These biographical notes can be found on the respective family tree but are reproduced here for quick reference. They are for individuals for whom no biography has been written.
George Beardsley 1885-1947
Born on 14th May 1885 and baptised at St Lawrence’s Church, Shottle, on 7th June, George worked on his father’s farm after leaving school. On 24th January 1912, George married Clara Hall at St Peter’s Church, Belper. Clara was the daughter of an inn keeper, and by 1933, George was running the Nags Head pub in Belper, where he died on 27th June 1947. After her husband’s death, Clara continued to run the pub until her death on 25th January 1959. Both George and Clara were buried in Belper cemetery.
George Beardsley 1917-1950
The second child and first son of Isaac Lawrence and Alice Beardsley, George was born in Alderwasley in 1917. After his father died in 1931, George managed Hill Top Farm at Openwoodgate, Belper, with his mother, where the family had moved to when he was a child. George died on 28th February 1950 aged 32. His funeral was held on the afternoon of Saturday 4th March at St Clement’s Church, Horsley, during which the hymns The strife is o’er and Abide with me were sung. He was interred in the family vault in Horsley Churchyard.
Isaac Lawrence Beardsley 1890-1931
Isaac, known as Lawrence, was the sixth child of Isaac and Anne Turner Hudson. He was born in Shottle towards the end of 1890, baptised at Christ Church, Belper, on 22nd February 1891, and worked on his father’s farm after leaving school. Aged 14 in 1904, Lawrence attended the funeral of his brother William; in 1906 he was a witness to the marriage of his older sister Annie; and in 1912 he was a witness at the marriage of his older brother George.
Lawrence married Alice Langton on 26th August 1915 at St Clement’s Church, Horsley, and together they had five children from 1916 to 1929, all of whom lived to be adults.
The family lived at Hill Top Farm, Kilburn, where, on 29th January 1931, Lawrence died suddenly. He was about to get up in the morning when he was suddenly taken ill and died before the local doctor could get to the house. A well-known member of the farming community in Kilburn and Belper, Lawrence was buried at Duffield Cemetery on 2nd February 1931. He was 40 years old.
Jack Beardsley 1903-1903
The eighth child of Isaac and Anne Turner Beardsley, Jack was born in Shottle in 1903. He was baptised at St Peter’s Church, Belper, on 21st May 1903 but died in June 1903 aged 3 weeks. He was buried at Duffield Cemetery on 11th June 1903.
John Isaac Beardsley 1884-1921
John’s father John Beardsley left England for Australia around 1858, where he met and married Ann Forrest. Born on 22nd December 1884 at Rochester, Victoria, John Isaac was their seventh and last child. In 1907 he married Mary Florence Fitch and together they had five children, their last being Thelma Jean who died as an infant in 1917.
John was a farmer and the family were living at Koyuga South in Victoria when, on 20th April 1921, he shot himself through the head with a pea rifle. It was reported that John had been suffering from insomnia for some time, was in bad health, and had threatened to take his own life before. On the 20th April, he returned home ‘after having had a few drinks, taking with him a bottle of beer, which he drank. Later his wife was standing in the yard, and heard her husband call out “Well, goodbye,” and looking round saw him discharge a Winchester repeating riffle, which he held to his right temple. He fell down after firing the shot, and his wife rushed to his assistance.’ A local doctor was called and John was taken to Mutron Wheeler’s private hospital where an operation was performed, but he died at around 9 a.m. the following day. John was buried at Kyabram Cemetery, Lancaster; he was 36 years old. Thirteen years later, his wife Mary died at the age of 46.
Joseph Beardsley 1836-1847
The fifth and last child of William and Mary Ann Beardsley, Joseph was born on 28th October 1836 at Shottle and baptised on 17th April 1837 at the Primitive Methodist Church in Belper, Derbyshire. Joseph died aged 11 and was buried in the churchyard at St Alkmund’s Church, Duffield, on 31st October 1847.
