tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27593411794158248652024-03-13T05:45:56.583+00:00Titheradge Titheridge Tidridge Tytheridge GenealogyDo you have one of these unusual surnames (Titheridge, Titheradge, Tidridge, Tytheridge) or are you related to someone who does?
If so this blog is for you.
Please add your comments to the Blog.Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-33182450514728769302022-01-23T15:32:00.000+00:002022-01-23T15:32:26.733+00:001921 Census and our Family Names<h3 style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDUX9cnrMKEaaBgjnmvbI-JmfExmY2j-Ef8Ela-QVtVdcWU9GO9pg3zQV5AZyNmcdnCqySzLjHdxHZ5W1B_S-9W7BALJlehmPBezc1M54rBft1hHzAYm8vtPBsf9w9DM6PeEJnhun-rpsoaAMCi045-Dd6Z_n-WQvluMU_2qgczmbMyvTSVwSsFZi4rg=s634" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="634" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDUX9cnrMKEaaBgjnmvbI-JmfExmY2j-Ef8Ela-QVtVdcWU9GO9pg3zQV5AZyNmcdnCqySzLjHdxHZ5W1B_S-9W7BALJlehmPBezc1M54rBft1hHzAYm8vtPBsf9w9DM6PeEJnhun-rpsoaAMCi045-Dd6Z_n-WQvluMU_2qgczmbMyvTSVwSsFZi4rg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Part of 1921 Census form </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />1921 Census</h3><div><br /></div><div>Earlier this month the 1921 census for England and Wales was released. This was a cause of great excitement for genealogists, especially since there will be no more censuses released until 2051 (the 1931 census was destroyed in WW2 and the 1941 census didn’t happen because of WW2). For many the excitement was dampened by the fact that to view each household’s census return would cost £3.50. Luckily you are able to search the 1921 census for free. Your free search reveals the names of individuals, their year and place of birth, and the parish where they are living in 1921. The additional information you would obtain if you paid £3.50 would be the exact age of the individual, the address of the property where they are living, the other people living at the address, the family relationships of all the individuals at a property, plus individuals’ occupations, employer and place of work.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Family Members</h3><div><br /></div><div>I set about researching our family members using the search feature, and searching for Titheridge, Titheradge, Tidridge, Tytheridge, Tutheridge, Teatheredge and Titteridge. I found 459 people who bore the family names. This is about the same number of individuals as on the 1911 census. I was surprised by the large number of transcription errors I found. As well as the 7 standard family surnames, there are some additional 30 spelling variations of our surnames, including misreading the T at the start for an F, L, S or Z. My favourite transcription error was Mabel Titheridge – who was transcribed as Wabel, and I smiled at the mixed gender names of Frederick Olive and Lois Walter!</div><div><br /></div><div>There were also 20 individuals who might or might not be Titheridge family members but without seeing the original writing it is impossible to be sure. There are some individuals I know are missing from the individuals found so far. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Different Surnames</h3><div><br /></div><div>The total number of family members found is 459. The breakdown of the occurrence of each surname is:</div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div>329 individuals with surname Titheridge (72%)</div><div>63 individuals with surname Titheradge (14%)</div><div>24 individuals with surname Tidridge (5%)</div><div>22 individuals with surname Tytheridge (5%)</div><div>12 individuals with surname Tutheridge (3%)</div><div>8 individuals with surname Teatheredge (2%) </div><div>1 individual with surname Titteridge (less than 1%)</div></blockquote><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Distribution of the Family around England and Wales </h3><div><br /></div><div>Most individuals with the family name lived in Hampshire. Nearly all family members were in counties in the south of England, with only 2% of the individuals living north of London.</div><div>The distribution was: </div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div>221 individuals lived in Hampshire (48%)</div><div>116 individuals lived in London (25%) </div><div>28 individuals lived in Middlesex (6%)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div>24 individuals lived in Surrey (5%)</div><div>16 individuals lived in Sussex (3%)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div>11 individuals lived in Essex (2%)</div><div>9 individuals lived in Kent (2%)</div><div>43 individuals lived in other counties, which each had with less than 6 individuals (9%) </div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>The Titheridges lived predominantly in Hampshire but there was also a substantial presence in London. The Titheradges were mainly in Hampshire, London and Essex. The Tidridges were mainly in Hampshire, with a small number in Glamorganshire. The Tytheridges and Teatheredges were mainly in London, while the Tutheridges were split between London and Berkshire. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Distribution by Age and Sex</h3><div><br /></div><div>There were approximately equal numbers of females (228 individuals) and males (231 individuals). </div><div><br /></div><div>The age distribution is shown below.</div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div>80 individuals aged 0-10 years of age (17%)</div><div>78 individuals aged 11-20 years of age (17%)</div><div>86 individuals aged 21-30 years of age (19%)</div><div>78 individuals aged 31-40 years of age (17%)</div><div>53 individuals aged 41-50 years of age (12%)</div><div>33 individuals aged 51-60 years of age (7%)</div><div>33 individuals aged 61-70 years of age (7%)</div><div>13 individuals aged 71-80 years of age (3%)</div><div>4 individuals aged 81-90 years of age (1%)</div></blockquote><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Family Units</h3><div><br /></div><div>The individuals are found on the census living at over 170 different addresses. Most of the family units have less than seven individuals, that is 5 or less children living at home. In general, the large families of 6 -12 children seen in previous censuses have disappeared. There are just three families with 6 or more children at home, they are Edward and Rose Titheradge in Walthamstow with 9 children aged 21 – 0; Philip at Jessie Titheridge in Southampton with 8 children aged 21 – 4 and Benjamin James and Eva Titheridge in Alverstoke with 6 children aged 15 to 0. Many families were living in crowded circumstances with more than one family sharing a house and often families living with parents, in-laws or other family members.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Common Christian Names</h3><div><br /></div><div>The Christian names show that the commonest name was William for males, with 21 individuals called William. Other common names for boys were George, James, Albert, Alfred, John, Herbert, Arthur and Frederick. The commonest name for females was Annie, with 11 individuals called Annie. There was more variation in the women’s names with the other common names for women being Edith, Florence, Mary, Margaret, Dorothy and Ada. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Find My Past</h3><div><br /></div><div>If you wish to look for your relatives on the 1921 census the link to the search page is <a href="https://www.findmypast.co.uk/1921-census">https://www.findmypast.co.uk/1921-census</a></div><div><br /></div><div>If you find anything interesting in your search do share the information. </div><div><br /></div>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-46871195609229963452021-09-01T11:10:00.001+01:002021-09-01T11:10:50.354+01:00Wallace Sutton Titheradge - Black Sheep of the Family<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutTPuu8LHIec7u202tvWpQDW89ASOmA-YQOCFk6Z91kIhSXxZpZ56CwJKk1WcUI7jkz-ciAPqbwImliReMm-eIcoUm7tSaPMFQ2yB-k6MRAPdQ5YNvg55EXWXpqhjl-g8-VOFR9JpLFYJ/s591/family+tree.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="591" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutTPuu8LHIec7u202tvWpQDW89ASOmA-YQOCFk6Z91kIhSXxZpZ56CwJKk1WcUI7jkz-ciAPqbwImliReMm-eIcoUm7tSaPMFQ2yB-k6MRAPdQ5YNvg55EXWXpqhjl-g8-VOFR9JpLFYJ/s320/family+tree.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Wallace Sutton Titheradge was born into a highly respected theatrical family. He was the son of George Sutton Titheradge, a famous Victorian actor, and his first wife Isabella Murdoch, an actress. More information about George is available at <a href="https://titheradgefamilyhistory.wordpress.com/george-sutton-titheradge-famous-victorian-actor/" target="_blank">this link</a> . George and Isabella were married in Hendon, Durham in 1871. They had three who survived beyond childhood</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Henry Augustus Lionel Titheradge born in 1873 in Newcastle (called Augustus)</li><li>Henriette Louise Titheradge born in 1875 in Portsmouth (called Louise)</li><li>Sutton Wallace Titheradge (called Wallace) born on 7 March 1877 in Leicester</li></ul></div><div>The family tree can be found at <a href="https://titheradgefamilyhistory.wordpress.com/titheradges-descended-from-daniel-of-portsea/" target="_blank">this link </a> and then scrolling down to Tree 2F.</div><div> </div><div>George and Isabella were happily married until 1876 when George had an affair with actress Alma Saegert. Several months after Wallace’s birth an illegitimate child was born to Alma. In October 1878 George went on a theatre tour of India but instead of returning to Isabella in England he went to Australia. He and Alma settled down together in Melbourne, Victoria and had seven children, including Madge Titheradge, famous actress and Dion Titheradge, famous playwright, producer and actor. </div><div><br /></div><div>Isabella was left in England with three children to look after. On the 1881 census she was living in Richmond with Augustus, Wallace and Henriette and her aunt. In 1883 Isabella filed for divorce from George on grounds of adultery and desertion. George briefly returned to England for the divorce hearing and in June 1883 decree nisi was granted, with custody of the children given to Isabella. </div><div><br /></div><div>In May 1886 13-year-old Augustus and 9-year-old Wallace were admitted to Latymer’s Foundation School in Hammersmith, having previously attended a private school. In 1888 Isabella remarried to Eugene Tily, a famous engraver and artist and a year later daughter Vera was born. On the 1891 census Isabella, Eugene and Vera were living in Wandsworth, but neither Augustus, Henriette nor Wallace is with them, nor can they be found anywhere on the 1891 census. </div><div><br /></div><div>Searching Australian newspapers revealed that 16-year-old Augustus was in Brisbane, Australia by December 1889 appearing on stage in the same play as his father. Searching through passenger lists to Australia I found “Mr Titheradge” a passenger travelling upper class on the Royal Mail Ship Liguria, which arrived in Sydney, New South Wales on 12 June 1889. Travelling with him was “Master Titheradge”. These passengers are Augustus and Wallace. The Liguria set sail from London on 26 April and took nearly 7 weeks to reach Sydney. I find it hard to comprehend that a 16-year-old boy and his 12-year-old brother should travel on their own for seven weeks on board ship to the other side of the world. The journey raises many unanswered questions including, why did they leave their mother? did their father invite them to join him in Australia? did they live with their father and his new family when they arrived in Australia? </div><div><br /></div><div>In 1893 tragedy struck when Wallace’s brother Augustus died in Black Heath, New South Wales age 20. Six months later in, May 1894, it would appear that Wallace was spending his father’s money and running up debts. The following was printed in The Sydney Evening News under Public Notices signed by G. S. Titheradge “I Hereby give notice that my son, Wallace Titheradge has no Authority to Pledge my Credit: and I caution tradespeople not to supply goods to him on credit”. The relationship between father and son deteriorated and all reports and articles on George Sutton Titheradge after this date fail to acknowledge Wallace’s existence, and his stepbrother, Dion, is always referred to as his “only son”. In George’s will of 1915, there is also no mention of Wallace.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wallace’s life in Australia can be followed by the appearance of his name in the newspapers.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1896 Wallace sailed from Sydney to Melbourne. On 15 August 1898 he married Helena Maude Moran at St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat. In September of the same year he began studying at the School of Mines in Ballarat. This newspaper article appeared on 3 September 1898, “Wallace Titheradge, son of G. S. Titheradge, was married last week to a Ballarat girl. Young Titheradge is now at the School of Mines in Ballarat, doing what he hates – hard work. He tried the stage for a while, his last appearance being the second Indian in a blood curdling drama that ran a week. The rest of the family are living at their beautiful place, Oakbank, Morland.” </div><div><br /></div><div>Wallace and Helena had two children </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Waldemar Wallace Augustine born in, Ascot Vale Victoria in November 1900</li><li>Noel Tristram born in Coburg, Victoria in 1904.