Alice Eleanor was born to Thomas and Rebecca Dowell on 31 May 1896 in Hoxton Old Town, Shoreditch, London at 43 Felton Street. Although her Birth Certificate gives her birth date as 13th May she always celebrated her birthday on the 31st May as did her twin William. They had always done so as long as she could remember and she thought that the Registrar had accidentally reversed the two figures when her mother registered her birth. Her mother was illiterate so she would not have been aware of the mistake. The probability that it was a mistake is reinforced by her baptismal record which give the date of her birth as 30th May. Her Birth Certificate shows that she was born at 5 p.m., half an hour before her twin brother William. She was very much taller than her brother and in her latter years put on weight which her brother didn't. He always looked very wiry. Alice always said when asked about their disparity in size that their sizes should have been reversed!^1,2,3

Alice Eleanor Dowell⁴ [7] (known as Alice, and also as Alice Eleanor Richmond and Alice Eleanor Ward), daughter of Thomas Frederick Dowell (1855-1919) [11] and Rebecca Thornton (1861-1936) [12], was baptised on 21 Jun 1896 in St Saviour's Church, Hoxton, London. The service was conducted by the Rev. A. G. Evans according to the Church of England rite. Her parents Thomas and Rebecca Dowell would have been present. Her twin brother William was baptised immediately after her. As well as her parents her siblings Rebecca, Caroline, Thomas, Charles, Louisa and Harriet would have been at the service but the names of the God Parents (if any) are not known.⁵

Alice was a member of the Church of England frm 21 Jun 1896 to 17 Jun 1987 by virtue of her baptism at,. Christian She was a firm believer in God and within the memory of her son Jack attended church whenever she could. She had brief flirtations with Spiritualism and Christian Science. The former because her first husband Horace Richmond was a Spiritualist and the second because her son Jack was sent to a Christian Science Sunday School when he was evacuated to Brighton and became a Christian Scientist until about the age of 16 or 17.

Alice was a present at the Baptism of her brother William John on 21 Jun 1896 in St Saviour's Church, Hoxton, London. William was Alice's twin and was biptised immediately before him.⁶ Alice's birth was reported to the Registrar E. J. Pearce by her mother on 23 Jun 1896 at the Register Office for Shoreditch, Middlesex. Her mother registered her twin brother William's birth at the same time.¹

Alice was a present at the Baptism of her brother Arthur Herbert on 16 Oct 1898 in St Saviour's Church, Hoxton, London.⁷

Alice was recorded in the 1901 Census taken on 31 Mar 1901 for Shoreditch as living with her parents Thomas and Rebecca Dowell at 91, Phillip Street. The household consisted of Thomas, his wife Rebecca (nee Thornton), and their children Caroline (age 19), Thomas (age 17), Charles (age 14), Louisa (age 11), Harriett (age 8), William (age 4), his twin sister Alice (age 4) and Arthur (age 2). The family had the whole house to themselves although there is no indication as to its size. However, nearby houses in Phillip Street occupied by more than 1 family appear to have 4 rooms so it is assumed that there were 4 rooms probably split up as a living room, the parents bedroom, a bedroom for the boys and a bedroom for the girls. In addition there was probably a scullery with a copper for use on washdays which may also have served as a kitchen and a privy in the yard.⁸

Alice was probably present at the marriage of her sister Caroline to Thomas Fippen on 2 Nov 1902 at St Saviour's Church, Hoxton, London. The witnesses were Thomas Frederick Dowell [11] and Louisa Alice Dowell [17]. Louisa was her younger sister of the bride; the other witness Thomas Dowell was the bride's father. Why a member of the groom's family did not act as a witness is not known. However, the groom's oldest child from his previous marriage, Thomas Fippen, would have been too young at 11 and his parents although still alive were living in Shoreditch Workhouse so probably did not attend the wedding. From the date of birth of their first child, Caroline (10 April 1903), it seems that the bride may have been pregnant when she went to the altar. As the couple were living at the same address at the time of their marriage there may have been opportunity for this to happen. Who else was at the wedding is not known but Thomas' wife Rebecca who was the Bride's mother would almost certainly have been present and probably her siblings.^9,10

Alice was probably present at the marriage of her brother Thomas to Elizabeth Alice Anderson on 18 Apr 1903 at St Saviour's Church, Hoxton, London. The witnesses were John James Horsman and Louisa Alice Dowell [17]. Louisa was a sister of the groom; the other witness John Horsman was probably a friend of the groom and possibly his best man. The high church service was conducted by the Rev. Sidney L Sarel. Other members of the groom's and bride's families and their friends were almost certainly present. There may have been some sort of party at the bride's home . At the time of the marriage Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant.¹¹

Alice was probably present at the marriage of her brother Charles to Jane Elizabeth Cox on 24 Jul 1904 at St Saviour's Church, Hoxton, London. The witnesses were Thomas Dowell [14] and Louisa Alice Dowell [17]. Louisa was the groom's sister; the other witness Thomas Dowell was the Groom's brother. Why a member of the Bride's family did not act as a witness is not known. However, it may have had something to do with the fact that Jane was pregnant (their first child was born the following October). Other members of the couple's families almost certainly attended and there may have been some form of party after the wedding at one of the parents' houses. Whether they went on a honeymoon is not known.^12,13

Alice was probably present at the marriage of her sister Louisa to Edward Charles Kelly on 14 Apr 1907 at St Anne's Church, Hoxton, Shoreditch, London. The witnesses were William Duggan and Harriet Ethel Dowell [16]. The relationship of the first witness, William Duggan, to the couple is unknown. He was probably a friend of the Groom. The second witness, Harriett Dowell, was the younger sister of the Bride and would have been just 14 at the time. On the marriage certificate the groom gave the same address as the bride. As he was a soldier he may have been staying there temporarily whilst on leave. Who else attended the ceremony is not known - probably the Bride's and the Groom's parents and their siblings who were living at home at the time. There was probably some sort of party at the Bride's home afterwards but whether the couple had a honeymoon is not known,^14,15

Btw 1911 and 1912 Alice was a cracker maker in Bethnal Green, London. She probably started as soon as she left school at 14. It seems strange that should she should be working at an unskilled job when her mother apprenticed all her other children to skilled jobs. Perhaps she was showing already showing a religious inclination and was only filling in time until she could enter St Margaret's convent at the age of 16. Although the return does not say so she was almost certainly working at Tom Smiths at 67 Watson Street, Finsbury which is where she was working at the time of the 1921 Census. There is an interesting film on cracker making from the BFI archive on YouTube. Making Christmas Crackers (1910) although it is not from the Tom Smith factory.

In her reminiscences she never mentioned working as a cracker maker.¹⁶

Alice was recorded in the 1911 Census taken on 2 Apr 1911 for Bethnal Green as living with her parents Thomas and Rebecca Dowell at 26 Baroness Road. The household consisted of Thomas and his wife Rebecca, their children Harriett, Alice, William, and Arthur, and Herbert Dowell, and their granddaughter Louise Fippen. Thomas, Harriett, Alice and William were all working whilst Arthur and Louise were at school.

