Address: the Stoke Damerel Workhouse

His father's name is not given on his Birth Certificate but family oral history indicates that his father was a Northcott - hence the use of Northcott as the second given name. The Luscombes and Northcotts were aware of the connection and would distantly acknowledge each other when they passed in the street. Although Henry was born in the workhouse his mother, Clara, was probably either living at her place of work (she was domestic servant) or at home with her widowed mother Amelia. The 1891 Census shows that Henry was living with his grandmother, Amelia, and it is likely that he lived there from the time of his birth.

Family oral history says that the Northcotts were a welltodo family and that they would not permit their son to marry Clara. However a trawl of the 1881 and 1891 Census does not support this.

Address: Stoke Damerel, Devon

Address: Devonport, Devon

He was educated at Coburg Street School where the fee was sixpence a week. There he shared a desk with a boy called Stanley Leatherby, who later became the owner of Costers Store and an Alderman.

Henry was the groom's half-brother

HKL said that Doris (Luscombe) was born in Neswick Street which gives a date of 1908. Also Daniel Hawkin's Death Certificate gives Harry's address in 1920 as 13 Neswick Street.

Address: 35 Chapel Street

Harry is listed in Kelly's Directories for the period as a newsagent but he also sold tobacco, confectionary and groceries. In 1939 he acquired the shop next door at 34 Chapel Street which was an established greengrocery belonging to Percy Skinner. As he was also working for Plymouth Corporation Tramways his wife helped and he may have employed someone. His two daughters Doris and Gladys helped as well, and also his son Harry when he was old enough.

after being bombed out of Chapel Street.

the Sub-Post Master || In 1941 he took the Post Office at Durnford Street after discussing the matter with his wife and son Harry, saying that would take the job if they helped him.

He resigned from his superannuated job as Chief Ticket Inspector at the Plymouth Corporation Tramways Depot at Milehouse, closed his other shops and brought his tobacco and newspaer licences to the post office.

Cause: a heart attack probably brought on by high blood pressure

Address: 88 Durnford Street

The notes by his daughter Doris, who was living in the same house when he died, made on the back of the photograph of Henry as a Freemason gives his date of death as 6 November 1946 and indicates that it was sudden. However, according to his Death Certificate he died on 7 November 1946. The certificate shows that he died of a heart attack (coronary thrombosis) but also had had high blood pressure for no apparent cause (hyperpiesis), presumably for some time as the family doctor (Dr Morris) who certified his death, recorded it as a contributory cause. The death notices in the Western Morning News and the Western Evening Herald also give his date of death as the 7 November.

His son Harry, who was living in Bath at the time, in conversations with his niece Pat, claimed that he was not present and was only told afterwards of his father's death. However, according to the Death Certificate he was 'In attendance' at Durnford Street and registered the death on the same day as it occurred. It is possible that Harry who was living in Bath was informed by telegram (he did not have a telephone) and rushed to Plymouth to assist with the formalities which would include registering the death and that the Registrar assumed that he was present at the death.

It is virtually certain that the doctor was called as soon as it was evident Henry was having a heart attack. However, if this occurred late on the 6th but the doctor did not arrive until the early hours of the 7th he may well have entered the 7th on the notification of death which was required for the death to be registered.

Henry's will left all his property to wife Ellen and an anotation in the margin of his will indicates that his effects amounted to £1,921. Whether this was the total or nett value of his estate, or just his personal possessions is not known. Several years earlier he had been given the opportunity to buy 88 Durnford Street but he declined because of uncertainties caused by the WW II and he continued to rent it. In the event it was not damaged by the bombing and after his death his wife Ellen took over the Post Office business and continued to rent the house.

Address: Stonehouse, Devon

Address: Plymouth, Devon

Ellen Maud Hawkins (1889-1972)

Doris Winifred Luscombe (1908-1990)

Twin (Ginger) of Doris Luscombe (1908-1908)

George Henry Luscombe (1910-1911)

Gladys May Luscombe (1914-1985)

Harry Kenneth Luscombe (1924-2015)

Address: Plymouth, Devon

Ernest was the half-brother of the groom and Elizabeth was his great-aunt. Both the Groom and the Bride are shown as living at 26 Treville Street. The groom gave his name as Harry Luscombe by which he was known for most of his life although his full name was Henry Northcott Luscombe. Harry gave his father's name as John Luscombe. This is a fictitious person. Harry was illegitimate although he may not have known it at the time of his marriage. His biological father was a Northcott (hence his second Christian name). John Luscombe was the name of his grandfather who was a carpenter and joiner. The Yeoman of Signals is fictitious and it is probable that Harry's mother Clara gave her son his fictitious father's details when he started to ask about his father. This probability is supported by the fact that Harry's half-brother Ernest (same mother but a different father) also used John Luscombe, Yeoman of Signals, as his father on his marriage certificate. The bride's age is shown as 18. She was in fact a few days short of her 18th birthday on the day of her marriage.

Daniel and Elizabeth Hawkins may have provided the wedding breakfast as Daniel had his own catering business. An interesting piece of ephemera associated with the wedding is a notification by the couple of the event. Whether this was part of a place setting at the wedding breakfast to remind guests of the event or sent out afterwards with perhaps a piece of wedding cake to people who were not invited to inform them of the event is not known - probably the latter.

Address: 180 Pasley Street

The household consisted of Harry, his wife Ellen and their children Doris (age 2) and George (age 5 months). They had 3 rooms in an 8 roomed house and shared the house with 2 other families. A family of three who had 3 rooms and a family of three who had 2 rooms.

Address: 126 Union Street

The household consisted of Harry, his wife Ellen and their daughters Doris (age 12) and Gladys (age 7). They had the house which had 5 rooms to themselves.

Address: 35 Chapel Street

The household consisted of Harry, his wife Ellen and their son Harry