WW1
Images and Contributions to this page by
Members of the St Anns Well Road Pre Demolition (1970) group
Members of the St Anns Well Road Pre Demolition (1970) group
My dad Charles Barnaby a good looking young soldier he was only in his teens....Norma Barnaby
Patricia Ann Terrington
-
"I’ve been sorting out at Mums again and found these 2 photos of our Grandad Taylor (Dads Dad). The first one shows the Senty Lads of St Catherine’s Football Team 1906/7
I presume it’s St Catherine’s Church but have no idea why it says Institute?!
Our Grandad is the one in the centre back row. Sad to think that only a few years later these young lads would be fighting in WW1… and maybe didn’t return.
Patricia Ann Terrington
The second photo shows our Grandad with his army pals taking a break from doing their bit for King and Country â–¡â–¡
Our Grandad is front row second from the left.
Greyfriar Gate.... In the early hours of 24 September 1918, Nottingham endured its first and only air raid of the Great War. In an attack, lasting no more than fifteen minutes, Zeppelin L-17 dropped bombs in a line from Eastcroft on one side of the city to Victoria Station on the other, killing three and injuring sixteen others.
Margaret Anna Jennings :
First world war cooking pots, I only know grandad was on the Somme.
My dad in the middle from 8 Lomas Street then 270 St Anns Well Rd who came home bless em all........Jim Cartwright
This is among our family photos... so one of them must be a relative... but no details.
​
...Carol Hart
My Dad Ben Walker
....Ray Walker
My dad he was just under 16 when joined up and went on to the Somme in 1916, he used to shed tears every Remembrance Day listening to it on the wireless remembering the friends he left behind..Then later on in life he went on to be the chief inspector of Armourments for England..
My father was billeted with the lady sitting on the left on the front row with the little boy standing at the side of her in Germany after the Somme and war had ended..
George Edward Duke with his brothers Samuel on the left and Ernest on the right, who both survived the war
My gran’s uncle George Edward Duke, who died on the first day on the Somme, 1st July 1916. He was 20 years old and lived at 33 Thorneywood Rise.. Neal Green
My dad in the Sherwood Foresters in the first war. He came back his brothers didn't. X
Vivian Goodall 
Remembering those who served.
This is my Great Grandfather John Samuel Swanwick 1882 - 1956 lived then at number 12 Twells street. Survived the war. He joined the Royal regiment of artillery 22-12-1914 But was badly injured 1915 and discharged from service ,however when he recovered signed up again re-enlisting Army Service corps and posted to Solonika (Thesalonica) a forgotten side of the war with equal hellish conditions ..finally returning home May 1919 |
Sid Wells:
A news article from 1933 about his brother, my Uncle Albert Wells, who enlisted at 15, probably the youngest soldier to receive the 1914-18 Star and who fought in Flanders and Ypres. (Thanks to Lynn Wells research) |
My Great Grandfather, Thomas Edwin Barlow, enlisted when the family lived on Twells street. He died "of gas and wounds" 100 years ago on the 2nd November. - Image of him in uniform, alongside my Great Grandmother (Eliza)
Aaron Todd
Aaron Todd
William Bilbie
9th August 2018 101 years today since William Bilbie my great uncle was killed in action during World War 1, he was born in St. Anns, Nottingham but emigrated to Canada as a young man seeking a better life. He was called up to join the Ontario Regiment of the Canadian Infantry leaving his young wife Ruby May Bilbie (who was pregnant) to fight for the Allies on the Western Front. After surviving one of the bloodiest battles at Vimy Ridge he was killed near the town of of Cite Saint Laurent on the road to Lens. Going by his military records it is unlikely that William Bilbie ever returned to Canada so would probably never have seen his son. PRIVATE WILLIAM BILBIE killed in action 9th August 1917 by a shell to head and shoulders, buried where lay no known grave. He is commemorated on the Vimy War Memorial an imposing site on the hill of the famous battle. Like many others he gave his tomorrow so we could have our today. RIP Ray Bilbie is in Vimy, France. link to original post · |
|
Ernest is on the right with two of the other brothers;
Samuel on the left, and George in the middle, who died on the first day on the Somme.
My great grandad Alfred Duke's brother Ernest address was 35 Caroline Street and his next of kin being his wife Beatrice and daughter Elsie. ...Neal Green
Samuel on the left, and George in the middle, who died on the first day on the Somme.