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Wallace left the School of Mines and tried to make a living on the stage. In June 1900 a review shows he was in a play in Numurkah, Victoria. By December 1901 he was trying his luck at Musical Theatre as shown by this review, “Mr Wallace Titheradge, who is a chip off the old block, has been travelling with small theatrical company to America since his marriage. He has recently taken to cultivating his voice under the care of Mr Robert Kennedy the Melbourne teacher of music and voice production. The young actor is showing considerable promise and is qualifying himself for the lyric stage, but will most likely be content with musical comedy for a start”</div><div><br /></div><div>In March 1907 a newspaper review said “It is not generally known that Mr G S Titheradge has a son on the stage. Wallace Titheradge was occupying a position at the Ballarat School of Mines but left to join a touring dramatic company. He had previously played small parts in an obscure organization in Melbourne. He much resembles his talented father in voice and appearance. Indeed, the unconscious reproduction of some of the star’s mannerisms is ludicrous. Wallace Titheradge is the possessor of an excellent baritone and was a chorister in Mr George Musgroves’s last grand opera company.” </div><div><br /></div><div>Wallace was not successful at making a career on the stage. By January 1906 he was supplementing acting by working as an assurance agent.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometime before 1911 Wallace had left his wife, Helena, and their two children and went to New Zealand. I have found no record of a divorce and Helena never remarried. She remained in the Melbourne area and died in Coburg in 1929.</div><div><br /></div><div>In December 1911 34-year-old Wallace and 20-year-old Eileen Mary Fanning had a son, Loyal Anthony Titheradge, born in Fielding, New Zealand. Their second child Mignon Marie Therese Titheradge was born in 1914 in Wellington, New Zealand. Wallace and Eileen returned to Australia and in 1922 a third child Rosary Alma Eileen Titheradge was born in Australia in Bendigo, Victoria. By 1931 Eileen and Wallace had separated and Eileen married in 1931 in South Australia. </div><div><br /></div><div>In November 1920 the first reports of Wallace’s wrong doings have been found in the newspapers, but there may have been other incidents before this. The newspaper reports show he was charged with false pretences. He had been posing as a travelling salesman from Melbourne and taking orders for his goods with advance payment, with the promise the goods would be sent from Melbourne. The goods never materialised for any of his orders. He was brought to the magistrate’s court at Riverton, South Australia and sentenced to 3 months imprisonment. In January 1921 he was charged with similar offences at Adelaide and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for offences at Clare and 6 months for the same offences at Kooringa.</div><div><br /></div><div>In October 1930 Wallace was in Grafton, New South Wales and was fined for being drunk. He was then arrested by Bellingen Police and charged on warrant for refusing to pay the sum of £3 12s and 3d for meals and accommodation. He was discharged for this offence.</div><div><br /></div><div>By June 1931 Wallace was in Queensland and was charged at Bundaberg (near Brisbane) with intent to defraud. He was making false claims that a powder he was selling would produce a saving in the consumption of coal. He was held on remand for selling the powder under false pretences. </div><div><br /></div><div>In 1942 Wallace, aged 65, Wallace was living in North Adelaide and was reported as drunk and resisting arrest. He was fined for being drunk, but the other offence was dismissed. </div><div><br /></div><div>In 1949 Wallace was on the Electoral roll for Launceston, Tasmania and is listed as a pensioner. He remained in Launceston until 1955 when he died on 19 January age 77 and he was buried at Carr Villa Cemetery, Launceston.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Wallace seems to have led a very nomadic life. There are newspaper reports of him living in over 12 different places. The areas where he is known to have lived include </div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div>1898-1900 Victoria</div><div>1911-1914 New Zealand</div><div>1920 South Australia</div><div>1922 Victoria</div><div>1930 New South Wales</div><div>1931 Queensland</div><div>1942 South Australia</div><div>1949 Tasmania. </div></blockquote><div>One cannot help but wonder if the constant moving was to evade justice from other charges of fraud and to avoid people to whom he owed money. There may well be other incidents of fraud which are yet to be found and Wallace is known to have used at least one alias of Wallace Tatham.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Please get in touch if you can add more to this story.</div>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-18352533815870546342021-07-31T21:18:00.002+01:002021-08-27T23:34:34.283+01:00 The Will of James Titheridge of Westminster - 1766<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CwmF4KIicwvH2wayJv2puxYbyBwy8j3MP38nlOE8NihnVKCl4cN60QHvHJY4cnZUInO3ZGC-TIwOmEce5nNBn3AO3jonkRjX-KjvOonzhuWfxyhbgA-7KlCMtnMe3E8z5VuNMLxt8Zhv/s577/westminster3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="433" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CwmF4KIicwvH2wayJv2puxYbyBwy8j3MP38nlOE8NihnVKCl4cN60QHvHJY4cnZUInO3ZGC-TIwOmEce5nNBn3AO3jonkRjX-KjvOonzhuWfxyhbgA-7KlCMtnMe3E8z5VuNMLxt8Zhv/s320/westminster3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Westminster area of London today</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />When searching the National Archives website for the Titheridge surname I came across a 255 year old will. It was the will of James Titheridge, a carpenter from St Margaret, Westminster, London who died in 1766. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Will of James Titheridge</h3><p>The will of James Titheridge is transcribed below, some bits were difficult to read and may not make sense. A “?” has been inserted where the words are illegible. </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i>James Titheridge</i></p><p><i>In the name of God Amen. </i></p><p><i>This is the last will and testament of me James Titheridge of St Margaret Westminster carpenter.</i></p><p><i>I give to Sarah Gashey of St Albans the sum of ffive pounds.</i></p><p><i>I give to ? ?Dawson the sum of ffive pounds.</i></p><p><i>I give to James Burdon ffive pounds in trust to pay the same into the proper hands of Mary Carwood wife of William Carwood for her separate use.</i></p><p><i>I give all my leasehold and messuages or tenements situated in Strutton Ground and ?? in the parish of St John the Evangelist Westminster and elsewhere in Westminster and all my right ?tithe estate interest and term of years therein and also all the residue and remainder of my estate whatsoever real and personal unto Anne Burdon wife of James Burdon her executors administrators and ? forever and I appoint the said Anne Burdon Executrix of this my will and hereby revoking all other wills. </i></p><p><i>I do declare this to be my last will and testament. In writing whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of January 1765. </i></p><p><i>James Titheridge signed sealed delivered published and declared by the within named James Titheridge as his last will and testament in the presence of George Stubbs and George Stubbs junior.</i></p><p>The will was proved at London on 22 January 1766. Administration was granted to the named Executrix, Anne Burdon wife of James Burdon.</p></blockquote><h3 style="text-align: left;">Who was James Titheridge?</h3><p>James Titheridge was a mystery because in the records I had found there were no known Titheridge family members living in London area at this time.</p><p>James’ burial was recorded on 26 January 1766 at St John the Evangelist, Smith Square, London. His surname has been transcribed as Titteridge. The burial record for James does not give an age so there is no clue to his year of birth.</p><p>The will suggests that our carpenter, James, had enough money and possessions to need a will. The lack of the Titheridge surname in the will suggests he had no living sons or wife.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Beneficiaries of the Will</h3><p>I hoped the clue to James’ identity was would lie in the names of the beneficiaries of the will. I expected the beneficiaries to be James’ daughters. I looked unsuccessfully for Titheridge marriages to Burdon and Carwood, but nothing was found. </p><p>There was no success in finding Sarah Gashey of St Albans, the nearest possibility I found was the death of Sarah Gazely in St Albans in 1769. The unknown person with the surname Dawson remained a complete mystery. </p><p>I found the marriage of Mary to William Carwood which took place on 8 August 1757 in St John the Evangelist in Smith Square, London. Her maiden name is recorded as Gray. The witnesses at the wedding are Hannah Cooke and James Titheridge. James has signed his own name as James Titheridge.</p><p>I found the marriage of Anne to James Burdon. They married on 26 February 1759 in St John the Evangelist in Smith Square, London. Anne’s maiden name was shown as Grasly in the banns and Gaseley in the marriage records. The witnesses at the wedding are Ann Nicholson and James Titheridge and again James has signed his own name.</p><p>It is possible that these beneficiaries are James’s nieces or cousins. Phonetic spelling and poor writing in the records are an issue, but it is tempting to speculate that Sarah, Mary and Ann all have the same surname, although what it is remains unknown beyond it starting with G !. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Titheridge or Titteridge</h3><p>James surname is clearly written as Titheridge in the will and both witness signatures. Reviewing the eighteenth-century records for Westminster shows there are no other records for Titheridges in the area. Individuals with the surname Titteridge were present in Westminster. This raises the question “Are these the same family group just with the surname spelt incorrectly or transcribed incorrectly?” Titteridges appear in Westminster between 1709 and 1790, sometimes the name is recorded as Tutteridge, as well as other spelling variations. By the 1841 census there are no Titteridges residing in Westminster or London. </p><p>James Titheridge and the Titteridges all lived in Westminster, St Margaret. The area of Westminster had grown up around Westminster Abbey, Parliament and the royal palace. In the eighteenth century it was part of the county of Middlesex and was a separate place from the City of London. St Margaret was one of nine parishes in Westminster. In 1700 Westminster contained a population of 130,000 inhabitants. In the 1700s London Rate Books and Land Tax records Titteridges lived in Palace Yard, St Ann’s Lane, Dacre Street, Lindsay Lane, Duke’s Court, Petty France and Gardner’s Lane. Today this is the area around Westminster Abbey and Victoria Station. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Conclusion</h3><p>The only baptism I can find for a James Titheridge who might be the right age is a James born to Joshua and Margery in 1696 in Kingsclere, Hampshire. This James disappears from the Hampshire records. The only evidence to support suggestion is on burial of James’ nephew, Joseph, in Basingstoke in 1736 it refers to his parents as “Joseph and Margery of London”. If James’ brother was living in London maybe James was too. There is also a record of Joseph Titheridge of Basingstoke who is in the Fleet Prison, London for debt in 1739. The connection is speculative and not proved. No records have produced a satisfactory answer to the question of “Who is James Titheridge”. Unless more records become available online containing a vital clue, then James’ identity will remain a mystery.</p><p>If you have come across any records that might help solve this mystery please get in touch.</p><div><br /></div>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-50017942705065894902021-06-04T14:17:00.001+01:002021-06-17T22:51:17.765+01:00James Titheridge – A Habitual Criminal?<h2 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6Z4k1rGLKT4797RWb-WDm6fHIhjJDlHicAQx3CtDgBek59zmsfCvbDVGONeVX67-JwRl6sluOVnp-NoKqLlf-_t3lf6Tg6ubNp0KsNG6ZzmZIDRu7KmtvQZpFPy2LZUeHFDMLsbkk0g0/s577/rabbit.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="577" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6Z4k1rGLKT4797RWb-WDm6fHIhjJDlHicAQx3CtDgBek59zmsfCvbDVGONeVX67-JwRl6sluOVnp-NoKqLlf-_t3lf6Tg6ubNp0KsNG6ZzmZIDRu7KmtvQZpFPy2LZUeHFDMLsbkk0g0/s320/rabbit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Register of Habitual Criminals</h2><p>I recently discovered a new record set on Ancestry, “The UK, Register of Habitual Criminals”. The registers were created on the release of prisoners from prisons in England and Wales between 1881 and 1925. They were created for the purpose of enabling future detection of repeat offenders. The records gave the prisoner’s name, place and date of birth, description and details of convictions and sentence. When I searched the data set I found a few familiar names known to be on the wrong side of the law, but there was one name I had not come across in this context before - James Titheridge. </p><p>In the register James was listed as born in 1854 in Eastleigh, Hampshire, 5 feet 11 ¾ inches tall, fair complexion with brown hair and blue eyes. His crime had been fowl stealing for which he served 3 months in Winchester Goal from 31 December 1895 to 30 March 1896. The records showed he had eleven previous convictions. His distinguishing features were listed as his tattoos described as “Front: woman and wreath; Back: woman, cross flags, cross swords and tree; Left forearm: heart pierced by arrow; Back left hand: ring first, second and third left fingers; Right forearm: peacock, cross, star and man holding flag”. My curiosity was aroused, and I wanted to find out more about James, this habitual criminal.