Monthly Archives: December 2018

The Barnett family – older children

31 Monday Dec 2018

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Thomas Jackson and Emma Jane Barnett, of Salisbury House, 20 Tettenhall Road, had 12 children. Of the 11 who were still alive by 1914, many were involved in contributing to the war effort during the First World War. Today I will focus on the six older children, and feature the other six tomorrow.

Ellen Jane was born in 1867. She was working as a maternity nurse in 1911, and as she does not appear to have married she presumably continued in a similar role, although she does not appear in the British Red Cross cards. She died on 22 September 1938 at the age of 71 at the Queen Victoria Nursing Institution in Bath Road, Wolverhampton. Her address by this date was given as 207 Tettenhall Road, and the value of her effects was £3076 15s.

Florence Ethel was born 1868. She was working as a school Governness in 1891. Unfortunately, she died on 26 Aug 1899. The value of her effects was £65.

Thomas Edward was born on 22 September 1869. In 1891, he was working as an auctioneers assistant, before becoming an auctioneer by 1901. Thomas married Blanche Crow in Leeds in 1901, and the couple lived first at 17 Oaks Crescent, Wolverhampton and at Min-y-don, Tettenhall by 1911. Thomas served as a Major with the 6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment, and was awarded a Territorial Decoration, as announced in the London Gazette on 7 June 1917. Thomas died in Wolverhampton 5 December 1918. His death is listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site, so presumably was war-related. The value of his effects was £3037 5s. 4d, and he is buried at Tettenhall Regis (St Michael) Churchyard.

Alice Bertha was born in 1871. I have not been able to confirm much more about Alice, but unfortunately she died on 9 December 1918 at the age of 47, four days after her older brother. The value of her effects was £1666 3s. 4d.

Henry Alfred was born 22 October 1872. By 1891, he was working as an engineers assistant, later becoming an engineer. Henry married Lucy Mary Garfield in Wolverhampton in 1905 and emigrated to Chicago with her in 1910. The couple had two sons, Alistair Garfield, and Thomas J. In September 1918 at the age of 45, Henry enlisted with the US Army, but survived the war. He died 18 March 1941 in Chicago.

Agnes Maud was born in 1874. In 1891 she was pupil at a school in Wellington, Shropshire, but I have not been able to trace her further beyond that.

 

 

Arthur Hudson Grainger

30 Sunday Dec 2018

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Arthur was born in Wolverhampton in 1894, the son of Joseph and Harriet Grainger. His birth registration was listed as “Arthur Grainger”, but in some records he appears to have adopted “Hudson” as a middle name. In 1901 the three were living with Arthur’s grandparents, Joseph and Emma Grainger, at 28 Stafford Street, Bilston. The whole family, including a sibling for Arthur, Bertie, were living at No 3 back of 11, 3 Cambridge Street, Bilston. Arthur was now working as a nut and bolt worker for Miller & Sons.

Arthur enlisted in the 7th Service Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 9357), first serving in France from 28 November 1914. He was killed in action on 11 January 1917, and this was announced in the Express & Star on 9 February 1917. He is buried at Connaught Cemetery in Thiepval. He is also remembered on the Bilston Town Hall Ward Roll of Honour.

John D’Arcy Leonard Smith

29 Saturday Dec 2018

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John was born in Wolverhampton in 1892, the son of John George and Harriett Smith. John’s mother had died by 1901, and he was living with his widowed father and siblings George E., William O. and James H. at 2 Temple Street, Wolverhampton.

John enlisted in the 10th Battalion of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps (number R/3159), and first served in France from 21 July 1915. He was later promoted to Sergeant. He was killed in action in France on 30 November 1917, during the Battle of Cambrai. He is remembered at the Cambrai Memorial in Louverval.

William James Covell

28 Friday Dec 2018

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The son of Arthur and Ellen Covell, William was born in Wolverhampton in 1887. They were living at 14 Frost Street in 1891, with William’s siblings Alice, George Arthur, and Mary. Both of William’s parents died not long after, with Arthur dying in 1895, and Ellen in 1899. By 1901, he was living with his uncle, Alfred Neachell, and his family.

On 10 December 1915, William enlisted in the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 23866). His address was given as 7 Howard Street, Wolverhampton, and his trade was a press works machinist. On 2 September 1916, he was transferred to the 11th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment (number 40123). He was wounded in action on 19 May 1917, suffering a gun shot wound in his left arm. He returned to England on the Princess Elizabeth and recovered in the Kitchener Hospital in Brighton until 15 June 1917. He returned to the front in September 1917, but on 4 October 1917 he was reported wounded and missing in France , and death was later assumed to have occurred on that date. He is buried at Cement House Cemetery in Belgium.

