Little Jemima Ann Walker and Her Parents Robert and Ann Walker - Mary Ann Curtis Treffry, John Higgs, Jemima Griffin Higgs - Methodists of Maidenhead

 

Monument to Jemima Ann Walker, Robert Walker J.P, Ann Walker, Mary Ann Curtis Treffry, John Higgs Esq J.P and Jemima Griffin Higgs, Methodist Church, Hight Street, Maidenhead Berkshire.

 

 

"In memorium Jemima Ann, only daughter of Robert and Ann Walker died Jany 15 1860 aged 10 years.  Robert Walker, J.P. died August 1. 1886 aged 64 years.  Ann Walker died July 12 1896 aged 78 years."

 

"Mary Ann Curtis Treffry died Dec 16 1864 aged 74 years.  John Higgs Esq. J.P. died June 3 1867 aged 6? years.  Jemima Griffin Higgs died Nov 3 1886 aged 79 years."

 

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels - Rev 3."

 

 

Jemima Ann was born in 1850 to Robert Walker, a chemist and painter and later a barrister and Justice of The Peace, and his wife Ann Wright.  In 1851, one year old Jemima can be found living with her parents and her uncle John Higgs and aunt Jemima G Higgs in Maidenhead High Street.  Sadly, young Jemima was to pass away from a short illness before the next census was taken.

***

 

Robert Walker was born in Dudley, Worcestershire on 22 January 1822 to Robert Walker, and his wife Mary Ann Curtis Cullern.  In 1841 Robert is an apprentice chemist and has moved to Maidenhead where he is living with his brother-in-law John Higgs, a chemist in Maidenhead's High Street. In 1847 Robert married Ann Wright, daughter of Murrel Wright of Sunninghill Berkshire, and his wife Mary Grace, in Maidenhead Berkshire.

 

Robert was also a preacher for the Wesleyan Methodist churches in Maidenhead and Cookham Rise and in 1865 he wrote a book entitled, A Collection of Favourite Hymns used by the Wesleyan Methodist Sabbath & Day Schools, of which Robert was superintendent. 

The 1881 Census sees Robert's occupation listed as magistrate and local preacher.

 

On 22nd July 1886 Robert was forced to be absent from a a day trip with the Wesleyan Sunday and day Schools to Burnham Beeches due to severe illness.  10 days later Robert passed away on 1st August 1886. The Reading Mercury reported on the funeral on the 14th august 1886:

"The late Mr. Robert Walker— The funeral of the late Mr. Robert Walker, J.P., of Kidwells Park, Maidenhead, whose death on the lst inst, was announced in our obituary last week, took place on Thursday, the 5th inst., amid every manifestation sorrow and respect. The deceased, who was 64 years of age, had been in ill-health for several months, but his death occurred somewhat unexpectedly. In early life Mr. Walker was apprenticed to the late Mr. J. Higgs, chemist, and subsequently set up in business. About ten years ago Mr. Walker retired altogether, and the business has since been carried on by his son. 

Mr. Walker was for many years member of the Town Council, and was twice Mayor, one of his official acts being the laying of the foundation-stone of the Maidenhead railway-station. He was justice of the peace for the borough, one of the guardians of the Cookham Union, Chairman of the Maidenhead Gas and Coke Company, and a Trustee of the Maidenhead Savings' Bank and of some of the local charities. He was an active member of the Wesleyan Methodist body, and was a local preacher and an earnest teacher in the Sunday School, of which he had, at the time of his death, been superintendent for about 40 years. He had filled the office of circuit steward, and recently presented to the circuit a new chapel at Cookham Rise. He was also a warm supporter of the temperance cause, and leading member of the local lodge of Good Templars. 

The funeral procession on Thursday was a long and imposing one, and included members of the Orders of Good Templars and Rechabites; the coffin was carried by young men and covered with wreaths contributed by friends and societies with whom deceased had been connected; the members of deceased's family, local preachers, leaders, and stewards of the Wesleyan body; Sunday-school teachers; the directors, engineer, and secretary of the Gas Works; deputation of the British and Foreign Bible Society (of which deceased had been treasurer); the Rev. —Le Pla and deacons of the Congregational Church; the Guardians of the Poor, represented by their Clerk, Mr. R. A. Ward; the Rev. I. Irving and deacons of the Baptist Church; and numerous other friends. The procession started punctually at 2.30, and passed through the Park and the Marlow-road, and thence to the Wesleyan Chapel, the road being thronged with spectators. There was large congregation in the Chapel. An impressive service was read by the Rev. J. Knowles, assisted by the Rev. J. C. Trufford. On Sunday evening a funeral sermon was preached to a crowded congregation by the Rev. J. S. Hicks, of Portsmouth, formerly minister in this town. Mr. Walker leaves widow and one son."

 

In 1891 the widowed Ann has moved to Wargrave to live with her sister Elizabeth Wright, before her own death in 1896.  Both Robert and Ann were interred in a vault beneath the Methodist church in Maidenhead High Street along with their daughter Jemima. The Maindehead Advertiser reported on Ann's funeral on 22nd July 1896:

FUNERAL OF THE LATE MRS. ROBERT WALKER. The remains of the late Mrs. Walker (widow of Mr. Rob, rt Walker, J.P., who passed away some ten years ago) were interred in the family vault at the Wesleyan Chapel on Friday afternoon last, in the presence of a very large number of Wesleyan Methodists and members of other Nonconformist churches in the town. The' funeral cortege left "Huntley," Castle-hill, at about one o'clock. and proceeded to the chapel via High Town-road and King-street. The remains had been placed in a leaden coffin, which was enclosed by a handsome casket of polished English oak, with brass fittings. It was covered with beautiful wreaths, as was also the top of the funeral car. There were eight professional bearers. The procession was met at the chapel-doors by the Rev. D. Pearson, superintendent minister of the Windsor Wesleyan circuit, who, with the assistance of the Rev. H. Hopkinson, conducted the service in the chapel and at the grave. 

Prior to the arrival of the funeral party, a large congregation had assembled to pay a last mark of respect for a lady who, by her consistent Christian character, and by her generous support of Methodist work and practical sympathy for the poor, had endeared herself to a very wide circle of neighbours and friends. The whole of the centre seats were reserved for the numerous members of deceased's society class, officers and teachers of the Sunday School, local preachers, church officials, and members of the mothers' meeting. The side seats and transepts were placed at the disposal of other persons desiring to attend, and the body of the chapel was well filled, while many occupied seats in the galleries. As the congregation were taking their seats. Mr. Chas. Sit. Banwell, organist at St. Mary's Church, who kindly presided at the organ, played the following selection of music:—Largo in G (Handel); Improvisation on Redhead's tune to" When our heads are bowed with woe "; and " But the Lord is mindful of His own " (Mendelssohn). 

As the funeral procession entered the chapel, Mr. Banwell played very effectively Mendelssohn's "0 rest in the Lord." The service was of a very impressive character, and an appropriate address was given by the Rev. D. Pearson, who spoke of deceased's enthusiasm for all good things, of her sterling Christian character and of her generous gifts to and valuable work for the church of her choice. He also referred to deceased's patience in suffering and to her entire resignation to the will of God, and her preparedness to meet Him. The rev. gentleman spoke also of the great loss the Maidenhead Wesleyan Church had sustained by Mrs. Walker's death and exhorted his hearers to seek to live as Godly and as consistent and useful a life as had their departed sister. Incidentally, Mr. Pearson spoke of the hospitality of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Walker and of the kindly way they entertained ministers and preachers, and recalled enjoyable experiences at their house when, as a student, he twice preached at Maidenhead upwards of 40 years ago. The address was listened to with rapt attention and the rev. gentleman's touching references to the deceased and his earnest appeals moved many to tears 

The coffin bore the following inscription: 

ANN WALKER, Died 12th July, 1896, Aged 78 years. 