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br />James Titheridge’s Family from Portswood</h2><p>It is amazing how much you can find out about your ancestors, even ones who are just labourers, from the records now available online. With the aid of censuses, parish records, military records, GRO records and my favourite source, British Newspaper Archive, I have pieced together the story of James.</p><p>My first question was “Who was James Titheridge?” While Titheridge is a very rare surname, I had seven possible candidates for James Titheridge born within two years of 1854 in Hampshire. Research showed James was one of eleven children born to John Titheridge and Mary Ashton in the South Stoneham area of Hampshire. James’ family tree can be found at <a href="https://titheradgefamilyhistory.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/tree-5-maria-titheridge-of-cheriton-feb-2018-for-website.pdf" target="_blank">this link</a></p><p>James’ father, John, worked on the railways as a signalman. The family lived in the Bishopstoke and Portswood areas near Southampton. On the 1861 census 7-year-old James was living at 8 Barton Cottages, South Stoneham with his parents and siblings. On the 1871 census he was still living with his parents and sibling but now at Portswood Road, South Stoneham and he was working as a railway labourer. </p><p>In August 1870 James’ name first appeared in the newspapers, charged with being one of 6 boys who stole a live goose from the Old Priory in St Denys. He was discharged with a caution.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br />James’ Service in the Royal Artillery</h2><p>On 26 May 1873 James joined the Royal Artillery. He served for 6 years 100days. The records show that he was a gunner who served in the 10th Brigade of the Royal Artillery, serving for over 5 years in Malta. His Chelsea Pension and Discharge Records show his conduct was fair and his name appeared on the Defaulters Register three times, but he was never court-martialled. His medical records show lots of minor medical incidents but in May 1879 he suffered from heart palpitations while in Malta. He was sent back to England in July 1879 and appeared before the invaliding board at Herbert Hospital, Woolwich in August 1879. The result of this examination concluded that his disability was permanent and he was discharged from the army on grounds of ill health. It was thought that the disability would, to a certain extent, prevent him earning his own livelihood in civil employ. He was discharged with a pension, but it only appears to have been for 18 months.</p><p>23-year-old James returned home to his parents. In October 1879 he was employed as a cleaner on the London and Southwestern Railways based at Northam Station, Southampton. In June 1880 he left the post due to ill health. On the 1881 census James was again living with his parents and siblings in Old Porstwood and was now employed as a railway porter. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br />Marriage of James Titheridge and Lily Bess Hand</h2><p>Sometime between 1881 and 1891 James’ parents, John and Mary, moved to West Dean, Wiltshire, with John still employed as a railway signal man. It was in West Dean that James met local girl, Lily Bess Hand, who was a nurse, and was fifteen years his junior. They were married on 6 December 1890. On the 1891 census James and Lily were living in South Stoneham at 27 Andover Terrace with James now listed as a blacksmith, labourer on South Western Rail. The 1901census showed the family living at 13 Brooklyn Road, Portswood and the 1911 census showed them living at 95 Belgrave Road, Portswood. </p><p>Lily and James had 11 children</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Florence Mabel Titheridge born 1891 died 1893</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Reginald Frank Titheridge born 1892 died 1930</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Frances Ethel May Titheridge born 1893</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Florence Lily Titheridge born 1894</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Amelia Kathleen Titheridge born 1896 died 1897</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Edith Ann Titheridge born 1898</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Violet Winifred Mary Titheridge born 1899 died 1917</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Victor James Titheridge born 1901 died 1986</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Albert Edward Charles Titheridge born 1903 died 1941</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>William John Titheridge born 1904 died 1978</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Frederick Sydney Titheridge born 1909 died 1989</p></blockquote><p>Eight of the children survived to adulthood. Florence Mabel died age 2 and Amelia died aged less than a year. Violet was recorded as a cripple on the 1911 census and she died in 1917 age 17. The story of Amelia’s death has been written about at <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2016/05/tragedy-for-james-titheridge-and-lily.html" target="_blank">this link. </a> </p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br />James’ Criminal Activity</h2><p>Using the Habitual Criminal Register and British Newspaper Archive I have managed to put together the criminal activities of James. His crimes are summarised below:-</p><p>November 1881<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stealing Money, sentenced to 1 calendar month imprisonment</p><p>February 1883<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Trespass in search of game, case dismissed</p><p>October 1884 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stealing a spade(worth 1s 6d), sentenced to 1 calendar month imprisonment</p><p>August 1892<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stealing a fowl sentenced to 1 calendar month imprisonment</p><p>September 1892<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stealing a saw sentenced to 21days imprisonment</p><p>October 1983<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stealing sash fasteners, sentenced to 21 days imprisonment</p><p>December 1893<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stealing a fowl, sentenced to 6 weeks imprisonment</p><p>January 1896<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stealing seven fowl (worth 14s), sentenced to three calendar months imprisonment </p><p>November 1899<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Trespassing and stealing conies (rabbits) sentenced to 21 days imprisonment or £1 fine</p><p>May 1900<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Trespassing in search of conies fined 30 shillings</p><p>September 1901<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Trespassing in search of conies, fined £2 or a month imprisonment.</p><p>There were also 4 other poaching offences between 1882 and 1895. All the gaol sentences were served in Winchester gaol. After 1901 there appears to be no more charges brought against him - at least none have been discovered. Did he reform? or did he get better at avoiding detection when poaching?</p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br />Death of Lily Titheridge and James Titheridge</h2><p>Lily died in 1914 age 45. The eldest son was 22 and the two oldest girls were married but this left James to look after 6 children Elizabeth 16, Violet 15, Victor 13, Albert 11, William 10 and Frederick 5. Nothing further is known about James. He does not appear on the 1939 register and it seems most likely that he is the James Titheridge who died in Winchester in September quarter 1936 age 83. The location of Winchester is possible as his son, John, was living in Winchester in 1939.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br />A Habitual Criminal?</h2><p>Do I think my research has found a habitual criminal? No I don’t. Eleven of the offences were for poaching for fowl or rabbits and the others for stealing very small items. I think James, like many agricultural labourers, struggled to feed his large growing family on a labourer’s wages. He was willing to provide for them by any means at his disposal. In Victorian rural society poaching was accepted among the working classes as a normal part of rural life, often essential for survival.</p>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-58235808471389305412021-04-29T16:05:00.001+01:002021-08-04T23:36:42.605+01:00 Calamity at 69 Moscow Road, Bayswater<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoICjq_mgLQmNYXkUR1SBbUx9Fz5E8cxR3m6Fh84Gm0G9Jthx2NoNRFfQGUIGrbymoHmH3G37Z553rMJEjqNA_bll735K1-3OpkMgWkP52F09FC5bmaMIh7VlWWdgnJFJDiyRVqa2aJW2/s577/Moscow+Road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="577" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoICjq_mgLQmNYXkUR1SBbUx9Fz5E8cxR3m6Fh84Gm0G9Jthx2NoNRFfQGUIGrbymoHmH3G37Z553rMJEjqNA_bll735K1-3OpkMgWkP52F09FC5bmaMIh7VlWWdgnJFJDiyRVqa2aJW2/s320/Moscow+Road.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The headlines in the newspapers said, “Calamity at Bayswater”. This blog is the story behind these headlines. The story is set in the Bayswater area of London and begins on 30 September 1869, a day which lead to tragedy for the Titheradge family.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>In these days Bayswater was mainly an upper-class area full of splendid houses for the wealthy and prosperous. Set back from the main roads were other smaller roads that housed the less well-off and were slum areas. Quarter of a mile from Queen Victoria’s Kensington Palace was Moscow Road and this was one of these slum areas. It was a narrow, overcrowded thoroughfare that led onto Queens Road and consisted of small terraced houses squashed together. Towards the Queens Road end of Moscow Road was a row of little shops; a baker, a grocer, a confectioner, a butcher, then came Poplar Place and on the other corner was the Kings Head pub. In the confectioner’s shop (69 Moscow Road) lived Edward Titheradge. He rented the property from the Metropolitan Railway Company which had opened the nearby Bayswater Station in 1868. 69 Moscow Road consisted of four rooms plus an underground kitchen at the back of the house. The front room was the shop, with the parlour behind and on the first floor were two bedrooms. There was no bathroom and a water closet (toilet) was situated at the end of the garden. 37-year-old Edward lived there with his wife Eliza and their six children, Sarah 15, Henry 13, Anne 12, Elizabeth 7, Emma 5 and Edward 3. To make ends meet Edward rented out the front bedroom to Mrs Jack and her children, Agnes 17 and Henry 14. On this fateful day Mrs Jack’s 28-year-old son Stewart, a teacher, was also visiting for the school holidays. Twelve people were living in this small terraced house.</p><p><br /></p><p>On this overcast day of Thursday 30 September everyone in the house began their daily routines, no one aware of the horrors that were to happen. The family arose and the younger children, Henry, Anne, Elizabeth and Emma, went off to school at nearby St Matthew’s School. With the children at school, Eliza began her daily chores, keeping an eye on Edward at the same time. Using her mangle, she did washing for the neighbourhood, an occupation that brought in extra money that the family needed for survival. </p><p><br /></p><p>Sarah went into the shop and opened up for the day. At 15 years old she had finished her education and she looked after the family shop. Edward had previously been a plumber but had to give this up as he was suffering severe rheumatism and was in constant pain, unable to move freely and some days he was bedridden. Edward lay on the settee in the parlour and from there he could see into the shop through the glass door. He would give instructions to Sarah as needed. The little confectionery shop sold sweets, tobacco, haberdashery, newspapers, stationery, toys, fireworks and “red and green fires” (these were used in theatres). The fireworks consisted of rockets, catherine wheels, squibs, roman candles and crackers, which were all safely stored in the glass cabinets on the walls between the shop and the parlour. Edward had previously held a licence to sell fireworks but his renewal application had been refused, so the fireworks were being sold illegally. Sarah passed the day serving the customers and tidying the stock. As evening approached the light faded and Sarah lit the two gas lamps in the shop and the gaslight in the parlour for her father.</p><p><br /></p><p>At teatime Eliza fed the family and then the young children, Elizabeth, Emma and Edward said goodnight and went upstairs to the back bedroom and quickly fell asleep in the double bed. At seven o’clock Sarah closed the shop for the day and went off to stay with friends for the night. Henry had a friend called Charles Newton visiting and they went downstairs to the underground kitchen, they chatted and then fell asleep. Anne changed for bed then sat on the sofa with her father and rested her head on him and fell asleep. At 10.30 Eliza said it was time for bed. She went into the shop and put the gas lights out, leaving the gas light on in the parlour. Eliza went up the stairs leaving Edward on the settee, as he could no longer climb the stairs, with Anne sleeping beside him. Eliza settled down next to her three sleeping children and quickly fell asleep.