frederick, Annie Elizabeth and Mary Sexton, St Michael's Churchyard, Bray, Berkshire.

"In loving memory of Frederick Sexton of Holyport, who died July 1st 1883 in the 40th year of his age. 'Thy will be done'. 

Also Annie Elizabeth Sexton the beloved daughter of the above, who died September 25th 1886 at Caracas South America in the 21st year of her age. 'In the midst of life we are in death.' -  'It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good.' 

Also of Mary Sexton, wife of the above, who died Aug 17th 1928 in the 88th year of her age.  Her end was peace."

I was immediately drawn to this gravestone because of the surname Sexton.  Sexton has another meaning other than simply a name.  Sexton - an occupation: A person who looks after a church and churchyard, typically acting as bell-ringer and gravedigger.  Although it turns out the occupants are Sexton's in name only.

Frederick Sexton was born in Bray, Berkshire in 1844 to James Sexton, a carpenter and Elizabeth Sargent Smith.  On the 1861 census Frederick can be found as a Private in the 10th (Prince of Wales Own) Royal Hussars at the Cavalry Barracks, Barrack Street, East Wymer, Norfolk.

In 1865 in Middlesex Frederick, now a carpenter, married Mary Fenemore, not long after, the first of their six children was born, Annie Elizabeth.

Annie Elizabeth died in Caracas, Venezuela, South America on 25th September 1886.  Unfortunately I am unable to find out what Annie was doing in South America or why she died.

Mary Sexton was born Mary Fenemore in Oxfordshire 1841 to James Fenemore, a pound keeper and his wife Caroline. 

On the 1861 census, Mary was a house servant in Holyport, Maidenhead, Berkshire.  When Frederick passed away in 1883, Mary became a young widow of 45 with six children to support, the youngest only being 2 years old.  Mary remained in Maidenhead until sometime around the 1911 Census when she can be found living in Clacton on Sea with her youngest daughter Ellen and her husband, Leonard Phillips.

Taphophile Tragics - Alfred Moore Cooper

 

 

 

Monument to Alfred Moore Cooper, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

"In Loving Remembrance Of Alfred Moore Cooper - Late of ware, Hertfordshire - Died July 15th 1873 aged 28 years ~I know that my redeemer liveth~"

 

 

Alfred Moore Cooper was born in Ware, Hertfordshire in 1844, to George Cooper, a corn merchant, and his wife Martha Moore.

 

On the 1851 Census, six year old Alfred is living with his parents and siblings George and Rosa, in the home of his maternal grandfather George Moore at Cannons, Baldock Street, Ware, Hertfordshire.

 

In 1861 the sixteen year old Alfred, now a Brewer's Clerk is living with his family in High Field, in Great Amwell, Hertfordshire.

 

1871, just two years before Alfred's passing, the twenty six year old is now a corn merchant, living in Amwell End, Ware, Hertfordshire with his younger sister Rosa.  At the same time Alfred's parents have moved to live in Pinkney's Green, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

 

On 15th July 1873, Alfred passes away aged just twenty eight years old in Marylebone, London.

 

After Alfred's death, Rosa moved to Maidenhead to live with her parents.  However her father George Cooper was to die in 1876 aged fifty three.  In 1881 Rosa and her widowed mother, Martha are living in North Town, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

 

Was Alfred away from home on business when he passed away?  Was his death due to natural causes or something else?  These are the things that keep me up at night.

 

 

Taphophile Tragics

Tombstone Tuesday

 

 

 

Cemetery Sunday - St Luke's Churchyard

 

St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

 



Flashback Friday - Vivian Charlotte Lewis - Died In Her Racing Car

**Originally posted 2nd October 2012**

 

 

Monument to Vivian Charlotte Lewis, All Saints Churchyard, Bisham Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory of Vivian Charlotte wife of David Lewis Born 22 April 1923 - Died in her racing car at Brighton Speed Trials 14th September 1963"

Vivian Charlotte Lewis was born Vivian Charlotte Hordern on 22nd April 1923.  Search on her life has proved difficult as the spelling of her first name constantly changed throughout official records.  All that is known of Vivian's life is that she married David Lewis in 1952 in Westmister.


Sadly due to the manner of her passing, a lot is known about her death.

"London, Saturday holiday markers saw a woman racing driver killed when her car somersaulted and burst into flames at Brighton today.