Although Louise Fippen is shown as the granddaughter of Thomas Dowell technically she was his step-granddaughter. Louise was the daughter of Thomas Fippen and Louise Jane Dorsett who died on 19 July 1901 of tuberculosis of the brain. Thomas Fippen then married Caroline Emma Dowell a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca on 2 Nov 1902, and they went on to have five children of their own. When Louise came to live with the Dowells is not known - probably shortly before or after Louise Dorset's death because Rebecca had promised to take Louise in if anything happened to her mother. Louise never married and continued to live with Rebecca or after she died Alice. As children Louise and Alice shared a bedroom and had to turn the mangle together on washdays.

The return was probably filled in by Thomas' daughter Harriet as both Thomas and his wife Rebecca were illiterate. Thomas added his mark X after his name in the signature box. She was working as a cracker maker. Why she had nor been apprenticed like her siblings is not known. Perhaps she was already showing an inclination towards the religious life.^17,18,19

Frm 1914 to 1918 Alice was a novice nun in in St Margaret's Convent East Grinstead, Kent. The reason for her entry are unclear but she would have had to be very religious and felt she had a vocation to do so. Almost certainly the arrangements would have been made through her parish priest. In the early 1900s the family attended St Saviour’s Church in Hoxton and several members of the family were baptised, presumably were confirmed and were married there. St Saviour was very High Church and was associated with the Catholic Revival within the Church of England, despite opposition from the Bishop of London, which resulted in an episcopal ban on the parish following a Corpus Christi procession in August 1917. St Saviour's became the focus for the movement for reunion with Rome known as the Confraternity of Unity when its secretariat was established at St Saviour's in 1929. The Church was badly damaged during the 2nd World War and never reopened. It is possible that the High Church ritual may have turned her thoughts towards entering a convent which was no doubt encouraged by her parish priest who almost certainly made the arrangements for her to do so. Later he became a Minor Canon at St Paul’s Cathedral. Alice's son Jack cannot remember his name but remembers meeting him when he was about 12 after a commemoration service at St Paul’s. To Jack he appeared to be very old.

Alice rarely spoke about her life in the convent but Jack had the impression that it was regimented, strict and hard. As she was not able to bring a dowry she was employed on domestic duties. Those who could bring a dowry undertook more gentile tasks such as needlework. Alice told Jack that she slept in a cell which in winter was bitterly cold; if she woke up feeling snug and warm in bed she was supposed to get out, kneel on the cold floor and say a prayer. When he asked her if she did, she replied “Of course.”

When her sister Louisa became ill with the Spanish ‘flu her father insisted that she left the Convent to help with the care of her sister’s children. Jack gathers there was an argument between her father and the Mother Superior over her leaving. She never returned to the convent and eventually trained as a midwife. Jack has been unable the determine the exact dates of her entering and leaving the Convent. He wrote to the Mother Superior on two separate occasions asking for information but never received a reply so he has had to estimate the dates from other sources. Her sister Louisa died on 28th October 1918 so she must have left the Convent around this time (she was 22 at the time). When she entered is more difficult. According to the 1911 Census (taken when she was 14) she was employed as a cracker maker. It is unlikely that the Convent would have accepted her before she was 18 and then only on the recommendation of her parish priest and with her parents’ permission; it could have been as late as when she was 21 if she entered against her parents’ wishes.²⁰

Alice was recorded in the 1921 census taken on 19 Jun 1921 for Shoreditch, London as living with her mother Rebecca at 23 Halms Street, Shoreditch. The household consisted of Rebecca, her son William, her daughters Harriet and Alice, her grandson Thomas Fippen, and her granddaughters Louisa Fippen and Louisa Kelly. Rebecca was illiterate and had signed all previous documents (e.g. marriage register, children's birth registrations, her husband's death registration with her mark X) so one of her children or a neighbour must have filled in and signed the form on her behalf. William is shown as a French Polisher which is an error. He was an upholsterer and his older brother Tom (who had married the previous year and moved away) had been trained as a French Polisher. Thomas and Louisa Fippen although shown as Rebecca's grandchildren were actually her step-grandchildren. They were the children of Thomas Fippen and his first wife Louisa Jane Dorset who died on 19 July 1901 and had asked Rebecca to "look after her children". Thomas subsequently married Rebecca's daughter Caroline on 2 November 1902. Louisa Kelly was the daughter of Edward Kelly and Rebecca's daughter Louisa who died on 28 October 1918 of Spanish 'Flu. Edward did not die prior to the 1921 Census (as shown in the census return) but must have abandoned his children and so was dead as far as Rebecca was concerned. He married Martha Watts in 1922 and was alive at the time of the 1939 Register. Alice is working as cracker maker for the firm of Tom Smith.²¹

Frm 1922 to 1950 Alice was a midwife in both London and Ramsgate. She was registered with the Central Midwives Board on 9 April 1925 after sitting the CMB examination. It is thought that she trained at St Thomas' Hospital in London and on the assumption that training took 3 years she probably started in 1922.^{22,23,24,25,26} Alice qualified as a midwife in 1925 probably at the Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Hospital, Lower Rd, London, S.E.16. Alice’s Registration Number was 65746 and she qualified by CMB Examination. However, it is not known where she trained. She talked a lot about St Thomas’ Hospital and initially it was thought that she trained there. However, she also talked about her experiences as a midwife working in Rotherhithe. As none of the residential addresses given in the rolls put her within cycling distance of Rotherhithe it is more likely that she trained at the Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Hospital and her experiences related to her final year of training or shortly after she was trained when she was still resident at the hospital or its staff accommodation. The National Archives do not hold information on where individual midwives trained.²⁷

Alice was probably present at the marriage of her sister Harriet to Edward William Mackellow on 29 Jul 1933 at St Luke's Church, Ramsgate, Kent. The witnesses were William John Dowell [15] and Ethel Maud Kelly [700]. William was the bride's brother and Ethel was her niece. Who else was at the wedding is not known but Harriet's sister Alice who was a domiciliary midwife in Ramsgate would have made every effort to attend as the sisters were close. How Edward and Harriet met is a matter of speculation as before their marriage Edward was living in Ramsgate and Harriet was living in London. It can only be assumed that they met when Harriet was on holiday in Ramsgate.^28,29,30

Alice's son Jack Peter William was born on 29 Mar 1934 in Ramsgate, Kent at 119 Newington Road. His mother was not married and for his birth she went to stay with her sister Harriett (Ett) Mackellow and Ett's husband Will.^31,32

Alice was present at the baptism of her child Jack at St Lawrence's Church Thanet, Kent. The service was performed according to the Church of England rite. The service was attended by his mother, his Aunt Ett and her husband Will. Ett and Will were the Godparents. His mother chose the names Jack Peter because she liked them and in his early years frequently called him "Jack-Peter". The name Edward was added to link him to his father Edward Lauderdale.³³ She reported her son Jack's birth to the Registrar on 9 May 1934 at the Register Office for the district of for the Sub-District of Ramsgate. Why she left it so long after his birth is not known. It is possible that she contacted his father in the hope that he would be present at the registration to have his name recorded as the father. However, as he had a practice in Rotherhide and was also a consultant at he may have decided that Ramsgate was too far to come. He definitely knew of his son's existence as Jack remembers being taken to see him and he would occasionally phone Alice to enquire after Jack. He also offered to pay Jack's school fees but that was unnecessary as he obtained a place at Westminster City School.³¹

