Monument to Frances Louisa Comber, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.
"In loving memory of Frances Louisa beloved wife of Charles Comber who fell asleep April 28th 1907 aged 52 years. Her end was peace."
Frances Louisa Comber was born Frances/Louisa Gardner on 19th July 1855 at New Street, Clapham, London to William Gardener, a whitesmith, and his second wife Frances Wilson. I have been unable to trace Frances on the early Census returns. Frances appears int he 1871 Census listed as Louisa, aged 17, working as a kitchen maid in the home of Emily H Ragland at 5 Great Stanhope Street, Mayfair, London.
In 1878 Frances married Charles Comber, a police constable, in Wandsworth Surrey. In 1881 the newlyweds can be found living at 35 Union Street in Clapham London with their two young daughters Louisa J aged 1 year, and Lucy aged just 6 days. At that time Frances was using the name Louisa.
By 1891 family had moved to Oakley Green in Bray, Berkshire. Charles is now a night watchman at New Lodge, and the family has expanded to include Charles William aged 9, Marther [sic] aged 4, Ernest aged 2, and baby Albert, just 11 months old. Frances is now using the name Frances Lou.
1901 finds the family living at Braywood Cottages in Bray, Berkshire. Charles is still a Night Watchman, but Frances has now gone back to using the name Louisa. Their family has expanded again to include Amelia aged 8, and Elizabeth aged 3.
Sadly, Frances was to pass away on 28th April 1907, the death index has her name listed as Louisa Frances.
The widowed Charles can be found on the 1911 Census living with his youngest daughters Louisa Jane, and Elizabeth, at Braywood Cottages, Bray, Berkshire. Charkes was to retire as a night watchman in 1913 on medical advice. The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 5th July 1913:
"BRAYWOOD. RESIDENT.--Braywood has lost a familiar figure owing to the retirement of Mr. Charles Comber, who for 25 years has acted as night-watchman at New Lodge. Mr. Comber has been in bad health for some time, and under the doctor's orders was obliged to give up his work. He retires on a pension which it is hoped he will live long, with improved health, to enjoy."
He must have loved Frances very much to have such a beautiful monument made in her memory.
He must have loved Frances very much to have such a beautiful monument made in her memory.
I love the details on this headstone. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteyou have shown us another interesting cross on an unusual shaped monument.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting that she kept changing her name!
ReplyDelete