2.

Leslie John William Henry was born to John and Amy Wallace on 9 Jun 1908 in East Stonehouse, Devon at 65 George Street. At the time his father was serving in H.M.S. Cumberland so may have been away at sea.⁶⁰ Leslie John William Henry Wallace's [513] (also known as Leslie John Wallace), son of John Wallace [510] and Amy Winifred Wakefield [490], birth was reported to the Registrar P V Pearce by Leslie's mother Amy on 13 Jul 1908 at the Register Office for the district of East Stonehouse, Devon.

Leslie was recorded in the 1911 census taken on 2 Apr 1911 for East Stonehouse as living with his mother Amy at 71 George Street, East Stonehouse. The household consisted of Amy and her sons Leslie (age 3) and Roy (age 6 months). They were living in one room. All the houses in George Street were in multiple occupancy with anything between 2 and 7 families. Amy shared the house with 3 other families:-

James Tucker - 3 people in 3 rooms

Alice Hammett - 2 people in 1 room

Elizabeth Lucas - 5 people in 2 rooms

Thus there were 13 people in all sharing a 7 roomed house.

Amy's husband John who was in the Royal Marines was serving in H.M.S. Bellerophon.⁶¹

Btw 1921 and 1924 Leslie underwent secondary education at the Regent Street School, Devonport, Devon.⁶²

Frm 5 Aug 1924 to 6 Oct 1935 Leslie served in the Royal Navy as an Electrical Artificeer in shore establishments and ships. Being selected as an Electrical Artificer meant that he had done very well in the entrance examination as only the top few candidates were selected for the electrical branch which was then in its infancy. In fact the electrical branch as a separate entity as not formed until after WW2 when increasing complex equipment including radio and radar necessitated the formation of a separate specialisation. Up to then the Torpedo Officer (a seaman and not a professional engineer) was responsible for the ship's electrical systems although his staff would include Electrical Artificers who had received 4 years theoretical and practical training on the electrical systems and equipment to be found in ships and in large vessels a few Commissioned Officers promoted from Electrical Artificers. Semi-skilled labour was provided by torpedo men who were seamen.

Leslie's wife Doris said that he did not really want to enter the Navy but was pressured to do so by his mother Amy. His letters to Doris and his diary written whilst serving in H M S Resolution in the Mediterranean certainly show that he was not happy in the Navy.⁶³ Leslie and Doris Winifred Luscombe became engaged on 1 Aug 1930 in Copnor, Hampshire.^{64 65} Two photographs associated with their engagement exist. The first is an informal photograph of Leslie and Doris taken in May's garden at Copnor, Portsmouth which is dated 3 August 1930. May was obviously a friend but the exact relationship to Leslie and Doris is not known. The second is a formal studio portrait of Doris which was taken in Plymouth and is dated 1 August 1930 and gives the place of their engagement as Southsea. At the time Leslie was serving in HMS Adventure which was probably in Portsmouth and Doris had taken the opportunity to travel from Plymouth where she was living at the time to Copnor to be with Leslie.

Leslie married Doris Winifred Luscombe on 20 Feb 1931 in the Parish Church of St George, East Stonehouse, Devon when he was 22 and she was 22. The service was conducted according to Church of England rite by the Rev. Anthony T. Allwork and the witnesses were Roy Albert Wallace [516] and Henry Northcott Luscombe [374]. Roy Wallace was the groom's brother and may also have been his best man. Henry Luscombe (he signed himself Harry Luscombe as he always did) was the bride's father who almost certainly gave his daughter away. It is believed that the groom's and the bride's families were present and probably some friends as well. The reception was probably held at her parents home in Chapel Street. Where the couple went for their honeymoon is not known but it was probably a resort such as Torquay.^{66 67}

In 1934 Leslie was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. The original diagnosis was made by the the Luscombe's G.P. Doctor Simpson-White (an ex-Major specializing in chest complaints on the Western Front) who happened to see Les when he came into his father-in-laws's (Harry Luscombe) shop in Chapel Street, heard him coughing and asked Les to come to his surgery after hours. At the time Leslie was serving in H.M.S. Rodney.^{68 69}

Leslie suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis frm 1934 to 1942. After the initial diagnosis Les was admitted to the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse where he was visited by his wife Doris and initially by his much younger brother-in-law Harry Luscombe. Harry's visits were stopped by his father because he feared the family would be infected. Les moved out to Mount Gold Hospital where he had gold injections. Then to Didworthy Sanatorium. From there Les, Doris and their daughter Pat moved to Brook Lodge in Sampford Spiney which is about 12 miles from Plymouth and where the higher altitude on the edge of Dartmoor was better for Les's breathing. A wooden hunt was placed across the drive from the front door in which Les slept. The family remained at Brook Lodge until Les's death in January 1942 after which Doris and Pat stayed there until moving into Plymouth later that year.

Leslie may have been present at the marriage of Harry Victor Wallace and Mary Beatrice Blagdon on 5 Mar 1935 in the Register Office Devonport, Devon. The ceremony was performed by Thomas E. Madigon Registrar and Albert Gard Superintending Registrar and the witnesses were Annie Enright [256] and Amy Winifred Wakefield [490]. No photographs or other details of the wedding exist so it is not possible to determine who attended the wedding apart from the witnesses. However, it is possible to make an educated guess. The bride's father Albert Blagdon would almost certainly have been a guest as his wife Annie was a witness. Also, Bertram Waring who was the groom's mother's husband as the groom's mother Amy was the other witness. The groom's siblings Roy and Winifred who were unmarried were almost certainly guests, also Doris Wallace who was the wife of the groom's brother Leslie. At the time Leslie was serving in H.M.S. Rodney which was part of the Home Fleet and he would have attended if Rodney had been in Devonport. Although the bride had seven siblings, some of whom may have been married and living in the Devonport area, insufficient is known about the family to speculate who may have attended the wedding. The reception was probably held in groom's parent's house at 25 Dingle Road, Devonport as the Bride's parents lived in a houseboat which would hardly have provided a suitable venue. Where the couple honeymooned is not known - probably in one of the coastal resorts such as Torquay.^{70 71}

Leslie was discharged from the Royal Navy on the grounds of being medically unfit because he had pulmonary tuberculosis on 6 Oct 1935 from H M S Drake, Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport.⁶⁹ Frm 1936 to 1942 Leslie and Doris Wallace lived in Sampford Spiney, Devon at Brook Lodge. Initially it was just Leslie and Doris until May 1939 when their daughter Patricia was born and lived with them until her father's death in 1942.^{1 2}

The household of Leslie and Doris Wallace was recorded in the 1939 Register taken on 29 Sep 1939 in Sampford Spiney, Tavistock, Devon living at Brook Lodge. The household consisted of Leslie, his wife Doris and their 4 months old daughter Patricia.⁶

Leslie and Doris Wallace's son John was born on 26 Oct 1940 in the Whincroft Nursing Home at Horrabridge, Buckland Monachorum, Tavistock, Devon. John's sister Pat said that her mother Doris had told her that there was an argument between two of the doctors at the nursing home as to whether she should have a Caesarean or a forceps assisted birth. At the time a Caesarean would have been a fairly major operation and the use of forceps was the preferred method of assisting difficult deliveries. However, the used of forceps led to a cerebral haemorrhage which caused his death 4 days later.^{72 73 74} He reported his son John's birth to the Registrar A H Calloway on 11 Nov 1940 at the Register Office for the district of Tavistock. It must have been very difficult for Leslie to report his son's birth after he had died and at the same time as his birth.⁷⁵

On 11 Nov 1940 he reported the death of his son John to the Registrar A. H. Calloway at the Register Office for Tavistock, Devon.

Leslie died on 29 Jan 1942 in Horrabridge, Sampford Spiney, Devon at Brook Lodge from pulmonary tuberculosis. The death certificate says that Doris Winifred Luscombe [364] was present. His wife Doris and his mother Amy were with him at the time. His daughter Pat was also living at Brook Lodge but at the age of 2 1/2 she was unaware of his death and has no memories of him.⁷⁶

Leslie was buried in 1942 in at sea, in Plymouth Sound according to the Church of England rite. During his lifelime he had expressed a wish to be buried at sea and the arrangements were made by his widow Doris for his ashes to be scattered in Plymouth Sound. Subsequently his wife Doris had his name added to the stone marking their son John’s grave in Sampford Spiney churchyard and his mother Amy had his name added to the family grave in Ford Park Cemetery Plymouth.⁷⁷ A LDS Family Group Record was created for Leslie and his spouse Doris Winifred Luscombe on 22 Mar 1975. Leslie's parents John Wallace and Amy Winifred Wakefield, Doris's parents Henry Northcott Luscombe and Ellen Maud Hawkins, and their children Patricia Hélène and John were included in the record. The record was sealed by Clarence J Albrecht. The sealing was witnessed by Joseva Vitnavulagi and Stephen B Stride.⁷⁸

3.

Doris Winifred was born to Henry and Ellen Luscombe on 2 Nov 1908 in East Stonehouse at 15 Battery Street.^{79 80}

Doris Winifred Luscombe [364] (also known as Doris Winifred Wallace), daughter of Henry Northcott Luscombe [374] and Ellen Maud Hawkins [319], was baptised on 22 Nov 1908 in St Matthew's Parish Church, East Stonehouse, Devon. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. M. Hodge according to the Church of England rite. Her parents Henry and Ellen Luscombe would have been present.⁸¹

Her birth was reported to the Registrar Colin Reep by her father Henry Northcott Luscombe [374] on 9 Dec 1908 at the the Register Office for the district of East Stonehouse. She lived in Manadon, Plymouth. Unknown GEDCOM info: 220, St Peter's Road.

Doris was recorded in the 1911 Census taken on 2 Apr 1911 for Stoke, Devonport, Devon as living with her parents Henry and Ellen Luscombe at 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.⁸²

Doris was a present at the Baptism of her brother George Henry on 1 Oct 1911 in St Catharine's Church, Lockyer Street, Plymouth.⁸³

Doris was a present at the Baptism of her sister Gladys May on 1 Mar 1914 in Parish Church of St Matthew, Stonehouse, Devon.⁸⁴

Frm 1920 to 1924 Doris underwent secondary education at Plymouth Grammar School,. Doris was bright and passed the entrance examination for Plymouth Grammar School. She would have loved to have gone into the 6th Form and even perhaps on to university but her father said that at 16 she had to get a 'proper' job so took her out of school.^{85 86}

Doris was recorded in the 1921 Census taken on 19 Jun 1921 for East Sonehouse, Devon as living with her parents Henry and Ellen Luscombe at 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.⁸⁷

Doris was a present at the Baptism of her brother Harry Kenneth on 23 Jul 1924 in St George's Parish Church, Stonehouse, Devon.^{88 89} Doris was confirmed in Feb 1925 in St George's Parish Church.⁹⁰

C. 1927 Doris was a student nurse in Tyrell Hospital Ilfracombe, North Devon. She probably became a student nurse to escape home. Whether she completed the course is not known but whist there she met Winifred Green who was a patient. They became lifelong friends and was known to the Doris' daughter Pat and her sons as Auntie Winnie Green. The name of the hospital comes from a photograph of Doris with another student nurse and what are assumed to be the Matron and the Ward Sister.⁹¹

Doris continued to live with her husband Leslie frm 1934 to 1942 while he was suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. After the initial diagnosis Les was admitted to the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse where he was visited by his wife Doris and initially by his much younger brother-in-law Harry Luscombe. Harry's visits were stopped by his father because he feared the family would be infected. Les moved out to Mount Gold Hospital where he had gold injections. Then to Didworthy Sanatorium. From there Les, Doris and their daughter Pat moved to Brook Lodge in Sampford Spiney which is about 12 miles from Plymouth and where the higher altitude on the edge of Dartmoor was better for Les's breathing. A wooden hunt was placed across the drive from the front door in which Les slept. The family remained at Brook Lodge until Les's death in January 1942 after which Doris and Pat stayed there until moving into Plymouth later that year.

Doris was a guest at the marriage of Harry Victor Wallace [508] and Mary Beatrice Blagdon [257] on 5 Mar 1935 in the Register Office Devonport, Devon. the ceremony was performed by Thomas E. Madigon Registrar and Albert Gard Superintending Registrar and the witnesses were Annie Enright [256] and Amy Winifred Wakefield [490]. No photographs or other details of the wedding exist so it is not possible to determine who attended the wedding apart from the witnesses. However, it is possible to make an educated guess. The bride's father Albert Blagdon would almost certainly have been a guest as his wife Annie was a witness. Also, Bertram Waring who was the groom's mother's husband as the groom's mother Amy was the other witness. The groom's siblings Roy and Winifred who were unmarried were almost certainly guests, also Doris Wallace who was the wife of the groom's brother Leslie. At the time Leslie was serving in H.M.S. Rodney which was part of the Home Fleet and he would have attended if Rodney had been in Devonport. Although the bride had seven siblings, some of whom may have been married and living in the Devonport area, insufficient is known about the family to speculate who may have attended the wedding. The reception was probably held in groom's parent's house at 25 Dingle Road, Devonport as the Bride's parents lived in a houseboat which would hardly have provided a suitable venue. Where the couple honeymooned is not known - probably in one of the coastal resorts such as Torquay.^{70 71}

Doris was a guest at the marriage of George William Isaac [347] and Gladys May Luscombe [371] on 3 Jun 1936 in the Parish Church of St George Stonehouse, Devon. The service was taken by the Percy Philer and the witnesses were Leslie E. Isaac [778], Henry Northcott Luscombe [374] and Ellen Maud Hawkins [319]. Leslie Isaac was the groom's brother and Harry and Ellen Luscombe who were the bride's parents. Leslie was almost certainly the best man. Who the other guests were is not known. The groom's parents who were strict Plymouth Brethren they may have stayed away. The bride's siblings Doris and Harry were almost certainly there.^{92 93 94}

Leslie and Doris Wallace's son John was born on 26 Oct 1940 in the Whincroft Nursing Home at Horrabridge, Buckland Monachorum, Tavistock, Devon. John's sister Pat said that her mother Doris had told her that there was an argument between two of the doctors at the nursing home as to whether she should have a Caesarean or a forceps assisted birth. At the time a Caesarean would have been a fairly major operation and the use of forceps was the preferred method of assisting difficult deliveries. However, the used of forceps led to a cerebral haemorrhage which caused his death 4 days later.^{72 73 74}

Doris's husband Leslie died from pulmonary tuberculosis on 29 Jan 1942 in Horrabridge at Brook Lodge. His wife Doris and his mother Amy were with him at the time. His daughter Pat was also living at Brook Lodge but at the age of 2 1/2 she was unaware of his death and has no memories of him.⁷⁶ On 12 May 1951 Doris lived in 88 Durnford Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth, Devon.⁹⁵

Doris was a guest at the marriage of Donald Robert Boyce Boyle [264] and Patricia Hélène Wallace [2] on 22 Dec 1956 in St Chistopher's Church Royal Marine Barracks, Devonport, Devon. The service was taken by the Rev. C.G.J. Evans and the witnesses were. Harry Wallace who was one of the guests gave Pat away as her own father was dead. In all there were about 40 guests. The reception was held at Durnford Street. The cake was made by Uncle Harry Wallace courtesy of the Royal Navy. (Harry was a Commissioned Catering Officer and was stationed in H.M.S. Drake – the Royal Naval Barracks in Plymouth.)

Don and Pat flew to Paris for their honeymoon which Pat thinks was about 5 days. This means that they must have spent Christmas in Paris although Pat doesn’t remember it. She does remember that it was cold and Don was ill after drinking too much champagne at the Moulin Rouge! He spent most of the following day in bed which meant cancelling a trip to Versailles.

Doris was the bride's mother.^{17 18 19} Doris was baptised and confirmed into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) on 4 Feb 1969 in Exeter, Devon. The service was conducted by Jay C. Munns, an LDS Elder, according to the LDS rite. The confirmation was on the same date by John B. Thompson, Elder, and the certificate was signed William H. Harles, Sr. who was Bishop of the Southwest British Branch of the LDS Church. He also signed the Certificate as the Clerk. Frm 1985 to Apr 1990 Doris was a resident iin Barton Place Nursing Home, Wrefords Lane, Exeter. Towards the end of her life she suffered from glaucoma and senial dementia.The glaucoma led to a loss of sight. In the nursing home she and another resident who also had dementia were antagonistic which manifested itself in swearing at each other. Her daughter Pat said that her mother would use the most foul language. During visits Pat would try to get her mother to recall things and found that she could recall things form her early life until finally she could only remember nursery rhymes.

Doris died on 2 Apr 1990 in Barton Place Nursing Home Wrefords Lane, Exeter, Devon from bronchopneumonia and senile dementia.⁹⁶ After her death Doris was cremated and Doris's ashes were buried on 24 Apr 1990 in St Mary's Churchyard Sampford Spiney, Devon according to the Church of England rite. The minister at the burial was the Rev.Colin Furness. The burial was attended by her daughter Pat Carpenter (nee Wallace) and Pat's husband to be Jack Ward. Her ashes were buried by the simple granite pyramid shaped memorial on the east side of the churchyard which marks the spot where the ashes of her son John were buried in November 1940. The memorial also has the name of her husband Leslie whose ashes were buried at sea in 1942. When the incumbent was filling in the burial register after the service Pat asked if she could see the entry for John. His name had not been entered in the register which means his ashes may have been buried without a service. However, the incumbent amended the register to include John's name.³⁷ She and Leslie John William Henry Wallace had the following children:

4.

John was born to William and Elizabeth Wallace on 2 Sep 1887 in Fermanagh at Rosmackuring. Considerable difficulty was experienced in finding John's Birth Registration. His Royal Marine Light Infantry (R.M.L.I.) service record said he had been born on 13 October 1885 in Belfast which was strange because the Wallaces lived and worked in Fermanagh. A search for his birth registration in the Belfast registration district was fruitless as was a search of the Enniskillen district which covered Fermanagh using the the name John. Eventually it was discovered that his Christian name had not been recorded correctly in his birth registration. Instead of entering John in the Child's Name column it had been entered in the Father’s Name column and then crossed out and William Wallace entered. The Child's Name column had been left blank. However, additional confirmation that the correct registration had been found was provided by the Mother's Name being shown as Eliza Wallace, formerly Johnston. Normally the address used in birth registrations for rural areas is the Townland. However, no Townland with the name Rosmackuring can be found in Fermanagh. The registration sub-district is given as Florencecourt which is strange because the Wallace family lived in the parish of Boho which is in the Enniskillen sub-district. A possible reason is that his mother Elizabeth (Eliza) went to stay with a relative for his birth.^{100 101 102}

John was recorded in the 1901 census taken on 31 Mar 1901 for Shankill, Belfast, County Antrim as a pupil at the Belmoral Industrial School aged 13. The so called industrial schools were boarding schools for orphaned or 'difficult' boys who were considered likely to turn to crime if not subjected to a disciplined environment. Many pupils went into the armed forces. In his RMLI service record his occupation prior to enlisting is described as a carpenter so he probably learned his trade at this school. At the time of the census there were 363 pupils ranging in age from 5 to 15. John's age is given as 13. In addition 6 unmarried staff are listed including 2 teachers, the matron and a milk-maid. The census return shows that the school had a cow house - hence the milk-maid - and a piggery but whether this was for food or whether farming skills were taught is not known.

Why he was sent to an industrial school is not known. Probably because his mother had died and his father couldn't cope. His Service record shows that on entry in the RMLI he had numerous small scars on abdomen one 1½" inwards from right nipple and a scar over his left knee. There are no indications as to cause; possibly from fighting but whether before, during or after entry to the Industrial School is impossible to determine.¹⁰³

John Wallace [510], son of William Wallace [517] and Elizabeth Johnston [472], enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 14 Mar 1904 in Belfast, Ireland. On enlistment he claimed that he as born on 13 October 1885 in Belfast (Co Antrim) whereas he was born on 2 September 1887 in Co Femanagh. At the time he was living in Belfast and the fact that he lied about his age to make himself appear 2 years older was not unusual for recruits. After enlistment he was sent to the Recruiting Depot at Deal in Kent before being transferred to the Plymouth Division on 16 November 1904. His service record gives a good description of him on enlistment:

Height: 5’ 7½”

Complexion: Fresh

Colour of Hair: Light brown

Colour of Eyes: Grey

Marks, Wounds and Scars: Numerous small scars on abdomen one 1½” inwards from right nipple. Tattoo across hands and heart on right wrist. Scar over left knee.

The scars are perhaps indicative of the life he led at the Balmoral Industrial School and afterwards in Belfast. The tattoos were probably acquired when he was working in Belfast.¹⁰⁴

Frm 17 Mar 1904 to 2 Oct 1918 John served in the Plymouth Division of the Royal Marine Light Infantry in shore establishments and Devonport based ships. Undoubtedly the impression given from studying his service record is that he was a hard-working and efficient Royal Marine but that occasionally he had lapses of discipline. What these were is not known but is thought that the most likely cause is drunkenness. The daily issue of rum to ratings and other ranks and the propensity to visit pubs or bars when on shore leave undoubtedly led to drunkenness. The following synopsis is compiled from the details given in his service record. For further details consult his service record or the transcript of his service record.

After being recruited on 14 March 1904 he was sent to the recruiting depot at Deal for initial training in which he did very well as an infantryman, in field training, musketry (small arms firing) and seas service gunnery. (The Royal marine contingent in a battleship or cruiser manned one of the gun turrets.) On 17 November 1904 he was drafted to the Plymouth division and from there embarked in HMS Commonwealth where he remained until 27 May 1907. During his time in Commonwealth he must have met his wife to be Amy Wakefield because they were married on 12 May 1907 in St George's Church, Stonehouse. This means that HMS Commonwealth must have been allocated to the home Fleet and been in and out Plymouth from time to time but when and where he met Amy is the not known. As a married man he would have been allowed to spend his nights at home when he was not required for duty either in the barracks when ashore or in a ship which was in port. After a short spell ashore he was drafted to HMS Cumberland on 3 September 1907 where he served until the 6 September 1909. During his time in Cumberland his Character which is a measure of his disciplinary record and is always Very Good provided no major breach of discipline occurs was reduced from Very Good to Good. He also lost a good conduct badge. What the breach of discipline was is not known. After being ashore for nearly a year he was drafted to HMS Hannibal on 28 June 1910 where he remained until 2 August 1910 before being drafted ashore where he remained until he was drafted to HMS Bellerophon on 1 February 1911. Bellerophon was a battleship with 10 12” guns in 5 turrets and was present at the Battle of Jutland in 1916 when she fired 62 12” rounds and received no damage. However, John suffered a flash burn. At the time there was a great emphasis on rate of fire and sometimes corners were cut to achieve this. It is possible that he received the burn when a breech was opened before the gun had fully recoiled. He was promoted to Lance Cpl on 11 July 1912 but was reduced to Private on 12 September 1914 at the same time losing a good conduct badge and being reduced to Good for Character. The assessment of his ability also went down from superior to satisfactory. One again the nature of his offence is not known. However, he seems to have pulled himself together and at the end of December 1916 his character and ability were assessed at the very good and superior respectively. He remained in Bellerophon until 1 March 1917 when once again he was ashore until 13 June 1917. During the time he was ashore was promoted to corporal. He was are drafted to HMS Cumberland on 11 June 1917. In September 1918 he caught Spanish flu and was sent ashore to hospital in Liverpool where he died on 2 October 1918. It is evident from the letters of condolence which was sent from the Officer in Charge Royal Marines - Captain D. K. Congdon - and his wife Marjorie to John's wife Amy that Capt. Congdon thought very highly of him (he had assessed his ability as superior at the end of 1917) and that he would eventually have been promoted to sergeant. In his letter Captain Congdon said, "I was closely associated with your husband in part of his work as he used to spend a considerable portion of his days in my office and therefore I got to know and appreciate him thoroughly. Everything he undertook he did splendidly, and was in my opinion the finest man in my detachment. Privately it may console you to know that I had written to three letters to barracks strongly recommending him for promotion and I think he would have left the Cumberland after the next trip in order to qualify. I am sure that, though he has left us, his example will live in the ship but the other men, and I feel proud to have had the honour of knowing and serving with such a fine man."^{105 106 107}

John married Amy Winifred Wakefield on 12 May 1907 in St George's Church, East Stonehouse, Devon when he was 21 and she was 20. The service was conducted according to Church of England rite by the Rev. J. M. Hodge and the witnesses were Henry James Wakefield [497] and Faith Elizabeth Wakefield [494]. Henry was the bride's father and Faith (Bessie) her sister which indicates that the groom's family (which lived in the Townland of Drumhirk in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland) did not attend the wedding probably because they could not afford the fare. Who else was at the wedding is impossible to determine. If the groom had a best man he was probably a friend from his ship (H.M S. Commonwealth). As the bride's father was a witness it is certain that this wife Eliza was also there. The bride's sister Bessie was probably a bridesmaid as well as a witness. Of her other siblings William had probably emigrated; Lilian was living in Bristol so may not have made the journey; Walter and his wife Maud moved from Bristol to Plymouth sometime between the death of their daughter at the end of 1906 and the birth of their son in 1910 so would probably have attended if they had moved to Plymouth before the wedding; Bert was employed as a waiter in Gloucester so was probably not there; Frank age 8, Ivy age 6 and Hilda age 3 were all living with their parents so were almost certainly present.¹⁰⁸

John and Amy Wallace's son Leslie John William Henry was born on 9 Jun 1908 in East Stonehouse, Devon at 65 George Street. At the time his father was serving in H.M.S. Cumberland so may have been away at sea.⁶⁰

John was recorded in the 1911 census taken on 2 Apr 1911 for Portland on board H.M.S. Bellerophon. At the time he was a Private in the RMLI and almost certainly a member of the crew of one of the main armament gun turrets - she had 5 twin 12 inch turrents and traditionally the Royal Marines would have manned at least one. He had joined Bellerophon on 1 February 1911 two years after she commissioned and contiued to serve in her until 1 March 1917. At the time of the census she was part of the 1st Battle Squadron of the Home Fleetand was under the command of Captain Trevylyan D. W. Napier. On 26 May 1911 she was in collision with the battlecruiser HMS Inflexible. Bellerophon received damage whilst Inflexible took bow damage which put her in the dockyard until November. On 1 August 1914, after the Fleet Mobilisation and the formation of the Grand Fleet she joined the 4th Battle Squadron. On the journey to the fleet anchorage at Scapa Flow, Bellerophon collided with the vessel SS St Clair on 27 August off the Orkney Islands but sustained no major damage. In May 1915 she headed to the Royal Dockyard, Devonport for a refit which no doubt gave him and Amy some welcome time together.¹⁰⁹

John and Amy Wallace's son Harry Victor was born on 30 Aug 1912 in East Stonehouse at 71 George Street.^{110 111}

John and Amy Wallace's daughter Winifred Lilian M. L. was born on 18 Oct 1914 in Stonehouse, Devonport, Devon at 23 George Street. Her date of birth was enterd in the Royal Marine Marriage Register and it is assumed that she was born at home. Her father's Service Record gives her mother's address as the next of kin but it could have been either 71 or 23 George Street. Her older brother was born at 71 but when Amy moved to 23 is not known.^{112 113}

John was discharged from the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 2 Oct 1918 whilst serving in H.M.S. Cumberland although as his Death Certificate shows he had been transferred to Sparrow Hall Military Isolation Hospital suffering from Asian 'Flu and had died there. When he had been transferred is not known. His Service Record is annotated D.D. which is naval shorthand for Discharged Dead which was the formal position when a person dies in service.¹¹⁴

John died on 2 Oct 1918 in the Sparrow Hall Military Isolation Hospital, Longmoor Lane, Liverpool, Derbyshire of influenza and pneumonia. The cause of his death was the so called Spanish 'flu which killed more people worldwide than had died in the 1914-18 war. It is ironic to think that he had survived the war, including the Battle of Jutland, only to be struck down as so many young people were. He was serving in H.M.S. Cumberland when he caught the 'flu and was moved to Sparrow Hall. How many days before his death is not known as no patient records before 1920 are available. Presumably his wife Amy knew of his illness but almost certainly was not able to visit him as not only was he was in an isolation hospital but also the hospital in Liverpool was a long way from East Stonehouse where she was living with their four children. She was informed of his death by a letter from the Admiralty. His body was brought back to Plymouth for burial.