</p><p><br /></p><p>In the front bedroom, above the shop, Mrs Jack, Agnes and Henry had had an exciting day welcoming home Stewart for the school holidays. As evening arrived the family celebrated Stewart’s return with a meal cooked in their room and then sat round and chatted. The Jack family settled down for the night, put out their candles and went to sleep.</p><p><br /></p><p>The only person left awake in the house was Edward. He tossed and turned unable to sleep because of the pain. Eventually, exhausted, he closed his eyes at 2.30 and dosed, blissfully unaware of the ensuing danger.</p><p><br /></p><p>In the streets around Bayswater two policemen walked their lonely beats, it was a quiet night. As the policeman walked past 69 Moscow Road all was quiet. The clocks struck twelve and the first day of October arrived. One o’clock and all was well. Two o’clock and all well.</p><p><br /></p><p>In the Queens Road fire station, the fireman on duty slept soundly, the rest of the crew slept in a nearby house in the neighbourhood.</p><p><br /></p><p>All was quiet, time passed and fire smouldered. At five to three Edward awoke with a start – a hissing noise, a red glow through the door to the shop, the smell of smoke wafting through the door from the shop – a fire!! “Mother come down” he shouted in panic. Anne, woken by the shout, was terrified by the sight of the flames and the red glow coming through the glass door from the shop. She screamed “Mother” and then she ran out of the parlour into the passageway and out of the front door into bracing cold night air Moscow Road dressed only in her nightshirt. She ran to bakers, next door but one, and knocked furiously on the door looking for help, “Go away” the baker shouted. </p><p><br /></p><p>In the house Eliza came down into the parlour and saw the flames “My children” she screamed. She called for Henry in the basement and then turned and ran back towards the stairs. By this time the flames had spread from the shop into the passageway and onto the stairs. The acrid smoke hit her throat and she could not breathe, the heat was intense – she could not reach the upstairs bedroom where her children were. With the passageway ablaze, she could not reach the front door. She ran back into the parlour and to back door, the only means of escape.</p><p><br /></p><p>Edward managed to move from the sofa to the floor despite the pain and dragged himself to the back door, then rolled down the steps into the garden. Henry and Charles rushed from the basement to see what all the commotion was about and helped Edward to the safety of the water closet at the end of the garden.</p><p><br /></p><p>There was no sound heard from the Jack family in the front bedroom.</p><p><br /></p><p>The policeman was in Bayswater Road when he saw smoke, then flames and sprung his rattle to raise the alarm and ran towards the source of the smoke. In Victorian London there were no phones, no source of quick assistance. When he arrived at 69 Moscow Road the flames licked the front of the property, rescue of the occupants was impossible. Aroused by the noise, a second policeman arrived and he ran to the fire station, just 400 yards away to raise the alarm. </p><p><br /></p><p>The flames danced and smoke billowed and suddenly, without warning, there was a mighty explosion that blew out the front of the shop and the shutters and the upstairs windows of the bedroom over the shop. Neighbours opened their windows to see what was happening. The cry of “fire” could be heard along the road. Many neighbours rushed to help, seeing entry to the front of the house was impossible they ran to the back of the house. They tried to find a ladder, but none could be found. Eliza screamed hysterically “My children, my children”. Someone said, “the children are safe”.</p><p><br /></p><p>At the fire station the fireman on duty was woken by the policeman. The fireman ran to a neighbouring house to wake the other two sleeping fireman. He then ran back to the station and telegraphed other stations for additional engines and an escape ladder. He then prepared the fire engine and attached the horse to it. Finally, the horse powered engine and three firemen set off. At the inquest the fireman said they got to the fire in less than 8 minutes but the consensus of opinion of the witnesses in Moscow Road said it was 20 minutes before the firemen arrived. During this time all the horrified neighbours could do was stand and watch 69 Moscow Road burn. </p><p><br /></p><p>When the firemen arrived, they set to work. Other firemen arrived to assist including the fire escape ladder. The fire was put out relatively quickly, but it had already virtually destroyed the house. The firemen had been working for a while before anyone told them that there were people unaccounted for. As dawn broke the bodies of the Jack family could be seen in the first-floor bedroom on the upstairs rafters. When the firemen entered the building, they found 3 little bodies of the Titheradge children in the back bedroom. The cry that the children that were safe had referred to the children next door, not to Edward and Eliza’s children. </p><p><br /></p><p>The seven dead bodies, Elizabeth, Emma, Edward, Mrs Jack, Stewart, Henry and Agnes were taken to the Paddington dead house. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9uUimVGSSEDK1JNV5kMhBtQrbplrtwI1rGsloVgrzH-yUvKdV-47YIqjWuBBDINSEDYD6kVS0UruwareL-fCdSf8kH8YEPZdft_Q_Pl9c0GBFda8Yr-geaUiNGARuOWvX-DubgTFuzwD/s781/Bayswater+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="781" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9uUimVGSSEDK1JNV5kMhBtQrbplrtwI1rGsloVgrzH-yUvKdV-47YIqjWuBBDINSEDYD6kVS0UruwareL-fCdSf8kH8YEPZdft_Q_Pl9c0GBFda8Yr-geaUiNGARuOWvX-DubgTFuzwD/w640-h432/Bayswater+fire.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">69 Moscow Road after the fire. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>In daylight the extent of the damage could be seen, a shell of a house was all that remained, even the roof had gone. Luckily the fire had not spread to the adjoining properties which were only slightly damaged. Edward was taken to St Mary’s Hospital, the family were taken in by nearby family and distraught Eliza was comforted. A fund was started to support the family with £56 raised. The West of England Fire and Life Insurance paid out £200 compensation on the insurance policy. A week later the Jack family and Titheradge children were buried in Old Paddington Cemetery, which was situated in rural Willesden.</p><p><br /></p><p>An inquest was held on the seven dead. It was set to be held at a public house but the crowds were so great it had to be moved to Vestry Hall. A doctor gave evidence that the cause of death of the seven victims was suffocation from the smoke. The Fire Service gave evidence that the fire had originated in the shop. The cause of the fire was debated. The fireworks or the “red and green fires” were cited as a possible cause, but spontaneous combustion was considered impossible by an expert. The gas meter was also considered as a possible cause, but it was concluded it exploded as a result of the heat and was not the cause of the fire. The jury concluded that the was no evidence to show how the fire originated, but it was agreed the fire was intensified by the presence of the fireworks. The inquest recommended that the fire service in Queens Road should be improved. The alarming fact to everyone was that a house a few minutes’ walk from a Metropolitan Fire Station could be destroyed and so many lives lost.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Titheradge family moved to 75 Moscow Road and by the 1871 census 69 Moscow Road had been rebuilt. Edward died in 1874 and Eliza remarried in 1876. Sarah, Henry and Anne all married and had families, Henry being my husband’s great grandfather. The slum houses of Moscow Road were rebuilt in the late 19th century and then redeveloped again, probably around 1960s. All that remains as a landmark is the Kings Head pub and that too has been rebuilt. </p><p><br /></p><p>The tragedy was extreme even by Victorian times and the accident was reported far and wide in newspapers from Scotland to Cornwall. It is from these hundreds of accounts of the incident in the British Newspaper Archives that I have been able to put together this story. There are many conflicting facts in the newspaper reports and this account is the best guess of what happened based on the evidence. Sadly, the tragedy that happened at 69 Moscow road was a story that was forgotten in the family. By 1990 there was no knowledge of this dreadful event among any branch of the family.</p><div><br /></div>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-29004553138483722942021-04-05T11:49:00.000+01:002021-04-05T11:49:12.178+01:00 Hazards of the Road<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRp1QrlEtz0SgyuscvwuVCvwNXgCubx0koiGmIev5OQTvK_DH-5LLvaIaBRyr57xCV6glT6kyGSqwlZyJxlyFMzwKx_PNNedLo9Hjii19GZBhI1gbfhKrvGrA-UT-HJ14R5WmoqvtuvLGR/s554/Vetran+Car+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRp1QrlEtz0SgyuscvwuVCvwNXgCubx0koiGmIev5OQTvK_DH-5LLvaIaBRyr57xCV6glT6kyGSqwlZyJxlyFMzwKx_PNNedLo9Hjii19GZBhI1gbfhKrvGrA-UT-HJ14R5WmoqvtuvLGR/s320/Vetran+Car+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I always assumed that road safety was a modern problem, but reading old newspaper reports on the British Newspaper Archive suggests that it is a problem that has been around for many years. I have found historic reports of accidents and misdemeanors involving family members and all forms of transport including horse, horse and cart, bicycle, omnibus, motorbike, lorry and motor car. Here are a few of the reports I have found (quotes from the newspaper are written in italics).</p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Hampshire Advertiser 21 August 1869</b></p><p><i>“On Sunday, Henry Titheridge, a lad of 10 years of age, was knocked down by a horse on Bevois Hill and sustained several severe bruises about the head which rendered him insensible for some time.”</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>London Daily News 13 June 1877</b></p><p>The paper reported the case of John Teatheredge who was a driver of an omnibus and who was charged with manslaughter after hitting a pedestrian. He was later found innocent of the charge. His story has been told at <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2015/10/innocent-of-manslaughter.html" target="_blank">this link.</a> </p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Hampshire Independent 28 April 1883</b></p><p><i>“William Titheridge, a well-known dealer, at Swanmore, made his appearance before the Bench to answer to a summons charging him with being drunk whilst in charge of a horse and cart at Waltham on 21st inst. Defendant denied the charge, but as there were several witnesses called to prove the offence, the bench fined William £1 and costs. The same defendant was also summoned by the police for furiously driving his horse and cart on the same day and place. William drove furiously and ran into a cart, and it was well proven that he was not in a condition to hold the reins: fined £1 and costs.”</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Hampshire 23 September 1885 </b></p><p><i>“Street Accident – At ten minutes to six o’clock on Monday evening Alfred Tidridge, Amplefield Cottage, Foundry Lane, Millbrook, was driving a horse and cart, the property of Mr Lowman, up East Street, when a boy named Frederick Leavey , of 6 St George’s Place ran across the street, and before the man could pull up the boy was knocked down, the wheels passing over his back, but the boy did not appear to be much hurt”</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Portsmouth Evening News 16 November 1903</b></p><p><i>“Noah Titheridge, of Waltham Chase, summoned for driving a cart to which no lighted lamp was attached on the 7th inst. He explained that his candle had burned out and he was waiting for the lamp to cool before inserting another. The explanation was accepted and the summons dismissed.”</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Hampshire Chronicle 3 September 1904</b></p><p><i>“Sleepy Driver – Noah Titheridge, a carter, was summoned for being asleep whilst in charge of a horse and cart on the Portchester Road. Police Constable Ballard said he found the man asleep and had previously cautioned him. Defendant admitted being “dosey” as he has not had any sleep for three nights. He was ordered to pay the costs.”</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Salisbury Times 17 August 1906</b></p><p>The paper reported the case of a “motor smash”, at Shedfield and the subsequent claim for damages. The plaintiff was Noah Titheridge, a market gardener, of The Chase, Bishop’s Waltham and the defendant, Dr Marsh, of Amesbury. The plaintiff’s claim was for £29 1s 11d for damage sustained by reason of the negligent driving of a motor car by the defendant, while the defendant entered a counter claim of £28 19s for damage sustained by the negligence of plaintiff’s servant or agent, when in charge of a horse and cart.</p><p><i>“At 10.15pm on 22 June plaintiff’s son, Noah John Titheridge was driving a horse and empty cart. The road was straight for about 500 yards and at the time Titheridge was driving in the centre of the road, which was from 16ft to 20ft in width. He saw a motor car coming along the centre of the road towards him, and he pulled to the near side of the road, close to the grass patch. When the car was 20 yards off Titheridge shouted “Hi Sir” to the motorist, “look where you are going”. The car, which was going at 12 to 15 miles an hour, was being driven by the defendant, and it swerved to the wrong side of the road and went straight into the plaintiff’s horse. The car was three inches from the wrong side of the road when the collision occurred. It lifted the horse on to the motor car, its feet hanging over the steering wheel. The force of the impact threw Titheridge out of the cart and the horse was struck on the foreleg and had to be destroyed.”