Cemeteries and graveyards, full of love, betrayal, tragic deaths, murder, and suicide. What will you find?

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Taphophile Tragics - Alfred Moore Cooper

 
 
 
Monument to Alfred Moore Cooper, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.
 
 
"In Loving Remembrance Of Alfred Moore Cooper - Late of ware, Hertfordshire - Died July 15th 1873 aged 28 years ~I know that my redeemer liveth~"
 
 
Alfred Moore Cooper was born in Ware, Hertfordshire in 1844, to George Cooper, a corn merchant, and his wife Martha Moore.
 
On the 1851 Census, six year old Alfred is living with his parents and siblings George and Rosa, in the home of his maternal grandfather George Moore at Cannons, Baldock Street, Ware, Hertfordshire.
 
In 1861 the sixteen year old Alfred, now a Brewer's Clerk is living with his family in High Field, in Great Amwell, Hertfordshire.
 
1871, just two years before Alfred's passing, the twenty six year old is now a corn merchant, living in Amwell End, Ware, Hertfordshire with his younger sister Rosa.  At the same time Alfred's parents have moved to live in Pinkney's Green, Maidenhead, Berkshire.
 
On 15th July 1873, Alfred passes away aged just twenty eight years old in Marylebone, London.
 
After Alfred's death, Rosa moved to Maidenhead to live with her parents.  However her father George Cooper was to die in 1876 aged fifty three.  In 1881 Rosa and her widowed mother, Martha are living in North Town, Maidenhead, Berkshire.
 
Was Alfred away from home on business when he passed away?  Was his death due to natural causes or something else?  These are the things that keep me up at night.
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday 27 October 2013

Cemetery Sunday - St Luke's Churchyard

 
St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.
 
 
 





Friday 25 October 2013

Flashback Friday - Vivian Charlotte Lewis - Died In Her Racing Car

**Originally posted 2nd October 2012**
 
 


Monument to Vivian Charlotte Lewis, All Saints Churchyard, Bisham Berkshire.


"In Loving Memory of Vivian Charlotte wife of David Lewis Born 22 April 1923 - Died in her racing car at Brighton Speed Trials 14th September 1963"


Vivian Charlotte Lewis was born Vivian Charlotte Hordern on 22nd April 1923.  Search on her life has proved difficult as the spelling of her first name constantly changed throughout official records.  All that is known of Vivian's life is that she married David Lewis in 1952 in Westmister.


Sadly due to the manner of her passing, a lot is known about her death.

"London, Saturday holiday markers saw a woman racing driver killed when her car somersaulted and burst into flames at Brighton today.
The car hit a kerb, exploded and crashed into a children's playground on the promenade.
The driver Mrs Vivenne [sic] Lewis, 35 [sic] of Cookham Dean, Berkshire, was competing in the Brighton speed trials when her Jaguar hit the kerb and went out of control.
Damaged
Flames shot 20ft into the air as it exploded
Two timing marshals narrowly escaped as parts of the wreckage landed a few yards from their desk. Some of the timing equipment was damaged.
Racing was stopped for 40 minutes after the crash - the first fatality in the 58 year history of the trials.
Mrs Lewis was married but had no children" - The Sydney Morning Herald 15th September 1963.

SPEED ON THE FRONT


Seems Vivian was lying about her age, as she died aged 40, not 35.

On that day Vivian was racing a 1958 Tojeiro Jaguar that she shared with her husband.  The actual car that was involved in the accident was sold, restored and recently came up for sale at auction.


Vivian's car restored

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Taphophile Tragics - Ellen and Ellen Mary Gould Box - Mother and Baby

 
 
Monument to Ellen and Ellen Mary Gould Box, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.
 
 
"In fondest memory of Ellen Box dearly loved and loving wife who died September ? 1882 aged 25 years.  Also of Ellen Mary Gould Box who died September 1? 1882 aged 13 days."
 
There are verses engraved under each dedication, however they were too worn to read.
 
Ellen Box was born Ellen Turton in Hillingdon, Middlesex, the eldest child of George Turton, a grocer and his wife Elizabeth Randell.
 
Ellen first appears on the 1861 Census, aged four, living with her parents and two younger brothers James and Ebenezer at the family run grocery shop in Hillingdon, Middlesex.
 
In 1871, Ellen, now fourteen is still living with her parents at their grocery shop in Hillingdon, Middlesex.  Sadly young Ebenezer passed away in 1863 aged only two years.  But the Turtons had welcomed two sons and three daughters into their family since Ebenezer's passing, William, Alfred, Fanny, Mary and Emily.
 
In 1881 at the age of twenty four, Ellen is still living with and working at her parent's grocery shop.  The family has expanded to welcome a further two sons and two daughters, Ernest, Herbert, Alice and Edith.  Later that same year Ellen married Ebenezer Gould Box, a woollen merchant from Maidenhead, In Newington, London.
 