Letters of condolence were sent to Amy from his uncle George Wallace and his aunt Mary Darling who both lived in Fermanagh (his father had died in 1914 and his mother was illiterate); his Commanding Officer, Captain D.K. Congdon, R.M.; and his Commanding Officer's wife Mrs Marjorie Congdon. The letter from his uncle expresses profound sorrow over John's death but takes consolation in the fact that he was 'spared from a watery grave' and is with God. He also says that John's mother loved him 'very much'. The letter from his aunt thinks that 'it is better for him to die on his bed than to be slain in this cruel war'. It is evident from the letters that both his uncle and his aunt had a strong faith and in saying what they did they were trying to comfort Amy. Almost certainly neither were aware of the terrible death that Spranish 'flu inflicted with victims literally drowning in the fluid in their lungs.

The letter from Captain Congdon says, 'Everything he undertook he did splendidly, and was in my opinion the finest man in my detachment. Privately it may console you to know that I had written two or three letters to barracks strongly recommending him for promotion and I think he would have left the Cumberland after the next trip in order to qualify.' The letter from Mrs Congdon says what a splendid man he looked and that to her husband his loss is irreparable. She also offered to put Amy in touch with several of the officer’s wives in the Barracks at Plymouth who could help. Whether Amy ever took up the offer is not known.^{115 116 117 118 107 119}

John was buried on 8 Oct 1918 in Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth, Devon according to the Church of England rite. There is no record of who attended the burial service, who took the service, or whether there was a Royal Marine bugler to sound the Last Post. However, as there was an elaborate Memorial Card and he was buried in a war grave in Section J; Row 25; Grave 66 of the cemetery it is probable that it was a military funeral taken by a Naval Chaplain and that his wife and members of her family attended. It is certain that John's surviving relatives (his parents were dead) would not have been able to travel from Ireland and John and Amy's children were probably considered too young to attend. The date of the burial comes from Ford Park Cemetery Trust records. The records also indicate that his wife Amy purchased the freehold of the grave on 14 October 1919 for £6 and it was subsequently used for the burial of his daughter Winifred (Wynn) and his wife.^{120 121 122 123}

5.

Amy Winifred was born to Henry and Eliza Wakefield on 3 May 1887 in Clifton, Bristol, Gloucestershire at 1 Hope Chapel Hill.^{124 125 126}

Amy Winifred Wakefield's [490] (also known as Amy Winifred Wallace, Amy Winifred Waring and Amy Wakefield), daughter of Henry James Wakefield [497] and Eliza Emily Adams [246], birth was reported to the Registrar Edward Tedder by Amy's father Henry James Wakefield [497] on 15 Jun 1887 at the the Register Office for the district of Clifton, Barton Regis.¹²⁷

She was baptised on 19 Aug 1887 in Holy Trinity Church, Clifton, Bristol. The service was conducted by the M S Rickard according to the Church of England rite. Her parents Henry and Eliza Wakefield would have been present. The fact that it was a private baptism may indicate that they were not regular churchgoers. It is possible that they took their other children but who else was there is not known.¹²⁸ Frm 1887 to 1905 Amy lived in Bristol area. According to the 1901 Census she was born in Clifton, near Bristol, and this is confirmed by her birth being registered in the Barton Regis district. At the time of the 1891 Census the family were still living in Clifton, but by 1901 had moved to the St Augustine district of Bristol. One anomaly is that the birth of Amy's younger sister Elizabeth who was born in 1890 is registered in West Bromwich, London. Whether this means that the family moved to London between 1891 and 1901 is not known.^{129 130 131}

Amy was recorded in the 1891 Census taken on 5 Apr 1891 for Clifton as living with her parents Henry and Eliza Wakefield at 2 Barton Court. The household consisted of Henry, his wife Eliza and their children William (age 10), Lilian (age 9), Walter (age 6), Charlotte (age 5), Amy (age 3) and Faith (Elizabeth) (age 1). They lived in 2 rooms and shared the house with another family of 2 who had 3 rooms. How they managed to live in2 room with such a large family defies imagination.¹³²

Amy was recorded in the 1901 Census taken on 31 Mar 1901 for St Augustine, Bristol, Gloucestershire as living with her parents Henry and Eliza Wakefield at 11 Lower College Street. The household consisted of Henry, his wife Eliza and their children Charlotte (age 15), Amy (age 14), Elizabeth (age 11), Albert (age 9) and Frank (age 2). Charlotte and Amy are working as tailoresses; Elizabeth and Albert are at school. The family lived in 4 rooms in a house which they shared with 3 other families each of which had 2 rooms. In all there were 18 people in the house.¹³³ Frm 1905 to 1921 Amy lived in Stonehouse, Plymouth. Why and when she moved to Stonehouse is not known but the whole family may have moved as the Marriage Certificate for her marriage to Jack in 1907 shows her living at 44 George Street, and her father and her sister Elizabeth as witnesses. On the other hand the family may have travelled from Bristol for the wedding. The former is considered more likely as her father died in Stonehouse in 1907 and PHW remembers Elizabeth (Lizzie), who never married, living in Plymouth.

The date of 1905 for the move from Bristol to Stonehouse has been chosen on the basis that she most likely met her future husband Jack for the first time when he was either stationed in the Royal Marine Barracks at Stonehouse or serving in a Devonport based ship and giving a reasonable time for courtship before their marriage in 1907.

The letter from the Admiralty informing her of Jack's death in 1918 gives her address as 23 George Street and she was also married from there to Bertam Waring in 1921.

However, her son Roy's Birth Certificate (the only certificate curently available) gives her address as 71 George Street. Whether she moved to number 71 sometime after her marriage to Jack and then back to number 23 prior to his death is not known.^{134 135 136 137} After marriage on 12 May 1907 to John Wallace the name Amy used was Amy Wallace.

John and Amy Wallace's son Leslie John William Henry was born on 9 Jun 1908 in East Stonehouse at 65 George Street. At the time his father was serving in H.M.S. Cumberland so may have been away at sea.⁶⁰ She reported her son's birth to the Registrar P V Pearce on 13 Jul 1908 at East Stonehouse, Devon Register Office. She reported her son Roy's birth to the Registrar Colin Reep on 28 Oct 1910 at Register Office for the district of East Stonehouse, Devon. At the time Amy was given a Certificate of Registry of Birth which gave her son's name and date of birth.¹³⁸

Amy was recorded in the 1911 census taken on 2 Apr 1911 for East Stonehouse living at 71 George Street aged 23. The household consisted of Amy and her sons Leslie (age 3) and Roy (age 6 months). They were living in one room. All the houses in George Street were in multiple occupancy with anything between 2 and 7 families. Amy shared the house with 3 other families:-

James Tucker - 3 people in 3 rooms

Alice Hammett - 2 people in 1 room

Elizabeth Lucas - 5 people in 2 rooms

Thus there were 13 people in all sharing a 7 roomed house.

Amy's husband John who was in the Royal Marines was serving in H.M.S. Bellerophon.⁶¹

John and Amy Wallace's son Harry Victor was born on 30 Aug 1912 in East Stonehouse at 71 George Street.^{110 111}

John and Amy Wallace's daughter Winifred Lilian M. L. was born on 18 Oct 1914 in Stonehouse at 23 George Street. Her date of birth was enterd in the Royal Marine Marriage Register and it is assumed that she was born at home. Her father's Service Record gives her mother's address as the next of kin but it could have been either 71 or 23 George Street. Her older brother was born at 71 but when Amy moved to 23 is not known.^{112 113}

Amy's husband John died from influenza and pneumonia on 2 Oct 1918 in the Sparrow Hall Military Isolation Hospital at Longmoor Lane, Liverpool, Derbyshire. The cause of his death was the so called Spanish 'flu which killed more people worldwide than had died in the 1914-18 war. It is ironic to think that he had survived the war, including the Battle of Jutland, only to be struck down as so many young people were. He was serving in H.M.S. Cumberland when he caught the 'flu and was moved to Sparrow Hall. How many days before his death is not known as no patient records before 1920 are available. Presumably his wife Amy knew of his illness but almost certainly was not able to visit him as not only was he was in an isolation hospital but also the hospital in Liverpool was a long way from East Stonehouse where she was living with their four children. She was informed of his death by a letter from the Admiralty. His body was brought back to Plymouth for burial.

Letters of condolence were sent to Amy from his uncle George Wallace and his aunt Mary Darling who both lived in Fermanagh (his father had died in 1914 and his mother was illiterate); his Commanding Officer, Captain D.K. Congdon, R.M.; and his Commanding Officer's wife Mrs Marjorie Congdon. The letter from his uncle expresses profound sorrow over John's death but takes consolation in the fact that he was 'spared from a watery grave' and is with God. He also says that John's mother loved him 'very much'. The letter from his aunt thinks that 'it is better for him to die on his bed than to be slain in this cruel war'. It is evident from the letters that both his uncle and his aunt had a strong faith and in saying what they did they were trying to comfort Amy. Almost certainly neither were aware of the terrible death that Spranish 'flu inflicted with victims literally drowning in the fluid in their lungs.

The letter from Captain Congdon says, 'Everything he undertook he did splendidly, and was in my opinion the finest man in my detachment. Privately it may console you to know that I had written two or three letters to barracks strongly recommending him for promotion and I think he would have left the Cumberland after the next trip in order to qualify.' The letter from Mrs Congdon says what a splendid man he looked and that to her husband his loss is irreparable. She also offered to put Amy in touch with several of the officer’s wives in the Barracks at Plymouth who could help. Whether Amy ever took up the offer is not known. Whether she knew that he was ill is not kown. However, receiving a pro-forma letter informing her of John's death must have been a shock.^{115 116 117 118 107 119}

Amy's husband John was buried on 8 Oct 1918 in Ford Park Cemetery at Plymouth, Devon. There is no record of who attended the burial service, who took the service, or whether there was a Royal Marine bugler to sound the Last Post. However, as there was an elaborate Memorial Card and he was buried in a war grave in Section J; Row 25; Grave 66 of the cemetery it is probable that it was a military funeral taken by a Naval Chaplain and that his wife and members of her family attended. It is certain that John's surviving relatives (his parents were dead) would not have been able to travel from Ireland and John and Amy's children were probably considered too young to attend. The date of the burial comes from Ford Park Cemetery Trust records. The records also indicate that his wife Amy purchased the freehold of the grave on 14 October 1919 for £6 and it was subsequently used for the burial of his daughter Winifred (Wynn) and his wife.^{120 121 122 123} Frm 1921 to 1956 Amy lived in 25 Dingle Road, Swilly, Plymouth, Devon. It is thought that she moved to 25 Dingle Road on, or shortly after, her marriage to Bertram and lived there until her death in 1956. Her two sons, Leslie and Roy were married from there and her grandaughter Pat remembers staying there frequently.

For all or most of their married life they lived in a Council house at 25 Dingle Road, Swilley. It is assumed that they moved there shortly after their marriage and they continued to live there until their final illnesses took them into hospital. Their gandaughters Pat & Madeline Wallace remember the house as being a rather small semi-detached property which was always clean and tidy and the garden was well kept. Initially they had Amy's four children - Leslie, Roy, Harry and Wynne - living with them and in later years Pat wondered how they all fitted in although the situation would have been eased as the children moved out. Leslie in 1924 when he joined the Navy, Harry when he married Mary in 1935, and Roy in 1941 when he married Rose and they went to live with his mother. Presumably Leslie returned home when on leave as 25, Dingle Road is shown as his home address on his Marriage Certificate when he married Doris Luscombe in 1931; according to the certificate the area was called North Prospect, Ford, at that time. The certificate also provides the earliest definative record of 25 Dingle Road being the family home.

Pat remembers the marriage as being a very happy one and she accepted Bertam as her grandfather and was always very happy in his company, and also her grandmother's. She would often spend the weekend with them.

A few photographs from the 1930s of Amy with some of her children taken in the garden of 25 Dingle Road survive.^{139 140}

Amy married Bertram Waring on 21 Jun 1921 in St George's Church, East Stonehouse, Devon. The service was conducted according to Church of England rite by the Edward G Cocks and the witnesses were Charles Oakes and Francis J Oakes. Their relationship to the groom and the bride is unknown but they may have been a married couple who were friends of the bride. It is unlikely that they were friends of the groom as he was in the Navy and living in the R. N. Barracks at the time. The church was destroyed in Blitz in 1940 and is is thought that the Registers were also destroyed at the same time.

Amy's children Leslie, Roy, Harry and Winifred who were 13, 11, 9 and 7 at the time were old enough to appreciate that their mother was getting married and the three oldest almost certainly remembered their father who had died three years before. Winifred may have had only a hazy memory of her father as he would have been away a lot during the 1914-18 war. It is not known whether they attended the service but they probably did. Who else attended is not known.

Although Amy was still of child bearing age Bertram and Any did not have any children of their own.¹⁴¹ After marriage on 21 Jul 1921 to Bertram Waring the name Amy used was Amy Waring. Frm Jul 1921 to 1956 Amy and Bertram Wakefield lived in Plymouth, Devon at 25 Dingle Road, Swilly. For all or most of their married life they lived in a Council house at 25 Dingle Road, Swilley. It is assumed that they moved there shortly after their marriage and they continued to live there until their final illnesses took them into hospital. Their ganddaughters Pat & Madeline Wallace remember the house as being a rather small semi-detached property which was always clean and tidy and the garden was well kept. Initially they had Amy's four children - Leslie, Roy, Harry and Wynne - living with them and in later years Pat wondered how they all fitted in although the situation would have been eased as the children moved out. Leslie in 1924 when he joined the Navy, Harry when he married Mary in 1935, and Roy in 1941 when he married Rose and they went to live with his mother. Presumably Leslie returned home when on leave as 25 Dingle Road is shown as his home address on his Marriage Certificate when he married Doris Luscombe in 1931; according to the certificate the area was called North Prospect, Ford, at that time. The certificate also provides the earliest definative record of 25 Dingle Road being the family home.

Pat remembers the marriage as being a very happy one and she accepted Bertam as her grandfather and was always very happy in his company, and also her grandmother's. She would often spend the weekend with them.

A few photographs from the 1930s of Amy with some of her children taken in the garden of 25 Dingle Road survive.^{142 140}

Amy was probably present at the marriage of her son Leslie to Doris Winifred Luscombe on 20 Feb 1931 at the Parish Church of St George, East Stonehouse, Devon.The service was taken by the Rev. Anthony T. Allwork and the witnesses were Roy Albert Wallace [516] and Henry Northcott Luscombe [374].. Roy Wallace was the groom's brother and may also have been his best man. Henry Luscombe (he signed himself Harry Luscombe as he always did) was the bride's father who almost certainly gave his daughter away. It is believed that the groom's and the bride's families were present and probably some friends as well. The reception was probably held at her parents home in Chapel Street. Where the couple went for their honeymoon is not known but it was probably a resort such as Torquay.^{66 67}

Amy witnessed the marriage of Harry Victor Wallace [508] and Mary Beatrice Blagdon [257] on 5 Mar 1935 in the Register Office Devonport, Devon. The other witness was Annie Enright [256] and the ceremony was performed by Thomas E. Madigon Registrar and Albert Gard Superintending Registrar. No photographs or other details of the wedding exist so it is not possible to determine who attended the wedding apart from the witnesses. However, it is possible to make an educated guess. The bride's father Albert Blagdon would almost certainly have been a guest as his wife Annie was a witness. Also, Bertram Waring who was the groom's mother's husband as the groom's mother Amy was the other witness. The groom's siblings Roy and Winifred who were unmarried were almost certainly guests, also Doris Wallace who was the wife of the groom's brother Leslie. At the time Leslie was serving in H.M.S. Rodney which was part of the Home Fleet and he would have attended if Rodney had been in Devonport. Although the bride had seven siblings, some of whom may have been married and living in the Devonport area, insufficient is known about the family to speculate who may have attended the wedding. The reception was probably held in groom's parent's house at 25 Dingle Road, Devonport as the Bride's parents lived in a houseboat which would hardly have provided a suitable venue. Where the couple honeymooned is not known - probably in one of the coastal resorts such as Torquay.^{70 71}

Amy was a guest at the marriage of Roy Albert Wallace [516] and Rose Laura Bone [260] on 21 Jun 1941 in the Parish Church of St Mark Ford, Plymouth, Devon. The service was taken by the Rev. K. F. Way Assistant Priest and the witnesses were Bertram Waring [522], George Alfred Griffiths Bone [259] and Winifred Lilian M. L. Wallace [519]. Bertram Waring was Roy's step-father; George Bone was Rose's brother; and Wynn Wallace was Roy's sister and also a bridesmaid. The church which was probably High Church as the officiant who was the Curate-in-Charge signed himself Assistant Priest. The guests included Amy Wallace the Groom's mother and Rose Bone the Bride's mother - both their fathers were dead. Where the reception was held is not known - probably at the the Groom's home. In 1941 when strict food rationing was in place the bride would have been able to obtain additional points for wedding cake ingredients.

On the Marriage Certificate the address of both the Groom and the Bride is given as 25 Dingle Road, Swilly which was where the Groom lived before the marriage. Why Rose should choose to be married from here rather than where she lived with her widowed mother at Chestnut Road is not known especially as after the marriage Roy and Rose lived there in the ground floor flat whilst Rose's mother lived on the top floor.^{143 144}

Amy Wallace's son Leslie died from pulmonary tuberculosis on 29 Jan 1942 in Horrabridge, Sampford Spiney, Devon at Brook Lodge. His wife Doris and his mother Amy were with him at the time. His daughter Pat was also living at Brook Lodge but at the age of 2 1/2 she was unaware of his death and has no memories of him.⁷⁶

Amy died on 20 Sep 1956 aged 69 in Greenbank Hospital Plymouth, Devon from acute lymphatic leukaemia. The death was certified by A H Luscombe MD. Her son Roy Wallace was with her when she died and according to her Death Notice her passing was peaceful. A short while before her death Roy had been to visit her and found her sitting in an armchair feeling unwell and looking very pale. He called the doctor who arranged for her to go into hospital.^{145 146}

Amy was buried on 24 Sep 1956 in Ford Park Cemetary, Plymouth, Devon according to the Church of England rite. The funeral was well attended by family and friends and there were a large number of floral tributes. Her granddaughter Pat Boyle (née Wallace) who attended the funeral recalled seeing Amy's husband Bert and her son Roy although Roy's wife Rose who did not get on with her mother-in-law and their daughter Madeline were not there; Amy's son Harry and his wife Mary; her sisters Lottie, Bessie, Ivy and Hilda whose husbands were all dead; and her daughter-in-law Doris (wife of Amy's son Leslie who died in 1942) who was Pat's mother.^{15 16} She and John Wallace had the following children:

Bertram was born to James and Margaret Longton on 13 Nov 1891 in Wheelton, Chorley, Lancashire at Lower Lane.¹⁷⁴

Bertram Waring's¹⁷⁵ [522] (known as Bert, and also as Benedict Longton and Benedict Waring), son of James Longton (1850?-1918) [359] and Margaret Prescott (1849- ) [425], birth was reported to the Registrar Samuel Marshall by Bert's father James Longton [359] on 11 Jan 1892 at the Register Office for the district of Brindle, Chorley, Lancaster. The family surname was changed from Longton to Waring sometime between Feb 1892 and the 1901 Census. The reason is not known. Benedict changed his Christian name to Bertram whilst he was in the Navy - possibly to make it sound less Roman Catholic.¹⁷⁶

Bertram was a Roman Catholic by virtue of his baptism at,. He was a lapsed Roman Catholic. Pat his step-granddaughter who was very close to her grandmother cannot remember him going to church but can remember him searching for his roseary when his sister Fan was coming to visit. Bert's Surname was changed by his father James to Waring btw Feb 1892 and Feb 1901. On 11th January 1892 he registered his youngest child's name as Bertram Longton but in the 1901 Census the whole family's surname had been changed to Waring. Exactly when the change took place and the reason are not known.

Benedict was recorded in the 1901 Census taken on 31 Mar 1901 for Chorley, Lancashire as living with his parents James and Margaret Longton in Chorley at 24 Railway Road. The household consisted of James, his wife Margaret and their children Annie (age 26), Alice (age 23) who was married, Frances (age 15) and Benedict (age 9). The family has the whole house to themselves. The size is unknown but it had more than 4 rooms as adjoining properties which were occupied by more than one family showed one of the families occupying 4 rooms.¹⁷⁷

Frm 19 Feb 1909 to 29 Nov 1931 Bert served in the Royal Navy. He served in a number of different ships and had a somewhat chequered career. He was advanced to Leading Seaman in November 1915 but disrated for a disciplinary offence the following March. He also lost a Good Conduct Badge in July 1920 but had it restored in March 1921. His stepdaughter-in-law Doris Wallace said it was through drinking. If it was then to be disrated meant that he was incapable of carrying out his duties because of drink. Certainly after he married Amy Wallace in June 1921 he never committed another offence. He was advanced to Leading Seaman once again in August 1923 and passed educationally for Petty Officer in June 1921 although he was never advanced to Petty Officer before he left the Navy. In those days advancement was very slow. He was in the battleship H M S Lion from January 1914 to March 1920 and thus spent the whole of WW1 in her. For most of his Naval service his ability was classified as superior. For further details see his Record of Service.

