Francis Hilda Maconochie, of Elva Lodge, Castle Hill, wife of Doctor Eric Reginald Delme Maconchie of Liverpool, Lancashire

 

Memorial to Francis Hilda Maconochie. All Saints' Churchyard, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory

of

Francis Hilda

Wife of

Dr E. R. D. Maconochie

Died April 18th 1927"

Francis Hilda Maconochie was born Francis Hilda Jones on 9th December 1889 in Pudsey, Yorkshire, to George Andrew Jones, a woollen manufacturer, and his wife Elizabeth Haley. Francis was the youngest of 15 children born to George and Elizabeth.

Francis first appears on the 1891 Census, aged one, living with her parents and 13 siblings, at Hillthorpe, Pudsey, Yorkshire. The family are still at Hillthorpe in 1901. Francis's father George was to pass away in 1905.

In 1911 Francis was living with her elder married sister Blanche Whittingham, and her husband Charles, a wool merchant, at 25 Heaton Grove, Bradford, Yorkshire. Visiting Blanche's family at the time is Dr Eric Maconochie. On 10th October 1911 at St Barnabas Church, Heaton, Yorkshire, Frincis married Dr Eric Reginald Delme Maconochie. On 12th October 1911 the Huddersfield Daily Examiner reported:

"Huddersfield Doctor's Marriage,

 DR. E. R .D .MACONOCHIE AND MISS JONES 

On Tuesday the wedding of Dr. E. R D. Maconochie M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.S.E., son of the late Mr. Maconochie and Mrs. Maconochie, Trinity, Edinburgh, and Miss. Frances [sic] Hilda Jones, daughter of the Late  G. A. Jones, Hillthorpe Pudsev, and Mrs. Jones, South Parade, Pudsev, was celebrated at Heaton Parish Church, Bradford. 

The Rev. Charkles Farrow (vicar of Tong) and the Rev. E. Arthur Miller (vicar-designate of Christ Church Bradford) officiated, and Mr. J .H. Clough presided at the organ. The bride was given away by her mother, and wore a gown of ivory satin, with the front panel veiled in ninon de soie fringed pearls and crystals. The ceinturewas formedof the same ornaments in a design of heather held together by a true lover’s knot. Three tiny frills of ninon in fine accordion pleating gave a quaint finish to the short sleeves. Her veil of tulle was arranged over a wreath of white heather and orange blossom.

The bridesmaids, Miss. Irene Jones (sister of the bride) and Miss Maconochie (sister of the bridegroom) wore dresses of ciel blue chiffon, trimmed with bands of stain mousseeline, and lace bodices of coffee-coloured net. 

The best man was Mr. Frank Beattie of Glasgow, The newly-married pair left the church to the strains of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March" played upon the organ. 

A reception held afterwards at 25, Heaton Grove, Bradford  was numerously attended, and later Dr. and Mrs. Eric Maconochie left for the Riviera. The bride’s travelling costume was of saxe blue cloth ,with embroidered vest in self shades, and she wore a large picture hat in black satin, encircled with a white feather ruche."

St Barnabas Church, Heaton, Yorkshire.

In 1916 Francis and Eric celebrated the birth of their son, Alastair Delme Archibald Maconochie. The young family can be found on the 1921 Census living at Elva Lodge, Castle Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

Elva Lodge Hotel Copyright Emma Barrett

Elva Lodge was a grand house that stood near the top of Castle Hill, Maidenhead, on the junction with Grenfell Road. At the time the Maconochie family owned the house it was used as a private residence and doctor's surgery. During World War Two it was used as a distribution centre for child evacuees who had arrived in Maidenhead from the larger cities. Later it became a hotel, function, and wedding venue. Sadly the building was demolished in November 2016.

Francis was to pass away on 28th April 1927 at her home Elva Lodge, Castle  Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire. Not long after Francis's passing Eric married widow Cora Muriel Mowat nee Cunningham-Moare.

Dr Eric Reginald Delme Maconochie remained in Maidenhead until his death on 18th April 1964 at Roundway Cottage, Burchett's Green, Maidenhead, Berkshire.