The car hit a kerb, exploded and crashed into a children's playground on the promenade.

The driver Mrs Vivenne [sic] Lewis, 35 [sic] of Cookham Dean, Berkshire, was competing in the Brighton speed trials when her Jaguar hit the kerb and went out of control.

Damaged

Flames shot 20ft into the air as it exploded

Two timing marshals narrowly escaped as parts of the wreckage landed a few yards from their desk. Some of the timing equipment was damaged.

Racing was stopped for 40 minutes after the crash - the first fatality in the 58 year history of the trials.

Mrs Lewis was married but had no children" - The Sydney Morning Herald 15th September 1963.

SPEED ON THE FRONT

Seems Vivian was lying about her age, as she died aged 40, not 35.

On that day Vivian was racing a 1958 Tojeiro Jaguar that she shared with her husband.  The actual car that was involved in the accident was sold, restored and recently came up for sale at auction.

Vivian's car restored

Taphophile Tragics - Ellen and Ellen Mary Gould Box - Mother and Baby

 

 

Monument to Ellen and Ellen Mary Gould Box, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

"In fondest memory of Ellen Box dearly loved and loving wife who died September ? 1882 aged 25 years.  Also of Ellen Mary Gould Box who died September 1? 1882 aged 13 days."

 

There are verses engraved under each dedication, however they were too worn to read.

 

Ellen Box was born Ellen Turton in Hillingdon, Middlesex, the eldest child of George Turton, a grocer and his wife Elizabeth Randell.

 

Ellen first appears on the 1861 Census, aged four, living with her parents and two younger brothers James and Ebenezer at the family run grocery shop in Hillingdon, Middlesex.

 

In 1871, Ellen, now fourteen is still living with her parents at their grocery shop in Hillingdon, Middlesex.  Sadly young Ebenezer passed away in 1863 aged only two years.  But the Turtons had welcomed two sons and three daughters into their family since Ebenezer's passing, William, Alfred, Fanny, Mary and Emily.

 

In 1881 at the age of twenty four, Ellen is still living with and working at her parent's grocery shop.  The family has expanded to welcome a further two sons and two daughters, Ernest, Herbert, Alice and Edith.  Later that same year Ellen married Ebenezer Gould Box, a woollen merchant from Maidenhead, In Newington, London.

 

Soon after their marriage Ellen was expecting their first child together, a daughter Ellen Mary Gould Box.  Sadly tragedy was to strike the young family.  Ellen was to pass away first early in September 1882 followed by her baby daughter by mid September.  I am guessing that Ellen succumbed to complications after the birth of her daughter.  Both died in Chelsea, London.  I am unsure why they came to be buried in a Maidenhead churchyard as Ebenezer continued to live out of the area until his own death.

 

In 1886 Ebenezer married again, to Elizabeth Binns.  Their own family was to be touched by infant mortality.  In the early part of 1888 they celebrated the birth of their first child, a son, Reginald Ebenezer Gould Box.  Sadly baby Reginald was to pass away before his first birthday at the end of 1888.  Ebenezer and Elizabeth had a second son, Lewis S Box in 1894.

 

 

Taphophile Tragics

Tombstone Tuesday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Cemetery Sunday - Mary and Jesus

 

Stained glass window depicting Mary and Jesus.  St Luke's Church, Maidenhead. Berkshire, England.

 

 

 



Flashback Friday - Peter George Stanhope Payne - Barrister

**Originally posted 29th September 2012**

 

 

Monument to Peter George Stanhope Payne and Maud Payne, All Saints Churchyard, Bisham Berkshire.


"Peter George Stanhope Payne 28th May 1928.  Maud Payne 2nd July 1937."


 Peter George Stanhope Payne was born in Woburn Sands, Bedfordshire in 1862 to Sir Salusbury Gillies Payne, Justice of the Peace for Bedfordshire and Catherine Ann Chadwick.

In 1881 Peter is listed on the census as an Undergraduate of Oxford University, before going on to become a barrister.

In 1892 Peter married Maud Banbury, daughter of Frederick Banbury and Cecilla Laura Cox.  Maud was born in London in 1868.



Edited:  Peter and Maud had two children, Marjory Enid and Lionel Guy Stanhope.  It seems that Lionel had a very interesting military career and was awarded the military cross.

"Citation for the award of the Military Cross

Capt. Lionel Guy Stanhope Payne, Suff. R. and R.F.C.