Mary Beardsley 1864-1938
Mary, the youngest child of William and Mary Ann Beardsley, was born in Shottle and baptised at Christ Church, Belper, on 1st May 1864. She worked as a general servant before marrying George Henry Morral in 1891. After their marriage they lived in Ilkeston, with George initially working as a coal miner, but by 1901 he was a Hay and Milk dealer, and by 1911 he was a general grocer, with Mary assisting in the business.
After her husband’s death in 1928, Mary moved to The Yews, Lane End, Belper, where she died on 21st June 1938. She was buried three days later at Duffield Cemetery on 24th June.
Mary wrote her last will and testament on 10th November 1933 in which she appointed her nephews Frank Leonard Beardsley and William Bowmer, together with Thomas Henry Sleath, as her Executors and Trustees. She bequeathed each of them £5 ‘(free of duty) as some acknowledgement for their trouble’. Mary directed that her household goods, furniture, chattels and effects be held on trust for the ‘free use and enjoyment’ of her brother George ‘during the term of his natural life’. Mary owned five houses on Baker Gate, Ilkeston: she bequeathed number 3 to William Bowmer; number 4 was bequeathed to his brother Isaac Bowmer; number 6 was bequeathed to his sister Olive; and number 7 was bequeathed to his sister Mary. Number 2 was bequeathed to Mary Morral’s niece Annie Sleath. Mary also directed that the remainder of her estate be converted into money and shared equally between these five beneficiaries plus six children of her brother Isaac, and the widow of her nephew Laurence Beardsley. On George’s death, the items held in trust were to be sold and the proceeds shared equally between these 12 beneficiaries (George Beardsley died in 1944).
Clara Elizabeth Blackham 1877-1954
Born towards the end of 1877, Clara Elizabeth was baptised at St Peter’s Church, Belper, on 2nd June 1878. She married John Thomas Mellors at St Peter’s Church on 1st April 1907, and together they had one child, Douglas William Mellors. Clara died at Parkfields, The Butts, Belper, on 21st August 1954 aged 76 and was buried at Belper cemetery.
Edwin Blackham 1890-1890
The seventh child of John and Mary Blackham, Edwin was born in Autumn 1890 but died within three months.
Emily Blackham 1877-1877
Emily was born in Toadmoor, Heage, in March 1877 but died on 6th July aged 4 months and was buried in the churchyard at St Luke’s Church, Heage, on 8th July.
Ethel Blackham 1899-1900
The twelfth child of John and Mary Blackham, Ethel was born in early 1899 but died in 1900 aged 1.
Frank Blackham 1883-1887
Born in Manchester towards the end of 1883, Frank was baptised at All Souls Church on 19th December. He died in July 1887 aged 3 and was buried in Philips Park cemetery on 13th July.
Frank Blackham 1922-1922
Frank was born on 28th January 1922 at 35 Oxford Street, East Kirkby, Nottinghamshire, together with his twin sister Ruby. However, Frank died at 17 days old and was buried in Kingsway Old cemetery, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, on 16th February.
Frederic Blackham 1862-1862
The third child of Thomas and Mary Blackham, Frederic was born in Toadmoor, Heage, on 26th February 1862. He was baptised at St Luke’s Church, Heage, on 17th June but died the following day at 16 weeks old, and was buried in the churchyard of St Luke’s Church on 19th June.
George Tom Blackham 1871-1873
Born on 9th January 1871, George, the sixth child of Thomas and Mary Blackham, was baptised with his sister Sarah Anne at St Luke’s Church on 18th June 1871. He died on 29th April 1873 aged 2 and was buried in the churchyard of St Luke’s Church on 1st May.
Gertie Blackham 1896-1896
The tenth child of John and Mary Blackham, Gertie was born in early 1896, but like their previous child she died within six months.