Soon after their marriage Ellen was expecting their first child together, a daughter Ellen Mary Gould Box.  Sadly tragedy was to strike the young family.  Ellen was to pass away first early in September 1882 followed by her baby daughter by mid September.  I am guessing that Ellen succumbed to complications after the birth of her daughter.  Both died in Chelsea, London.  I am unsure why they came to be buried in a Maidenhead churchyard as Ebenezer continued to live out of the area until his own death.
 
In 1886 Ebenezer married again, to Elizabeth Binns.  Their own family was to be touched by infant mortality.  In the early part of 1888 they celebrated the birth of their first child, a son, Reginald Ebenezer Gould Box.  Sadly baby Reginald was to pass away before his first birthday at the end of 1888.  Ebenezer and Elizabeth had a second son, Lewis S Box in 1894.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Sunday 20 October 2013

Cemetery Sunday - Mary and Jesus

 
Stained glass window depicting Mary and Jesus.  St Luke's Church, Maidenhead. Berkshire, England.
 
 
 





Friday 18 October 2013

Flashback Friday - Peter George Stanhope Payne - Barrister

**Originally posted 29th September 2012**
 
 



Monument to Peter George Stanhope Payne and Maud Payne, All Saints Churchyard, Bisham Berkshire.


"Peter George Stanhope Payne 28th May 1928.  Maud Payne 2nd July 1937."


 Peter George Stanhope Payne was born in Woburn Sands, Bedfordshire in 1862 to Sir Salusbury Gillies Payne, Justice of the Peace for Bedfordshire and Catherine Ann Chadwick.

In 1881 Peter is listed on the census as an Undergraduate of Oxford University, before going on to become a barrister.

In 1892 Peter married Maud Banbury, daughter of Frederick Banbury and Cecilla Laura Cox.  Maud was born in London in 1868.



Edited:  Peter and Maud had two children, Marjory Enid and Lionel Guy Stanhope.  It seems that Lionel had a very interesting military career and was awarded the military cross.

"Citation for the award of the Military Cross


Capt. Lionel Guy Stanhope Payne, Suff. R. and R.F.C.


For conspicuous

gallantry and devotion to duty. On four occasions he bombed important enemy railway stations, obtaining direct hits on each occasion. He also carried out a long distance raid on an enemy .aerodrome, which he bombed from 1,100 feet, making the return journey at a height of 800 with, his machine damaged. He has taken part in .many night bombing raids, always at a low altitude, and has set a fine example of determination to all ranks of his squadron."



 

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Taphophile Tragics - Ellen and Henry Knight



Monument to Ellen and Henry Knight, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.


"In Loving Memory of Ellen the beloved wife of Henry Knight who passed away Jan 14th 1922 aged 77 years - At Rest - Also of Henry Knight who passed away Feb 1st 1928 aged 84 years."


Ellen Knight was born Ellen Davis in Wokingham, Berkshire in 1845 to Henry Davis, a shoe maker and his wife Ellen. 

Henry Knight was born in 1844, however his place of birth changes on every record I have found of him and Ellen and I have been unable to locate Henry pre 1871.

Ellen first appears on the 1851 Census aged seven years, living in Braywick, Bray, Berkshire with her parents and siblings, George, Mary Ann, Henry, James, and Emma.

I am having difficulty locating Ellen on the 1861 when she would have been around seventeen years of age, so it is possible that she was in service and her details were recorded incorrectly.

In 1867 Ellen marries Henry Knight, a gardener, in Windsor, Berkshire.

1869 sees the birth of their first child, a daughter, Emma.  Closely followed by a son, Henry in 1870.

1871 Census and the small family is living at Ray Park Cottages in Maidenhead Berkshire.

1872 saw the birth of a second daughter, Ellen and 1878 a third daughter Edith.  A month before the 1881 Census was taken, Ellen gave birth to her fourth daughter, Clara.  The Census records the family as living at 8 North Cottages in North Town, Maidenhead, Berkshire.  Ellen's occupation is now listed as a laundress, possibly taking in washing to help support her growing family.

1884 sees the birth of a fifth daughter, Alice, followed by a second son, Edwin in 1888 and a third son, Joseph in 1889.

In 1891 the family has moved to Builders Villa in Bray, Berkshire.  Henry Snr's occupation is now listed as a market gardener.  The elder daughters Emma and Ellen are listed as assisting their mother in her laundress business, where as Henry Jr is working as a gardener with his father. 

Five years later, in 1896, Emma left the family to marry William Swain Norsworthy, a painter and decorator from Maidenhead.

1901 the family has moved to The Briars in Bray, Berkshire.  Living next door at 5 Builders Cottages is Henry Jr, now a green grocer, and his sister  elder Ellen. 

