Cemetery Sunday - Alone

 

A lone small cross gravestone lent against a tree.

 

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

 

 

 

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Henry Hunter of The Reform Inn , Bridge Street, Maidenhead, and his wife Elizabeth Hunter

 

 

Monument to Henry and Elizabeth Hunter, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

"In Loving Memory Of 

Henry Hunter 

Who Died October 11th 1883 

Aged 57 years 

- Asleep in Jesus - 

Also 

Elizabeth Hunter 

Wife Of The Above 

Who Died June 26th 1903 

Aged 75 years."

 

 

Henry Hunter was born in 1827 in North Pickerham, Norfolk to John Hunter, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Elizabeth Simmons.

 

Henry first appears on the 1841 Census aged fifteen living with his parents and siblings, William, Harriet, Charles and Edward, in North Pickerham, Norfolk.

 

In 1851 Henry has left the family home to work for the Reverend Henry Say, the Rector of North Pickerham, as a groom.  Working in the same household as a cook was Elizabeth Mason, Henry's future wife.

 

Elizabeth Mason was born in 1828 in Wiggenhall, St Germans, Norfolk to John Mason, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Mary Ann Smith.

 

Elizabeth first appears on the 1841 Census aged thirteen years living with her parents and siblings, Mary, Sarah, Martha and George, in Wiggenhall, St Germans, Norfolk.

 

In the October of 1857, Elizabeth and Henry married.  Their first child, a son John Henry arrived soon after in 1858, followed closely be another son, George in 1860.  A daughter, Susan followed in 1862 and in 1863 a second daughter, Sarah arrived.

 

In 1861 Henry and his family have moved to Water Oakley Lodge in Bray, Berkshire, where Henry is working as a coachman for Sir Richard Hall-Say, the nephew of the Reverend Henry Say and the builder of Water Oakley Mansion (now called Oakley Court Hotel).  Living with the family at the time is Elizabeth's sister Frances.

 

1871 and the family is still living at Water Oakley Lodge where Henry is continuing his employment as a coachman for Sir Hall-Say.  Visiting the family at the time was Elizabeth's aunt, Susan Smith.

 

However in 1879 Henry had decided on a change of career and had become the Inn Keeper at The Reform, 44 Bridge Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire. John Henry had left the family home to work as a 2nd Coachman in London.  George is working as a barman at The Vine Hotel in Reading, Berkshire. I am unable to locate Susan on the 1881 Census. 

 

Sadly, just two years later, Henry was to pass away on 11th October 1883.

 

In 1888 Susan Hunter married Thomas Wright, a carpenter and joiner, in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Also in 1881 there was some monkey business afoot as a circus monkey escaped and climbed onto the roof of the Reform Inn. On 19th September 1888 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"Monkey Hunt-

On Saturday morning last one the large monkeys in Lord George Sangers' Circus," which had been taken from its cage for exercise succeeded in escaping. After indulging in a few frolics on the Moor, it made for the Green Dragon opposite, and was soon on the Berken's home, after which it got on to the roof of the Reform Inn. The runaway was eventually captured and taken back to its cage."

 

1891 and the widowed Elizabeth has taken over the running of The Reform public house, along with her son George.

 

Elizabeth and George are still running The Reform together in 1901, this time employing a live in bar keeper, Ernest Wheeler.  Just two years later in 1903, Elizabeth followed her husband to the grave.

 

The Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer reported on 4th July 1903 -

 

"Death Of An Old Resident - We regret to have to record the death of another old Maidenhead resident, Mrs. Elizabeth Hunter, that occurred at her residence, The Reform, Bridge Road on Friday Last.  Mrs. Hunter, who was 75 years of age, had resided at The Reform for over 20 years.  The house was kept by her late husband, Mr. Henry Hunter, from 1879 until his death in October 1883.  since the latter date, Mrs. Hunter has carried on the business with the help of her son, Mr. George Hunter.  The funeral took place on Tuesday at St. Luke's church.  The body was interred in the grave where lie the remains of the deceased's husband.  The mourners included Mr. George Hunter (son), Mrs. Wright (daughter)and Mr. Grinstead; and the following members of the Maidenhead Licensed Victuallers Society were also present:  Mr. J. Meeks (Chairman),  Mr. J. Maio, Mr. J. T. Cotton, Mr. Smith (Green Dragon), and Mr. W. A. Thompson (Secretary).  There were a large number of very handsome wreaths, including one from the Maidenhead Licensed Victuallers." 