</i></p><p>Evidence was given for the defendant, but the judge considered the plaintiff’s version as the correct one and found in favour of Noah. The paper reported the judge said</p><p><i>“Motor car drivers assumed that they had a right to the road as against everyone else. They thought that all they had to do was to sound their hooters, and then they were justified in mangling a person out of the way if he did not move and with reckless disregard of the property of poor people they rushed through villages.”</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Hampshire Chronicle 22 August 1908</b></p><p><i>"Asleep in Charge – Noah Titheridge, a market gardener, of Bishop’s Waltham, was fined 5s for being asleep in his wagon on Porchester Road, Cosham."</i> </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Newcastle Journal 2 May 1914</b></p><p><i>"The inquest into the death of a boy: “Arthur Charles Titheridge, a chauffeur in the employ of Mr Peter Norman Haggie, The Chase, Whickham stated that on Thursday he was driving home from Newcastle. When he heard children playing on the village green he slowed down to about five miles per hour. When about ten yards from the village green he saw a boy dash out on to the road after a ball. The boy was running fast and seemed to have his attention concentrated on the ball. As witness was blowing the exhaust whistle, he thought the boy would notice it, but he did not, and witness shouted. Witness saw than an accident was inevitable and pulled the car on to the pavement. The boy was caught by the left mudguard. Witness picked the boy up and took him to Dr Smith’s surgery, where he died about five minutes later. A verdict of accidental death was returned."</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Thanet Advertiser 24 May 1919 </b></p><p>The paper report the fatal accident of Ainslie Burton Tytheridge killed while riding a motorcycle. This story has been told previously on the blog at <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2019/05/ainslie-burton-tytheridge-1878-1919.html" target="_blank">this link</a>. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>East Kent Gazette 2 October 1926</b></p><p>The paper reported a claim for damages in a case of a collision between a car and a motorcycle which occurred on May 4th on Graveney Bridge, on the Whitstable Road. Alfred Henry Jackson who was the rider of the motorcycle, claimed £20 damages against the car drive, Edward H Titheradge of Walthamstow. The latter counter-claimed for over £14. </p><p><i>“The Plaintiff said he slowed down to 12-15 miles an hour to cross the bridge and was only 3ft from the parapet on his correct side when the car came from the opposite direction and caught him on the offside. The defendant’s story was that the plaintiff came round at forty miles an hour with his head down and swerve to his left. Other evidence showed that the motorcycle was on the cyclist’s near side of the road about 4ft from the parapet. His honour found for the plaintiff for the amount claimed and dismissed the counter claim”</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Portsmouth Evening News 25 October 1938</b></p><p><i>“There was a sequel to the accident on the Winchester Road Wickham on October 5, in which a car driven by Henry E Preece, a public works foreman, of the Bold Forester Inn, Sorberton, was alleged to have swerved across the road and overturned a car driven by Rupert V Titheridge, garage proprietor of Templeogue, Southbourne. </i><i>Preece was fined £5 and had to pay £1 5s costs and his licence was suspended for one month for driving without due care and attention and later Titheridge was summoned for driving an uninsured car, and Coron S Biddlescombe, a Prinstead school teacher, owner of the car, was summoned for permitting the offence. The case against Titheridge, who said he understood the car was insured was dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act, and that against Biddlescombe was proved and dismissed on payment of costs.”</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Hampshire Telegraph 15 September 1939</b></p><p>The paper reported the accident on 12 September 1939 when Dayrell Titheridge was killed when his motorbike collided with a car at Selbourne. This story has been told in an earlier blog at <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2019/09/world-war-2-first-titheridge-casualty.html" target="_blank">this link.</a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Hampshire Telegraph 29 December 1939</b></p><p>The paper reported cyclists who were fined for failing to halt at a traffic sign when riding their auto-cycle, the list included Grace Titheridge of Highfield Road, Gosport.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Portsmouth Evening News 19 September 1949</b></p><p><i>“Killed in Alton Collision: Irene May Daniel (28) of East End, East Finchley was killed and her husband and parents Percy Daniels and Mr and Mrs H W Fisher of Crowborough Road were seriously injured, on Saturday evening, when the car in which Mrs Daniels was in collision with a lorry on the Winchester Road, Alton. Mr Daniels and Mr and Mrs Fisher were taken to Alton General Hospital and were detained. The lorry was laden with potatoes. Its driver, James Walter Titheridge, of 9 Council Houses, North Boarhunt, near Fareham was uninjured. The inquest opens at Alton this afternoon.”</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Uxbridge and W Drayton Gazette 18 December 1953</b></p><p>The paper reports an Ambulance driver, Stanley Edwards, who was £3 with £8 10s costs at Uxbridge Court on Monday and had his licence endorsed for careless driving. A summons of dangerous driving was dismissed.</p><p><i>"The driver of the lorry involved, Edward Titheridge, of Wealdstone said that he was driving his lorry loaded with oxygen cylinders, down Station Road, Hayes on August 20 when, at the junction with North Hyde Road an ambulance which was crossing the road put on speed and there was a collision. “he hit me and my lorry turned over and I was trapped in the cab but unhurt”, he said. PC Miles said that he went to the scene of the accident and Edwards told him “I was crossing Station Road from North Hyde Road going from West to East. I had stopped behind some stationary lorries. After they had gone, I followed them, looking both ways. There was ample time for me to follow on. The lorry came on and hit my nearside rear”. In court Edwards said that he had helped extricate the driver after the vehicle had overturned. He could not account for how the accident had occurred."</i></p><div><br /></div>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-11144333536212203832021-03-16T21:48:00.001+00:002021-08-04T23:35:19.077+01:00Alfred Titheradge and The Home for Little Boys <div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcOVOk2L0kBnDAlfEeewHhn2_mem-kgwTKkJLnIxtn4W5c02Yh7JxURQUvA2LQr0lCI0LZhSbhLrRFYZUujJkXok-f86GgMCAuo2yi9WW8Q0WhcgxxtS8nqPoXo78BAaAvCeegyBB40tR/s546/British+Newspaper+Archive+from+Morning+Advertiser+18+December+1865.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcOVOk2L0kBnDAlfEeewHhn2_mem-kgwTKkJLnIxtn4W5c02Yh7JxURQUvA2LQr0lCI0LZhSbhLrRFYZUujJkXok-f86GgMCAuo2yi9WW8Q0WhcgxxtS8nqPoXo78BAaAvCeegyBB40tR/s320/British+Newspaper+Archive+from+Morning+Advertiser+18+December+1865.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">From the British Newspaper Archive<br /> Morning Advertiser 22 December 1865<br />The result of the ballot for entry into the Home for Little Boys</span></td></tr></tbody></table>An entry for the 1871 census for the Home for Little Boys in Horton Kirby reads :</div><div>“Alfred Titheridge, inmate, unmarried, age 11, scholar, “no information available” for where born.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alfred was one of 270 inmates at The Home for Little Boys on the 1871 census. Since first finding this record I have asked the questions “What was the Home for Little Boys? and “Why was Alfred in a Home for Little Boys, 25 miles from home, when both his parents were still alive?”</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What was The Home for Little Boys?</h3><div><br /></div><div>In 1863 W H Williams, Robert Culling Hanbury MP and A D Charles met and agreed to create a home for little boys. These three philanthropists wanted to create an alternative to the grim institutions that were available in Victorian London. Unlike the other institutions they planned to only take children under 10 years old, whereas the other institutions only took older boys. They wanted to provide a place for homeless and destitute boys and those that were in danger of falling into crime. The aim was to feed, educate, clothe and train the boys. The children were to be educated “in the fear of God and the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures” but the education was to be unsectarian.</div><div><br /></div><div>The home was established in 1864, with the original premises situated at Coombes Croft House, on the Tottenham High Road. The first inmates were admitted in April 1864 and by August of that year the home had 77 boys. In less than 2 years the house was full. The committee decided more space was needed and in January 1866 the committee agreed the best land on offer for expansion was in rural Kent, near the Farningham Road Station, in Horton Kirby. They purchased the 19 acres of land for £1800. Later they expanded with the purchase of more acres. On 7 July 1866 Princess Alexandra of Denmark (wife of Edward VII) laid the foundation stone for the new buildings.</div><div><br /></div><div>The new premises were organised on the “cottage home principal” with a little village of cottages. There was a husband and wife in charge of each house, with 30 boys living under their roof. The first five houses were staffed by a tailor, baker, gardener, farmer and drill sergeant. Other houses were added later making 10 in all and further trades were added to include printing, carpentry, boot making and laundry. Buildings included a school (which was also a chapel), workshop, stores and dwelling houses. The aim was to educate the boys and to teach them a craft and to give them an opportunity to take an apprenticeship in a trade, then send them out to the world equipped for life.</div><div><br /></div><div>On 5 June 1867 the first four houses at Horton Kirby were complete and the boys were brought from Tottenham to Farningham Road Station. From there they marched a mile to the home, led by a drum and fife band.</div><div><br /></div><div>The home was financed by subscriptions from benefactors. It took in boys of all ages under 10 and from all backgrounds. The boys that were admitted to the home were destitute, extremely poor and with no means to provide for themselves. Some were orphans, some were forsaken by their parents and in some cases the parents were just unable to look after them. One of the aims of the home was to prevent the boys becoming vagrants or criminals. In the year 1862, in Victorian London, 311 boys under the age of 10 had been apprehended by the Metropolitan Police for a variety of offences. There were certainly more children needing the home than there were spaces. </div><div><br /></div><div>Admission was done periodically on a ballot system. Each benefactor had one or more vote depending on how much they had donated. A list of applicants was put together and the benefactors voted for who they thought were the most deserving cases. Each child was seen and approved before being added to the list. The particulars of each child were on the voting paper and subscribers were asked to vote on the merits of each case. The children with the most votes in the ballot were awarded places, the number of places depending on the number of vacancies.</div><div><br /></div><div>For over 80 years the home flourished. However, the Children’s Act of 1948 had an adverse effect on the institution and financial difficulties followed. In 1952 it was taken over by Kent County Council and closed in 1961.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Who was Alfred Titheradge?</h3><div><br /></div><div>Alfred was the son of Edward Eatrill Titheradge. Edward’s family had left Portsmouth in search of work and a better life and had arrived in the Paddington area of London in 1836. They lived in the Moscow Road area of Bayswater. The road was just a quarter of a mile from Queen Victoria’s Royal Kensington Palace, but London brought together the richest houses with the poorest slums. While many of the roads in the area were full of large houses belonging to wealthy men, Moscow Road was an area of poverty. Perhaps not quite the utopia that the family had been hoping for when they left Hampshire.