For conspicuous

gallantry and devotion to duty. On four occasions he bombed important enemy railway stations, obtaining direct hits on each occasion. He also carried out a long distance raid on an enemy .aerodrome, which he bombed from 1,100 feet, making the return journey at a height of 800 with, his machine damaged. He has taken part in .many night bombing raids, always at a low altitude, and has set a fine example of determination to all ranks of his squadron."



 

Taphophile Tragics - Ellen and Henry Knight

Monument to Ellen and Henry Knight, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.


"In Loving Memory of Ellen the beloved wife of Henry Knight who passed away Jan 14th 1922 aged 77 years - At Rest - Also of Henry Knight who passed away Feb 1st 1928 aged 84 years."


Ellen Knight was born Ellen Davis in Wokingham, Berkshire in 1845 to Henry Davis, a shoe maker and his wife Ellen. 

Henry Knight was born in 1844, however his place of birth changes on every record I have found of him and Ellen and I have been unable to locate Henry pre 1871.

Ellen first appears on the 1851 Census aged seven years, living in Braywick, Bray, Berkshire with her parents and siblings, George, Mary Ann, Henry, James, and Emma.

I am having difficulty locating Ellen on the 1861 when she would have been around seventeen years of age, so it is possible that she was in service and her details were recorded incorrectly.

In 1867 Ellen marries Henry Knight, a gardener, in Windsor, Berkshire.

1869 sees the birth of their first child, a daughter, Emma.  Closely followed by a son, Henry in 1870.

1871 Census and the small family is living at Ray Park Cottages in Maidenhead Berkshire.

1872 saw the birth of a second daughter, Ellen and 1878 a third daughter Edith.  A month before the 1881 Census was taken, Ellen gave birth to her fourth daughter, Clara.  The Census records the family as living at 8 North Cottages in North Town, Maidenhead, Berkshire.  Ellen's occupation is now listed as a laundress, possibly taking in washing to help support her growing family.

1884 sees the birth of a fifth daughter, Alice, followed by a second son, Edwin in 1888 and a third son, Joseph in 1889.

In 1891 the family has moved to Builders Villa in Bray, Berkshire.  Henry Snr's occupation is now listed as a market gardener.  The elder daughters Emma and Ellen are listed as assisting their mother in her laundress business, where as Henry Jr is working as a gardener with his father. 

Five years later, in 1896, Emma left the family to marry William Swain Norsworthy, a painter and decorator from Maidenhead.

1901 the family has moved to The Briars in Bray, Berkshire.  Living next door at 5 Builders Cottages is Henry Jr, now a green grocer, and his sister  elder Ellen. 

Five years later, in 1906, Clara married Henry Arthur Collins, a dairyman from Fifeld, Berkshire.

In 1908 Henry Jr married his wife Emma, unfortunately I haven't been able to locate a marriage index for Henry and Emma.

1911 and Ellen and Henry have moved to Spencer's Farm in Fifield Berkshire.  Living with them are their youngest daughter and son, Alice and Joseph.  Joseph is now working as a domestic chauffer.

Edith is now a dress maker is lodging at the house of George Lovegrove at 4 Woodlands Villas, Datchet, Windsor, Berkshire.  Edwin is a domestic gardener for a large house in Hawthorn Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

I have been unable to locate Ellen Jr post 1901.

Sadly in 1922 Ellen passed away.  Henry followed Ellen to the grave in 1928.

Cemetery Sunday - St Luke's Spire

 

Spire, St Luke's Church, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

 



Flashback Friday - Rupert Ernest Neve - Killed In An Aeroplane Accident

**Originally posted 25th September 2012**

 

 

Monument to Rupert Enrest Neve, Peggy Neve, Marjory Edith Neve and Anthony Holloway, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In humble submission to the will of God and in happy memory of Rupert Ernest Neve R.F.C killed in an aeroplane accident jan 26th 1918 aged 24 years - For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord, whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.  Rom 14. 8

Also Peggy, daughter of H. H & B Neve died Feb 21st 1915, aged 27 hours.

And Marjory Edith Neve, died July 29th  1947 aged 56 years.

Also Anthony Holloway died March 29th 1948 aged 2 days."