 

George Hunter continued the run The Reform until 1907. During the 1900 floods which saw considerable amounts of water in Bridge Street, George is quoted in the Maidenhead Advertiser:

"The Reform inn contains a considerable depth of water, and Host Hunter is not to be envied. 'By hook or by crook, however, he seeks to quench the thirst of any who may punt up to his bar.'"  

In 1904 the floods came again, this time worse. The Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"The Reform Inn, kept by Mr. Geo. Hunter, could only be approached by punt, and the water inside was so deep that it was almost impossible to serve customers, and he closed the house early in the evening."

The Reform Inn during the 1947 floods

 

  

Cemetery Sunday - Snow Angel

 

 

Finch Family Grave, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

I realise that I have used this picture for Cemetery Sunday before, but unfortunately this week a family member suffered a health scare, so I haven't had a lot of time available for sorting through pictures.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

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Alfred Playne, Surgeon and Barrister of Maidenhead, and his first wife Frances Maria Playne

Monument to Alfred and Frances Maria Playne, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

"In loving memory 

of 

Alfred Playne 

Died Sept. 9th 1908. 

Aged 79 years.  

Also 

Frances Maria 

His Beloved Wife 

Died Sept. 21st 1871.  

Aged 42 years. 

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

Frances Maria Playne was born Frances Maria Clifford in 1829 in Camberwell, Surrey to William Clifford, a newspaper agent and his wife Mary Maria Newcomb.

Frances Maria first appears on the 1841 Census, aged 11, living at her uncle Joseph Newcomb's home Morton Cottage, Upton-Cum-Chalvey, along with her eldest sisters Ellen, and Emma.  

The 1851 Census finds Frances aged 22 is living with her parents and her siblings, Joseph, Ellen ,and Emma, at 3 Bedford Terrace in Lambeth, Surrey.

Alfred Playne was born in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire in 1829 to Peter Playne, a woollen cloth manufacturer, and his wife Ann Dancey.

I have been unable to locate Dr Alfred on the 1841 Census.  Alfred appears on the 1851 Census as a medical student lodging in the home of Charles Gauneisen in Westminster, London.

In 1860 in Windsor, Berkshire, Frances married Alfred Playne, now a general practitioner doctor.  1861 finds the newly married couple living at 1 Northwick Terrace in Market Street, Maidenhead Berkshire.  Together, Dr Alfred and Frances had six daughters, Mary born in 1861, Fanny Clifford born in 1863, Ellen Armitage born in 1865, Emma Clifford in 1867, Margaret Newcombe in 1868 and Lucette Golden in 1869. 

During the Census of 1871 Frances is visiting Miss Isabella Fleming and her family at The Grove in Cookham, next to The Ferry Inn. Sadly the original building burnt to the ground during the Cookham floods in 1919.

Dr Alfred is at home with his daughters during the 1871 Census at their property in the High Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

Sadly, two years after the birth of her youngest daughter Lucette, and a few months after the 1871 Census, Frances passed away aged just 42.  The Berkshire Chronicle carried the following announcement:

"Deaths-

Sept. 21, at Maidenhead, Frances Maria, the beloved wife of Alfred Playne, Esq., M. B., of Maidenhead, and Box House, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire. "

In 1874 Dr Alfred Playne remarried to Sarah Seamark Suter from Kent.

In 1881 Dr Alfred and his second wife are living at his High Street property in Maidenhead, along with five of his daughters from his first marriage.  Working as a domestic servant for the family is Sarah Hammerton.  Mary Playne is living with her maternal aunt Ellen Clifford at 4 Clarence Crescent in Windsor, Berkshire.  Mary remained unmarried until her death in 1958.

In 1886 Dr Alfred and several other doctors from Maidenhead put forward a proposal for a Medical Association to help the poor of Maidenhead with the cost of healthcare.  Unfortunately the proposal was turned down as unsatisfactory.

In 1887 Ellen left the family home and married Walter Stanley Armitage, a surgeon, thus becoming Ellen Armitage Armitage. 