The funeral arrangements were admirably carried out by Mr. Theo. Hewitt, High-street. Reference was made to the and death of Mrs. Walker at the Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday, both morning and evening, and appropriate hymns were sung. The preachers were Rev. H. Hopkinson (morning) and Mr. Jenkins (evening). The pulpit and communion-table were draped in black on the day of the funeral and on Sunday."

***

Mary Ann Curtis Treffry was born Mary Ann Curtis Cullern on 4th September 1789, the second daughter of Thomas Cullern, a well-respected tradesman in Maidenhead and his wife Ann Curties.  On 17th January 1820 Mary Ann married Robert Walker Snr in Dudley Worcestershire.  Both Mary Ann, her husband Robert Snr, son Robert and her stepdaughter Jemima Griffin Walker were extremely active Wesleyan Methodists and can be credited with the building of a Methodist Church in Maidenhead.

On 14th June 1830, Robert Walker Snr died, and Mary Ann became a widow.  It was this that prompted her to move back to Maidenhead from Dudley to be closer to her son Robert and stepbrother John Higgs.  On 28th June 1835 Mary Ann became the teacher at the Methodist Sunday School.  On 9th November 1838 Mary Ann married Rev Richard Treffry, at Hoxton London, where she lived with her new husband until 1833 when upon his retirement due to illness they moved back to Maidenhead.  Rev Treffry suffered greatly with sickness from 1833 until his death on 18th September 1842.  Mary Ann continued to be active in the Wesleyan Methodist community and completed many works for charity until her death from illness on 16th December 1864.  Mary Ann Treffry was interred in the family vault beneath the Methodist church in Maidenhead High Street, next to the remains of her grand-daughter Jemima, her son Robert and his wife Ann.

In 1866 her relative James A Macdonald complied Mary Ann's memoirs into a book entitled Heavenward:  Memorials of Mrs M. A. C. Treffry of Maidenhead.

***

John Higg was born in Maidenhead on 29th June 1800 to John Higgs and his wife Ann Cullern.  John marries Jemima Griffin Walker on 10th December 1827.  In 1841 John Higgs is a Chemist living and working in Maidenhead High Street.  at the time of the 1841 Census, his sister's second husband Rev Richard Treffry is living with John and Jemima.  1851 and John and Jemima have moved in with their nephew/stepbrother Robert Walker.  John's occupations are listed as magistrate, chemist, and postmaster.  in 1861, 6 years before John's death, the family are living at Castle Hill Villa, St Mark's Road, Maidenhead.  John is listed as a Justice of the Peace and local Wesleyan preacher.  John Higgs passed away on 3rd June 1867.  John Higgs was interred in the family vault beneath the Methodist church in Maidenhead High Street. The Windsor, and Eton Express reported on 8th June 1867:

"Obituary this week records the death of Mr. John Higgs, who departed this life on Wednesday morning. The deceased gentleman was a native of this town; he had always taken a very active part in the municipal and other public matters; and he was one of the borough magistrates. Mr. Higgs was one of the leading and most respected members of the Wesleyan congregation."

***

Jemima Griffin Higgs was born Jemima Griffin Walker in Dudley Worcestershire in 1807 to Robert Walker and his first wife Elizabeth Griffin.  Jemima remained in Maidenhead after her husband's death.  She lived alone with only one general servant for company until her own death on 3rd November 1886

On 13th November 1886 the Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer reported:

"Death of Mrs J. G. Higgs - In the removal by death of Mrs Jemima Griffin Higgs, of 3 Orchard Villas, Castle Hill, widow of the late John Higgs Esq., J.P., who died on 4th June 1867, the local Wesleyan body have lost another great supporter of their cause.  Mrs. Higgs had been in ill-health for many years, and at times could only get about with assistance, and this necessitated her being for the most part confined to her house.  On Wednesday, the 3rd Inst., the deceased lady appeared if anything a little better than usual, but shortly after going to rest she had a fit of coughing and ruptured a blood vessel.  Dr. Plume and Mr. Montgomery were at once summoned, but their aid was of no avail, and the sufferer passed away at around 9 o'clock, having attained the age of 79.

The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, at the Wesleyan chapel, in the presence of a large number of persons.  It was of the simplest possible description, which was in accordance of the oft-expressed wish of the deceased.  Not a single flower being placed on the coffin."

Jemima Griffin Higgs joined the rest of her family in the vault beneath the Methodist church in Maidenhead High Street.

To read more about the history of Maidenhead's Methodist community and its church, please click here.

First World War Commonwealth War Grave - Private James Henry Golding, Royal Berkshire Regiment

 



"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".

 

 

 

James Henry Golding was born in London in 1876 to John Golding and Mary Eacott, a mangle and needlework woman.  Sometime between James's birth and 1881 Mary was widowed.

 

In 1891 census James is an errand boy, living with his mother at 6 West Street, Maidenhead.  I am unable to locate him on the 1901 census, but in 1906 James married Elizabeth Maynard in Eton.  In 1908 they had a daughter Amy Ethel.  By 1911 James was a postman working and living at 45 Portlock Road, Maidenhead Berkshire. 

 

James Henry enlisted with the 3rd Royal Berkshire Regiment on 16th January 1914 However a problem that had plagued James since he was 27 years old was to cut his service when he was discharged as no longer being fit for service on 13th July 1915.  His Amy Pension Record states,

 

"Reason for discharge: Chronic suppurative disease of the middle ear.

He appears to be dull and stupid.  Probably on account of defective hearing which is only ½ of normal.  There is no discharge from the ears at present, but the ear specialist reports that there is a dry perforation with much destruction of membrane in both ears & that no improvement is likely.

Not fault of nor aggravated by service

Discharged as permanently unfit."

 

However, in 1918 it seems that there was a change of mind as his record states,

"The Pension Appeal Tribunal decided on 22^nd Nov 1918 that this man’s unfitness was aggravated by military service is consequence of the present war."

 

James continued to work at Maidenhead Post Office until this death on 5th January 1919

 

 



Eliza and William Deacon - Ray Mead Hotel, Maidenhead Berkshire, East Arms Hotel, Hurley, Berkshire

Monument to Eliza and William Deacon, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In loving memory of Eliza Deacon who died 11th February 1886 aged 57 years.  She looked well to the ways of her household.

Also William Deacon who died 10th September 1894 aged 59 years.  His end was peace."

Eliza Deacon was born Eliza Harman in 1828 in Bray Berkshire to Richard Harman, an innkeeper, and his wife Sarah Skinner.  Eliza first appears on the 1841 Census, aged 12, living with her parents and siblings in Touchen End, Bray, Berkshire. In 1851, 22-year-old Eliza was a house servant for the Gilpin family at The Grange, Hockliffe Bedfordshire. I cannot trace Eliza on the 1861 Census.