There are several photographs of him in Naval uniform.^{178 179 180}

Bertram was recorded in the 1911 census taken on 2 Apr 1911 for H.M.S Bellona living at Plymouth Sound, Devon aged 19. H M S Bellona was an un-armoured cruiser in the 2nd Destoyer Squadron commanded by Captain The Hon. Hubert G. Brand M.V.O. R.N.. The squadron would probably have consisted of Bellona and seven destoyers and would have been used for scouting for the enemy in support of heavier warships. At the time Benedict was an Able Seaman.^{181 181} Frm 9 Jul 1920 to 21 Jun 1921 Bert lived in Royal Naval Barracks at Devonport, Devon. He was drafted to Vivid on 9 July 1920 and it is assumed that after he was married he went to live with his wife Amy when he was ashore.^{182 183} Bert's Given Name name was changed to Bertram in 1921. Evidence that it was in 1921 comes from his service record where there is an annotation 'Name amended vide 9NPn/R4526/21'. The letter is not available but the '/21' gives the year. The change was made before his marriage to Amy Wallace. Benedict was Roman Catholic but probably not a practising one (the marriage took place in a Church of England church) and he may have changed his name to make it sound less Roman Catholic. He was known as Bert.¹⁷⁸

Frm 1924 to 1951 Bertram was a rigger in H M Dockyard Devonport, Devon. It is assumed that he gained employment in Dockyard as a rigger shortly after leaving the Navy. His experience in the Navy as a seaman would certainly have qualified him as a rigger and his step-granddaughter Pat remembers him picking steel splinters (from wire ropes) out of his hands. As he is shown on his Death Certificate as a Dockyard Pensioner he probably retired at the normal retirement age for Government employees of 60, i.e. in 1951.^{184 185}

Bertram was a guest at the marriage of Leslie John William Henry Wallace [513] and Doris Winifred Luscombe [364] on 20 Feb 1931 in the Parish Church of St George East Stonehouse, Devon. The service was taken by the Rev. Anthony T. Allwork and the witnesses were Roy Albert Wallace [516] and Henry Northcott Luscombe [374]. Roy Wallace was the groom's brother and may also have been his best man. Henry Luscombe (he signed himself Harry Luscombe as he always did) was the bride's father who almost certainly gave his daughter away. It is believed that the groom's and the bride's families were present and probably some friends as well. The reception was probably held at her parents home in Chapel Street. Where the couple went for their honeymoon is not known but it was probably a resort such as Torquay.^{66 67}

Bertram was a guest at the marriage of Harry Victor Wallace [508] and Mary Beatrice Blagdon [257] on 5 Mar 1935 in the Register Office Devonport, Devon. the ceremony was performed by Thomas E. Madigon Registrar and Albert Gard Superintending Registrar and the witnesses were Annie Enright [256] and Amy Winifred Wakefield [490]. No photographs or other details of the wedding exist so it is not possible to determine who attended the wedding apart from the witnesses. However, it is possible to make an educated guess. The bride's father Albert Blagdon would almost certainly have been a guest as his wife Annie was a witness. Also, Bertram Waring who was the groom's mother's husband as the groom's mother Amy was the other witness. The groom's siblings Roy and Winifred who were unmarried were almost certainly guests, also Doris Wallace who was the wife of the groom's brother Leslie. At the time Leslie was serving in H.M.S. Rodney which was part of the Home Fleet and he would have attended if Rodney had been in Devonport. Although the bride had seven siblings, some of whom may have been married and living in the Devonport area, insufficient is known about the family to speculate who may have attended the wedding. The reception was probably held in groom's parent's house at 25 Dingle Road, Devonport as the Bride's parents lived in a houseboat which would hardly have provided a suitable venue. Where the couple honeymooned is not known - probably in one of the coastal resorts such as Torquay.^{70 71}

Bertram witnessed the marriage of Roy Albert Wallace [516] and Rose Laura Bone [260] on 21 Jun 1941 in the Parish Church of St Mark Ford, Plymouth, Devon. The other witnesses were George Alfred Griffiths Bone [259] and Winifred Lilian M. L. Wallace [519] and the service was taken by the Rev. K. F. Way Assistant Priest. Bertram Waring was Roy's step-father; George Bone was Rose's brother; and Wynn Wallace was Roy's sister and also a bridesmaid. The church which was probably High Church as the officiant who was the Curate-in-Charge signed himself Assistant Priest. The guests included Amy Wallace the Groom's mother and Rose Bone the Bride's mother - both their fathers were dead. Where the reception was held is not known - probably at the the Groom's home. In 1941 when strict food rationing was in place the bride would have been able to obtain additional points for wedding cake ingredients.

On the Marriage Certificate the address of both the Groom and the Bride is given as 25 Dingle Road, Swilly which was where the Groom lived before the marriage. Why Rose should choose to be married from here rather than where she lived with her widowed mother at Chestnut Road is not known especially as after the marriage Roy and Rose lived there in the ground floor flat whilst Rose's mother lived on the top floor.^{143 144}

On 29 Nov 1943 Bert reported the death of Winifred Lilian M. L. Wallace [519] to the Registrar at the the Register Office for Plymouth.¹⁷³

Bert's wife Amy was buried on 24 Sep 1956 in Ford Park Cemetary at Plymouth, Devon. The funeral was well attended by family and friends and there were a large number of floral tributes. Her granddaughter Pat Boyle (née Wallace) who attended the funeral recalled seeing Amy's husband Bert and her son Roy although Roy's wife Rose who did not get on with her mother-in-law and their daughter Madeline were not there; Amy's son Harry and his wife Mary; her sisters Lottie, Bessie, Ivy and Hilda whose husbands were all dead; and her daughter-in-law Doris (wife of Amy's son Leslie who died in 1942) who was Pat's mother.^{15 16}

Bertram died on 29 Dec 1956 aged 65 in Ward 4, Freedom Fields Hospital at Plymouth, Devon from cerebral haemorrhage. His step-son Roy Wallace was informed of his death by a telegram sent from the hospital.

Bertram was very fond of his step sons Roy and Harry Wallace and it was his declared intention to divide his estate between them. However, he died intestate and his money went to his sister Fan (Frances Waring) and his niece Madeline. Fan, knowing his intention, gave her share back to Roy and Harry. However, Madeline took her share and never visited the family again.^{186 187 188} Bertram's death was reported to the Registrar R. T. Blackney on 31 Dec 1956 by at the Register Office for Plymouth Central.¹⁵²

6.

Henry Northcott was born to Clara Luscombe on 12 Apr 1886 in Stoke, Stoke Damerel, Devon at 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.^{189 190}

Henry Northcott Luscombe's [374] (also known as Harry Luscombe), son of Northcott [398] and Clara Amelia Luscombe [362], birth was reported to the Registrar E. G. Millford by Henry's mother Clara Amelia Luscombe [362] on 5 May 1886 at the the Register Office for the district of Stoke Damerel, Devon.¹⁹¹

Henry was recorded in the 1891 Census taken on 5 Apr 1891 for Plymouth as living with his grandmother Amelia Luscombe at 1 Abbey Place. The household consisted of Amelia, her three children Clara, Alfred and Fred, and her two grandsons Ernest and Harry who were actually Clara's children although the census records them as Amelia's children presumably because they were both illegitimate and their mother is single. The family had two rooms in a six roomed house. How they managed in two rooms defies imagination. The other four rooms were occupied by a family of 5. Amelia is described as being of independent means which presumably means that she was living on saving that her husband John had accumulated during his lifetime although her three children who were all working almost certainly contributed to the household income.¹⁹²

In 1893 Henry underwent at Coburg Street School, 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.^{193 194}

Henry was recorded in the 1901 Census taken on 31 Mar 1901 for East Stonehouse as living with his father-in-law Edward Price Williams and mother Clara Amelia Williams at 10 Carlton Terrace. The household consisted of Edward, his wife Clara, Clara's son Harry and Clara's mother Amelia who is recorded as Clara A. Luscombe. How this came about is not known but it is certain that neither Edward or his wife Clara would have addressed her by her Christian name so it was probably an error on Edward's part. The other error is that her birthplace is shown as Launceston and not Altarnun. Clara's other son, Ernest, joined the Royal Navy in 1899 and is away at sea. The family had 2 rooms in a 10 roomed house. 5 other families shared the remaining 8 rooms having either 1 or 2 rooms each.¹⁹⁵

Henry witnessed the marriage of Ernest James Luscombe [367] and Elizabeth Ann Roberts [430] on 6 Sep 1905 in the Belmont Chapel Devonport, Devon. The other witness was Ellen Maud Hawkins [319]. Henry was the groom's half-brother.¹⁹⁶

On 9 Oct 1907 Henry was an a tramway conductor in Plymouth.¹⁹⁷

Henry married Ellen Maud Hawkins on 9 Oct 1907 in Parish Church of Charles the Martyr, Plymouth, Devon. The service was conducted according to Church of England rite by the Henry A. Fleetwood Curate - Assistant and the witnesses were Ernest James Luscombe [367] and Elizabeth Ann Luscombe [366]. 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.^{198 199} Frm 1908 to 1920 Henry lived in 13 Neswick Street, East Stonehouse, Devon. 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.²⁰⁰

Henry and Ellen Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child Doris Winifred by the Rev. J. M. Hodge according to the Church of England rite on 22 Nov 1908 in St Matthew's Parish Church, East Stonehouse, Devon.⁸¹ He reported his daughter Doris's birth to the Registrar Colin Reep on 9 Dec 1908 at the Register Office for the district of East Stonehouse.

The household of Henry and Ellen Luscombe was recorded in the 1911 census taken on 2 Apr 1911 in Stoke, Devonport, Devon living at 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.⁸²

Henry and Ellen Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child George Henry by the N. N. Lewance who was the Incumbant according to the Church of England rite on 1 Oct 1911 in St Catharine's Church, Lockyer Street, Plymouth. Also his older sister Doris. The choice of church seems strange as the family were living in Stoke and their parish church would have been St Andrew. The baptism took place some 17 months after his birth but only 25 days before his death so perhaps he was ailing and his parents decided to get him baptised as soon as possible.⁸³

Henry and Ellen Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child Gladys May by the E. H. W. Barry according to the Church of England rite on 1 Mar 1914 in Parish Church of St Matthew, Stonehouse, Devon. Also her sister Doris but who else is not known.⁸⁴

Henry was present when Daniel Hawkins [318] died on 3 Sep 1920 at 16 Wellington Street, Plymouth, Devon, his home of pneumonia. Although Daniel's death certificate says that his son-in-law Harry Luscombe, who registered his death, was present this is thought unlikely. It was more likely that Daniel's wife Elizabeth was with him when he died and that her daughter Ellen and her husband Harry supported Elizabeth at the time of her husband's death.²⁰¹

The household of Henry and Ellen Luscombe was recorded in the 1921 census taken on 19 Jun 1921 in East Sonehouse, Devon living at 126 Union Street when he was 35 and she was 31. 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.⁸⁷

Frm 1924 to 1941 Henry was a shop keeper in Stonehouse 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.^{202 203}

Henry and Ellen Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child Harry Kenneth by the A. Allmark according to the Church of England rite on 23 Jul 1924 in St George's Parish Church, Stonehouse, Devon. His Godparents were Mr and Mrs Brown. Mr Brown was the Deputy Manager of Plymouth City Tramways. His two sisters, Doris and Gladys, were also present. Harry still has his silver christening mug.^{88 89} Henry was a Freemason frm 3 Feb 1925 to 7 Nov 1946. He was a Witness at Confirmation of Doris Winifred Luscombe [364] in Feb 1925 in St George's Parish Church.⁹⁰

Henry witnessed the marriage of Leslie John William Henry Wallace [513] and Doris Winifred Luscombe [364] on 20 Feb 1931 in the Parish Church of St George East Stonehouse, Devon. The other witness was Roy Albert Wallace [516] and the service was taken by the Rev. Anthony T. Allwork. Roy Wallace was the groom's brother and may also have been his best man. Henry Luscombe (he signed himself Harry Luscombe as he always did) was the bride's father who almost certainly gave his daughter away. It is believed that the groom's and the bride's families were present and probably some friends as well. The reception was probably held at her parents home in Chapel Street. Where the couple went for their honeymoon is not known but it was probably a resort such as Torquay.^{66 67}

Henry was probably present at the marriage of his daughter Doris to Leslie John William Henry Wallace on 20 Feb 1931 at the Parish Church of St George, East Stonehouse, Devon.The service was taken by the Rev. Anthony T. Allwork and the witnesses were Roy Albert Wallace [516] and Henry Northcott Luscombe [374]. Roy Wallace was the groom's brother and may also have been his best man. Henry Luscombe (he signed himself Harry Luscombe as he always did) was the bride's father who almost certainly gave his daughter away. It is believed that the groom's and the bride's families were present and probably some friends as well. The reception was probably held at her parents home in Chapel Street. Where the couple went for their honeymoon is not known but it was probably a resort such as Torquay.^{66 67}

Henry witnessed the marriage of George William Isaac [347] and Gladys May Luscombe [371] on 3 Jun 1936 in the Parish Church of St George Stonehouse, Devon. The other witnesses were Leslie E. Isaac [778] and Ellen Maud Hawkins [319] and the service was taken by the Percy Philer. Leslie Isaac was the groom's brother and Harry and Ellen Luscombe who were the bride's parents. Leslie was almost certainly the best man. Who the other guests were is not known. The groom's parents who were strict Plymouth Brethren they may have stayed away. The bride's siblings Doris and Harry were almost certainly there.^{92 93 94}

The household of Henry and Ellen Luscombe was recorded in the 1939 Register taken on 29 Sep 1939 in Plymouth living at 35 Chapel Street. The household consisted of Harry, his wife Ellen and their son Harry.²⁰⁴ In 1941 Henry lived in Horrobridge, Devon. after being bombed out of Chapel Street.

Frm 1941 to 1946 Henry was in 88 Durnford Street, Stonehouse, Devon. 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.²⁰⁵

Henry died on 7 Nov 1946 in Stonehouse at 88 Durnford Street from a heart attack probably brought on by high blood pressure. 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.^{206 207 208 209 210} Henry's funeral took place on 11 Nov 1946 at St Paul's Church, Stonehouse, Devon.²¹¹

Henry was buried on 11 Nov 1946 in Weston Mill Cemetery, Plymouth, Devon according to the Church of England rite.²¹²

7.

Ellen Maud was born to Daniel and Sarah Hawkins on 15 Oct 1889 in East Stonehouse at 34 East Street.^{213 214}

Ellen Maud Hawkins's [319] (also known as Ellen Maud Luscombe), daughter of Daniel Hawkins [318] and Sarah Elizabeth Hockin [340], birth was reported to the Registrar A. C. Bignall by Ellen's mother Sarah Elizabeth Hockin [340] on 14 Nov 1889 at the Register Office for the district of East Stonehouse, Devon.²¹⁵

She was baptised on 21 Nov 1889 in St Matthew's Parish Church, Stonehouse, Devon. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. W. Willis according to the Church of England rite. Her parents Daniel and Sarah Hawkins would have been present.²¹⁶

Ellen was recorded in the 1891 Census taken on 5 Apr 1891 for East Stonehouse as living with her parents Daniel and Sarah Hawkins at 34 East Street. The household consisted of Daniel, his wife Elizabeth and their daughter Ellen Maud who was 12 months old. They had 2 rooms in a 6 roomed house. The other rooms were occupied by a Royal Marine pensioner who had one room and two people who were described as visitors who had 3 rooms. It is not clear whether Daniel rented the whole house and sub-let rooms or whether the owner took individual rents.²¹⁷

Frm 1894 to 1903 Ellen was educated at St Catherine's School, Devonport, Devon. On finishing her education she was kept on as a Pupil Teacher before becoming a draper's assistant.²¹⁸

Ellen was recorded in the 1901 Census taken on 31 Mar 1901 for Plymouth as living with her parents Daniel and Sarah Hawkins at West Hoe Yacht Club. The household consisted of Daniel, his wife Elizabeth and their daughter Ellen (age 11). Daniel is shown as being the caretaker at the club.²¹⁹

Frm 1904 to 1907 Ellen was a Draper's Assistant in Plymouth. She learnt to make a ladies blouse by draping material from a roll over the customer's torso and cutting it stitching it in place.²²⁰

Ellen witnessed the marriage of Ernest James Luscombe [367] and Elizabeth Ann Roberts [430] on 6 Sep 1905 in the Belmont Chapel Devonport, Devon. The other witness was Henry Northcott Luscombe [374]. Harry was the groom's half-brother and Ellen the bride's cousin. (Harry and Ellen were married 2 years later on 9 Oct 1907.).

Although the Marriage Certificate shows the name and rank of Ernest's father as John Luscombe, Yeoman of Signals R.N., Ernest was illegitimate and his father was probably James Snell. The use of the name John Luscombe as the father was a polite fiction and also occurs on the Marriage Certificate of his half-brother Harry who was also illegitimate.

Who attended the wedding apart from the witnesses is not known but it is fairly certain that the groom's mother and grandmother were there as they all lived locally. The bride's parents probably did not attend as they lived in the village of Trencreek, Columb Minor, in Cornwall and the bride was not on good terms with her father.

At the time of the marriage Ernest was serving in H.M.S. Pyramus and the bride was living with her cousin's parents Daniel and Sarah Hawkins at the Royal Western Yacht Club where Ellen's father was the steward (manager). It is virtually certain that Daniel and Sarah also attended the wedding. Ellen was the bride's cousin.¹⁹⁶ Frm 1908 to 1920 Ellen lived in 13 Neswick Street. 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.²⁰⁰

Henry and Ellen Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child Doris Winifred by the Rev. J. M. Hodge according to the Church of England rite on 22 Nov 1908 in St Matthew's Parish Church, East Stonehouse, Devon.⁸¹

Henry and Ellen Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child George Henry by the N. N. Lewance who was the Incumbant according to the Church of England rite on 1 Oct 1911 in St Catharine's Church, Lockyer Street, Plymouth. Also his older sister Doris. The choice of church seems strange as the family were living in Stoke and their parish church would have been St Andrew. The baptism took place some 17 months after his birth but only 25 days before his death so perhaps he was ailing and his parents decided to get him baptised as soon as possible.⁸³

Henry and Ellen Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child Gladys May by the E. H. W. Barry according to the Church of England rite on 1 Mar 1914 in Parish Church of St Matthew, Stonehouse, Devon. Also her sister Doris but who else is not known.⁸⁴

Henry and Ellen Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child Harry Kenneth by the A. Allmark according to the Church of England rite on 23 Jul 1924 in St George's Parish Church, Stonehouse, Devon. His Godparents were Mr and Mrs Brown. Mr Brown was the Deputy Manager of Plymouth City Tramways. His two sisters, Doris and Gladys, were also present. Harry still has his silver christening mug.^{88 89} Ellen was a Witness at Confirmation of Doris Winifred Luscombe [364] in Feb 1925 in St George's Parish Church.⁹⁰

Ellen was probably present at the marriage of her daughter Doris to Leslie John William Henry Wallace on 20 Feb 1931 at the Parish Church of St George, East Stonehouse, Devon.The service was taken by the Rev. Anthony T. Allwork and the witnesses were Roy Albert Wallace [516] and Henry Northcott Luscombe [374]. Roy Wallace was the groom's brother and may also have been his best man. Henry Luscombe (he signed himself Harry Luscombe as he always did) was the bride's father who almost certainly gave his daughter away. It is believed that the groom's and the bride's families were present and probably some friends as well. The reception was probably held at her parents home in Chapel Street. Where the couple went for their honeymoon is not known but it was probably a resort such as Torquay.^{66 67}

Ellen witnessed the marriage of George William Isaac [347] and Gladys May Luscombe [371] on 3 Jun 1936 in the Parish Church of St George Stonehouse, Devon. The other witnesses were Leslie E. Isaac [778] and Henry Northcott Luscombe [374] and the service was taken by the Percy Philer. Leslie Isaac was the groom's brother and Harry and Ellen Luscombe who were the bride's parents. Leslie was almost certainly the best man. Who the other guests were is not known. The groom's parents who were strict Plymouth Brethren they may have stayed away. The bride's siblings Doris and Harry were almost certainly there.^{92 93 94} In 1941 Ellen lived in Horrobridge. after being bombed out of Chapel Street. Frm 1946 to 1968 Ellen lived in Stonehouse at Durnford Street.

Frm Nov 1946 to 1954 Ellen was a sub-postmaster in Stonehouse, Devon Durnford Street. After her husband's death she took over the post office and newsagent. Her son Harry helped with the bookkeeping and her daughter Doris and Granddaughter Pat were counter staff. Pat gave up after she married Don and moved to Lymstone. Doris continued to work there until Plymouth City Council compulsorily purchased the property as part of their redevelopment of Stonehouse after the Blitz. The Council gave Ellen and Doris a Council bungalow where they lived until they moved to Exeter 1968.²²¹

Ellen attended her husband's funeral at St Paul's Church, Stonehouse, Devon on 11 Nov 1946.²¹¹ Frm 1968 to 1972 Ellen lived in Exeter, Devon. In the late 1960s her daughter Doris persuaded her to move to from Plymouth where she had lived all her married life to Exeter on the grounds that it would be a more central location for the various member of her family to visit her (PHW in conversation with JPWW). There they shared a Council Flat which Doris had obtained by exchanging her Council flat in Plymouth with someone who wished to move there. Later she moved to a Nursing Home and her son Harry Luscombe records the following anecdote from one of his visits. As he couldn't see his Mother in the day room he asked the other residents where Mrs. Luscombe was, 'Oh, you mean the Matron!' came the reply which was indicative of her 'managerial' qualities.^{222 223}

Ellen died on 28 Sep 1972 aged 82 in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Heavitree, Exeter, Devon from bronchopneumonia and congestive cardiac failure. The death was certified by C. C. Scott M. B..²²⁴ Probate on the estate of Ellen Maud Hawkins of 52 Magdalen Road was granted on 29 Dec 1972 at the Bristol Probate Registry. The value was £1,494. The entry in the register does not say who the probate was granted to.²²⁵ She and Henry Northcott Luscombe had the following children:

10.

Henry James was born to William and Jane Wakefield on 26 Feb 1857 in Bristol, Gloucestershire at 8 Wilson Terrace, Saint Paul. It is possible that she went to a relative's or friend's house to give birth as she gives her residence as 1 Beaufort Cottages, Bristol when she registered the birth.^{279 280 281}

Henry James Wakefield [497] (also known as Henry Wakefield), son of William Henry Wakefield [503] and Jane Harlning Bootyman [229], was baptised on 15 Mar 1857 in St Clement Parish Church, Bristol. The service was conducted by the T W Boyce according to the Church of England rite. His parents William and Jane Wakefield would have been present. Who else was there is not known.²⁸² Henry's birth was reported to the Registrar John Brady by Henry's mother Jane on 6 Apr 1857 at the Register Office for the district of Saint Paul, Bristol.^{283 284}

Henry was a present at the Baptism of his brother Frederick William on 17 Oct 1860 in St Mary's Parish Church, Swansea, Glamorganshire.²⁸⁵

Frm 1870 to 1907 Henry was a hairdresser working for various employers in Bristol, Cardiff and London. He was probably apprenticed at the age of 12 (in the 1871 Census when he was 14 he is shown as an apprentice) and by 1881 was an assistant hairdresser. In the 1891 and 1901 Censuses he is shown as being employed as a hairdresser. The work is obviously not well paid as all the censuses indicate that the family was in very crowded rented rooms.^{286 287 288 289 290}

Henry was recorded in the 1871 census taken on 2 Apr 1871 for Clifton, Bristol, Gloucestershire as living with his mother Jane at 12 Avon Crescent, Clifton. The household consisted of Jane and her two sons Henry (age 14) and Frederick (age 10). Although Jane is shown as unmarried she is the widow of Henry Wakefield and is supporting her family by working as a plain sewer almost certainly at home, for very long hours and poorly paid. It is possible that Henry who is apprenticed to a hairdresser is also bringing home a small wage. The family shared the house with 2 other families and in all 10 people lived in the house. The size is unknown.²⁹¹ Bef 28 Aug 1879 Henry lived in 1 Rownham Place, Hotwells, Bristol. Whether he continued to live there with his wife after his marriage is not known.²⁹²

Henry married Eliza Emily Adams on 28 Aug 1879 in the Register Office, Bristol when he was 22 and she was 17. The ceremony was performed by Albert E Bowden, Deputy Registrar and Jno. C Gioyrm, Superintending Registrar and the witnesses were Henry Charles Lester and Charlotte Ellen Gilmore [622]. It is assumed that Henry Lester was a friend of the Groom. Charlotte Ray was the Bride's Aunt by marriage - her husband Edmond Ray was the Bride's Uncle and it is assumed that he attended the wedding. It is not known for certain whether any other members of the family attended the wedding. It is known that the Henry had a younger brother, Frederick, and that Eliza's parents were living in Bristol at the time so they were probably there and also the Groom's mother - his father was dead.^{293 294}

Henry and Eliza Wakefield were present at the Baptism of their child William Henry Benjamin by the R. Marks according to the Church of England rite on 2 May 1880 in Holy Trinity Church, Clifton, Bristol. His parents would have been present but who else is not known.²⁹⁵

The household of Henry and Eliza Wakefield was recorded in the 1881 census taken on 3 Apr 1881 in St Augustine, Bristol, Gloucestershire living at 6 Lodge Street when he was 24. The household consisted of Henry, his wife Eliza and their son William who was 11 Months old. They shared the house with 3 other families and in all there were 12 people living in the house. Judging from subsequent censuses they were probably living in a single room.²⁹⁶

Henry and Eliza Wakefield were present at the Baptism of their child Lillian Jane S. by the R. Marks according to the Church of England rite on 5 Mar 1882 in Holy Trinity Church, Bristol, Gloucestershire.²⁹⁷

Henry witnessed the marriage of Frederick William Wakefield [496] and Sarah Ann Evans [303] on 12 Nov 1882 in Victoria Wesleyan Chapel Barton Regis, Bristol. The other witness was Maria Ann Addiutt. the first witness Henry was the Groom's brother. The other witness Maria was probably a friend of the bride. The bride gave her address as Gotham House which was a large mid-19th century house. Given her background she was probably a servant and her father who was an agricultural labourer may have worked on the estate.^{298 299} He reported his daughter Amy's birth to the Registrar Edward Tedder on 15 Jun 1887 at the Register Office for the district of Clifton, Barton Regis.¹²⁷

Henry and Eliza Wakefield were present at the Baptism of their child Amy Winifred by the M S Rickard according to the Church of England rite on 19 Aug 1887 in Holy Trinity Church, Clifton, Bristol. The fact that it was a private baptism may indicate that they were not regular churchgoers. It is possible that they took their other children but who else was there is not known.¹²⁸

The household of Henry and Eliza Wakefield was recorded in the 1891 census taken on 5 Apr 1891 in Clifton living at 2 Barton Court when he was 34 and she was 28. The household consisted of Henry, his wife Eliza and their children William (age 10), Lilian (age 9), Walter (age 6), Charlotte (age 5), Amy (age 3) and Faith (Elizabeth) (age 1). They lived in 2 rooms and shared the house with another family of 2 who had 3 rooms. How they managed to live in2 room with such a large family defies imagination.¹³²

Henry and Eliza Wakefield were present at the Baptism of their child Albert Nathaniel James by the H. W. Maycock according to the Church of England rite on 12 Feb 1896 in Christ Church Parish Church, St Marylebone, London.³⁰⁰

Henry and Eliza Wakefield were present at the Baptism of their child Frank Leslie John by the G W Morrison according to the Church of England rite on 1 Feb 1899 in St Mary's Church, Newington, London. His parents would have been present but who else is not known. It is surprising to see that Frank was baptised as his parents were married in the Bristol Register Office on 28 Aug 1879.³⁰¹

The household of Henry and Eliza Wakefield was recorded in the 1901 census taken on 31 Mar 1901 in St Augustine living at 11 Lower College Street. The household consisted of Henry, his wife Eliza and their children Charlotte (age 15), Amy (age 14), Elizabeth (age 11), Albert (age 9) and Frank (age 2). Charlotte and Amy are working as tailoresses; Elizabeth and Albert are at school. The family lived in 4 rooms in a house which they shared with 3 other families each of which had 2 rooms. In all there were 18 people in the house.¹³³ In 1907 Henry lived in East Stonehouse, Devon at 44 George Street. Their daughter my is shown as living at 44 George Street before her marriage and this was probably the family home.³⁰²

Henry witnessed the marriage of John Wallace [510] and Amy Winifred Wakefield [490] on 12 May 1907 in St George's Church East Stonehouse, Devon. The other witness was Faith Elizabeth Wakefield [494] and the service was taken by the Rev. J. M. Hodge. Henry was the bride's father and Faith (Bessie) her sister which indicates that the groom's family (which lived in the Townland of Drumhirk in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland) did not attend the wedding probably because they could not afford the fare. Who else was at the wedding is impossible to determine. If the groom had a best man he was probably a friend from his ship (H.M S. Commonwealth). As the bride's father was a witness it is certain that this wife Eliza was also there. The bride's sister Bessie was probably a bridesmaid as well as a witness. Of her other siblings William had probably emigrated; Lilian was living in Bristol so may not have made the journey; Walter and his wife Maud moved from Bristol to Plymouth sometime between the death of their daughter at the end of 1906 and the birth of their son in 1910 so would probably have attended if they had moved to Plymouth before the wedding; Bert was employed as a waiter in Gloucester so was probably not there; Frank age 8, Ivy age 6 and Hilda age 3 were all living with their parents so were almost certainly present.¹⁰⁸

Henry died on 21 Jul 1907 aged 49 in East Stonehouse at 44 George Street from pleurisy, bronchitis and syncope. The death certificate says that Faith Elizabeth Wakefield [494] was present. The death certificate says that Eliza Emily Adams [246] was present. His daughter Bessie (Faith Elizabeth) and presumably his wife Eliza were with him when he died. Syncope means fainting so he was almost certainly having difficulty in breathing and his death must have been very distressing for those around him. It was surprising to see that he was working as a labourer in a laundry just before he died as he had been a hairdresser for almost all his working life. Only two months before he is shown as a hairdresser on his daughter Amy's marriage certificate. Of course it is possible that when the family moved to East Stonehouse he was unable to find a job as a hairdresser and the entry on his daughter's marriage certificate is because Amy is ashamed that he is no longer a hairdresser. Considering the time of year that he died pleurisy and bronchitis which are far more prevalent in the winter months seem unusual. The steamy atmosphere of a laundry could not have helped.^{303 304} Henry's death was reported to the Registrar Colin Reep on 22 Jul 1907 by at the Register Office for East Stonehouse, Devon.³⁰⁵

Henry and Eliza Wakefield were present at the burial of their child Lillian on 28 Oct 1908 in Greenbank Cemetery, Bristol, Gloucestershire according to the Church of England rite. It is assumed that her parents were present but who else is not known.³⁰⁶

11.