</div><div><br /></div><div>Edward married Eliza Peters on 31 May 1852 at Paddington, St James. They too settled in Moscow Road, moving around the rented properties. In 1861 they were at 85 Moscow Road, in 1869 at 69 Moscow Road and 1871 at 75 Moscow Road. There is evidence to show that in 1869 Edward and Eliza lived with their children in a small 2 bedroomed terrace property. They shared the house with another family of four. The Titheradges occupied a parlour, one bedroom and a basement kitchen. The front of the property was a little confectioners shop where they made a living. Eliza also took in washing to make enough money to feed the family. The conditions were overcrowded and almost certainly unsanitary and squalid. Edward initially worked as a painter but by 1861 his trade was a plumber. However, Edward suffered from poor health and by 1869 was an invalid suffering what was described as “rheumatic gout”. He was forced to give up plumbing and make his living from the confectioners shop at the front of their house, with his eldest daughter Sarah as the salesperson. </div><div><br /></div><div>Edward and Eliza had 8 children. These were </div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Emma Eliza Titheradge born 1852, died 1862 age 9</div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sarah Ann Titheradge born 1854 died 1910</div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Henry John Titheradge born 1855 died 1915</div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Annie Sophia Titheradge born 1857 died 1929</div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Alfred Titheradge born 1859 died 1902</div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Elizabeth Emma Titheradge born 1862 died 1869 age 7</div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Emma Eliza Titheradge born 1864 died 1869 age 5</div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Edward Hetrell Titheradge born 1866 died 1869 age 3</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">How did Alfred come to be at the Home?</h3><div><br /></div><div>In December 1865 the family consisted of 6 children Sarah 11, Henry 10, Annie 8, Alfred 6, Elizabeth 3 and Emma 1. Saturday 16 December 1865 was the day that gave Alfred the chance of a new beginning as there was a vote for places at the Home for Little Boys and Alfred’s name was on the ballot paper. We do not know what was written on the ballot paper, but whatever it was must have been very convincing that Alfred needed help. The ballot paper had 33 names and the results gave Alfred 204 votes, the second highest, and he was one of the 6 boys that was given a place at the home. We do not know why he was admitted. Had he got in trouble with the police, perhaps for stealing? Had he run away from home and was a vagrant? Or did his parents request he be taken into the home either because they couldn’t feed all their children or because they could not look after him?</div><div><br /></div><div>We believe his admission to the home, which was then on Tottenham High Road, was on 22 December, his age just 6 years old. Nothing in known of his life in the home, although research suggests the records exist but are not accessible. Presumably he was clothed, fed and educated. While many of the boys at the home were orphans, Alfred had two parents alive; how he must have missed them and how lonely he must have felt separated from his parents and siblings. It is not clear if parental contact was encouraged but from reading the minutes of the committee meetings it appears that parents were allowed to visit the boys at Christmas but the boys were not allowed to return home. The committee did their best to provide things for the boys and committee meetings show that a space for a playground was provided, that fireworks and bonfires were organized for 5 November and Christmas presents were provided. </div><div><br /></div><div>Originally at the age of 11 boys had to leave the home, but after a few years this was raised to 13. Alfred celebrated his 13th birthday on 3 September 1862 and he left the home and returned to his parents in Moscow Road. The school records for St Matthews School, Paddington show he began school there on 16 September 1872. The entry showing he had come from the Home for Little Boys, the family were living at 75 Moscow Road and his father was a described as a huckster (a person who sells small items from a stall).</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Life after the Home for Little Boys</h3><div><br /></div><div>Alfred returned home to very different family circumstances than he had left seven years earlier. His three youngest siblings had suffered a tragic death while he was away (a topic for another blog) and sister Sarah was married. This left brother Henry age 17 and sister Annie age 15 at home. His father’s health was deteriorating and two years after he arrived home his father died age 42. Two years later his mother remarried. By the 1881 census Alfred was married to Phoebe Perrett and working as a saddler. By 1887 he had emigrated to America, apparently without Phoebe. In Philadelphia he had 8 children with Elizabeth, but sadly all but one of the children died before they were a year old. Alfred died in Philadelphia as the result of a freak accident in 1902 age 42 (details of this can be found at <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2019/10/alfred-titheradge-painful-death.html" target="_blank">this link</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">A new beginning for better or worse?</h3><div><br /></div><div>The story raises many unanswered questions </div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>How must a 6-year-old child feel when sent away from his parents? And how must a mother feel having to let her 6-year-old son go into a home?</li><li>Did Alfred feel rejected and abandoned when he was sent away or was home life so awful that he felt blessed and realised it was an opportunity for a better life?</li><li>How often, if at all, did he see his parents during the seven years in the home? </li><li>How did he feel when reunited in the family home after 7 years away, happy, or sad? And did he struggle to fit back into family life?</li><li>Did this opportunity of a new start in life at the Home for Little Boys save him from becoming a criminal and ending up in prison or some other institution?</li></ul><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><div>While I appreciate that this new beginning in a children’s home might have provided Alfred with a better life, I find the story very sad. The founders of the Home for Little Boys had the boys’ welfare at heart and offered orphans and destitutes a chance of a new life. In a time when there was no welfare state there can be no doubt that Alfred received food, clothes, education and training which he would not have received if he had stayed at home. However, he paid the price of being separated from the love of his parents, siblings and wider family. How awful to be removed from your family, for whatever reason, at such a tender age.</div><div><br /></div><div>How lucky we are not to live in Victorian England and to live at a time where there is a welfare state.</div><div><br /></div>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-68471712534329126552021-02-24T20:46:00.004+00:002021-08-04T23:34:30.697+01:00 John Tytheridge A Publican at The Marlborough Head In London<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8R-8JDdp9GcgQiBL_PAoX_DK5hEdyFM2ppr_oaValRNXU7-RFYAQkE8SvvKNWH0X9BeyRzd8jDOwIFWyiDjIR_nuFZiCpdABtZJtR_DN2xxtOU2iOz6dU-dtCxh10y2IvLfBkUesz04U1/s745/Ann+Bennett+%2528nee+Tytheridge%2529+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="569" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8R-8JDdp9GcgQiBL_PAoX_DK5hEdyFM2ppr_oaValRNXU7-RFYAQkE8SvvKNWH0X9BeyRzd8jDOwIFWyiDjIR_nuFZiCpdABtZJtR_DN2xxtOU2iOz6dU-dtCxh10y2IvLfBkUesz04U1/s320/Ann+Bennett+%2528nee+Tytheridge%2529+.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ann Bennett (nee Tytheridge) sister of John Tytheridge </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I first came across John Tytheridge’s name 30 years ago when manually searching probate records. I could find nothing about John other than he was publican at The Marlborough Head public house in central London. In those days there were no Internet records and looking for John among the London Records was like looking for a needle in a haystack.</p><p>This week I decided it was time to investigate again, aided by all the online records now available. This blog recounts what I have learnt and illustrates what an amazing amount of information can be found online </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">John Tytheridge’s Parents in Mitcham</h3><p>John’s parents were John Tytheridge and Ann Sprules who married at Christ Church, Spitalfields on 3 November 1816. They were recorded as of this parish and a bachelor and a spinster. At the marriage John signed his name and Ann, unable to write, put her mark. </p><p>John and Ann moved to Lower Mitcham in Surrey where John was employed as a gardener. Ann was from Mitcham, baptised in Mitcham, St Peter and St Paul on 2 July 1786, daughter of William Sprules.</p><p>In 1818 John and Ann’s son was born, he was also called John. His baptism took place in the strangely named church of “City of London Lying-In Hospital” situated in City Road, Finsbury. The baptism records for 31 May 1818 show John baptised, son of John and Ann Tytheridge of Lower Mitcham, John is shown as a gardener. The City of London Lying in Hospital was a maternity hospital for the wives of working men and it had a chapel attached to it. I do not know why John was born and baptised here 10 miles from Mitcham. In 1821 John’s sister Ann was born. She was baptised in the local parish church of Mitcham, St Peter and St Paul, on 8 April 1821. Her parent’s residence is recorded as Mitcham and John shown as a gardener. Their surname in this record is written as Tetheridge.</p><p>In these day Mitcham was a Surrey village, about nine miles from London, although now it is a suburb of London. There were many large houses in Mitcham where John could have been employed as a gardener. It is also possible he was employed in the growing of lavender, since the area around Mitcham has grown lavender since the 1500s. The famous company Potter and Moore was set up in Mitcham in 1749 to extract lavender oil.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">John and Ann Tytheridge in Wavendon</h3><p>Sometime before 1832 John and Ann and family had moved to the small village of Wavendon, Buckinghamshire, where John worked as a gardener. The evidence for this comes from an apprenticeship certificate for son John. John died on 26 March 1839 in Wavendon age 61. His age given suggests he was born about 1778. The cause of death was consumption (tuberculosis). His death was registered by Sarah Chance not by his wife. He was buried in the parish church of Wavendon on 29 March 1839, records show he was “husband of Ann”. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Ann Tytheridge in Woolley</h3><p>Ann, now a widow, moved to Woolley in Yorkshire. It is unknown whether she moved to find work or to be near a relative. She died 7months after John, her age was given as 53 or 55 in two different records. She was buried on 7 October 1839 in Woolley Parish church, her residence was shown as Woolley Park. Woolley Park is now a Grade ll listed building and was home of the Wentworth family. The transcription of her burial record shows her surname as Tetheridge.</p><p>The Index to Death Duty Registers suggest both John and Ann died intestate, with Ann granted administration of John’s estate and John (the son) administration of Ann’s estate. It looks like tax was due on their estate, tax was due on any estate over £20.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">John Tytheridge’s Life </h3><p>While John junior’s early life was spent in Mitcham later the family moved to Wavendon. At the age of 14 John was sent to London to be an apprentice to David Francis Powell a citizen and patternmaker of London. An indenture was signed on 17 December 1832 and the basis of the agreement was David Powell would provide food, clothes, lodging for John and teach him his craft. In return John would work for David and learn the trade. During John’s apprenticeship there was a list of things he could not do including gambling, haunting taverns and playhouses and he could not get married. This indenture was binding for 7 years. John would have finished his apprenticeship just after his mother died.</p><p>On the 1841 census 21 year old John and his 18 year old sister Ann were living together at The Minories in London, residing with James and Elizabeth Miller. John is listed as a tailor and Ann is shown as no occupation. The Minories was a street that ran north from the Tower of London. London Land Tax Records show John paying tax at The Minories, Portsoken, City of London from 1844 to 1848. In the Post Office directory of 1845, he is shown as a tailor at 139 The Minories.</p><p>On 7 May 1845 27-year-old John married Jane Short in Walthamstow, St Peter in the Forest, Essex. There were no children from the marriage. </p><p>From 1846 to 1851 John is shown on the electoral register for Bow, living in a house on the High Street. On the 1851 census John and Jane are living at 1 High Street, Stratford le Bow. It shows John age 32 from Mitcham, a victualler living with Jane his wife age 30 from Bristol. Also living with them are two servants and a niece, Mary Ann Short. The Post Office Directories show that the pub they ran was called the Black Swan, probably situated on the corner of Bow High Street and Bow Street. </p><p>In 1852 a newspaper advert shows the lease on The Marlborough Head, 32/33 Great Marlborough Street was for sale. John was granted a licence to run this pub in March 1893. The pub was situated in central London near Regent Street, near Liberty’s, probably at the top of Carnaby Street and opposite The London Palladium. The pub was still there in 1966 although had been rebuilt but it has now been replaced with modern buildings. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">John Tytheridge’s Death</h3><p>John and Jane lived at The Marlborough Head until John’s death on 27 December 1858 age 40. He was buried at Brompton Cemetery on 31 December 1858 after a service at Westminster, St James. He was buried in Grave B71, a map of the cemetery shows plot B is just to the right of north entrance.</p><p>John's will was written in 1854 and left everything to his wife Jane. Probate records show the estate was worth under £1500, (probably around £1400).