Henry Blackham 1869-1870
Born on 9th November 1869, Henry, the fifth child of Thomas and Mary Blackham, was baptised at St Luke’s Church, Heage, on 4th January 1870 but died three days later. He was buried in the churchyard of St Luke’s Church on 9th January.
Henry (‘Harry’) Blackham 1889-1919
Born on 12th November 1889, Henry joined the Royal Army Service Corps, serving in England during the First World War as a driver in Number 2 Horse Transport Company. Henry died from pneumonia on 11th March 1919 aged 29, and was buried in Belper cemetery.
John Blackham 1863-1905
John was born in Toadmoor, Heage, and married Mary Ann Varnham in Leicestershire in 1881. John began work as a lorry driver but soon after his marriage he joined the Midland Railway Company as a goods guard. In the evening of 16th August 1905, John was knocked down by a train engine in the Goods Yard at Nottingham, suffered ‘very severe injuries’, and died on the way to hospital.
John William Blackham 1878-1953
Born in Belper on 26th May 1878, John was working as a cotton spinner by the time he was 12 years old. After working as a labourer for his father, who was stove grate fitter, John became a locomotive engine driver, and on 11th September 1910 he married Elizabeth Ann Beard at Christ Church, Belper. He became a member of Belper Urban Council in 1920, which he held for 27 years, was a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters, and a Chief Ranger of the Belper Court. John died on 27th March 1953, aged 74, and was buried at Belper Cemetery.
John Leslie Swain Blackham 1902-1934
Born in early 1902, John appears to have been the child of Nellie Gertrude Blackham (née Anderson), but there is nothing to suggest that his father was Matthias Blackham who she married in 1895.
Mary Ellen Blackham 1893-1894
The ninth child of John and Mary Blackham, Mary was born towards the end of 1893 but died within six months.
Matthias Blackham 1877-1953
Matthias was born in Liverpool in 1877 and married Nellie Gertrude Anderson at St Matthias’ Church, Sneinton, on 9th November 1895. In early 1902, Nellie had a child who was named John Leslie Swain Blackham, but there is nothing to suggest that his father was Matthias. Around this time Matthias began to call himself John Blackham; he appears to have married Margaret Jane Neary, and their first of seven children was born in 1903. Meanwhile, Nellie remarried twice; first to John Henry Key in 1923, and then to Joseph Cobley in 1937. Matthias, known as John, died on 4th September 1953, aged 76.
Sarah Anne Blackham 1866-1954
Sarah Anne, known as ‘Sarah Annie’, was born in Toadmoor on 3rd June 1866. She was baptised on 18th June 1871 at St Peter’s Church, Belper, and married Alfred Blount at St Alkmund’s Church, Duffield, on 2nd November 1885. Sarah died at 14 Windmill Lane, Belper, on 1st February 1954 aged 87, and was buried at Belper cemetery.
Susannah Blackham 1886-1888
The fourth child and first daughter of John and Mary Blackham, Susannah was born in Manchester towards the end of 1886. She was baptised on 29th December at All Souls Church, but died on 5th March 1888 aged 1, and was buried in Philips Park cemetery on 8th March.
Thomas William Blackham 1886-1887
Born towards the end of 1886, Thomas died within six months and was buried at Belper cemetery.
Thomas Blackham 1897-1899
The eleventh child of John and Mary Blackham, Thomas was born in Autumn 1897 but died in early 1899 aged 1.
Wilfred Blackham 1901-1928
Born on 15th October 1901 at Heage, Derbyshire, the only child of William and Ann Eliza Blackham, Wilfred was baptised at St Anne’s Church, Ambergate, on 29th June 1902. The family lived on Matlock Road, Heage. The family lived on Matlock Road, Heage.
When Wilfred was 22 years old, his father William was found drowned at Ambergate Reservoir, and he moved with his mother to Newbridge Road, Ambergate. Wilfred became known as a good musician and vocalist, and gave up much of his time to many local good causes.
Wilfred died on 15th December 1928 at the Derby Royal Infirmary at the age of 27, leaving his mother and his fiancée, Mary Hayhoe. A service was held in the U.M. (Bethel) Church, Ambergate, on 19th December, during which the hymns Jesu, lover of my soul and Peace, perfect peace were sung, followed by interment at Belper Cemetery.
William Blackham 1877-1917
Born in Belper, William was baptised on 11th April 1877. He served as soldier for 18½ years, mostly in India. He re-enlisted after the outbreak of the First World War, and was serving as a gunner with the 5th Battalion of the Royal Field Artillery regiment when, on 4th December 1917 during a rest, a shell exploded near him, killing William and two other men. He was buried at the Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium.
Philip George Bowmer 1923-1944
Philip worked for the Midland Bank before joining the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards regiment of the Royal Armoured Corps. He was working as a wireless operator in a tank when it received a direct hit. Philip is remembered on the Bayeux Memorial in France.
Elsie Cox 1900-1903
Born in Smalley, Derbyshire, Elsie was baptised at St John the Baptist’s Church on 26th March 1900. She died aged 3 and was buried in Smalley Churchyard on 3rd March 1903.
John Cox 1889-1918
John Cox was born in Melbourne, Derbyshire, in 1889. He was serving in the 17th Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment (Princes of Wales’s Own) during the First World War when he was killed in action: he was 19 years old.
George Alan Cox 1915-1915
Born in June 1915, George Alan Cox was baptised at St Andrew’s Church, Twyford, on 25th July. He died on 31st July aged 6 weeks and was buried in the churchyard of St Andrew’s Church on 2nd August.
Stanley Edric Cox 1910-1911
Born in March 1910, Stanley Edric Cox was baptised at St Andrew’s Church, Twyford, on 11th March. He died on 2nd March 1911 aged 11 months, and was buried in the churchyard of St Andrew’s Church on 6th March.
Elizabeth Palmer Dexter 1860-1861
The twin sister of Mary Ellen, Elizabeth was born towards the end of 1860 but died within three months.
Martha Dexter 1837-1923
Martha was born in Diseworth, Leicestershire, and moved with her brother William to London between 1851 and 1861, living at Waltham Cross. There she found work as a laundry maid working for Theobalds Park. The building in which she worked was some distance from the Meux’s family mansion. The husband of one of Martha’s granddaughters recalled being told that the laundry building had two storeys; the ground floor was the laundry and the upper floor was where the maids lived. In an environment of copper pipes, water, and steam, Martha worked with the other ladies for twelve hours each day, and then retired to the upper floor, where the steam and damp came up through the wooden floor joists from the laundry below. The beds were said to be always damp, especially in the winter. Martha’s salary was £13 a year.
In 1862, Martha married Charles Thomas Hillier, probably at Holy Trinity Church (renamed Christ Church in 1975), Waltham Cross. After their marriage, Martha and Charles lived ‘in a little street of tiny terrace houses in Cecil Road’. They had eleven children: Anne (1862-1870); Alice (born 1864); Louisa Martha (born 1866); Charles William (born 1867); Agnes Mary (1868-1962); William Thomas (1870-1951); Harry (born 1871); Arthur (born 1872); Richard (born 1873); Harry Dexter (born 1874); and Adelaide (born 1876).
Charles worked sometime as a gun maker but by 1881, he was a pensioner and living on his own means. It is said that Charles ‘sat in his chair all day and puffed away at his pipe...he had eight shillings a week in his pocket’. It was said he suffered from rheumatism. Meanwhile, Martha continued to work as a laundress.
By 1891 the family had moved to 37 Eleanor Road. Charles died in 1898.
Martha was remembered as being ‘little’ in stature and ‘much loved’. Her brother William died in 1911 and left his estate worth £164 3s. 4d. to her.
Martha died in the winter of 1923 aged 86.
Arthur Hudson 1894-1916
Arthur was born in Red Hill, Nottinghamshire. He worked as an apprentice at the local motor cycle works before serving in the 4th Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps (Motors) in the First World War, during which he died of wounds.
Charlie Francis Hudson 1895-1898
Charlie was born in Pascoe Vale, Victoria, Australia, but died from measles and pneumonia on 9th April 1898 aged 2. He was buried at Epping cemetery, Victoria.
James Hudson 1895-1916
James was born in Red Hill, Nottinghamshire, and as a teenager worked in a brewery as a bottle washer. James served in France as a Lance Corporal of the 8th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps during the First World War. He was killed in action, aged 20.
Samuel Hudson 1858-1861
Samuel, the son of John and Caroline Hudson, was born in Derby Hills in Repton, Derbyshire, on 4th June 1858. He was baptised at St Giles Church, Calke, on 29th August 1858, but died three years later on 1st August 1861. Samuel was buried in the churchyard of St Andrew’s Church, Twyford.
Sarah Hudson (née Cook) 1851-19__
Sarah, the daughter of Samuel Cook and his wife Elizabeth (née Smith), was born in Little Hallam, Ilkeston, in 1851. Towards then end of 1870 she had a son who she named John James Fritchley Cook, and six years later, on 26th December 1876, she married John Hudson. At time time of their marriage, John was 20 and Sarah was 25. It is not clear whether John Hudson was the father of John James Fritchley Cook.
John Hudson’s death was recorded in the last quarter of 1888, but also in this quarter Sarah’s son William Wright Hudson was born, whose father appears to have been Samuel Wright, with whom she had another child, Joseph Wright Hudson, in 1891.
William Hudson 1824-1840
William was born in Shepshed, Leicestershire, and moved with his family to Loughborough between 1832 and 1836. In 1840 the family moved to Ticknall where William’s father was employed as a gamekeeper on the Calke Abbey Estate.
On 12th January 1840 William and his friend John Atkin, both aged 15, were returning from work across Calke Park but never arrived home. It was first thought that the boys had run away from home, but a search was started and after a few days Sir George Crewe ordered his men to break the ice on one of the ponds in the parkland to drag the pond, when their bodies were found.
On their way home, the boys are believed to have gone sliding on Little Dog Kennel Pond, into which water from other ponds on the estate drained before being discharged over a weir into Big Dog Kennel Pond, the later now part of Staunton Harold Reservoir. The ice on this pond was thin, gave way, and the boys drowned.
William Hudson and John Atkin were buried side by side in a corner of Ticknall Churchyard on 17th January.
Hugh Moss 1904-1986
Holding a Diploma of Associateship of the Royal College of Art (ARCA), Hugh was vice-principal of the School of Arts and Crafts in Wakefield, before becoming the principle of the Gloucester City School of Arts and Crafts. In 1955 he was presented to Queen Elizabeth II during her visit with the Duke of Edinburgh to Gloucester, for which he prepared the loyal address.
Ira Moss 1847-1871
Born in early 1847 in Horsley Woodhouse, Derbyshire, Ira was baptised on 9th November 1851 at St John the Baptist’s Church, Smalley, and after leaving school, he worked as a stocking framework knitter. Ira died on 16th December 1871 aged 24 and was buried in the churchyard of St John the Baptist’s Church on 20th December.
Laura Moss 1858-1923
The daughter of Martha Moss, Laura was born in Horsley Woodhouse, Derbyshire, in 1858, and baptised on 5th August 1860 at St Clement’s Church in Horsley. She lived with her mother and grandparents on Wood Lane, Horsley Woodhouse, and the diary of her grandfather Joseph Moss recorded that at the time of the 1871 census Laura was working as an errand girl.