By 1891 Dr Alfred had become a magistrate as well as moving to Lynhames, Castle Hill, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead. Two years later Fanny leaves the family home to marry Frederick Beames

Sadly Dr Alfred's second wife was to pass away on 20th May 1897. On 26th May 1897 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"Death of Mrs Playne- We much regret to have this week to record the death of Mrs. Sarah S. Playne, wife of Dr. A. Playne, J. P., who passed away on Thursday last at her residence, "Lynhames," Castle-hill, after an illness of some months. The deceased lady was very highly esteemed , and her death was heard of throughout the town with much sorrow. 

The funeral took place on Monday, at 1.30, at All saints' Boyn Hill, the service being very impressively rendered by the Vicar, Rev. A. H. Drummond

The outer coffin was of English oak with brass mountings, and bore the following inscription: 

"Sarah Seamark Playne 

Died 20th May 1897

Aged 64 Years" 

The grave had been effectively adorned with moss, evergreens, and  narcissi bu Messrs. Owen of Castle-hill Nurseries. The funeral arrangements were well carried out by Mr. Theo. Hewitt, High-street."

Four years after the death of his second wife Dr Alfred has moved to 3 Boyn Hill Avenue where he is now listed as a retired surgeon. On 9th September 1908 Dr Alfred passed away.

On Saturday 21st November 1908 the Cheltenham Chronicle reported -

"Mr. Alfred Playne, M.B., J.P., youngest son of the late Mr. Peter Playne, of Box House, Minchinhampton, who died on Sept 9th last aged 78 years, appointed his daughter Miss. Mary Playne, of The Wilderness, Maidenhead, and his nephew, Mr. Frances George Playne, of The Grange, Minchinhampton, solicitors, executors, by whom the estate is sworn at £16,223, 2s, 11d. gross, of which £14,149, 12s, 11d, is net personalty."

Cemetery Sunday - Until The Day Breaks

 

"Until The Day Breaks"  War Grave, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

 

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Frederick Beman, Bricklayer of Maidenhead and his wife Mary Beman - A Fall from Scaffolding

Memorial to Frederick Beman and Mary Beman. St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

"Sacred To The Memory of 

Frederick Beman 

Who died August 6 th 1883 

Aged 67 years.  

Also of 

Mary 

Wife of the above 

Who died February 2nd 1885 

Aged 76 years. 

- come to me; all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest -"

Frederick, a bricklayer and plasterer, was born in 1816 in Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire, England to William Beman and his wife Margaret Pusey.

Mary Beman was born Mary Hutton in 1808 in Cookham, Berkshire, England to Joseph Hutton and his wife Anne Wigg

In 1838 in Maidenhead, Frederick married Mary Hutton.  Their first child, a son James, soon followed in 1840.  It later became apparent that little James was deaf.

The young couple first appear on the 1841 living in Ives Cottage, Forlease Lane, Maidenhead, Berkshire, along with their eight month old son, James.

1843 saw the birth of a daughter, Ann.  Followed in 1848 by a second daughter, Mary.

1851 and the family is still living at Forlease Lane in Maidenhead.  In 1853 a third daughter, Sophia was born.  Sadly in 1855, young James passed away aged 15.

1861, Frederick and his family are still living in Forlease Lane in Maidenhead.

In 1862, two men, Joseph Wise and Richard Scott were charged of having on the 6th December 1862 stolen 22 heads of cabbage to the value of 2s, 6d, the property of Frederick Beman of Bray Parish.

On Tuesday 26th June 1866 Frederick Beman accidentally fell from a scaffold whilst carrying out work on a building at Monkey Island, Bray, Berkshire, breaking his leg. The Reading Mercury reported:

"Accident-

On Tuesday last, Frederick Beman, a bricklayer, while at work on a building near Monkey Island, fell from the scaffold and broke his leg." 

1871, Frederick and his family are still living at Forlease Lane, Maidenhead.  Mary Sr was now listed as being deaf.  Mary Jr has left the family home to work as a housemaid for Jane Beckwith in Marlow Road, Maidenhead.  Sophia is working from home as a dress maker.  On 4th July 1871, one of Frederick's labourers, George Henry Ford, suffered a fatal fall from some scaffolding at St Michael's Church in Bray.  Frederick reported to the inquiry  -

"I had been repairing the interior plastering of Bray Church, and Ford was my labourer.  I saw him go up the scaffold; he took a pail, turned round, and then jumped off the scaffold.  I did not see his foot slip.  It was a very damp morning, he had just been out to fetch us some beer, when he told me his foot slipped and he jumped to save himself."