Eliza Emily was born to Benjamin and Sarah Adams on 27 Jul 1862 in Pill, St George, Somerset. Pill is a village. The Birth Certificate does not give an address within the village.^{307 308}

Eliza Emily Adams's³⁰⁹ [246] (also known as Eliza Emily Wakefield and Eliza Wakefield), daughter of Benjamin Hellen Adams [245] and Sarah Sophie Ray [426], birth was reported to the Registrar John Harris by Eliza's mother Sarah Sophie Ray [426] on 5 Sep 1862 at the Bedminster. She signed with her mark X.³¹⁰

Eliza was baptised on 2 Nov 1862 in St George's Church, Pill, Somerset. The service was conducted by the C. P. Causton according to the Church of England rite. Her parents Benjamin and Sarah Adams would have been present. Who else was there is not known.³¹¹

Eliza was recorded in the 1871 Census taken on 2 Apr 1871 for St Augustine, Bristol, Gloustershire as living with her parents Benjamin and Sarah Adams at 2 Charley Place. The household consisted of Benjamin, his wife Sarah Sophia and their daughters Eliza (age 8) and Sarah (age 6). The family had the whole house (or cottage) to themselves. There were only three properties in Charley Place: No. 1 was empty and No. 3 had 4 families with a total 15 people.³¹²

Henry and Eliza Wakefield were present at the Baptism of their child Lillian Jane S. by the R. Marks according to the Church of England rite on 5 Mar 1882 in Holy Trinity Church, Bristol, Gloucestershire.²⁹⁷

Henry and Eliza Wakefield were present at the Baptism of their child Amy Winifred by the M S Rickard according to the Church of England rite on 19 Aug 1887 in Holy Trinity Church, Clifton, Bristol. The fact that it was a private baptism may indicate that they were not regular churchgoers. It is possible that they took their other children but who else was there is not known.¹²⁸

Henry and Eliza Wakefield were present at the Baptism of their child Albert Nathaniel James by the H. W. Maycock according to the Church of England rite on 12 Feb 1896 in Christ Church Parish Church, St Marylebone, London.³⁰⁰

Henry and Eliza Wakefield were present at the Baptism of their child Frank Leslie John by the G W Morrison according to the Church of England rite on 1 Feb 1899 in St Mary's Church, Newington, London. His parents would have been present but who else is not known. It is surprising to see that Frank was baptised as his parents were married in the Bristol Register Office on 28 Aug 1879.³⁰¹ In 1907 Eliza lived in 44 James Street, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, Devon. Their daughter my is shown as living at 44 George Street before her marriage and this was probably the family home.³¹³

Eliza was probably present at the marriage of her daughter Amy to John Wallace on 12 May 1907 at St George's Church, East Stonehouse, Devon.The service was taken by the Rev. J. M. Hodge and the witnesses were Henry James Wakefield [497] and Faith Elizabeth Wakefield [494]. Henry was the bride's father and Faith (Bessie) her sister which indicates that the groom's family (which lived in the Townland of Drumhirk in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland) did not attend the wedding probably because they could not afford the fare. Who else was at the wedding is impossible to determine. If the groom had a best man he was probably a friend from his ship (H.M S. Commonwealth). As the bride's father was a witness it is certain that this wife Eliza was also there. The bride's sister Bessie was probably a bridesmaid as well as a witness. Of her other siblings William had probably emigrated; Lilian was living in Bristol so may not have made the journey; Walter and his wife Maud moved from Bristol to Plymouth sometime between the death of their daughter at the end of 1906 and the birth of their son in 1910 so would probably have attended if they had moved to Plymouth before the wedding; Bert was employed as a waiter in Gloucester so was probably not there; Frank age 8, Ivy age 6 and Hilda age 3 were all living with their parents so were almost certainly present.¹⁰⁸

Eliza's husband Henry died from pleurisy, bronchitis and syncope on 21 Jul 1907 in East Stonehouse at 44 George Street aged 49. His daughter Bessie (Faith Elizabeth) and presumably his wife Eliza were with him when he died. Syncope means fainting so he was almost certainly having difficulty in breathing and his death must have been very distressing for those around him. It was surprising to see that he was working as a labourer in a laundry just before he died as he had been a hairdresser for almost all his working life. Only two months before he is shown as a hairdresser on his daughter Amy's marriage certificate. Of course it is possible that when the family moved to East Stonehouse he was unable to find a job as a hairdresser and the entry on his daughter's marriage certificate is because Amy is ashamed that he is no longer a hairdresser. Considering the time of year that he died pleurisy and bronchitis which are far more prevalent in the winter months seem unusual. The steamy atmosphere of a laundry could not have helped.^{303 304}

Henry and Eliza Wakefield were present at the burial of their child Lillian on 28 Oct 1908 in Greenbank Cemetery, Bristol, Gloucestershire according to the Church of England rite. It is assumed that her parents were present but who else is not known.³⁰⁶

Eliza was recorded in the 1911 census taken on 2 Apr 1911 for East Stonehouse living at 3 St Mary Street aged 48. The household consisted of Emily and her children Frank (age 12) and Ivy (age 9). Her youngest daughter Hilda (age 7) is in the Royal Albert Hospital. Emily is working at home as a finisher of duck trousers. Probably the pay is very poor but as a widow without a pension she had to work to support herself and her three children. The family had 2 rooms in a 9 roomed house which it shared with 4 other families. In one of the other families (Clanery) the husband came from Belfast and was in the R.M.L.I.; in another (Murphy) the head who came from Kerry was widowed and had a daughter who was born in India; in another (Rudge) the head (Elizabeth) was married and was not working so her husband could have been away in the military. The house was about ¼ mile from the Royal Marine Barracks and overall one gets the feeling of a military neighbourhood.^{314 315}

Eliza was present at the burial of John Wallace [510] on 8 Oct 1918 in Ford Park Cemetery,Plymouth, Devon. There is no record of who attended the burial service, who took the service, or whether there was a Royal Marine bugler to sound the Last Post. However, as there was an elaborate Memorial Card and he was buried in a war grave in Section J; Row 25; Grave 66 of the cemetery it is probable that it was a military funeral taken by a Naval Chaplain and that his wife and members of her family attended. It is certain that John's surviving relatives (his parents were dead) would not have been able to travel from Ireland and John and Amy's children were probably considered too young to attend. The date of the burial comes from Ford Park Cemetery Trust records. The records also indicate that his wife Amy purchased the freehold of the grave on 14 October 1919 for £6 and it was subsequently used for the burial of his daughter Winifred (Wynn) and his wife.^{120 121 122 123}

Eliza was recorded in the 1921 census taken on 19 Jun 1921 for Islington, London living at 116 George's Road aged 58. The household consisted of Eliza and her children Frank, Ivy and Hilda who are all working. They lived in 2 room sharing the house with two other families - one of 5 and the other of 2. Why Eliza had decided to return to London is not known.³¹⁶

Eliza was recorded in the 1939 Register taken on 29 Sep 1939 for Plymouth, Devon as living in the household of Sidney G Hewins [1199] in Plymouth at 30 Clifton Street. Sidney is shown as married but his wife is not registered at the same address. The other members of the household are all related to Eliza Wakefield - daughters and grandchildren. No relationship to Sidney has been established. The household consisted of Sidney Hewins; Ivy Sears and Hilda Ling (Eliza's daughters); Hilda's children John, Joan, a redacted entry which is almost certainly Doris and David; Ivy's son John; Eliza's daughter Dora; Dora's daughter Barbara; Eliza; and a redacted entry for which there is no clue but could be another of Eliza's relatives.³¹⁷

Eliza died on 3 Aug 1940 in Barrow-in Furness, Lancashire at the home of her son-in-law and daughter (John and Hilda Spink) 1 Willow Road from cardiac failure and myocarditis. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle and is extremely difficult to diagnose to any degree of accuracy without a biopsy of the heart muscle. It can cause chest pains but as there is no associated blockage of the arteries presumable no rise in blood pressure so the doctor who certified her death may have been making an educated guess. When she died she was living with her daughter Hilda. Family oral history says that after she was widowed and her children had left home she spent 3 months with each of them. It is difficult to track people's movements after the 1911 Census and reliance has to be placed on the marriage records of her children and the birth records of their children to determine where they were. The three children who were with her at the time of the 1911 Census - Frank, Ivy and Hilda were all married in Islington between 1922 and 1925 and all their children were born there. Frank died in Plymouth in 1941; Ivy is known to have moved to Plymouth after her divorce and is thought to have died there about 1976; Hilda died in Luton in 1977 although it is known from the 1911 Census that her husband was a shipyard worker (in Plymouth) but may have well moved to Barrow to work at Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering. This leaves William, Walter, Charlotte (Lottie), Amy, Faith (Bessie) and Albert (Bert).

William is thought to have emigrated around 1915 although there is a remote possibility that he returned to England after his wife's death and died in Islington in 1929. Walter had his own boot and shoe repair business in Devonport, both his children were born in the west country and died in Totnes in 1953. Lottie married William Robinson and in the 1911 Census he is shown as a shipbuilding contractor's labourer. If he was a shipyard worker then it is remotely possible that he went to work at Vickers Shipbuilding at Barrow-in-Furness. One further clue that they moved to Barrow-in-Furness is provided by a search for the birth registrations of the father's name of Robinson and the mother's name of Wakefield which show that the birth of a George Robinson was registered in Barrow-in-Furness in 1917. (They had two other children - William born in 1907 in Stonehouse and Lottie born in 1911 in London a month before the census.) Amy who is the pricipal source for the information that Eliza spent 3 months with each of her children in later life lived in Plymouth all her life and died there in 1956.^{318 319} She and Henry James Wakefield had the following children:

13.

Clara Amelia was born to John and Amelia Luscombe on 9 Oct 1858 in Stoke Damerel, Devonport, Devon at 14 Marlborough Street. Her birth certificate also give the time of her birth - 10.10 p.m. - which is only normally done in the case of mutiple births. However, it has not been possible to find any evidence of another child. It is just possible that it was stillborn and not registered.^{408 409}

Clara Amelia Luscombe's [362] (also known as Clara Amelia Williams), daughter of John Luscombe [377] and Amelia Sleep [450], birth was reported to the Registrar W. J. Spry by Clara's mother Amelia Sleep [450] on 9 Nov 1858 at the the Register Office for the district of Stoke Damerel.⁴¹⁰

She was baptised on 4 Jan 1859 in St Paul's Parish Church Devonport, Devon. The service was conducted by the Rev. L. Adam, Perpetural Curate according to the Church of England rite. Her parents and older siblings would have been present. Her sister Jessy was baptised on the same occasion.⁴¹¹

Clara was a present at the Baptism of her sister Jessy Eleanor on 4 Jan 1859 in Parish Church of St Paul, Devonport, Devon.⁴¹²

Clara was recorded in the 1861 Census taken on 7 Apr 1861 for Stoke Damerel, Devon as living with her parents John and Amelia Luscombe at 23 Marlborough Street. The household consisted of John, his wife Amelia and their children John (age 10), Jessy (age 4) and Clara (age 2). They shared the house with another family of 3. The size of the house is unknown. The house was flanked on one side by a cabinet maker's showroom and the other by an ironmongers which had closed down.⁴¹³

Clara was recorded in the 1871 Census taken on 2 Apr 1871 for Stoke Damerel as living with her parents John and Amelia Luscombe at 23, Marlborough Street. The household consisted of John, his wife Amelia, and their children Jessie (age 15), Clara (age 12), Eveline (age 10), Alfred (age 6), and Frederick (age 4). All the children except for Jessie were attending school. The family were now the sole occupants of the house. (In the previous Census they has shared it with another family.).⁴¹⁴

Btw 1876 and 1886 Clara was a domestic servant in the Kings Head Hotel 60 Pembroke Street, Devonport, Devon. In the 1881 Census she is shown as a general servant at the Kings Head Hotel and the birth certificates of her two sons, Ernest who was born in 1882 and Henry who was born in 1886 also show her occupation as a domestic servant but whether she was still working at the Kings head Hotel is not known. There is no evidence to show when she started working as a servant so 1876 when she was 18 is a nominal date. She could have started when she was 16 or even 14.

By the time of the 1891 Census she is working as a dressmaker but when she changed occupations is not known - probably around the time of the birth of her second son so that she could stay at home to look after him.^{415 416 417}

Clara was recorded in the 1881 census taken on 3 Apr 1881 for Stoke Damerel living at 60 Pembroke Street, Kings Head Hotel aged 22. She was working in the hotel as a general servant. Although she only lived a short distance away with her family at 2 St Aubyn Ope and is recorded as being there on the night of the census she had obviously elected to stay overnight at the hotel. At the time she was 7 months pregnant with her illegitimate child and had probably begun to 'show'. Family oral history indicates that her father was upset by her conduct and she may not have been welcome at home.^{418 419}

Clara's son Ernest James was born on 6 Jun 1882 in St Aubyn, Devonport, Devon at 2 St Aubyn Ope. His father's name is not shown on the Birth Certificate. However, based on the known use of Northcott as the second given name for Ernest's half-brother - Henry Northcott Luscombe - it is assumed that Ernest's father was a Snell, although this was never referred to in family oral history which was the source for the use of Northcott. Oral history (Harry Kenneth Luscombe) says that John Luscombe (Yeoman of Signals) was Ernest's father but this was a purely mythical individual presumably invented by their mother and used as the father on Ernest's and Henry's Marriage Certificates.

Using the 1881 Census a search was made for the likely father based on the assumptions that it was someone who was local, was about Amelia's age and probably unmarried. This produced three possible candidates:

1 James Snell aged 22 who was a Driver in the Royal Horse Artillery stationed at the New Granby Barracks in Stoke Damerel. He was born in Bedham, Essex.

2 James J. Snell aged 24 who was a Smith in Devonport Dockyard and lodged with James Neale's family at 5 Charlotte Row, Stoke Damerel. He was born in Devonport.

3 William Snell aged 25 who was an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy and at the time of the Census was lodging with Anne Pike at 127 Albert Road, Devonport. He as born in Devonport. His ship is not known.

Of these William is considered the least likely as at the time of conception (September 1881) he could have been at sea. In addition as Ernest's second Christian name was James it is more likely that one of the Jameses was the father. The most probable reason for Amelia not being forced into marriage was that when her condition beame evident the father was no longer in the neighbourhood. This tilts the balance of probability towards James the soldier as being the father.

His mother was working as a domestic servant; whether she was living at home with her parents is not known, however, Ernest was born at her parents' home.⁴²⁰ Clara informed the Registrar of the birth of Ernest James Luscombe [367] on 18 Jun 1882 at register office for the Stoke Damerel District for the district of Devon.⁴²¹

The funeral of Clara's father John took place on 3 Jun 1883 in the Chapel of Stoke Damerel Parish Graveyard at Milehouse Road, Stoke Damerel, Devon. Although the death notice in the Devonport Independent gives the date of the funeral which left from the house at 2, St Aubyn-street Ope at half past one it does not give the place. It could have taken place either at his local parish church (St Andrew, Morice Square) which did not have its own graveyard or in the chapel of the Stoke Damerel Parish Graveyard where he was buried. The latter is considered the more likely. The distance between St Aubyn Ope and the graveyard was nearly one and a half miles which would have taken the cortege a good half hour. His great granddaughter Doris says in her notes that it was one of the biggest civilian funeral in Devonport which at that time was bigger than Plymouth. As it was a Sunday it could have been well attended especially as according to Doris he was superintendent of the Sunday School. The service was taken by the Rev. J Gilberton who was curate at St Andrew's Church. It is certain that his widow and reasonably certain that his children were present at the service but who else and how many is not known. Neither a report of the funeral nor an obituary could be found in a search of 6 newspaper titles which covered the area.^{422 423 424}

Clara's father John was buried on 3 Jun 1883 in Stoke Damerel Parish Graveyard at Milehouse Road, Soke Damerel, Devon aged 61. Probably only the immediate family attended the committal.

John was buried in Section G (on the Hill), Row 11, No. in Row 9. There was a second interment on 18 April 1895 of a J Luscombe. The relationship (if any) has not been established. In the 1960s the Milehouse Graveyard was landscaped and turned into a public open space. Most of the old headstones were placed round the walls or laid out as paths, and the remains of those buried there were re-interred at Efford.⁴²⁴

Clara's son Henry Northcott was born on 12 Apr 1886 in Stoke, Stoke Damerel, Devon at 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.^{189 190} She reported her son Henry's birth to the Registrar E. G. Millford on 5 May 1886 at the Register Office for the district of Stoke Damerel, Devon.¹⁹¹

On 5 Apr 1891 Clara was a Dressmaker in Saint Andrew, Plymouth, Devon.⁴²⁵

Clara was recorded in the 1891 census taken on 5 Apr 1891 for Plymouth as living with her mother Amelia at 1 Abbey Place, Plymouth. The household consisted of Amelia, her three children Clara, Alfred and Fred, and her two grandsons Ernest and Harry who were actually Clara's children although the census records them as Amelia's children presumably because they were both illegitimate and their mother is single. The family had two rooms in a six roomed house. How they managed in two rooms defies imagination. The other four rooms were occupied by a family of 5. Amelia is described as being of independent means which presumably means that she was living on saving that her husband John had accumulated during his lifetime although her three children who were all working almost certainly contributed to the household income.¹⁹²

Clara married Edward Price Williams on 17 Sep 1894 in The Register Office, Plymouth, Devon. The ceremony was performed by William P. H. White, Registrar and J. W. Matthews, Superintendent Registrar and the witnesses were Priscilla Polyblank and Lilian Rapson. The relationship of witnesses to the couple is not known. The wedding was probably attended by their mothers (both their fathers were dead) but who else was there is not known.^{426 427 428}

The household of James and Clara Snell was recorded in the 1901 census taken on 31 Mar 1901 in East Stonehouse living at 10 Carlton Terrace. The household consisted of Edward, his wife Clara, Clara's son Harry and Clara's mother Amelia who is recorded as Clara A. Luscombe. How this came about is not known but it is certain that neither Edward or his wife Clara would have addressed her by her Christian name so it was probably an error on Edward's part. The other error is that her birthplace is shown as Launceston and not Altarnun. Clara's other son, Ernest, joined the Royal Navy in 1899 and is away at sea. The family had 2 rooms in a 10 roomed house. 5 other families shared the remaining 8 rooms having either 1 or 2 rooms each.¹⁹⁵

Clara was present at the marriage of her son Ernest to Elizabeth Ann Roberts on 6 Sep 1905 at the Belmont Chapel, Devonport, Devon.The service was taken by the and the witnesses were Henry Northcott Luscombe [374] and Ellen Maud Hawkins [319].. Harry was the groom's half-brother and Ellen the bride's cousin. (Harry and Ellen were married 2 years later on 9 Oct 1907.).

Although the Marriage Certificate shows the name and rank of Ernest's father as John Luscombe, Yeoman of Signals R.N., Ernest was illegitimate and his father was probably James Snell. The use of the name John Luscombe as the father was a polite fiction and also occurs on the Marriage Certificate of his half-brother Harry who was also illegitimate.

Who attended the wedding apart from the witnesses is not known but it is fairly certain that the groom's mother and grandmother were there as they all lived locally. The bride's parents probably did not attend as they lived in the village of Trencreek, Columb Minor, in Cornwall and the bride was not on good terms with her father.

At the time of the marriage Ernest was serving in H.M.S. Pyramus and the bride was living with her cousin's parents Daniel and Sarah Hawkins at the Royal Western Yacht Club where Ellen's father was the steward (manager). It is virtually certain that Daniel and Sarah also attended the wedding.¹⁹⁶

Clara was probably present at the marriage of her son Henry to Ellen Maud Hawkins on 9 Oct 1907 at Parish Church of Charles the Martyr, Plymouth, Devon.The service was taken by the Henry A. Fleetwood Curate - Assistant and the witnesses were Ernest James Luscombe [367] and Elizabeth Ann Luscombe [366].. 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.^{198 199}

The household of James and Clara Snell was recorded in the 1911 census taken on 2 Apr 1911 in Devonport living at 11 Fellowes Place. The household consisted of Edward and his wife ClaraThey shared the house which had 10 rooms with three other families. In all 12 people (including a baby) lived there.⁴²⁹

The household of James and Clara Snell was recorded in the 1921 census taken on 19 Jun 1921 in Stoke, Devonport, Devon living at 11 Fellows Place when she was 62. The household consisted of Edward and his wife Clara. They lived in 2 rooms and shared the house with 2 other families -one of 7 who had 3 rooms and the other of 3 who had 5 rooms.⁴³⁰

Clara died on 27 Mar 1927 in East Stonehouse at her son's home 35 Chapel Street from breast cancer and bronchitis. At the time of her death she was living with her son Harry and his wife Ellen.^{431 432 433}

Clara was buried in Apr 1927 in Plymouth Old Cemetery, according to the Church of England rite.⁴³⁴ Clara married James Snell.

James was born to and in 1859 (cal) in Dedham, Essex.⁴³⁵

James was a Driver RHA.