My great grandad Alfred Duke's brother Ernest address was 35 Caroline Street and his next of kin being his wife Beatrice and daughter Elsie. ...Neal Green
Harry Hunt (George Henry Hunt)..
son of George Henry and Rebecca Hunt and the brother of Sarah Ann Hunt. In 1911 they lived at 56 Beverley Street St Ann's Nottingham. He was the husband of Pollie (née Higton) Hunt who later lived at 20 Pole Street Sycamore Road St Ann's Nottingham. |
|
Roy Beryl Morris " this is my Great uncle Alderman Bradley, uncle of Charles Bradley" 1887
Medal or Award: Star, Victory Medal, British War Service Year: 1914-1920 Service Location: Europe Campaign or Service: World War I Service number: 139511 |
Roy Beryl Morris "This is Arthur Bradley brother of Alderman Bradley" 1880
|
My dad he was just under 16 when joined up and went on to the Somme in 1916, he used to shed tears every Remembrance Day listening to it on the wireless remembering the friends he left behind..Then later on in life he went on to be the chief inspector of Armourments for England..
.....Ray Walker |
My Grandfather Fred Attaway served in the Sherwood Foresters during the 1st World War and was taken prisoner. Here is his Pic. He lived on Duncombe Street, off St Ann's Well Road where he and Grandma brought up all their family...............
....Joy Spence |
This is the record of my Great Uncle William Henry Bainbridge killed in action in 1916 and formerly of 158 Blue Bell Hill Road. Notts and Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment (Rob Andrews)
Name:William Henry Bainbridge
Birth Place:Nottingham
Death Date:8 Oct 1916
Death Place:France and Flanders
Enlistment Place:Nottingham
Rank:PrivateRegiment:Notts and Derby (Sherwood Foresters) RegimentBattalion:17th BattalionRegimental
Number:46374
Type of Casualty:Killed in action
Theatre of War:Western European Theatre
Other Records:Search for 'William Henry Bainbridge' in other WWI collections
Birth Place:Nottingham
Death Date:8 Oct 1916
Death Place:France and Flanders
Enlistment Place:Nottingham
Rank:PrivateRegiment:Notts and Derby (Sherwood Foresters) RegimentBattalion:17th BattalionRegimental
Number:46374
Type of Casualty:Killed in action
Theatre of War:Western European Theatre
Other Records:Search for 'William Henry Bainbridge' in other WWI collections
Min and Horace Smedley ...grandparents of David Smedley
|
|
John Carter 1872 - 1939. 6 Westminster Street, St. Anns
WW1 ONE ST ANN'S FAMILY AND I'M SURE THERE WERE MANY MORE.
My grandad who I never met. John Carter 14 Reform Terrace, Westminster Street. Royal Marine Light Infantry, invalid on the account of Disablement received while in the performance of his duty. His brother, William Carter (Great Uncle Bill) suffered 'shell shock' (melancolia) Mapperley Hospital. My Granma's first husband, Albert Taylor, Killed in action, Cemetery Bethune, France. My mam's cousin Edward (Teddy) Clarke. 15th Sherwood Foresters. Killed in action in his early 20s, Awarded Military Cross (helped save a battalion). Photo is of my Grandad's Final share of Naval Prize Fund £1. |
John Carter 1872 - 1939.
6 Westminster Street, St. Anns |
I suppose he would have been just another one of the St Anns men to go to war:
Hi everyone ....this is a sad story, probably the right time of the year to share it and relevant to a St. Ann's saying 'Up Mapperley' it was always referred to as being UP.
.........My mam's dad had a brother, my great Uncle Bill.
I only met him once and that's when I was a little girl.
I went with my mam to visit him at Mapperley hospital, he was hospitalized there just after the 1st World War, said to be suffering from shell shock.
I suppose he would have been just another one of the St Anns men to go to war.
I don't know a lot about him except that he spent the rest of his life at Mapperley hospital, probably he got used to it.
A few years back I had access to some old records at Mapperley Hospital before they went to the archives. I came across a little blue note book, there was a one line hand written entry about my great uncle, recording his age, date of admission and his illness which was said to be 'melancholia'.
I only visited him the once, my mam said he liked Turkish Delight.
...Elaine Carter Fox click here to read more in facebook
Hi everyone ....this is a sad story, probably the right time of the year to share it and relevant to a St. Ann's saying 'Up Mapperley' it was always referred to as being UP.
.........My mam's dad had a brother, my great Uncle Bill.
I only met him once and that's when I was a little girl.