George Henry Ford had badly broken his left thigh and despite immediate medical assistance being given, he later died from Erysipelas on 22nd July 1871.  A verdict of Accidental Death was recorded.


In 1872 Sophia married William Mayers, a sign writer and house painter.

In 1881, just two years before Frederick passed away, the family moved to 47 Moffatt Street in Maidenhead.  Living with the family at the time is granddaughter Sarah Beman.

On 6th August 1883, Frederick passes away, followed by his wife Mary on 2nd February 1885.

Cemetery Sunday - Air Transport Auxiliary Graves

 

ATA - Air Transport Auxiliary Graves, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

Throughout World War Two many personnel lost their lives whilst transporting planes, some of them damaged in battle, to various locations around Britain and France.

 

 

 

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World War Two: Lance Corporal Anthony Montague Garrett-Cox - Intelligence Corps - Died by Suicide, and his brother Lieutenant Guy Henry Garrett-Cox Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve H.M.S Helca - Torpedoed off the Coast of Morocco

Sometimes when you set out to research a person you stumble onto tales of bravery and tragedy.  This is one such story.

What intrigued me about this family at first was the fact that Lance Corporal Anthony Montague Garrett-Cox is the only war grave in the small churchyard of St Luke's Church in Maidenhead, Berkshire.  Why was Anthony here on his own when his comrades in both world wars that died at home were buried at All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery?

Details where few and far between.  I managed to find out through the Commonwealth War Graves commission that Anthony's parents were R Garrett-Cox and Gladys Irene Garrett-Cox of Maidenhead.  Their double barrelled surname, instead of making research easier, made it much harder.  Through searching the name via Google I discovered that a second Garrett-Cox, Lieutenant G H Garrett-Cox, had served and died in the Second World War and was commemorated along side Anthony on the Maidenhead War Memorial.  This was too much of a coincidence, they had to be related in some way.

Searching with the forename Garrett and the surname Cox, I was able to find Lieutenant Guy Henry Garrett-Cox's information on the Commonwealth War Graves website.  Lieutenant Guy Henry Garrett-Cox served in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve aboard the H.M.S Helca and died on 12th November 1942.

Guy Henry and Anthony Montague were brothers.  Both were born in Maidenhead to Samuel Henry Reuben Garrett-Cox, A music professor and organist at St Luke's Church in Maidenhead, and Gladys Irene Carter.  Guy Henry had been born in 1911 and Anthony Montague on 27th October 1914.  They were Reuben and Gladys's only children.

Anthony Montague appears on the 1939 Register living in Hollow Road, Bury St Edumunds, Suffolk, where he was working as an executive at the British Sugar factory.

Just before the outbreak of World War Two on 1st May 1939, Guy Henry married Rosemary Simpson-Hayward in Celyon, Colombo.  On 17th September 1941 they celebrated the birth of their son, Martin Hayward Garrett-Cox.

Anthony enlisted with the Intelligence Corps of the British Army and was sent to Mauritius.  Guy enlisted with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve and was stationed on the H.M.S Helca.

During his time in Mauritius, Anthony was attacked and left for dead, he returned home to England where he was sent to hospital.  Sadly the attack in Mauritius left more than physical scars for Anthony and on 4th August 1941, Anthony took his own life.  The Derby Evening Telegraph reported on 6th August 1941 -

"INJURED AND LEFT FOR DEAD

The suggestion that his mind may have been affected by an attack in Mauritius three years ago was made at the Westminster Inquest, to-day, on Lance Corporal Anthony Montague Garrett-Cox, aged 26, of the Intelligence Corps, who shot himself through the head with a revolver.

His father, Mr, Reuben Garrett-Cox, of Maidenhead, said that in Mauritius his son had been struck on the head eight times with a motor jack, and left for dead. 

He was in hospital for three months.

Recording a verdict that the Lance Corporal 'committed suicide while of unsound mind.' The coroner said that the Mauritius injury might have had some bearing on the state of his mind."