Five years later, in 1906, Clara married Henry Arthur Collins, a dairyman from Fifeld, Berkshire.

In 1908 Henry Jr married his wife Emma, unfortunately I haven't been able to locate a marriage index for Henry and Emma.

1911 and Ellen and Henry have moved to Spencer's Farm in Fifield Berkshire.  Living with them are their youngest daughter and son, Alice and Joseph.  Joseph is now working as a domestic chauffer.

Edith is now a dress maker is lodging at the house of George Lovegrove at 4 Woodlands Villas, Datchet, Windsor, Berkshire.  Edwin is a domestic gardener for a large house in Hawthorn Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

I have been unable to locate Ellen Jr post 1901.

Sadly in 1922 Ellen passed away.  Henry followed Ellen to the grave in 1928.




Sunday 13 October 2013

Cemetery Sunday - St Luke's Spire

 
Spire, St Luke's Church, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.
 
 
 







Friday 11 October 2013

Flashback Friday - Rupert Ernest Neve - Killed In An Aeroplane Accident

**Originally posted 25th September 2012**
 
 


Monument to Rupert Enrest Neve, Peggy Neve, Marjory Edith Neve and Anthony Holloway, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In humble submission to the will of God and in happy memory of Rupert Ernest Neve R.F.C killed in an aeroplane accident jan 26th 1918 aged 24 years - For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord, whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.  Rom 14. 8
Also Peggy, daughter of H. H & B Neve died Feb 21st 1915, aged 27 hours.
And Marjory Edith Neve, died July 29th  1947 aged 56 years.
Also Anthony Holloway died March 29th 1948 aged 2 days."



Rupert Ernest Neve and his twin brother Arthur Osmond Neve were born on 15th September 1893 in Maidenhead Berkshire to Alfred Hovenden Neve, a draper and clothier operating from 57-61 High Street Maidenhead, and Emma Hankin Skillman.  Rupert attended Desborough School for Boys in Maidenhead, the school has a private memorial to him in their building.





In 1911 Rupert was boarding at 121 Castle Hill, Reading with the Venn family.  His occupation is listed as an ironmongers apprentice.  On 23rd April 1913 Rupert was involved in a motorcycle accident, the Slough, Eton & Windsor Observer on 26th April 1913 reported;

"A motorcycle and van collide-
About 8:30 Wednesday evening, a horse and van, driven by George Haines, of 17, Grenville [sic] Place, Maidenhead, was proceeding to London, when a motorcycle, ridden by Mr. Rupert Ernest Neve, of High Street, Maidenhead, who was going in the same direction, collided with the rear of the van.  Neve sustained a cut lip and was attended by Dr. Sadler, of Slough.  Mr. William Egleton, of Bray Mills, near Maidenhead, was riding on the carrier of the cycle and received a bruised head and cut fingers."

Rupert was one of the first groups of young men to volunteer at the outbreak of World War I.  He first enlisted on 15th September 1914 in the Public Schools Battalion of The Royal Fusiliers and was then promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th King's Shropshire Light Infantry but shortly transferred to the R.F.C (Royal Flying Corps).  Rupert's twin brother served as a Lance Corporal in the Royal Army Medical Corps.  Rupert passed is flying certificate on a Maurice Farman Biplane on 6th July 1916.  During an aerial fight over France sometime in March 1917, Rupert was severely injured but was able to bring his plane back behind British lines. 

Rupert had only just been reported fit to for active service when on 26th January 1918, his Sopwith Camel B.5235 biplane collapsed mid-air over Croydon, Surrey due to excessive vibration.


Sopwith Camel B.5235

Peggy Neve was born on 20th February 1915 to Harold Hovenden Neve, Rupert's elder brother and Beatrice Rolfe.  Sadly she was to pass away on 21st February 1915 just 27 hours after her birth.

Marjory E Neve

Marjory Edith Neve, known as Madge, Rupert's elder sister, was born on 29th May 1891 in Maidenhead Berkshire.  She lived and worked at her father's drapery store at 57-61 High Street Maidenhead.  She never married and died aged 56 on 29th July 1947

Neve Bros


Unfortunately There is very little I can find out about Anthony Holloway, other than his mother's maiden name was Neve.  I am unable to locate a marriage between a Neve and Holloway that fits.  There is one, but it took place in 1973, 25 years after Anthony's death.


Tuesday 8 October 2013

Taphophile Tragics - Annabella Atkinson - Gardener's Wife



Monument to Annabella Atkinson, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

"In Loving Memory of Annabella the beloved wife of Joseph Atkinson who died October 6th 1911 aged 50 years."

Annabella Atkinson was born Annabella Douglass in 1861 in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland to Stephen Douglass, an iron founder, and Mary Jane Carr.