I went with my mam to visit him at Mapperley hospital, he was hospitalized there just after the 1st World War, said to be suffering from shell shock.
I suppose he would have been just another one of the St Anns men to go to war.
I don't know a lot about him except that he spent the rest of his life at Mapperley hospital, probably he got used to it.
A few years back I had access to some old records at Mapperley Hospital before they went to the archives. I came across a little blue note book, there was a one line hand written entry about my great uncle, recording his age, date of admission and his illness which was said to be 'melancholia'.
I only visited him the once, my mam said he liked Turkish Delight.
...Elaine Carter Fox click here to read more in facebook
May 2017
This week I received some 1st world war service records relating to my Granddad John Carter. Before he married my Grandmother, he lived with his mother Eliza at Ashover Terrace, Manning Street. In 1914, age 41, he volunteered for short service and joined The Royal Marines Light Infantry. His medical records show him to be 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 109 lbs with a fully expanded chest of 33 inches, his physical development was described as poor. In 1915 he went with the Chatham Division to the Dardanelles. On or about the 28th April the same year, whilst on active duty in the Gallipoli Peninsular, he sustained a bullet wound to the neck, ear and shoulder. I believe he went with the retreating troops to Cairo where he was treated for his wounds. After that it seems he went to the Orkney Islands with H.M.S. Cyclops 11 , a ship that serviced the submarines. I then have a hurt and discharge certificate dated 1916 where it states that he was suffering from traumatic epilepsy. ..........................Bring me my weeping bowl, I never met him, he died in 1939 at the outbreak of the 2nd world war.
...Elaine Carter Fox click here to read more in facebook
This week I received some 1st world war service records relating to my Granddad John Carter. Before he married my Grandmother, he lived with his mother Eliza at Ashover Terrace, Manning Street. In 1914, age 41, he volunteered for short service and joined The Royal Marines Light Infantry. His medical records show him to be 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 109 lbs with a fully expanded chest of 33 inches, his physical development was described as poor. In 1915 he went with the Chatham Division to the Dardanelles. On or about the 28th April the same year, whilst on active duty in the Gallipoli Peninsular, he sustained a bullet wound to the neck, ear and shoulder. I believe he went with the retreating troops to Cairo where he was treated for his wounds. After that it seems he went to the Orkney Islands with H.M.S. Cyclops 11 , a ship that serviced the submarines. I then have a hurt and discharge certificate dated 1916 where it states that he was suffering from traumatic epilepsy. ..........................Bring me my weeping bowl, I never met him, he died in 1939 at the outbreak of the 2nd world war.
...Elaine Carter Fox click here to read more in facebook
|
|
 ​Charles Alderman Bradley
|
Benjamin Bradley,
father of
Charles Alderman Bradley and grandfather of
​Roy Beryl Morris
|
|
|
My watercolour Portraits of Grandma & Granddad Faulks. Granddad served with the Sherwood Foresters WW1. He received a shrapnel head wound during the Battle of the Somme and while in hospital produced this beautiful embroidery,one of two, the other being the Foresters emblem. If we were very good as kids he would let us feel the shrapnel still in his head, it was thought too dangerous to remove.
Grandad Singleton (Mums Dad) In memory of private J. Singleton 37947, 25th Bn Machine Gun Corps..Who died on 8th June 1918. Private Singleton.. Remembered with honour St. Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen.. Commemorated in Perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission...Kay Burford
My wife Ann's late Grandmother Henrietta (Hetty) Kavanagh and her Grandfather Thomas Kavannagh who served in the R.A.S.C during W.W.1 in Boulogne 1916 to 1919. Thomas thankfully survived the war but died in his early 50's The photograph was taken in Harrogate where he must have been home on leave at the time.. (Tony Miller)
1914-1918
That awful war that touches our heart, thinking of all those Brave men that had to depart Their Hearts desire was to keep us free doing their best for you and me Everyone had a duty to do and a lot of lives were lost The price for all their efforts an unestimated cost Men, Women and Children died in this dreadful war For us to live in Peace is what they were fighting for God Bless them all Remember each year If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here So to the millions of loved ones for whom we cried They will never be forgotten. We will wear our Poppys with pride Jean Taylor, Aug 2014 Jean Taylor
A old lady I knew lived at Hardstaff Road Sneinton. In 1915 she remembered running after the soldiers marching. Her mam had knitted her dad some socks to keep him warm in the Trenches, their neighbour Mr Reeves was also there, he was sad to be going because his wife was having a baby, the baby was born and called Walter Arthur Reeves , so his initials would be a reminder of the sacrifices of All these Brave men in the 1914/16 WAR. Little did Rene know that there was to be another War 1939/45 |
My Grampa John Goddard on horseback WW1.