It must have been a terrible shock for Anthony's parents ,and brother.  To get their loved one back from the brink of death, only to lose him three years later.  Sadly, tragedy was about the strike the family again.  Just fifteen months later, Mr and Mrs R. Garrett-Cox were to lose their only surviving child, Guy.

Between the 11th and 12th November 1942, the H.M.S Helca was torpedoed just off the coast of Morocco by a German U-Boat U-515.   Of the 838 men aboard, 556 were rescued, 12 known to have been killed and 273 reported missing, presumed killed.  Lieutenant Guy Henry Garrett-Cox was one of the missing, presumed dead .  Guy Henry Garrett-Cox's body was never recovered.  He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial and the Maidenhead War Memorial.

On 2nd December 1942 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"Lieut. G. H. Garrett Cox, R.N.V.R.

Reported Missing.

Mr. and Mrs. R Garrett Cox, 16, Craufurd Rise, Maidenhead, have been informed that their son, Lieut.. Guy Henry Garrett Cox, R.N.V.R., has been reported missing.

Lieut. Garrett Cox was born in Maidenhead and was educated at Eastbourne College. On leaving school he went to Ceylon as a tea planter. He was a member of the Ceylon Mounted Defence Rifles for ten years and he joined the Navy in 1940. Aged thirty, he leaves a widow and a small son aged one year. In 1939 he married Rosemary, daughter of  the late Capt. G. H. Simpson-Hayward and Mrs Simpson-Hayward Icomb Place, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.

Mr. and Mrs. Garrett Cox's younger son, Mr. Anthony Montague Garrett Cox (26), who was in the Intelligence Corps, died a year ago."

In that same issue the following announcement appeared:

"Deaths

Garrett-Cox.- In November, 1942, missing, presumed killed in action, Lieut. G. H. Garrett-Cox, R.N.V.R., dearly-loved husband of Rosemary and father of Martin, Icomb Place, Stow-on-the-Wold, only surviving son of parents at Maidenhead. No letters please."

For more information on the torpedoing of the H.M.S. Helca and the resulting rescue efforts, please click here.

Rosemary remarried in 1953 to Jeston Homfray in Westminster, Middlesex, they later emigrated to Victoria, Australia, where Rosemary passed away on 17th October 1985. Rosemary and Guy's son Martin was to pass away on 24th October 2003 In Dunblane, Stirlingshire, Scotland.

Samuel Henry Reuben Garrett-Cox passed away in 1966 in Maidenhead and Gladys Irene passed away on 20th October 1980 in Maidenhead.  The loss of both their sons must have weighed greatly upon them.

Cemetery Sunday - The Fallen

 

Commonwealth War Grave of Lance Corporal A. M. Garrett- Cox Intelligence Corps.  4th August 1941 aged 26.

 

Son of R, Garrett-Cox and Gladys Irene Garrett-Cox of Maidenhead.

 

 

 

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Joseph Humpfry Fuller and his family - Millers of Ray Mill Island - Brewers of the Bell Brewery

Monument to Charles John Fuller, Emily Charlotte Fuller, Elizabeth Rebecca Fuller, Joseph Fuller and Alice Hambly Fuller, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

"To The Memory Of 

Charles John Fuller 

Died Decr 16th 1872 

aged 3 weeks 

- Of such is the kingdom of heaven - 

Also Emily Charlotte Fuller 

Died March 9th 1884 

aged 23 years 

- Whom the Lord loveth the Lord chasteneth - 

Also Elizabeth Rebecca Fuller 

wife of Joseph Fuller 

Died November 4th 1884 

aged 54 years 

- Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her - 

Also Joseph Fuller 

Passed away March 11th 1917 

aged 91 years 

- Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord - 

Also Alice Hambly Fuller s

econd wife of the above 

Died Jan 13th 1927 - Asleep in Christ."

Joseph Humpfry Fuller was born in Maidenhead in 1826 to John Humpfry Milhern Fuller and his wife Charlotte.

The Fuller family in Maidenhead established Fuller, Story, & Company and built Bell Brewery in Maidenhead in 1852.

The first Census I can find Joseph on is the 1851 Census, he is living at his uncle Thomas Fuller's house in Wallingford, Oxfordershire. His occupation is given as a miller.