James was recorded in the 1881 census taken on 3 Apr 1881 for Stoke Damerel. Unknown GEDCOM info: New Granby Barracks, Devonport Unknown GEDCOM info: 22y.⁴³⁵

On 3 Apr 1881 James was a Driver, Royal Horse Artillery in Stoke Damerel.⁴³⁵ He and Clara Amelia Luscombe had the following children:

Northcott and Clara Amelia Luscombe had the following children:

Edward Price was born to John and Sarah Williams on 19 Dec 1855 in St David's, Exeter, Devon. His Royal Naval engagement papers give his place and date of birth.^{446 447}

Edward was recorded in the 1861 Census taken on 7 Apr 1861 for Barrack Rd, Exeter, Devon as living with his parents John and Sarah Williams in rooms in the Engineer's Office for Exeter Barracks where her father was an office keeper and messenger. The household consisted of John, his wife Sarah and their children Edward (age 4) and Emma (age 3).⁴⁴⁸

Edward was a present at the Baptism of his brother John on 4 Jun 1865 in St David's Parish Church, Exeter, Devon.⁴⁴⁹

Edward was recorded in the 1871 census taken on 2 Apr 1871 for St Sidwell, Exeter, Devon as living with his mother Sarah at 7 Portland Place, St Sidwell. The household consisted of Sarah who is a widow and her three children Edward (14), Annie (7) and John (5). They shared the house with 3 other families - a total of 12 people - so the house must have been fairly large. Although Sarah describes herself as a widow her husband was still alive and an inmate of Devon County Lunatic Asylum at Exminster.⁴⁵⁰

Edward Price Williams⁴⁵¹ [536], son of John Williams (1832-1873) [537] and Sarah Jane Spain (1833- ) [538], enlisted in the Royal Navy on 6 May 1871 in H.M.S. Implacable. At the time of his enlistment H. M. S. Implacable was the training ship for boys at Devonport. He signed on for a 10 year engagement and as he was underage his engagement was countersigned by his mother Sarah Williams. He also signed that he was not apprenticed. However, the 1871 Census carried out only the previous month stated that he was a painter's apprentice. Whether he had been formally apprenticed or just worked for a painter (a painter's foreman lived next door) is not known.⁴⁵²

Btw 6 May 1871 and 31 May 1894 Edward served in the Royal Navy in various Plymouth based ships and shore establishments. After his service as a boy he became a signalman and on 1 January 1884 he signed on for another 10 years to complete his time for pension. He served in a number of ships and on 1 July 1890 was advanced to Leading Signalman on being drafted to H.M.S. Speedwell which was a newly commissioned torpedo gunboat. He appears to have made a good start but on 18 December 1890 he broke out of ship (in other words left the ship when he was supposed to be on duty) and after being on the run for a couple of weeks he was apprehended ended up in Bodmin Goal. He appears to have served time in cells in H.M.S. Vivid (the barracks at Devonport) before being returned to H. M. S. Speedwell on 10 February 1891 as a signalman. He was advance to Leading Signalman from 17 January 1892 to 23 July 1893 before being drafted to H. M. S. Royal Sovereign (a battleship) where he served out his time as a signalman before being pensioned. During his time in the Navy he also served from time to time as a ship's corporal which is a position - not a rating - assisting the Master-at-Arms.⁴⁵³

Edward was recorded in the 1881 census taken on 3 Apr 1881 for Plymouth living at 35 King Street. However, this was only temporary accommodation as he was serving in H.M.S. Queen Adelaide as a signalman and is recorded as not being on board on the night of the census. Conditions on board were crowded and at night he would have had to sling his hammock and then make it up again in the morning so a chance to sleep ashore in a normal bed was welcome.⁴⁵⁴

Edward was discharged from the Royal Navy on 31 May 1894 in Devonport H.M.S Vivid.⁴⁵⁵

Btw Jun 1894 and Dec 1918 Edward was a labourer in the Construction Manager's Department in Devonport Dockyard Devonport, Devon. It is assumed that he got a job in the dockyard soon after being dischared from the Royal Navy and that he retired at the age of 60.⁴⁵⁶

On 7 Feb 1910 Edward reported the death of his mother-in-law Amelia Sleep [450] to the the Register Office Devonport, Devon.⁴⁵⁷

Edward died in 1921 aged 65 in Devonport.⁴⁵⁸

14.

Daniel was born to James and Susan Hawkins on 30 Oct 1843 in Bolham, Tiverton, Devon where his father worked as a farm labourer. Although his Royal Marine record gives his date of birth as 17 January 1845 it was suspected from census information that he had lied about his age on joining up. This was confirmed firstly by his Birth Registration in the last quarter of 1843 and then his Birth Certificate and Baptismal Record which both givw his birth date as 30 October 1843.^{459 460 461 462 463}

Daniel Hawkins [318], son of James Hawkins [320] and Susan Babb [479], was baptised on 19 Nov 1843 in St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon. The service was conducted by the A Hanaran according to the Church of England rite. His parents James and Susan Hawkins would have been present. Also his older siblings were present.⁴⁶⁰

Daniel was a member of the Church of England frm 19 Nov 1843..^{460 464} Daniel's birth was reported to the Registrar John Jones Owen by Daniel's his mother Susan on 23 Nov 1843 at the the Register Office for the district of Tiverton, Devon.⁴⁶⁵

Frm 1848 to 1856 he went to an elementary school in Tiverton, Devon. The 1851 Census records him as a 'scholar' indicating that he was attending a school. However, the education must have been minimal as he signed the register for his marriage to Emma Voysey in 1876 with his mark. However, in 1888 he signed the register for his marriage to Sarah Hockin normally indicating that he had learnt to write, or at least sign his name, probably in the Royal Marines.^{466 467}

Daniel was a present at the Baptism of his brother Abraham on 7 Oct 1849 in St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon.⁴⁶⁸

Daniel was recorded in the 1851 Census taken on 30 Mar 1851 for Tiverton as living with his parents James and Susan Hawkins at Martins Lane. The household consisted of James, his wife Susan, their children John (age 15), Maria (age 11), Daniel (age 7), Thomas (age 4) & Abraham (age 1), and a lodger Elizabeth Fulford. All the children except for Abraham were attending school. James was no longer working and was in receipt of an Army pension. Elizabeth was on parish relief.⁴⁶⁹

Daniel was a present at the Baptism of his brother Richard William on 9 Apr 1852 in St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon.⁴⁷⁰

Btw 1857 and Jan 1866 Daniel was a labourer in Tiverton. According to his Royal Marine records he was a labourer before he joined up in 1866. However, the 1861 Census is more specific saying that he was employed as a brewer's assistant. So he was probably a labourer in a brewery at least for some of the time. When he started work is not known - probably around the age of 12.^{471 472 473}

Daniel was recorded in the 1861 Census taken on 7 Apr 1861 for Tiverton as living with his parents James and Susan Hawkins at Bampton Street. The household consisted of James, his wife Susanna and their children John (age 27), Maria (age 21), Daniel (age 18), Thomas (age 15), Abraham (age 11) and Richard (age 9).⁴⁷⁴

Daniel enlisted in the Royal Marines Light Infantry on 17 Jan 1866. Where he enlisted is not shown on his Service Certificate but it was probably Taunton. On enlistment he lied about his age. He gave his date of birth as 17 January 1845, which would have made him exactly 21 on enlistment, whereas he was actually born on 11 October 1843 which means he was 22¼ on enlistment. Why he needed to lie about his age is not known.⁴⁷⁵

Frm 17 Jan 1867 to 18 Jan 1887 Daniel served in the Royal Marine Light Infantry. He remained a Private throughout his service and served in a number of ships and ashore.

Using the dates from his Service Certificate and research into where the ships he served in were it is possible to reconstruct his career with a fair degree of accuracy.

From 17 Jan 1866 to 14 Nov 67 he served ashore with the Plymouth Division and presumably unwent basic training before he as drafted to HMS Zealous supernumerary for service at San Juan from 15 Nov 1867 to 13 May 73. HMS Zealous was one of the three ships (the others being HMS Royal Alfred and HMS Repulse) forming the second group of wooden steam battleships selected in 1860 for conversion to ironclads. This was done in response to the perceived threat to Britain offered by the large French ironclad building programme. The ship was ordered to the West Coast of Canada after she was completed to represent British interests in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Zealous became the flagship for the Pacific Station for six years until she was relieved in 1872. Upon her arrival the ship became the flagship, and reached her operational base at Esquimalt in July 1867 (Esquimalt was the headquarters of the Pacific Station); she remained moored there, at the end of a telegraph link with Britain, until April 1869. During this time her only sea service was for gunnery practice on two days every quarter.

Even after the Oregon Treaty of 1846, the boundary between the British Gulf Islands and the U.S. islands in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound was not fully defined. An incident, involving an American settler shooting a HBC farm pig on San Juan Island led to the Pig War with the USA in 1859.

In 1865, the British Royal Navy relocated the headquarters of its Pacific fleet from Valparaíso, Chile, to the Esquimalt Harbour which is where Daniel must have served thus the use of 'San Juan' on his Service Certificate is interesting and intriguing. However, the period from 15 Nov 1867 to 13 May 73 is a precis of an earlier document and it has not been possible to determine the details of his service on the west coast of Canada.

From 14 Jul 1873 to 31 Aug 74 Daniel served ashore in Plymouth after which he was drafted to HMS Endimyon where he remained until 30 Sep 76. Endymion was a 21-gun wooden screw frigate, the third of four ships of this name to serve in the Royal Navy. She was the last wooden frigate built at Deptford Dockyard and remained in front-line service until 1874 after which she served as a guard ship and on coast guard duties at Hull, Yorkshire until 1879, latterly with her boilers condemned as unfit for service. Endymion was at Hull by October 74. On 25 December, a warehouse in Hull caught fire. A boat was despatched from Endymion with a hand pump on board, followed by another with a steam pump. Both boats assisted in the firefighting operation, but the warehouse was gutted. Endymion sailed from Hull in July for Plymouth. HMS Iron Duke replaced her on guard ship duties. Both ships sailed in company from Devonport on 30 July 75 for Portland.

On 17 January 1875, a court-martial was held on board Duke of Wellington as Portsmouth of a leading seaman from Endymion who was charged with indecent assault and inducing another to commit the same offence. The trial lasted for over eight hours. The first charge was found partly proven, and he was found guilty on the second charge. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment as a close prisoner. On 1 April, a court-martial was held on board Duncan at The Nore of a marine serving in Endymion who was accused of assaulting a corporal in the execution of his duties. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years' hard labour and dismissal from the service. Endymion returned to Chatham in August for her annual refit. Her crew transferred to HMS Iron Duke in July 1875. In September, she was towed from Sheerness to Devonport by the Admiralty tugs Camel and Grinder, her boilers having been condemned as unfit for service. It was intended that Endymion would be stationed at Harwich, Essex where she was to replace HMS Penelope as the flagship of the Admiral Superintendent of the Naval Reserve. That plan was cancelled due to the loss of HMS Vanguard, with that ship's crew transferring to Iron Duke, with her crew transferring back to Endymionin October 1874. Endymion departed from Devonport on 4 November for Hull, where she was to take up coast guard duties. As her boilers had not been repaired, she departed under sail. On 13 December, a court-martial was held on board Duke of Wellington at Portsmouth of an able seaman from Endymion charged with three counts of insubordination and disobedience. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment at Lewes Gaol. The first seven days in each month to be kept in solitary confinement and the rest of the time to be kept at hard labour.

On 23 February 1876, a private in the Royal Marines serving on board Endymion was court-martialled on board Duke of Wellington at Portsmouth on a charge of insubordination. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment at Lewes Gaol. The first seven days in each month to be kept in solitary confinement and the rest of the time to be kept at hard labour. On 7 March, a fire broke out in the yard of Humphrys & Pearson Ltd, shipbuilders, located in the Victoria Dock. A range of workshops was destroyed, and the ship Sylph, then under construction, was severely damaged. Her rigging and port side were burnt. Royal Marines from Endymion and HMS Pheasant assisted in the firefighting operations. On Ascension Day, a salute was fired by Endymion in honour of the Queen. This caused two windows to fall out of a building in Scale Lane, Hull, injuring two passers-by. On 14 August, a fire broke out at a timber yard in Hull. Crewmen from Dauntless, Endymion and Mermaid assisted the Hull police in fighting the fire. Nine days later, crewmen from Endymion gave assistance at another fire at a timber yard in Drypool. John Moresby took command of Endymion on 29 September 1876. The day after Daniel was drafted back to the Plymouth Division where apart from a few months in HMS Indus in 1878 he remained until 26 September 1879 when he was drafted to HMS Hibernia.

HMS Hibernia was First Rate Ship of the Line built in Devonport in 1804. She served in the Mediterranean from1816 to 1855 after which she was permanently moored in Valeta Harbour as the Malta Base Flagship. Daniel remained in Malta until October 1881 when he returned to the Plymouth Division.

Danial remained in Plymouth until 11 March 1884 when he was drafted to HMS Terror. Terror was a 16-gun iron screw floating battery launched in 1856. She became the base ship at Bermuda in 1857. On the 23 October 1886 he embarked in HMS Himalaya for passage home arriving in Plymouth on 4 November. He remined with the Plymouth Division until 18 January 1888 when he completed his 21 years service and was eligible for a pension.

During his service his Character (conduct) was mainly Very Good but was reduced to Good when serving in HMS Endymion from 1 Sep 1874 to 31 Dec 1874 after which it was reduced to Fair from 1 Jan 1875 to 30 Sep 1875. It was restored to Good from 1 Oct 1875 to 31 Dec 1875. The period of being less than V.G. (the 'standard') coincided with the deprivation of a Good Conduct Badge on 17 Dec 1874 and a second one on 2 Apr 1875. He was further reduced to 2nd Class for Conduct on 10 May 1875. He was restored to 1st Class for Conduct on 20 Jan 1876. This was followed by the restoration of a Good Conduct Badge on 20 Jul 1876. What happened? A 'run in' with his C.O. in HMS Endymion? Being drunk on board? Being drawn in to other disputes? Who knows? However, it is worth noting that there were a number of disciplinary problems in Endymion whilst Danial was serving in her- see above - and it is thought that she may not have been a 'happy' ship. After this it remained V.G. except for period between 1 Oct 1878 and 30 Jun 1880 when, whilst serving (ashore) in Plymouth and HMS Hibernia, it was Exemplary.⁴⁷⁶

Daniel married Emma Jane Voysey on 11 Nov 1876 in St George's Parish Church, East Stonehouse, Devon. The service was conducted according to Church of England rite by the Rev. P.R. Scott and the witnesses were John Davies [784] and Mary Ann Voysey [486]. Mary was Emma's sister and John was her husband. Daniel's father was dead and it is extremely unlikely that his mother who lived in Tiverton attended the wedding. Indeed one wonders whether they even knew as Daniel signed the register with his mark indicating that he could not write. Perhaps someone else wrote to his mother for him. It is fairly certain that Emma's parents attended the wedding as they lived in Stonehouse. Who else was at the wedding is not known.^{477 478}

Daniel was recorded in the 1881 census taken on 3 Apr 1881 for H.M.S. Hibernia. The Census does not say where the ship was. However, as a large number of the crew, including Daniel, were not on board it is assumed that the ship was in her Home Port of Devonport. This assumption is supported by the facts that amongst those on board were the Commander (Sir Francis Blackwood), his wife, their two young children and the children's governess. Daniel was almost certainly at home with his wife although he is not included in Emma's census return.⁴⁷⁹

Daniel was a present at the Baptism of his wife Emma Jane on 17 Jul 1883 in the District Chapelry of St Luke, Tavistock Place, Plymouth, Devon. Why she elected to be baptised at this time is not known but as the service was conducted by a Royal Marine chaplain it must have been connected in some way with he husband being in the Royal Marines.⁴⁸⁰

Daniel was discharged from the the Plymouth Division of the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 18 Jan 1887 in Devonport Royal Marine Barracks, Devonport, Devon. It is assumed that the discharge took place from the Royal Marine Barracks in Devonport. He had served 21 years which made him eligible for a pension.⁴⁸¹

Frm Feb 1887 to 1906 Daniel was in domestic service in Plymouth. As a Private in the Royal Marines he would almost certainly have been employed as a Wardroom Attendant serving behind the bar and at tables in the Wardroom, and cleaning officers' cabins. He may have also have been employed as a batman to a R.M. Officer. This would have been ideal training for employment in domestic service after leaving the Marines and he would not have had much difficulty in finding a job. The first record of his employment comes from the certificate for his marriage to Sarah Hockin in October 1888 about 18 months after leaving the marines where his occupation is shown as a servant. His address is given as King Street and the 1891 Census shows that quite a number of the residents employed servants so he may have 'lived in'. The next record is a year later where on the Birth Certificate for his daughter Ellen his occupation is shown as a cook, domestic servant. Where he learnt his cooking skills is not known and it would appear that he was working for a household. The 1891 Census shows him employed in domestic service. Both his daughter's birth certificate and the 1891 Census give his address as 34 East Street and it is evident from the Census return he was not working there. Where he was working is not known. In the 1901 Census he is shown as the caretaker of the West Hoe (Royal South Western) Yacht Club and living there with his wife Sarah and daughter Ellen. He was still there in September 1905 when Elizabeth Roberts who was his wife's first cousin was married from the Royal South Western Yacht Club. He eventually became the Steward of the Yacht Club and when he left he was given a testimonial from the committee. His great-granddaughter Patricia Ward (née Wallace) found it amongst her mother's papers and gave it to her uncle Harry Kenneth Luscombe (his mother's sister) as she felt it 'belonged to him'. He destroyed the document on the orders of his wife Barabara whose father was a Chief Draftsman in Devonport Dockyard and did not wish to be associated with anyone who may have been in domestic service. Unfortunately the document was not photographed before being passed to Harry Luscombe so there is no record of the exact date on which he left the Club although it was before the 1911 Census.^{482 483 484 485 486}

Daniel married Sarah Elizabeth Hockin on 15 Oct 1888 in the Parish Church of St Andrew, Plymouth, Devon. The service was conducted according to Church of England rite by the Rev. Julian Harvey, Curate and the witnesses were John Pearie and Emily Thorne. The relationship of the witnesses to Daniel and Sarah is not known and who else attended the wedding is also not known. All their parents were dead and, as far as is known, all Daniel's siblings lived in Tiverton and all Sarah's siblings lived in the Newquay area so none of their relatives may have been present. On their Marriage Certificate Sarah gives her father's name as John Hockin and gives his occupation as boatman whereas her father was George Hockin who was a seaman employed in the coastal trade. She also gives her residence as Flushing in Cornwall whereas she came from Newquay and was probably living in Plymouth at the time of her marriage. The distance between Newquay and Flushing is about 25 miles. Why she should dissemble about her father's name and occupation, and where she came from is not known. Two Marriage Certificates exist

1 The original certificate which would have been given to the bride

2 A certified copy of the register entry issued by the General Register Office on 25th February 2004

The original certificate gives the date of the marriage as 16th October 1888 whilst the certified copy gives the date as 15th October 1888. The Marriage Register also give the date of the marriage as the 15th October 1888. All three documents are in the same hand except for the officiant's signature (Julian Harvey, Curate) in the Register and on the Certificate given to the bride. It is assumed that the Register Entry and the original Certificate were prepared by the Clerk or Verger before the marriage and signed on the day by the Curate. The copy of the register entry was then made after the marriage by the Clerk or Verger for eventual transmission to the General Register Office. On balance it is considered that 15th October 1888 is the correct date for the marriage.^{487 488 489}

Daniel and Sarah Hawkins were present at the Baptism of their child Ellen Maud by the Rev. J. W. Willis according to the Church of England rite on 21 Nov 1889 in St Matthew's Parish Church, Stonehouse, Devon.²¹⁶

The household of Daniel and Sarah Hawkins was recorded in the 1891 census taken on 5 Apr 1891 in East Stonehouse living at 34 East Street when he was 46 and she was 30. The household consisted of Daniel, his wife Elizabeth and their daughter Ellen Maud who was 12 months old. They had 2 rooms in a 6 roomed house. The other rooms were occupied by a Royal Marine pensioner who had one room and two people who were described as visitors who had 3 rooms. It is not clear whether Daniel rented the whole house and sub-let rooms or whether the owner took individual rents.²¹⁷

The household of Daniel and Sarah Hawkins was recorded in the 1901 census taken on 31 Mar 1901 in Plymouth living at the West Hoe Yacht Club. The household consisted of Daniel, his wife Elizabeth and their daughter Ellen (age 11). Daniel is shown as being the caretaker at the club.²¹⁹

Daniel and his wife Sarah were guests at the marriage of Ernest James Luscombe [367] and Elizabeth Ann Roberts [430] on 6 Sep 1905 in the Belmont Chapel Devonport, Devon. And the witnesses were Henry Northcott Luscombe [374] and Ellen Maud Hawkins [319]. Harry was the groom's half-brother and Ellen the bride's cousin. (Harry and Ellen were married 2 years later on 9 Oct 1907.).

Although the Marriage Certificate shows the name and rank of Ernest's father as John Luscombe, Yeoman of Signals R.N., Ernest was illegitimate and his father was probably James Snell. The use of the name John Luscombe as the father was a polite fiction and also occurs on the Marriage Certificate of his half-brother Harry who was also illegitimate.

Who attended the wedding apart from the witnesses is not known but it is fairly certain that the groom's mother and grandmother were there as they all lived locally. The bride's parents probably did not attend as they lived in the village of Trencreek, Columb Minor, in Cornwall and the bride was not on good terms with her father.

At the time of the marriage Ernest was serving in H.M.S. Pyramus and the bride was living with her cousin's parents Daniel and Sarah Hawkins at the Royal Western Yacht Club where Ellen's father was the steward (manager). It is virtually certain that Daniel and Sarah also attended the wedding.¹⁹⁶

Frm 1906 to 1910 Daniel was a refreshment house keeper in Plymouth. It is thought that the business was not very successful as according to his daughter Ellen as recalled by her son Harry Luscombe he 'cut the ham too thick'. He also suffered from bouts of depression and would shut himself away for up to 24 hours and only emerge when he felt better.⁴⁹⁰

Daniel was probably present at the marriage of his daughter Ellen to Henry Northcott Luscombe on 9 Oct 1907 at Parish Church of Charles the Martyr, Plymouth, Devon.The service was taken by the Henry A. Fleetwood Curate - Assistant and the witnesses were Ernest James Luscombe [367] and Elizabeth Ann Luscombe [366]. 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.^{198 199}

The household of Daniel and Sarah Hawkins was recorded in the 1911 census taken on 2 Apr 1911 in Devonport living at 16 Wellington Street. The household consisted of Daniel and his wife Elizabeth who were living in 2 rooms and had no income apart from his Royal Marine pension. They shared the house with the household of Sidney Brown which consisted of Sidney, his wife, two children and his father-in-law; the Browns also had a visitor Hephzibah Hawkins but despite her surname was not thought to be related to Daniel. The Brown family had six rooms. Caroline Hosgood who worked as a domestic servant had a tenement room and was shown as a separate household.⁴⁹¹

Daniel died on 3 Sep 1920 in his home at 16 Wellington Street, Plymouth, Devon from pneumonia. The death certificate says that Henry Northcott Luscombe [374] was present. The death certificate says that Sarah Elizabeth Hockin [340] was present. The death was certified by E. E. Blades L.R.C.P.. Although Daniel's death certificate says that his son-in-law Harry Luscombe, who registered his death, was present this is thought unlikely. It was more likely that Daniel's wife Elizabeth was with him when he died and that her daughter Ellen and her husband Harry supported Elizabeth at the time of her husband's death.²⁰¹ Daniel's death was reported to the Registrar on 6 Sep 1920 by at the the Register Office for.⁴⁹²

Emma Jane was born to William and Susanna Voysey on 20 Oct 1849 in Tiverton.^{493 480}

Emma was recorded in the 1851 Census taken on 30 Mar 1851 for Tiverton as living with her parents William and Susanna Voysey at St Andrew Street. The household consisted of William, his wife Susanna, their children Hannah (age 9), Caroline (age 8), John (age 6), Mary (age 4) and Emma (age 1), and a visitor Elizabeth Berry. The relationship of the visitor to the household is unknown. Her age which is given as 21 makes her too young to be Susanna's sister. William is working as an agricultural labourer and all the children except for Emma are shown as attending school.⁴⁹⁴

Emma was recorded in the 1861 Census taken on 7 Apr 1861 for Tiverton as living with her parents William and Susanna Voysey at Bampton Street. The household consisted of William, his wife Susan and their children Minda (age 21), Caroline (age 19), Emma (age 10), Ellen (age 9) and Albert (age 4). They were also minding a 4 month old child William Harvey. William is working as an agricultural labourer. His wife Susan and his daughter Caroline are working as char women so obviously money was tight especially as Minda was suffering from consumption and is unable to work. The three youngest children are shown as being at school.⁴⁹⁵

Frm 1870 to 1883 Emma was a machinist and tailoress in East Stonehouse.^{496 497}

Emma was recorded in the 1881 census taken on 3 Apr 1881 for East Stonehouse living at 16 Adelaide Street. 7 families (households) totalling 22 people were occupying the same house including that of a Private in the RMLI and a RMLI Pensioner who also had a RMLI Pensioner as a lodger. Next door at 17 Adelaide St there was a RMLI Sergeant and his family. Emma was described as a tailoress and had been a machinist in her father's tailoring business before she was married. At No 14 there were also 2 tailoresses so presumably there was a tailoring business nearby and Emma may have worked for it.

She is shown as living by herself but it is thought that her husband Daniel was with her as he was listed as not being on board his ship H.M.S. Hibernia on the night of the Census.⁴⁹⁸

Emma Jane Voysey [482] (also known as Emma Jane Hawkins), daughter of William Voysey (1812-1889) [487] and Susanna Bowden (1815- ) [242], was baptised on 17 Jul 1883 in the District Chapelry of St Luke, Tavistock Place, Plymouth, Devon. The service was conducted by the G. E. Carwithen, Chaplain R.M. according to the Church of England rite. Her parents William and Susanna Voysey would have been present. Why she elected to be baptised at this time is not known but as the service was conducted by a Royal Marine chaplain it must have been connected in some way with he husband being in the Royal Marines.⁴⁸⁰

Emma died on 6 Feb 1884 in East Stonehouse at 29 East Street from phthisis, which is now known as tuberculosis, and not in childbirth which is family oral history for the cause of her death. According to the Death Certificate she had been under treatment for 18 months. Her mother, Susan Voysey, was present at her death. At the time her husband Daniel Hawkins, who was in the Royal Marines, was stationed in Plymouth and had been since October 1881. It is therefore certain that he was aware of the progress of her fatal illness.

Although tuberculosis was fairly common in the crowded conditions in which most people lived (in the 1881 Census she is shown as sharing a house at 16 Adelaide Street with 20 other people in 7 families, although that was not the address at which she died) she may have caught it from her sister Minda before she moved to Stonehouse. As people tended to shun those who suffered from it is possible that Daniel said that his first wife died in childbirth not only because that would elicit sympathy but also conceal the fact that he has been in close contact with someone who had a contagious disease and could himself be infected.^{499 500 501} Emma's death was reported to the Registrar C L Bignell on 8 Feb 1884 by her mother Susan at the Register Office for East Stonehouse, Devon.⁵⁰²

15.