Francis Charles Barnett

27 Thursday Dec 2018

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Francis was born in Wolverhampton on 26 September 1886, the brother of George. In 1910, Francis married Clara Bowdler in Wolverhampton, and the couple were living at 74 Vicarage Road, Wolverhampton in 1911. Francis was working as a woodworking machinist at a joinery works. The couple had a son, Charles A., in Wolverhampton in 1924.

Like his brother George, Francis does not appear to have done any military service during the First World War. However, he, too, served the local council as a special constable.

By 1939, the family were living at 265 All Saints Road, Wolverhampton. Francis died on 28 September 1952. The value of his effects was £766 6s. 10d.

Mrs Barker

26 Wednesday Dec 2018

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The British Red Cross have a card for a lady known only as “Mrs Barker”, of 84 Upper Villiers Street, Wolverhampton, as by the space for her Christian name are the words “Query unanswered”. This appears to be a lady called Sarah Ann Barker, who was a widow living at this address in 1911, with her two daughters, Edith and Emily Gertrude.

Born Sarah Ann Blower, she was born in Wolverhampton in 1842, the daughter of William and Jane Blower. On 31 August 1876, she married John Edward Barker in Wolverhampton. By 1901 she was living with her husband, their two daughters, and son, John W., at 9 Cross Street South, Wolverhampton.

Sarah’s Red Cross card shows that she served from March 1917 until March 1919 at the Culwell Mess Rooms, and was described as a “very good cutter out and general worker”. She was awarded the Q.M.N.G. Bars Red Cross Badge. Sarah died in Wolverhampton in 1932.

Christmas Day in the trenches

25 Tuesday Dec 2018

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For Christmas Day, I am sharing one of the letters that Wilfrid Edwards, serving with the 5th Platoon, B company, 1st Gloucesters, sent to Lillian Wiggall in Wolverhampton in December 1916. Among other things, he asks what pantomime is showing at the Grand Theatre this year, and talks of singing carols at her back door. This letter gives an indication of what life was like for some of the men serving overseas during the Christmas period.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers and very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

DX-668-23Dear Lill

Just a few lines to let you no that I received your cards and papers quite safe. It was a good joke, the youngster with the old chap. The other card was very good. Thanks very much for your kind thought. What sort of weather are you having in Blighty. I see by the papers you are having heavy snow in parts of the country. We are having it very wet and cold out here. I shall be glad when it is over. We shall be in the trenches by the time you receive this. I dont no what you would say if you were to see me like I am dressed now. We do not look like soldiers, look more like rag time rag pickers. Well Dear Lill you will soon have christmas now on you. I wish I could sing carols at you [sic] back door. I would wake all the people up for miles around All Saints road.  Dear Lill look here as I have said before its two [sic] good of you to trouble about me so much. You say you are sending me another parcel. My Dear Lill Will you tDX-668-23 (2)hank all at home for what they are doing. Give them my best wishes for Christmas, I wished I could send a christmas card or two but there is no shops here, not a house in sight, only what has been blown down. I say Lill, what is the Panto at the grand this time. I used to like to go to the Alex at brum, it’s a real panto out here, I can assure you. Don’t be surprised to see me at your back door one of these days. We get good money out here when we are out of the trenches but you cannot buy what you like, only cigs chocolate and burscuits [sic] so you can tell. My Dear Lill if I should never come back you will know that I think of than any Girl I have ever met. My message is of Love to you. I wait the dove an answere [sic] from you. Dear Lill now doubt you will think me very forward but I cannot help putting it down. Dear Lill do you ever come accross [sic] any Glosters on your travels. Well Lill I think I must now draw to a close thanking you very much for your kindness So Good Night and God Bless you With best Love

I Remain

Yours Ever

Wilfrid Edwards

XXXXXXXXXX

 

 

Edward Frank Osborne

24 Monday Dec 2018

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Edward, mainly known as Frank, was born in Wolverhampton in 1888, the son of Thomas and Sarah. In 1901, they were living at 18 Middle Row, Wolverhampton, along with Frank’s siblings Frederick, John, Walter and Bertha. By 1911, Frank was living with his brother, Ernest, in Small Heath, Aston, and was working as a tank riveter. In 1912, he married Lucy Maud Walsh in Birmingham, and the couple had a son, Albert T., born later that year.