Eliza married William Deacon on 12th November 1866 at Saint Saviour, Paddington, London.  Eliza was William's second wife, his first being Mary Woodhouse who passed away in 1861. Eliza and William had a son James Henry Deacon in 1870. 

William Deacon was born in 1835 in White Waltham Berkshire to Thomas Deacon, a coachman, and his wife Elizabeth. William first appears on the 1841 Census, aged 4, living with his parents and siblings in Star Lane, Hurley, Berkshire. The family are still living in Star Lane, Hurley in 1851. In 1856 William married his first wife Mary Woodhouse and together they had four children, William, Thomas, Mary Selina, and Emma Esther.  In 1871 William can be found with his second wife Eliza running The Ray Mead Hotel, then called the Ray Tavern, in Ray Mead Road, Maidenhead Berkshire.  1881 find the family still at the hotel in Ray Mead Road, now named The Ray Mead Hotel.

The Ray Mead Hotel, Maidenhead,
Berkshire

William was an active Councillor in Maidenhead and Hurley. 

After Eliza's death in 1886, William married Elizabeth Ann Aylett in 1888 in Colchester.  In 1889 William and Elizabeth moved to The East Arms Hotel in Hurley Berkshire, three years before William's death, they can be found there on the 1891 census.

Advertisement Card for the East Arms Hotel
Hurley, Berkshire

William was to pass away on 10th September 1894, the Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 12th September 1894:

" OBITUARY —We regret to announce the death of Mr. William Deacon, landlord of the East Arms, Hurley, who expired on Monday morning last, after a short illness, at the comparatively early age of 59. best part of Mr. Deacon's life was spent in Maidenhead and its vicinity. He was landlord for many years of the Ray Mead Hotel, which he conducted with much success and left to the great regret of his numerous visitors and riverside folk generally. Mr. Deacon took a keen interest in local affairs. He was for a considerable period chairman of the Licensed Victuallers' Protection Society, and served for several years as a member of the Town Council. He was an amiable and generous man, and was greatly respected by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. The funeral will take place at 2.30, at St. Luke's Church, Maidenhead, on Friday."

The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on William's funeral at St Lukes Church, Maidenhead, on 19th September 1894:

"FUNERAL OF THE LATE Ma. WILLIAM DEACON. —The remains of the late Mr. William Deacon, of Hurley, were interred in Bt. Luke's churchyard, Maidenhead. on Friday last. The coffin was conveyed in an elegant funeral car by road from Hurley, and arrived at St. Luke's church shortly after 2.30, and by this time a large number of residents. including most of the Licensed Victuallers of this town, had congregated outside the church—amongst them, 

Mears. J. Meeks, J. Gilroy. W. A. Thompson, J. Lepper, W. Hall, A. L. Jefferies. E. Worster (Cookham), W. Colliass', J. Brant, East, E. Clout, Sargent (Taplow), G. Tubb, T. Nash, J. H. Barford, J. I. Moth, H. Stevens, J. Perry, R. Langton, Moon (Marlow), and Howard and Mrs. L. Wilder and Mrs. Aldridge. 

The mourners were the widow, Mr. T. Deacon (son), Mrs. Vandyke (daughter), Mr. J. H. Deacon (son), Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Walker. Miss P. Deacon and Miss S. Deacon (sisters), Mrs. H. Woodhouse and Miss Emson (daughters). 

The service, both in the church and at the graveside, was impressively performed by the Vicar of St. Luke's (Rev. M. G. J. Mears). The coffin was completely hidden by a fine collection of wreaths, etc. It was of polished elm, and the brass plate bore the following inscription :

"William Deacon. died 10th September, 1894, aged 59 years." 

The following amongst others sent wreaths and crosses:—The widow and family, Mr. and Mrs. Lamb, Mr. and Mrs. Robertson, members of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, members of the Grenfell Lodge R.A.0.B., Mr. and Mrs. Seymour, of Wargrave, Mr. and Mrs. Max Fahrmbacher, Mr. and Mrs. H. Woodhouse, Mr. and Mrs. J. Bishop, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Scott (Langley), Mr. and Mrs. George Stevens. Mr. and Mrs. Rose, sen., Mr. and Mrs. Clifton (Marlow), Mr. and Mrs. Sargent (Taplow), Mr. and Mrs. Mackie, and friends from Hurley Lock. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr. J. C. Webber, High-street, Maidenhead."

On 29th September 1894 Elizabeth was granted on hold on the license of the East Arms Hotel in Hurley. Elizabeth continued to run the East Arms Hotel after her husband's death. She was to pass away in 1917 in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Second World War Polish War Grave - Second Officer Antoni Henryk Gosiewski, Air Trasport Auxiliary - Pennine Aeroplane Accident

 

Antoni Henryk Gosiewski was born Poland on 12th January 1900 to Feliks Gosiewski and his wife Biernacka Julyanna.  Antoni was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Polish Air Force from 1923 but by September of 1939 he was living in France and was then a Pilot Officer for the R.A.F. Later he was dismissed due to a Court Martial where he was found guilty of embezzlement committed back in Poland.  Antoni joined the A.T.A (Air Transport Auxiliary) in the September of 1941.  Some of the duties for ATA personal was ferrying new, repaired and damaged military aircraft between factories, assembly points and transatlantic delivery points.

Second Officer Antoni Henryk Gosiewski

Antoni was married to Umerska Jadwiga who at the time was living is Lisbon, together they had two sons, Michal, and Krzystof. Sadly, Antoni's wife and sons would pass away when the ship they were travelling on, the SS Avoceta, from Lisbon to john Antoni, was torpedoed on the night of 26th September 1941, just weeks after Antoni had joined the A.T.A

During a ferry flight in Miles Master W8479, from the Phillips & Powis factory in Reading Berkshire, to R.A.F Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland, Antoni met his death on 19th December 1941 when he encountered bad weather over the Pennines causing him to fly into the summit of Arant Haw due to poor visibility. The wreck of the plane wasn't discovered until 24th December.  On the 31st December 1941 the Manchester Evening News reported:

"Polish Pilot Buried - Anton Henruk Gosiewski [sic] a Polish ferry pilot killed in a flying accident in the North of England during Christmas, was buried int he South of England."

Miles Master Aircraft

The Tragic Death of Young Clara Brown , Milliner's Apprentice, Maidenhead Berkshire

 

 

Monument to Clara Brown, Methodist Church, High Street, Maidenhead Berkshire.

   

"In affectionate remembrance of Clara Brown who fell asleep Feb. 10th 1882 aged 15 years."

 

Clara Brown was born in Maidenhead in 1867 to John Brown, a master butcher and Ann Errington, a milliner (hat maker).

 

Clara first appears on the census in 1871 aged 4 living with her parents and siblings in Maidenhead at 101 High Street.  The family is there in 1881 and the 14-year-old Clara is now a milliner's apprentice. Clara was a student at the Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School in Maidenhead.

 

Sadly, Clara's life was cut short on 10th February 1882. The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 15h February 1882:

". WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL - DEATH AND BURIAL OF SCHOLAR.

The somewhat sudden death of a female member of the local Wesleyan Sunday school has been the cause of much sorrow and regret throughout the Methodist community hereabout. The third daughter of Mr. John Brown, of the High-street, was taken with a severe attack of inflammation of the brain on Wednesday morning at four o'clock, and expired at the same hour on Friday morning. She was unconscious from the first, and her decease was startling and unexpected. 