Sarah Elisabeth was born to George and Sarah Hockin on 26 May 1860 at home, Newquay, St Columb Minor, Cornwall.⁵⁰³

Sarah Elizabeth Hockin's [340] (also known as Sarah Elizabeth Hockin, Bessie or Elizabeth Hockin and Elizabeth Hawkins), daughter of George Hockin [326] and Sarah Jane Osborne [410], birth was reported to the Registrar George Oke by Sarah's mother Sarah Jane Osborne [410] on 5 Jul 1860 at the the Register Office for the district of St Columb Minor.⁵⁰⁴

She was baptised on 16 Oct 1860 in the parish Church of St Columba, St Columb Minor. Her parents George and Sarah Hockin would have been present.⁵⁰⁵

Sarah was recorded in the 1861 Census taken on 7 Apr 1861 for St Columb Minor, Cornwall as living with her grandparents Thomas and Sarah Osborne at Newquay. The household consisted of Thomas and his wife Sarah; their son-in-law George Hockin, his wife Sarah Jane who is Thomas & Sarah Osborne's daughter, and George and Sarah's daughter Sarah (age 1); and Thomas and Sarah Osborne's grandsons Thomas Joseph Osborne (age 12) and William S. Osborne (age 8) who are the sons of William Osborne and his wife Elizabeth.⁵⁰⁶

Sarah was recorded in the 1871 Census taken on 2 Apr 1871 for St Columb Minor as living with her father George Hockin and stepmother Eliza (née Rounsavell) at Newquay. The household consisted of George, Eliza who was his second wife, George's daughter Bessie (age 10) by his first wife Sarah, and George and Eliza's children Richard (age 1) and Mary (age 2 months). The family shared the house with Maria Stephens who is described as a sailor's wife so presumably her husband was away at sea and Maria's sister Sarah. The size of the house is not known.⁵⁰⁷ Sarah experienced Census 1881 on 3 Apr 1881.

On 15 Oct 1889 Sarah was a Domestic Servant.⁵⁰⁸ She reported her daughter Ellen's birth to the Registrar A. C. Bignall on 14 Nov 1889 at Register Office for the district of East Stonehouse, Devon.²¹⁵

Daniel and Sarah Hawkins were present at the Baptism of their child Ellen Maud by the Rev. J. W. Willis according to the Church of England rite on 21 Nov 1889 in St Matthew's Parish Church, Stonehouse, Devon.²¹⁶

Sarah and her husband Daniel were guests at the marriage of Ernest James Luscombe [367] and Elizabeth Ann Roberts [430] on 6 Sep 1905 in the Belmont Chapel Devonport, Devon. And the witnesses were Henry Northcott Luscombe [374] and Ellen Maud Hawkins [319]. Harry was the groom's half-brother and Ellen the bride's cousin. (Harry and Ellen were married 2 years later on 9 Oct 1907.).

Although the Marriage Certificate shows the name and rank of Ernest's father as John Luscombe, Yeoman of Signals R.N., Ernest was illegitimate and his father was probably James Snell. The use of the name John Luscombe as the father was a polite fiction and also occurs on the Marriage Certificate of his half-brother Harry who was also illegitimate.

Who attended the wedding apart from the witnesses is not known but it is fairly certain that the groom's mother and grandmother were there as they all lived locally. The bride's parents probably did not attend as they lived in the village of Trencreek, Columb Minor, in Cornwall and the bride was not on good terms with her father.

At the time of the marriage Ernest was serving in H.M.S. Pyramus and the bride was living with her cousin's parents Daniel and Sarah Hawkins at the Royal Western Yacht Club where Ellen's father was the steward (manager). It is virtually certain that Daniel and Sarah also attended the wedding.¹⁹⁶

Sarah was probably present at the marriage of her daughter Ellen to Henry Northcott Luscombe on 9 Oct 1907 at Parish Church of Charles the Martyr, Plymouth, Devon.The service was taken by the Henry A. Fleetwood Curate - Assistant and the witnesses were Ernest James Luscombe [367] and Elizabeth Ann Luscombe [366]. 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.^{198 199}

Ernest and Elizabeth Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child Winifred Doreen by the Rev. E Leslie Warren, Curate according to the Church of England rite on 30 Dec 1915 in St Thomas' Church, Ford, Plymouth, Devon.⁴⁴²

Sarah's husband Daniel died from pneumonia on 3 Sep 1920 in his home at 16 Wellington Street, Plymouth, Devon. Although Daniel's death certificate says that his son-in-law Harry Luscombe, who registered his death, was present this is thought unlikely. It was more likely that Daniel's wife Elizabeth was with him when he died and that her daughter Ellen and her husband Harry supported Elizabeth at the time of her husband's death.²⁰¹

Sarah died on 4 Oct 1922 in Stonehouse, Plymouth. Unknown GEDCOM info: 62y.^{509 510 511}

Sarah was buried aft 4 Oct 1922 in Plymouth Cemetery, according to the Church of England rite. Unknown GEDCOM info: 62y.⁵⁰⁹ She and Daniel Hawkins had the following children:

20.

Jane Harlning was born to James and Jane Bootyman in 1826 (est) in Bristol, Gloucestershire. Her son's Henry's birth certificate gives her full maiden name as Jane Harlning Bootyman and this is the name she used in the 1851 Census. However, the 1841 Census indicates that she was born Jane Harlning. Both censuses agree on a bith year of 1826 (although later censuses make her a little younger).^{565 566 567 568}

Jane was recorded in the 1841 Census taken on 6 Jun 1841 for St Paul, Bristol, Gloucestershire as living with her parents James and Jane Bootyman at Driver's Fields. The household consisted of James, his wife Jane, their adopted daughter Jane Harlning, a young man of 18 Stephen Chiorsall who was probably a lodger, and 4 children aged between 3 and 7 months Angelina Thomas, Edward Nash, Henry Bryant & Sydney Smith who were probably being fostered.⁵⁶⁹

Jane was recorded in the 1851 census taken on 30 Mar 1851 for Ashley Down, Clifton, Bristol, Gloucestershire working at the Clifton Union Orphanage, New Orphan House aged 25 where she was a nurse. On the night of the Census there were 126 boys and 199 girls in the orphanage.⁵⁷⁰

William and Jane Wakefield were present at the Baptism of their child Henry James by the T W Boyce according to the Church of England rite on 15 Mar 1857 in St Clement Parish Church, Bristol. Who else was there is not known.²⁸² She reported her son Henry's birth to the Registrar John Brady on 6 Apr 1857 at Register Office for the district of Saint Paul, Bristol.^{283 284}

William and Jane Wakefield were present at the Baptism of their child Frederick William by the Edward Gunn according to the Church of England rite on 17 Oct 1860 in St Mary's Parish Church, Swansea, Glamorganshire. Also his older brother Henry but who else is not known.²⁸⁵

Jane was recorded in the 1871 census taken on 2 Apr 1871 for Clifton, Bristol, Gloucestershire living at 12 Avon Crescent aged 43. The household consisted of Jane and her two sons Henry (age 14) and Frederick (age 10). Although Jane is shown as unmarried she is the widow of Henry Wakefield and is supporting her family by working as a plain sewer almost certainly at home, for very long hours and poorly paid. It is possible that Henry who is apprenticed to a hairdresser is also bringing home a small wage. The family shared the house with 2 other families and in all 10 people lived in the house. The size is unknown.²⁹¹

Jane was probably present at the marriage of her son Henry to Eliza Emily Adams on 28 Aug 1879 at the Register Office, Bristol.The service was taken by the and the witnesses were Henry Charles Lester and Charlotte Ellen Gilmore [622].. It is assumed that Henry Lester was a friend of the Groom. Charlotte Ray was the Bride's Aunt by marriage - her husband Edmond Ray was the Bride's Uncle and it is assumed that he attended the wedding. It is not known for certain whether any other members of the family attended the wedding. It is known that the Henry had a younger brother, Frederick, and that Eliza's parents were living in Bristol at the time so they were probably there and also the Groom's mother - his father was dead.^{293 294}

Jane was recorded in the 1881 census taken on 3 Apr 1881 for Clifton living at 9 Brunswick Place. The household consisted of Jane and her son Frederick. Jane is working as a charwoman and her son although he is only 20 is shown as a jeweller and clock maker. Presumably he is either apprenticed or working as an assistant in a jeweller's shop. They shared the house with two other families and a single married woman whose husband was probably away at sea. At the time there were 8 people living in the house. The size is unknown.⁵⁷¹

Jane died on 17 Mar 1890 aged 62 in Clifton, Bristol at 8 Jacobs Wells Buildings from Chronic Bronchitis, Pulmonary Congestion and Exhaustion. The death certificate says that Frederick William Wakefield [496] was present. According to her death certificate her son Frederick was with her when she died which probably means he was at her home which was about a mile away from where he lived at 219 Hotwell Road.^{572 573} Jane's death was reported to the Registrar Edward Tedder on 19 Mar 1890 by son Frederick William Wakefield [496] at the Register Office for Clifton, Bristol.⁵⁷⁴ She and William Henry Wakefield had the following children:

21.

Benjamin Hellen was born to James and Charlotte Adams in Feb 1830 in Pill, Somerset. Hie baptismal record gives the village in which he was born but not his exact date of birth. However, the assumption that he was born the month before he was baptised give a good fit with his ages given in all the censuses in which he was recorded and the age given on his death certificate.⁵⁹³

Benjamin Hellen Adams⁵⁹⁴ [245] (also known as Benjamin Adams), son of James Adams [615] and Charlotte [614], was baptised on 28 Feb 1830 in the Parish Church of St George, Easton-in-Gordano, Pill, Somerset. The service was conducted by the Henry Mirehouse [1184] according to the Church of England rite. His parents James and Charlotte Adams would have been present. Also his older siblings James, William and Charlotte but who else is not known.⁵⁹⁵

Benjamin was a present at the Baptism of his sister Martha on 14 Nov 1832 in the Parish Church of St George, Easton in Gordano, Pill, Somerset.⁵⁹⁶

Benjamin was recorded in the 1841 census taken on 6 Jun 1841 for Pill as living with his mother Charlotte at Myrtle Hill, Pill. The household consisted of Charlotte and her children James (age 18), William (age 15), Charlotte (age 12), Benjamin (age 9) and Matha (age 6). Charlotte (the mother) was working as a charwoman because her husband James had died in 1835 as were her sons James who was a sailor and Benjamin who was an agricultural labourer. There was also a family of Adamses living next door. John Adams could well have been Charlotte's brother-in-law. Both he and his son John were watermen i.e. they worked on the Bristol pilot cutters.⁵⁹⁷

Btw 1845 and 1875 Benjamin was a seaman in the merchant service in Pill. The 1841 Census in Pill describes him as an agricultural labourer but it is thought that he went to sea as soon as he could like many others who lived in Pill. Family oral history say that he worked on pilot boats. Additional evidence that he was connected with the sea is provided by the Birth Certificate for his daughter Eliza who was born in 1862 at Pill which describes him as a seaman in the the Merchant Service, and the 1871 Census which describes him as a mariner. Given that he lived in Pill certainly until 1865 when his second daughter, Sarah, was born he probably sailed as an apprentice on a Bristol Pilot Cutter working out of Pill as soon as he could - say at the age or 12 - eventually becoming a fully fledged crew member. There is no evidence that he became a Pilot.

Pilot Cutters would race westwards to meet incoming ships (hence the pilot crews were known as Westernmen). The pickings were rich if you could get them, which meant being the first out to the incoming ship, racing and outwitting the other pilots. The results were unparalleled seamanship, and the evolution of very fast, very able boats.

Once alongside the incoming ship, the boy or apprentice would row the pilot to the merchant vessel, where the pilot would scramble aboard. It is a testimony to the design of the punts (clinker rowing boats) that this could often take place whilst it was "blowing a hooli". Pilot Cutters were usually crewed by a man and a boy (or apprentice) and the pilot on the outward journey. Once the pilot was aboard an incoming ship, the Pilot Cutters would race back to port and pick up the pilot from wherever the ship berthed. Sometimes the ships would tow the Pilot Cutters, which was very unpopular with the crews. Being at sea in a Pilot Cutter could account for his absence from the 1851 and 1861 Censuses although Captains of vessels were supposed to render a return of crew members.

Sometime between 1865 and the time of the 1871 Census the family moved to St Augustine in Bristol which although near the water it is much higher up the River Avon (the distance between Pill and St Augustines is about 6 miles) and which would not be a good place for the crew of a pilot boat to live. From the 1881 Census onwards his occupation is given as a sailmaker. The reason is for the move and change in occupation is not known. Perhaps he was injured or his distance vision has detoriated. Certainly the latter would prevent him from being an effective member of a pilot cutter's crew.^{598 599 600} Benjamin experienced Census 1851 on 30 Mar 1851. As he was seaman perhaps he was away at sea - probably as crew member on a Bristol Channel pilot cutter. Benjamin experienced Census 1861 on 7 Apr 1861. As he was seaman perhaps he was away at sea - probably as crew member on a Bristol Channel pilot cutter. However, he was home in time for his marriage to Sarah Ray 11 days later!

Benjamin married Sarah Sophie Ray on 18 Apr 1861 in St George's Church, Pill, Somerset. The service was conducted according to Church of England rite by the Henry Mirehouse [1184] and the witnesses were Benjamin Prescott and Eliza Jane Ray [629]. Benjamin was probably a friend of the groom. Eliza was the Bride's sister. The Rev. Mirehouse had baptised the groom some 30 years before! Who else attended the wedding is not known but as Pill was such a small community almost certainly the couple's parents and siblings.^{601 602}

Benjamin and Sarah Adams were present at the Baptism of their child Eliza Emily by the C. P. Causton according to the Church of England rite on 2 Nov 1862 in St George's Church, Pill, Somerset. Who else was there is not known.³¹¹

The household of Benjamin and Sarah Adams was recorded in the 1871 census taken on 2 Apr 1871 in St Augustine, Bristol, Gloustershire living at 2 Charley Place when he was 41 and she was 38. The household consisted of Benjamin, his wife Sarah Sophia and their daughters Eliza (age 8) and Sarah (age 6). The family had the whole house (or cottage) to themselves. There were only three properties in Charley Place: No. 1 was empty and No. 3 had 4 families with a total 15 people.³¹²

Btw 1875 and 1910 Benjamin was in Bristol. a sailmaker|| The Certificate for marriage of his daughter Eliza to Henry Wakefield in 1879, and the 1881, 1891 and 1901 Censuses give his occupation as a sailmaker in the Bristol area. He almost certainly learned his sail making skills whilst afloat. He was employed rather than working on his own account but whether he worked for the same employer for all this time is doubtful. It is assumed that he took up sail making as a full time occupation sometime in the 1870s and continued until his death in 1910.^{603 604 605 606}

Benjamin was probably present at the marriage of his daughter Eliza to Henry James Wakefield on 28 Aug 1879 at the Register Office, Bristol.The service was taken by the and the witnesses were Henry Charles Lester and Charlotte Ellen Gilmore [622]. It is assumed that Henry Lester was a friend of the Groom. Charlotte Ray was the Bride's Aunt by marriage - her husband Edmond Ray was the Bride's Uncle and it is assumed that he attended the wedding. It is not known for certain whether any other members of the family attended the wedding. It is known that the Henry had a younger brother, Frederick, and that Eliza's parents were living in Bristol at the time so they were probably there and also the Groom's mother - his father was dead.^{293 294}

The household of Benjamin and Sarah Adams was recorded in the 1881 census taken on 3 Apr 1881 in St Augustine, Bristol, Gloucestershire living at 2 Charley Place. The household consisted of Benjamin, his wife Sarah and their children Sarah (age 16) and Nathaniel (age 10). There were only 3 properties in Charley Place and the family had the whole house (or Cottage) to themselves. The number of rooms is unknown.⁶⁰⁷

The household of Benjamin and Sarah Adams was recorded in the 1891 census taken on 5 Apr 1891 in Clifton living at 60 Berkley Place. The household consisted of Benjamin, his wife Sarah and their son William (Nathaniel). The family occupied 3 rooms in a 5 roomed house. The other two rooms were occupied by an unrelated couple.⁶⁰⁸

Benjamin died on 31 Oct 1910 aged 80 in Clifton at 3 Eldon Place from senile decay and heart failure. The death certificate says that Sarah Charlotte Adams [610] was present. He was living with his unmarried daughter Sarah who was dressmaker at the time of his death. It is not certain whether the term senile decay referred to dementia or a general deterioration due to age (he was 80) but he was no longer working as a sail maker.^{609 610} Benjamin's death was reported to the Registrar A. G. Ransom on 2 Nov 1910 by daughter Sarah Charlotte Adams [610] at the Clifton for.⁶¹¹

Benjamin was buried aged 80 on 5 Nov 1910 in St George's Churchyard, Pill, Somerset according to the Church of England rite. The minister at the burial was the W. E. Palmer Bath. Benjamin was born, worked as mariner from, and was married in Pill before he moved with his family to Clifton where he lived working as a sailmaker for many years. His burial in Pill may have been a "return home" or for financial reasons. His daughter Sarah was almost certainly there and his other children may have been. His many relatives from Pill almost certainly attended.⁶¹²

23.

John was born to John and Eleanor Luscombe in Jul 1821 in Totnes, Devon at The Commercial Inn. Lower Main Street. As he born before the registration of births, marriages and deaths started in 1837 he did not have a birth certificate. It was normal practice for a child to be baptised shortly after the birth so John was probably born in July 1821 based on a baptismal date of 29 August 1821. This estimate is shown to be reasonable by all subsequent records which give his age - Marriage Certificate, 1851-1881 Censuses and Death Certificate. As his father was the landlord of the Commercial Inn he was almost certainly born there.^{627 628}

John Luscombe [377], son of John Luscombe [376] and Eleanor [217], was baptised on 29 Aug 1821 in the Parish & Priory Church of St Mary, Totnes, Devon. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. Cleave according to the Church of England rite. His parents John and Eleanor Luscombe would have been present but who else is not known.⁶²⁹

John was a Church of England by virtue of his baptism at,.⁶³⁰

Frm Jun 1834 to Jun 1841 John was in Higher Town, Totnes, Devon. a joiner|| All reliable records for John which give his trade show that was a carpenter and joiner and therefore he must have served an apprenticeship. The 1841 Census shows that he was apprenticed to Thomas Furneaux who was a joiner at Higher Town in Totnes, Devon. It is assumed that he was apprenticed at the age or 12 and served 5 years. It is slightly surpising to find current directories do not list joiners as a trade.⁶³¹

Frm Jul 1841 to 1883 John was a carpenter and joiner in Keyham Steam Yard, Devonport, Devon. John's marriage certificate (the earliest record which gives his occupation after he had finished his apprenticeship); the 1851, 1861, 1871 and 1881 censuses; and his death certificate all give his occupation as either a joiner or a carpenter. In addition there are two references to him being a jouneyman indicating that he was employed. His death notice says he was a 'leading man of joiners' at Keyham.

Family oral history, as recorded in notes left by his great granddaughter, Doris Luscombe, says that he was a Foreman of Yard in Devonport Dockyard. Documentary evidence pointing towards this is provided by the Birth and Marriage Certificates of John's daughter, Clara Amelia. The former gives his occupation as Joiner in Keyham Steamyard (which later became the North Yard part of Devonport Dockyard) and the latter as Foreman Shipwright. Whilst the occupation of 'Joiner in Keyham Steamyard' fits in with the official sources given in the preceding paragraph the occupation of Foreman Shipwright is considered to be 'gilding' by Clara in changing his rank from Leading Man to Foreman and trade from Joiner to that of the more skilled Shipwright. As Doris was Clara's granddaughter the source of her information on John's position is self evident! As a Foreman of the Yard is one grade higher than a Foreman Doris may have been guilty of 'gilding' Clara's 'gilding'!^{632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641} Frm 1845 to 1883 John lived in Devonport, Devon. The date that he moved to Devonport is uncertain but it must have been sometime between finishing his apprenticeship in Buckfastleigh, probably in August 1841, and marrying Amelia in October 1848. The Birth Certificate of their daughter Clara who was born in 1858 and his death notice indicate that he worked for a contractor in Keyham Steam Yard which was built between November 1844 and October 1853 to accommodate the Royal Navy's growing number of steam warships. Undoubtedly joiners would have been required during construction and after the yard was brought into use. The fact that he was Leading Joiner by the time of his death in 1883 indicates that he worked there for many years so it is highly probable that he came to Devonport in 1844/5 in response to advertisements for workers.

At the time of his marriage he was living at 9, James Street with Joseph and Ann Rickard. After his marriage he, his wife and later their children gradually moved from sharing a house to single occupancy. The known addresses are:-

DateAddressSourceOccupancy

30 March 185114, Marlborough Street1851 CensusShared with 3 other families

7 April 186123, Marlborough Street1861 CensusShared with one other family

2 April 187123, Marlborough Street1871 CensusSole occupancy

3 April 18812, St Aubyn Ope1881 CensusSole occupancy

27 May 18832, St Aubyn OpeDeath Certificate.^{642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649}

John married Amelia Sleep on 20 Oct 1848 in the Parish Church of St Andrew, Stoke Damerel, Devon when he was 27 and she was 20. The service was conducted according to Church of England rite by the W. J. St Aubyn, Rector and the witnesses were James Dowell and Grace Algar. The 1851 Census shows that James Dowell was a 52 year old shoemaker and Grace Algar a 60 year old widow - unlikely friends for the young couple so it is assumed that they were casual witnesses and unrelated to John and Amelia. It is thought unlikely that any of their relatives who lived in Totnes and Alternun would have attended the wedding. At the time of their marriage John, who had moved to Devonport to work at Keyham Steam Yard, was lodging with Joseph Rickard at 9 James Street (Joseph was a joiner) whilst Amelia was staying in a lodging house at 5 Marlborough Street run by Thomas Whole and his wife Jane. Thomas was a carpenter. Why Amelia moved from Altarnun to Devonport is not known but as both Thomas and Jane came from Cornwall (unfortunately the 1851 Census is not more specific) there may have been some contact prior to moving and an indication that work was to be had in Devonport (she was a milliner). John and Amelia may have met through Joseph Rickard and Thomas Whole who were both woodworkers knowing each other, or it may have been through a chance encounter.^{650 651}

The household of John and Amelia Luscombe was recorded in the 1851 census taken on 30 Mar 1851 in Stoke Damerel, Devon living at 14 Marlborough Street when he was 29 and she was 21. The household consisted of John, his wife Amelia and their three month old son John. Amelia is working as a milliner and a dressmaker almost certainly at home so that she could look after her son John white her husband was at work. They shared the house with 3 other families. How many rooms they had is not known but they were probably living in a single room. There was also a tenement with another couple. In all 15 people were living in the house.⁶⁵²

John and Amelia Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child Clara Amelia by the Rev. L. Adam, Perptural Curate according to the Church of England rite on 4 Jan 1859 in St Paul's Parish Church, Devonport, Devon. Her parents and older siblings would have been present. Her sister Jessy was baptised on the same occasion.⁴¹¹

John and Amelia Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child Jessy Eleanor by the L. Adam, Perpetual Curate according to the Church of England rite on 4 Jan 1859 in Parish Church of St Paul, Devonport, Devon. Her younger sister Clara Amelia was baptised on the same occasion.⁴¹²

The household of John and Amelia Luscombe was recorded in the 1861 census taken on 7 Apr 1861 in Stoke Damerel living at 23 Marlborough Street when he was 39 and she was 31. The household consisted of John, his wife Amelia and their children John (age 10), Jessy (age 4) and Clara (age 2). They shared the house with another family of 3. The size of the house is unknown. The house was flanked on one side by a cabinet maker's showroom and the other by an ironmongers which had closed down.⁴¹³

John and Amelia Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child Eveline Elizabeth on 21 Feb 1866 in St Paul's Parish Church, Devonport, Devon.⁶⁵³

John and Amelia Luscombe were present at the burial of their child John on 12 Jan 1871 in Ford Park Cemetary, Plymouth, Devon according to the Church of England rite. John was buried in Ford Park Cemetery because the graveyard of his Parish Church was full. The distance between his home and the cemetery was 2 miles. How his body was transported is not known but it would have been accompanied by his parents and perhaps a few friends. The burial service was non-denominational which probable means that the chapel was not used and there was short graveside committal service. The use of a common grave to bury John indicated that his parents did not have the means to pay for a plot with private burial rights although they would have paid burial itself. Common grave plots were used to bury the bodies of unrelated individuals who had died over the course of a few days and were not marked with any kind of headstone so John would not have been formally commemorated.⁶⁵⁴

The household of John and Amelia Luscombe was recorded in the 1871 census taken on 2 Apr 1871 in Stoke Damerel living at 23, Marlborough Street when he was 49 and she was 42. The household consisted of John, his wife Amelia, and their children Jessie (age 15), Clara (age 12), Eveline (age 10), Alfred (age 6), and Frederick (age 4). All the children except for Jessie were attending school. The family were now the sole occupants of the house. (In the previous Census they has shared it with another family.).⁴¹⁴

John was recorded twice in the 1881 census taken on 3 Apr 1881 for Stoke Damerel, Devonport, Devon: in his own home at 2 St Aubyn Ope and as a patient in the Royal Albert Hospital. Although the hospital record gives his age as 57 (two years younger than his real age) the details of his occupation and place of birth are correct and, as there is no evidence of another John Luscombe with the same trade and birth place in the previous or subsequent Censuses, it is concluded that both records refer to the same John Luscombe but that he was recorded as being at home through a misunderstanding by his wife or because he was taken into hospital a day or so before the Census and his 'home' census form had already been filled in by the enemurator. His presence in hospital supports the family oral history as recorded by his great-granddaughter Doris Luscombe that he had a serious accident. How long he was in hospital is not known. Although Doris says that the accident resulted in his death this is not supported by his death certificate although of course it could have been a contributory factor. A search of local newspapers in the 2 weeks before and a week after the census did not find a report of the accident.^{655 656 657}

John died on 27 May 1883 in Devonport at 2 St Aubyn Ope from bronchitis, general debility and exhaustion. His wife Amelia was with him when he died. The statement in the notes by his granddaughter Doris Luscombe that he died of a fatal accident is obviously not correct however the observation that his wayward daughter (Clara Amelia) broke his heart may have been a contributory factor. His death occurred a few months after the birth of her first illegitimate son in the workhouse. The disgrace for a person of his standing in the community (a chargeman of joiners working for a contractor at Keyham and a teacher at Morice Town Sunday School) must have been enormous.^{658 659 660} John's death was reported to the Registrar W J Lamb on 28 May 1883 by his wife Amelia Sleep [450] at the the Register Office for Stoke Damerel, Devon.⁶⁶¹ John's funeral took place on 3 Jun 1883 at the Chapel of Stoke Damerel Parish Graveyard, Milehouse Road, Stoke Damerel, Devon. Although the death notice in the Devonport Independent gives the date of the funeral which left from the house at 2, St Aubyn-street Ope at half past one it does not give the place. It could have taken place either at his local parish church (St Andrew, Morice Square) which did not have its own graveyard or in the chapel of the Stoke Damerel Parish Graveyard where he was buried. The latter is considered the more likely. The distance between St Aubyn Ope and the graveyard was nearly one and a half miles which would have taken the cortege a good half hour. His great granddaughter Doris says in her notes that it was one of the biggest civilian funeral in Devonport which at that time was bigger than Plymouth. As it was a Sunday it could have been well attended especially as according to Doris he was superintendent of the Sunday School. The service was taken by the Rev. J Gilberton who was curate at St Andrew's Church. It is certain that his widow and reasonably certain that his children were present at the service but who else and how many is not known. Neither a report of the funeral nor an obituary could be found in a search of 6 newspaper titles which covered the area.^{422 423 424}

John was buried on 3 Jun 1883 in Stoke Damerel Parish Graveyard, Milehouse Road, Soke Damerel, Devon aged 61 after a service in the Graveyard Chapel according to the Church of England rite. The minister at the committal was the Rev. J. Gilbertson who had taken the service. Probably only the immediate family attended the committal.