Frank enlisted in the 11th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (number 8694). He first served in France from 31 July 1915, but was killed in action on 15 July 1916. He is buried at the Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle, France.

The Skitt brothers

23 Sunday Dec 2018

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The sons of Joseph and Rosannah Skitt, Joseph was born in Wolverhampton in 1894, and Noah was born in 1880. Their mother died in 1899. In 1901, Joseph and Noah were living with their widowed father and siblings William, Clara, Rosannah and Arthur, at 28 New Street, Portobello, Wolverhampton. On 31 May 1903, Noah married Ellen James at St Stephen’s Church, Willenhall. By 1911, the couple were living at 50 High Street, Portobello, with their three children – Albert, Susannah and Joseph. Noah was a coal miner – pike man. By 1911, Joseph and his brother, Arthur, were living with their widowed father in Short Heath. Joseph had become a coal miner – lodder.

Joseph enlisted in the 2nd Battalion of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers (number 11786). He first served from 21 September 1914, but was killed in action on 1 November 1914, following a battler on Messines Ridge near Ypres. His family home at the time was in Brickkiln Street, Portobello. He is buried at the Artillery Wood Cemetery in Belgium.

Noah enlisted in the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 9534), first serving in France from 17 December 1914. He became sick, and was discharged on 1 March 1919. On 15 July 1920, he was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 494187)

Noah died on 22 December 1945 at the Royal Hospital in Wolverhampton. The value of his effects was £274 1s. 7d. Both men are remembered on the Portobello Roll of Honour as local men who served during the First World War.

 

William Frederick Titley

22 Saturday Dec 2018

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This blog post has been shared by Maureen Griffiths about her granddad:

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Born, 5th January 1891 – Died, 27th May 1918

Born on 5 January 1891, this baptism record from St. Matthews Church, is the first record we have of William Fred Titley.

Baptism Record For William

St. Matthews - Horseley Fields

St Matthew’s Church, Horseley Fields

The record shows he was baptised 22nd of January 1891, his mother’s name was Jane Titley (nee Wilkes) and his father was also named William Titley. His father was an “Edge Tool Polisher” at that time.

 

They lived in Moore Street, off the Willenhall Road, at the back of the old “Jolly Collier”. We have visited Moore Street recently and there are no houses remaining, there are only scrap yards and factories along its short length now.

School admisions RecordOn 13 February 1899 William Fred turns up in the register of Dudley Road Primary school, and their address is now given as 31 Green Lane, All Saints. Green Lane became the Birmingham Rd in the 1920s. The register shows that he left the school 19 October 1899 the reason given is that he “Left Town”.

William and his family certainly had left town, they turn up in Walsall on the 1901 census, it could have been William’s father looking for work, or it could have been other matters. The census shows the Titley family living at 10 Long Street Walsall, including parents William Fred and Sarah Jane. William’s older sister, Sarah, was born in 1888. There are also two younger sisters, Alice and Elise Maud. By the 1911 census we find the Titley household has moved to No. 33 Johnson Street, off Cockshutts Lane.

Both Cockshutts Lane and Green Lane were developed in the early 1920s, to become the Birmingham Road, running into Thomson Avenue. This was a public works project to find work for the unemployed in the area.

William was living in Johnson St. and working in a local factory as a brass polisher, when he met and married Ruth Smith in St. Luke’s Church Blakenhall on Christmas Day 1912. They had two children, a daughter, Elsie May, born 1913 when they were living at 99 Green Lane, and a son, William Fredrick Joseph, born in 1914, when they were living back at Williams parents’ house, No 33 Johnson Street. Maybe the family moved back to William’s parents house because he was about to enlist to fight in WW1, we can’t be sure. We do know that William did enlist in the 1/6th South Staffs Regiment and went off to fight in France.

Beuvry Communal Cemetery Extension 1918 3

Beuvry Communal Cemetery Extension with town and Church in the back ground.

On 27th May 1918 William Fredrick Titley was killed in action and is buried in Beuvry Communal Cemetery Extension 11 c 11. Beuvry, Department du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. He is also remembered in the Lady Chapel at St Peter’s Church

The 1/6th South Staffordshire battalion war diary covering the 27th May 1918 records that only one man from the battalion was killed on that particular day. Therefore, it would be reasonable to assume that this was Private William Fredrick Titley 17721. As a Private soldier he would have been on duty in the listening post which is described in the diary. The village of Essars, the area in which the battalion were stationed is just a short hop from Beuvry where he is buried.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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