</p><p>In March 1859 Jane put the lease of the Marlborough Head pub up for sale. Jane is missing from the 1861 census but in 1871 lodging at Stanley Villas Chelsea with William Nailer and wife and describes herself as a publican. On the 1881 census Jane is living with William and Mary Titmus (her niece) and family at 5 Cavendish Villas, Richmond. Jane died on 4 July 1886 at 1 Maple Villas, Maple Road Penge, age 67. </p><p>As John and Jane had no children the Tytheridge surname died out from this line. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Tytheridge Surname Lives On</h3><p>Despite John having no children the Tytheridge name has been preserved to the current day by the family of John’s sister Ann who was very proud of her Tytheridge surname.</p><p>On 16 April 1841 Ann Tytheridge married William Bennett in St Catherine Creechurch, both were of full age and from Jewry Street. Ann was probably only 20 and her father is shown as John Tytheridge but it doesn’t mention he is deceased. Her brother was one of the witnesses at the wedding. </p><p>William and Ann Bennet had 4 children born in London.<br />•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>William Bennett born 1842 died 1843<br />•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>John Edward Bennett born 1845 died 1860<br />•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Elizabeth Bennett born 1846 died 1851<br />•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Isabella Bennett born September 1849 died Dec 1848</p><p>On 1851 census they were living in Stepney. In October 1852 they emigrated to Australia with their only surviving son, John. They sailed on the Koh I Noor, leaving London and sailing to Port Phillip, Victoria. In Australia Ann had 5 more children</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>George Bennett born 1853 died 1853<br />•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Maria Bennett born 1854 died 1934<br />•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Charles Henry Bennett born 1858 <br />•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ann Bennett born 1860<br />-•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Frederick William Bennett born 1863 died 1926</p><p>Four of the children survived, but John who had travelled with them from England died in 1860. Ann died in Yarra, Victoria on 12 October 1902, her husband William died in 1904. </p><p>At least one of Ann’s grandchildren were given the middle name Tytheridge, Frederick William Tytheridge Bennett. This Christian name has been handed down the generations and is still in evidence today. Also, a piece in the local newspaper showed that the family house of Frederick Bennett was called “Tytheridge”.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Looking for John Tytheridge Senior</h3><p>Unfortunately, despite finding out so much about the children John and Ann Tytheridge, the origin of their father John Tytheridge born around 1778 remains a mystery. He is not related to the Tytheridge family of Hampshire. But the questions remain</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Is John related to the Tytheridges in Sundridge Kent? <br />•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Is John a Titheridge who migrated from Hampshire then misspelt his surname? <br />•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Is John a descendant from a family in Westminster who spelt their surname Titteridge, Tutteridge and many other variations, who were present in London in the early 1700s but have no known descendants?</p><p>None of the records currently available online provide a possible John Tytheridge born in 1778, so if you have come across someone who fits the bill please get in touch and solve the mystery.</p><div><br /></div>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-15523810490605039342021-02-06T15:44:00.005+00:002021-08-04T23:33:33.134+01:00Joseph Titheridge – From Rags to Riches<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnfHWzw4lPt6J4rVoiiIjUzffizXTAv_mJhPqxm-gm4OszPIvJVhu8ssD5o46m1-oSvln1DSfIX_SbHUsbLEpZFw6sX0A7f7ocPFNOH96zU_0cBdVqjqqhv2_rOEAdNcpFKiU4OdrqU1F/s577/Winchester+Cathedral+2019-08++.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="577" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnfHWzw4lPt6J4rVoiiIjUzffizXTAv_mJhPqxm-gm4OszPIvJVhu8ssD5o46m1-oSvln1DSfIX_SbHUsbLEpZFw6sX0A7f7ocPFNOH96zU_0cBdVqjqqhv2_rOEAdNcpFKiU4OdrqU1F/s320/Winchester+Cathedral+2019-08++.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winchester Cathedral </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> “How does a poor man become a wealthy gentleman?” that is the question addressed in this blog. <p></p><p>Joseph Titheridge from Winchester was shown on the censuses up to 1881 as someone who looked after horses at the Royal Hotel, Winchester. His will shows that when he died in 1891 he was a gentleman with extensive wealth. The gross value of his estate was £8795 10s 9d. Looking at websites that workout the value of this money today suggests that Joseph left equivalent to one million pounds! His life story follows and tries to answer the question “Where did Joseph’s money come from?” </p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Joseph Titheridge’s Will</h3><p>Joseph’s will was made on 14 January 1891, 7 days before he died and revealed the extent of his wealth, property and investments. <br /><br />This is how he divided his estate.</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>To Emily Bliss, niece of his wife £200</li><li>To Royal Hants County Hospital at Winchester £100</li><li>To the Convalescent Home in Isle of Wight in connection with the said hospital £100</li><li>To the Winchester Dispensary £100</li><li>To the Royal Lifeboat Institution £100</li></ul><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>The 10 leasehold houses called Ashley Terrace and the cottage called Ashley Cottage in Winchester are to be sold and the money used to pay any expenses and legacies and the remainder to be divided into 5 equal parts</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>One fifth to brother Charles Titheridge</li><li>One fifth to brother Thomas Titheridge</li><li>One fifth to sister Eliza Wheeler</li><li>One fifth to sister Elizabeth Bell</li><li>One fifth to the two children of his late brother William </li></ul><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>To his brother Thomas he gives his gold watch and chain</p><p>To his wife, Emily (also known as Emma), he left his plate, linen, china, glass, books, prints, pictures, wines, liquors, fuel, consumable provisions and other household effects</p><p>All freehold property is to provide rents and annual income to Emily, his wife, during her life and for as long as she remains a widow. After her death or second marriage all the property is to be sold. The money from the sale is to be divided as shown</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>£1000 to niece Emily Bliss</li><li>£200 to the children of Mrs Towne his wife’s late sister </li><li>£200 each to Adam Blackman, George Blackman, John Blackman and Honor Knight (widow) brothers and sisters of his wife. If they die before Emily dies or remarries – their children are to take their share.</li></ul><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>Any remaining money to be divided among his family Charles, Thomas, Elizabeth, Eliza and William’s children.</p></blockquote><p>One interesting line in the will is “The share of each of my said sisters to be received and enjoyed by them as her separate estate, without the control or interference of any present or future husband.”</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Joseph Titheridge in the Newspapers</h3><p>What happened between 1881 and 1891 to change Joseph’s fortune is mystery. Once a servant and ostler, he becomes a gentleman with a gold watch, books, prints, pictures and property. I have searched local papers for Joseph and despite finding several articles in the newspapers about Joseph, nothing explains the source of his wealth.</p><p>His first mention in the newspapers is in 1881 when he is a witness in a trial of someone stealing money from Winchester Racecourse, at this time he is listed as an employee of The Royal Hotel. In the 1880s there are references to him buying shares or property at auctions in Winchester, but the articles don’t specify what was purchased. By 1882 he is the owner of <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOWJywaERos7Eps7WI20qAzwecfLalrX55PLl39Jz7IOWx0JJncXiE3WjiEICsw_Q/photo/AF1QipPXwom_eEyGYuEKQ8O548E0LZTtZGlMPcbwju2S?key=eUk2MHZKajNjMUpQLXZkYTZtNmxvQnE5M1NxVEh3" target="_blank">10 houses in Ashley Terrace, Winchester</a> </span>where it is reported he had to pay for drainage to be installed since there were no sewers. By 1883 he had shares in Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway, but research shows this company never paid any dividends. In April 1885 the Royal Hotel Tap caught on fire but by this date, although run by Joseph, he wasn’t living there. The fire was extinguished but there was extensive damage to the buildings and contents which was covered by insurance. In 1890 newspapers reported Joseph was owed money from an advanced on a mortgage of £420 on a property. From 1881 onwards he is playing bowls for Hyde Abbey Bowling team. There are two reports of him donating money, one for a prize for the Winchester Show in 1883 and in 1881 he donated two guineas to the Royal Hants County Hospital.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Source of Money</h3><p>I have considered the various options for where his money came from. He certainly couldn’t have earnt that amount of money and there is no evidence that it was obtained illegally by criminal activity. It is most unlikely that he inherited his wealth from his parents or family members since they were poor. He went to the races, so it is possible he won some money from betting and gambling. One option is that his wife inherited money and he took control of it. In these days any money made by a woman, e.g. inheritance, instantly became the property of her husband. (This inequality was only properly addressed by the 1882 Married Woman’s Property Act). Emma’s father, Charles Blackman, was a blacksmith who died in 1857. Emma’s mother, Mary Blackman (nee Woodnut), is shown on the 1861 census as a widow living on Church House Farm, Waltham Chase recorded as a “Landed Proprietor”. The 1871 census shows that Mary owned her house in Swanmore. Mary Blackman died in 1878, but there is no sign of probate being applied for and no will has been found for her or husband Charles.</p><p>It appears that whatever the source of his initial money Joseph was a shrewd businessman and invested what he had wisely. There are two reports of him buying shares at auctions, perhaps some proved good investments. We know he lent money to mortgage property, perhaps with good returns. He invested in property, perhaps bought and sold at a profit. Whatever the route to wealth he certainly accrued a lot of money.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Joseph Titheridge’s family</h3><p>Joseph was the son of Joseph Titheridge and Elizabeth Simpson, who had married in Winchester St Thomas on 27 June 1820. On his marriage Joseph was shown as a post chaise driver, and later as a horse keeper or ostler. The family were not rich with Elizabeth working as a laundress to help support the family. The evidence now available shows that Joseph was born in Alresford in 1789 and was the brother of the infamous <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://titheradgefamilyhistory.wordpress.com/dicky-dung-prong-titheridge/" target="_blank">Dickey Dung Prong.</a> </span></p><p>Joseph and Elizabeth had 7 children, all born in Winchester over a 20-year period. The children were</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Charles born in 1821, died 1894</li><li>Elizabeth born in 1824, married William Bell, died 1913</li><li>Eliza born in 1827, married Arthur Griffin and later Edward Wheeler, died in 1906 </li><li>Thomas born 1830, married Susan Allen, died in 1897</li><li>Joseph born in 1834, married Emma Blackman, died in 1891</li><li>Edward born in 1837, died in 1837</li><li>William born in 1841, married Ellen Newman, died in 1877</li></ul><p></p><p>They seem to be a very close family and across the censuses various siblings live together, and nieces and nephews are often living with the families too. </p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Joseph Titheridge’s Life</h3><p>Joseph was born in 1834 and was baptised on 4 May 1834 at Winchester St Maurice. Seven-year-old Joseph can be found in the 1841 census with his parents, brothers Thomas and William and married sister Elizabeth. The family were living at Upper Brook Street, Winchester, a road just off the High Street. On the 1851 census Joseph is still living at Upper Brook Street with his parents and brothers Thomas and William. Joseph and his brother, Thomas, are now both working as grooms.</p><p>Joseph married Emma Blackman on 21 July 1854. Emma was from Bishops Waltham and Swanmore. They had one child George who was baptised in Bishops Waltham on 6 December 1854, Joseph is described as labourer at the baptism. Sadly, George died in the same month and they had no other children.</p><p>In 1857 Joseph’s father died in the Winchester Union (poor house) age 70 and Joseph’s mother, Elizabeth, died in 1869 age 72. </p><p>The 1861 census shows Emma and Joseph living at 23 Parchment Street, this street is off the High Street in the heart of Winchester. Living with Joseph and Emma is their niece, Emily Bliss, age 8, daughter of Emma’s widowed sister Honor. Joseph’s occupation is given as ostler. An ostler took care of people’s horses when they stopped at an inn.