By 1877 Laura was working as a framework knitter and on 24 December 1877 she married William Hunt at Horsley Church. Joseph recorded in his diary that on 2 March 1878 Laura gave birth to twins, but that one died soon after it was born, and the other died a few days after. Their third child Selina was born on 24 February 1879 but on 21 September 1880 Joseph recorded that ‘Selina Infant Daughter of William & Laura Hunt of Wood Lane Died of Theething.’ Laura and William went on to have six more children, and lived at 37 Thorpe’s Road, Heanor.
Laura died at home on 18th January 1923. A local newspaper reported that ‘at about 9.15 Edith Hutchinson, employed by the Langley Mill and Aldercar Co-operative Society, went to the house as usual to deliver milk, and not finding the jug or basin in the customary place on the doorstep, opened the door and saw Mrs. Hunt kneeling on the couch with her head in her arms. The neighbours were quickly summoned and the doctor sent for, and on his arrival Dr. Philip Turton pronounced life extinct and attributed death as being due to heart disease...The deceased lady was 64 years of age and very well known in the district. She was the mother of five sons and one daughter, one of the sons being Mr. Jack Hunt, landlord of the Nag’s Head, Derby Road.'
Madeline Edith Moss 1895-1997
Madeline, known as ‘Lena’, was born in Uxbridge, Middlesex, and was the headmistress at Belmont Road Infant School from 1941 to 1959. Lena lived to be 102 years old.
Martha Moss 1836-1927
Martha, like her parents, worked as a framework knitter. When she was 22, Martha had a daughter who she named Laura, and 9 years later she had a son, who she called Henry. Martha married Frederick Faulks when she was 34 years old..
Walter Moss 1884-1959
Born in Smalley, Derbyshire, Walter was a coal miner at Mapperley Colliery, and for 29 years the secretary of Smalley Common ex-Servicemen’s Club.
Wilfred Ira Moss 1894-1918
Born in January 1895 at Smalley in Derbyshire, Wilfred was baptised at St John the Baptist’s Church on 29th September 1895. After leaving school, Wilfred worked as a loader at Mapperley Colliery before volunteering to join the army for service during the First World War. He enlisted at Derby on 16th November 1914 and joined the Sherwood Foresters, before being transferred to the 7th Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment, in which he became an Acting Lance Sergeant. Wilfred was killed in action on 26th August 1918 in Iran, aged 24. He is remembered on the war memorial in Tehran, and on the Mapperley Colliery Roll of Honour.
Eliza Russell 1837-1924
Eliza worked as a ladies maid and dressmaker. She looked after the children of her widowed brother George after his death in 1891.
Rose Russell 1871-1919
Born in March 1871 at 4 Mill Street, Derby, Rose was the second child of James and Fanny Russell. She was a witness at the marriage of her sister Sarah Helen on 26th June 1889 and by 1891 had moved to Ashby de la Zouch where she worked as a nurse for the Sugden family. Around 1899 Rose became the maid of Millicent Evelyn ‘Cecilia’ Georgina Crompton (later Inglefield), the daughter of the Derbyshire banker John Gilbert Crompton. On 28th March 1908, Rose accompanied Cecilia on the SS Lucania ocean liner which left Liverpool for Ellis Island, New York, where they disembarked and continued their journey to Bermuda. At the time of the 1911 census, Rose was with Cecilia and the Crompton family in Portsmouth, and on 9th June 1915 she attended the wedding of her niece Eva Knifton at Milford. Rose Russell died at Mickleover Manor in Derby, then occupied by Sir Frederick and Lady Inglefield, on 15th July 1919 aged 48.
Ann Williams 1828-1828
Ann was John and Esther’s first daughter, who they had baptised on 21st February 1828. However, Ann died within a month and was buried in the churchyard of St Giles’ Church on 5th March.
Benjamin William Williams 1930-1930
The first child of William Albert Williams and his wife Nellie (née Hicks), Benjamin was born in Worcestershire towards the end of 1930 but died within 3 months.
Charles Williams 1822-1822
Charles was baptised on 27th January 1822 at St Giles’ Church, Bredon, but died aged 4 months old. He was buried in the churchyard of St Giles’ Church on 16th May.