She was a regular attendant at the school, and a gloom hung over the school chapel on Sunday. The depression in the former was augmented by the Superintendent's desk being draped in black. The usual order of the school service was slightly varied. The opening hymn, 

-Death has been here, and borne away

A scholar from our side,- 

was very appropriate; and the prayer was in accord with the solemn event. The account of the death of Lazarius was read instead of the Old Testament lesson, and a suitable address was delivered by Mr. J. W. Walker, in the course of which he urged the scholars to accept the death of their friend as a solemn warning. He also touched on their sorrow at having to lose one of their number, and that of her immediate friends at parting with one to whom they were so closely attached. 

The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, at the Wesleyan chapel. The corpse was brought from the house at 3.50, and borne by four members of Mr. Cleare's Society Class— Messrs. E. Cutler, W. White, F. Pymm. and Menton, while four younger were pall-bearers. The body was followed, in addition to some of the immediate relatives of the deceased, by Mr. R. Walker and Mr. C. Cleare (the school Superintendents), several female teachers, and over forty of the young women of the school, each of whom carried a small bouquet of snowdrops. The body was met by the Rev. W. Thompson, and the service was gone through in the chapel with great solemnity. The sanctuary was crowded with a sympathising congregation. After a suitable voluntary on the organ, by Mr. J. W. Walker, the remains were borne to their last resting place, and the service over, the deceased's friends and schoolmates stepped forward and, with manifest emotion, threw their tokens of affection on the coffin, which had been already covered with wreaths. After an impressive exhortation by the minister, the congregation dispersed. The coffin was covered with mauve cloth, bore the inscription 

"Clara Brown, Died February 10th, aged 15 years." 

The bearers were each with a folding mourning -card. inscribed:— 

Not gone from memory, not gone from love,

But gone to her Father's home above,

on one side, and "In affectionate remembrance of Clara Brown, who fell asleep February 10th, 1882, aged 15 years. Interred at the Wesleyan chapel. February 13th 1882", on the other side. Mr. Woodbridge was the undertaker, and he was represented by Mr. A. Moyse and Mr. G. Hooper." 

 

Clara's stone is no longer in its original place.  In 1973 alterations were made to Maidenhead High Street and the stones were removed and moved closer to the church wall.

 



Lady Eleanor Margaret Barry of Ockwells Manor, Bray, Berkshire - Expired Suddenly in a Train

Monument to Eleanor Margaret Barry, Bray Parish cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.

"In the memory of Eleanor Margaret dearly loved wife of Sir Edward Barry. B. 11th February 1916."

Eleanor Margaret Barry was born Eleanor Margaret Scott in 1866 in Simla, India to Colonel Courtenay Harvey Saltron Scott and his wife Margaret Julia Colquhoun.  She was the elder sister of Adelaide Louisa Flowerdew Lowson.

The earliest record of Eleanor in the United Kingdom is the 1881 Census, where Eleanor is living with her parents and siblings at 17 Eccleston Square in Westminster area of London.

On 10th February 1891 married Sir Edward Albert Barry, second Baronet of St Leonard's Hill and Keiss Castle, at Saint Jude, South Kensington. On December 24th 1893 their first child Cicely Eleanor Barry was born

In 1901 Eleanor can be found on the census living at Ockwells Manor in Bray Berkshire with her children Margaret Colquhoun and Edward Courtenay Tress.  Unfortunately, I am unable to locate either Cicely or Edward Albert on the 1901 Census.

In 1911 Edward and Cecily are back in the family home along with Rosamunde who was born in 1901.

Sadly, Eleanor was to pass away suddenly on 11th February 1916.  The Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer reported on the 19th February 1916,

"WINDSOR.  Death of Lady Barry. Expires suddenly in a train.

We regret to record the death of Lady Barry, wife of Sir Edward Barry. Bart, of Ockwells Manor, near Windsor, which occurred with painful sadness whilst travelling on the Great Eastern Railway between King's Lynn and London, on Friday afternoon, 11th February.  Sir Edward, who had retired from the Royal Berks Yeomanry Regiment with the rank of Lieut-Colonel, took a temporary commission as Major or second-in-command on the outbreak of the war, and he has recently been quartered at King's Lynn with the 2/1st Regiment of the Berks Yeomanry, together with his son Lieut Courtenay Barry

In celebration of their silver wedding anniversary on Wednesday in last week, Lady Barry travelled to Lynn to spend a few days with her husband and son, and was returning with Sir Edward when she had a fatal seizure, the rupture of a large blood vessel internally causing failure of the heart's action and almost instant death.  On arrival and Liverpool-street terminus, the railway officials lent every assistance, a doctor being summoned and the body conveyed to the mortuary in close proximity.

The inquest held by the Deputy-Coroner for the City on Monday, when the evidence of identification was given by Sir Edward Barry, and the medical testimony showed that her deceased Ladyship passed away practically without pain and instantaneously.

The jury returned a verdict of Death by Natural Causes."

Eleanor left her estate to her daughter Cecily, the Reading Mercury reported on 28th April 1917:

"Lady Eleanor "Margaret Barry, Manor, Bray, Berks, wife of Sir Edward Arthur Barry, F.S.A., second baronet, daughter of Courtenay H. S. Scott, of Pennant Hall, Montgomeryshire, whose death occurred February 11th, left estate of the gross value £1,211 95., with net personalty .£313 11s. 9d. Miss Cicely Eleanor Barry of Ockwells Manor, her daughter, is the sole executrix."

Family Connections: Sister - Adelaide Louisa Flowerdew Lowson.

Cemetery Sunday - Air Transport Auxiliary ATA

A.R. Leslie-Melville

12th June 1942

The Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) was a British World War II civilian organisation that ferried new, repaired and damaged military aircraft between UK factories, assembly plants, transatlantic delivery points, Maintenance Units (MU), scrap yards, and active service squadrons and airfields. It also flew service personnel on urgent duty from one place to another and performed air ambulance work.

First Officer Alexander Ronald Leslie-Melvillle died 12th June 1942 when he flew into a hillside at Great Sled Dale in Yorkshire in bad visibility whilst flying bewteen Henlow and Silloth near Carlisle.



T.C.D. Bray

18th March 1942

First Officer Thomas Charles David Bray of Austrailia, reported missing between Kirkbride and Thorney Island.

 J.B. Erickson

9th May 1942

First Officer John Burge Erickson, his Blenheim aircaft collided with another Blenheim after take off at White Waltham airfield on 9th May 1942

R.H Winn

28th January 1942

Second Officer Richard Harry Winn, flew into ground in a forced landing at Bald Hill Stainmore Westmorland whilst flying bewteen Dumfries and Catterick.

 B.E. Sayer

15th March 1942

Cadet Betty Eileen Sayer, engine stalled on approach to White Waltham airfield, the aircraft crashed into two bungalows on Smithfield Road on 15th March 1942, residents of the bungalows, Mr and Mrs Croft and Mrs Freeman escaped.  Neighbours who tried in vain to save the aircrew received burns and other injuries.

F.J. Bush

23rd November 1941

 

 

Captain Francis Joseph Bush, during a flight from Prestwick to Hawarden the engine of the Liberator II aircraft caught fire before the plane crashed into the sea off Pidinny Hill Stranraer Wigtown Bay

 H.E. Taylor

17th August 1941

Second Officer Henry Edward Taylor, crashed whilst landing at White Waltham airfield on 10th August 1941.  Sadly he died of his injuries on 17th August 1941.