This is my grandad, George Lord. He served in the South Notts Hussars during WW1. He lived on Young Street in his early years and later on The Wells Road................John Lord
|
My grandad Arthur White, on the right, South Notts Hussars & Sherwood Foresters, lived in several St Ann's streets, and finally on Gordon Road. I think this photo was taken in Wilford Grove (not the street). .....Margarita Elisabeth (Margaret Dexter)
This is Joseph Freestone, my Great-great Uncle, who was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1st, 1916.He was in the 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. His body was never identified and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
He had lived as a boy at 60, Leicester St. St. Ann's. His parents moved to 94, Sycamore Road and his sister, Elizabeth, was living there in 1939, married to James Holt, who had lived next door to the Freestones on Leicester St.
If anyone has any memories of these two families, Holt and Freestone, I would love to hear from you.
Joseph was 31 when he died and he left a wife, Ada, and 3 children, Joseph, John and Adelaide.
...Mike Holt
He had lived as a boy at 60, Leicester St. St. Ann's. His parents moved to 94, Sycamore Road and his sister, Elizabeth, was living there in 1939, married to James Holt, who had lived next door to the Freestones on Leicester St.
If anyone has any memories of these two families, Holt and Freestone, I would love to hear from you.
Joseph was 31 when he died and he left a wife, Ada, and 3 children, Joseph, John and Adelaide.
...Mike Holt
|
|
Thought you might like to see my general post about the WWI lace Xmas card sent to my mum's aunt Geraldine who lived just up from her on Blue Bell Hill Rd. I think all the "my Ducks" in the letter attached make it doubly poignant for us Nottingham folk! Joe was a proper Nottingham lad who had transferred from the Sherwood Foresters to the Grenadier Guards back in 1902. ....Steve-Beq Clarke
I have been continuing to unearth items from the family history and found three beautiful hand made lace cards from France in WWI. These had been sent home by my great grandfather Serjeant Joe Bosworth to his daughter Geraldine (my grandad's sister). They were all carefully placed in an envelope presumably by Geraldine along with a photo of herself as a young girl. The envelope was in an old case in my parents' loft along with many old photos. They are in lovely condition considering they are a hundred years old. I have shown the Christmas one here probably from 1915 or 1916.
Joe was a former regular in the Grenadier Guards who was called back from the reserves in 1914. After the first battle of Ypres only 4 Officers and 140 men were left from his 2nd Battalion strength of over 800! He went on to survive many other battles including the Somme, where he won the Military Medal and also the dreadful Passchendaele. However, his luck almost inevitably ran out during the Battle of Cambrai when he was killed in December 1917
Shortly before he died, he sent back the following letter to his wife. ( Note: "my Duck" is Nottingham slang for "my Dear").
Friday Morning 16 Nov 1917
No 3 Company
2nd Bn Grenadier Guards
B Exp Force
My Dear Gerry
Just a line to let you know that I am going on alright and in the best of health. Well Gerry my Love, how are you and my little birds going on ? It is Friday Morning, I have not received a letter from you up to the time of writing this time I came back, but I am anxiously looking forward to one today when the mail comes in. I hope you have received my letters alright and I hope you won't keep me without a letter too long, if it's only two or three lines my duck I don't mind, I don't mind so long as I hear from you. Gerry my Love, I am miserable and I can't help it, after being home on leave and having the best of everything, then, to come back to this bloody life. There is no pleasure either day or night, it's one continual worry, its enough to make a man commit suicide, although I know I am not the only one by thousands who is fed up and wants to get back. But still Gerry, it makes me feel bloody wild to think of those people at home who have never seen anything of the war and are getting 3 and 4 pounds week and you have got to pay the same price for stuff as they have, never mind my duck, there is a time coming and I hope to God it won't be long. Excuse this paper Gerry, but I am writing this letter by the road side, one of our officers has just asked me what service I have got in, how long I had been married and how many children I had and when I told him he was quite surprised he would hardly believe me and I told him it was quite right. So he said well they ought to send you home. Gerry I have not drawn any money since I have been back and I have had very little to drink, I did not care much for it after having a drop of good bitter at home. I have not got a copper in my pocket so I decided to go without until such times as I get out of debt and as soon as I do my duck, I shall send your money just the same. Well Gerry my duck you must let me know how you are going on in yourself and everything at home. I will answer you letter as soon as I get it. Trusting you and my little birds are in the very best of health as it leaves me the same. I remain your ever loving and most affectionate Husband xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
P.S. Remember me to Mrs Wright, Old Jack and those who inquire. Goodnight my duck and may God bless and keep you and my little birds safe until I come home. Kiss my Joey and Geraldine for me xxxxxx from their Daddy.