John was buried in Section G (on the Hill), Row 11, No. in Row 9. There was a second interment on 18 April 1895 of a J Luscombe. The relationship (if any) has not been established. In the 1960s the Milehouse Graveyard was landscaped and turned into a public open space. Most of the old headstones were placed round the walls or laid out as paths, and the remains of those buried there were re-interred at Efford.⁴²⁴

24.

Amelia was born to Samuel and Eliza Sleep in Apr 1829 in Penport, Altarnun, Cornwall. Her baptimal record does not give her date of birth. However, as it was normal practice to baptise children a few weeks or even a few days after their birth and as she was baptised on 5 May she was almost certainly born in April. It is assumed that she was born in the house in Penport, Altarnun where her parents lived all their married lives.^{662 663}

Amelia Sleep⁶⁶³ [450] (also known as Amelia Luscombe), daughter of Samuel Sleep [461] and Eliza Northey [399], was baptised on 5 May 1829 in St Nonna's Church, Altarnun, Cornwall. Her parents Samuel and Eliza Sleep would have been present. As her parents names are recorded in the register entry it is virtually certain that they were present at her baptism.⁶⁶⁴

Amelia was a present at the Baptism of her brother Edwin on 8 Jan 1832 in St Nonna, Altarnun, Cornwall.⁶⁶⁵

Amelia was a present at the Baptism of her brother Richard on 21 Jun 1832 in St Nonna's Church, Alternun, Cornwall.⁶⁶⁶

Amelia was a present at the burial of her brother Richard on 29 Apr 1833 in St Nonna's Churchyard, Alternun, Cornwall. His parents and probably his older surviving siblings would have been present but who elase is not known.⁶⁶⁷

Amelia was a present at the Baptism of her sister Marinna on 12 Jul 1833 in St Nonna's Church, Alternun, Cornwall.⁶⁶⁸

Amelia was a present at the burial of her sister Marinna on 29 Aug 1833 in St Nonna's Churchyard, Alternun, Cornwall. Her parents would have been present and probably her older surviving siblings John, Isabella, Amelia and Edwin who had been present at her baptism only 6 months before.⁶⁶⁹

Amelia was a present at the Baptism of her brother Samuel on 10 Jun 1834 in St Nonna's Church, Alternun, Cornwall.⁶⁷⁰

Amelia was recorded in the 1841 Census taken on 6 Jun 1841 for Altarnun, Cornwall as living with her parents Samuel and Eliza Sleep at Penpont. The household consisted of Samuel, his wife Eliza and their children Samuel (age 6), Isabella (age 15) and Amelia (age13). The property also had an attached barn which Samuel probably used when to stable horses when he was a higgler. Their son John who was now married was the village schoolmaster and lived next door.⁶⁷¹

Btw 1851 and 1881 Amelia was a milliner and dressmaker. In the 1851, 1871 and 1881 Censuses Amelia is shown as milliner. In the 1871 and 1881 Censuses she is also shown as a dressmaker.^{672 673 674} She reported her daughter Clara's birth to the Registrar W. J. Spry on 9 Nov 1858 at the Register Office for the district of Stoke Damerel.⁴¹⁰ Perpetual

John and Amelia Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child Clara Amelia by the Rev. L. Adam, Perptural Curate according to the Church of England rite on 4 Jan 1859 in St Paul's Parish Church, Devonport, Devon. Her parents and older siblings would have been present. Her sister Jessy was baptised on the same occasion.⁴¹¹

John and Amelia Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child Jessy Eleanor by the L. Adam, Perpetual Curate according to the Church of England rite on 4 Jan 1859 in Parish Church of St Paul, Devonport, Devon. Her younger sister Clara Amelia was baptised on the same occasion.⁴¹²

John and Amelia Luscombe were present at the Baptism of their child Eveline Elizabeth on 21 Feb 1866 in St Paul's Parish Church, Devonport, Devon.⁶⁵³

John and Amelia Luscombe were present at the burial of their child John on 12 Jan 1871 in Ford Park Cemetary, Plymouth, Devon according to the Church of England rite. John was buried in Ford Park Cemetery because the graveyard of his Parish Church was full. The distance between his home and the cemetery was 2 miles. How his body was transported is not known but it would have been accompanied by his parents and perhaps a few friends. The burial service was non-denominational which probable means that the chapel was not used and there was short graveside committal service. The use of a common grave to bury John indicated that his parents did not have the means to pay for a plot with private burial rights although they would have paid burial itself. Common grave plots were used to bury the bodies of unrelated individuals who had died over the course of a few days and were not marked with any kind of headstone so John would not have been formally commemorated.⁶⁵⁴

Amelia was recorded in the 1881 census taken on 3 Apr 1881 for Stoke Damerel living at 2 St Aubyn Ope aged 53. Although the census return for the address records Amelia's husband, John, on the night of the census he was an in-patient at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport. Thus on the night of the Census the household consisted of Amelia and John and Amelia's children Jessie (age 23), Eveline (age 19), Alfred (age 16) and Richard (age 12). John and Amelia's other daughter, Clara, was working as a general servant at the Kings Head Hotel in Marlborough Street and she spent the night there although it was only a few minutes walk from her parent's home. St Aubyn Ope was probably a close as it contained 7 dwellings and workshop. Numbers 4 and 6 were occupied by 3 families and number 5 by two families so the houses were probably a reasonable size. The family had No 2 to themselves.^{675 676 677}

On 28 May 1883 she reported the death of her husband John to the Registrar W J Lamb at the the Register Office for Stoke Damerel, Devon.⁶⁶¹

Amelia attended her husband's funeral at the Chapel of Stoke Damerel Parish Graveyard, Milehouse Road, Stoke Damerel, Devon on 3 Jun 1883. Although the death notice in the Devonport Independent gives the date of the funeral which left from the house at 2, St Aubyn-street Ope at half past one it does not give the place. It could have taken place either at his local parish church (St Andrew, Morice Square) which did not have its own graveyard or in the chapel of the Stoke Damerel Parish Graveyard where he was buried. The latter is considered the more likely. The distance between St Aubyn Ope and the graveyard was nearly one and a half miles which would have taken the cortege a good half hour. His great granddaughter Doris says in her notes that it was one of the biggest civilian funeral in Devonport which at that time was bigger than Plymouth. As it was a Sunday it could have been well attended especially as according to Doris he was superintendent of the Sunday School. The service was taken by the Rev. J Gilberton who was curate at St Andrew's Church. It is certain that his widow and reasonably certain that his children were present at the service but who else and how many is not known. Neither a report of the funeral nor an obituary could be found in a search of 6 newspaper titles which covered the area.^{422 423 424}

Amelia's husband John was buried on 3 Jun 1883 in Stoke Damerel Parish Graveyard at Milehouse Road, Soke Damerel, Devon aged 61. Probably only the immediate family attended the committal.

John was buried in Section G (on the Hill), Row 11, No. in Row 9. There was a second interment on 18 April 1895 of a J Luscombe. The relationship (if any) has not been established. In the 1960s the Milehouse Graveyard was landscaped and turned into a public open space. Most of the old headstones were placed round the walls or laid out as paths, and the remains of those buried there were re-interred at Efford.⁴²⁴

Amelia's daugher Jessy was buried on 7 Nov 1890 in St Andrew's graveyard at Stoke Damerel, Devonport, Devon aged 33. Her mother would have been present for the service and committal and probably her siblings but who else is not known.⁶⁷⁸

Amelia was recorded in the 1891 census taken on 5 Apr 1891 for Plymouth, Devon living at 1 Abbey Place. The household consisted of Amelia, her three children Clara, Alfred and Fred, and her two grandsons Ernest and Harry who were actually Clara's children although the census records them as Amelia's children presumably because they were both illegitimate and their mother is single. The family had two rooms in a six roomed house. How they managed in two rooms defies imagination. The other four rooms were occupied by a family of 5. Amelia is described as being of independent means which presumably means that she was living on saving that her husband John had accumulated during his lifetime although her three children who were all working almost certainly contributed to the household income.¹⁹²

Amelia was probably present at the marriage of her daughter Clara to Edward Price Williams on 17 Sep 1894 at The Register Office, Plymouth, Devon.The service was taken by the and the witnesses were Priscilla Polyblank and Lilian Rapson. The relationship of witnesses to the couple is not known. The wedding was probably attended by their mothers (both their fathers were dead) but who else was there is not known.^{426 427 428}

Amelia was recorded in the 1901 Census taken on 31 Mar 1901 for East Stonehouse, Devon as living with her son-in-law and daughter Edward and Clara Williams at 10 Carlton Terrace. The household consisted of Edward, his wife Clara, Clara's son Harry and Clara's mother Amelia who is recorded as Clara A. Luscombe. How this came about is not known but it is certain that neither Edward or his wife Clara would have addressed her by her Christian name so it was probably an error on Edward's part. The other error is that her birthplace is shown as Launceston and not Altarnun. Clara's other son, Ernest, joined the Royal Navy in 1899 and is away at sea. The family had 2 rooms in a 10 roomed house. 5 other families shared the remaining 8 rooms having either 1 or 2 rooms each.

Amelia was a Census (living with son-in-law and daughter) at Census for household of Edward Price Williams [536] and Clara Amelia Luscombe [362] on 31 Mar 1901 in East Stonehouse.¹⁹⁵

Amelia was a guest at the marriage of her grandson Ernest James Luscombe [367] and Elizabeth Ann Roberts [430] on 6 Sep 1905 in the Belmont Chapel Devonport, Devon. And the witnesses were Henry Northcott Luscombe [374] and Ellen Maud Hawkins [319]. Harry was the groom's half-brother and Ellen the bride's cousin. (Harry and Ellen were married 2 years later on 9 Oct 1907.).

Although the Marriage Certificate shows the name and rank of Ernest's father as John Luscombe, Yeoman of Signals R.N., Ernest was illegitimate and his father was probably James Snell. The use of the name John Luscombe as the father was a polite fiction and also occurs on the Marriage Certificate of his half-brother Harry who was also illegitimate.

Who attended the wedding apart from the witnesses is not known but it is fairly certain that the groom's mother and grandmother were there as they all lived locally. The bride's parents probably did not attend as they lived in the village of Trencreek, Columb Minor, in Cornwall and the bride was not on good terms with her father.

At the time of the marriage Ernest was serving in H.M.S. Pyramus and the bride was living with her cousin's parents Daniel and Sarah Hawkins at the Royal Western Yacht Club where Ellen's father was the steward (manager). It is virtually certain that Daniel and Sarah also attended the wedding.¹⁹⁶

Amelia died on 6 Feb 1910 aged 81 in Devonport at 27 Edgcumbe Place from senile decay and cardiac failure. She was living with her daughter Clara and son-in-law Edward Williams prior to her death and they were with her when she died.^{679 680} Amelia's death was reported on 7 Feb 1910 by her son-in-law Edward Williams to the Registrar George H Beer at the Register Office Devonport, Devon.⁴⁵⁷

Amelia was buried on 16 Feb 1910 (est) in Ford Park Cemetary, Plymouth, Devon according to the Church of England rite. Although the note on the back of the photoghaph of John Luscombe (Amelia's husband) says that she was buried with her father Samuel Sleep in the Churchyard (of St Nonna) in Altarnun a confirmatory source has not been found. It is thought unlikely that the family could have afforded the cost of taking her body back to Altarnun and it is more likely that she was buried in Ford Park Cemetery. Until her burial register entry is found the date and place of her burial is speculative.⁶⁸¹ She and John Luscombe had the following children:

25.

James was born to and on 27 Nov 1799 (cal) in Hockworthy, Devon. His exact date of birth is uncertain. The 1851 and 1861 Censuses which were carried out early in the year give his age as 53 and 63 respectively. His death registration in the 4th quarter of 1872 gives his age as 75. These would place his birth date in either the 2nd or 3rd quarter of 1797. However, his Army record shows that although he enlisted on 29 October 1816 his time for pension only commenced on 27 November 1817 when he was 18. This would give a birth date of 27 November 1799. Both census records and his Army record show that he was born in Hockworthy. However, no trace of a baptismal record has been found and this requires further research as it would also provide his parent's names.^{712 713}

Btw 1812 and 1816 James was a labourer in Hockworthy. His army discharge record says that he was employed as a labourer prior to his enlistment. The date that he started working is uncertain but it is known from discharge record that he was illiterate as he signed with his mark (X). This would indicate that his eduction was minimal and he probably started work around the the age of 12 or even earlier. As he was born in Hockworthy it is assumed that he worked there or in the immediate area.⁷¹⁴

James Hawkins⁷¹⁵ [320] enlisted in the 46th Regiment of Foot on 29 Oct 1816 in Taunton, Somerset aged 17. Why he travelled to Taunton, a distance of about 20 miles from where he was born and was thought to be working, to enlist is not known.⁷¹⁶

Frm 29 Oct 1816 to 13 May 1837 James served in the 46th Regiment of Foot in Australia, India and Ireland. At the time of his enlistment the Regiment was moving from New South Wales to India where it arrived on the 16th December 1817 so it is assumed that he sailed for India shortly after joining. On the 29th December 1816 the regiment marched for Vellore. The regiment arrived at Vellore on the 8th of January, 1818, and on the 26th of September following proceeded from thence en route to the Presidency of Madras, and arrived at Fort Saint George on the 12th of October.

Previously to the 46th quitting Vellore an Order was issued by Colonel Hall, commanding the troops at that garrison, in which he stated, 'that during the period the regiment had been in the garrison, he had not had occasion to confine or pass a censure on any rank,' and then added, 'that a stronger proof cannot be offered of the excellent interior arrangement and discipline of the corps.'

On the 1st of July, 1820, the regiment commenced its march from Fort Saint George for Bellary, in the Ceded Districts, and arrived at that station on the 10th of August following.

During the years 1821, 1822, and 1823, the head-quarters of the regiment continued to be stationed at Bellary and detachments of the regiment were sent out on field duties. Whether James was part of the headquarters or was sent out on detached duty is not known. James was promoted to Corporal from 15 April 1822 to 17 October 1822. Why he promoted and then reduced is not known. Possibly it was for the duration of detached duty.

The detached wing of the regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Willshire, marched from Bellary on the 22nd of July, 1826, and arrived at Secunderabad on the 21st of August following. The head-quarters, under the command of Captain William Mallet, marched from Cannanore on the 2nd of November, 1826, and arrived at Secunderabad on the 12th of January, 1827. The regiment remained at Secunderabad during 1827 and the five following years.

On the 24th of June, 1829, instructions were received for reducing the establishment of the regiment to the following numbers; namely, forty-five serjeants, fourteen drummers, and seven hundred and forty rank and file.

Arrangements having been made for the relief of the 46th regiment, a General Order was issued permitting the soldiers to volunteer to other corps serving in India. The volunteering was opened at Secunderabad on the 9th of November, and was finally closed on the 17th of December, 1832, when two hundred and thirty-seven men had volunteered their services to other regiments of His Majesty's service stationed in the Madras Presidency. James did not voutenteer for further service in India and sailed back to England with the Regiment.

On the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of April, 1834, the regiment proceeded from Canterbury to Weedon, where it arrived in the beginning of May. In September following, the regiment marched from Weedon to Liverpool for embarkation to Ireland, and arrived at Dublin on the 3rd of October. The regiment subsequently proceeded to Newry.

The head-quarters marched on the 30th January 1835, from Newry for Belfast, where they arrived on the 2nd of February. While stationed at Belfast, the regiment furnished several detachments to aid the civil power.

On the 8th of September, 1817, the regiment embarked in three divisions at Sydney Cove on board the 'Matilda', 'Lloyd', and 'Dick' transports, and arrived at Madras on the 16th of December following. On the 29th of that month the regiment marched for Vellore.

The regiment arrived at Vellore on the 8th of January, 1818, and on the 26th of September following proceeded from thence en route to the Presidency of Madras, and arrived at Fort Saint George on the 12th of October.

Previously to the 46th quitting Vellore an Order was issued by Colonel Hall, commanding the troops at that garrison, in which he stated, 'that during the period the regiment had been in the garrison, he had not had occasion to confine or pass a censure on any rank,' and then added, 'that a stronger proof cannot be offered of the excellent interior arrangement and discipline of the corps.'

On the 1st of July, 1820, the regiment commenced its march from Fort Saint George for Bellary, in the Ceded Districts, and arrived at that station on the 10th of August following.

During the years 1821, 1822, and 1823, the head-quarters of the regiment continued to be stationed at Bellary and detachments of the regiment were sent out on field duties. Whether James was part of the headquarters or was sent out on detached duty is not known. James was promoted to Corporal from 15 April 1822 to 17 October1822. Why he promoted and then reduced is not known. Possibly it was for the duration of detached duty.

The detached wing of the regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Willshire, marched from Bellary on the 22nd of July, 1826, and arrived at Secunderabad on the 21st of August following. The head-quarters, under the command of Captain William Mallet, marched from Cannanore on the 2nd of November, 1826, and arrived at Secunderabad on the 12th of January, 1827. The regiment remained at Secunderabad during 1827, and the five following years.

On the 24th of June, 1829, instructions were received for reducing the establishment of the regiment, from the 25th of the previous December, to the following numbers; namely, forty-five serjeants, fourteen drummers, and seven hundred and forty rank and file.

Arrangements having been made for the relief of the 46th regiment, a General Order was issued permitting the soldiers to volunteer to other corps serving in India. The volunteering was opened at Secunderabad on the 9th of November, and was finally closed on the 17th of December, 1832, when two hundred and thirty-seven men had volunteered their services to other regiments of His Majesty's service stationed in the Madras Presidency. James did not voutenteer for further service in India and sailed back to England with the Regiment.

On the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of April, 1834, the regiment proceeded from Canterbury to Weedon, where it arrived in the beginning of May. In September following, the regiment marched from Weedon to Liverpool for embarkation to Ireland, and arrived at Dublin on the 3rd of October. The regiment subsequently proceeded to Newry.

The head-quarters marched on the 30th January 1835, from Newry for Belfast, where they arrived on the 2nd of February. While stationed at Belfast, the regiment furnished several detachments to aid the civil power.

James married whilst he was in Ireland and his two oldest children were born there.^{717 718}

James married Susan Babb in 1833 (est) in probably Canterbury, Kent. It is assumed that John and Susan married the year before the birth of their oldest child John in 1834. At the time James' regiment was stationed in Cantebury so it is assumed that they were married there. However, a search of the sites which provide parish records failed to produce a record of their marriage.

James was discharged from the 46th Regiment of Foot on 13 May 1837 in Richmond Barracks Dublin, Ireland. He was discharged on medical grounds after serving for just over 20 years and was awarded a pension. Unfortunately the medical report detailing his injuries is not available. After his discharge he returned to Tiverton (where he had lived before he enlisted) with his family. Whether the Army paid for his journey is not known. The fact that he was a Chelsea Pensioner was picked up from the 1851 Census. At that time Army pensions were administered from Chelsea and as he was living in Tiverton he would have been known as an 'Out Pensioner', i.e. not living in Chelsea Hospital. As all the other Censuses show him as a labourer it is highly probable his pension was insufficient to live on but that at the time of the 1851 Census he was out of work.^{719 720 721}

Btw 1838 and 1872 James was a labourer in Tiverton area. The 1841 Census gives his occupation as an agricultural labourer and the 1871 Census and the marriage certificate of his son Daniel as a labourer. The 1851 and 1861 Censuses, and his Death Certificate say that he is a pensioner so it is assumed that he worked as a labourer whenever he could to supplement his Army pension.^{722 466 723 724 725}

James and Susan Hawkins were present at the Baptism of their child Anne Maria on 8 Sep 1839 in St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon. She was baptised Anne Maria but in Censuses she is recorded as Maria so it is assumed that is the name she used. As both her parents names were recorded in the register it is assumed they were present together with her older siblings John and Ann.⁷²⁶

The household of James and Susan Hawkins was recorded in the 1841 census taken on 6 Jun 1841 in Bolham, Tiverton, Devon. The household consisted of James, his wife Susannah and their children John (age 6), Ann (age 5) and Maria (age 2). The address is not given but as he was an agricultural labourer he probably had a tied cottage possibly on the Knightshayes Estate.⁷²⁷

James and Susan Hawkins were present at the Baptism of their child Daniel by the A Hanaran according to the Church of England rite on 19 Nov 1843 in St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon. Also his older siblings were present.⁴⁶⁰

James and Susan Hawkins were present at the Baptism of their child Abraham by the the Rev. A H Hosmer according to the Church of England rite on 7 Oct 1849 in St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon.⁴⁶⁸

The household of James and Susan Hawkins was recorded in the 1851 census taken on 30 Mar 1851 in Tiverton, Devon living in Martins Lane. The household consisted of James, his wife Susan, their children John (age 15), Maria (age 11), Daniel (age 7), Thomas (age 4) & Abraham (age 1), and a lodger Elizabeth Fulford. All the children except for Abraham were attending school. James was no longer working and was in receipt of an Army pension. Elizabeth was on parish relief.⁴⁶⁹

James and Susan Hawkins were present at the Baptism of their child Richard William by the Rev. Alfred Swain according to the Church of England rite on 9 Apr 1852 in St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon. It is assumed that his parents and siblings attended the christening. Who else was there is not known.⁴⁷⁰

James was probably present at the marriage of his son John to in 1859 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon.The service was taken by the and the witnesses were..⁷²⁸

The household of James and Susan Hawkins was recorded in the 1861 census taken on 7 Apr 1861 in Tiverton living at Bampton Street. The household consisted of James, his wife Susanna and their children John (age 27), Maria (age 21), Daniel (age 18), Thomas (age 15), Abraham (age 11) and Richard (age 9).⁴⁷⁴

The household of James and Susan Hawkins was recorded in the 1871 census taken on 2 Apr 1871 in Tiverton. The household consisted of James, his wife Susan and their son Abraham. All their other children who had been living with them at the time of the previous census had left home.⁷²⁹

James died on 4 Nov 1872 in home at Gold Street, Tiverton, Devon from old age. The death certificate says that Susan Babb [479] was present. The cause of death indicates that he probably died in sleep. His death certificate says that John Williams who lived in Twyford Place and reported his death was with him when he died. Twyford Place is just under half a mile from James' home so John Williams was not a close neighbour and it is just possible that he was a doctor.^{730 731} James's death was reported to the Registrar on 8 Nov 1872 by John Williams at the the Tiverton Register Office for.⁷³⁰

26.

