Wednesday's Child - Herbert Victor Penford

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries.


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


"In loving remeberance 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 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 Princes Street in Maidenhead Berkshire.

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



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Wednesday's Child - Caroline Cannon

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries.


Monument to Caroline Cannon, All Saints Church, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.



" In loving memory of Caroline Cannon who died November 1878 aged 5 years and 4 months - She is <rest illegible>."


Little Caroline Cannon was born in Maidenhead, Berkshire in 1873 and sadly passes away in the November of 1878 aged 5 years and 4 months old.

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Wednesday's Child - Rose Ethel Keeley

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries.


Monument to Rose Ethel Keeley and Charlotte Emma Keeley, All Saints Churchyard, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire


"In loving rememberance of Rose Ethel Keeley who died 16th May 1892 aged 7 years & 10 months - There's a home for little children. Above the bright blue sky, Where Jesus reigns in glory, A home of peace and joy -

In loving memory of Charlotte Emma Keeley aged 75 years."


Rose Ethel Keeley was born in 1885 in Maidenhead Berkshire to Richard E Keely, A chimney sweep master, and his wife Charlotte Emma Holdway.


Rose first appears on the 1891 Census aged 6, living with her parents and siblings, Edward, Florence, Reginald and Lillian in Albert Street, Maidenhead.  Sadly Rose was to pass away a year later in the May of 1892.

Charlotte Emma Keeley was born Charlotte Emma Holdway in 1851 in Slough, Berkshire to William Holdway, a beer house keeper and greengrocer, and his wife Elizabeth Morris.

Charlotte first appears on the 1851 Census, aged 1 month, living with her parents and elder sister Elizabeth in Upton cum Chalvey, Slough, Berkshire.  In 1861 the family had moved to Albert Street in Maidenhead.  The family had since expanded to include William, Sarah, Harry and Mary.

In 1871 Charlotte, listed as Emma and her elder sister Elizabeth are working as servants for the Royal British Orphan Asylum in Slough.  Another family I researched had connections with the Royal British Orphan Asylum, the Osborne family.

In 1879 Charlotte married Richard Keeley in Maidenhead.

1881 finds the newly weds living with Charlotte's father William Holdway and her stepmother Ann in Albert Street Maidenhead along with their 8 month old son Edward James.  Florence Emily was born in 1882  Rose Ethel was to join the family in 1885, Violet Ada was born and sadly died in 1886, Reginald was born in 1887,  Lilian was born in 1889, Laura was born and sadly died in 1890.

In 1901 after the death of their children Charlotte and Richard can be found living at 12 Albert Street in Maidenhead with their younger children Reginald and Lilian.  In 1900 Edward James, an omibus conductor, had married Elizabeth Ellen Morris in London, in 1901 they're living westminter with their 5 month old daughter Lily Rose.

Florence Emily is working as a housemaid and living with her paternal aunt Charlotte Alice Keely in London.

1911 and the family has moved to 18a Powny Road in Maidenhead, Richard is still a working chimney sweep at the age of 67.  Lving with Ricahrd and Charlotte are their two younger children Reginald, now a managwer in a cycle factor, and Lilian, now a school teacher.  Also living with them is Florence Emily, a shop assistant, and Edward Arthur Keeley, aged 8 years, Edward James and Elizabeth Ellen's son.  Visiting the family on the night the Census was taken is Richard's sister Charlotte Alice and Edward Barwick Rivers, a groom from Sandwich in Kent.

Edward James as moved back to Maidenhead in 1911 and is now the park keeper for Grenfell Park in Maidenhead.  Edward and Elizabeth are living at 46 Grenfell Road with their daughters Lily Rose now 10 years old, Winifred May aged 6 and their son Ernest Walter aged 4.  1912 saw the birth of their daughter Elizabeth Ellen and in 1916 their youngest daughter Rose was born.

On 31st August 1915 Florence Emily married Edward Barwick Rivers at All Saints Church in Boyn Hill, Maidenhead.  Her brother Edward James Keeley was one of the witnesses.

Charlotte Emma passed away on 21st February 1926.  I am unsure was to whether Charlotte is actually buried with her daughter Rose Ethel.  It looks as if her name is simply been stencled in on the top of her daughter's monument.

Elsie Jane Nelly Mair-Rumley

 

 

 

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries.

 

 

Monument to Elsie Jane Nelly Mair-Rumley, St James the Less Churchyard, Stubbings, Berkshire.

 

 

"In loving memory of dear Elsie second daughter of J. G. Mair-Rumley who fell asleep on Sept 5th 1888 aged 7 years - Depearted but not dead; not lost, but gone before -"

 

 

Elsie Jane Nelly Mair-Rumley was born on 7th December 1880 in Chelsea London, to John George Valentine Mair-Rumley, an civil engineer, and his wife Louisa Helena Pascoe.  Elsie was christened in the parish of St Luke's, Chelsea, London on 26th February 1881.

 

On the 1881 Census, Elsie can be found living with her parents and her elder siblings George Pascoe born in 1877 and Ida Florence born in 1878 at 12 Carlyle square in Chelsa, London.

 

Sadly Elsie was to pass away on 5th September 1888 aged just 7 years.

 

 



Arthur William and William Herbert - Infant Sons of James and Jane Osborne

 

 

 

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries.

 

 

Monument to Arthur William and William Herbert Osborne, infant sons of James and Jane Osborne, All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

 

 

"In sweet remembrance of Arthur William infant son of James and Jane Osborne who died March 15th 1865 aged seven months - In hope of a joyful resurrection - Also William Herbert Osborne."

 

 

Arthur William Osborne was born in the August of 1864 to James Osborne, a baker, and his wife Jane Mary Charman.

 

William Herbert was born and died in 1872.

 

James Osborne had married Jane Mary Charman in Maidenhead in 1856.  They first child Henry James was born in 1858, closely followed by Louisa in 1859, Alice Mary in 1860, Georgina Emily in 1862, Florence Alexandra in 1864, Charles in 1866, John Aubry in 1868, Sarah Jane in 1870 and Frederick George in 1873.

 

It must have been devastating for James and Jane to have lost two children in infancy.

 

Sadly in 1875 James was to pass away, leaving Jane with no means of support and several children to look after.  It seems that by 1881 the family had been split up.

 

In 1881 Henry James is working as a baker for Hannah Mitchell in Chobham, Surrey.  Georgina Emily is living with her sister Louisa and her husband James Sendamore in Shorditch, London.  Florence Alexandra is working as a barmaid at The Ship Public House in Southwark, London.  Later on 23rd April 1883, she marries Edwin Watson.  Charles aged just 15 is a solicitor's clerk, boarding at 17 Dame Street in Islington, London with Charles and Jane Cawley. John Aubry Osborne is a scholar at Royal British Orphan Asylum in Slough Berkshire.  Sarah Jane, now known as Jane is lodging with the McCormick family in Avlerstoke, Hampshire.  Lastly 8 year old Frederick is boarding with the Clayton family in Maidenhead.

 

 

 

 

I am unable to locate Jane on the 1881 Census, however she remarries on 20th February 1888 to Charles Twyman in Peckham, London.  Her son-in-law Edwin Watson and daughter Florence Watson were witnesses.  Jane was widowed again and remarried on 17th October 1904 to John Roberts.  Jane's son Frederick George was a witness.

 

So sad that this family were cast to the four winds after James Osborne's death.  I hope that they managed to find some happiness in their lives.

 

  



 

 

 

Rupert Ernest Neve - Killed in an aeroplane accident

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


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).  Ruperst 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 midair over Croyden, 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.


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Darling Dick

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012

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


"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.

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.



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Forgotten Babies

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012
Little Keith

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



Being a mother I am always acutely aware of the graves of children in any cemetery or churchyard I visit.  It is so sad to see these graves, often with small monuments or angels, lying forgotten.  I stop and wonder if anyone remembers them or if they have been lost to their families again.  In some small way I feel that by visiting their graves and taking pictures they're remembered once again.

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012

"Sacred To The Memory Of Frank Arthur.  Son of James and Catherine Gillett who died Feby 2nd 1860 aged 4 months and 18 days  -   The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

I'm not sure I could have been so forgiving of the Lord.  Frank Arthur was James and Catherine's first child.  Their house must have seemed so empty after his passing.

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012

" To The Sweet Memory Of Our Darling Margaret Evelyn Haines  - aged 3 years and 9 months."

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012

The stone carries no dates.  Margaret was born in 1927 in Poole and died in Maidenhead in 1930.

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012

"In Loving Memory Of Our Darling Eileen Doris Andrews. Died July 1st 1937 Aged 1 Year and 9 Months - Asleep.

"In Loving Memory Of Sharon Denise Taylor Died June 30th 1961 aged 4 Months - At Peace."

These half sisters struck a cord with me, my own daughter Jessica Eris has just turned 4 months old.  Sharon died the day before the anniversary of her sisters death.  Truly sad.


I always pause at graves such as these and bless the children and I am in no way religious.  No one should ever have to bury their child.


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