For you Gerry my Love xxxxxx Ever Yours Joe. Bye Bye Duck.
I have been continuing to unearth items from the family history and found three beautiful hand made lace cards from France in WWI. These had been sent home by my great grandfather Serjeant Joe Bosworth to his daughter Geraldine (my grandad's sister). They were all carefully placed in an envelope presumably by Geraldine along with a photo of herself as a young girl. The envelope was in an old case in my parents' loft along with many old photos. They are in lovely condition considering they are a hundred years old. I have shown the Christmas one here probably from 1915 or 1916.
Joe was a former regular in the Grenadier Guards who was called back from the reserves in 1914. After the first battle of Ypres only 4 Officers and 140 men were left from his 2nd Battalion strength of over 800! He went on to survive many other battles including the Somme, where he won the Military Medal and also the dreadful Passchendaele. However, his luck almost inevitably ran out during the Battle of Cambrai when he was killed in December 1917
Shortly before he died, he sent back the following letter to his wife. ( Note: "my Duck" is Nottingham slang for "my Dear").
Friday Morning 16 Nov 1917
No 3 Company
2nd Bn Grenadier Guards
B Exp Force
My Dear Gerry
Just a line to let you know that I am going on alright and in the best of health. Well Gerry my Love, how are you and my little birds going on ? It is Friday Morning, I have not received a letter from you up to the time of writing this time I came back, but I am anxiously looking forward to one today when the mail comes in. I hope you have received my letters alright and I hope you won't keep me without a letter too long, if it's only two or three lines my duck I don't mind, I don't mind so long as I hear from you. Gerry my Love, I am miserable and I can't help it, after being home on leave and having the best of everything, then, to come back to this bloody life. There is no pleasure either day or night, it's one continual worry, its enough to make a man commit suicide, although I know I am not the only one by thousands who is fed up and wants to get back. But still Gerry, it makes me feel bloody wild to think of those people at home who have never seen anything of the war and are getting 3 and 4 pounds week and you have got to pay the same price for stuff as they have, never mind my duck, there is a time coming and I hope to God it won't be long. Excuse this paper Gerry, but I am writing this letter by the road side, one of our officers has just asked me what service I have got in, how long I had been married and how many children I had and when I told him he was quite surprised he would hardly believe me and I told him it was quite right. So he said well they ought to send you home. Gerry I have not drawn any money since I have been back and I have had very little to drink, I did not care much for it after having a drop of good bitter at home. I have not got a copper in my pocket so I decided to go without until such times as I get out of debt and as soon as I do my duck, I shall send your money just the same. Well Gerry my duck you must let me know how you are going on in yourself and everything at home. I will answer you letter as soon as I get it. Trusting you and my little birds are in the very best of health as it leaves me the same. I remain your ever loving and most affectionate Husband xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
P.S. Remember me to Mrs Wright, Old Jack and those who inquire. Goodnight my duck and may God bless and keep you and my little birds safe until I come home. Kiss my Joey and Geraldine for me xxxxxx from their Daddy.
For you Gerry my Love xxxxxx Ever Yours Joe. Bye Bye Duck.
6th Nottingham Boys' Brigade - St Anns Well Road Church - list of those killed in WW1
|
next year its 100 years since ww1 started here is a writing and photo of my uncle mams elder brother he lived on 6 Campbell Grove the house is still standing he died about 16 days into the war
...BerylRoyMorris
...BerylRoyMorris
My Grandfather George Henry Harper, 1896-1947, of 4 Rancliffe Terrace, St Anns. Married 1922 St Anns Church. Was in the Cavelry. (Btm right.)
...Sharon Rutherford
...Sharon Rutherford
Grandad Albert Henry Neild in Port Said Africa First World War. .................David John Neild
Arthur William Coker,
My grandfather of Campbell Grove.
East Lancs was th regiment he went into & later was transferred to the Durham light infantry.He ended up getting gassed on the 9th November 1918. He was sent home & finaly passed away in 1942.
Grandfather of Rex Coker
My Uncle John, a simple St Ann's lad but he was smart enough to be one the best of Bomber Command so he joined 635 Pathfinder Sqn. He was shot down over Holland and a Dutch family rescued him from the wreckage and hid him from the Nazis but he died from his wounds. That same family tend to his grave to this day (Steve Bloomer)
|
Penny Heeley .....
I was lucky enough to have my Grandad John William Smalley return from the Great War. He worked after his return until his death in 1950. He suffered from mustard gas poisoning which stayed with him the remainder of his life. Remember to donate to the British Legion /"Help for Heroes. Remember those men and women who died so that we could be free! |
|
|
Beq Clark
St. Ann's Well Road Pre. Demolition ( 1970) Online Community.
5 April ·
The other day I posted a photo showing a war grave of the Sherwood Forester soldier named Joseph Toseland who was born and lived in St Ann's other than his 13 years in the Regiment including his active service in the Boer War in 1901.
Sadly he died whilst training for departure to France in WWI in 1916 aged 48. I have now done some more digging on his family and it makes a very revealing story about life in St Ann's as it developed in the late Victorian era.
His father John Toseland was born in a village near Kettering and had moved to Nottingham with his wife around 1865. John was a bootmaker and life was hard. Six of his 10 siblings had died during childhood, with three lost in a few months of 1848, probably to the cholera epidemic, which ravaged England around then.
Nottingham, however, was booming, as the St Ann's and Meadows area was finally being opened up for expansion with housing and factories after 20 years of in-fighting in local politics between the Corporation of Nottingham and the Commission which was set up to divide up the land after the Enclosure Act of 1845. The idea of this Act was supposed to let Nottingham spread out onto the previously guarded common land surrounding the overcrowded city boundary. This was also the time when the railways could now allow people to travel freely and thousands of people flooded to Nottingham looking for work, a home and a new start.
Entrepreneurs were setting up new businesses and money was there to be made, plus the new workers and their families would need shops, pubs and even bootmakers to support them. Thus John Toseland is shown in the 1871 census living on Wood Lane just off St Ann's Well Road with wife Hannah and six children all at school or infants. By 1881 the family has swelled to twelve children, all living in the same house at 290 St Ann's Well Road, soon to be the location of the General Havelock pub when it is built.
John is still a bootmaker, but his eldest son William is a brickmaker along with younger brother Joshua (bricks in big demand and plenty of brickyards up on the Plains). Frederick is helping his father as a shoemaker and daughter Julia is a lace hand (like so many daughters in St Ann's). Joseph is still a scholar along with his younger siblings. Ten years later and John has moved to 7 Edwin St and the family has spread out. William and Joshua have left to have families of their own and Joseph is now in the army.
Frederick is still with his father as a bootmaker, but Thomas is at work as a cooper and John junior is a ropemaker. Sadly, little son Walter died aged four in 1885 and wife Hannah died in 1892, but this does not stop John marrying again to have his thirteenth child with Clara, twenty four years his junior! New daughter Lavinia is shown aged four in the 1901 census living with her half sisters Louisa, Florence (both Lace hands) and Cecilia, a cigar maker, while John is still working as a bootmaker at 65 years old, but now living at 21 Nugent Street.
Finally to show how the social welfare system is non-existant, you will see from the newspaper clipping that a few years later in 1906 John at nearly 70 years old is now destitute and sleeping rough on the streets of St Ann's with none of his thirteen offspring to take him in or help him. As a final resort, the magistrates simply pack him off back to Kettering from where he originated. I am not sure if he did meet up with old family back in Northants, but he died there in 1908.
I think this family really illustrates the typical make up in jobs and lives of this period in St Ann's and shows how the fine line existed between being useful and discarded, especially if you succumbed to the demon drink.
In some ways I wonder if the full employment times of the 1950s and early 60s with paid holidays and better living conditions really was a golden sandwich filling between the past and today's underclass of the unemployed and an elderly population without decent care in old age. I certainly worry that the inequality of today is doing a full circle back to that Victorian age in terms of rich and poor. Hope you enjoyed the story and can find a happier tale from your own pasts. Cheers Steve
Evening Post May 8th 1945 "VE-DAY"
It's 8 May 1945 VE Day and somewhere down there in Old Market Square is my father Gordon, 12 years old and enjoying the moment!
|