Alice was probably present at the marriage of Edward Charles Kelly and Joyce Snowden on 18 Aug 1934 in St John's Church Woolwich. The witnesses were A. B. Snowden and J. Fahey. A. B. Snowden was probably the brother of the bride. The relationship of the other witness to the couple is unknown but he was probably a friend of the groom and may have been his best man. Other people who may have been there were the groom's father Edward and step-mother Martha, the bride's parents and his Aunt Alice who helped to bring him up after his mother died.³⁴

Alice may have been present at the marriage of Stanley Pritchard and her niece Ethel Maud Kelly on 8 Sep 1934 in the Register Office Shoreditch, London. The witnesses were L. F. Poole and William John Dowell [15]. The relationship of L. F. Poole to the couple is not known - he was probably a friend of the groom. The other witnessl could have been either her second cousin William or her Uncle William - probably the latter. Apart from the witnesses it is not known for certain who attended the wedding but it is almost certain that her Aunt Alice Dowell who brought her up would have made an effort to do so despite the fact that she was living in Ramsgate and working as a midwife at the time. As she was instrumental in bringing Ethel up she would have alsmost certainly been invited and would have made every effort to attend despite living in Ramsgate.^35,36,37 Btw Dec 1938 and Feb 1947 Alice lived in three different houses, Lambeth, London. Before their marriage Horace was living in rented house at 3, Hassocks Road, Mitcham. Alice and her son Jack were living in a rented house at 8 Allen Edwards Road, Lambeth which she shared with her sister Harriett (Ett), Ett's husband Edward (Will) Mackellow, her brother William (Will) and her sister by adoption Louisa (Lou) Fippen.

After their marriage Horace moved to Allen Edwards Road because Alice, who was domicilary midwife, needed to stay in the area.

The whole family moved to 25, Rhodesia Road just before the house in Allen Edwards Road was destroyed by a direct hit in the Blitz.

They moved once again to 55 Binfield Road just before the house at 25 Rhodesia Road was destroyed in a bombing raid - just as the house in Allen Edwards Road had been.

On each occasion the reason for moving was that Horace, who was a Spiritualist, had a premonition that the houses would be destroyed.

Horace died in February 1947 at Binfield Road but Alice continued the tenancy.^25,38 After marriage on 14 Dec 1938, the name Alice used was Alice Eleanor Richmond on 14 Dec 1938.

Alice married Horace Richmond [9] on 14 Dec 1938 in the Register Office, Lambeth, London. The ceremony was performed by the Registrar R. Hargeaves and the witnesses were Edward William Mackellow [18] and Harriet Ethel Dowell [16]. Harriet (Ett) was Alice's sister and Edward (Will) Ett's husband. Whether anyone else was present is not known.The marriage was one of convenience undertaken by Alice to 'give her son (Jack) a name'. It was certainly not for financial reasons. Alice was financially secure by reason of her job with the London County Council as a domiciliary midwife. Her marriage to Horace Richmond brought no financial advantage. Indeed Alice supported Horace who became, to use a modern term, a househusband and also created a wonderful garden. Horace was much older than Alice. Although he gives his age as 59 he was in fact 13 years older having been born in 1866.

How they met is not known - probably though an introduction agency. Although Alice had hoped to marry when Jack was sufficiently young not to remember his entry into their lives and so to accept him as his real father he does remember their first meeting. As he was only 4 he would probably not have remembered the visit except that Jack remembers Horace upsetting the teapot – probably due to nervousness – and trying to scrape up the tealeaves from the tablecloth with a knife. Whether this was also Horace's and Alice's first meeting is not known - it probably was.

After they were married Horace came to live at the house which Alice rented at 8 Allen Edwards Road. It must have been winter because Jack remembers that it was dark and he was still up. How much Horace brought with him is not known but Jack remembers a fireside chair with curved wooden arms and a backrest which could be adjusted by moving a round bar into one of three slots. Jack thought it was a new toy as it was possible, when the back was not in place, to roll the bar down the arms to where it could lodge in one of the three slots or, if it was pushed it hard enough, roll off the end of the arms – rather like a simple game of bagatelle.^30,39

Alice and her husband adopted Jack Peter William Ward [1] on 31 Jan 1939 in Croydon County Juvenile Court. after they had married on 14 December 1938. Alice was Jack's mother and she said that she only married him to "give Jack a name". After the adoption his name became Jack Peter Edward Dowell Richmond. The Christian name Edward pointed to his natural father and the name Dowell to his mother.⁴⁰

The household of Edward and Caroline Lauderdale was recorded in the 1939 Register taken on 29 Sep 1939 in London, S.W.8 living at 8 Allen Edwards Road. The household consisted of Horace and his wife Alice, Alice's brother William and her adopted sister Louise Fippen. Just before the register was compiled 3 other members of the household – William and Harriet Mackellow, and Jack Richmond (Harriet was Alice's sister and Jack was her son) moved to Brighton to live with William’s brother and his wife (Harry & Francis Mackellow) as part of the voluntary evacuation from London.⁴¹

Alice's husband Horace died from cancer of the small intestine on 7 Mar 1947 in Lambeth, London at 55 Binfield Road. During his final illness he was nursed by his wife Alice and her sister Ett who lived in the same house. His step-son Jack remembers that he was confined to his bed and was eating bread and milk because his tongue was so swollen. Until he saw the Death Certificate he thought that his step-father had died from cancer of the throat.^42,43

On 10 Mar 1947 she reported the death of her husband Horace to the Registrar E. G. Davies at the the Register Office for Lambeth.^44,45 After marriage on 28 Oct 1948, the name Alice used was Alice Eleanor Ward on 28 Oct 1948.

Alice married William Charles John Ward [10] on 28 Oct 1948 in St Peter's Church, Selsey, Sussex. The service was taken by the Rev. Canon Handysyde and the witnesses were Louise Mary Fippen [98] and William John Dowell [15]. The best man, Jack Richmond, was the bride's son and the two witnesses were related to the bride; Louisa Fippen was the bride's adopted sister and William Dowell was the bride's twin brother and he also gave his sister away. It is thought that the ceremony was also attended by the Groom's only sister Gertrude Arnold and possibly by the Groom's friends and next door neighbours Fred and Pim Wilson. There was small reception afterwards at the Selsey Hotel and the honeymoon was spent at the groom's bungalow, Greenwood, East Beach, Selsey.^46,47

Alice was a guest at the marriage of Jack Peter William Ward [1] and Joan Elizabeth Hodge [3] on 24 Dec 1957 in The Parish Church of St Peter's Church Selsey, Sussex. It was attended by members of the immediate family and a few of Jack's colleagues. The best man was Jack's great friend, Tony Daw, and the two brides maids were Joan's Godmother's daughters. The reason for the wedding taking place in the groom's parish rather than the bride's parish was that the Joan did not wish her parents who were not well off to have to invite all her relatives who lived in the Plymouth area; she also preferred the intimacy of St Peter's Church to the rather barn like Baptist Church on Mutley Plain which she had attended as a teenager and where she had been baptised into the Baptist Church. As Jack only had a small number of relatives living in Selsey this served to limit the guest list but it was necessary to obtain a licence for the marriage from the Diocese of Chichester. Joan made her own dress and her Godmother made the bridesmaids' dresses.