P. Randall

17th March 1941

Captain Percy Randall, flew a Hurricane aircraft into high ground at Bledlow Buckinghamshire during bad visibility whilst flying between Henlow and Hullavington.



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Adelaide Louisa Flowerdew Lowson of Quarwood House

Monument to Adelaide Louisa Flowerdew Lowson, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.

"In loving memory of Adelaide Louisa Flowerdew Lowson born 20th June 1868 died 21st May 1948 daughter of Colonel and Mrs C.H.S. Scott and wife of James Gray Flowerdew Lowson J.P. Ph.D  Member:  King's Bodyguard for Scotland (Royal Company of Archers) of Quarwood House Stow-on-the-Wold. Gloucestershire and Mother of Denys Colquhoun Flowerdew Lowson, Bart.. M. A.. L. C. C Lord Mayor of London 1950-1951."

Adelaide Louisa Flowerdew Lowson was born Adelaide Louisa Scott in Simla, Bengal, India on 20th June 1868 to Colonel Courtenay Harvey Saltron Scott and his wife Margaret Julia Colquhoun

On the 1881 Census Adelaide can be found living at 17 Eccleston Square in the Westminster area of London with her parents and elder sister Eleanor Margaret.

On 19th July 1890 Adelaide married James Gray Flowerdew Lowson, son of William Lowson and Helen Flowerdew.  James Gray Flowerdew Lowson was a Justice of the Peace, Captain of 9th Battalion Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment), Member of the Royal County Archers and 1st District Commissioner of the Boy Scouts Stratford-on-Avon and Stow-on the-Wold as well as being the Life Governor of U College Dundee. On the 1891 Scottish Census the couple can be found living at Hedderwick Hill Mansion House, Dunbar.

Together Adelaide and James had three children Eleanor Margaret Flowerdew Lowson born 1892, Courtenay Patrick Flowerdew Lowson born 1897 and Denys Colquhoun Flowerdew Lowson born 1906.

On the 1901 Scottish Census Adelaide can be found living at 18 Coates Gardens, Edinburgh, with her husband and two elder children, Eleanor and Courtenay.

1911 and the family has moved to Snitterfield House in Stratford-on-Avon. 

Eleanor married Major General William Revell Smith and served as an Officer in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry in World War I

Courtenay Patrick served the during the First World War as an Observer with the Rifle Brigade attached to the Royal Flying Corps. In December of 1915 he was promoted to Second Lieutenant and then Lieutenant in the July of 1917.  In March 1916 he became a flying instructor but was sadly killed in a flying accident on 3rd November 1917 when his plane collided mid-air with the plane of Lieutenant Owen Ellis Augustus Allen in Scampton Lincoln. The Scotsman reported on 8th November 1917:

"Sec. Lt Courtenay Patrick Flowerdew Lowson, who was killed on November 3rd in an aeroplane accident, was the elder son of Mr J. G. Flowerdew Lowson, of 18 Coates Gardens, Edinburgh, and was 20 years of age. He was educated at Boxgrove School and Winchester, and qualified for Christ Church College, Oxford but owing to the war, did not take up residence. He-passed through Sandhurst in December 1915, he was gazetted into the Rifle Brigade, and was immediately thereafter attached to the Royal Flying Corps.  He went to France as Observer in March 1916, and did much photographic work. He was present at the battle of the Somme. After taking out his pilot's certificate, he was made instructor in flying, and at the time of his death had charge a flight."

The 1939 England and Wales Register finds Adelaide, James, and their youngest son Denys living at Quarwood House, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. James was to pass away on 16th September 1942. The Cheltenham Chronicle reported on 26th September 1942:

"MR. JAMES G. FLOWERDEW LOWSON DEAD 

The death has taken place at his home, Quarwood, Stow-on-the-Wold. of Mr. James Gray Flowerdew Lowson, Ph.D., at the age of 82, after a short illness. Mr. Lowson was a distinguished chemist and was the last surviving son of Mr. William Lowson, of Balthayock, Perthshire, a former Deputy Lieutenant of Perthshire. Mr. Lowson was educated at j Edinburgh and Heidelberg Universities, and then worked for a short time at the Sorbonne in Paris. He became interested in the study of the practical application of science to industry and spent three years in Scotland an ordinary workman in this connection.

CHEMICAL RESEARCH WORK 

He then proceeded with his chemical researches, largely in connection with paper-making materials. During the last war he served as member of several Government Committees connected with industrial masters. In his younger days he was a member of Midlothian County Council. Mr. Lowson was a Member of the King's Bodyguard (Royal Company of Archers) for Scotland, and for some years served as a captain in the 9th (Highland Battalion) Royal Scots. He was a life governor of University College, Dundee, also a governor of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Adelaide Flowerdew Lowson, and by one son, Mr. Denys Colquhoun Flowerdew Lowson, a barrister and a former Sheriff of the City of London. He was buried in the family grave at Kinfauns, Scotland."

Adelaide was to pass away on 21st May 1948 in Bournemouth, Hampshire. The Gloucestershire Echo reported on 24th May 1948:

"DEATH OF MRS. FLOWERDEW LOWSON 

The death has taken place in her 80th year at Bournemouth of Mrs. Adelaide Louisa Flowerdew Lowson, formerly of Stow-on-the-Wold, who will be remembered for the prominent and active part she took in the Conservative cause in Gloucestershire. Daughter of the late Col. C. H. S. Scott, Bengal Staff Corps, and of Mrs. Scott, of Pennant Hall, Montgomeryshire, she married the distinguished chemist, Dr. James Gray Flowerdew Lowson, of Quarwood. Stow-on-the-Wold, and Balthayock, Perthshire, who died at Stow-on-the-Wold in September 1942, at the age of 82. Over great number of years Mrs. Flowerdew Lowson closely identified herself with the Cirencester and Tewkesbury Conservative and Unionist Association, which she was for years the vice-chairman. She was well known in all parts of the constituency and was a forceful speaker who was always ready to take her full part in events. 

FOR "DEVOTED SERVICE" 

On the death of her husband, she went to live at Bournemouth, and the appreciation of the members of the Association was expressed in the presentation of a book inscribed with a tribute to her "able and devoted service and comradeship as vice-chairman of the Association from April 29, 1922, to May 29, 1943." Mrs. Flowerdew Lowson had a son and daughter, Mr. Denys Colquhoun Flowerdew, a barrister and former Sheriff of the City of London, and Mrs. Eleanor M. Revell Smith, of Slapton Manor, near Towcester, Northamptonshire" 

Sir Denys Colquhoun Flowerdew Lowson became Lord Mayor of London on 30th September 1950 on 27th June 1951 the Lowson Baronetcy was created for Denys Lowson.  Presently the title is held by his son Sir Ian Patrick Lowson, 2nd Baronet.

Family Connections: Sister - Lady Eleanor Margaret Barry of Ockwells Manor.

Quarwood House

First World War Commonwealth War Grave - Private Laurence Cyril Winstone, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

"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".

 

 

Laurence Cyril Winstone was born in 1900 in Maidenhead, Berkshire to Frederick Thomas Winstone, a general labourer, and his wife Alice Mary Burton.

Laurence recorded as Lawrence, fist appears on the 1901 census aged just six months old, living at 68 Reform Road with his parents and five elder siblings. By the 1911 census the family had moved to 54 Waldeck Terrace, Reform Road, Maidenhead.

