All Saint's Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK. |
Beneath Thy Feet
Secrets from the grave.
Sunday 28 April 2024
Beloved Wife - Lilian Mabel Humfrey
Sunday 21 April 2024
Until the Day Break and the Shadows Flee Away - Mary Jane and John Theophilus Scott M.B.E
All Saint's Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK. |
"Scott - On March 25th at 5 St Luke's-road, Maidenhead, John Theophilus Scott, M.B.E., (for many years Permanant Way Inspector for G.W.R.) "Called Home." Funeral at 3p.m., at Maidenhead Cemetery." - Maidenhead Advertiser, Wednesday 26th March 1930.
Sunday 14 April 2024
To Memory Ever Dear, Friend of the Sick and Suffering - Jennie (Keziah) Wilton the Fishmonger's Wife
All Saints Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK. |
"In Memoriam
The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on Jennie's death as follows:
It is with feelings of profound regret that we record the death of Mrs. Wilton, the wife of our esteemed townsman, Mr. d. Wilton (Deputy-Mayor), which occurred suddenly Friday afternoon at her residence, High-street. For some considerable time past Mrs. Wilton had suffered from occasional attacks of asthma and congestion of the lungs, and was subsequently much confined to her house. She was in a very fair state of health on Tuesday and spent a little time out of doors. Not feeling so well on Wednesday, she remained in-doors and went to bed early in the evening. On Thursday she seemed much worse, and in the afternoon her condition was such as to give rise to feelings of alarm, and Dr. Moore regarded the case as one of very serious character.
Sunday 7 April 2024
Family Grave - William, Amelia and Amy Shave
Sunday 31 March 2024
Jesus Hospital - Thomas, Amelia and Edward Prince
Jesus Hospital, Bray, Berkshire, UK |
Sunday 24 March 2024
"No Greater Honour and No More Worthy" - James and Eleanor Burnham
All Saint's Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire UK |
"In Loving Memory of James Burham Died 1914 and of his wife Eleanor Burham Died 1929 and of their grandaughter Veronica Stenberg Born 1929 Died 1993 a dear wife to Rudy Stenberg Born 1930 Died 2018."
James first appears on the 1861 Census living in Maidenhead High Street with his parents and his four brothers, William, Joseph, Tom, and Frank. In 1867 their mother Matilda Burnham passed away aged 50. William was remarried in Maidenhead in 1868 to Jane Fenner.
No greater honour and no more worthy and appropriate tribute of respect for one who during his life had rendered most valuable service for the good of the community among who he lived, could have been accorded by that by the townspeople on Thursday afternoon at the funeral of late Mr. James Burham, who on the 27th July passed away at his residence, Hope Villa, Marlow-road, Maidenhead, after a long illness. Generally, there seemed to be a desire on the part of the inhabitants to publicly express their regret at the loss of a good fellow-citizen, and to pay their last respect to one who had been so highly esteemed, and who won the affection of all with whom he came into contact. Thousands of people of all classes were present in the streets and at the Cemetery, and the funeral was a profoundly impressive spectacle. The members of the Maidenhead Fire Brigade laid their late Chief Officer to rest with all honour due to a fireman, and, moreover the deceased, who had served with distinction in the Maidenhead Company of the Berkshire Volunteers, and who ranked as an hon, lieutenant of the Maidenhead companies of the Berkshire National Reserves, was accorded the privilege of a military burial."
Sunday 17 March 2024
And I Will Give You Rest - John and Mary Ann Thomas - Fairground Proprietors
All Saint's Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK. |
In loving memory of John Thomas who passed peacefully away Nov 2nd 1914 aged 53 years.
Farewell dear wife my life is past.
I loved you well while it did last.
John Thomas was born in Walworth, Surrey in 1861 to parents Evan John Thomas, a Travelling Hawker from London, and Sarah Ann. On 23rd of August 1880 at Holy Trinity Church, Newington, Surrey, John Thomas married Mary Ann Smith.
Mary Ann Smith was born in Blackwater Hampshire in 1858 to parents William Smith, a Travelling Hawker and later a Steam Circus (Fairground) Proprietor, and Mary Ann.
In 1881 the newlyweds John and Mary Ann can be found living with Mary Ann's parents on Chertsey Road, Windlesham, Surrey, in three fairground carts. Both John and Mary Ann's occupation is listed as Games Assistant.
