Townsend - Misty Morning

All Saint's Cemetery,
Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK.

"Philip Limbrach Townsend died March 21st 1927 aged 71 years.

Lousia Townsend died 19th December 1936 aged 70 years."

Philip Limbrach Townsend was born in 1856 in St Anns, Soho, Middlesex, to parents Philip Townsend, a dairyman and cow herder, and Jane Sims. His unusual middle name comes from that of his paternal grandfather, Limborough Townsend. It seems that over the years Philip's middle name was incorrectly recorded before becoming the name that adorns his grave, Limbrach. 

Philip can be first found on the 1861 Census living with his parents and siblings above the family Dairy at 26 Frith Street, Soho, London, Philip married Elizabeth Weston on 25th July 1878. Their marriage was to be a tragically short one. In 1884 they were blessed with the birth of their son Owen Stanley Townsend, who was to sadly die aged 12 in 1896. January 1886 saw the arrival of their second child, a son Aubrey Edward Townsend. Sadly, Elizabeth died that very same month, possibly through childbirth or complications afterwards.

On the 1881 Census Philip and Elizabeth can be found living and running the family dairy business at 26 Frith Street, Soho, London, along with Philip's younger brother William, a cabinet maker. 

26 Frith Street, Soho, London

On 15th March 1888 Philip marries his second wife Louisa Banger in Abingdon, Berkshire. 

The couple can be found on the 1891 Census at 26 Frith Street, Soho, London living with their two-year-old daughter Elsie Margurite. Philip's two sons from his first marriage Owen and Aubrey are living with their grandmother Jane Townsend at a farmhouse in Baldon Green, Baldon Marsh, Oxfordshire.

In 1901 Philip running a dairy at 151 Maida Vale, Paddington, London along with his wife Louisa. His son Aubrey from his first marriage, is now an apprentice electrical engineer, two more children have joined the family, Cecil Philip Limbrach born 1892, and Dorothy May born 1894. in 1902 anotehr daughter was born, Phyllis Louise.

By 1911 The family had moved to Lawnfield House, Bath Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire.  However, on the night of the census, Philip, now working as an auctioneer, and his son Cecil were staying at the Marine Mansion Hotel on Marine Parade in Brighton, Sussex. 

Lawnfield, Bath Road, Maidenhead.

Sadly, another tragedy was set to befall the family. Aubrey joined the Royal Fusiliers and sadly drowned near Huntingdon whilst bathing in the river on 14th June 1919 aged 33. He left behind his widow Nellie Lavinia Clarke and a young son Philip Maurice Townsend.  Aubrey is buried in a Commonwealth War Grave in Brampton Cemetery Huntingdonshire.