Little Queenie Marian Blake and Her Mother Nellie Louise Blake, Daughter of Henry Woodhouse of the Thames Hotel

Monument to Queenie Marian Blake and Nellie Louise Blake, All Saints Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"In ever loving memory of our only darling child Queenie.  Left Mummy and Daddy, but gone to Jesus.

Queenie Marian Blake born June 17th 1903 - Died Sept 2nd 1911.

And of her mother Nellie Louise Blake died May 29th 1955."

Queenie Marian Blake was born on 17th June 1903 in Bradfield, Berkshire to Major Ayton James Blake, an officer in the army, and his wife Nellie Louise Woodhouse.

Queenie first appears on the 1911 Census, aged 7, living with her parents and their servant Lily Oakley at Rosetta, Ray Lea Road, Maidenhead Berkshire.  Her father James is listed as being a Retired Officer H.M Army.  Sadly, Queenie was to pass away on 2nd September 1911 aged just 8 years old.


Nellie Louise Blake was born Nellie Louise Woodhouse 0n 19th December 1879 in Maidenhead Berkshire to Henry Woodhouse, a boat builder and owner of the Thames Hotel, Ray Mead Road, Maidenhead, and his wife Mary Ann F West.

Nellie first appears on the 1881 Census, aged one year, living with her parents in Bridge Street, Maidenhead.  At that time Henry Woodhouse was a boat builder employing 4 men and 12 boys.  He had yet to go into business with his ex-brother-in-law William Deacon and build the Thames Hotel, which opened in the late 1880s.  In 1891 Nellie, now aged 11 and her family, including her younger sisters Winifred, Daisy and Ella, are living at the Thames Hotel in Ray Mead Road, Maidenhead.  Nellie is still living with her family at the hotel in 1901. Nellie was a talented punter and won the Ladies Punting Championship, she was also a talented artist and attended art school in Maidenhead.

On 26th November 1902 Nellie marries Lieutenant Ayton James Blake of the Imperial Yeomanry. On 29th November 1902 the Reading Mercury reported:

"MAIDENHEAD. Wedding.—At St. Luke's Church, Maidenhead, on Wednesday afternoon, in the presence of large congregation, was solemnized the marriage of Captain Ayton James Blake, Imperial Yeomanry, son of the late Mr. H. Blake, of Sherborne, Dorset, with Miss Nellie Louise Woodhouse, eldest daughter of Mr. Henry Woodhouse, of the Thames hotel, Maidenhead. 

The chancel had been adorned with flowers, and an awning and carpeted way had been prepared to the entrance of the church. A very large number of guests were assembled at the church when the bride arrived and was met by the Rev. H. G. J. Meara, vicar, and the choir at the entrance, and a processional hymn was sung. Mr. J. Absolum played the Bridal March (Lohengrin) at the commencement the service. The vicar officiated throughout the service. The bride, who was given away by her father, was attired in a travelling costume. The bridesmaids were the Misses Winifred. Daisy, and Ella Woodhouse (sisters of the bride), and Miss Gertie Harris (Cousin). The best man was Captain Stanley Morris, who lately returned from the Front. Hymn "O perfect Love was sung during the service. A reception, which was largely attended, was afterwards held at the Thames hotel, and later in the day Captain and Mrs. Blake drove to Slough en route for Westcliff-on-sea."

Their only child, Queenie, was born on 17th June 1903.

On the 1939 England and Wales Register Nellie and Ayton can be found living at Dewstraw, Lent Rise, Burnham, Buckinghamshire. Ayton's occupation is listed as a livestock Agent.

Nellie Sadly passed away on 29th May 1955. On 3rd June 1955 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"Obituary

Mrs. Blake.

Ladies Punting Champion of the Thames at the turn of the century, Mrs. Nellie Louise Blake, died in a Maidenhead nursing home on Sunday. Her farther Mr. Henry Woodhouse was a well-known local boat builder and was one of the first to build pleasure streamers on the Thames. His daughter took part in ladies punting championships at regattas held at Cookham, Marlow and Maidenhead.

In 1902 she was married to Majoy James Ayton Blake at St. Luke's church. Her husband served in the Boer War. For three and a half years he was with the cavalry in charge of the remount depot at Capetown. He was invalided out of the Army. Mrs. Blake was also a well-known violinist and played with the town's music society.

Major and Mrs. Blake lived for many years at Dewstraw, Burnham. Major Blake bred and raced horses. Three years ago he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding and moved to Parkstone, Bournemouth. the funeral took place at Maidenhead Cemetery on Monday."