Types of Living Waggons |
1891 finds both the Smith and Thomas families living in a collection of caravans on the Bath Road in the village of Colnbrook, Buckinghamshire. Living with John and Mary Ann are their children, Mary Ann born in 1881, Lavinia born in 1882, Sarah born in 1885, John (Jonto) born in 1887, and Lousia born in 1889. Two further children were to join the family, Albert in 1891 and Willaim Lewis in 1892.
No trace of the family can be found on the 1901 Census, which is not unusual for travelling or fairground families. However, in 1904 Mary Ann was summoned to court in Windsor for noise nuisance at Windsor Fair. The Slough, Eton, and Windsor Observer reports as follows:
"Mary Ann Thomas, William Hastings, Samuel Jones, Richard M. Warrick; and William Biddell were summoned at Windsor under a new bye-law for causing to be made by an organ a loud and continuous noise to the annoyance of residents and passengers.
John and Mary reappear on the 1911 Census living in caravans at Fair Field, Guildford Street, Chertsey, Surrey. John is listed as being a Fair and Roundabout Proprietor and Mary Ann as an Assistant to the Business. Living nearby in another caravan is their son William Lewis Thomas, his wife Lillian, and their one-year-old son William. It is possible John and Mary Ann, and their son were in Guildford Street for the annual Black Cherry Fair, held in Chertsey.
Guildford Street, Chertsey, Surrey c1910 |
Colourised Photograph of the Black Cherry Fair, Chertsey, Surrey. |
John was to pass away in Reading, Berkshire, on 2nd November 1914 aged just 53. Mary Ann passed away in Reading, Berkshire, aged 77 in 1935.
Sunday 10 March 2024
Left Me for a Little While - Jane Hughes
All Saint's Cemetery Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK |
All Saint's Cemetery Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK |
"In Ever Loving Memory of my dear wife Jane Hughes who left me for a little while on Febry 18th 1903 aged 66."
Jane Hughes was born Jane Green in 1837 in Dorchester, Oxfordshire, England. In 1859 Jane married Samuel John Hughes in Stepney, London.
The first record found on Jane and Samuel is the 1871 Census where Samuel is the Master and Jane is the Matron of the West Ham Union Workhouse. Samuel and Jane are still Master and Marton of the Union Workhouse in 1881, living with them are their daughter Caroline born in 1863, and their son Frank born in 1873. In 1891 their daughter Kate, a High School Mistress born in 1864 has joined her parents in living at the Workhouse.
By the 1901 Census both Samuel and Jane have retired to College Avenue in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Jane was to pass away on 18th February 1903. After that Samuel seems to disappear from the records.
Sunday 3 March 2024
Grandmother and Granddaughter - Eliza King and Helena Margaret Kempton
All Saint's Cemetery Maidenhead Berkshire UK |
The newly married couple can be found on the 1861 Census living at 24 Gold Street, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, along with their 8-month-old son Thomas Taplin King, their servant Annie Hillyard, and Thomas's Assistant Outfitter, Thomas Sands.
Gold Street, Northampton, Northamptonshire |
Eliza and Thomas's daughter Helena Eliza King was born in 1864 in Maidenhead, Berkshire. On the 1871 Census she is listed as Eleaner E King, aged 7, a visitor at the home of Charles Denison, a Shorthand Clerk living at 5 Park Terrace, Islington, London.
By 1871 the family had moved to Harcourt Villa, Broadway, Maidenhead, England, where the family had expanded to include, William born in 1863, Frank born in 1867, and Herbert Sidney born in 1868.
On the 1881 Census, Helena can be found living with her mother, elder brother Thomas Taplin, and younger brother Herbert Sidney at Harcourt Villa, Broadway, Maidenhead, Berkshire. Thomas Sr, now listed as a Commercial Traveller, can be found at Blossoms Hotel, 10 Foregate Street, Cheshire,
Helena Eliza was to lose her daughter Helena Margaret on 28th February 1962 aged 72. She was laid to rest with her grandmother at All Saint's Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire.
Helena Eliza was to be reunited with William when she passed away on 1st September 1962 aged 97, they are buried together a short distance from Eliza King and Helena Margaret Kempton.
Sunday 25 February 2024
First Australian Infantry Force - Private Norman Edwin Sheldon
All Saint's Cemetery Maidenhead, Berkshire UK |
All Saint's Cemetery Maidenhead, Berkshire UK |
"A. I. F Australia 8022 Pte N. E. Sheldon, 16th Btn, Born Feb 2nd 1897, Died March 31st 1918. And of his brother, Harold Percival Sheldon Born May 5th 1887, Died Jan 5th 1972. Also of Maude beloved wife of Harold born Sept 6th 1888 (death obscured)."