Susan was born to and in 1799 in Birmingham, Warwickshire. In the Census returns for 1851, '61, '71 and '81 which are the only source for determining the year of her birth and where she was born Susan seems rather uncertain about her real age. (The 1841 Census has been disregarded as it only gives ages to the nearest 5 years.) Calculations from the census returns give birth years of 1799, 1804, 1802 and 1801! The age given on her death registration was 84 which equates to a birth year of 1799 but how the person who reported her death knew her age is a mystery. The year 1799 has been selected as being the most likely.^{732 733 734 735}

James and Susan Hawkins were present at the Baptism of their child Anne Maria on 8 Sep 1839 in St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon. She was baptised Anne Maria but in Censuses she is recorded as Maria so it is assumed that is the name she used. As both her parents names were recorded in the register it is assumed they were present together with her older siblings John and Ann.⁷²⁶

James and Susan Hawkins were present at the Baptism of their child Daniel by the A Hanaran according to the Church of England rite on 19 Nov 1843 in St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon. Also his older siblings were present.⁴⁶⁰ She reported her son Daniel's birth to the Registrar John Jones Owen on 23 Nov 1843 at the Register Office for the district of Tiverton, Devon.⁴⁶⁵

James and Susan Hawkins were present at the Baptism of their child Abraham by the the Rev. A H Hosmer according to the Church of England rite on 7 Oct 1849 in St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon.⁴⁶⁸

James and Susan Hawkins were present at the Baptism of their child Richard William by the Rev. Alfred Swain according to the Church of England rite on 9 Apr 1852 in St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon. It is assumed that his parents and siblings attended the christening. Who else was there is not known.⁴⁷⁰

Susan was probably present at the marriage of her son John to in 1859 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon.The service was taken by the and the witnesses were..⁷²⁸

Susan's husband James died from old age on 4 Nov 1872 in home at Gold Street, Tiverton, Devon. The cause of death indicates that he probably died in sleep. His death certificate says that John Williams who lived in Twyford Place and reported his death was with him when he died. Twyford Place is just under half a mile from James' home so John Williams was not a close neighbour and it is just possible that he was a doctor.^{730 731}

Frm 1873 to 1883 Susan was a laundress in Tiverton Silver Street. Her husband's pension ceased when he died in November 1872 and although her son Abraham was living with her, and was working as a labourer, it would appear that his income was insufficient to support both of them so Susan had to either work or go into the workhouse. She chose the former and she may have worked with a neighbour Maria Glesbey who was also a laundress and lived next door. It is thought that Abraham was somewhat inadequate as he never married, lived with his parents whilst they were alive, went into the workhouse on his mother's death and probably only worked intermittently.⁷³⁶

Susan was recorded in the 1881 census taken on 3 Apr 1881 for Tiverton living at Silver Street. The household consisted of Susan and her son Abraham. Susan was working as a laundress and Abraham as a bricklayer's labourer. The next house was occupied by a husband and wife - John and Maria Glesbey. Maria was also a laundress - did she and Susan run a business? Initially it was thought that Maria was Susan's daughter as she was about the right age (within the errors in ages generally found in Census returns). However, the return says she was born in Chittiscombe (as opposed to Tiverton) and later it was discovered that Susan's daughter Maria had married a James Luxton. They lived nearby in Bampton Street where James had a grocery business.⁷³⁷

Susan died on 5 Dec 1883 in home at Silver Street, Tiverton, Devon from a natural decline. The death certificate says that Anne Maria Hawkins [322] was present. The death was certified by J. P. McNeill, M.D.. Maria who lived nearby was her daughter.^{738 739} Susan's death was reported on 7 Dec 1883 by her daughter Maria to the Registrar Arthur Cruwys Sharland at the Register Office Tiverton, Devon.⁷³⁸ She and James Hawkins had the following children:

27.

George was born to Richard and Elizabeth Hockin in Mar 1840 in St Columb Minor, Cornwall. His baptismal register entry gives his age as one month on the date of his baptism (30 April 1840). This means he was born either early April on late March. His birth registration in the second quarter confirms this.^{765 766 767 768}

George Hockin^{769 770} [326] (also known as George Henry Hockin), son of Richard Hockin [336] and Elizabeth Tinny [477], was baptised on 30 Apr 1840 in the Wesleyan-Methodist Chapel, in the St Columb Circuit, Cornwall. The service was conducted by the Rev. John M Buddem. His parents Richard and Elizabeth Hockin would have been present. Although the surname of his parents is entered as Hocken this believed to be Hockin as the date tallies with the date of his Birth Registration which was in the name of Hockin. Also a search of the 1841 Census for a George Hocken age 1 drew a blank whereas he is recorded in the 1841 Census as George Hockin age 1 in the Household of Richard Hockin.^{771 772 773}

George was recorded in the 1841 Census taken on 6 Jun 1841 for St Columb Minor as living with his parents Richard and Elizabeth Hockin at Newquay. The household consisted of Richard, his wife Elizabeth, their children Sarah (age 10), Richard (age 8), David (age 6), Thomas (age 3) and George (age 1), and a lodger John Tinny who was probably Elizabeth's nephew and like Richard was an agricultural labourer.⁷⁷⁴

George was recorded in the 1851 Census taken on 30 Mar 1851 for St Columb Minor as living with his parents Richard and Elizabeth Hockin at Mount Wise. The household consisted of Richard, his wife Elizabeth and their children Sarah, Richard, Thomas (age 13), George (age 11), Mary (age 8), William (age 7), Lydia (age 5) and Jabez (age 4). George, Mary and William were attending school. The remaining children were at home. In the census return the surnames are recorded as Hocking. However, this is considered to be the correct return for Richard Hockin's family. The enumerator obviously used the phonetic rendition of Hockin and as Richard was illiterate he would have been unable to check what the enumerator was writing down.⁷⁷⁵

Frm 1852 to 1871 George was a merchant mariner in various sailing vessels in the coastal trade. The earliest source giving his occupation as a merchant mariner is the Marriage Certificate for his marriage to Sarah Jane Osborne. Further references to him being a mariner occur in the Birth Certificate of his daughter Sarah Elizabeth, the 1861 and 1871 Censuses and a note by his great granddaughter Doris Wallace (née Luscombe). A letter to his sister dated March 20th 1863 about the death and burial of his first wife is headed Widness near Runcorn. Widness is a coastal shipping port so it is thought that George was employed in the coastal trade rather than on long distance voyages. A search of documents held in the National Archives gives his Register Ticket number as 540707 but the only evidence of rank or rating comes from a Register of Reported Voyages which shows that he was a Boy Seaman in 1852-3, which indicates that he went to sea at the age of 12, and was rated Seaman sometime in 1853. No other evidence as to his rank or rating can be found. However, as all other official documents including his death certificate which is the latest documentation refer to him as a seaman or merchant mariner he was probably remained a rating all his working life rather than becoming an officer as intimated by his great-granddaughter Doris.^{776 777 778 779 780 781 782 783}

George married Sarah Jane Osborne on 22 Aug 1859 in the Parish Church of St Columb, St Columb Minor, Cornwall. The service was conducted according to Church of England rite by the N.F. Chadleigh and the witnesses were Jason Carne and Thomas Osborne [412]. The relationship of Jason Carne to the couple is not known. He was probably a friend of the groom and also the best man. Thomas Osborne was the Bride's brother. Who else attended the wedding is not known but almost certainly the bride's parents Thomas and Sarah Osborne and the groom's parents Richard and Elizabeth Hockin. The couple's siblings were probably there as well. After they were married George and Sarah lived with the bride's parents in St Columb Minor and had two daughters Sarah in 1860 and Mary in 1862.^{784 785}

George was recorded in the 1861 Census taken on 7 Apr 1861 for St Columb Minor as living with his 'in-laws' Thomas and Sarah Osborne at Newquay. The household consisted of Thomas and his wife Sarah; their son-in-law George Hockin, his wife Sarah Jane who is Thomas & Sarah Osborne's daughter, and George and Sarah's daughter Sarah (age 1); and Thomas and Sarah Osborne's grandsons Thomas Joseph Osborne (age 12) and William S. Osborne (age 8) who are the sons of William Osborne and his wife Elizabeth. George was a Census (living with 'in-laws') at Census for household of Thomas Osborne [411] and Sarah Bunt [278] on 7 Apr 1861 in St Columb Minor.⁵⁰⁶

George's daugher Mary was buried on 29 Jan 1863 in St Columba's Graveyard at St Columb Minor, Cornwall aged 3 months. Her father would probably have been present but is unlikely that her mother who was ill and died shortly afterwards would have attended. Who else was there is not known.⁷⁸⁶

George's wife Sarah was buried on 25 Feb 1863 in Churchyard of St Columba Parish Church at St Columb Minor, Cornwall aged 25. Sarah's husband George said in a letter to his sister that Sarah had been buried three days after she died. He did not say where the burial took place or who the mourners were but it is fairly self evident that the burial would have been in the local churchyard and that he would have been there, and also Sarah's parents and George's parents.^{787 788}

George married Eliza Jane Rounsavell in 1867 in the Parish Church of St Columba, St Columb Minor, Cornwall.. As their marriage was registered in the St Columb district it is certain that they were married in the parish of St Columb Minor where they lived after their marriage.⁷⁸⁹

The household of George and Eliza Hockin was recorded in the 1871 census taken on 2 Apr 1871 in St Columb Minor living at Newquay when he was 31. The household consisted of George, Eliza who was his second wife, George's daughter Bessie (age 10) by his first wife Sarah, and George and Eliza's children Richard (age 1) and Mary (age 2 months). The family shared the house with Maria Stephens who is described as a sailor's wife so presumably her husband was away at sea and Maria's sister Sarah. The size of the house is not known.⁵⁰⁷

George died on 3 Jul 1871 aged 31 in St Columb Minor at his home in Newquay from heart failure. The death certificate says that his spouse Eliza was present. A note by his great-granddaughter, Doris Wallace (née Luscombe), says that he died of rheumatic fever, however. his death certificate gives his cause of death as heart failure and dropsy. Dropsy which is now known as oedema is associated with heart failure.^{790 791 792}

George was buried aged 32 on 3 Aug 1871 in St Columba's Graveyard, St Columb Minor, Cornwall according to the Church of England rite. The minister at the burial was the Rev. N. F. Chudleigh. Why there was such a long interval (a month) between his death and his burial is not known. His wife would almost certainly have been present and probably took their children Richard and Mary although being so young they would not have remembered it.⁷⁹³ George's death was reported to the Registrar Thomas Andrew on 25 Aug 1871 by his wife Eliza at the Register Office for St Columb Major, Cornwall.⁷⁹⁰

Eliza Jane was born to and in 1845 in St Columb Major, Cornwall.⁷⁹⁴

Eliza's husband George died from heart failure on 3 Jul 1871 in St Columb Minor at Newquay aged 31. A note by his great-granddaughter, Doris Wallace (née Luscombe), says that he died of rheumatic fever, however. his death certificate gives his cause of death as heart failure and dropsy. Dropsy which is now known as oedema is associated with heart failure.^{790 791 792}

Sarah's husband George was buried on 3 Aug 1871 in St Columba's Graveyard at St Columb Minor, Cornwall aged 32. Why there was such a long interval (a month) between his death and his burial is not known. His wife would almost certainly have been present and probably took their children Richard and Mary although being so young they would not have remembered it.⁷⁹³

On 25 Aug 1871 she reported the death of her husband George to the Registrar Thomas Andrew at the Register Office for St Columb Major, Cornwall.⁷⁹⁰ She reported her son Jasper's birth to the Registrar on 13 Jun 1873 at Register Office for the district of St Columb Major, Cornwall.⁷⁹⁵

Eliza was recorded in the 1881 census taken on 3 Apr 1881 for St Columb Minor living at Front Street aged 35. The household consisted of Eliza who is now a widow and her children Richard (age 11), Mary (age 10), and Jasper (age 7). Eliza is working as a laundress.⁷⁹⁶

Eliza married John Old in 1882 in St Columb, Cornwall,..⁷⁹⁷

The household of George and Eliza Hockin was recorded in the 1891 census taken on 5 Apr 1891 in Newquay, Cornwall living at Beach Lane when he was 46. The household consisted of John, his wife Elisa, Eliza's children from her previous marriage to George Hockin - Nellie (age 20) and Jasper (age 17), John's son from his previous marriage Joseph (age 15), and John and Eliza's sons Harry (age 7) and Norman (age 6).⁷⁹⁸

Eliza was recorded in the 1901 census taken on 31 Mar 1901 for Newquay living at 6 Townhill Terrace aged 56. The household consisted of Eliza, her son Jasper by her first husband George Hockin, and her two sons Henry and Norman by he second husband John Old. In the Census return Jasper is described as Eliza's step-son whereas he was her son. The return also describes Eliza as 'wife' and 'married' although it does not include her husband John Old who is working in East Stonehouse. The family had the house to themselves. The size is unknown.⁷⁹⁹

The household of George and Eliza Hockin was recorded in the 1911 census taken on 2 Apr 1911 in East Stonehouse living at 16 Durnford Street when he was 66. The household consisted of John and his wife Eliza. They were living in 2 rooms sharing the house with 2 other families, one of 2, the other of 3.⁸⁰⁰

Eliza died in 1916 aged 71 in Newquay.⁸⁰¹ She and George Hockin had the following children:

28.

Sarah Jane was born to Thomas and Sarah Osborne on 30 Jan 1838 in Newquay, St Columb Minor, Cornwall. She had a twin brother Francis who according to the times of birth recorded on their Birth Certicates was born half an hour after her. Their Birth Certificates do not give their place of birth which was registered in the Sub-district of St Columb. However, the 1851 Census gives her birthplace as St Columb Minor and the 1861 Census as Newquay, which lies within the parish of St Columb Minor, and which eventually became the accepted name for the area.^{805 806 807 808 809} Sarah Jane Osborne⁸¹⁰ [410] (also known as Sarah Jane Hockin), daughter of Thomas Osborne [411] and Sarah Bunt [278], experienced Birth Reg on 5 Feb 1838 in Saint Columb, Saint Columb Major, Cornwall.⁸¹¹ her father Thomas Osborne||.

Sarah was recorded in the 1841 Census taken on 6 Jun 1841 for St. Columb Minor as living with her parents Thomas and Sarah Osborne at Newquay. The household consisted of Thomas, his wife Sarah and their children William (age 15), John (age 14), Edwin (age 6) and the non-identical twins Sarah and Francis (age 3). Their eldest son Thomas was not recorded as living at home.⁸¹²

Sarah was recorded in the 1851 Census taken on 30 Mar 1851 for St Columb Minor as living with her parents Thomas and Sarah Osborne. The household consisted of Thomas, his wife Sarah and their children Thomas (age 28), Edwin (age 17), and the non-identical twins Francis and Sarah (both age 13).⁸¹³ She reported her daughter Sarah's birth to the Registrar George Oke on 5 Jul 1860 at the Register Office for the district of St Columb Minor.⁵⁰⁴

Sarah was recorded in the 1861 Census taken on 7 Apr 1861 for St Columb Minor as living with her parents Thomas and Sarah Osborne at Newquay. The household consisted of Thomas and his wife Sarah; their son-in-law George Hockin, his wife Sarah Jane who is Thomas & Sarah Osborne's daughter, and George and Sarah's daughter Sarah (age 1); and Thomas and Sarah Osborne's grandsons Thomas Joseph Osborne (age 12) and William S. Osborne (age 8) who are the sons of William Osborne and his wife Elizabeth.⁵⁰⁶

Sarah died on 22 Feb 1863 in St Columb Minor at Newquay from a decline. The death certificate says that Sarah Bunt [278] was present. Patricia Ward (the 2nd great-granddaughter of Sarah) was told by her grandmother, Ellen Maud Hawkins, that her grandmother, Sarah Jane Hockin (née Osborne), has died giving birth to her mother, Sarah Elizabeth Hawkins (née Hockin).

However, she died a month after giving birth to a second daughter, Mary Jane Hockin, who died aged three months. The cause of both deaths is given as 'a decline' which indicates that neither the mother or the daughter recovered from the trauma of childbirth and that Sarah Jane's death was probably hastened by the loss of her daughter. It was also uncertified which means that she was not receiving medical attention - neither was her daughter.

There is a discrepancy in the date of her death between her Death Certificate and that given in a letter written by her husband to his sister. The former gives the 25 February 1863 whilst the latter give the 22 February 1863. Although the letter was written nearly a month after the event on 20 March 1863 it is specific as to the day and date of her death and the day of her burial three days after her death. Her death was registered as 25 February on the 13 March 1863 by her mother, Sarah Osborne, who was present at her death and she could well have confused the date of her death with that of her burial which according to her husband's letter was 25 February.

Sarah Osborne also registered the death of her granddaughter at the same time (the Death Certificates bear consecutive numbers) and she must have been devestated by the loss of a both her grandchild and her daughter within such a short space of time.^{814 815 816}

Sarah was buried aged 25 on 25 Feb 1863 in Churchyard of St Columba Parish Church, St Columb Minor, Cornwall according to the Church of England rite. The minister at the burial was the N. F. Chudleigh, Incumbant. Sarah's husband George said in a letter to his sister that Sarah had been buried three days after she died. He did not say where the burial took place or who the mourners were but it is fairly self evident that the burial would have been in the local churchyard and that he would have been there, and also Sarah's parents and George's parents.^{787 788} She and George Hockin had the following children:

32.

James was born to and c. 1801. He was not born in England.⁸²⁶

James married Jane Cheverall on 6 Feb 1825 in St Mary the Virgin Parish Church, Redcliff, Bristol.. The witnesses - James Gwyer and Martha Collens - witnessed all three marriages which took place on the 6th February. James Gwyer also witnessed marriages which took place on other days so it is assumed that he was the Clerk. Thus it is possible that no one was invited to the wedding.^{827 828}

The household of James and Jane Bootyman was recorded in the 1841 census taken on 6 Jun 1841 in St Paul, Bristol, Gloucestershire living at Driver's Fields. The household consisted of James, his wife Jane, their adopted daughter Jane Harlning, a young man of 18 Stephen Chiorsall who was probably a lodger, and 4 children aged between 3 and 7 months Angelina Thomas, Edward Nash, Henry Bryant & Sydney Smith who were probably being fostered.⁵⁶⁹

34.

James was born to and in 1789 (cal) in Pill, Somerset. His year of birth is based on the age of 46 given in his burial record and it is assumed that he was born in Pill as his children were born there and he was buried there. However, a search of the Baptismal register for Easton in Gordano for the years 1788-1800 was fruitless. A more general search of the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset was also fruitless. Without a baptismal record it is impossible to determine who his parents were and thus trace his ancestors.⁸³⁰

Btw 1801 and 1835 James was a waterman working from Pill, Somerset. His wife's death certificate and his children's baptismal records all give his occupation as Waterman and it is assumed that he started work as a ship's boy around the age of 12. As a boy he would row the Pilot over to a ship and then help the waterman who was the only other member of the crew sail the cutter back to Pill. After serving his time as a boy he would have been engaged as a waterman and it is assumed that he remained so until he died.⁸³¹

James married Charlotte c. 1820 in St George's Church, Pill, Somerset,.. As their eldest child was born in 1821 it is assumed that they were married in 1820 almost certainly in Pill where Sarah was born and lived all her life. However, a search for their marriage record, which would also have given Charlotte's surname was fruitless.⁸³²

James and Charlotte Adams were present at the Baptism of their child James by the W Mirehouse according to the Church of England rite on 7 Oct 1821 in the Parish Church of St George, Easton in Gordano, Somerset. Who else was there is not known.⁸³³

James and Charlotte Adams were present at the Baptism of their child William by the J. Cockaine according to the Church of England rite on 9 Nov 1823 in the Parish Church of St George, Easton-in-Gordano, Pill, Somerset. Also hia older brother James.⁸³⁴

James and Charlotte Adams were present at the Baptism of their child Charlotte by the Henry Mirehouse [1184] according to the Church of England rite on 4 Mar 1827 in the Parish Church of St George, Easton-in-Gordano, Pill, Somerset. Also her older siblings James and William. Who else was there is not known.⁸³⁵

James and Charlotte Adams were present at the Baptism of their child Benjamin Hellen by the Henry Mirehouse [1184] according to the Church of England rite on 28 Feb 1830 in the Parish Church of St George, Easton-in-Gordano, Pill, Somerset. Also his older siblings James, William and Charlotte but who else is not known.⁵⁹⁵

James and Charlotte Adams were present at the Baptism of their child Martha by the W Mirehouse according to the Church of England rite on 14 Nov 1832 in the Parish Church of St George, Easton in Gordano, Pill, Somerset. Also her older siblings.⁵⁹⁶

James died on 2 Aug 1835 aged 46 in Pill. It is known from the 1851 Census that his wife Charlotte was a widow by the date of the census. The 1841 Census does not record marital status however there is no record of her husband living at the same address which indicates that either her husband was away at sea (it is assumed that as he was a westerman working on the Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters) or was dead. As Charlotte is shown as working as a charwoman as are two of her children it is assumed that James was dead rather than away at sea. A search of the death index between September 1837 (when registration started) and 1841 produced a James Adams whose death was registered in the Bedminster district which covered Pill in the quarter ending June 1838. However, when the associated Death Certificate was obtained it was for a James Adams aged 70 living in Long Ashton which is near Bristol. Obviously not the husband of Charlotte. It would therefore appear that he died between 1834 (based on the latest date that his youngest child Martha could have been conceived) and June 1837 after which death registrations started and a burial record relating to a James Adams for 9 August 1835 was found. His age at death (46) is a reasonable fit with his assumed age which was based on his wife's age and their children's ages. The record does not give the exact date of death but it is assumed that he died a few days before he was buried.^{836 837 838}

James was buried aged 46 on 9 Aug 1835 in St George's Parish Church graveyard, Pill, Easton-in-Gordano, Somerset according to the Church of England rite. The minister at the burial was the John Kellow Goldney. Officiating Minister. His wife Charlotte would have been there but who else is not known. The 1874 Crockord's Clerical Directory indicates that in 1835 the Rev. Goldney was appointed Chaplain of Bermuda Dockyard so this may have been a temporary 'fill in' for the Vicar who was Henry Mirehouse.⁸³⁸

35.

Charlotte was born to and in 1797 in Pill. Using her ages (46 and 54) given in the 1841 and 1851 Censuses and her age (62) given in her burial record it is most probable that she was born in 1787. The 1841 Census records that she was born in Somerset while the 1851 Census is more specific in recording her birthplace as St George, Somerset. St George indicates that she was born in Pill.^{839 840}

James and Charlotte Adams were present at the Baptism of their child James by the W Mirehouse according to the Church of England rite on 7 Oct 1821 in the Parish Church of St George, Easton in Gordano, Somerset. Who else was there is not known.⁸³³

James and Charlotte Adams were present at the Baptism of their child William by the J. Cockaine according to the Church of England rite on 9 Nov 1823 in the Parish Church of St George, Easton-in-Gordano, Pill, Somerset. Also hia older brother James.⁸³⁴

James and Charlotte Adams were present at the Baptism of their child Charlotte by the Henry Mirehouse [1184] according to the Church of England rite on 4 Mar 1827 in the Parish Church of St George, Easton-in-Gordano, Pill, Somerset. Also her older siblings James and William. Who else was there is not known.⁸³⁵

James and Charlotte Adams were present at the Baptism of their child Benjamin Hellen by the Henry Mirehouse [1184] according to the Church of England rite on 28 Feb 1830 in the Parish Church of St George, Pill, Somerset. Also his older siblings James, William and Charlotte but who else is not known.⁵⁹⁵

James and Charlotte Adams were present at the Baptism of their child Martha by the W Mirehouse according to the Church of England rite on 14 Nov 1832 in the Parish Church of St George, Easton in Gordano, Pill, Somerset. Also her older siblings.⁵⁹⁶

Charlotte's husband James was buried on 9 Aug 1835 in St George's Parish Church graveyard at Pill, Easton-in-Gordano, Somerset aged 46. His wife Charlotte would have been there but who else is not known. The 1874 Crockord's Clerical Directory indicates that in 1835 the Rev. Goldney was appointed Chaplain of Bermuda Dockyard so this may have been a temporary 'fill in' for the Vicar who was Henry Mirehouse.⁸³⁸

Charlotte was recorded in the 1841 census taken on 6 Jun 1841 for Pill living at Myrtle Hill aged 44. The household consisted of Charlotte and her children James (age 18), William (age 15), Charlotte (age 12), Benjamin (age 9) and Matha (age 6). Charlotte (the mother) was working as a charwoman because her husband James had died in 1835 as were her sons James who was a sailor and Benjamin who was an agricultural labourer. There was also a family of Adamses living next door. John Adams could well have been Charlotte's brother-in-law. Both he and his son John were watermen i.e. they worked on the Bristol pilot cutters.⁵⁹⁷

Charlotte was probably present at the marriage of her daughter Charlotte to Nathaniel Walters Gilmour on 28 Nov 1847 at Parish Church of St Augustine the Less, Bristol, Gloucestershire.The service was taken by the William Millner and the witnesses were Thomas Hellin and George Tremlett. Although the register entry says that Charlotte was of 'Full age', i.e. over 21, she was only 20. Why she had moved to Bristol from Pill is not known but there may be a clue in the name of the first witness Thomas Hellin. Her younger brother has been baptised Benjamin Hellin so she may have been staying with relatives. The other witness was the Clerk who also witnessed other weddings. Who else was there is not known. Her father was dead but her mother may have travelled from Pill. It is also possible that some of the groom's family were present.⁸⁴¹

Charlotte was recorded in the 1851 census taken on 30 Mar 1851 for Pill, Easton in Gordano, Somerset as living with her Aunt, Mary Press, at Pill. The household consisted of Mary and her niece Charlotte Adams. Mary is shown as an annuitant and Charlotte as a nurse so presumably she was looking after Mary although the Census does not indicate that Mary was infirm. It would appear that they had the whole house or cottage to themselves. However the Census record gives no indication as to its size or where it was within the village.⁸⁴²

Charlotte died on 7 Aug 1859 aged 62 in Pill from phthisis (tuberculosis) which she had suffered from for some years. Elizabeth Ann Adams was with her when she died but the relationship between the two is unknown. She may have been her sister-in-law. Her registered age was 62 which agrees well with her age calculated from the 1841 and 1851 Censuses.⁸⁴³

Charlotte died on 12 Aug 1859 in St George, Bedminster, Somerset. Her death was reported to the Registrar by Elizabrh Ann Adams who may have been her sister-in-law.^{844 845}

Charlotte was buried aged 62 on 14 Aug 1859 in the Parish Church of St George graveyard, Pill, Somerset according to the Church of England rite. The service was performed by the Rev. Charles Wilton who recorded her age as 62 in the Burial Register. It is assumed that members of her family were present at the funeral but which ones are not known.⁸⁴⁶ She and James Adams had the following children: