Ronald Leslie Barber

b. 9 June 1920, d. 14 June 1990
Pedigree
Ron Barber in the Navy in WW2 c1941

Parents:

Father: Leslie Robert William Barber b. 18 Sep 1897, d. 19 Jul 1976
Mother: Victoria May Griffiths b. 10 Jul 1897, d. 23 Mar 1990
Last Edited: 19 Jun 2024
  • Birth*: Ronald Leslie Barber was born on 9 June 1920 at 8 Old Shoreham Rd, Brighton, Sussex, England.1
  • He was the son of Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths.
  • Anecdote*: He attended St. Lukes School in Brighton. As a boy he was in the Boy's Brigade for a long time and this was held in a church in Islingword Rd.
  • Residence: Before 1930 Ronald Leslie Barber lived at 6 Elder St, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Residence*: Circa 1930 Ronald Leslie Barber lived at 237 Freshfield Rd, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Occupation: Ronald Leslie Barber was 14 years of age when he started work as a page boy at the Astoria cinema in Brighton (which had opened in 1933). Ron had hopes of becoming a projectionist but this did not eventuate and instead did an apprenticeship as a book binder before joining the Navy in 1939 just before WW II. circa 1934.
  • Milit-Beg*: Ronald Leslie Barber began military service on 1 August 1939 at Enlistment in Royal Navy in the Royal Navy.
  • Anecdote: He was on the destroyer "Wessex" when it was sunk on 24 May 1940 off St Lessaire (on the French coast) by a bomb falling down its funnel. They were picked up by the Polish destroyer Vimiera which took them back to Dover. His arm was injured during this incident and he was invalided out of the Navy on 25.12.1940.
    The following story of the sinking of the Wessex is on Wikipedia:
    On 24 May 1940, Wessex, the destroyers Vimiera and Wolfhound, and the Polish Navy destroyer ORP Burza were ordered to bombard German Army forces in France advancing on Calais. They opened fire on a German armored column west of Calais at Sangatte Hill at 16:20 hours and received return fire from German artillery ashore. At 16:30 hours, 27 German Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers attacked the destroyers, hitting Wessex with three bombs. Wessex quickly sank in 115 feet (35 meters) of water at 51°00'54"N 001°45'50"E. Vimiera rescued her survivors but had to withdraw with damage from six near misses. The German aircraft then concentrated their attack on Burza, which suffered heavy damage from two bomb hits and three near misses but managed to limp back to Dover with Vimiera. The ships shot down one German aircraft during the action.
  • Anecdote: War Service Record.
  • Occupation: Ronald Leslie Barber was working at the Allen and West factory in Brighton making electrical equipment for submarines (ASDICS gear) - where he met Freda Taylor in 1942.
  • Marriage*: Ronald Leslie Barber married Freda Amy Taylor, daughter of Arthur George Taylor and Ada Winifred Middleton, on 9 May 1942 at St Andrew's, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, Sussex, England.2
  • Residence: In 1943 Ronald Leslie Barber and Freda Amy Taylor lived at 21 Hartington Rd, Brighton, Sussex, England, moving there when Freda was expecting Tony and living there until Margaret was 3 to 4 years old.
  • Occupation: Ronald Leslie Barber was in a job making metal scroll furniture where he learnt to weld circa 1945.
  • Anecdote: Between 26 Jun 1946 and May 1950 Ron was a bus conductor with Brighton Borough Transport - he considered this the best job he ever had.
  • Residence*: Circa 1949 Ronald Leslie Barber and Freda Amy Taylor lived at 18 The Ridgeway (now Ridge View), Coldean, Brighton, Sussex, England, This was their last residence before leaving for Australia.
  • Emigration*: Ronald Leslie Barber and Freda Amy Taylor emigrated on 11 May 1950 to Perth, Western Australia, Australia, departed Southampton on the ship Asturias, with son Tony age 6 yrs and daughter Margaret age 5 years, arriving Fremantle on Monday, 5 Jun 1950. They left England with about £60 (including £5 from Grandma Ada Barber) and their weekly wage in England had been four pounds/week. They first stayed with Freda's parents, Arthur and Ada Taylor, at 84 Egham Rd Victoria Park. Freda went with her mother to purchase the block of land at 87 Enfield St (the block immediately behind 84 Egham Rd). Arthur and Ada had paid 50 pounds for their block just 2 years ago and it was quite a shock to Freda that hers was to cost 150 pounds. Nevertheless, the real estate agent showed her the plans for the suburb and convinced Freda that the price was not going to get any cheaper.
  • Anecdote: On the 13 Jun 1950 Freda signed a contract to purchase the block of land at 87 Enfield St for 140 pounds from the Estates Development Company Pty Ltd. The subdivision was called St Andrew's Estate.
  • Occupation*: Ronald Leslie Barber was a 2nd class welder with Structural Engineering after July 1950.
  • Anecdote: House plans dated 20 Sep 1950 were drawn by John Treen, brother in law to Ron and Freda. The plans were approved on 29 Sep 1950.
  • Anecdote: On 9 Feb 1951 the certificate of title to 87 Enfield St (portion of Swan Location 35 and being Lot 207 on Plan 1030 - Vol 1118 Folio 203) is issued to Ron and Freda.
  • Anecdote: Mortgages were raised on the property on 16 Mar 1951, 17 Apr 1951, 6 July 1951 to raise funds to pay for the house as it was being built.
  • Anecdote*: Ron worked at building the house with the help of his brother in law John Treen (John's first job as a registered builder). They first built a small wash house and Ron & Freda lived in this while the house was being built, cooking on a primus stove and bathing Tony and Margaret in the wash troughs. The house took 2 to 3 years to build although they started living in the wash house early 1951. Everyone in England had previously rented their house so this was a major achievement for them.
  • Anecdote: On 10 Apr 1957 Ron is awarded his "A" Grade Welder in Electric Arc Welding certificate by the Australian Welding Institute.
  • Anecdote: In 1960 Ron spent 3 months working in Western Australia's north west for Structural Engineering on the Talgarno rocket township (between Broome and Port Hedland). Structural Engineering had won the contract to provide steel and steel fabrication, etc. Talgarno was a township established in the target area for testing rockets from Woomera - "the Talgarno Prohibited Area had been proclaimed in December 1958 as the place into which the warheads would fall after their continent-spanning flights. Most of Talgarno was part of the Great Sandy Desert. Even this very remote area was not quite uninhabited, though the average population density was small indeed. Along the coastal strip were five station homesteads, about 200 Europeans in all. In one corner of the area was the Aboriginal mission of LaGrange, home to about 120 children with about the same number of adults in camps nearby. Finally, a small number of nomadic Aborigines were thought to be wandering the desert, although even the experts knew little definite about their movements. That was it, in an area bigger than France".
    "The physical conditions of life at Talgarno were equally rough. They were feelingly expressed in a report by the sole security officer posted there: The climate at Talgarno in summer months (wet season) is enervating and oppressive, the flies intolerable, and the dust distracting. Temperatures have been known to rise to 114°F. There is no relief from these conditions in either tented or prefab accommodation. The local beach area is mainly silt and is subjected to disturbance by tides. Swimming is out of the question as the sea at Talgarno abounds in sharks and sea lice."3
  • Confirmation*: He was confirmed on 19 April 1961 at St Peter's Church, Victoria Park, Western Australia, Australia.
  • Anecdote: On 20 Aug 1961 Ron was awarded his supervisor's certificate in electric arc welding by the Australian Welding Institute.
  • Anecdote: The mortgage on 87 Enfield St was discharged on 12 Jun 1963 and the property now debt free.
  • Anecdote: At various times between 1958 and 1965, Freda’s father, Arthur Taylor, lived with them as Freda's mother Ada had died in 1958 (Arthur also lived with Freda’s other sister Betty for a while during this time). Ron and Arthur would often be sitting out in the shade house having a drink after work or on the weekend. Arthur was living with Ron & Freda when he died in 1965.
  • Anecdote: Ron worked for Structural Engineering for 22 years becoming Leading Hand and then Supervisor. He had just been put on as staff when the firm collapsed in 1972. This was so disappointing for Ron, and with only a few years to go to retirement, he worked as a welder at the Forward Down factory becoming involved in the Australian Metalworkers Union as a shop steward. I remember him taking me to the Structural Engineering factory in Welshpool one weekend to see the results of a major welding project they had done – huge cylinders & tanks loaded up on long semi-trailers about to be driven up north to a minesite somewhere. I was very impressed by the number of wheels on the semi trailer.4
  • Retirement*: Ronald Leslie Barber retired in 1979 aged 60, a welder with Forward Down Engineering.
  • Anecdote: Ron enjoyed a beer, and a bet on the horse races. He was a member of the Perth Football Cub for a period of time, and later in life tried bowls at the Lathlain-Carlisle Lawn Bowling Club. In retirement he enjoyed his time at home but was reluctant to do anything too adventurous which frustrated Freda to some degree. I think he became anxious rather easily and was reluctant to move out of his comfort zone. Ron also enjoyed listening to records of Frank Sinatra, Tijuhana Brass, Black & White Minstrel Show, Sound of Music, etc. and, of course, watching the television.
    Ron returned to Brighton to see his parents in 1970 and, with Freda, 1976. Ron really missed his family and the social aspects of his earlier life in England. He often said that the best job he ever had was when he was working on the buses where he was meeting people all the time. The isolation caused by life in the suburbs and working in a factory in Australia during the 1950s & 60s created some regrets (which were not shared by Freda, as her whole family had emigrated to WA in 1948). It is fair to say that their descendants owe Ron and Freda a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices and hardships they endured as many are now reaping the benefits of their decision to move to Australia.
  • Death*: Ronald Leslie Barber died on 14 June 1990 at 87 Enfield St, Victoria Park, Western Australia, Australia, at age 70.5
  • Anecdote: Ron died in the early evening in bed at home of a heart attack. The family quickly gathered at 87 Enfield St to comfort Freda. The police had to be called initially as was routine for a death at home, but they were very polite and understanding.
  • Cremation: His body was cremated on 18 June 1990 at Section MC, Site 17 Position 16, Karrakatta, Western Australia, Australia. 9:30 am service.

Family:

Freda Amy Taylor b. 6 Sep 1922, d. 13 Oct 2009

Citations

  1. [S486] Birth certificate of Ronald Leslie Barber, born 9 Jun 1920, registered 22 Jun 1920 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 487).
  2. [S499] Marriage certificate of Ronald Leslie Barber and Freda Amy Taylor, married 9 May 1942 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 604).
  3. [S357] Peter Morton "TESTING BLUE STREAK AT WOOMERA: An Episode in Anglo-Australian Collaboration and Conflict" in the Sir Robert Menzies Centre for Australian Studies, Institute of Commonwealth Studies University of London, WORKING PAPER NO 32, 1988, "http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/ahri/centres/menzies/research/…."
  4. [S14] Information supplied by Geoffrey Barber (Subiaco, WA, Australia),.
  5. [S483] Death certificate of Ronald Leslie Barber, died 14 Jun 1990, registered 5 Jul 1990 in the Registration District of Perth, Western Australia (Reg No: 1/2605/90/T).

Freda Amy Taylor

b. 6 September 1922, d. 13 October 2009
Pedigree
Freda Amy Taylor, age 15 years.

Parents:

Father: Arthur George Taylor b. 6 Feb 1899, d. 13 Oct 1965
Mother: Ada Winifred Middleton b. 9 Dec 1898, d. 14 Sep 1958
Last Edited: 21 May 2024
  • Birth*: Freda Amy Taylor was born on 6 September 1922 at 72 Islingword Road, Brighton, Sussex, England.1
  • She was the daughter of Arthur George Taylor and Ada Winifred Middleton.
  • Baptism: Freda Amy Taylor was baptized on 5 November 1922 at St Bartholomew, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Residence*: Circa 1931 Freda Amy Taylor lived at 19 Fletching Rd, Whitehawk, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Anecdote: Freda started work at 14 years of age in domestic service at a house for Thai students in Lewes Crescent. She trained there as a parlour maid and had to live in. She left there 12 months later for a similar job at Roedean which was day work only. Freda was later waitressing at a sea front hotel and then left to go to the Allen and West factory. She started on the drills and then trained as an engraving machinist. It was at Allen and West that Freda later met Ron Barber.
  • Occupation: Freda Amy Taylor was a domestic servant (private) on 29 September 1939.2
  • Residence: On 29 September 1939 Freda Amy Taylor lived at 142 Birdham Rd, Brighton, Sussex, England, with her mother and siblings.2
  • Residence: In 1942 Freda Amy Taylor lived at 142 Birdham Rd, Moulsecomb, Brighton, Sussex, England, with her parents.
  • Marriage*: Freda Amy Taylor married Ronald Leslie Barber, son of Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths, on 9 May 1942 at St Andrew's, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, Sussex, England.3
  • Married Name: As of 9 May 1942, her married name was Barber.
  • Residence*: In 1943 Freda Amy Taylor and Ronald Leslie Barber lived at 21 Hartington Rd, Brighton, Sussex, England, moving there when Freda was expecting Tony and living there until Margaret was 3 to 4 years old.
  • Anecdote: In April 1948 Freda's parents Ada and Arthur Taylor emmigrated to Perth, Western Australia.
  • Residence: Circa 1949 Freda Amy Taylor and Ronald Leslie Barber lived at 18 The Ridgeway (now Ridge View), Coldean, Brighton, Sussex, England, This was their last residence before leaving for Australia.
  • Emigration*: Freda Amy Taylor and Ronald Leslie Barber emigrated on 11 May 1950 to Perth, Western Australia, Australia, departed Southampton on the ship Asturias, with son Tony age 6 yrs and daughter Margaret age 5 years, arriving Fremantle on Monday, 5 Jun 1950. They left England with about £60 (including £5 from Grandma Ada Barber) and their weekly wage in England had been four pounds/week. They first stayed with Freda's parents, Arthur and Ada Taylor, at 84 Egham Rd Victoria Park. Freda went with her mother to purchase the block of land at 87 Enfield St (the block immediately behind 84 Egham Rd). Arthur and Ada had paid 50 pounds for their block just 2 years ago and it was quite a shock to Freda that hers was to cost 150 pounds. Nevertheless, the real estate agent showed her the plans for the suburb and convinced Freda that the price was not going to get any cheaper.
  • Anecdote: On the 13 Jun 1950 Freda signed a contract to purchase the block of land at 87 Enfield St for 140 pounds from the Estates Development Company Pty Ltd. The subdivision was called St Andrew's Estate.
  • Anecdote: One month after arrival Freda started work as a cook in a restaurant in the city (Perth) and did this for 12 to 18 months during 1950 to 1952. Work hours were 11.00am to 7:00pm for 5 days/week in Jul 1950. The money she earned went towards the building of their house.
  • Anecdote: House plans dated 20 Sep 1950 were drawn by John Treen, brother in law to Ron and Freda. The plans were approved on 29 Sep 1950.
  • Anecdote: On 9 Feb 1951 the certificate of title to 87 Enfield St (portion of Swan Location 35 and being Lot 207 on Plan 1030 - Vol 1118 Folio 203) is issued to Ron and Freda.
  • Anecdote: Mortgages were raised on the property on 16 Mar 1951, 17 Apr 1951, 6 July 1951 to raise funds to pay for the house as it was being built.
  • Anecdote*: Ron worked at building the house with the help of his brother in law John Treen (John's first job as a registered builder). They first built a small wash house and Ron & Freda lived in this while the house was being built, cooking on a primus stove and bathing Tony and Margaret in the wash troughs. The house took 2 to 3 years to build although they started living in the wash house early 1951. Everyone in England had previously rented their house so this was a major achievement for them.
  • Anecdote: During the 1950's and 60's, Freda was a home maker for the family. With the children at school she helped in the school tuck shop and the parents and citizens association (we always looked forward to the days when Mum was at the tuck shop as she always made sure we got something special for lunch). Freda was a very good knitter and made pullovers and cardigans for everyone in the family. She would often be knitting while watching television in the evenings with the family. She was very disciplined with the housework, having particular days set aside for certain tasks such as washing, shopping, vacuuming & cleaning, etc. She kept a very clean and tidy house.
  • Confirmation*: Freda Amy Taylor was confirmed on 6 April 1960 at St Peter's Church, Victoria Park, Western Australia, Australia.
  • Anecdote: At various times between 1958 and 1965, Freda’s father, Arthur Taylor, lived with them as Freda's mother Ada had died in 1958 (Arthur also lived with Freda’s other sister Betty for a while during this time). Ron and Arthur would often be sitting out in the shade house having a drink after work or on the weekend. Arthur was living with Ron & Freda when he died in 1965.
  • Anecdote: The grandchildren were a source of great satisfaction to Ron & Freda. She was a wonderful Nanna who accepted everyone as they were. She doted on them, often making them breakfast (usually their favourite - pancakes) in bed! The grandchildren thought the world of her and would often tell her things that they would not tell their parents.
    Later when the children had grown up she was keen to go travelling and, with husband Ron, made trips to Bali, Penang, New Zealand and the UK. However, as Ron got older he became more inclined to stay at home, not wanting to do much, which often caused frustration to Freda.
  • Anecdote: On 12 Oct 1973 Freda was issued with an Australian passport. Stamps inside the passport indicate a trip to Singapore and Malaysia in January 1974 (probably a packaged holiday to Penang), a trip to the UK in June 1976 (just before Ron's father died), and a trip to Indonesia (Bali) and Singapore in January 1978.
  • Anecdote: Ron died in the early evening in bed at home of a heart attack. The family quickly gathered at 87 Enfield St to comfort Freda. The police had to be called initially as was routine for a death at home, but they were very polite and understanding.
  • Anecdote*: After Ron's death in 1990, Freda became active as a volunteer at the Harold Hawthorn Senior Citizens Centre (helping with the cooking) and at an Anglican charity shop. For many years she attended an exercise group at the Perth Town Hall called Prime Movers, and attended many free lunch time concerts there (the Tuesday Show). And, of course, her grandchildren were always dropping in, or staying overnight for their favourite breakfast of pancakes, lemon juice & sugar! She also enjoyed spending time on her garden.
  • Death*: Freda Amy Taylor died on 13 October 2009 at 3 Bellis Place, Belmont, Western Australia, Australia, at age 87.4
  • Anecdote: Freda died at the home of her daughter, Margaret Tobin. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April and moved in with Margaret after a period in hospital where she had an operation to create a bypass for her stomach to be able to digest food (the tumour was interfering with this) and give her some quality of life for the time she had remaining. She only started to deteriorate significantly in the last few weeks and was very calm and dignified all this time. She died at 10:30am with her children around her. The rest of the family arrived when they heard the news, and the women cleaned and washed her prior to the undertaker arriving. She was much loved by the whole family, especially by all her grandchildren. Her funeral was held at Karrakatta cemetery at 10:00am on Monday 19/10/2009 with everyone departing to the Vera Lynn song “White Cliffs of Dover”.
  • Cremation*: Her body was cremated on 16 October 2009 at Section MC, Site 17 Position 16, Karrakatta, Western Australia, Australia.

Family:

Ronald Leslie Barber b. 9 Jun 1920, d. 14 Jun 1990

Citations

  1. [S485] Birth certificate of Freda Amy Taylor, born 6 Sep 1922, registered 2 Oct 1922 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 263).
  2. [S556] 1939 Register (29 Sep 1939) for England "RG101/2438D/009/13 Letter Code: EGBY."
  3. [S499] Marriage certificate of Ronald Leslie Barber and Freda Amy Taylor, married 9 May 1942 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 604).
  4. [S484] Death certificate of Freda Amy Barber, died 13 Oct 2009, registered 20 Oct 2009 in the Registration District of Perth, Western Australia (Reg No: 010705T/2009).

Leslie Robert William Barber

b. 18 September 1897, d. 19 July 1976
Pedigree

Parents:

Father: William Barber b. 16 Jan 1874, d. 2 Nov 1952
Mother: Ada Morris b. 27 Aug 1874, d. 25 May 1963
Last Edited: 18 Jun 2024
  • Birth*: Leslie Robert William Barber was born on 18 September 1897 at 3 Marlborough St, Brighton, Sussex, England.1
  • He was the son of William Barber and Ada Morris.
  • Anecdote: Leslie lived with his parents at 40 Wood St, Brighton in 1907, and later at 36 Tillstone St.
  • Occupation: Leslie Robert William Barber was is said to have served an apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker (a shop in Gardiner St) although his wife May, aged 91 years, could not remember this. Before WW1 he worked at Potter's in Kensington Gardens, Brighton as a furniture salesman. circa 1914.
  • Anecdote: During WW1 he served as a Medic with the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) at the 2nd Eastern General Hospital in Brighton (service no. 500200). This service no. falls into the series of RAMC Territorial Force regimental numbers allocated in 1917 to the 2nd Eastern General Hospital, Brighton, Sussex. He is unlikely to have served abroad and as a result does not appear to have been entitled to any campaign medals. The 2nd Eastern General Hospital was located at Portland Road, Hove (Brighton), and was a school originally.2
  • Marriage*: Leslie Robert William Barber married Victoria May Griffiths, daughter of Charles Richard Griffiths and Ann Elizabeth Godden, on 9 October 1918 at Register Office, Brighton, Sussex, England.3
  • Anecdote: He gave his occupation as a Corporal RAMC/Furniture Salesman on the marriage certificate. He would have been serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps at the 2nd Eastern General Hospital in Brighton at the time but before the war was a furniture salesman. Victoria May was a letter carrier with the post office (GPO).
  • Occupation: Leslie Robert William Barber was a clerk in a motor garage in 1920.
  • Anecdote: Sometime after the war Leslie's mother bought a barrow for him to use to sell fruit and it would appear that he did this up until WW2. He would buy fruit from the allotments and sell them off the barrow at the corner of Western Rd & Crown St, Brighton. According to May they had quite a good trade. Leslie operated the barrow with the help of his mother Ada while his father William and an 'Uncle' Bill (who lived with William and Ada) operated another across the road on the corner of Western Rd and Castle St. 'Uncle' Bill was a workmate of William Barber ("he won a gold medal at billiards").
  • Residence: In 1925 Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths lived at 6 Elder St, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Anecdote*: Circa 1930 Victoria May and Leslie Barber moved to 237 Freshfield Road in Brighton.
  • Occupation: Leslie Robert William Barber was a fruit stall holder (formerly) and now a full-time ARP [Air Raid Protection] Warden on 29 September 1939.4
  • Residence*: On 29 September 1939 Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths lived at 237 Freshfield Rd, Brighton, Sussex, England.4
  • Anecdote: During WW2 Leslie was an air raid warden in the ARP (Air Raid Precautions), an organisation dedicated to the protection of civilians from the danger of air raids. The lawn in front of his house at 237 Freshfield Rd was dug up as an air raid shelter. He could not get any fruit supplies during WW2 for his fruit barrow so worked as a porter at the Royal Sussex County Hospital after the war (his daughter Hazel also worked there later as a nurse). He retired from this position.
  • Anecdote*: Leslie and May both received the Defence Medal after WW2.
  • Anecdote*: On 11 May 1950, their son Ron, together with his wife Freda and two children Tony and Margaret, emigrated to Perth, Western Australia. This was the last time they were to see their only grandchildren and must have been very difficult for them.
  • Anecdote: Leslie and Victoria often wrote to their son Ron after he emigrated to Australia in 1950. Here is one of the early letters written by them, showing the happiness in both families at that time. In time, Ron was to regret leaving England although not so his wife Freda, whose family had emigrated there in 1948 and lived next to them as neighbours. Ron missed his own family and friends very much during his working years but found greater happiniess in retirement with his family and grandchildren.
  • Anecdote: From about 1970 Victoria May and Leslie lived at 255 Freshfield Road.
  • Anecdote: They had three children – Hazel May, Ronald Leslie and Douglas Robert (Bob).
    Hazel was a nurse at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. She never married and died in 1975 of diabetes but also had tuberculosis.
    Bob also never married. He lived with his parents all his life and was left living alone at 255 Freshfield Road when his mother could no longer look after herself and went to live at St Anne’s Rest Home. He lived there until he died in 1995. Bob was a bus conductor then later a cashier with the Brighton Borough Transport bus company for most of his life, but he did also serve in WW2. One document shows he was a Trooper with the 17th/21st Lancers (service no. 7958232) from June 1945 to August 1946.
  • Occupation*: Leslie Robert William Barber was a hospital night porter (retired) in 1976.5
  • Death*: Leslie Robert William Barber died on 19 July 1976 at Bevendean Hospital, Brighton, Sussex, England, at age 78. He died of pulmonary tuberculosis and carcinoma of the bladder. He was cremated.5

Family:

Victoria May Griffiths b. 10 Jul 1897, d. 23 Mar 1990

Children:

Hazel May Barber b. 19 Jan 1919, d. 1975
Ronald Leslie Barber+ b. 9 Jun 1920, d. 14 Jun 1990
Douglas Robert Barber b. 28 Feb 1923, d. 21 Oct 1995

Citations

  1. [S212] Birth certificate of Leslie Robert William Barber, born 18 Sep 1897, registered 26 Oct 1897 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 196).
  2. [S177] Webpage "RAMC WW1 History" (http://www.ramc-ww1.com/index.html).
  3. [S56] Marriage certificate of Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths, married 9 Oct 1918 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 654).
  4. [S556] 1939 Register (29 Sep 1939) for England "RG101/2457F/012/23."
  5. [S497] Death certificate of Leslie Robert William Barber, died 19 Jul 1976, registered 19 Jul 1976 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 18, Page 0117).

Victoria May Griffiths

b. 10 July 1897, d. 23 March 1990
Pedigree

Parents:

Father: Charles Richard Griffiths b. 13 Jun 1869, d. 3 Jun 1938
Mother: Ann Elizabeth Godden b. 3 Jun 1865, d. 26 Jan 1932
Last Edited: 19 Jun 2024
  • Birth*: Victoria May Griffiths was born on 10 July 1897 at 1 Exeter St, Preston, Brighton, Sussex, England.1
  • She was the daughter of Charles Richard Griffiths and Ann Elizabeth Godden.
  • Baptism: Victoria May Griffiths was baptized on 8 August 1897 at St Luke's Church, Preston, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Anecdote: She was known as Queenie before she was married, and May by her husband.
  • Residence: On 31 March 1901 Victoria May Griffiths lived at 1 Exeter St, Preston, Brighton, Sussex, England, with her parents and family.2
  • Education*: Victoria May Griffiths was educated circa 1910 at Stanford Rd School, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Residence*: In 1911 Victoria May Griffiths lived at 21 Exeter St, Brighton, Sussex, England, with her parents and family.3
  • Anecdote: May's first job was as a dressmaker for which she was paid one shilling per week. The job was found for her by the governess at her school. She worked at this until WW1 when she worked for the GPO as a Letter Carrier (her father also worked for the GPO). A letter from her dated 15.8.1976 (addressed to her grandson Anthony R. Barber) describes the type of work. In talking about these days she said that she got one question wrong in her entrance test which meant that she had to work outside delivering letters rather than inside (presumably sorting letters).
  • Anecdote: On 12 Apr 1917 her brother Fred, a Private in the Royal Sussex Regiment, died of wounds in France (WW1). May had to go and tell his fiance as her mother could not do it. The following photo was probably taken after Fred's death (possibly for May's wedding in 1918) and both May and her mother can be seen wearing Royal Sussex Regiment broaches.
  • Marriage*: Victoria May Griffiths married Leslie Robert William Barber, son of William Barber and Ada Morris, on 9 October 1918 at Register Office, Brighton, Sussex, England.4
  • Anecdote: At the time of their marriage Victoria May was a letter carrier (GPO) and Leslie was a corporal in the Royal Army Medical Corp, serving at the 2nd Eastern General Hospital in Brighton.
  • Married Name: As of 9 October 1918, her married name was Barber.
  • Residence: In 1925 Victoria May Griffiths and Leslie Robert William Barber lived at 6 Elder St, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Anecdote*: Circa 1930 Victoria May and Leslie Barber moved to 237 Freshfield Road in Brighton.
  • (Witness) Death: Victoria May Griffiths witnessed the death of Charles Richard Griffiths on 3 June 1938 at Brighton Municipal Hospital, Brighton, Sussex, England; He died of carcinoma of the right lung (lung cancer.)5
  • Residence*: On 29 September 1939 Victoria May Griffiths and Leslie Robert William Barber lived at 237 Freshfield Rd, Brighton, Sussex, England.6
  • Occupation*: Victoria May Griffiths was unpaid domestic duties and part-time ARP [Air Raid Protection] warden. on 29 September 1939.6
  • Anecdote: During WW2, Victoria May was in the ARP (Air Raid Precautions) assisting her husband Leslie. May and Leslie both received the Defence Medal after WW2.
  • (Witness) Marriage: Victoria May Griffiths witnessed the marriage of Ronald Leslie Barber and Freda Amy Taylor on 9 May 1942 at St Andrew's, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, Sussex, England.7
  • Anecdote: Leslie and May both received the Defence Medal after WW2.
  • Anecdote: On 11 May 1950, their son Ron, together with his wife Freda and two children Tony and Margaret, emigrated to Perth, Western Australia. This was the last time they were to see their only grandchildren and must have been very difficult for them.
  • Anecdote: Leslie and Victoria often wrote to their son Ron after he emigrated to Australia in 1950. Here is one of the early letters written by them, showing the happiness in both families at that time. In time, Ron was to regret leaving England although not so his wife Freda, whose family had emigrated there in 1948 and lived next to them as neighbours. Ron missed his own family and friends very much during his working years but found greater happiniess in retirement with his family and grandchildren.
  • Anecdote: From about 1970 Victoria May and Leslie lived at 255 Freshfield Road.
  • Anecdote: They had three children – Hazel May, Ronald Leslie and Douglas Robert (Bob).
    Hazel was a nurse at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. She never married and died in 1975 of diabetes but also had tuberculosis.
    Bob also never married. He lived with his parents all his life and was left living alone at 255 Freshfield Road when his mother could no longer look after herself and went to live at St Anne’s Rest Home. He lived there until he died in 1995. Bob was a bus conductor then later a cashier with the Brighton Borough Transport bus company for most of his life, but he did also serve in WW2. One document shows he was a Trooper with the 17th/21st Lancers (service no. 7958232) from June 1945 to August 1946.
  • (Witness) Death: Victoria May Griffiths witnessed the death of Leslie Robert William Barber on 19 July 1976 at Bevendean Hospital, Brighton, Sussex, England; He died of pulmonary tuberculosis and carcinoma of the bladder. He was cremated.8
  • Anecdote: On 15 Aug 1976 May wrote a letter to her grandson Anthony Barber in which she describes the work she used to do in WW1 as a letter carrier.
  • Anecdote*: After Leslie died in 1976 she continued to live at 255 Freshfield Rd with her son Bob until she started to have difficulty looking after herself, and one day fell down the stairs in the house while Bob was at work. Bob moved her to St. Ann's Rest Home, 9 Stanford Ave, Brighton. By that time she had developed Parkinson's disease which caused her hands to shake a little although not too bad for her age. Bob would visit her every weekend. She was 87 years old when I first met her and she was still bright and mentally active but a little hard of hearing. I first visited her in June 1985 and again in September 1988 when Bob and I took her for a number of outings in our hire car. She was very keen to talk about her family and enjoyed reminiscing over some old photographs of herself and her family. She particularly remembered the time when her brother Fred was killed in WW1 and she had to go and tell his fiance as her mother could not do it. She also mentioned that the Salvation Army later took her mother to France to see his grave.9
  • Death*: Victoria May Griffiths died on 23 March 1990 at St Anne's Rest Home, 9 Stanford Avenue, Brighton, Sussex, England, at age 92. She died of myocardial degeneration and arteriosclerosis.10
  • Anecdote: She was found in her bed in the morning having died in her sleep. She was cremated the following Friday. Her son Bob was then our only family left in Brighton and then he died in 1995.

Family:

Leslie Robert William Barber b. 18 Sep 1897, d. 19 Jul 1976

Children:

Hazel May Barber b. 19 Jan 1919, d. 1975
Ronald Leslie Barber+ b. 9 Jun 1920, d. 14 Jun 1990
Douglas Robert Barber b. 28 Feb 1923, d. 21 Oct 1995

Citations

  1. [S211] Birth certificate of Victoria May Griffiths, born 10 Jul 1897, registered 17 Aug 1897 in the Registration District of Steyning, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 278).
  2. [S72] 1901 Census for England "RG13 piece 940 folio 27 page 8."
  3. [S73] 1911 Census for England "RG14PN5155 RG78PN228 RD80 SD1 ED3 SN87."
  4. [S56] Marriage certificate of Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths, married 9 Oct 1918 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 654).
  5. [S40] Death certificate of Charles Richard Griffiths, died 3 Jun 1938, registered 4 Jun 1938 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 325).
  6. [S556] 1939 Register (29 Sep 1939) for England "RG101/2457F/012/23."
  7. [S499] Marriage certificate of Ronald Leslie Barber and Freda Amy Taylor, married 9 May 1942 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 604).
  8. [S497] Death certificate of Leslie Robert William Barber, died 19 Jul 1976, registered 19 Jul 1976 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 18, Page 0117).
  9. [S14] Information supplied by Geoffrey Barber (Subiaco, WA, Australia),.
  10. [S498] Death certificate of Victoria May Barber, died 23 Mar 1990, registered 26 Mar 1990 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 18, Page 95, Reg 03/90).

Douglas Robert Barber

b. 28 February 1923, d. 21 October 1995
Pedigree
Douglas Robert (Bob) Barber 1961.

Parents:

Father: Leslie Robert William Barber b. 18 Sep 1897, d. 19 Jul 1976
Mother: Victoria May Griffiths b. 10 Jul 1897, d. 23 Mar 1990
Last Edited: 19 Jun 2024
  • Birth*: Douglas Robert Barber was born on 28 February 1923 at Brighton, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • He was the son of Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths.
  • Occupation*: Douglas Robert Barber was a Book Binder's apprentice and part-time ARP [Air Raid Protection] messenger. on 29 September 1939.2
  • Employment: He was employed by Kemptown Brewery as a checker in 1940.
  • Milit-Beg*: Douglas Robert Barber began military service on 30 April 1942 with 17th/21st Lancers.
  • Milit-End*: He ended military service on 2 December 1946.
  • Employment*: He was employed by Kemptown Brewery as a checker on 14 December 1946.
  • Anecdote*: On 12 Apr 1947 Bob began work for the Brighton Corporation Transport as a bus conductor then later a cashier. He remained in this job until he retired.
  • Retirement*: Douglas Robert Barber retired in 1985. He took an early retirement opportunity at the age of 62 years.
  • (Witness) Death: Douglas Robert Barber witnessed the death of Victoria May Griffiths on 23 March 1990 at St Anne's Rest Home, 9 Stanford Avenue, Brighton, Sussex, England; She died of myocardial degeneration and arteriosclerosis.3
  • Anecdote: Bob was very shy and never married. His brother Ron’s wife, Freda, said that Bob was so shy that in the early years of their marriage he would be uncomfortable if left alone in the room with her. Bob lived with his parents all his life and was left living alone at 255 Freshfield Road when his mother could no longer look after herself and went to live at St Anne’s Rest Home. He lived there until he died in 1995.
    Bob was a bus conductor then later a cashier with the Brighton Borough Transport bus company for most of his life, but he did also serve in WW2. His record of service shows that his final rank was Trooper (service no. 7958232) enlisting with the Royal Armoured Corps on 30 April 1942, and serving with the 6th Royal Tank Regiment, the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry and the 17th/21st Lancers up to 1947. He appears to have undertaken training in gun mechanics and his release document states “Has marked practical ability having passed more than requisite tests in the army. Is fully recommended for practical work of any nature as he shows a distinct flair. Honest & trustworthy.”
    Bob collapsed and died at 9:30pm at the Gala Theatre in Brighton (used to be the Astoria cinema where his brother Ron had his first job) in the company of his friend and neighbour Ruby Commons while playing the poker machines at a bingo evening, his favourite pastime. Ruby phoned his family in Australia at 5:00am Perth time and by 6:00pm that day brothers Tony and Geoff Barber were flying to England to arrange his funeral and settle his affairs. Bob was cremated at Downs Crematorium and a get-together was held afterwards at the Freshfield Inn in Freshfield Rd for his neighbours & friends. Bob is the only member of the family to have visited Australia (three times). This was really the passing of an era as Bob was the last Barber of our family to live in Brighton. He was a gentle and thoughtful man.
  • Death*: Douglas Robert Barber died on 21 October 1995 at Brighton, Sussex, EnglandB, at age 72.4
  • Anecdote: On 22 October 1995, Geoff and Tony Barber (Bob's nephews) flew to England to deal with Bob's death and settle his estate. They returned on 5 November.
  • Anecdote: The following death notice was put in The Argus newspaper in Brighton:
    BARBER, Douglas Robert (Bob)
    Died on 21 October 1995. A kind & gentle man fondly remembered by his family in Perth, Western Australia. Funderal to be arranged c/- Skinner & Sons, Tel 607446.
  • Anecdote: Bob had made a will and appointed the solicitors Edward Harte & Co as executors. His estate was divided equally between the children of his deceased brother, Ronald Barber. Geoff & Tony flew to England to settle his estate, packing up some items from his house and organising for them to be sent to Australia, and for the rest to be auctioned. The executor handled the financial aspects, getting funds from bank accounts and insurance companies, etc. and in due course transferred the funds to the beneficiaries Australian bank accounts.
  • Cremation: His body was cremated on 27 October 1995 at Downs Crematorium, Brighton, Sussex, England.

Citations

  1. [S142] General Register Office: Indexes to Births, Sep 1837-2006, "Apr-Jun 1923, Brighton, Vol 2b Page 325."
  2. [S556] 1939 Register (29 Sep 1939) for England.
  3. [S498] Death certificate of Victoria May Barber, died 23 Mar 1990, registered 26 Mar 1990 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 18, Page 95, Reg 03/90).
  4. [S141] General Register Office: Indexes to Deaths, Sep 1837 - 2006, "Oct 1995, Brighton, Register number: C54A, District and Subdistrict: 4521C, Entry number: 271."

Hazel May Barber

b. 19 January 1919, d. 1975
Pedigree
Hazel Barber, 17 Nov 1948.

Parents:

Father: Leslie Robert William Barber b. 18 Sep 1897, d. 19 Jul 1976
Mother: Victoria May Griffiths b. 10 Jul 1897, d. 23 Mar 1990
Last Edited: 18 Jun 2024
  • Birth*: Hazel May Barber was born on 19 January 1919 at Brighton, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • She was the daughter of Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths.
  • Occupation: Hazel May Barber was a paid hospital worker on 29 September 1939.2
  • Occupation*: Hazel May Barber was a nurse.
  • Anecdote*: Although she never married she did have a boyfriend during WW2 who was a Canadian serviceman. Although she wrote letters to him after he returned to Canada she did not receive any replies. According to neighbours she was bitter to her father who she thought had burnt the letters sent by him (although most think this not to be true and that the Canadian was probably already married).
  • Death*: Hazel May Barber died in 1975 at Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, Sussex, England. She died of diabetes, but also had tubercolosis (TB).3

Citations

  1. [S142] General Register Office: Indexes to Births, Sep 1837-2006, "Jan-Mar 1919, Brighton, Vol 2b Page 266."
  2. [S556] 1939 Register (29 Sep 1939) for England "RG101/2457F/012/23."
  3. [S141] General Register Office: Indexes to Deaths, Sep 1837 - 2006, "Jan-Mar 1975, Brighton, Vol 18, Page 0269."

William Barber

b. 16 January 1874, d. 2 November 1952
Pedigree
William Barber c1900-1910

Parents:

Father: John Barber b. 10 Feb 1842, d. 4 Feb 1925
Mother: Susannah Victoria White b. 19 Jan 1842, d. 21 Nov 1903
Last Edited: 21 Jun 2024
  • Birth*: William Barber was born on 16 January 1874 at Brighton, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • He was the son of John Barber and Susannah Victoria White.
  • Occupation: William Barber was an errand boy on 5 April 1891.2
  • Residence: On 5 April 1891 William Barber lived at 78 Lincoln Street, Brighton, Sussex, England, with his parents and family.2
  • Anecdote: William wrote many letters while courting his future wife Ada Morris as she was working in service and had difficulty getting time off. Some of these letters were kept by Ada and have survived. They were given to Ron and Freda Barber after Ada's death.
    In these letters dated 1894, William is 20 years old and living at 78 Lincoln St in Brighton (with his parents and siblings according to the 1891 census) while Ada is 19 years old and working in domestic service. She may have been living and working at 52 Coleman Street; just one street away, as this was her address at the time of her marriage in 1895. Ada obviously has difficulty getting time off work to see William and it appears that Thursday is the only day that they can see each other for any length of time.
    They share a common interest in reading books and the letters frequently mention William taking books to Ada. One of the stories that he says he enjoyed was "The Silver King" which was a highly successful play by Henry Arthur Jones and Henry Herman, published in 1882.
    In the last letter William is very excited at being able to invite Ada to tea. His sister in law (would have to be Elizabeth Love Morley who married Robert John Barber in 1887) has taken a liking to Ada and has offered the invitation. Ada has not yet met William's mother. William thanks Ada for the boots that she has sent him.
  • Residence*: On 9 November 1895 William Barber lived at 78 Lincoln St, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Occupation: William Barber was a decorator's porter on 9 November 1895.3
  • Marriage*: William Barber married Ada Morris, daughter of Silas Morris and Martha Jeffery, on 9 November 1895 at Register Office, Brighton, Sussex, England.3
  • Anecdote*: Their first child was a stillborn male. Douglas Robert (Bob) Barber said he was strangled by his umbilical cord during birth. Their son Leslie Robert William Barber was born on 18 September 1897. They were living at 3 Marlborough Street in Brighton and William's occupation was a decorator's porter. They had no more children after Leslie.4
  • Anecdote: There is an undated photo of William Barber outside a shop called Sendall & Son, Decorators & Painters, Plumbers & Glaziers. This is probably his place of employment. It has been identified as being at 35 Duke Street, Brighton and that Sendall & Son were in business from c1871 to 1914 (thanks to Brighton Past facebook group - see post 13 Oct 2019).
  • Occupation: William Barber was a house painter on 31 March 1901.5
  • Residence: On 31 March 1901 William Barber and Ada Morris lived at 46 Windsor St, Brighton, Sussex, England, as boarders with their 3 year old son Leslie.5
  • Residence: In 1907 William Barber and Ada Morris lived at 40 Wood St, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Occupation: William Barber was a house decorator's labourer in 1911.6
  • Residence*: In 1911 William Barber and Ada Morris lived at 36 Tillstone St, Brighton, Sussex, England, and lived here for the rest of their lives.6
  • (Witness) Marriage: William Barber witnessed the marriage of Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths on 9 October 1918 at Register Office, Brighton, Sussex, England.7
  • Occupation: William Barber was a transport worker on 9 October 1918.7
  • Anecdote: William and Ada remained very close to Leslie, living only a short distance away. Between WW1 and WW2 they both operated a fruit barrow in Brighton. Ada had bought a fruit barrow for Leslie as it was hard to get work after WW1 and she helped him run this on the corner of Western Rd and Crown St while William and "Uncle" Bill operated another barrow just across the road. This "Uncle" Bill was really a workmate of William who lived with William and Ada for some time.
  • (Witness) Death: William Barber witnessed the death of John Barber on 4 February 1925 at 18 Dinapore St, Brighton, Sussex, England; He died of senile decay and myocardial degeneration.8
  • (Witness) Probate: William Barber witnessed the probate of the estate of Robert John Barber on 5 April 1939 at Lewes Registry, Sussex, England; Robert Barber of 109 Queens Park Road Brighton died 5 February 1939 at 18 West Drive Brighton. Administration Lewes 5 April to Charles Barber waterworks foreman and William Barber decorator. Effects 958 pounds 19s 6d.9
  • Anecdote: In 1939 William and his brother Charles, a waterworks foreman, were granted administration of their brother Robert John Barber's estate valued at £958. Robert and his wife Elizabeth died within weeks of each other in early 1939 and left no children. William's occupation was given as decorator.
  • Occupation: William Barber was a fruitstall holder on 29 September 1939.10
  • Anecdote*: It was reported by Freda Barber (nee Taylor) that "William did have a sister who died. Her husband’s name was Ocky who remarried Rhoda after the sister's death. Ocky and Rhoda sometimes visited William and Ada in Tillstone Street". Subsequent research has shown the sister to be Minnie Barber who married Octavius Knight (Ocky). Minnie died in 1940 and Ocky married Rhoda Seamer in 1942.11
  • Occupation*: William Barber was a retired house decorator in 1952.
  • Death*: William Barber died on 2 November 1952 at Brighton General Hospital, Brighton, Sussex, England, at age 78. He died of fibroid myocardial degeneration, arterio sclerosis and diabetis mellitus. He was cremated.12
  • Anecdote: After William died in 1952 Ada continued to live at 36 Tillstone Street for a few more years and then moved to 237 Freshfield Road to live with her son's family.

Family:

Ada Morris b. 27 Aug 1874, d. 25 May 1963

Children:

Stillborn Barber b. 1896, d. 1896
Leslie Robert William Barber+ b. 18 Sep 1897, d. 19 Jul 1976

Citations

  1. [S208] Birth certificate of William Barber, born 16 Jan 1874, registered 27 Feb 1874 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 2316).
  2. [S71] 1891 Census for England "RG12 piece 807 folio 110 page 44."
  3. [S51] Marriage certificate of William Barber and Ada Morris, married 9 Nov 1895 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 508).
  4. [S212] Birth certificate of Leslie Robert William Barber, born 18 Sep 1897, registered 26 Oct 1897 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 196).
  5. [S72] 1901 Census for England "RG13 piece 933 folio 117 page 33."
  6. [S73] 1911 Census for England "RG14PN5094 RG78PN226 RD79 SD1 ED6 SN144."
  7. [S56] Marriage certificate of Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths, married 9 Oct 1918 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 654).
  8. [S80] Death certificate of John Barber, died 4 Feb 1925, registered 5 Feb 1925 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 303).
  9. [S422] National Probate Calendar, England & Wales (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995. (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/).
  10. [S556] 1939 Register (29 Sep 1939) for England "RG101/2453D/016/15."
  11. [S11] Information supplied by Freda Amy Barber (Victoria Park, WA, Australia) to Geoffrey Barber (Subiaco, WA, Australia), Various dates.
  12. [S41] Death certificate of William Barber, died 2 Nov 1952, registered 3 Nov 1952 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 5h Page 151).

Ada Morris

b. 27 August 1874, d. 25 May 1963
Pedigree
Ada Morris

Parents:

Father: Silas Morris b. 9 Jan 1849, d. 11 Apr 1912
Mother: Martha Jeffery b. 31 Dec 1839, d. 23 Jan 1922
Last Edited: 21 Jun 2024
  • Birth*: Ada Morris was born on 27 August 1874 at Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • She was the daughter of Silas Morris and Martha Jeffery.
  • Baptism: Ada Morris was baptized on 11 October 1874 at Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Anecdote*: Ada worked in domestic service before getting married. In the 1891 census she was a servant, age 17 yrs, working at 11 Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells for Henry and Ann Slatter (Henry was a pianoforte dealer). At some stage she moved to Brighton and while working in service there met her future husband William Barber.2
  • Anecdote: William wrote many letters while courting his future wife Ada Morris as she was working in service and had difficulty getting time off. Some of these letters were kept by Ada and have survived. They were given to Ron and Freda Barber after Ada's death.
    In these letters dated 1894, William is 20 years old and living at 78 Lincoln St in Brighton (with his parents and siblings according to the 1891 census) while Ada is 19 years old and working in domestic service. She may have been living and working at 52 Coleman Street; just one street away, as this was her address at the time of her marriage in 1895. Ada obviously has difficulty getting time off work to see William and it appears that Thursday is the only day that they can see each other for any length of time.
    They share a common interest in reading books and the letters frequently mention William taking books to Ada. One of the stories that he says he enjoyed was "The Silver King" which was a highly successful play by Henry Arthur Jones and Henry Herman, published in 1882.
    In the last letter William is very excited at being able to invite Ada to tea. His sister in law (would have to be Elizabeth Love Morley who married Robert John Barber in 1887) has taken a liking to Ada and has offered the invitation. Ada has not yet met William's mother. William thanks Ada for the boots that she has sent him.
  • Anecdote: Ada's residence at time of marriage in 1895 was 52 Coleman St, Brighton. Living at this address for the 1881 Census were James Jupp aged 61, carpenter, born Lambeth, Surrey and Charlotte Jupp aged 62 born Little Horsted. Charlotte Jupp's birthplace is the same as Ada's so there could be a connection.
  • Marriage*: Ada Morris married William Barber, son of John Barber and Susannah Victoria White, on 9 November 1895 at Register Office, Brighton, Sussex, England.3
  • Married Name: As of 9 November 1895, her married name was Barber.
  • Anecdote*: Their first child was a stillborn male. Douglas Robert (Bob) Barber said he was strangled by his umbilical cord during birth. Their son Leslie Robert William Barber was born on 18 September 1897. They were living at 3 Marlborough Street in Brighton and William's occupation was a decorator's porter. They had no more children after Leslie.4
  • Residence: On 31 March 1901 Ada Morris and William Barber lived at 46 Windsor St, Brighton, Sussex, England, as boarders with their 3 year old son Leslie.5
  • Residence*: In 1907 Ada Morris and William Barber lived at 40 Wood St, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Residence: In 1911 Ada Morris and William Barber lived at 36 Tillstone St, Brighton, Sussex, England, and lived here for the rest of their lives.6
  • (Witness) Death: Ada Morris witnessed the death of Silas Morris on 11 April 1912 at Throat & Ear Hospital, Brighton, Sussex, England; He died of enlarged cervical glands (probably malignant) 3 months, marasmus, cardiac failure.7
  • (Witness) Marriage: Ada Morris witnessed the marriage of Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths on 9 October 1918 at Register Office, Brighton, Sussex, England.8
  • Anecdote: William and Ada remained very close to Leslie, living only a short distance away. Between WW1 and WW2 they both operated a fruit barrow in Brighton. Ada had bought a fruit barrow for Leslie as it was hard to get work after WW1 and she helped him run this on the corner of Western Rd and Crown St while William and "Uncle" Bill operated another barrow just across the road. This "Uncle" Bill was really a workmate of William who lived with William and Ada for some time.
  • Occupation*: Ada Morris was a fruit stall holder and housewife on 29 September 1939.9
  • Anecdote: Ada is reported to have been a very independent and capable person who was good at cooking and crafts. She was a small person being less than 5 feet tall. She was raised in the country (Little Horsted and Uckfield) and always had strong ties to her family. Many family heirlooms were passed down to the family by her. She inherited many of her mother's belongings including her wedding ring, the Ben Jeffery letters sent by her mother’s brother from New Zealand, and her grandmother Harriet Jeffery’s bible. The bible was given to Ada when she was 12 years old (1886) probably by her mother Martha, a few years after her grandmother Harriet died in 1883. The bible was inscribed "From the Reverend Augustus W. Warde to Harriet Jeffery, Christmas Day 1861. The Lord Bless Thee and Keep Thee". Augustus Warde was the vicar at the Little Horsted parish church.
  • (Witness) Death: Ada Morris witnessed the death of William Barber on 2 November 1952 at Brighton General Hospital, Brighton, Sussex, England; He died of fibroid myocardial degeneration, arterio sclerosis and diabetis mellitus. He was cremated.10
  • Anecdote: After William died in 1952 Ada continued to live at 36 Tillstone Street for a few more years and then moved to 237 Freshfield Road to live with her son's family.
  • Anecdote: Ada wrote this letter to Ron and Freda Barber (in Australia) when she was very old:
    237 Freshfield Rd
    Brighton

              My dear Ron & Freda
              and all. you asked me
              to write, but dears I am blind
              but think of you always
              you know dear is a tradegy
              to live too long, when
              you are dependent on
              others to do everything for
              you, but I'll never forget
              you all. Joey the bird
              talks to me, he is lonely
              I think of you always
              dears. Roy Gurr is
              coming home to see his
              people about Xmas. I think
              I'm sure you wont understand
              this, but dears I love you
              and think of you always
              so now dears I'll say
              all the best, love to you
              all, ever your dear old gran
               xxxxxxxxxx.
  • Death*: Ada Morris died on 25 May 1963 at St Francis Hospital, Haywards Heath, Sussex, EnglandB, at age 88. She died of broncho pneumonia and senility.11

Family:

William Barber b. 16 Jan 1874, d. 2 Nov 1952

Children:

Stillborn Barber b. 1896, d. 1896
Leslie Robert William Barber+ b. 18 Sep 1897, d. 19 Jul 1976

Citations

  1. [S209] Birth certificate of Ada Morris, born 27 Aug 1874, registered 7 Oct 1874 in the Registration District of Uckfield, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 119).
  2. [S71] 1891 Census for England.
  3. [S51] Marriage certificate of William Barber and Ada Morris, married 9 Nov 1895 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 508).
  4. [S212] Birth certificate of Leslie Robert William Barber, born 18 Sep 1897, registered 26 Oct 1897 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 196).
  5. [S72] 1901 Census for England "RG13 piece 933 folio 117 page 33."
  6. [S73] 1911 Census for England "RG14PN5094 RG78PN226 RD79 SD1 ED6 SN144."
  7. [S64] Death certificate of Silas Morris, died 11 Apr 1912, registered 12 Apr 1912 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 272).
  8. [S56] Marriage certificate of Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths, married 9 Oct 1918 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 654).
  9. [S556] 1939 Register (29 Sep 1939) for England "RG101/2453D/016/15."
  10. [S41] Death certificate of William Barber, died 2 Nov 1952, registered 3 Nov 1952 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 5h Page 151).
  11. [S27] Death certificate of Ada Barber, died 25 May 1963, registered 28 May 1963 in the Registration District of Cuckfield, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 5H Page 220).

Anne Cluer

b. 27 April 1796, d. 20 March 1877
Pedigree

Parents:

Father: William Clewer b. 9 Feb 1761, d. 1812
Mother: Esther Primmer b. 13 Jan 1760, d. 25 Apr 1840
Last Edited: 6 May 2023
  • Birth: Anne Cluer was born in 1796 at Chichester, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Baptism*: Anne Cluer was baptized on 27 April 1796 at Chichester St Peter the Great, Chichester, Sussex, England, surname CLUER.1,2
  • She was the daughter of William Clewer and Esther Primmer.
  • Anecdote*: It is known that Ann CLUER was born in Chichester, Sussex; confirmed by the 1851 and 1871 census returns. It is also known from the baptism that her parents are William and Esther CLUER/CLEWER.
    A search of the Hampshire Genealogical Society Baptism Index did not discover any baptism for Ann CLUER/CLEWER in the county. However the following were identified in the parish of Fareham, St Peter & St Paul (Fareham, St Peter & St Paul, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1793-1812 (PHC: CHU43/1A/5)) :
    1794:     5 Jan:          Betty of William and Hestor Cluer
    1801:     3 May:          Jane d. William and Hester Cluer
    And in the earlier register (Fareham, St Peter & St Paul, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1743-1792 (PHC: CHU43/1A/4)):
    1788:     25 Dec:          William of William and Hester Cluer (Tax Paid)
    1790:     24 Mar:          Elizabeth of William and Hester Cluer (Tax Paid.)
  • Marriage*: Anne Cluer married George Evans, son of Nathaniel Evans and Sarah Marshall, on 14 May 1815 at Alverstoke, Hampshire, England, surname CLEWER.3
  • Married Name: As of 14 May 1815, her married name was Evans.
  • Anecdote*: Note that three of the EVANS children were baptised on the same day, 26 Mar 1827. Baptisms in bulk can point towards nonconformist tendencies; bulk baptisms can also point to non-attendance at church (not compulsory since 1689) or the fact the family migrated between parishes. At this juncture the latter two seem the more likely.4
  • Anecdote: Regarding the use of the middle name STEPHEN in two of the male children, no evidence has been discovered to date that provides a connection between the name STEPHEN and the EVANS family.4
  • Residence: On 7 June 1841 Anne Cluer and George Evans lived at East St, Titchfield, Hampshire, EnglandB.
  • Residence: On 30 March 1851 Anne Cluer and George Evans lived at East St, Titchfield, Hampshire, EnglandB.2
  • Residence*: On 7 April 1861 Anne Cluer and George Evans lived at East St, Titchfield, Hampshire, EnglandB.5
  • Residence: On 2 April 1871 Anne Cluer and George Evans lived at Upper High Street, Titchfield, Hampshire, EnglandB, surname EVENS.6
  • Death*: Anne Cluer died on 20 March 1877 at Titchfield, Hampshire, EnglandB, at age 80. "age 83 years, widow of George Evans, agricultural labourer". She died of senile decay (3 years).7

Family:

George Evans b. 8 Jun 1794, d. 27 Dec 1873

Children:

Charlotte Evans+ b. 10 Dec 1815
Elizabeth Evans b. 10 May 1818
Eliza Frances Evans b. 26 Mar 1826
Jane Evans b. 26 Mar 1826
John Stephen Evans b. 26 Mar 1826
George Stephen Evans b. 11 Dec 1828
Frederick Evans b. 27 Mar 1831
Ann Evans b. 16 Jan 1834
Ann Evans+ b. 26 Oct 1834, d. 1868
William Evans+ b. c 1837, d. a 2 Apr 1911
Mary Evans b. 16 Jan 1841

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S16] 1851 Census for England "Class: HO107; Piece: 1661; Folio: 454; Page: 1; GSU roll: 193568."
  3. [S641] Microfilm of the Old Parochial Register of Alverstoke, Hampshire, England, (Portsmouth History Centre, Portsmouth History Centre: CHU42) "CHU42/1C/8 Marriages."
  4. [S644] Research Report from Les Mitchinson, commissioned by Geoffrey Barber, 08 Nov 2016. (unknown document ref).
  5. [S68] 1861 Census for England, "Class: RG 9; Piece: 651; Folio: 9; Page: 13; GSU roll: 542678."
  6. [S69] 1871 Census for England, "Class: RG10; Piece: 1157; Folio: 12; Page: 15; GSU roll: 827794."
  7. [S456] Death certificate of Ann Evans, died 20 Mar 1877, registered 21 Mar 1877 in the Registration District of Titchfield, Southampton, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 346).

Charles Richard Griffiths

b. 13 June 1869, d. 3 June 1938
Pedigree
Charles Richard Griffiths c1917

Parents:

Father: William Griffiths b. 12 Apr 1836, d. 7 Sep 1918
Mother: Margaret Day b. 8 Jul 1836, d. 17 Dec 1915
Last Edited: 7 May 2023
  • Birth*: Charles Richard Griffiths was born on 13 June 1869 at Holywell, Eastbourne, Sussex, England.1
  • He was the son of William Griffiths and Margaret Day.
  • Residence: On 2 April 1871 Charles Richard Griffiths lived at 6 Artillery Cottages, Cannon Street, Brighton, Sussex, England, with his parents and family.2
  • Anecdote: Charles' father, William Griffiths, was born in Chipping Ongar in Essex and had an interesting life as a sailor which resulted in him moving to Eastbourne in Sussex. The 1861 census records William, age 25 years, as a Leading Seaman in the Royal Navy. On the night of the census he was on board Her Majesty’s Ship “Firebrand”, a paddle frigate commissioned in 1842 (and the first steam ship commissioned in the Royal Navy). The vessel was located at Carthagina near Granada, South America.
    Eight years later in 1869, the year that Charles was born, William was a seaman, R.N. Coastguard (Eastbourne). The appearance of William and wife Margaret in Sussex would have come about because of the policy of manning coastguard stations with men from outside the local area. The purpose of this was to prevent collusion between the coastguard seamen and local smugglers. Their moves can be traced by the birth places of their children: Emily in 1864 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and then William in 1865 in Eastbourne in Sussex (and same for subsequent children). In 1871 William and his family are living in Brighton and he is still in the coast guard service. By 1891 he is a naval pensioner (and a clerk to a fish salesman). They lived in close walking distance to son Charles when he married and had a family.
  • Residence*: On 3 April 1881 Charles Richard Griffiths lived at 27 Cannon Street, Brighton, Sussex, England, with his parents and family.3
  • Anecdote*: In January 1888, at the age of 18 years, Charles was appointed to the British Postal Service as a postman in Brighton. This was to be his career for the next 44 years.
  • Marriage*: Charles Richard Griffiths married Ann Elizabeth Godden, daughter of William Godden and Ann Elizabeth Humphries, on 28 August 1890 at The Parish Church, Brighton, Sussex, EnglandB.4
  • Occupation*: Charles Richard Griffiths was a parcels postman on 5 April 1891.5
  • Residence*: On 5 April 1891 Charles Richard Griffiths and Ann Elizabeth Godden lived at 51 Stanley Rd, Preston, Brighton, Sussex, England.5
  • Anecdote: This family photograph would have been taken c1900.
  • Occupation: Charles Richard Griffiths was an indoor postman on 31 March 1901.
  • Residence: On 31 March 1901 Charles Richard Griffiths and Ann Elizabeth Godden lived at 1 Exeter St, Brighton, Sussex, England.6
  • Anecdote: It is interesting that Charles thought it important to state his position as an "indoor" postman and information from his daughter May (Victoria) is illuminating. During WW1, May applied to join the post office as they were short of postmen. She had to do an entrance test and because she got one question wrong she only got a position as an "outdoor" postman - that is, delivering mail "outdoors" as opposed to sorting the mail "indoors".
  • Occupation: Charles Richard Griffiths was an indoor postman on 2 April 1911.
  • Residence: On 2 April 1911 Charles Richard Griffiths and Ann Elizabeth Godden lived at 21 Exeter St, Brighton, Sussex, England.7
  • Anecdote: The 1911 census states that Charles and Annie had four children with one having died.
  • Anecdote: On 20 December 1913 Charles and Annie's daughter, Annie Margaret Griffiths married Fred Daw at St Luke's Church in Brighton..
  • Anecdote: Their son Fred enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1915 and a postcard survives which he wrote from the Inkerman Barracks in Woking on 12 July 1915. He commenced active service in France from 4th October that year. Tragically for the family, Fred died of wounds in France on 12 April 1917. This photo of Charles and Annie with daughter Victoria May was probably taken not long after, and probably close to Victoria May's wedding on 9 October 1918. Both Annie and May are wearing Royal Sussex Regiment brooches.
  • (Witness) Marriage: Charles Richard Griffiths witnessed the marriage of Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths on 9 October 1918 at Register Office, Brighton, Sussex, England.8
  • Anecdote: On 9 Oct 1913 Charles and Annie's daughter, Victoria May Griffiths married Leslie Robert William Barber at the Register Office in Brighton.8
  • Anecdote: Daughter Victoria May reported that although their father had brothers and sisters living close by they did not often come to visit as her father had a drinking problem. On one occasion, before there were buses and cars, the fire brigade had to bring him home from the pub on a stretcher. Her mother had a sister Emma who likewise did not come often. This sad situation obviously had an impact on the children Annie Margaret and Victoria May and the consequence was that there was no close family for either of them, and apparently they did not have a close relationship with each other after they married either (Annie Margaret's husband, who was a cooper at the brewery in Portslade, was said to have been a not very humorous man). The loss of Fred, killed in action in 1917 - a tragedy for all of them all - must have contributed to Charles' poor temperament and possible depression. On the other hand, he held a responsible job with the Post Office for 44 years for which he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal, so one needs to be careful in making judgements.
  • Anecdote: In a letter dated 15 August 1976, Victoria states that her father was at the Ship Street Post Office in Brighton for 43 years and that he was head parcel sorter. His brother is reported to have been the postmaster at Hove and another brother, Fred, worked on the night trains from London as a parcel sorter.
  • Retirement*: Charles Richard Griffiths retired in 1929. An inscription on a clock belonging to his daughter Victoria May Barber (now with Anthony Ronald Barber) reads: "Presented to Mr. C.R.Griffiths By the controlling officers and indoor staff of the Brighton Post Office as a token of appreciation at the conclusion of 44 years service in the parcels office 1885 to 1929."
  • Anecdote: On 20 Aug 1929 Charles was awarded the Imperial Service Medal on retirement (published in the London Gazette, 23 August 1929.)9
  • Anecdote: Charles’ wife Annie died on 26 Jan 1932 at their home at 21 Exeter St, Brighton. She died of acute bronchitis.10
  • (Witness) Death: Charles Richard Griffiths witnessed the death of Ann Elizabeth Godden on 26 January 1932 at 21 Exeter St, Brighton, Sussex, England; She died of acute bronchitis.10
  • Death*: Charles Richard Griffiths died on 3 June 1938 at Brighton Municipal Hospital, Brighton, Sussex, England, at age 68. He died of carcinoma of the right lung (lung cancer.)11
  • Burial*: Charles Richard Griffiths was buried on 8 June 1938 at Grave XC 909, Brighton Cemetery, Brighton, Sussex, England, with his wife Annie.

Family:

Ann Elizabeth Godden b. 3 Jun 1865, d. 26 Jan 1932

Children:

Annie Margaret Griffiths+ b. 26 Jun 1891, d. 9 Aug 1967
Frederick Charles Griffiths b. 1893, d. 12 Apr 1917
Victoria May Griffiths+ b. 10 Jul 1897, d. 23 Mar 1990

Citations

  1. [S206] Birth certificate of Charles Richard Griffiths, born 13 Jun 1869, registered 15 Jul 1869 in the Registration District of Eastbourne, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 56).
  2. [S69] 1871 Census for England, "RG10 piece 1086 folio 75 page 45."
  3. [S70] 1881 Census for England, "RG11 piece 1092 folio 64 page 24."
  4. [S57] Marriage certificate of Charles Richard Griffiths and Annie Elizabeth Godden, married 28 Aug 1890 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 408).
  5. [S71] 1891 Census for England "RG12 piece 821 folio 103 page 5."
  6. [S72] 1901 Census for England "RG13 piece 940 folio 27 page 8."
  7. [S73] 1911 Census for England "RG14PN5155 RG78PN228 RD80 SD1 ED3 SN87."
  8. [S56] Marriage certificate of Leslie Robert William Barber and Victoria May Griffiths, married 9 Oct 1918 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 654).
  9. [S258] Webpage The London Gazette (http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/) "Gazette Issue 33528 published on the 23 August 1929. Page 29 of 88."
  10. [S39] Death certificate of Annie Elizabeth Griffiths, died 26 Jan 1932, registered 28 Jan 1932 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: unknown gro index ref).
  11. [S40] Death certificate of Charles Richard Griffiths, died 3 Jun 1938, registered 4 Jun 1938 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 325).

Ann Elizabeth Godden

b. 3 June 1865, d. 26 January 1932
Pedigree
Annie Elizabeth Godden c1890

Parents:

Father: William Godden b. 4 Oct 1844, d. 19 Jan 1888
Mother: Ann Elizabeth Humphries b. 10 Jul 1843, d. 6 Oct 1872
Last Edited: 7 May 2023
  • Birth*: Ann Elizabeth Godden was born on 3 June 1865 at 1 Duke St, Eastbourne, Sussex, England.1
  • She was the daughter of William Godden and Ann Elizabeth Humphries.
  • Baptism: Ann Elizabeth Godden was baptized on 12 June 1866 at Brighton, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Residence: On 2 April 1871 Ann Elizabeth Godden lived at 17 Elder Place, Brighton, Sussex, England, with her parents and family.2
  • Anecdote*: Annie's father William Godden was a fireman with the South Coast Railway Company, in the days of steam trains. Her mother Ann Elizabeth Godden (nee Humphries) died when Annie was 7 years old and her father appears to have remarried a woman named Fanny from Storrington, although a marriage certificate has not been found. In the 1881 census for Brighton they are living at 51 Hanover Street: William and Fanny, Annie (16 years), brother Alfred (15 years), sister Emma (12 years) and niece Jane Baker (5 years). The presence of his niece indicates that William must have had a reasonably close relationship with his family in Eastbourne as the earlier 1871 census also shows another member of the family, Alfred Godden age 19 years (also a fireman on the railway), living with them. Alfred was the illegitimate son of William's sister Emma (who never married) and was raised by his grandparents Michael and Ruth Godden. William possibly helped him get the job with the railway. William and Ann named two of their children Emma and Alfred which is another indication of their close relationship. Two of William's other sisters (Sophia and Elizabeth) had four illegitimate children, and census records indicate that they were also left with the grandparents to be raised - the new husbands possibly objecting to raising them or providing for them. An understanding of this period in Eastbourne, and the impact of poverty on families, can be found in reading the book "George Meek: Bath Chairman - By Himself" by George Meek. George was the brother in law of Annie's mother Ann Elizabeth Godden (nee Humphries alias Knibbs) whose father Benjamin raised George Meek and whose life is well described in the book. The book was published in 1910 with a preface by the famous author H.G. Wells.
  • Residence: On 3 April 1881 Ann Elizabeth Godden lived at 51 Hanover St, Brighton, Sussex, England, with her family.3
  • Residence*: On 28 August 1890 Ann Elizabeth Godden lived at 51 Hanover St, Brighton, Sussex, England.4
  • Marriage*: Ann Elizabeth Godden married Charles Richard Griffiths, son of William Griffiths and Margaret Day, on 28 August 1890 at The Parish Church, Brighton, Sussex, EnglandB.4
  • Married Name: As of 28 August 1890, her married name was Griffiths.
  • Residence*: On 5 April 1891 Ann Elizabeth Godden and Charles Richard Griffiths lived at 51 Stanley Rd, Preston, Brighton, Sussex, England.5
  • Residence: On 31 March 1901 Ann Elizabeth Godden and Charles Richard Griffiths lived at 1 Exeter St, Brighton, Sussex, England.6
  • Residence: On 2 April 1911 Ann Elizabeth Godden and Charles Richard Griffiths lived at 21 Exeter St, Brighton, Sussex, England.7
  • Anecdote: The 1911 census states that Charles and Annie had four children with one having died.
  • Anecdote: On 20 December 1913 Charles and Annie's daughter, Annie Margaret Griffiths married Fred Daw at St Luke's Church in Brighton..
  • Anecdote: In 1917, Annie's son Fred was killed in WW1. The following photo of Annie was taken about that time.
  • Anecdote: Their son Fred enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1915 and a postcard survives which he wrote from the Inkerman Barracks in Woking on 12 July 1915. He commenced active service in France from 4th October that year. Tragically for the family, Fred died of wounds in France on 12 April 1917. This photo of Charles and Annie with daughter Victoria May was probably taken not long after, and probably close to Victoria May's wedding on 9 October 1918. Both Annie and May are wearing Royal Sussex Regiment brooches.
  • Anecdote: According to her daughter, Victoria May, the Salvation Army took Annie to France to visit his grave after the war.
  • Anecdote: This photo of Annie was probably taken c1930, not long before she died.
  • Death*: Ann Elizabeth Godden died on 26 January 1932 at 21 Exeter St, Brighton, Sussex, England, at age 66. She died of acute bronchitis.8
  • Burial*: Ann Elizabeth Godden was buried on 1 February 1932 at Grave XC 909, Brighton Cemetery, Brighton, Sussex, England.

Family:

Charles Richard Griffiths b. 13 Jun 1869, d. 3 Jun 1938

Children:

Annie Margaret Griffiths+ b. 26 Jun 1891, d. 9 Aug 1967
Frederick Charles Griffiths b. 1893, d. 12 Apr 1917
Victoria May Griffiths+ b. 10 Jul 1897, d. 23 Mar 1990

Citations

  1. [S205] Birth certificate of Ann Elizabeth Godden, born 3 Jun 1865, registered 11 Jul 1865 in the Registration District of Eastbourne, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 51).
  2. [S69] 1871 Census for England, "RG10 piece 1081 folio 94 page 29 (surname GODDING)."
  3. [S70] 1881 Census for England, "RG11 piece 1083 folio 73 page 41."
  4. [S57] Marriage certificate of Charles Richard Griffiths and Annie Elizabeth Godden, married 28 Aug 1890 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 408).
  5. [S71] 1891 Census for England "RG12 piece 821 folio 103 page 5."
  6. [S72] 1901 Census for England "RG13 piece 940 folio 27 page 8."
  7. [S73] 1911 Census for England "RG14PN5155 RG78PN228 RD80 SD1 ED3 SN87."
  8. [S39] Death certificate of Annie Elizabeth Griffiths, died 26 Jan 1932, registered 28 Jan 1932 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: unknown gro index ref).

Frederick Charles Griffiths

b. 1893, d. 12 April 1917
Pedigree
Frederick Griffiths, c1915

Parents:

Father: Charles Richard Griffiths b. 13 Jun 1869, d. 3 Jun 1938
Mother: Ann Elizabeth Godden b. 3 Jun 1865, d. 26 Jan 1932
Last Edited: 5 Jan 2022
  • Birth*: Frederick Charles Griffiths was born in 1893 at Brighton, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • He was the son of Charles Richard Griffiths and Ann Elizabeth Godden.
  • Residence*: On 31 March 1901 Frederick Charles Griffiths lived at 1 Exeter St, Preston, Brighton, Sussex, England, with his parents and family.2
  • Occupation*: Frederick Charles Griffiths was a plumber's apprentice on 2 April 1911.3
  • Residence: On 2 April 1911 Frederick Charles Griffiths lived at 21 Exeter St, Brighton, Sussex, England, with his parents and family.3
  • Anecdote*: When war broke out he enlisted and served with the 9th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment in France from 4th October 1915. He died of wounds on 12 April 1917 aged 23 years and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He wrote many post cards to his sister Victoria May (who Fred called Queenie) both from within England and France. He had a girlfriend Louie and sister Victoria May remembered having to go to see her family to let them know that he had been killed as her mother could not do it. Some photos of Louie have survived.
  • Anecdote: In July 1915 Fred was based at the Inkerman Barracks in Woking. He wrote some postcards from there to his sister Queenie.
  • Anecdote: While Fred was still in training, his 9th Battalion landed in France, at Boulogne, on 31st August 1915. Just a few weeks later on September 25th the battalion tasted it first action at the Battle of Loos and suffered heavy losses. Fred would have joined them soon after on 4th October. In 1916 it was at Hooge (14th February), Wulverghem (30th April) and during the Battle of the Somme it fought at the Battle for Delville Wood (11th -22nd, 31st August – 2nd September) and the Battle for Guillemont (3rd – 5th September). In 1917 the battalion took part in the attack on Bois en Hache at the Vimy Ridge (9th -14th April), and this is where Fred received the wounds from which he died. According to the 9th Battalion war diary, the attack on Bois en Hache "took place in a blinding snow storm & over ground full of large shell holes & churned into a sea of mud by bad weather and heavy shelling". "The attack was timed for 5am on the 12th, just before dawn. All Companies moved into position of assembly without delay or casualty by 1am & Tea & Rum were issued to the men. The difficult operation of forming up on the proper alignment was carried out under cover of a blizzard 5 mins before zero. In the attack heavy casualties were at once sustained from M.G. fire. The first objective was at once captured with about 60 casualties, including 3 officers of “B” Coy, 1 of “A” Coy & 1 of “C” Coy. About 6 Germans who fought were bayonetted, the remainder were captured or ran away. At 5:10am the advance continued."
  • Will*: Frederick Charles Griffiths left a will made on 12 October 1915: (War Department Wills "FAEJ753132.")
  • Death*: G/2981 Private Frederick Charles Griffiths died on 12 April 1917 at Bois en Hache near Souchez, France. He died of wounds. There are trench maps available which show the location of the wood Bois en Hache, and it is still visible today on Google earth (Coords 50 24 07.15 N, 2 45 06.21 E). It is mid way between the villages of Souchez and Angres. The war diary for his regiment describing the action that day is transcribed later in this chapter.
  • Burial*: Frederick Charles Griffiths was buried after 12 April 1917 at Plot 1 Row K Grave 10, Chocques Military Cemetery, Chocques, Pas de Calais, France. His parents were allowed to place an inscription at the base of the headstone, and written there is "Always in our thoughts - Mum & Dad". After the War the Salvation Army took Fred's mother to France to see his grave, along with many other mothers.4
  • Anecdote: The village of Chocques is about 4 kilometres north west of Bethune on the road to Lillers, and Chocques Military Cemetery lies to the north of the village on the east side of the road to Gonnehem. Chocques was in British occupation from the late autumn 1914 to the end of the War. From January 1915 to April 1918, No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station was posted in the village, and during that time almost all the burials in the Cemetery were those of men who died there of wounds received in fighting on the Bethune front. It is interesting to note that the land occupied as British War Cemeteries in France is, by a law of 29th December 1915, the free gift of the French people for the perpetual resting place of those who are laid there.4
  • Anecdote: Fred's grave was visited on 2 May 2012 by Geoff and Julitha Barber, Logan Barber, Tony and Vera Barber, Brendan Barber and Rowena Williams. A wreath was laid at the grave which included some yellow wattle flowers from Australia. The headstone had recently been renovated and the inscription looked quite crisp and newly done. The visit was organised as part of a tour of the Western Front, and also included visits to the grave of Enos England at Fleurs cemetery, and also Alfred England's memorial at Thiepval (he has no known grave), both great uncles to Vera Barber (nee England).
  • Anecdote: Next to Fred is the grave of Sergeant W.G. Thompson from the Royal Sussex Regiment who also died of wounds on the same day as Fred. Both were sent to No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station in Chocques where they would have died. William George Thompson is listed in the National Probate Index in 1917 as having come from East Grinstead in Sussex.
  • Anecdote: The site of the battle at Bois en Hache was also visited on 2 May 2012. It is a private wood, and as such appears to have survived untouched since WW1. The ground is very uneven with shell holes and trench lines visible. This was quite a surprise, as untouched areas like this are becoming quite rare.
  • Anecdote: Fred's name is recorded on a number of memorials including the Royal Sussex Regiment Chapel inside Chichester Cathedral; the War Memorial in Old Steine, Brighton; and on a memorial at his old school in Stanford Rd, Brighton (Stanford Junior School).5
  • Anecdote: The full War Diary entry for the Royal Sussex Regiment on the day of Fred's death is given below:
    War Diary 9th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment: Attack on BOIS-en-HACHE - 12 April 1917.
  • Anecdote: 1/4/17 Bn in line in Left Sub-section Souchez. Relieved on night 1st & 2nd by 2 Coys 8th Bn. The BUFFS. Bn moved to Divisional Reserve in billets at Fosse 10.
    2/4/17 Major M. CAMPBELL-JOHNSTON struck off strength & attached to HQ 3rd Army
    2/4/17 to 10/4/17 Bn trained under Capt T FOSTER for attack ordered for 10th. Lt Col Hill, M.C. returned from leave 10/11/17. Attack postponed till 12/4/17
    11/4/17 Bn took over position of front from 8th Baffs on evening of 11th.
    12/4/17 Attack on BOIS-en-HACHE (S2b & M32d Sheet 36c) The attack was carried out in conjunction with the 2nd Leinsters on our right, & in cooperation with an attack by the Canadian Corps. The objectives were the German 1st & 2nd line, which meant the capture of his commanding position in the Bois-en-Hache. “A” Coy on the left and “B” Coy on the right were detached to take the 2nd line, & hold it as a line of observation. “C” Coy was detailed “mop up”, consolidate & hold as line of resistance the enemy front line. “D” Coy was held in reserve. The attack was timed for 5am on the 12th, just before dawn. All Companies moved into position of assembly without delay or casualty by 1am & Tea & Rum were issued to the men. The difficult operation of forming up on the proper alignment was carried out under cover of a blizzard 5 mins before zero.
    In the attack heavy casualties were at once sustained from M.G. fire. The first objective was at once captured with about 60 casualties, including 3 officers of “B” Coy, 1 of “A” Coy & 1 of “C” Coy. About 6 Germans who fought were bayonetted, the remainder were captured or ran away. At 5:10am the advance continued. “A” Coy reached all their objectives & established a line of posts 80 yds in advance of German front line. In this advance “A” & “B” & “C” Coys each lost an officer. Three attempts at a Bombing attack were made but were driven off. A counter attack against the last one resulted in the capture of 2 prisoners. “B” Coy in spite of the loss of all their officers reached their objective in small parties, one in touch with “A” Coy & 1 in touch with 2nd Leinsters. 12 men were found killed 20 yds in front of the objective. The dug-outs in the front line were picquetted, 150 yds of the line was wired by Lt Lloyd Davis & a party of 129 Field Co. R.E. with 15 men of D Coy. A Vickers Gun was successfully got into position in the centre of this line, & a Stokes Gun with 190 rounds was carried to a position on the left of the enemy front line. The ammunition was carried by men of D Coy. During the day “A” Coy got considerable shelling, but the casualties were very few.
    The attack took place in a blinding snow storm & over ground full of large shell holes & churned into a sea of mud by bad weather and heavy shelling.
    13/4/17 The night of 12th/13th was comparatively quiet, but the usual darkness & heaviness of the ground made communication difficult. The morning of the 13th was quiet except for shelling by single guns. At 1pm it was seen that the enemy was shelling his own line & the village of ANGRES. Consequently at 1.45pm patrols were sent out under 2/LT. P. ATTWOOD & 2/LT H. SAXON 500 yds from the German 2nd line & reported that enemy had withdrawn except for a M.G. & two snipers who were firing. Bn H.Q. was established in the German front line by 4 o’clock. By this time our patrol had Bombed the enemy out of FOSSE 6. An outpost line was established by D Coy on the SOUCHER River & before dark a patrol under 2/LT R. BURNIER reached CALVERY Trench in S.3.a & BUQUET MILL at S.3.a 55.90. The outpost line was held through the night & by 7 a.m. the Bn was relieved by 12th Bn Royal Fusiliers
    19 Prisoners were captured & a large number of German dead were found in the captured trenches. Our casualties were
    Officers 5 killed – 4 wounded. O.R. Killed 40 Wounded 63
    Died of Wounds – O.R. 4 Total – all ranks 116
    Officers in Action
    C.O. Lt Col. M.V.B. HILL M.C. 2nd-in-C. Capt T. FOSTER Adjt Lt H.C. COLEMAN
    Sigs. Off 2/LT P. ATTWOOD Intn Officer 2/LT R. BURNIER Bomb Off. 2/LT G.C. MOLE
    “A” Coy
    CAPT. C.E. GOAD
    LT W.D. CHEPMELL (killed)
    2/LT K.F.F. WARD (wounded)
    2/LT E.R. HOLDEN (wounded)
    “B” Co
    CAPT G.M. SHACKEL (wounded)
    LT W.B. SHAW (killed)
    2/LT G.M.W. PROWSE (killed)
    2/LT A. CARTER (killed)
    “C” Co
    2/LT B.H. VIDLER (killed)
    2/LT H. SAXON
    2/LT H.G. WELHAM
    2/LT W.R. CHITTENDEN (wounded)
    “D” Co
    2/LT J.E. PAUL
    2/LT R.W. ROMSBEY
    2/LT A. JACKSON
    CSM BARNARD, “A” Co was killed
    14/4/17 Bn moved on relief to MARQUEFFLES FARM. Weather was still bad.
    17/4/14 BN marched to HESINGNEUL into billets.
    18/4/14 Bn marched to AUCHEL & were billeted
    19/4/14 Bn marched to Training Area & were billeted at ESTREE BLANCHE
    20/4/17 Bn rested & reorganised. ………….6

Citations

  1. [S142] General Register Office: Indexes to Births, Sep 1837-2006, "Apr-Jun 1893, Brighton, Vol 2b Page 237."
  2. [S72] 1901 Census for England "RG13 piece 940 folio 27 page 8."
  3. [S73] 1911 Census for England "RG14PN5155 RG78PN228 RD80 SD1 ED3 SN87."
  4. [S187] Imperial War Graves Commission, "The War Graves of the British Empire (France 98 and 99)", Imperial War Graves Commission, First Edition (1923) "page 29."
  5. [S732] Website "Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register" (https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials) "https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/72053."
  6. [S176] War Diary of Royal Sussex Regiment 9th Bn, France, April 1917 (The National Archives, WO/95/2219).

Annie Margaret Griffiths

b. 26 June 1891, d. 9 August 1967
Pedigree
Annie Griffiths with children Ivy and Fred c1918

Parents:

Father: Charles Richard Griffiths b. 13 Jun 1869, d. 3 Jun 1938
Mother: Ann Elizabeth Godden b. 3 Jun 1865, d. 26 Jan 1932
Last Edited: 6 Aug 2016
  • Birth*: Annie Margaret Griffiths was born on 26 June 1891 at Brighton, Sussex, EnglandB.1,2
  • She was the daughter of Charles Richard Griffiths and Ann Elizabeth Godden.
  • Residence: On 31 March 1901 Annie Margaret Griffiths lived at 1 Exeter St, Preston, Brighton, Sussex, England, with her parents and family.3
  • Occupation*: Annie Margaret Griffiths was a general servant domestic in 1911.4
  • Residence*: In 1911 Annie Margaret Griffiths lived at 21 Exeter St, Brighton, Sussex, England, with her parents and family.4
  • Marriage*: Annie Margaret Griffiths married Frederick George Daw, son of Alfred Daw and Caroline Ruth Waller, on 20 December 1913 at St Luke, Brighton, Sussex, England.5
  • Married Name: As of 20 December 1913, her married name was Daw.
  • Residence: On 20 September 1915 Annie Margaret Griffiths and Frederick George Daw lived at 21 Exeter St, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Anecdote: Fred enlisted in the Army on 20 Sep 1915. His rank was Sapper, and his service number was 4143. He was in the 1/3rd Home Counties Reserve Field Co. Royal Engineers on enlistment and later the 499th Home Counties Reserve Field Co. R.E., and then the 592 (Forth) Fortress Coy (his regimental number was 536134). He passed a proficiency test as an electrician at Gosport in 1918 and appears to have served in an engineering capacity during the war, and did not serve overseas.6
  • Anecdote*:
  • Anecdote: On 19 Mar 1919 Frederick Daw was demobilised from the army and transferred to the Army Reserve. His residence was still 21 Exeter St at that time, which is the address of Annie's parents, suggesting that she lived with them while Fred served during the war.
  • Anecdote*: After the war Frederick George Daw was a cooper at a brewery in Portslade, and they appear to have moved there to live.
  • Residence: On 29 September 1939 Annie Margaret Griffiths and Frederick George Daw lived at 13 Drove Road, Portslade by Sea, Sussex, England.2
  • Anecdote: Annie and Fred's son, Frederick Charles DAW, was probably named after his uncle Frederick Charles Griffiths who was killed in WWI in 1917. It is ironic that he was also killed in war, in the Middle East in 1941. He was a Private in the 1st Bn Royal Sussex Regiment (no 873234) and at the time of his death was recorded as age 24 years, son of Frederick George and Annie Margaret Daw, of Upper Portslade, Sussex.
  • Residence*: In 1941 Annie Margaret Griffiths and Frederick George Daw lived at Upper Portslade, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Death*: Annie Margaret Griffiths died on 9 August 1967 at Bevendean Hospital, Brighton, Sussex, England, at age 76. She died of lymphosarcoma.7

Family:

Frederick George Daw b. 8 Dec 1888, d. 1967

Children:

Ivy Margaret Daw+ b. 16 Apr 1915, d. 16 Dec 1997
Frederick Charles Daw b. 23 Dec 1916, d. 4 Mar 1941

Citations

  1. [S142] General Register Office: Indexes to Births, Sep 1837-2006, "Jul-Sep 1891, Steyning, Vol 2b Page 282."
  2. [S556] 1939 Register (29 Sep 1939) for England.
  3. [S72] 1901 Census for England "RG13 piece 940 folio 27 page 8."
  4. [S73] 1911 Census for England "RG14PN5155 RG78PN228 RD80 SD1 ED3 SN87."
  5. [S143] General Register Office: Indexes to Marriages, Sep 1837 - 2006, "Oct-Dec 1913, Steyning, Vol 2b Page 625."
  6. [S244] Website "Ancestry" (http://www.ancestry.co.uk/) "Ancestry.com. British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.
    Original data: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO).
    War Office: Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ (Microfilm Copies); (The National Archives Microfilm Publication WO363); Records created or inherited by the War Office, Armed Forces, Judge Advocate General, and related bodies; The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England."
  7. [S372] Death certificate of Annie Margaret Daw, died 9 Aug 1967, registered 9 Aug 1967 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 5h page 64).

Silas Morris

b. 9 January 1849, d. 11 April 1912
Pedigree

Parents:

Father: William Morris b. 25 Mar 1825, d. 29 Jul 1900
Mother: Eleanor Funnell b. 26 Oct 1828, d. 22 Jan 1910
Last Edited: 19 Jun 2024

Family:

Martha Jeffery b. 31 Dec 1839, d. 23 Jan 1922

Children:

Ernest Morris b. 1870
William Morris+ b. 1871, d. 31 Jan 1938
Benjamin Charles Morris b. 1872, d. 1896
Ada Morris+ b. 27 Aug 1874, d. 25 May 1963
Kathleen Martha Morris+ b. 13 Apr 1876, d. 28 Jun 1940
Harriet Eleanor Morris b. 1879, d. 23 Feb 1926
Maria Edith Morris b. 10 Apr 1883, d. 1884
Silas Morris b. 4 Jul 1884, d. Apr 1965

Citations

  1. [S203] Birth certificate of Silas Morris, born 9 Jan 1849, registered 25 Jan 1849 in the Registration District of Uckfield, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 7 Page 569).
  2. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  3. [S55] Marriage certificate of Silas Morris and Martha Jeffery, married 12 Jun 1869 in the Registration District of Uckfield, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 171).
  4. [S69] 1871 Census for England, "Class: RG10; Piece: 1053; Folio: 72; Page: 10; GSU roll: 827486."
  5. [S209] Birth certificate of Ada Morris, born 27 Aug 1874, registered 7 Oct 1874 in the Registration District of Uckfield, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 119).
  6. [S70] 1881 Census for England, "Class: RG11; Piece: 1053; Folio: 40; Page: 11; GSU roll: 1341249."
  7. [S71] 1891 Census for England "Class: RG12; Piece: 785; Folio: 46; Page: 29; GSU roll: 6095895."
  8. [S51] Marriage certificate of William Barber and Ada Morris, married 9 Nov 1895 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 508).
  9. [S281] Marriage certificate of Frank Sewell Ford and Kathleen Martha Morris, married 25 Dec 1899 in the Registration District of Lambeth, Surrey, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 1d Page 629).
  10. [S72] 1901 Census for England "Class: RG13; Piece: 900; Folio: 23; Page: 1."
  11. [S73] 1911 Census for England "RG14PN4953 RG78PN216 RD74 SD3 ED2 SN147."
  12. [S64] Death certificate of Silas Morris, died 11 Apr 1912, registered 12 Apr 1912 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 272).

Martha Jeffery

b. 31 December 1839, d. 23 January 1922
Pedigree
Headstone - Martha Morris (18 Nov 2021)

Parents:

Father: William Jeffery b. c 1811, d. 8 Jan 1880
Mother: Harriet Langridge b. 14 Apr 1811, d. 29 Mar 1883
Last Edited: 6 May 2023
  • Birth*: Martha Jeffery was born on 31 December 1839 at Pilt Down, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • She was the daughter of William Jeffery and Harriet Langridge.
  • Baptism: Martha Jeffery was baptized on 2 February 1840 at St Andrew & St Mary the Virgin, Fletching, Sussex, EnglandB.2
  • Residence*: On 30 March 1851 Martha Jeffery and Maria Parris lived at Horsted Green, Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.3
  • Anecdote: At the 1851 census, Martha Jeffery is 11 years old and staying with her neighbour, Mary [Maria] Diplock [nee Maria Parris], 70 years, who was widowed just a few weeks earlier. Martha would later name one of her daughters Maria.
  • Marriage*: Martha Jeffery married Silas Morris, son of William Morris and Eleanor Funnell, on 12 June 1869 at St Michael & All Angels, Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.4
  • Married Name: As of 12 June 1869, her married name was Morris.
  • Residence: In 1871 Martha Jeffery and Silas Morris lived at Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB, with Martha's parents.5
  • Anecdote*: The six Ben Jeffery letters (1872 to 1875) came from Martha via her daughter Ada Morris. Ben was Martha's brother who emigrated to New Zealand in 1872.6
  • Residence*: On 3 April 1881 Martha Jeffery and Silas Morris lived at Alchorne's Cottages, New Town, Uckfield, Sussex, England.7
  • Anecdote: On 31 July 1890 Martha published the following notice in the Auckland Star newspaper under "Missing Friends": Benjamin Jeffery sailed in the Christian McAuckland for Dunedin, and in January, 1879, was staying at the Waihemo Hotel, Waihemo, Otago. Sister Martha. She was trying to restore contact with her brother, Benjamin Jeffery, who left for New Zealand in 1872 and whose last letter was dated 12 Aug 1875. It is likely that Ben never saw this as the comment made to me when his letters were handed down in the family (via Martha most likely) was that "he was never heard from again" (GGB).
  • Residence: On 5 April 1891 Martha Jeffery and Silas Morris lived at New Town, Uckfield, Sussex, England.8
  • Anecdote: By 1898 Silas and Martha were living in the Almshouses in Uckfield. These were charitable dwellings for the poor, often associated with the elderly. A postcard, date unknown, is addressed to Mrs S. Morris, Cedars Cottage, London Rd, Uckfield. They were still living in Uckfield in 1903.
  • Residence: On 31 March 1901 Martha Jeffery and Silas Morris lived at The Cedars, London Rd, Uckfield, Sussex, England.9
  • Residence*: On 2 April 1911 Martha Jeffery lived at 12 Priory St, Southover, Lewes, Sussex, England, living with her son William and family.
  • Anecdote: After Silas died, Martha may have gone to live with family in Lewes where she died in 1922. Martha may also have spent some time with her daughter Ada in Brighton. Evidence for this is a postcard to a Mrs Morris at 40 Wood St Brighton which is addressed dear Mum from Lill (not dated but about 1905/10?). This was Ada Barber's address. Lillian is probably the wife of Silas Morris (Ada's brother).
  • Death*: Martha Jeffery died on 23 January 1922 at 14 Dorset Road, Lewes, Sussex, England, at age 82. She died of chronic bronchitis and myocardial degeneration.10
  • Burial*: Martha Jeffery was buried after 23 January 1922 at Lewes Cemetery, Section 3, ZT4, Lewes, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Anecdote: Martha's grave in the Lewes cemetery has a headstone which reads "In Loving Memory of our Dear Mother Martha Morris who fell asleep January 23rd 1922 aged 83, Peace Perfect Peace" and was well maintained when visited on 11.9.1988. It is apparent from the grave and various postcards retained by daughter Ada that Martha was a much loved mother. Martha's wedding ring and box have been handed down to the family by daughter Ada and were given to my daughter, Eleanor when her first child, Eveline was born in 2011 (GGB.)

Family:

Silas Morris b. 9 Jan 1849, d. 11 Apr 1912

Children:

Ernest Morris b. 1870
William Morris+ b. 1871, d. 31 Jan 1938
Benjamin Charles Morris b. 1872, d. 1896
Ada Morris+ b. 27 Aug 1874, d. 25 May 1963
Kathleen Martha Morris+ b. 13 Apr 1876, d. 28 Jun 1940
Harriet Eleanor Morris b. 1879, d. 23 Feb 1926
Maria Edith Morris b. 10 Apr 1883, d. 1884
Silas Morris b. 4 Jul 1884, d. Apr 1965

Citations

  1. [S215] Birth certificate of Martha Jeffery, born 31 Dec 1839, registered 10 Jan 1840 in the Registration District of Uckfield, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 7 Page 455).
  2. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  3. [S16] 1851 Census for England "Class: HO107; Piece: 1640; Folio: 370; Page: 12."
  4. [S55] Marriage certificate of Silas Morris and Martha Jeffery, married 12 Jun 1869 in the Registration District of Uckfield, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 171).
  5. [S69] 1871 Census for England, "Class: RG10; Piece: 1053; Folio: 72; Page: 10; GSU roll: 827486."
  6. [S952] Geoffrey Barber, "Benjamin Jeffery (1844-1912) - Life and Letters of an Otago Settler" , Geoffrey Barber, First Edition (2019).
  7. [S70] 1881 Census for England, "Class: RG11; Piece: 1053; Folio: 40; Page: 11; GSU roll: 1341249."
  8. [S71] 1891 Census for England "Class: RG12; Piece: 785; Folio: 46; Page: 29; GSU roll: 6095895."
  9. [S72] 1901 Census for England "Class: RG13; Piece: 900; Folio: 23; Page: 1."
  10. [S7] Death certificate of Martha Morris, died 23 Jan 1922, registered 23 Jan 1922 in the Registration District of Lewes, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 264).

Ernest Morris

b. 1870
Pedigree

Parents:

Father: Silas Morris b. 9 Jan 1849, d. 11 Apr 1912
Mother: Martha Jeffery b. 31 Dec 1839, d. 23 Jan 1922
Last Edited: 19 Dec 2011

Citations

  1. [S142] General Register Office: Indexes to Births, Sep 1837-2006, "Apr-Jun 1870, Uckfield, Vol 2b Page 109."

William Morris

b. 1871, d. 31 January 1938
Pedigree

Parents:

Father: Silas Morris b. 9 Jan 1849, d. 11 Apr 1912
Mother: Martha Jeffery b. 31 Dec 1839, d. 23 Jan 1922
Last Edited: 19 Jun 2024
  • Birth*: William Morris was born in 1871 at Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • He was the son of Silas Morris and Martha Jeffery.
  • Name Variation: William Morris was also known as Willie Morris.
  • Occupation: William Morris was a foreman on LB&SC railway in 1902.
  • Marriage*: William Morris married Matilda Charlotte Wilkins, daughter of Thomas Sylvester Wilkins and Charlotte Jane Stringer, on 12 April 1902 at St Michael, Croydon, Surrey, England.2
  • Residence*: On 2 April 1911 William Morris and Matilda Charlotte Wilkins lived at 12 Priory St, Southover, Lewes, Sussex, England.3
  • Occupation*: William Morris was a per way inspector of railway on 2 April 1911.
  • Anecdote*: Silas and Martha's son William married Matilda Charlotte Wilkins and their son Frank, born at 14 Dorset Rd, Lewes, wrote " I am Frank Richard Morris, second son of William ... My father died, sixty six years of age in 1938 and my mother died sixty eight years of age in 1946. I am now sixty seven years of age myself, born 6.12.1920. I have a son by my first marriage, his name is Alan David, his mother's name is Betty, we were divorced and I am now married to my second wife Jessie aged sixty five. My son by the way is 40 years of age and unmarried. My brother's name was George William, married to Jessie, and my sister's name Edith, her married name was Dawe, married to Bob, they were all in their seventies and all died between 1970 and 1981. ... My brother had no children but my sister had one son named Peter. He is married and has two children, a boy and a girl. They live at Blackboys or Uckfield in Sussex, but exactly where I couldn't tell you. .... I knew your father Ron, until he left for Australia, our families used to call us look alikes ...". Frank lives at 58 St Pancras Gardens, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1HZ. Frank's son Alan David died in 1988.
  • (Witness) Death: William Morris witnessed the death of Martha Jeffery on 23 January 1922 at 14 Dorset Road, Lewes, Sussex, England; She died of chronic bronchitis and myocardial degeneration.4
  • Residence*: On 23 January 1922 William Morris lived at 14 Dorset Rd, Lewes, Sussex, England.
  • (Witness) Probate: William Morris witnessed the probate of the estate of Harriet Eleanor Morris on 28 April 1926 at London, England; Effects: £88 3s. Probate to William Morris, railway inspector.5
  • Death*: William Morris died on 31 January 1938 at Victoria Hospital, Lewes, Sussex, England. Age 66 years.6,5
  • Probate*: His estate was probated on 1 March 1938 at Lewes, Sussex, EnglandB, Effects: £2259 4s 11d. Executors Matilda Charlotte Morris, widow, and George William Morris, municipal committee clerk.5

Family:

Matilda Charlotte Wilkins b. 18 Aug 1877, d. 23 Feb 1946

Children:

George William Morris b. 11 Apr 1903, d. Mar 1976
Edith Matilda Morris+ b. 8 Jun 1907, d. Jun 1981
Frank Richard Morris+ b. 6 Dec 1920, d. 1996

Citations

  1. [S142] General Register Office: Indexes to Births, Sep 1837-2006, "Apr-Jun 1871, Uckfield, Vol 2b Page 102."
  2. [S143] General Register Office: Indexes to Marriages, Sep 1837 - 2006, "Apr-Jun 1902, Croydon RD, Vol 2a Page 443."
  3. [S73] 1911 Census for England "RG14PN5061 RG78PN224 RD77 SD2 ED9 SN169."
  4. [S7] Death certificate of Martha Morris, died 23 Jan 1922, registered 23 Jan 1922 in the Registration District of Lewes, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 264).
  5. [S422] National Probate Calendar, England & Wales (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995. (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/).
  6. [S141] General Register Office: Indexes to Deaths, Sep 1837 - 2006, "Jan-Mar 1938, Lewes, Vol 2b Page 278, age 66 years."

Benjamin Charles Morris

b. 1872, d. 1896
Pedigree

Parents:

Father: Silas Morris b. 9 Jan 1849, d. 11 Apr 1912
Mother: Martha Jeffery b. 31 Dec 1839, d. 23 Jan 1922
Last Edited: 19 Dec 2011

Citations

  1. [S142] General Register Office: Indexes to Births, Sep 1837-2006, "Oct-Dec 1872, Cuckfield, Vol 2b Page 110."
  2. [S141] General Register Office: Indexes to Deaths, Sep 1837 - 2006, "Apr-Jun 1896, Uckfield, Vol 2b Page 77, age 23 years."

Kathleen Martha Morris

b. 13 April 1876, d. 28 June 1940
Pedigree
Frank Ford Snr and Kathleen Ford (nee Morris). (Photo courtesy of Sue Elliott)

Parents:

Father: Silas Morris b. 9 Jan 1849, d. 11 Apr 1912
Mother: Martha Jeffery b. 31 Dec 1839, d. 23 Jan 1922
Last Edited: 7 Nov 2021
  • Birth*: Kathleen Martha Morris was born on 13 April 1876 at Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB; name recorded as just Martha on birth index - needs to be checked.1
  • She was the daughter of Silas Morris and Martha Jeffery.
  • Name Variation: Kathleen Martha Morris was also known as Kate.
  • Occupation*: Kathleen Martha Morris was a housemaid in New Town, Uckfield for Caroline Keller age 66. in 1891.
  • Marriage*: Kathleen Martha Morris married Frank Sewell Ford, son of William Pocock Garrett Ford and Sarah Ann Sewell, on 25 December 1899 at Brixton St Matthew, Lambeth, London, England, William Pocock Garret Ford is a witness.2
  • Married Name: As of 25 December 1899, her married name was Ford.
  • Residence*: On 2 April 1911 Kathleen Martha Morris lived at 48 Barnwell Rd, Brixton, Lambeth, London, England, husband abroad.3
  • Emigration*: Kathleen Martha Morris emigrated on 17 May 1913 to New York, United States, departed Southampton on the ship "St Paul", with children Marjorie (age 10 yrs), Dorothy (age 9 yrs) and Frank (age 11 yrs). Last address in England given as 42 Barnville Rd, Brixton, S.W. Arrived New York 25 May 1913.
  • Psgr List*: Kathleen Martha Morris was found on a passenger list on 25 May 1913 arriving New York on the ship "St Paul" having departed from Southampton. Her occupation was given as housewife. She travelled with children Frank, Marjorie and Dorothy but not her husband Frank. They gave the address of their nearest relative in England as 14 Dorset Road, Lewes. Their final destination was Detroit, Michigan. Also travelling with them was Lilian Ralph who was to marry Kathleen's brother Silas Morris in the USA. This suggests that Silas and Lilian met in England.
  • Residence*: Circa 1918 Kathleen Martha Morris and Frank Sewell Ford lived at 153 Pine St, Detroit, Michigan, United States.
  • Residence: On 8 January 1920 Kathleen Martha Morris and Frank Sewell Ford lived at 153 Pine St, Detroit, Michigan, United States, with children Frank (19 yrs), Kathleen (17 yrs) and Dorothy (16 yrs).4
  • Residence: On 8 April 1930 Kathleen Martha Morris and Frank Sewell Ford lived at 6539 Woodrow Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, United States, with children Marjorie age 27 yrs and Dorothy age 26 years. They own their own house worth $4000. Frank is a salesman with a malt company, Marjorie a stenographer and Dorothy a secretary.5
  • Residence: In 1940 Kathleen Martha Morris and Frank Sewell Ford lived at 5581 Ivanhoe, Detroit, Michigan, United States.
  • Death*: Kathleen Martha Morris died on 28 June 1940 at Harper Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, United States, at age 64. Coronary Thrombosis (12 hours.)
  • Burial*: Kathleen Martha Morris was buried on 1 July 1940 at Grand Lawn Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan, United States.

Family:

Frank Sewell Ford b. 19 Oct 1877

Children:

Frank Sewell Ford Jr.+ b. 25 Dec 1900, d. 22 Aug 1995
Kathleen Marjorie Ford+ b. 14 Jun 1902, d. 10 Feb 1985
Dorothy Blanche Ford+ b. 2 Sep 1903, d. 12 Oct 1963

Citations

  1. [S142] General Register Office: Indexes to Births, Sep 1837-2006, "Apr-Jun 1876, Uckfield, Vol 2b Page 120."
  2. [S281] Marriage certificate of Frank Sewell Ford and Kathleen Martha Morris, married 25 Dec 1899 in the Registration District of Lambeth, Surrey, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 1d Page 629).
  3. [S73] 1911 Census for England "RG14PN2094 RG78PN72 RD25 SD4 ED45 SN160."
  4. [S174] 1920 Census for USA "Year: 1920;Census Place: Detroit Ward 6, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T625_806; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 191; Image: 228."
  5. [S173] 1930 Census for USA "Year: 1930; Census Place: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: 1053; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 515; Image: 196.0."

Harriet Eleanor Morris

b. 1879, d. 23 February 1926
Pedigree

Parents:

Father: Silas Morris b. 9 Jan 1849, d. 11 Apr 1912
Mother: Martha Jeffery b. 31 Dec 1839, d. 23 Jan 1922
Last Edited: 10 Apr 2018
  • Birth*: Harriet Eleanor Morris was born in 1879 at Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • She was the daughter of Silas Morris and Martha Jeffery.
  • Occupation*: Harriet Eleanor Morris was a domestic nurse on 2 April 1911.
  • Anecdote: In the 1911 census Harriet was a domestic nurse for Anthony and Edith HORDERN. Anthony was born in Sydney, NSW as was one of their children (Hazel, born 1903).
  • Residence*: On 2 April 1911 Harriet Eleanor Morris lived at Birchwood, West Byfleet, Chertsey, Surrey, England.
  • Anecdote*: Harriet was a children's nanny who never married but travelled the world with the family in which she was employed. She wrote many postcards to Ada and Leslie. One is from Western Australia dated 21.11.1911, another from Sydney N.S.W. dated 1907. She spent some time living at Eaton's Hotel, Pennant Hills N.S.W. When Harriet retired the family who employed her gave her a pension and used to visit her. Ada used to say that she had a very good job and was well looked after. Harriet died in Brighton about 1930. Possibilities for her death are 1926 age 46 yrs in Chertsey, Surrey or 1936 age 53 yrs in Eastbourne.
  • Death*: Harriet Eleanor Morris died on 23 February 1926 at Rylston, Oatlands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey, England.2,3
  • Anecdote: Rylston is a large detached manor house on Oatlands Drive, Weybridge and is now the Register Office in which there is a room called the Rylston Room. The following information comes from the Register Office website:
    The land in which Rylston is situated on was originally royal hunting grounds at the time of Henry VIII. The house itself was built in 1911. It was purchased by Surrey County Council in 1963 and in 1993 became a Register Office. It has undergone some structural changes over the years, but the overall exterior of the house has hardly changed. It is a beautiful detached manor house with a large porch at the entrance. The building retains most of its unique features including leaded light windows with original glass and unusual wrought iron fittings. The ground floor retains original oak panelling and fireplaces. The magnificent oak staircase with stained glass windows sweeps down to French windows leading onto the gardens.
  • Probate*: Her estate was probated on 28 April 1926 at London, England, Effects: £88 3s. Probate to William Morris, railway inspector.2

Citations

  1. [S142] General Register Office: Indexes to Births, Sep 1837-2006, "Apr-Jun 1879, Uckfield, Vol 2b Page 132."
  2. [S422] National Probate Calendar, England & Wales (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995. (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/).
  3. [S141] General Register Office: Indexes to Deaths, Sep 1837 - 2006, "Mar 1926, Chertsey, Vol 2a Page 102; age 46 years."

Silas Morris

b. 4 July 1884, d. April 1965
Pedigree
Silas Morris who emmigrated to the USA in 1911

Parents:

Father: Silas Morris b. 9 Jan 1849, d. 11 Apr 1912
Mother: Martha Jeffery b. 31 Dec 1839, d. 23 Jan 1922
Last Edited: 1 Apr 2018
  • Birth*: Silas Morris was born on 4 July 1884 at Uckfield, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • He was the son of Silas Morris and Martha Jeffery.
  • Occupation*: Silas Morris was an apprentice harness maker on 31 March 1901.
  • Residence: On 2 April 1911 Silas Morris lived at 11 John's Terrace, Cross Roads, Croydon, Surrey, England, lodging with William Hide, his wife Annie and two children.2
  • Occupation: Silas Morris was a harness maker on 2 April 1911.2
  • Emigration*: Silas Morris emigrated on 6 May 1911 to New York, United States, travelling by himself on the ship "Campania" which departed Liverpool for New York. His arrival record at Ellis Island gives his age as 26 years and his marital status as single.
  • Marriage*: Silas Morris married Lilian Elizabeth Jessie Ralph, daughter of Walter Ralph and Louisa Jane Bentley, circa 1914 at United States.
  • Occupation: Silas Morris was a travelling salesman for the Gould Storage Battery Co, 604 Kew Building, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. circa 1918.
  • Residence: Circa 1918 Silas Morris and Lilian Elizabeth Jessie Ralph lived at 80 Hazelwood Ave, Detroit, Michigan, United States, according to a WWI draft registration card.
  • Occupation: Silas Morris was a battery man working for the Edison Illuminating Co. circa 1918.
  • Residence: Circa 1918 Silas Morris and Lilian Elizabeth Jessie Ralph lived at 283 W Euclid Ave, Detroit, Michigan, United States, according to another WW1 draft registration card.
  • Anecdote: In the 1920 census, Silas and Lillian were lodging in San Franscisco, California at 235 O'Farrell St, San Franscisco Assembly District 33. Silas is a salesman (of safes). The census in this area has pages of lodgers, so it could be an area of temporary accommodation.3
  • Psgr List*: Silas Morris and Lilian Elizabeth Jessie Ralph were found on a passenger list on 2 June 1923 arriving back in Plymouth, England on the ship "Manchuria" having departed from New York. He was aged 39 years and Lillian 36 years. His occupation was salesman. Their residence while in the UK was 46 Hubert Grove, Stockwell, London.
  • Psgr List: Silas Morris and Lilian Elizabeth Jessie Ralph were found on a passenger list on 14 August 1923 departing Southampton on the ship "Aquitania". His occupation was given as salesman. The destination port was New York. The Ellis Isalnd arrival record gives his last place of residence as Pittsburg, USA.
  • Anecdote: For the 1930 census, Silas and Lillian were living at 6204 Broad St, Pittsburg, USA. They were renting and paying $50 per month. Silas states he was married at the age of 29 and Lillian 25. His occupation is a salesman at a clothing store and he appears to be currently unemployed.4
  • Psgr List: Silas Morris and Lilian Elizabeth Jessie Ralph were found on a passenger list on 11 August 1933 arriving in Southampton on the ship "Berengaria" having departed from New York. Their proposed address in the UK was 14 Dorset Rd in Lewes, Sussex which was the address of some of his Morris family relatives. Silas was 49 years old and Lillian 47 years. His occupation was salesman.
  • Psgr List: Silas Morris and Lilian Elizabeth Jessie Ralph were found on a passenger list on 20 September 1933 departing Southampton for New York on the ship "Olympic".
  • Psgr List: Silas Morris and Lilian Elizabeth Jessie Ralph were found on a passenger list on 6 August 1934 arriving in Liverpool on the ship "Britannic" which had departed from New York. Their proposed residence in the UK was 42 Links Rd, West Wickham, Kent. Silas' occupation is salesman.
  • Psgr List*: Silas Morris was found on a passenger list on 21 May 1935 arriving New York on the SS Majestic.5
  • Occupation: Silas Morris was a sales agent for various companies in 1940.6
  • Residence: In 1940 Silas Morris and Lilian Elizabeth Jessie Ralph lived at 201 South Beatty, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, The census indicated that they were living at the same address in 1935.6
  • Residence*: On 27 April 1942 Silas Morris and Lilian Elizabeth Jessie Ralph lived at 5909 Baum Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.7
  • Anecdote*: This is the address given in a booklet dated 1945 46 which lists Silas as being the Watchman of the Shepherds in the Supreme King's Guard of the Damascus Shrine No 1 of the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem in Pittsburg Pennsylvania. His title was Watchman of the Shepherds of Damascus Shrine and Supreme Kings Guard. Also mentioned in the booklet was Lillian Morris, his wife.
    The White Shrine of Jerusalem was founded as a Christian auxiliary to freemasons in the United States. There were 69,000 members in 1995. It appears this order is not active outside the U.S.
    The White Shrine of Jerusalem is yet another variety of Christianized Adoptive Masonry — that is, Freemasonry for women. It is perhaps more congenial to evangelically minded Protestant women than the Order of the Eastern Star, though, until 1953, members of the White Shrine of Jerusalem were required to be members of the Eastern Star.
    The original White Shrine of Jerusalem was founded by Charles D. Magee in Chicago on October 23, 1894, but three years later he founded a rival organization of the same name in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The two Supreme Shrines managed to reconcile their differences by 1909, and in that year they were united in Chicago. Membership is open to Master Masons as well as their wives, mothers, daughters, widows, and sisters. Members are known as Sojourners; the head of the organization is the Supreme Worthy High Priestess. (http://www.stichtingargus.nl/vrijmetselarij/frame_en.html.)
  • Residence*: In 1945 Silas Morris and Lilian Elizabeth Jessie Ralph lived at 6204 Broad St, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.
  • Anecdote*: There is a record of Silas Morris on a Detroit Border Crossings and Passenger and Crew List for 1947, which states that Silas is a widower, occupation sales agent. It gives his birth date as 4 July 1884 in Uckfield, Sussex, England. His alien registration number is: 4065220. His height is 5ft 9 inches and he weighs 144 lbs. His address is still 6204 Broad St, Pittsburgh. The card has his signature and fingerprint.5
  • Death*: Silas Morris died in April 1965 at Pennsylvania, United States, at age 80. Silas was found in the US Social Security Deaths Index: Silas Morris: Birth Date 4/7/1884, Death Date Apr 1965, Social Security No 209-01-5491, State of Issuance of Soc. Security No: Pennsylvania. Although birth place was not given, the birth date is an exact match.
  • Anecdote: It appears that Silas and Lillian did not have any children. None have been found to date.

Family:

Lilian Elizabeth Jessie Ralph b. 7 Jan 1887, d. 27 Mar 1947

Citations

  1. [S142] General Register Office: Indexes to Births, Sep 1837-2006, "Jul-Sep 1884, Uckfield, Vol 2b Page 123."
  2. [S73] 1911 Census for England "RG14PN3296 RG78PN125 RD39 SD2 ED15 SN125."
  3. [S174] 1920 Census for USA "Year: 1920;Census Place: San Francisco Assembly District 33, San Francisco, California; Roll: T625_140; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 264; Image: 582."
  4. [S173] 1930 Census for USA "Year: 1930; Census Place: Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1975; Page: 25A; Enumeration District: 179; Image: 763.0."
  5. [S175] Ancestry.com Operations Inc., Detroit Border Crossings and Passenger and Crew Lists, 1905-1957.
  6. [S285] 1940 Census for USA "Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3656; Page: 61B; Enumeration District: 69-168."
  7. [S244] Website "Ancestry" (http://www.ancestry.co.uk/) "The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II draft cards (Fourth Registration) for the State of Pennsylvania; State Headquarters: Pennsylvania; Microfilm Series: M1951; Microfilm Roll: 222."

John Barber

b. 10 February 1842, d. 4 February 1925
Pedigree

Parents:

Father: Robert Barber b. 6 Jul 1802, d. 4 Feb 1867
Mother: Jane Holden b. 17 Oct 1802, d. 28 Oct 1882
Last Edited: 6 May 2023
  • Birth*: John Barber was born on 10 February 1842 at 21 Gardner St, Brighton, Sussex, England; born at 10 minutes before 6 o'clock in the morning.1
  • He was the son of Robert Barber and Jane Holden.
  • Baptism: John Barber was baptized on 30 October 1842 at St Peter, Brighton, Sussex, England, abode: Gardiner St.2
  • Anecdote*: John was cabinetmaker/carpenter journeyman all his life. The word 'journeyman' indicates that he was a qualified tradesman but employed by someone else.
  • Residence*: On 15 May 1865 John Barber lived at 23 Kensington Gardens, Brighton, Sussex, England, (his parents address.)3
  • Marriage*: John Barber married Susannah Victoria White, daughter of William White and Mary Wickens, on 15 May 1865 at The Register Office, Brighton, Sussex, England.3
  • Anecdote: They had a large family of nine children between 1865 and 1886. In 1876 and 1881 the family lived at 37 Albion St, Brighton. In 1891 they lived at 78 Lincoln St, Brighton and remained there until at least 1903 when Susannah died.4,5,6
  • Anecdote: In the 1881 census they had a visitor Jane Ladd 59 yrs (widow, charwoman) staying with them. Jane Ladd is Susannah Victoria Barber's sister. Susanna lived with Jane and her husband William after her parents died and before she was married.4
  • (Witness) Marriage: John Barber witnessed the marriage of William Barber and Ada Morris on 9 November 1895 at Register Office, Brighton, Sussex, England.7
  • Anecdote*: The 1901 census shows that the children Minnie aged 22 years, James aged 20 years and John aged 18 years were still living at home with them.8
  • Anecdote: Susannah's death in 1903 would have caused some disruption in the family and John appears to have re-married a few years later in about 1906. The 1911 census shows him at age 68 years living with 45 year old Lottie at 18 Dinapore St, Brighton and states that they have been married for 5 years. He was still working as a carpenter at that time.
  • Marriage*: John Barber married Lottie (?) circa 1906 at Brighton, Sussex, EnglandB.9
  • Anecdote: Although they are stated as married in the 1911 census the marriage record has not been found. It is possible that they never married.
  • Occupation: John Barber was a general carpenter on 2 April 1911.10
  • Residence*: On 2 April 1911 John Barber and Lottie (?) lived at 18 Dinapore St, Brighton, Sussex, England.10
  • Death*: John Barber died on 4 February 1925 at 18 Dinapore St, Brighton, Sussex, England, at age 82. He died of senile decay and myocardial degeneration.11

Family 1:

Susannah Victoria White b. 19 Jan 1842, d. 21 Nov 1903

Children:

Robert John Barber b. 1865, d. 5 Feb 1939
Christianna Victoria Barber+ b. 5 Mar 1869, d. 19 Aug 1957
Annie Barber+ b. 1871, d. 1 May 1934
William Barber+ b. 16 Jan 1874, d. 2 Nov 1952
Alice Barber+ b. 1876, d. 1924
Minnie Barber+ b. 10 Dec 1878, d. 1940
James Barber+ b. 10 Mar 1881, d. 1946
John Barber+ b. 18 May 1883, d. 1946
Charles Barber b. 5 Sep 1886, d. 24 Mar 1980

Family 2:

Lottie (?) b. c 1866

Citations

  1. [S272] Copy of Letter from Victoria and Albert Griffiths, to Rita and Fred Barber, dated 1 June 1980 (GG Barber Private Archives, Perth, W. Australia) ""Brothers and Sisters of Grandfather [John] Barber" attached to letter."
  2. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  3. [S60] Marriage certificate of John Barber and Susannah Victoria White, married 15 May 1865 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 381).
  4. [S70] 1881 Census for England, "RG11 piece 1082 folio 34 page 7."
  5. [S71] 1891 Census for England "RG12 piece 807 folio 110 page 44."
  6. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project, "Alice Barber, 21 Aug 1876."
  7. [S51] Marriage certificate of William Barber and Ada Morris, married 9 Nov 1895 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 508).
  8. [S72] 1901 Census for England "RG13 piece 924 folio 70 page 28."
  9. [S73] 1911 Census for England.
  10. [S73] 1911 Census for England "RG14PN5099 RG78PN226 RD79 SD1 ED11 SN364."
  11. [S80] Death certificate of John Barber, died 4 Feb 1925, registered 5 Feb 1925 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 303).

Susannah Victoria White

b. 19 January 1842, d. 21 November 1903
Pedigree

Parents:

Father: William White b. 22 Jul 1804, d. 4 Mar 1854
Mother: Mary Wickens b. 29 Jan 1804, d. a 1854
Last Edited: 6 May 2023
  • Birth*: Susannah Victoria White was born on 19 January 1842 at Brighton, Sussex, EnglandB.1,2
  • She was the daughter of William White and Mary Wickens.
  • Baptism: Susannah Victoria White was baptized on 29 January 1842 at St Nicholas, Brighton, Sussex, EnglandB, "Labourer, Sun St."2
  • Anecdote*: Note that there was also a Susan Victoria White baptised 15 May 1842 to William and Harriette White, occupation baker, residence Sun St.2
  • Name Variation: Susannah Victoria White was also known as Victoria. She has been recorded in the census as Victora indicating that this was probably her preferred name.
  • Anecdote: In 1851, at age 9 years, Susannah was living at 30 Sun Street, Brighton with her parents and family (Sun Street no longer exists). Ten years later, aged 19 years, she was living at 12 Hanover St, Brighton with her elder sister Jane (age 38 years) and her husband William Ladd (age 64 years). Susanna was recorded as Victoria White and her occupation was dressmaker. It appears that Susannah lived with Jane and her husband after her parents died and before she was married. In the 1881 census Jane Ladd, 59 years (widow, occupation chairwoman) was staying with Susannah and her family, so the favour was returned.3,4,5
  • Residence: On 15 May 1865 Susannah Victoria White lived at 47 Belgrave St, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Marriage*: Susannah Victoria White married John Barber, son of Robert Barber and Jane Holden, on 15 May 1865 at The Register Office, Brighton, Sussex, England.6
  • Married Name: As of 15 May 1865, her married name was Barber.
  • Anecdote: They had a large family of nine children between 1865 and 1886. In 1876 and 1881 the family lived at 37 Albion St, Brighton. In 1891 they lived at 78 Lincoln St, Brighton and remained there until at least 1903 when Susannah died.5,7,8
  • Anecdote: In the 1881 census they had a visitor Jane Ladd 59 yrs (widow, charwoman) staying with them. Jane Ladd is Susannah Victoria Barber's sister. Susanna lived with Jane and her husband William after her parents died and before she was married.5
  • Anecdote*: The 1901 census shows that the children Minnie aged 22 years, James aged 20 years and John aged 18 years were still living at home with them.9
  • Death*: Susannah Victoria White died on 21 November 1903 at Workhouse, Brighton, Sussex, England, at age 61. She died of cerebral softening, hemiplegia (right.)10
  • Anecdote: Hemiplegia is paralysis or severe weakness on one side of the body, typical of a stroke. Susannah was probably placed in the workhouse as the only placed where she could get care.

Family:

John Barber b. 10 Feb 1842, d. 4 Feb 1925

Children:

Robert John Barber b. 1865, d. 5 Feb 1939
Christianna Victoria Barber+ b. 5 Mar 1869, d. 19 Aug 1957
Annie Barber+ b. 1871, d. 1 May 1934
William Barber+ b. 16 Jan 1874, d. 2 Nov 1952
Alice Barber+ b. 1876, d. 1924
Minnie Barber+ b. 10 Dec 1878, d. 1940
James Barber+ b. 10 Mar 1881, d. 1946
John Barber+ b. 18 May 1883, d. 1946
Charles Barber b. 5 Sep 1886, d. 24 Mar 1980

Citations

  1. [S217] Birth certificate of Susannah White, born 19 Jan 1842, registered 28 Feb 1842 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 7 Page 284).
  2. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  3. [S16] 1851 Census for England "HO107 piece 1645 folio 57 page 6."
  4. [S68] 1861 Census for England, "RG09 piece 595 folio 84 page 6."
  5. [S70] 1881 Census for England, "RG11 piece 1082 folio 34 page 7."
  6. [S60] Marriage certificate of John Barber and Susannah Victoria White, married 15 May 1865 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 381).
  7. [S71] 1891 Census for England "RG12 piece 807 folio 110 page 44."
  8. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project, "Alice Barber, 21 Aug 1876."
  9. [S72] 1901 Census for England "RG13 piece 924 folio 70 page 28."
  10. [S65] Death certificate of Susannah Victoria Barber, died 21 Nov 1903, registered 24 Nov 1903 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 130).

William Jeffery

b. circa 1811, d. 8 January 1880
Pedigree

Parents:

Father: William Jeffery b. 3 Mar 1792, d. 1852
Mother: Mary Alchorne b. 24 Feb 1793, d. 27 May 1858
Last Edited: 6 May 2023
  • Birth*: William Jeffery was born circa 1811 at Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • He was the son of William Jeffery and Mary Alchorne.
  • Anecdote*: Discussion
    I had initially suggested that our William Jeffery is the son of Benjamin and Mary Jeffery of Balcombe because the year of birth was an exact match and consistency with children's names. However, that William Jeffery has been found in the 1851 census at Worth, married to Elizabeth with a family, so it cannot be him. Our William Jeffery consistently gives his place of birth as Little Horsted, and when he married he was "of Little Horsted". I have now extensively researched all the Jeffery/Jefferies families at Little Horsted but can account for all the William Jefferys baptised there 1810-1820, so William's origins remain a mystery for now. To summarise my findings:
    The following William Jefferys were baptised in Little Horsted between 1790 and 1817:
    3.3.1792, William, son of James and Elizabeth [married Mary Alchorne in 1810 at Isfield].
    8.9.1805, William, son of Thomas and Mary [never married, buried 1871 at Little Horsted. Census returns show him living with siblings (other children of Thomas and Mary)].
    9.11.1806, William, base born son of Lucy. [William married Jane Chipper in 1835 at New Shoreham, possibly a second marriage. His mother Lucy married David Banks in 1813 at Framfield and they lived at Uckfield]
    22.6.1817, William, son of James and Anne [buried 1826 at Little Horsted, age 8 years].
    Another candidate considered was:
    William, son of William Jeffery and Mary Deacon, bap. 3 Apr 1808 at Ripe. William's parents were James Jeffery and Ann Taylor married 1778 at Buxted, and their marriage states that James is "of Little Horsted". This William is also now accounted for, having married Rebecca Wright in 1845 at Lewes.
    It is interesting to note that our William's daughter Martha Jeffery married Silas Morris in 1869 at Little Horsted and that also, Silas Morris's sister Ann Morris married Arthur Jeffery in 1872 at Uckfield. Arthur is a descendant of Lucy's brother William Jeffery (1784-1851). Coincidence or not?
    ***
    With all the above information leading nowhere, a different approach was then taken.The marriage of our William Jeffery and Harriet Langridge in 1835 was witnessed by Charles Banks and Sarah Townsend. It was noticed that they married one year later and lived next door to William and Harriet Jeffery at Horsted Green, Little Horsted in the 1851 census. Could their be a family connection to either Charles or Sarah? Researching both people revealed that Sarah Townsend was the daughter of John Townsend and Elizabeth Townsend (nee Jeffery) who married in 1812 at Little Horsted. It was also found that Elizabeth Jeffery had two illegitimate children, Eliza Jeffery and Thomas Jeffery (but no William).
    The original parish register was then checked and it was found that there were a lot of gaps left in the pre-printed book for baptisms, perhaps indicating that the incumbent meant to fill them in later but it never happened, resulting in some baptisms not recorded. However, it had been signed off by the Archdeacon.
    So where do this leave us?
    It would appear that our William Jeffery's baptism either never happened (unlikely) or has not been recorded. I also am going to assume that there is a close family relationship between our William Jeffery and Sarah Townsend, she being either a step-sister or a cousin. Looking at Sarah's mother, Elizabeth Jeffery, there is sufficient gap in the baptism of her children (Eliza 19 Apr 1807, Thomas 1 Jan 1809, Alice 12 Apr 1812) for William to have been born c1810, but there is also another possibility for our William to be the son of Elizabeth's brother, William Jeffery who married Mary Alchorne in 1810. There is a gap between 1810-1813 where they appear to have had no children and in all their subsequent children, none is name William after the father. Could our William Jeffery be their first child whose baptism has not been found yet? I have decided to go with this until any new information is found. Sarah Townsend's mother, Elizabeth Townsend (nee Jeffery) died in 1818 and it is possible that she was raised by others in the family which may have resulted in a closer relationship between her and our William than might otherwise be the case. Perhaps some support this conclusion is in the 1841 census where William and Mary Jeffery and family are living next door to Charles and Lucy Banks, parents of Charles Banks who was a witness to our William Jeffery's marriage in 1835 and who married Sarah Townsend one year later.
    Lastly, using a similar logic (of a missing baptism) there is also the possibility that William is the son of William Jeffery and Elizabeth Alchorne who married in 1810 at Fletching. There is a gap 1810-1813 between their children's baptisms and no son named William. However, the gap is similar to all the other gaps between their children, so perhaps less likely.
    That sums up the results of my investigations into the origins of our William Jeffery.
    ***********.
  • Marriage*: William Jeffery married Harriet Langridge, daughter of William Langridge and Martha Thorpe, on 14 November 1835 at St Andrew & St Mary the Virgin, Fletching, Sussex, EnglandB, William is a bachelor of "of Little Horsted" and Harriet a spinster "of this parish". Witnesses: Charles Banks and Sarah Townsend [who later married on 13 Jul 1836 at Little Horsted].1,2
  • Occupation: William Jeffery was a labourer on 31 December 1839.3
  • Residence: On 31 December 1839 William Jeffery and Harriet Langridge lived at Piltdown, Fletching, Sussex, England.3
  • Residence*: On 7 June 1841 William Jeffery and Harriet Langridge lived at Caton's (part of), Fletching, Sussex, England, with Harriet's parents.4
  • Residence: On 30 March 1851 William Jeffery and Harriet Langridge lived at Horsted Green, Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.5
  • Residence: On 7 April 1861 William Jeffery and Harriet Langridge lived at Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.6
  • (Witness) Marriage: William Jeffery witnessed the marriage of Silas Morris and Martha Jeffery on 12 June 1869 at St Michael & All Angels, Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.7
  • Residence: On 2 April 1871 William Jeffery and Harriet Langridge lived at Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.8
  • Anecdote: William was a farm labourer for all his life. He is recorded as such in the census returns for 1841 (Fletching), and 1851,61,69,71 (Little Horsted) and on his death certificate in 1880.9
  • Death*: William Jeffery died on 8 January 1880 at Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB. He died of apoplexy.10
  • Burial*: William Jeffery was buried on 13 January 1880 at Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB, "69 years, Horsted Green."11

Family:

Harriet Langridge b. 14 Apr 1811, d. 29 Mar 1883

Children:

Alfred Jeffery+ b. 22 Jan 1837, d. 14 May 1920
Martha Jeffery+ b. 31 Dec 1839, d. 23 Jan 1922
Charles Jeffery+ b. 26 Dec 1841, d. 19 Mar 1905
Benjamin Jeffery b. 22 Sep 1844, d. 26 Jul 1912

Citations

  1. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.
  2. [S388] Website "FamilySearch" (http://www.familysearch.org/) "Film no: 1067170, Image no: 696."
  3. [S215] Birth certificate of Martha Jeffery, born 31 Dec 1839, registered 10 Jan 1840 in the Registration District of Uckfield, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 7 Page 455).
  4. [S67] 1841 Census for England "Class: HO107; Piece: 1118; Book: 1; Civil Parish: Fletching; County: Sussex; Enumeration District: 1; Folio: 13; Page: 18; Line: 9; GSU roll: 464163."
  5. [S16] 1851 Census for England "Class: HO107; Piece: 1640; Folio: 370; Page: 12; GSU roll: 193543."
  6. [S68] 1861 Census for England, "Class: RG 9; Piece: 576; Folio: 64; Page: 6; GSU roll: 542665."
  7. [S55] Marriage certificate of Silas Morris and Martha Jeffery, married 12 Jun 1869 in the Registration District of Uckfield, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 171).
  8. [S69] 1871 Census for England, "Class: RG10; Piece: 1053; Folio: 72; Page: 10; GSU roll: 827486."
  9. [S42] Death certificate of William Jeffery, died 8 Jan 1880, registered 12 Jan 1880 in the Registration District of Uckfield, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 85).
  10. [S42] Death certificate of William Jeffery, died 8 Jan 1880, registered 12 Jan 1880 in the Registration District of Uckfield, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 85) "age 69 years."
  11. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.