 

In 1918 Laurence enlisted with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 5th Battalion.  Sadly only 3 months into service Lawrence was wounded.  Lawrence was then sent to 16 Northumberland Voluntary Auxiliary Hospital (Later Ashington General Infirmary), where he succumbed to his injuries on 11th October 1918, just one month before the Great War ended.

 

 

Ashington Hospital

 

 



John Burdett, Nurseryman, and Seedman of Bridge Street, Maidenhead, and his wife Susanna Burdett - Bankruptcy and Alms Houses.

Monument to John and Susanna Burdett, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.


"In loving memory of John Burdett.  Who fell asleep May 2nd 1905.  Aged 78 years - His End Was Peace.

Also of

Susanna Burdett.  Wife of the above died Decr 27th 1917.  Aged 90 years - Thy Will Be Done."


John Burdett was born in Chilton Berkshire in 1827 to William Burdett, and agricultural labourer, and his wife, Elizabeth Rogerson.   In 1851 John is living on his own and working as a gardener in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. Living and working not far from John at Beechwood House is kitchen maid Susanna Taylor Lee.  They were to marry that same year on 21 April at St James, Westminster, Middlesex.

Susanna Taylor Lee was born Susanna Taylor Lee in Poplar, Middlesex, to George Lee. I have been unable to trace Susanna's mother. In 1851 Susanna is a kitchen maid at Beechwood House, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, the home of John Nicholas Fazakerley.

1861 finds John and Susanna (listed as Susan), living at Bray Weir in Berkshire.  John is still a gardener, and the family has expanded to include four children, Susanna aged 8, John aged 6, William aged 3, and 1-year-old Emma. Living with the family at the time is Charlotte Griffin, a nurse.

By 1871 John and Susanna have moved to Bridge Street in Maidenhead where John is now a Nursery Man. Living with the family is their domestic servant, Sarah Smith.  Throughout their time in Bridge Street, John's business was badly affected by the numerous floods in Maidenhead, causing him to apply for relief aid on more than one occasion.  A report into one meeting of the Inundation Relief Committe in 1877 stated: "The Mayor mentioned, further, that he had received a letter from Mr. Burdett, nurseryman, who was a serious loser by the floods. In this Mr. Burdett stated that his loss, last year, was above £200 and that, in consequence, he had had to go into the market and purchase stock to the amount of over £300 and this year his loss would be still greater, owing to the longer continuance of the flood. He therefore asked the consideration of his case by the committee in any grants they made for compensation."

Sadly, John and Susanna were to experience the loss of their son William on 23rd December 1876. The following announcement was printed in the Maidenhead Advertiser on 3rd January 1877:

"DEATHS

Burdett—Dec. 23, at the Nursery, Maidenhead, of Inflammation of bowels William the son of John and Susanna Burdett. aged 19 years."

Unfortunately, John and Susanna were to be the victims of crime. On 14th July 1880, the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"THE LATE BURGLARIES IN MAIDENHEAD. 

Escape of the prisoners.

It will be remembered that two men were on Monday week before the Borough magistrates with having on the night of the 2nd inst., broken into the premises of Mr. Burdett, florist, of Bridge-street, and stolen various articles. The two men had been captured at Slough, after an attempt on the part of one of them to get away, and were brought to Maidenhead. 

They gave the names of George Edwards, aged 43, and Harry Hansall, aged 27. The former said he was an engineer, from Ipswich, and the latter admitted a similar occupation, and said he came from Birmingham. The only evidence taken against them was that of Mr. Frank Burnham, son-in-law to Mr. Burdett, who deposed to the state in which he found the house on the morning of the 3rd, and to the loss of various articles; of Superintendent Austin. who examined the premises; and of Constable Hinton of Slough, who arrested the men. Mr. Burdett, being on duty as a juryman at the Assizes at Reading, the case could not be carried further then, and on the application of Superintendent Austin, the men were remanded for a week. They were taken to the lock-up and confined in the upper rooms, and were visited each day and exercised, and supplied with food. Their doors fastened by a lock, and there was likewise an outward fastening and a trap-opening to each door, but is doubtful whether the outer fastening was always used. The rule was to give them their last meal at six o'clock in the evening,. and it seems to have been an understanding that they should be visited two or three times during the night. 

On Saturday morning Constable Venables went to the lock-up at ten minutes past 6 o'clock, and found that the two prisoners had escaped. They had taken off the locks of their doors, and that of the outer-door, and placed them on the floor beside the screws and got clear away. It was at manifest that they had been supplied with a screw spanner or some similar instrument from outside the lockup, and had gone about their work with methodical composure and neatness There are traces on the outer wall of some object betting been thrust up to the window, or of an ascent having been made. Information of the escape was at once sent to neighbouring towns, and inquiry was made in the immediate neighbourhood, but no traces of the prisoners have been obtained. It seems that, by some misapprehension of or from a deficiency of police strength. the lock-up was not visited between Friday and Saturday morning, and thus a confederate on the outside had a good opportunity of rendering his friends assistance, and the latter found no difficulty in aiding each other, and ultimately escaping from their confinement. A strict investigation into all the circumstances has been promised by the Mayor, who referred to the matter at the commencement of the business of the Borough Police Court on Monday, and in strong terms expressed his annoyance and regret. 

In regard to the burglaries which the prisoners were suspected of having committed, we were last week unable to give full particulars. It appears that the thieves first visited the residence of Mrs. Blake at Oldfield View. Mrs. Blake. hearing a noise, came down and took her plate basket upstairs, and having fastened the door at the bottom of the stairs, retired. She heard no more of the thieves, but they subsequently returned and got into the house by the kitchen window, and took away several articles, which were chiefly found in the road and garden near. After being disturbed at Mr Blake's, it is believed they got into the residence adjoining, that of Mr. R. S. Poulton. where they took a silver tea pot, a sewing machine, and Mr. Poulton's volunteer uniform. The latter was found next morning in an adjoining garden. They next visited the residence of Mr. Burdett. at the nursery, where they committed a great deal of mischief. They smoked their pipes end drank some wine, after which they in sheer recklessness and mischief emptied two sacks, and mixed the seeds which they contained, and so made them useless. they pulled out all the drawers in the shop, and then went into the larder, destroyed a pie. and broke some eggs over it, and spread the contents of a jam pot over the kitchen door. They then went into a greenhouse, containing splendid vine laden with grapes just ready to cut. They ate all they could, and then pulled down the vine, and trampled the remainder of the grapes under foot. They filled their sacks with all the valuables they could get hold of, including a sewing machine, two clocks, silver cups and forks, cutlery, a new pair of boots, a coat, a bottle of mints, and stamps, after which they again visited Mrs. Blake, and then made off. Some men were met by Mr. Wilder going toward Slough between 3 and 4 o'clock. As soon as those depredations were known, between d and 7 o'clock, the police were sent for, and an examination was made. Traces were found along the road of various articles apparently thrown away. At Slough it was discovered that the thieves had not passed by train, and the telegraph in the meantime having been set to work, the pursuers drove to Windsor, and found that the thieves had not gone there by train. The two men above-named were subsequently brought to the lockup. In the meantime, various missing articles were brought in. Some boys who were bird-nesting in a field near the foot-path leading from Taplow railway-station towards Maidenhead were greatly astonished on finding at the bottom of a hedge several articles of plate. Other things were found lying by the side of a sack amongst the standing corn. These included silver cups, spoons, and prizes won at various athletic sports, rowing etc., by Mr. Burdett's son-in-law." 