The bride's parents travelled from Plymouth by car a day or so before the wedding day and stayed in a holiday bungalow on East Beach which was a few doors from 'Greenwood' (149 East Beach Road) where the groom's parents lived. Joan who had travelled down from London to stay with the groom's parents and make the final arrangements for the wedding and reception joined her parents when they arrived. Joan's mother had a bad cold and the heating in the bungalow they were renting was inadequate to say the least. Jack who was on leave from the Navy was staying with his parents carried kindling and buckets of coal along the road to light a fire in the only fireplace. Hot water was provided by an immersion heater but the electricity meter accepted only 1/- coins which rapidly ran out. On the morning of the wedding after the bride's mother had had a bath there was no hot water left and Joan had a cold bath!

The guests includes the groom's parents Will and Alice Ward and Will's sister Gertie who had a flat at 'Greenwood'; the bride's parents Wallace and Doris Hodge; the bride's godmother and her husband and their two daughters who were the bridesmaids; Lieutenant Tony Daw who was the best man, and some members of the groom's Ordnance Engineering Specialisation Course who were all Lieutenants and formed the Guard of Honour after the wedding. Althought there were either 6 or 7 Jack only remembers the names of Tony Wheatley and John Mahony neither of whom were married at the time. People who may have attended were Tony Daw's wife Dorna; the groom's Uncle Will and Aunt Lou; and the bride's friend Joan. Jack has no recollection of any of them being there. Joan's friend Pat Boyle was unable to attend because she had 'flu and had been ordered to bed by her doctor who forbade her to attend the wedding; she was bitterly disappointed. Pat's husband Don who was in the Royal Marines was away at sea and also could not attend.

As it was a Naval Wedding all the Naval Officers were in uniform. The Vicar has asked them to leave their swords at the back of the Church as 'they made a clatter' if they were dropped during the service. Jack has little recollection of the marrige service itself except Joan saying "Sing up!" in the first hymn, the fact that the front of the priest's surplice was creased and soiled (he was obviously saving his clean surplice for Christmas Day which was the following day), and being told to "Slow up" as he set off down the aisle with his new bride on his arm after the register had been signed.

The reception was held at the Selsey Hotel.

The honeymoon was spent at the Priory Hotel, Thame in Oxfordshire where the couple were given the 'Priest's Room' in the attic which contained two single beds of different heights! The other guests were relatively elderly and Jack and Joan were embarrassed to receive an L-plate through the post which was propped up on the mantelpiece in the sitting room for all to see. At least the food was good as they had chosen the venue from The Good Food Guide.^48,49,50

Alice assisted at Alison Mary Ward [5]'s birth on 7 Feb 1965 in home at 25 Manadon Drive, Plymouth, Devon. Labour was very short and she was born before the midwife and doctor arrived. Fortunately her mother-in-law, Alice Ward, who was retired midwife was there as was her husband, Jack, and they were able to help. Jack was able to tell both the midwife and the doctor that they were too late. The doctor had been at a party and smelt of alcohol.^51,52,53

Alice's husband William was buried c. 25 Apr 1985 in St Mary's Churchyard at Limpley Stoke, Wiltshire. William's stepson Jack who always thought of him as his father arranged with the Funeral Director for William to be dressed in his sports jacket with one of his shirts and a tie that he would have normally worn and for his glasses to be put on the end of his nose. He looked just as if he had fallen asleep in his armchair. Jack took his mother Alice to see her husband and make her final farewells at the undertaker's Chapel of Rest. The Chapel was dimly lit, and although the coffin was open a veil had been draped over it. Alice whose eyesight was very poor bent over to kiss her husband and encountered the veil which distressed her greatly. The undertaker removed the veil which allowed Alice to kiss her husband on the forehead saying as she did, “Oh Will, you're so cold.”

There were few mourners at the funeral service; as far as Jack can recollect it was just him, his wife Heather, his former wide Joan, Jack's son Richard and his wife Ruth, Jack's daughter Alison and a few of the staff from Waterhouse where William and Alice had lived for the last few years. When the coffin had been placed in the aisle (the church was so small it couldn't be taken up to the Chancel) Mum stepped out of her pew, held onto the coffin and kept saying, “Oh Will, Oh Will, …” and it was with some difficulty that Jack persuaded her to return to her seat. After the service Alison was rather scathing about her grandmother's conduct but Jack thinks it was genuine expression of her overwhelming grief. The service was taken by a Reader and Jack gave an address on the life of his (step)father. There is no record of the address Jack and can't remember any of the details but William had been a good husband, a great schoolmaster and a wonderful father to Jack, but he is certain that he owed his career to his (step)father's influence, and Jack probably touched on all these matters. After Jack's address the Reader said he had obviously been a fine man but Heather was absolutely furious and after the burial was over castigated Jack for saying what he did about his step father.

Alice made a will on 4 Aug 1985 when living in Waterhouse, Monkton Combe, Bath, Avon. The executor was Jack Peter William Ward [1]. Jack Peter William Ward [1] was a beneficiary. Her husband had died intestate and although his estate was very simple obtaining probate would have been simpler had he made a will. Her son Jack who had helped his mother to obtain probate on her husband's estate suggested that she should make a will. To avoid the expense of a solicitor Jack wrote out a simple holographic will (he probably obtained the wording from a book on making a will borrowed from the library) which he read out to his mother and she signed. Because she was virtually blind she would have been unable to read the document for herself but she trusted her son.⁵⁴

Alice died on 17 Jun 1987 in Waterhouse at her home Limpley Stoke, Wiltshire from broncho-pneumonia, cerebral haemorrhage and diabetes mellitis. Her son, Jack, had visited her the day before and found that she had been moved to her old room and was sleeping peacefully having suffered a stroke a few days before. During the visit he talked to her doctor who told him that his mother was seriously ill with pneumonia; he explained that he could administer antibiotics to cure the pneumonia but the prognosis after her stroke was not good and on his advice Jack agreed that antibiotics should not be given. In arriving at this decision he took into account her probable quality of life. After her husband's death she had expressed a wish to join him on a number of occasions. She had a strong faith and was convinced that they would be reunited in heaven. In addition her almost total blindness (as a result of taking the heart drug Eraldin) meant that she could not read or watch television and, as her mind was still active, this was a source of frustration. Virtually her only contact with the outside world were her son's visits and her only source of entertainment was her radio; most of the time she listened to Radio 4 and occasionally complained about programme repeats but more often she would want to discuss something which she had heard on the radio. I think that her son's first wife, Joan, visited her occasionally but his second wife, Heather, would not accompany him on visits because she said that his mother smelt of ‘old people’.^55,56 Alice's death was reported on 19 Jun 1987 by her son Jack to the Registrar D. R. Hollis at the Register Office Trowbridge.

Alice was buried on 24 Jun 1987 in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin, Limpley Stoke, Wiltshire according to the Church of England rite. The mourners included Jack Peter William Ward [1], Heather Ann O'Dare [6], Joan Elizabeth Hodge [3], Richard Mark William Ward [4], Ruth Davies [27], Alison Mary Ward [5] and a few of the staff from Waterhouse. Her burial service was held at the church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Limpley Stoke and she was buried with her husband William. There were few mourners; just her son Jack, his wife Heather,and his ex-wife Joan; her grandson Richard (Jack & Joan's son) and his wife Ruth; her granddaughter Alison (Jack & Joan's daughter) and a few of the staff from Waterhouse. Jack wanted to give an address on the life of his mother but Heather forbade it presumably because of the address he had given after Dad’s funeral had made it obvious that he had a good relationship with his parents whereas Heather had a poor relationship with hers. The fact that Jack was unable to give an address was a source of internal sadness as he thought so much of his mother who had been through so much for him. It was just another example of the relationship between Heather and Jack, and the extent to which he would go to keep the peace.

A few years later after jack and Heather had been divorced and Jack had married Pat, Pat encouraged him to have an inscription referring to his mother added to the headstone. The added inscription reads:

Also his wife Alice Eleanor

Born 13th May 1896

Died 17th June 1987

Her life a precious memory

Too dearly loved

to be forgotten⁵⁶

Probate on the estate of Alice Eleanor Dowell of was granted to Jack Peter William Ward [1] on 30 Jul 1987 at the District Probate Registry, Bristol Probate Registry. Jack Peter William Ward [1] was a beneficiary. Her will left everything to her only son, Jack Peter William Ward. However, as she only had her state retirement pension and a small pension from the London County Council all her capital had been exhausted by topping up the rest home fees.^54,57 Alice had a relationship with Edward Maitland Lauderdale [8].

Edward Maitland was born to Edward and Mary Lauderdale on 8 Jul 1883 in Great Grimsby, Lincolshire at Abbey Road.^58,59,60 Edward Maitland Lauderdale's⁶¹ [8], son of Edward Lauderdale (1840-1910) [19] and Mary Jane Brown (1848-1915?) [20], birth was reported to the Registrar H M Steppington by Edward's father Edward Lauderdale [19] on 18 Oct 1883 at the the Register Office for Great Grimsby. His father seems to left it rather late as nearly 3 months elapsed between his son's birth and registration.^62,63

Edward was recorded in the 1891 Census taken on 5 Apr 1891 for Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire as living with his parents Edward and Mary Lauderdale at Abbey Road. The household consisted of Edward, his wife Mary, their two children Edward age 7 and Alice age 4. They also had a general servant Alice Williamson. The size of the house is unknown but it must have been fairly substantial and in an affluent area as most properties had at least one servant. Both the children are attending school.⁶⁴

Edward was baptised on 29 Jul 1894 in St Swithin's Church, Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The service was conducted by Edward, Bishop of Lincoln according to the Church of England rite. His parents Edward and Mary Lauderdale would have been present. His parents would have been present and his sisters Maggie and Alice were baptised on the same occasion. The reason for the 'group' baptism was that their father had resigned as minister of the Baptist Tabernacle in Grimbsy, had moved to Lincoln and been ordained as a Church of England minister.⁶⁵

Edward was a present at the Baptism of his sister Maggie Maitland on 29 Jul 1894 in St Swithin's Church, Lincoln, Lincolnshire.⁶⁶

Edward was a present at the Baptism of his sister Alice Maitland on 29 Jul 1894 in St Swithin's Church, Lincoln, Lincolnshire.⁶⁷

Edward was recorded in the 1901 Census taken on 31 Mar 1901 for Lincoln, Lincolnshire as living with his parents Edward and Mary Lauderdale at 13 West Parade. The household consisted of Edward, his wife Mary and their children Margaret, Edward and Alice They also had two 'live in' two servants Kate Singleton who is described as a ladies (sic) help and Alice Hannah who is a housemaid. The size of the house is unknown but it must have been large and in a fairly affluent area as all the households along the street had at least one servant.⁶⁸

Frm 1909 to 1960 Edward was a medical practitioner in London. After obtaining a B.A. at Cambridge it is thought that he finished his training at St Thomas' Hospital in London. He was made a M.R.C.S. and a L.R.C.P. in 1909 and in the 1911 Census is shown as working at St Thomas' where he became Senior House Physician and Senior Obstetric House Physician. Sometime prior to 1925 he started or acquired a general practice at 211 Lower Rd, S.W.16 in Bermondsey. In 1970 the practice moved to 51 Hawkstone Road and in 1975 he retired although it seems almost inconceivable that he worked until he was 92. At some time during all those years he was Assistant Resident Medical Officer at the Brompton Consumption Hospital. When this was is not known.^69,70,71,72

Edward was a beneficiary of the will of Edward Lauderdale [19] after the granting of probate on 26 Jul 1910 in Lincoln. Mary was his wife and the other beneficiaries were his children. His effects were valued at £3,571 1s. 2d. which was a considerable sum for those days. How it was divided between the beneficiaries is not known.⁷³

Edward was recorded in the 1911 census taken on 2 Apr 1911 for St Thomas's Hospital, Albert Embankment, Lambeth, London aged 27. He is described as a medical practitioner and presumably finishing his training as a houseman.⁷⁴

Edward witnessed the marriage of Sherod Henry Greenfield [1046] and Maggie Maitland Lauderdale [21] on 5 Jul 1911 in St Martin's Church Lincoln, Lincolnshire. Unusually there were four witness. Two from the groom's family C. Greenfield and M. A. Greenfield who were probably siblings and two from the bride's family - her brother Edward and her sister Ann. The bride's mother Mary was almost certainly there but who else is not known.^75,76

Frm 1914 to 1818 Edward served in the Royal Navy as a Surgeon Lieutenant. His medal record shows that he earned the 1914-15 Star, Victory and British War Medals and claimed them for himself. The fact that was awarded the 1914-15 Star indicates that he saw active service between 5 Aug 1914 and 31 Dec 1915. Recipients of the 1914-15 Star automatically qualified for the British War and Victory Medals. His record is annotated Hawke Battalion 1915. The Hawke Battalion which was composed of naval officers and ratings who fought as soldiers as opposed to serving in ships saw action at Gallipoli from 30 May 1915 to January 1916 and Mudros & Imbros January to May 1916. In May 1916 Hawke Battalion joined the British Expeditionary Force as part of 189th Brigade 63rd (RN) Division seeing action in France and Belgium until May 1919. As a Surgeon Lieutenant Edward would not have been involved directly in the fighting but in tending the wounded.⁷⁷

Edward's mother Mary was buried on 9 Nov 1915 in Canwick Road Cemetary at Lincoln, Lincolnshire. It is assumed that the service took place in the Church of England Chapel at the cemetery. Her children Maggie and Alice were probably present. Her son Edward was in the Navy so may not have been able to attend. Who else was there and who took the service is not known.⁷⁸

Edward was a beneficiary of the will of his mother Mary Jane Lauderdale on 6 Jan 1916 in Lincoln.⁷⁹

He was executor for estate of Mary Jane Brown [20].⁷⁹

Edward was recorded in the 1921 census taken on 19 Jun 1921 for London living at 25 Rodney Court, Maida Vale. Edward has a visitor Bertha Porter. The relationship is unknown.⁸⁰

Edward was recorded in the 1939 Register taken on 29 Sep 1939 in Bermondsey, London living at 211 Lower Road. This was the address of his medical practice and he is shown as an ARP (Air Raid Precautions) Medical Service for B.B.C. (Bermonsy Borough Council?). He had a housekeeper Florence Featherstone who, as she is shown in the register, must have lived there. However, she is shown as being married but where her husband was is not known (he would have been too old to be in the forces).⁸¹ Edward made a will on 13 Aug 1973 when living in 25 Rodney Court, Maida Vale, London,. The will was drawn up by his solicitor, John Simon Gold who was also appoined executor together with niece Phyllis Walker. After various small bequests he left the residue of his estate to his sister Alice or if she had predeceased him or died within one month of his death to be divided equally between his nieces Phyllis Walker and Dorothy Young. The will was witnessed by Mr and Mrs Magnus who were his neighbours at Rodney Court.⁸²

Edward died on 3 Aug 1977 in Bromley Hospital Bromley, Kent from bronchopneumonia and senility. Finding the date of Edward's death was not easy. A search of the death registrations gave an Edward Lauderdale who died in 1977 and was born on 28 July 1881. However, it was known from his birth certificate that he was born on 8 July 1883 and of his full name was Edward Maitland Lauderdale. His last entry in the Medical Directory was in 1977 which gave his home address which was in Maida Vale (by which time he would have been retired as he would have been 94!) whereas the 1964 entry gave his practice address which was in Bermondsey. However, the Medical Directory may be a bit 'historical' - probably at least a year out of date - but did serve to confirm that he had died in 1976 or 7. I asked the GRO to carry out a manual search for the death of Edward Maitland Lauderdale and they couldn't find it neither was his death registered in Scotland, Northern Ireland or abroad but at his age it is unlikely that he would have travelled very far.

A search for a birth registration for an Edward Lauderdale born in 1883 proved negative so it is assumed that an error had been made in Edward Maitland Lauderdale's death registration -- probably because the person registering death was not aware of his full name or his date of birth. Although his death certificate was issued in the name of Edward Lauderdale it gave his occupation as a doctor of medicine (retired) which indicated that the correct certificate had been obtained especially as there was no medical registration for an Edward Lauderdale. As a contributory cause of his death was senility it is assumed that he was in a nursing home before he was taken to hospital and that the person who registered his death (David Gareth Jones) was either the owner of the home or a member of staff although his occupation is shown as the occupier -- a term which is not understood. The death was certified by Anthony G Loss who was the deputy coroner for London Southern district after a post-mortem without inquest which means he had not seen a doctor in the 14 days prior to his death.⁸³ Edward's death was reported to the Registrar Eileen R. Dedman on 4 Aug 1977 by David Gareth Jones at the the Register Office for for Bromley District. Probate on the estate of Edward Maitland Lauderdale of was granted on 1 Dec 1977 at the the High Court of Justice Probate Registry. Probate was granted to his solicitor John Simon Gold and his niece Phyllis Mary Walker. After various small bequests the residue of his estate went to his sister Alice. The gross value of his estate was £31, 585 with a nett value of £30,753.⁸² He and Alice Eleanor Dowell had the following children:

Horace was born to Joseph and Mary Richmond on 18 Jul 1866 in Arlesey, Bedfordshire. There are two official documents which give his age - the Marriage Certificate for his marriage to Alice Dowell in 1938 which gives his age as 59, i.e. born in 1879, and his Death Registration which in 1947 gives his age as 80, i.e. born in 1867. Fortunately Horace Richmond is a relatively unusual name and a search of death registrations between January 1860 and December 1880 produced a record of a Horace Richmond born in the quarter ending September 1866. From this it was possible to obtain a copy of his Birth Certificate.^{84,85,86,87,88} Horace Richmond's [9], son of Joseph Richmond (1837-1886) [153] and Mary Anne Shepherd (1837-1867) [933], birth was reported to the Registrar Alfred Self by Horace's mother Mary Anne Shepherd [933] on 15 Aug 1866 at the the Register Office for the district of Biggleswade, Bedford. She signed with he mark which indicates that she was illiterate.

Horace was recorded in the 1871 census taken on 2 Apr 1871 for Haddenham, Buckinghamshire living at Church Way aged 4 as a member of the household of John Richmond who was his Uncle. Judging from the fact that John is described as landowner and the house was on the edge of the village it may have been a farm. The other members of the household were John's nieces Elizabeth who was the housekeeper and Ann E. Richmond who was going to school. It is not known whether they had the same father or were cousins. Judging from the Elizabeth's age (35) and Horace's age it is more likely that they were cousins. Ann who was 10 may have been Horace's sister but they were born about 40 miles apart.⁸⁹

Horace was recorded in the 1881 census taken on 3 Apr 1881 for Pottern, Devizes living at Devizes Road. He was a boarder with Charles and Elizabeth Smith. He had moved from Haddenham, a distance of some 70 miles, to be near to his father Joseph Richmond who was the Chief Male Attendant at the Wiltshire County Lunatic Asylum in Devizes and lived in. Although Joseph is shown as married it is not know where his wife was living as the list of asylum staff does not include a woman with the surname Richmond. Horace probably attended the village school. Sometime he played truant!

^90,91

Frm 1882 to 1931 Horace was a horticulturist and Post Office worker. There are a number of conflicting sources for his occupation. In the 1901 Census he is shown as a parcel sorter for the Post Office; in the 1911 Census he is shown as a civil servant working for the Post Office but it does not say in what capacity; the 1921 Census says he is a postman; and his Death Certificate confirms that he had a Post Office pension which means that he must have worked for the Post Office for at least 30 years presumably retiring at the age of 65, i.e. in 1931. However on his Marriage Certificate for his marriage to Alice Dowell in December 1938 he is described as a retired horticulturist and he certainly grew magnificent flowers and vegetables. Alice also told her son Jack that at some stage in his career he had, in a fit of temper, destroyed a tomato which he was hybridising and left his employer. Where he had learned his skills and at what stage of his life he was a horticulturist and for who he worked for is not known. The best explanation is that he was apprenticed after leaving school probably at the age of 16 (according to the 1881 Census he was still at school and there is no record of him in the 1891 Census) as a gardener and worked his way up to the position of a head gardener but that after he fell out with with his employer could not get a reference and so was forced to join the Post Office. He also told his adopted son Jack that he had been in the army and that the marks on his nose were powder burns from firing a rifle. On reflection this seems bit far fetched and there is no record of him being in the army.^{92,93,94,95,96,97}

Horace married Caroline Walker in 1895. A search for the marriage of Horace Richmond to a Caroline was fruitless so either the marriage was omitted from the registration index (which is unlikely) or it not take place. On the assumption that the marriage did take place the probable year has been estimated from the age of their son (4) given in the 1901 Census and the number of years they had been married (16) given in the 1911 Census.^98,99

Frm 1895 to 1921 Horace and Caroline Richmond lived in Croydon, Surrey at “Uptons” 28 Bungalow Road frm 1895 to 1921. It is assumed that they moved there after their marriage in 1895 until Caroline's death in 1921.^95,100,101

Horace and Caroline Richmond's son Joseph Charles was born btw Sep 1896 and Dec 1896 in home at "Uptons", Bungalow Road, Croydon, Surrey. A search on Free BMD based on his age given on his death registration produced only one result which fits with information given in the 1901 Census. As his birth was registered in the last quarter of 1896 he was born between September and December that year. As the registration was in Croydon it is probable that he was born the address given in the 1901 Census.^102,103

The household of Horace and Caroline Richmond was recorded in the 1901 census taken on 31 Mar 1901 in Croydon living at “Uptons”, Bungalow Road when he was 34. The family consisted of Horace, his wife Caroline and their son Joseph. They were also looking after a 6 month old baby - Frank Etherington. The family occupied what is assumed from the street name to be a bungalow. From the 1911 Census it had six rooms. There were similar properties with only names in the road. Whether they were all the same is not known.¹⁰⁰

Horace was a Spiritualist frm 1903 to 1947 by virtue of his baptism at Spirituralist Church, Clapham,. When he became a Spiritualist is not known. Perhaps it was the death of his son Joseph in 1903 at the age of six followed by the death of his first wife Caroline in 1921. After moving to the Stockwell area on his marriage to Alice in December 1938 he attended the Clapham Spiritualist Church which was near Clapham North Underground Station. His step son Jack accompanied him with his mother to some of the services and remembers the medium conveying messages from the dead.

Although Horace was not a medium he would sometimes have a premonition about the future and undoubtedly saved his own life and the lives of those who were living in the same house by insisting on the family moving - see entry on residences between 1939 and 1947. His wife would consult him over important decisions and he would go into a trance before giving an answer.²⁵

Horace and Caroline Richmond's son Joseph died in 1903 in his home at “Uptons”, Bungalow Road, Croydon, Surrey. According to the 1901 Census Joseph Richmond was born in 1897 and in 1901 he was living in Croydon . A search of Free BMD between Jan 1901 and Dec 1901 produced only one result which fitted these conditions.¹⁰⁴

The household of Horace and Caroline Richmond was recorded in the 1911 census taken on 2 Apr 1911 in Croydon living at 28 Bungalow Road, South Norwood, S.E. when he was 43. They were living by themselves in a six roomed property.¹⁰¹

The household of Horace and Caroline Richmond was recorded in the 1921 census taken on 19 Jun 1921 in South Norwood, Surrey living at 28 Bungalow Road when he was 53 years 11 months. The household consisted of Horace, his wife Caroline and two visitors Charlotte and Vera Trench.⁹⁵

Horace's wife Caroline died in 1921 in South Norwood, Croydon, Surrey at 28 Bungalow Road aged 61.¹⁰⁵ Bef 14 Dec 1938 Horace lived in 3 Hassocks Road, Mitcham, Surrey. which was shown as his residence on the Certificate for his marriage to Alice Dowell. After their marriage he moved to Alice's house. How long he had lived at Hassocks Road is not known. Alice's son, Jack, who he later adopted remembers being taken to tea there.^106,107 Btw 15 Dec 1938 and Feb 1947 Horace lived in three different houses. Before their marriage Horace was living in rented house at 3, Hassocks Road, Mitcham. Alice and her son Jack were living in a rented house at 8 Allen Edwards Road, Lambeth which she shared with her sister Harriett (Ett), Ett's husband Edward (Will) Mackellow, her brother William (Will) and her sister by adoption Louisa (Lou) Fippen.

After their marriage Horace moved to Allen Edwards Road because Alice, who was domicilary midwife, needed to stay in the area.

The whole family moved to 25, Rhodesia Road just before the house in Allen Edwards Road was destroyed by a direct hit in the Blitz.

They moved once again to 55 Binfield Road just before the house at 25 Rhodesia Road was destroyed in a bombing raid - just as the house in Allen Edwards Road had been.

On each occasion the reason for moving was that Horace, who was a Spiritualist, had a premonition that the houses would be destroyed.

Horace died in February 1947 at Binfield Road but Alice continued the tenancy.^25,38

Horace and his wife adopted Jack Peter William Ward [1] on 31 Jan 1939 in Croydon County Juvenile Court. after they had married on 14 December 1938. Alice was Jack's mother and she said that she only married him to "give Jack a name". After the adoption his name became Jack Peter Edward Dowell Richmond. The Christian name Edward pointed to his natural father and the name Dowell to his mother.⁴⁰

Horace died on 7 Mar 1947 in Lambeth at his home 55 Binfield Road from cancer of the small intestine. The death was certified by George Stoddard M.B.. During his final illness he was nursed by his wife Alice and her sister Ett who lived in the same house. His step-son Jack remembers that he was confined to his bed and was eating bread and milk because his tongue was so swollen. Until he saw the Death Certificate he thought that his step-father had died from cancer of the throat.^42,43 Horace's death was reported to the Registrar E. G. Davies on 10 Mar 1947 by his wife Alice Eleanor Dowell [7] at the the Register Office for Lambeth.^44,45

William Charles John was born to William and Gertrude Ward on 25 Apr 1897 in Wood Green, Middlesex at 114 Myddelton Road. His death certificate gives his date of birth and his baptismal record the place where his parents were living. It is assumed that he was born there.^108,109

William Charles John Ward [10], son of William Charles Ward (1862-1948) [101] and Gertrude Botten (1862-1948) [761], was baptised on 27 Jun 1897 in St Michael-at-Bowes Church, Palmeston Road, Wood Green, Middlesex. The service was conducted by the Rev. A. C. Almack according to the Church of England rite. His parents William and Gertrude Ward would have been present and they would have taken his older sister Gertie but who else was there is not known. The church in which William was baptised was built on the estate of Bowes Manor, home of Alderman Thomas Sidney (Lord Mayor of London), who financed practically the whole enterprise. The foundation stone was laid on 28th October 1872, and the building consecrated on 21st April 1874. It was a fine church, designed by Sir Gilbert Scott in the Gothic Revival style but fell into disrepair. It was closed on 29 September 1986 and demolished the following year and has ben replaced by a modern church.¹¹⁰

William was recorded in the 1901 Census taken on 31 Mar 1901 for Tottenham, Middlesex as living with his parents William and Gertrude Ward at 3 Cecil Terrace, Park Road. The household consisted of Charles, his wife Gertrude and their children Gertrude (Gertie) and William (Will).¹¹¹

William was recorded in the 1911 Census taken on 2 Apr 1911 for Edmonton, Middlesex as living with his parents William and Gertrude Ward at 81 Bowes Road, Palmers Green. The household consisted of William, his wife Gertrude, and their children Gertrude and William. The house had 6 rooms and was probably rented.¹¹²

William was probably present at the marriage of his sister Gertrude to Arthur Ernest Arnold on 23 May 1921 at St Michael-at-Bowes Church, Palmeston Road, Wood Green, Middlesex. The witnesses were William Charles Ward [101], C. S, Arnold and Gertrude Botten [761]. The groom's mother (his father was dead) and the bride's brother William were probably there but who else is not known.^113,114

William was recorded in the 1921 Census taken on 19 Jun 1921 for Southgate, Edmonton, Middlesex as living with his parents William and Gertrude Ward at 81 Bowers Road. The household consisted of William, his wife Gertrude, their son William (age 24), their son-in-law Arthur Arnold and their daughter Gertrude who was Arthur's wife. They had the house which had six rooms to themselves.¹¹⁵

Frm 1922 to 1957 William was a schoolmaster in London. He started teaching in a day continuation school where the pupils were 'rough' and tough to say the least. He then got a post at Westminster City School which was a grammar school where he remained until he retired in 1957. He taught physics and chemistry at both ordinary and advanced levels and mathematics at ordinary level.^116,117,118

William married Florence Mabel Schroder in 1922 in Hampstead,.. They had no children although they wanted a child and did discuss adoption.¹¹⁹

William's wife Florence was buried on 23 Feb 1945 in Pinner New Cemetery at Pinner Road, Harrow, Middlesex. It is certain that her husband Will was there but who else is not known.¹²⁰

William and his wife adopted Jack Peter William Ward [1] on 24 Feb 1949 in Lambeth County Court, County of London. William and Alice Ward after they married on 28 October 1948. Alice was Jack's mother. After the adoption his name became Jack Peter William Ward. The Christian names Edward which pointed to his natural father and Dowell which pointed to his mother were dropped, and William which was a family name of the Wards included.¹²¹

William was executor for estate of his mother-in-law Arabella Ann Schroder. Probate was granted to William James John Ward who is described as a schoolmaster. This is thought to be William Charles John Ward who was a schoolmaster and was Arabella's son-in-law having married Arabella's daughter Florence in 1922. Florence died in 1945. The estate was worth £676 13s. 8d. and William was probably the beneficiary.¹²²

William witnessed the marriage of Jack Peter William Ward [1] and Joan Elizabeth Hodge [3] on 24 Dec 1957 in The Parish Church of St Peter's Church Selsey, Sussex. It was attended by members of the immediate family and a few of Jack's colleagues. The best man was Jack's great friend, Tony Daw, and the two brides maids were Joan's Godmother's daughters. The reason for the wedding taking place in the groom's parish rather than the bride's parish was that the Joan did not wish her parents who were not well off to have to invite all her relatives who lived in the Plymouth area; she also preferred the intimacy of St Peter's Church to the rather barn like Baptist Church on Mutley Plain which she had attended as a teenager and where she had been baptised into the Baptist Church. As Jack only had a small number of relatives living in Selsey this served to limit the guest list but it was necessary to obtain a licence for the marriage from the Diocese of Chichester. Joan made her own dress and her Godmother made the bridesmaids' dresses.

The bride's parents travelled from Plymouth by car a day or so before the wedding day and stayed in a holiday bungalow on East Beach which was a few doors from 'Greenwood' (149 East Beach Road) where the groom's parents lived. Joan who had travelled down from London to stay with the groom's parents and make the final arrangements for the wedding and reception joined her parents when they arrived. Joan's mother had a bad cold and the heating in the bungalow they were renting was inadequate to say the least. Jack who was on leave from the Navy was staying with his parents carried kindling and buckets of coal along the road to light a fire in the only fireplace. Hot water was provided by an immersion heater but the electricity meter accepted only 1/- coins which rapidly ran out. On the morning of the wedding after the bride's mother had had a bath there was no hot water left and Joan had a cold bath!

The guests includes the groom's parents Will and Alice Ward and Will's sister Gertie who had a flat at 'Greenwood'; the bride's parents Wallace and Doris Hodge; the bride's godmother and her husband and their two daughters who were the bridesmaids; Lieutenant Tony Daw who was the best man, and some members of the groom's Ordnance Engineering Specialisation Course who were all Lieutenants and formed the Guard of Honour after the wedding. Althought there were either 6 or 7 Jack only remembers the names of Tony Wheatley and John Mahony neither of whom were married at the time. People who may have attended were Tony Daw's wife Dorna; the groom's Uncle Will and Aunt Lou; and the bride's friend Joan. Jack has no recollection of any of them being there. Joan's friend Pat Boyle was unable to attend because she had 'flu and had been ordered to bed by her doctor who forbade her to attend the wedding; she was bitterly disappointed. Pat's husband Don who was in the Royal Marines was away at sea and also could not attend.

As it was a Naval Wedding all the Naval Officers were in uniform. The Vicar has asked them to leave their swords at the back of the Church as 'they made a clatter' if they were dropped during the service. Jack has little recollection of the marrige service itself except Joan saying "Sing up!" in the first hymn, the fact that the front of the priest's surplice was creased and soiled (he was obviously saving his clean surplice for Christmas Day which was the following day), and being told to "Slow up" as he set off down the aisle with his new bride on his arm after the register had been signed.

The reception was held at the Selsey Hotel.

The honeymoon was spent at the Priory Hotel, Thame in Oxfordshire where the couple were given the 'Priest's Room' in the attic which contained two single beds of different heights! The other guests were relatively elderly and Jack and Joan were embarrassed to receive an L-plate through the post which was propped up on the mantelpiece in the sitting room for all to see. At least the food was good as they had chosen the venue from The Good Food Guide.^48,49,50

William died on 11 Apr 1985 in St George's Hospital at his home Semington, Wiltshire from Bronchopneumonia and Whipples Disease. The death was certified by Dr. S. A. Szweda M.B.. William (Will) had suffered from Whipple's Disease for many years and it was well controlled. It is therefore surprising that it is mentioned as a contributory cause of death. He had been taken into St Martin's Hospital in Bath a few weeks previously suffering from pneumonia and from there was moved to St George's Hospital. Apart from deafness for which he needed a hearing aid he was in full possession of his faculties before entering hospital but whilst in hospital he became very confused. His stepson Jack who was very close to him visited him regularly and it became evident a few days before his death that he had 'given up'. The day before he died he would not talk and just sat and smiled at Jack occasionally shaking his head. He was in the day room which was full of old people sitting in chairs ranged round the room. Most appeared to be completely withdrawn. In the centre was a TV set blaring away with no one watching. It was an awful environment. Jack was informed of his death on the morning of the 11 April and had to break the news to his mother (Will's wife). She didn't seem surprised and simply said, "Earth is the poorer and heaven the richer for his passing." It was so heartfelt and moving that Jack had the words inscribed on his headstone.^123,124 William's death was reported to the Registrar J. Bowden on 12 Apr 1985 by Jack Peter William Ward [1] at the the Register Office for Trowbridge, Wiltshire. Jack had been informed of his death on the morning of the 11 April.^123,125

William was buried c. 25 Apr 1985 in St Mary's Churchyard, Limpley Stoke, Wiltshire according to the Church of England rite. The burial was attended by Heather Ann O'Dare [6], Alison Mary Ward [5] and Richard Mark William Ward [4]. The mourners included Joan Elizabeth Hodge [3]. William's stepson Jack who always thought of him as his father arranged with the Funeral Director for William to be dressed in his sports jacket with one of his shirts and a tie that he would have normally worn and for his glasses to be put on the end of his nose. He looked just as if he had fallen asleep in his armchair. Jack took his mother Alice to see her husband and make her final farewells at the undertaker's Chapel of Rest. The Chapel was dimly lit, and although the coffin was open a veil had been draped over it. Alice whose eyesight was very poor bent over to kiss her husband and encountered the veil which distressed her greatly. The undertaker removed the veil which allowed Alice to kiss her husband on the forehead saying as she did, “Oh Will, you're so cold.”

There were few mourners at the funeral service; as far as Jack can recollect it was just him, his wife Heather, his former wide Joan, Jack's son Richard and his wife Ruth, Jack's daughter Alison and a few of the staff from Waterhouse where William and Alice had lived for the last few years. When the coffin had been placed in the aisle (the church was so small it couldn't be taken up to the Chancel) Mum stepped out of her pew, held onto the coffin and kept saying, “Oh Will, Oh Will, …” and it was with some difficulty that Jack persuaded her to return to her seat. After the service Alison was rather scathing about her grandmother's conduct but Jack thinks it was genuine expression of her overwhelming grief. The service was taken by a Reader and Jack gave an address on the life of his (step)father. There is no record of the address Jack and can't remember any of the details but William had been a good husband, a great schoolmaster and a wonderful father to Jack, but he is certain that he owed his career to his (step)father's influence, and Jack probably touched on all these matters. After Jack's address the Reader said he had obviously been a fine man but Heather was absolutely furious and after the burial was over castigated Jack for saying what he did about his step father.