Rupert Ernest Neve and his twin brother Arthur Osmond Neve were born on 15th September 1893 in Maidenhead Berkshire to Alfred Hovenden Neve, a draper and clothier operating from 57-61 High Street Maidenhead, and Emma Hankin Skillman.  Rupert attended Desborough School for Boys in Maidenhead, the school has a private memorial to him in their building.

In 1911 Rupert was boarding at 121 Castle Hill, Reading with the Venn family.  His occupation is listed as an ironmongers apprentice.  On 23rd April 1913 Rupert was involved in a motorcycle accident, the Slough, Eton & Windsor Observer on 26th April 1913 reported;

"A motorcycle and van collide-

About 8:30 Wednesday evening, a horse and van, driven by George Haines, of 17, Grenville [sic] Place, Maidenhead, was proceeding to London, when a motorcycle, ridden by Mr. Rupert Ernest Neve, of High Street, Maidenhead, who was going in the same direction, collided with the rear of the van.  Neve sustained a cut lip and was attended by Dr. Sadler, of Slough.  Mr. William Egleton, of Bray Mills, near Maidenhead, was riding on the carrier of the cycle and received a bruised head and cut fingers."

Rupert was one of the first groups of young men to volunteer at the outbreak of World War I.  He first enlisted on 15th September 1914 in the Public Schools Battalion of The Royal Fusiliers and was then promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th King's Shropshire Light Infantry but shortly transferred to the R.F.C (Royal Flying Corps).  Rupert's twin brother served as a Lance Corporal in the Royal Army Medical Corps.  Rupert passed is flying certificate on a Maurice Farman Biplane on 6th July 1916.  During an aerial fight over France sometime in March 1917, Rupert was severely injured but was able to bring his plane back behind British lines. 

Rupert had only just been reported fit to for active service when on 26th January 1918, his Sopwith Camel B.5235 biplane collapsed mid-air over Croydon, Surrey due to excessive vibration.

Sopwith Camel B.5235

Peggy Neve was born on 20th February 1915 to Harold Hovenden Neve, Rupert's elder brother and Beatrice Rolfe.  Sadly she was to pass away on 21st February 1915 just 27 hours after her birth.

Marjory E Neve

Marjory Edith Neve, known as Madge, Rupert's elder sister, was born on 29th May 1891 in Maidenhead Berkshire.  She lived and worked at her father's drapery store at 57-61 High Street Maidenhead.  She never married and died aged 56 on 29th July 1947

Neve Bros

Unfortunately There is very little I can find out about Anthony Holloway, other than his mother's maiden name was Neve.  I am unable to locate a marriage between a Neve and Holloway that fits.  There is one, but it took place in 1973, 25 years after Anthony's death.

Taphophile Tragics - Annabella Atkinson - Gardener's Wife

Monument to Annabella Atkinson, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

"In Loving Memory of Annabella the beloved wife of Joseph Atkinson who died October 6th 1911 aged 50 years."

Annabella Atkinson was born Annabella Douglass in 1861 in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland to Stephen Douglass, an iron founder, and Mary Jane Carr.

Annabella first appears on the 1861 Census aged just five months, living at 53 Railway Street in Newcastle, Northumberland with her parents and elder siblings, Mary aged five and Anna aged four

Annabella next appears on the 1871 Census, aged ten years, living at 31 Albert Street in Gateshead, County Durham, with her parents, maternal grandmother Elizabeth Douglass and her younger siblings, Thomas aged seven, Catherine aged five and Jane aged two.

By 1881 the twenty year old Annabella is working as a live in servant for the Laig family At Thornhill House in Bishop Wearmouth, Sunderland.

1891 and Annabella has moved to the small household of Albert Palmer at 14 Windsor Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, where she's working as a cook.

Just a year later, Annabella married Joseph Atkinson, a gardener from County Durham, in Morpeth.  The first child, a daughter Nora arrives in 1894, followed by a son John Ernest in 1896.

1901 finds the little family living at 2 Primrose Place, Gateshead, County Durham.  Living with the family at the time is Joseph's widowed mother Ann Marshall.

In 1904 a second daughter Violet Hilda was born and in 1906 a second son Douglass followed.

1911 and Annabella and her family have moved to The Gardener's Cottage at Oakley Court, Bray, Berkshire.  Nora Atkinson, now aged seventeen is working as a school teacher and fifteen year old John Ernest is a learning electrical worker.

Sadly just six months after the 1911 Census was taken, Annabella passed away.



Taphophile Tragics
Tombstone Tuesday