Norman Edwin Sheldon was born on 2nd February 1897 in Gloucestershire, England to parents John Henry Sheldon, a Farmer, and Hettie Elizabeth. Norman can be found on the 1901 Census, aged 4, living with his parents and elder sister May at The Laurels, Rangeworthy Road, Gloucestershire. At that time Harold does not appear to be living with his family.
Harold Percival Sheldon was born on 5th May 1887 in Fredericktown, Canada and can be found living with his parents in his birth town aged 4 on the 1891 Census of Canada
On the 1911 Census Norman can be found as a pupil at Townsend Academy, a private boys' school in Harptree, Somerset. His elder brother Harold, now a Bank Clerk, has since moved to England and is listed as a visitor at his cousin Percy Henry Sheldon's house at 25 Wheelwright Road, Gravely Hill, Erdington, Warwickshire.
At some point before 1917 Norman and his parents emigrated to Cookernup, a small town in the south of Western Australia, where he worked as a Farmer. On the 8th May 1917, Norman enlisted at Bunbury city in Western Australia, and from there on 5th June 1917 he was sent to the 28th Battalion 21st Reinforcements then on to Machine Gun School on 25th June 1917. On the 18th October 1917, Norman was moved to the 16th Battalion, 27th Reinforcements. On the 31st January 1918 Norman arrived in England to the 13th Training Battalion at Codford Wiltshire, where unfortunately on the 14th March he was taken ill with Measles and Scabies and was admitted to the 3rd New Zealand General Hospital, Codford, a military hospital on the western rim of Salisbury Plain.
Ward at the 3rd New Zealand General Hospital, Codford, Wiltshire. A postcard from 1917. |
Later, on 26th March Norman was transferred to the Sailsbury Isolation Hospital, this time for Scarlet Fever, where he finally succumbed to the disease on 31st March 1918 aged just 21 years. Norman was then buried at All Saint's (Maidenhead) Cemetery in Section A Grave 5Y.
Harold and his wife Maude can be found on the 1939 England and Wales Register living at Westmount, 40 Belmont Park Avenue, Maidenhead, Berkshire. Harold occupation listed as a Bank Manager and Maude as Unpaid Domestic Duties. Living with them at Westmount is Maude's mother Edith and 16-year-old Mabel Gammon, their domestic servant. Harold passed away at Maidenhead on 5th January 1972 aged 84 years. He was followed by his wife Maude in 1973.
Thursday 7 May 2015
Muriel Thompson - The Sinking of the Lusitania
All Saints Cemetery Maidenhead Berkshire UK |
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."
Friday 18 July 2014
Flashback Friday - Emma, Edward and Edward Simmonds - Mother, Father and Son
Monument to Emma Simmonds, Edward Simmonds and Edward Simmonds, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.
Emma Simmonds was born Emma Johnson in 1846 in Bray Berkshire to Frederick Johnson, a labourer and his wife Charlotte.
On the 1861 Census, Emma is listed aged fourteen living with her parents and siblings at Oakley Green. Living a few houses away was Edward Simmonds and his family.
Edward Simmonds was born in 1849 in Bray Berkshire to William Simmonds, a wheelwright and his wife Caroline Allen. Edward and Emma married in Cardiff in 1875. They can be found on the 1881 Census living at 20 Topaz Street, Cardiff Wales with their three young daughters, Louisa aged four, Charlotte aged two and five month old Elizabeth. At that time Edward was working as a carpenter, but he was soon to follow in his father's footsteps.
In 1891 Edward and Emma have moved back to Fifield in Berkshire and Edward is working as a wheelwright. The family has expanded to include eight year old Caroline, six year old Albert, four year old George and two year old Edward.
In 1901 the family are still living in Fifield, but Emma is now listed as Louisa E. Albert is now a domestic gardener and George is an apprentice wheelwright. Living next door is Emma's spinster sister Sarah Johnson.
By 1911 Edward has followed his brother Albert into the gardening business, yet he is still living at home in Fifield with Edward and Emma.
After the outbreak of World War I, Edward Jr enlisted with the Devonshire Regiment. Sadly he was to die as a result of service, either through injury or illness on 22nd January 1917 in Eton Buckinghamshire. He is buried in a Commonwealth War Grave at St Peter's Churchyard in Burnham Buckinghamshire I picture of Edwards gravestone can be found here.