1881 sees John's business expand and he is now employing 2 men.  The family has also expanded to include Ellen Alice aged 12, and Frances aged 8.  Living with the family is their married daughter Emma, her husband Frank Burnham, a printer, and their son Frank aged 1. 

John was again a victim of crime in 1885. The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 15th July 1885:

"Maidenhead Borough Bench. WEDNESDAY, 9 JULY Before the Mayor (W. Lovering, Esq.), R. Walker, and J. F. Simpson, Esqrs.

A TATSE FOR STRAWBERRIES. - George Smith who was at the court & few weeks since, was accused of having, on the previous day, stolen a quantity of strawberries from Mr Burdett. " I don't know anything about it." was the plea. 

John Burdett, nurseryman. Bridge-street. stated that at about seven o'clock on the previous evening he saw the prisoner lying down between two rows of strawberries, and picking and eating the fruit. Smith had a strawberry in his fingers, and Mr. Burdett asked him what he did there, and on receiving no answer, be gave the man in charge of the police. Before the police came Smith got over the hedge and made off. About two pounds weight of fruit were taken. 

By the Bench: The man crawled along on his hands and knees, and ate the strawberries as be proceded, damaging several besides. 

Supt. Taylor said the man was convicted of drunkenness on the 18th ult. 

Asked if he was not a " Jolly Smith," the man replied that he was a shoeing and general smith.

Smith was further charged with having done damage to a bell-pull in No. I Police Cell, to the extent of 1s. He again pleaded. "I know nothing about it!" Supt. Taylor stated that after having been charged with the theft of strawberries, Smith was placed in No. 1 cell, the bell-pull in which was intact. but that at 10.10 the brass handle had been pulled off. There had been no one else in the cell during the whole time. Mr. Tuck had estimated the damage at 1s. The magistrate sentenced Smith to two calendar months' hard labour for stealing the strawberries. The damage to the bell-pull, the Mayor said, "they would say nothing about"."

The family are still residing in Bridge Street, Maidenhead in 1891, John is listed as a Florist. On 21 June 1893, The Maidenhead Advertiser carried the following statement:

"Mr. Owen's, Mr. Broughton's, and Mr. Burdett's nurseries, are certainly " things of beauty," but the cultivation and arrangement of the cottage and villa front gardens are in such excellent taste as to afford unbounded gratification to all overs of floriculture."

In the April of 1899 John was struggling with debt and was soon to be declared bankrupt. On 26th April 1899, the Maidenhead Advertiser reported: 

"A NURSERYMAN IN DIFFICULTIES.-A SAD CASE

At the same court, John Burdett, of Bridge-road, Maidenhead, nurseryman and seedsman, came up for public examination. The summary of his statement of affairs showed £639 19s. 10d. gross liabilities expected to rank at £469 Se. 4d., and the assets were estimated at £317 8s. 4d., leaving a deficiency of £l52.—Mr. F. J. C. Forss represented the bankrupt. 

In the course of examination by the Official Receiver, bankrupt stated that he had valued his stock, fittings, fixtures and greenhouses as a going concern, and there would be a very serious difference if they were not sold as such. He was aware that negotiations for their purchase had been going on, but had come to nothing. Bankrupt went on to state, in answer to Mr. Mercer, that he commenced business at Maidenhead 31 years ago, when his father-in-law, Mr. George Lee, advenced him £500,of which he had repaid half, and the remainder of the loan was cancelled. He had also at that time £200 of his own money, the whole of which be placed in his business, and he also erected his greenhouses, he should say at a cost of £350. He bad kept a takings-book, daybook and ledger, but not a cash-book, nor had he ever prepared a balance-sheet or statement of affairs. He lost over £300 by the great flood of 1894, during which time he had to live for three weeks in his upstairs rooms, and the furniture in the rooms below, which though old was valuable, all tumbled to pieces. He also lost by a burglary about £l00 worth of silver, including a number of spoons and forks. He became a guarantee for his son-in-law, Mr. Warren, about five or six years ago, and had to pay £l00 by instalments, certain matters arising in Mr. Warren's accounts which the bankrupt was called upon to pay. What had become of him or where he was now, bankrupt did not know, and the wife was out at service. The only expectation he had of paying his debts was by selling his nurseries, which he thought he could have done if he had had more time. He had borrowed money from a money-leader; he thought he had £50 from him and paid him off by instalments. He did not know if he was the "Isaac Gordon" Bankrupt's wife also signed some promissory notes as well as he and did not know what she was signing. 

Mr. Thomas wrote him a letter; he wrote back asking his terms, and instead of doing so, Mr. Thomas came and saw him with the money in his pocket. He stopped the interest before-hand out of £50, bankrupt thought £13, and the £50 was to be repaid £4 per month. He also borrowed money of Mr. P. Saunders, Craven-street, Strand, also a moneylender, about £25 and gave him a promissory note for £30, to be repaid in two months. He borrowed both sums of money for his business. Mr. Saunders pressed him for money and he could not meet it. Mr. Saunders then issued a writ against him; he did not give him twenty-four hours. All these monies went to pay Mr. Moore rent and into the business After a few further formal questions, the Official Receiver closed his examination, which was adjourned for the bankrupt to sign the transcript of the shorthand writer's notes." 

Also, on 26th April 1899 a letter was sent to the Editor of the Maidenhead Advertiser:

"AN APPEAL. 

To the Editor. 

Sir,

Will you allow me, through the medium of your valuable columns, to make an appeal on behalf of an old inhabitant of Maidenhead upon whom great misfortune has fallen? Mr. J. Burdett has for upwards of 30 years carried on the business of a nurseryman in this town, but owing to force of circumstances is now obliged to give up both his business and his home. As he is far advanced in years, and in enfeebled health I venture to plead on his behalf, and should be glad to receive any contributions which the generosity of his fellow-townsmen may prompt them to give. I may add that whatever sum may be raised in answer to this appeal I propose to hand over to a trustee, who would undertake to supply Mr. Burdett with such amounts as he might require from time to time. 

Yours very truly, 

J. L. MATTHEWS. 

Westcoixn, April 24th, 1899."

By 1901, now elderly, infirm, and bankrupt John and Susanna are inmates of The Jesus Hospital in Bray Village, Berkshire.  The Jesus Hospital is a red-brick group of alms-houses, founded in 1627 by William Goddard, whose full-size effigy stands over the entrance, to house thirty-four of the aged poor of Bray, and six of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers. 

John was to pass away four years later on 2nd May 1905. Susannah remained at The Jesus Hospital until her death on 27th December 1917.

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Edward Taylor, Died on Armistice Day, and His Wife Lily Jennings Taylor

Monument to Edward and Lily Jennings Taylor, All Saints Churchyard, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In loving memory 

of

my dear husband 

Edward Taylor 

who died on Armistice Day 1922 

aged 62 

- The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God.

Also of  

Lily Jennings Taylor 

died Feb 12th 1931 

aged 73 years."

Edward Taylor was born in 1860 in West Walton, Norfolk to John Taylor, a farmer, and his wife Eliza Greenacre.  Edward can first be found on the 1861 Census, aged 8 months, living with his parents in Bell Green Road, Walpole St Peter, Norfolk. The family is still in Bell Green Road in 1871.