David Williams 1830-1830
Born in January 1830, David was baptised on 28th February but died at the age of 7 months. He was buried in the churchyard of St Giles’ Church on 8th August.
George Williams 1820-1821
George was baptised on 24th December 1820 at St Giles’ Church, Bredon, but died at the age of 13 weeks. He was buried in the churchyard of St Giles’ Church on 9th March.
George Benjamin Williams 1898-1914
The first child of Benjamin Williams and his second wife Emma (née Burford), George was born in the first half of 1898. He died in 1914 aged 16.
Henry Williams 1823-1825
Henry was baptised on 27th May 1823 at St Giles’ Church, Bredon. He died aged 2 and was buried in the churchyard of St Giles’ Church on 29th May 1825.
Herbert Williams 1835-1836
Herbert was baptised on 30th August 1835 but died within a year. He was buried in the churchyard of St Giles’ Church on 23rd June 1836 aged 10 months.
Herbert Williams 1876-1876
Herbert was born in Bredon’s Hardwick in July 1876, the sixth child of Job Williams and his wife Sarah (née Attwood). He was baptised at St Giles’ Church on 13th August but died 2 months later. He was buried in the churchyard of St Giles’ Church on 10th October 1876. He was 3 months old.
Jane Williams 1831-1831
Jane was baptised on 22nd August 1831 but died aged 2 months old. She was buried in the churchyard of St Giles’ Church on 15th October.
John Williams 1826-1826
John was baptised on 16th April 1826 at St Giles’ Church, Bredon, but died within 5 months. He was buried in the churchyard of St Giles’ Church on 25th August.
John Williams 1908-1909
A twin with his sister Nellie, John Williams was born in Ashchurch, Gloucestershire, towards the end of 1908 but died aged 1.
Joseph Williams 1829-1829
Born in January 1829, Joseph was baptised on 8th February but died at the age of 5 months. He was buried in the churchyard of St Giles’ Church on 15th June.
Mary Williams 1838-1838
Mary was baptised on 8th June 1838 but died at the age of 3 weeks. She was buried in the churchyard of St Giles’ Church on 26th June.
Victor Basil Williams 1938-1938
The fourth and last child of William Albert Williams and his wife Nellie (née Hicks), Victor was born in Worcestershire in the Spring of 1938 but died within 6 months.
Walter Williams 1833-1892
Walter, the tenth child of John and Esther Williams, was baptised on 21st July 1833. After leaving school, Walter began working as an agricultural labourer.
On 29th August 1870, Walter married a widow Mary Sollis (née Bowles) at St Giles’ Church, Bredon.
By 1881, Walter was employed by the Midland Railway, working at Ashchurch Stores.
On 25th April 1892, Walter went to work at 5:20 a.m. and returned to his cottage at 6:00 p.m. After his tea, Walter went to his allotment, where he spent just over an hour gardening. On his way home, he was within 45 metres of his home when, at around 7:50 p.m., he suffered a stroke. A 12 year old boy who was playing in the road found Walter in a ditch by the roadside with his head on some stones; his head had been cut by the fall. The boy called his mother, who found that Walter was dead.
An inquest into Walter’s death was held three days later at the Cross Keys Inn, where the jury concluded that he had died from natural causes. It was noted that Walter ‘was a very steady man, and although in humble circumstances was much respected’. He was insured by the Prudential Office, and had been a member of the Tewkesbury Blue Club for about 20 years. The foreman of the jury ‘proposed that the jury hand their fees to the widow, which was done.’
William Williams 1819-18__
William ‘Collett’, the son of Esther Collett, a spinster, was baptised on 2nd February 1819 at St Giles’ Church, Bredon. His mother married Job Williams four months later and he was known thereafter as William Williams.
William lived with his parents in Hardwick where he was working as an agricultural labourer at the time of the census of 1851 and 1861.