Elizabeth Rebecca Silcock was born in Ingoldisthrope, Norfolk, to George Silcock and his wife Mary Chadwick Stanton.

The first record of Elizabeth I was able to find, after her christening, was the 1851 Census where she is living in Heacham, Norfolk with her widowed mother Mary and her younger siblings, Martha, and Francis.

1861 finds the newly married Joseph and Elizabeth living at the flour mill on Ray Mill Island, Maidenhead, Berkshire, along with their 10 month old daughter Emily Charlotte. 

Joseph and Elizabeth's family continued to grow, in 1862 they welcomed their first son Francis Joseph, 1864 saw the birth of their second daughter Jessie Mary, 1865 another daughter Annie Grant was born and another daughter Gertrude Elizabeth in 1866.  A second son Alfred Bell was born in 1868 followed by another daughter, Marion in 1870.  Sadly a third son Charles John was born in 1872 only to pass away three weeks later.

In 1871 Joseph and his family are still living at Ray flour Mill in Maidenhead Berkshire.

In 1881 Francis Joseph has left the family to work as a clerk at a corn exchange in Clapham London and Alfred has been sent to a boarding school in Hove, Sussex.  Joseph, Elizabeth, and their remaining children have moved to Calcot House, Craufurd Rise, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

Sadly just three years after the census was taken, both Emily Charlotte and Elizabeth Rebecca were dead.

Emily Charlotte passed away on 9th Match 1884. On 15th Match 1884 the Maidenhead Advertiser carried the following announcer:

"Deaths-

March 8 [sic], at Calcot House, Maidenhead, Emily Charlotte Fuller, eldest child of Joseph and Elizabeth Fuller, aged 23."

Elizabeth Rebecca passed away 4th November 1884. On 8th November 1884 the Maidenhead Advertiser carried the following announcement:

"Deaths-

Fuller-On the 4th inst Calcot House, Maidenhead, Elizabeth Rebecca (Bessie), wife of Joseph Fuller, in her 55th year."

 
In 1886 in Barton Regis, Gloucestershire, Joseph married his second wife, Alice Hambly Edmonds.

Alice Hambly Edmonds was born 3rd Aril 1838 to Henry Edmonds, a merchant and his wife Elizabeth.  Alice's father died when she was young, leaving her mother a widow at the age of 27.  Through the 1861 Census until her marriage to Joseph, Alice lived with her uncle George Edmonds, a chemist and druggist in Surrey.

In 1891 Joseph and his second wife Alice are living at 2 Craufurd Terrace in Maidenhead, Berkshire.  Joseph's children from his first marriage have all left home to live in various locations throughout the UK.

On 12th June 1894 at St Luke's Church, Jessie Mary Fuller married John Edward Gripper, a retired corn merchant twenty years her senior.

In 1901 Joseph and Alice are boarding in the home of John Vokes, a stone mason, at 3 Clifton Terrace, St Thomas, Hampshire.

By 1911 Joseph and Alice had moved to Hillsboro House, Gringer Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.  The house still stands today and is currently subject of a planning dispute.  The current owner wishing to demolish Hillsboro House and it's Coach House to erect apartment housing.  The planning office is against this.

Six years later Joseph passes away on 11th March 1917.  On 28th March 1917 the a letter to the Maidenhead Advertiser read:

"Another Nonogenarian Passes Away

I was very sorry to learn from the Advertiser that Mr. Joseph Fuller had passed away. *I have been unable to locate this article* He was one of the few nonogenarians in Maidenhead, and he held the proud record of having been born in Maidenhead, Where he resided all his life. Mr. Fuller will always be remembered for his association with Ray Mills, adjoining Boulter's Lock. In his History of Maidenhead, Mr. J. W. Walker reminds us that Boulter was not a person at all. "To 'bolt' he explains, "is to perform one of the operations of milling, and a 'bolter' is a miller. This is not the lock of Mr. Boulter; it is the miller's lock'. Formally, a brewery stood next to the mill, one of the partners in which was Mr. Bell. In the process of time. Bell' Brewery was purchased by Messrs. Fuller and removed to the centre of the Borough, and when a new hotel rose near to the same, the original proprietors name was perpetuated in the sign of the 'Bell' Hotel."  Mr. Fuller continued to be the moving spirit of Ray Mills until a few years ago, when the Thames Conservancy purchased the mills and island in connection with the extension and improvement of Boulter's Lock and the erection of the mechanical craft elevator which so greatly relieved the lock pressure on busy pre-war operation. Mr. Fuller possessed remarkable vitality, and up to within a few days of his death was out walking with almost a youthful spring and speed, or riding his tricycle through our busy streets. We shall all greatly miss the familiar form of Mr. Joseph Fuller, a very highly esteemed life long resident."