By 1881 Edward had moved away from the family home in Bell Green Road Norfolk, to 33 De Beauvoir Road, Hackney, London, a boarding house where his occupation is listed as Draper's Warehouseman. All of the 24 boarders in the house were part of the drapery or clothier business.  Edward had moved again by 1891, this time to Leeds, Yorkshire, where he is lodging with James Carr and his family.  His occupation is now listed as a Hosiery Assistant.

On August 7th 1893 at All Saint's Church in Fulham, Edward married Lily Jennings McLean.

Lily Jennings Taylor was born Eliza Lily Jennings McLean on 26th August 1854 to Robert Donald McLean, a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, and his wife Jane Jennings, in Dublin, Ireland. The first record I can find of Lily is her marriage to Edward in 1893. 

In 1901 Edward and Lily are living at 179 High Street, Kensington, London. Edward's occupation is listed as costumier and Lily's as a dress maker.  1911 finds Edward and Lily living at 50 Ranelagh Gardens, Barnes, Surrey. During their marriage Edward and Lily had no children. Sometime after 1911 Edward and Lily moved to Maidenhead, Berkshire, where Edward was to pass away on 11th November 1922. Lily would follow her husband on 12th February 1931.

I wonder what brought them to Maidenhead and why the unusual, 'died on Armistice Day'?  Possibly in 1922, the Great War to end all wars was still raw in the minds of those who witnessed it.

Cemetery Sunday - War Memorial - Charles and Edward Turner

Maidenhead War Memorial

 

 

"Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore."

 

 

Today I wanted to post about two members of my husband's family and their scarifice in The Great War.

C. W. Turner - Charles William Turner was born in 1898 in Boyne Hill, Maidenhead to Walter Thomas Turner, a general labourer and his wife Jessie Rebecca White.

E. H. Turner - Edward Horace Turner was born in 1890 in Boyne Hill, Maidenhead.  He was the elder brother of Charles William.

Charles William of the Machine Gun Corps died of wounds received in battle on 30th March 1918 in France.  Charles is buried in Duisans British Cemetery.

Edward Horace of 1st Battalion of Royal Berkshire Regiment was killed in action aged 24 on 3rd November 1914 in France.  Edward is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium.

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Emma Simmonds, Her Husband Edward Simmonds, and Son Private Edward Simmonds, Devonshire Regiment - Mother, Father and Son

Monument to Emma Simmonds her husband Edward Simmonds, and son Edward Simmonds, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.

"In loving memory

 of 

Emma Simmonds 

Died Feb 17th 1917.  

Also of 

Edward 

husband of the above 

Died Dec 20th 1920.  

Also of 

Edward 

son of the above 

Died Jan 22nd 1917."

Emma Simmonds was born Emma Johnson in 1846 in Bray Berkshire to Frederick Johnson, a labourer and his wife Charlotte.

Emma first appears on the 1851 Census, aged 1, living with her grandparents, William Johnson, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Susannah, and her older brother George, in Oakley Green, Bray Berkshire, just a few houses away from her parents and Edward Simmonds

On the 1861 Census, Emma is listed aged 14 living with her parents and siblings at Oakley Green.  Living a few houses away was Edward Simmonds and his family. Emma remained with her family until going into domestic service, the 1871 Census finds Emma working for Ann Nicholson and her daughters at 2 Orchard Villas, Castle Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire. In 1875 Emma married Edward Simmonds in Cardiff, Wales.


Edward Simmonds was born in 1849 in Bray Berkshire to William Simmonds, a Wheelwright, and his wife Caroline Allen. Edward first appears on the 1851 Census, aged 2, living with his parents and older siblings in Oakley Green, Bray, Berkshire. Edward remained in Oakley Green with his parents and later, his widowed mother Caroline until his marriage to Emma. Edward's mother Caroline was to pass away in 1876.

Emma and Edward can be found on the 1881 Census living at 20 Topaz Street, Cardiff Wales with their three young daughters, Louisa E aged 4, Charlotte aged 2, and 5-month-old Elizabeth.  At that time Edward was working as a carpenter, but he was soon to follow in his father's footsteps.

By 1891 Emma and Edward have moved back to Fifield, Berkshire, and Edward is working as a wheelwright.  The family has expanded to include Caroline, Albert, George, and Edward Jr.

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 and her son Arthur.

By 1911 Edward has followed his brother Albert into the gardening business, yet he is still living at home at Grove Place, Fifield, Berkshire, with Edward and Emma. Boarding with the family at the time is James Summer, a farm labourer. 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 in Eton Buckinghamshire on 22nd January 1917.  He is buried in a Commonwealth War Grave at St Peter's Churchyard in Burnham, Buckinghamshire. Less than a month later his mother Emma was to pass away on 17th February 1917. Edward followed his wife and son on 20th December 1920.

First World War Commonwealth War Grave - Lieutenant Edward Norkett, Royal Army Service Corps

 

 

"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".

 

 

 

Edward Norkett was born in Maidenhead Berkshire in 1880 to Edward Norkett, an Art Metal worker and his wife Harriet Bissley.

Edward first appears on the 1881 census aged just a year old, living with his parents and maternal aunts Catherine, and Mary, at Broadway, Maidenhead. By 1891 the family had moved to All saint's Avenue in Maidenhead.

 

On the 1901 census, Edward is listed living with his parents and siblings at 6 All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead Berkshire.  Edward's occupation is listed as a blacksmith.

 

On 28th July 1904 Edward married Amy Ann Pattisson at St Mary's Le Park Chapel of ease in Battersea London, where Amy was living at the time in Bolan Street.  They celebrated the birth of their first child, a son, Ernest in 1905, sadly Ernest was to pass away that same year.

 

Edward Norkett was an active member in St Luke's Church in Maidenhead, playing violin there as a child and later dedicating a wrought iron and gold leaf screen, made by himself, to the church in 1910. 

Decorative Wrought Iron Scene made by Edward
St Luke's Church, Maidenhead, Berkshire

On the 1911 census Edward is listed as the manager of an Art Metal Works, he is living at 16A King Street, Maidenhead with his wife Amy, and her younger brother Walter Lawrence Pattisson, who is Edward's Apprentice.

 

Sometime after the outbreak of World War I, Edward enlisted with the Royal Army Service Corps.  The Royal Army Service Corps were responsible for land, coastal and lake transport; air dispatch; supply of food, water, fuel, and general domestic stores such as clothing, furniture and stationery; administration of barracks; the Army Fire Service; and provision of staff clerks to headquarters units.

Lieutenant Edward Norkett (right)
and his son Walter

 

Unfortunately, I cannot trace Edward's Military Service Records.  He died from sickness on 25th March 1919.  His World War I Medal Card suggests that Amy applied for his Territorial Forces Medal after his death on 3rd May 1920.  The Territorial Force War Medal was a campaign medal awarded to members of the British Territorial Force and Territorial Force Nursing Services who served overseas in World War I; it is the rarest of the five British Great War medals.

 

Edward and Amy's only surviving child Walter Edward Norkett was to serve with the Royal Army Service Corps during World War II, sadly he died during service sometime between 31st May and 4th June 1940, just two years after the death of his mother.  He is buried in Dunkirk Cemetery in France.

 

Maybe it was some small mercy that Amy died before Walter after losing her Edward to war service.