Annabella first appears on the 1861 Census aged just five months, living at 53 Railway Street in Newcastle, Northumberland with her parents and elder siblings, Mary aged five and Anna aged four

Annabella next appears on the 1871 Census, aged ten years, living at 31 Albert Street in Gateshead, County Durham, with her parents, maternal grandmother Elizabeth Douglass and her younger siblings, Thomas aged seven, Catherine aged five and Jane aged two.

By 1881 the twenty year old Annabella is working as a live in servant for the Laig family At Thornhill House in Bishop Wearmouth, Sunderland.

1891 and Annabella has moved to the small household of Albert Palmer at 14 Windsor Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, where she's working as a cook.

Just a year later, Annabella married Joseph Atkinson, a gardener from County Durham, in Morpeth.  The first child, a daughter Nora arrives in 1894, followed by a son John Ernest in 1896.

1901 finds the little family living at 2 Primrose Place, Gateshead, County Durham.  Living with the family at the time is Joseph's widowed mother Ann Marshall.

In 1904 a second daughter Violet Hilda was born and in 1906 a second son Douglass followed.

1911 and Annabella and her family have moved to The Gardener's Cottage at Oakley Court, Bray, Berkshire.  Nora Atkinson, now aged seventeen is working as a school teacher and fifteen year old John Ernest is a learning electrical worker.

Sadly just six months after the 1911 Census was taken, Annabella passed away.



Taphophile Tragics
Tombstone Tuesday








Sunday 6 October 2013

Cemetery Sunday - Spooky


 
Fallen gravestone at St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England
 
 
 





Friday 4 October 2013

Flashback Friday - Donovan Foster "Shorty" Smart

**Originally posted 21st September 2012**





Monument to Donovan Foster Smart 'Shorty' and Mary Ann Foster, All Saints Chutchyard, Bisham, Berkshire.

"Donovan Foster Smart 'Shorty' December 1 1934 Aged 28 years
Mary Ann Foster September 11 1936 Aged 81 years."



Donovan Foster Smart was born in Chingford, Essex in 1906, eldest child of Harry Casimir Smart, an Australian working in the Publicity Branch of the Australian Government Office in the UK, and Daisy Hope Foster.

Living with the Smart family in 1911 was Daisy's mother Mary Ann Foster and sister Grace Foster.

Mary Ann Foster was born Mary Ann Scudamore in Bishopsgate, Middlesex in 1856 to Robert Scudamore, a lithographic printer and his wife Elizabeth.  On 21st November 1880 Mary Ann married Henry William Foster in Hackney, London.  Along with Henry's five children from his previous marriage, Helen, Symons, Mary Ann, Ethel, Gertrude and Harold, Henry and Mary Ann had three children of their own, Sidney Kirkman, Daisy Hope and Grace.

Sadly Mary Ann was widowed in 1898 after 18 years of marriage when Henry passed away.

One question that keeps popping up, why was Donovan known as Shorty and why was his nickname placed on his grave stone?



Tuesday 1 October 2013

Prince George Mountbatten and Countess Nadejda de Torby - Marquess and Marchioness of Milford Haven



Monuments to Captain George Louis Victor Henry Serge Mountbatten, 2nd Marquess of Milford Haven and Countess Nadejda Mikhailovna de Torby.

"In grateful and loving memory of my beloved husband George, Marquess of Milford Haven, Captain R. N.  November 6th 1892 - April 8th 1936."

"In loving memory of  our beloved mama Nada Marchioness of Milford Haven.  March 28th 1896 - January 22nd 1963."

Captain George Louis Victor Henry Serge Mountbatten was born 6th December 1892 to Louis Mountbatten, Prince of Battenberg and 1st Marquess of Milford Haven, and Princess Viktoria von Hesse and by Rhine, in Dramstadt, Hesse, Germany.  He was later to become the uncle of Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Interestingly all official records puts Captain Mountbatten's birth date as 6th December 1892, yet his gravestone gives the date of 6th November.

On 15th November 1915 in London, Captain George married Countess Nadejda Mikhailovna de Torby, daughter of the Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich Romanov of Russia and Sophie von Merenberg.  Countess de Torby was born on 28th March 1896 in the Russian Empire.

Captain Mountbatten and Countess de Torby lived together in Lynden Manor in Holyport, Berkshire, where they raised their two children, Lady Tatiana Elizabeth Mountbatten and David Mountbateen, 3rd Marquess of Milford Haven.

Captain Mountbatten died on 8th April 1936 of bone marrow cancer in Westminster, London.

Shortly after Captain George's death, Marchioness Lady Mountbatten left to live in the United States.

Marchioness Lady Mountbatten died on 22nd January 22 1963 in Cannes, France.



Taphophile Tragics
Tombstone Tuesday







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