Alice Hambly Fuller was to pass away 13th January 1927.

Cemetery Sunday - Cliveden War Cemetery

 

 

Cliveden War Cemetery, Cliveden House, Near Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England.

 

 

For a previous post on Cliveden War Cemetery, please click here.

 

 

 

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Commonwealth First World War Gave - Private Reginald John Pope 4th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment and his brother Frederick Elias Pope - Prisoner of War in Germany

For the month of November in honour of Armistice Day we will be revisiting the local war graves I have researched.  This post was originally published 26th September 2012.

 

 

 

"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".

 

 

 

Reginald John Pope was born on 22nd July 1900 in Whymondham Norfolk to Elias Pope, a crockery hawker, and his wife and Sarah Elizabeth Betts.  Reginald's family were travelling folk who sold their wares up and down the country.  On the 1911 Census the family are shown living in 'a gypsy caravan' at Blackamore Lane, Maidenhead, Berkshire, with their eight children, many of whom, including Reginald were attending a local school. Sometime before 1916 Reginald and his family settled down at 22 Kings Street where Elias became a coffee dealer.

 

Reginald served in the 4th Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment and may have fought in the Battle of Megidoo. Sadly he died in Maidenhead on 19th October 1918. On 6th November 1919 the following announcement appeared in the Maidenhead Advertiser:

"Mr. and Mrs. E Pope desire to to thank all kind friends for sympathy shown to them in the loss of their two sons; also flowers sent."

 

Reginald's brother also served in the First World War with the 1/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He became a prisoner of war  in Germany after being reported as missing on 9th April 1918. Frederick was later discharged as unfit due to disability in September 1919.



Ann Ballantine widow of James Arthur Ballantine, Ship Broker of Bristol

Monument to Ann Ballantine, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

"In Loving Memory of 

Ann 

widow of 

Joseph A Ballantine of Bristol 

who fell asleep 

Sept 3rd 1884 

Aged 77 years."

Ann Ballantine was born  Ann Jones in Shapwick, Somerset in 1807 to William Jones and his wife Elizabeth Hockey.

On 18th September 1830 at the Church of St Michael the Archangel, Bristol

Sadly Ann and Joseph were to lose their first son William James Ballantine at the age of 2 in 1837.

Ann and Joseph first appear on the 1841 Census living in Queen's Square, Bristol with their three young children, Jane, Arthur, and Joseph. Joseph Sr's occupation is listed as a ship broker.  In 1842 Joseph's ship broker and insurance partnership with Thomas Robson Jackson was dissolved.

On the 1851 Census  the family were living at Richmond House in Bristol, Gloucestershire.  Living with them at the time are their six children, Jane, Arthur, Joseph, Harriet, Edmund, and Ellen as well as their niece and nephew Elizabeth, and Thomas Jackson. Joseph Sr's occupation is now given as an accountant. In 1852 the family welcomed another daughter, Sarah.

Sadly in 1856 Joseph Arthur Ballantine passed away in Swansea.

Five years later in 1861 the widowed Ann is still living in Bristol with five of her children, Jane and Arthur had left the family by 1861.  Harriet had married James Whyte, a provisions store owner in 1859 and had a daughter Annie Harriet born at sea in 1861.  Still living with the family is Ann's niece Elizabeth Jackson. Ann received an annuity from Joseph's will.

In 1871 Ann can be found living at 11 Devon Place in Newport, Wales with her son Joseph and youngest daughter Sarah.

1881, just three years before Ann's death, she can be found living with her son Joseph and her daughter Ellen at 24 St Mary's Road, Kensington, the lodgings house run by her eldest daughter, Jane Ballantine.

Ann was to pass away on 3rd September 1884 in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

Cemetery Sunday - Lean On Me

 

Fallen gravestone propped against a footstone, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

 



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