</p><p>On the 1871 census Emma is visiting her mother in Swanmore, while Joseph is in Winchester living in 10a Parchment Street, The Royal Hotel Tap. Also, at the same property are Eliza Griffin his sister, who is head housekeeper while Joseph is head Ostler. A Tap is a place where beer is served (and sometimes food), it is often part of a brewery. This one was attached to the Roya Hotel situated in the parallel street.</p><p>The 1881 Census shows Joseph and Emma living in 10a Parchment Street at the Royal Hotel Tap. Joseph is shown as an ostler, with inn servant written beside it. The 1889 Kelly’s directory shows Joseph Titheridge had moved to 70 Parchment Street.</p><p>Joseph died on 21 January 1891 aged 56. On the 1891 census Joseph’s widow Emma is still living at 70 Parchment Street with her sister Honor Knight and niece Emily Bliss. Emma died 3 years later on 10 February 1894. Emma is known as “Emma” all the way up to the 1881 census and then suddenly changes her name to “Emily”. Her name appears as Emily in Joseph’s will, on the 1891 census, on the registration of her death and her will.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWAVStqiDMYdrJRjdtWc4mDkpKnc5Jz918dKaWkPHfHd2Wf7IfW_2PMX0X-lEPmn93HSCLW4edj7xWMOBvxa2gepIyWPrcWFXbMSwk9n0qrOMuXCT3GlcIxomDJZyplc2b8MnQYAnxULM/s584/70+Parchment+Street+Winchester+in+2020.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWAVStqiDMYdrJRjdtWc4mDkpKnc5Jz918dKaWkPHfHd2Wf7IfW_2PMX0X-lEPmn93HSCLW4edj7xWMOBvxa2gepIyWPrcWFXbMSwk9n0qrOMuXCT3GlcIxomDJZyplc2b8MnQYAnxULM/s320/70+Parchment+Street+Winchester+in+2020.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph Titheridge's home<br />70 Parchment Street, photographed in 2020</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>If you can add anything to this story and help explain where this wealth came from please get in touch.</p>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-1167325888432426242021-01-17T11:31:00.002+00:002021-08-04T23:33:12.012+01:00World War 2 – A Titheridge Family’s Grief<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KnUeh1J-lm_wUfOfn7bwvlv8HGBmle7PyzUAW8LbkCMXhzVA5BrS1TAbv9_gWMhljX3LxIYARpDIAQLVr1E-uJgU-o49biU9O3YZW-qB9gh2Ax4YTHbUkHNyvgp2SqwxxprZDcLhHm4K/s620/remembrance.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KnUeh1J-lm_wUfOfn7bwvlv8HGBmle7PyzUAW8LbkCMXhzVA5BrS1TAbv9_gWMhljX3LxIYARpDIAQLVr1E-uJgU-o49biU9O3YZW-qB9gh2Ax4YTHbUkHNyvgp2SqwxxprZDcLhHm4K/s320/remembrance.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Benjamin and Eva Titheridge’s Family</h3><p>On 20 January 1906 Benjamin James Titheridge married Eva Agnes Wells in Alverstoke, Hampshire. They had 8 children</p><p>Dorothy Louise Eva Titheridge born 1906 <br />Arthur Benjamin Titheridge born 1908<br />George William James Titheridge born 1912<br />Harry Edward Jesse Titheridge born 1914<br />Philip Errol Titheridge born 1917<br />Jack Ronald Titheridge born 1920<br />Ethel Beatrice Titheridge born 1921<br />Elsie Maud Titheridge born 1922</p><p>Their family tree can be found at <a href="https://titheradgefamilyhistory.wordpress.com/introduction-to-the-family-trees/">this link</a> and then scroll down to tree 1F.</p><p>On the 1939 register the family lived at 5 San Diego Road in Gosport. Dorothy did not marry and died in 1972, Ethel married John Jenkins in 1940 and Elsie died in 1934 age 12. Arthur was recorded as a passenger to Australia in 1927 and nothing more is known about him until his death in Moonee Ponds, Victoria in 2002. Harry did not marry, as far as we know, and died a batchelor in 1990 in Hampshire. Philip was recorded as a crew member sailing between England and New York in 1934 and then as in the Royal Navy in 1941, but nothing more is known about him. This blog is about the two remaining sons George and Jack, both of whom lost their lives in World War 2.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Jack Ronald Titheridge</h3><p>Jack was born on 9 January 1920 in Alverstoke and was just 19 when war was declared in 1939. He joined the NAAFI (Navy Army and Air Force Institute) as a Canteen Assistant. Naval canteen staff were civilians who operated the canteen counter selling goods such as cigarettes, confectionary, toiletries etc. During battle they staffed stations alongside naval personnel, primarily working in first aid or ammunition supply. In 1941 Jack was serving on the battlecruiser HMS Hood and was one of 7 civilians on the ship. In May 1941 HMS Hood was sent out with the battleship Prince of Wales and several other British ships to intercept German ships. The aim was to attack the Germans before they reached the Atlantic and attacked allied convoys of ships. On 23 May the German ships, the Bismarck and the Prince Eugen, were spotted. They were intercepted in the North Atlantic in the Denmark Strait, which is between Greenland and Iceland. At dawn on 24 May 1941 the British attacked the Nazi ships. Unfortunately, the Germans knew the attack was coming and were ready. When HMS Hood opened fire, the fire was returned hitting the Hood and causing a fire in the ammunition store. Then a shell from the Bismarck caused a devastating explosion destroying the back of the ship. The Hood sunk stern first with the bow pointing to the sky. She sank in less than 3 minutes. There were 1418 men aboard and just 3 survived. Jack was among the casualties of this, one of the most infamous naval battles of World War 2. Jack is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial (Panel 61, Column 2). The full story of HMS Hood can be found at <a href="http://www.hmshood.org.uk/index.php" target="_blank">this website</a>. </p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">George William James Titheridge</h3><p>George was born on 13 October 1912 in Alverstoke, Hampshire. He was 26 when World War 2 was declared and prior to joining up he was working as a concreter. George served as a sapper in The Royal Engineers 36 Fortress Company (service number 1870698). </p><p>In 1941 The Royal Engineers 36th Fortress company were based on the Malayan Peninsular on the island on Penang. The Japanese troops began invading the Malayan peninsular and attacked Penang. In mid December the British troops were ordered to withdraw from Penang, most transferred to the Malayan Peninsular. Japanese Forces continued to invade and landed in Singapore on 7 February 1942 and the <a href="https://blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/2017/02/15/remembering-the-fall-of-singapore/?ds_kid=39700045269446613&gclid=CjwKCAiAuoqABhAsEiwAdSkVVEfbRutIu3LwVDMrfpa1tIu1qvuGg_VlIho2hsCOHbNSomhGN-D6hhoCaqUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Fall of Singapore</a> took place on 15 February.</p><p>George was among the thousands of British troops who were taken prisoner by the Japanese. The casualty list shows him as missing on 15 February 1942, the day of the Fall of Singapore. A lot of the documents just say he was held prisoner in a Malay prisoner of war camp. This was probably at <a href="https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-two/prisoners-of-war-in-ww2/changi-pow-camp/" target="_blank">Changi POW camp</a> in Singapore, one of the most notorious camps used to imprison Malayan civilians and allied troops. The treatment there was harsh. Documents in the National Archives have a register of some 13,500 prisoners of war and internees in Singapore and these documents refer to Singapore camps number 1, 2, 3 and 4. In April 1943 George was shown as in No 3 camp which is now believed to be River Valley Camp to the west of Singapore city. Often men in this camp were originally from the Changi camp. </p><p>At home the British Casualty List issued on 21st March 1942 showed George missing in Malaya on 15 February 1942. It was 11 August 1943 before his status on the British Casualty Lists changed from missing to prisoner of war. An article in the local Gosport newspaper shows that in July 1943 his parents received a postcard from George telling them that he was a prisoner of war of the Japanese and he was in good health. This was received 17 months after his capture. Sadly, by the time they received the post card, George had died, but it would be over two years before his parents were informed of his death.</p><p>From George’s Japanese POW Index Card the remarks show “overland 28/4/43”. Other documents show that George was listed as one of the Japanese “F force”. This was a group of 7000 allied Prisoners of War who, in April 1943, were transferred overland from Singapore to work on the Thailand Burma Railway, in the toughest section of the railway in the mountains between Thailand and Burma. They were taken in groups of 600 men and although initially they were taken by train some of the journey was on foot. They marched over 190 miles, marching up to 15 miles a day. The story of this horrendous, inhuman journey is told in <a href="https://www.pows-of-japan.net/articles/99.html" target="_blank">this link</a> by one of the survivors, it is a very distressing story. Groups left Singapore from 18 April on train 1 to 30 April on train 13. George is recorded as leaving Singapore on 23 April 1943 on Train 11.</p><p>The aim was that the men would work on the 260 mile long Thailand Burma railway, but many of the men died on route. George would have reached Sonkrai no 2 POW camp in Thailand (also written as Sonkurai) at the railway about the 23 May. <a href="https://www.cofepow.org.uk/armed-forces-stories-list/condition-of-pows-in-thailand" target="_blank">Songrai</a> was one of the worse camps, more prisoners of war died at Sonkrai than any other camp on the infamous railway. The arrivals at camp were put to work on the railway immediately, regardless of their state of health. Many were so exhausted by the journey, that they never recovered. They were forced to work long days doing hard physical labour on a meagre diet. Their story has been told in the famous film “Bridge Over the River Kwai”. The causes of the many deaths was disease, starvation, physical maltreatment and exposure in the monsoon rain.</p><p>In early June a cholera epidemic broke out in the Sonkrai camp. Cholera is an acute disease with diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. It is caused by poor sanitation and ingesting contaminated food or water. The cholera spread like wildfire throughout the camp and in a 3 week period 600 men died from cholera. George was among the victims of cholera and died on 3 June 1943, aged 30.</p><p>George was initially buried at Sonkrai, but after the war the bodies of those who died in the construction of the Thailand Burma railway were transferred into three cemeteries, two in Thailand and Thanbyuzayat in Burma (Myanmar). George is buried in Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, grave reference B6. B. 17. There are 3,149 Commonwealth and 621 Dutch burials in this cemetery.</p><p><br /></p><p>The account of the brothers Jack and George has been written after reviewing the information available online. If you can add anything or correct any errors please email titheradgegenealogy@gmail.com</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdcpyB8naOik9lhKsjmDzoU3Sdx-IgE55A6HYCzEz0NMh-Bz2L0mlxg03T2SUIdSG-dsp0_rPYsFRmngQm_mxuqXm13SYgg6jqOelrRJsGSO8DRIqnpYMwsDaKK5AwYAUv2kfi21LUnjw/s1280/in+memory+of+Jack+Titheridge+and+George+Titheridge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdcpyB8naOik9lhKsjmDzoU3Sdx-IgE55A6HYCzEz0NMh-Bz2L0mlxg03T2SUIdSG-dsp0_rPYsFRmngQm_mxuqXm13SYgg6jqOelrRJsGSO8DRIqnpYMwsDaKK5AwYAUv2kfi21LUnjw/w640-h360/in+memory+of+Jack+Titheridge+and+George+Titheridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-75808816857918116792021-01-02T12:28:00.001+00:002021-08-04T23:32:13.118+01:00100 Years Ago<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5P8hnAPkj9ClhihJg2feSHWM2bealbuP9Htrya2iO54fSqxb6dK2ORvkF71QWQ5MIieIMtzqr9Z8xAO6De0NqhL85WjKCNVhVgGla2ulUU9NeoRP4UJET4PijRBvpKxtqLy4Fo4hSfj5r/s577/family+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="433" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5P8hnAPkj9ClhihJg2feSHWM2bealbuP9Htrya2iO54fSqxb6dK2ORvkF71QWQ5MIieIMtzqr9Z8xAO6De0NqhL85WjKCNVhVgGla2ulUU9NeoRP4UJET4PijRBvpKxtqLy4Fo4hSfj5r/s320/family+tree.JPG" /></a></div><br /> Happy New Year and here’s hoping 2021 is better than 2020.<p></p><p>To start the new year I thought I would review what was happening to our family members 100 years ago, in 1921. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Birth Marriages and Deaths</h3><p>1921 saw the birth of 14 family members, (2 Titheradges, 10 Titheridges, 1 Tidridge and 1 Tutheridge). There were 12 marriages during the year (4 Titheradges, 7 Titheridges and 1 Tytheridge) and there were just 4 deaths (3 Titheridges and 1 Tytheridge). 43% of the events were in Hampshire, 40% in London and 17% in other parts of the country.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Census</h3><p>1921 was a census year and I had hoped that I would be able to review the census, however the government have decided that details of the 1921 census will not be released until January 2022.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">British Newspapers</h3><p>With no census to write about I turned to the newspapers for my inspiration. Newspapers are my favourite genealogy source and give us a fantastic information into life in the past. It is not just the big stories that spark interest but also the little bits of local news and trivia that give us an insight into the lives of our ancestors. So here is some newspaper trivia from 1921.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Madge Titheradge, the actress, continued to be a big source of news. She had spent 1919 and 1920 in California making films and these were being shown at cinemas throughout the country. The films were Gamblers All, Her Story, David and Jonathon, Love in the Wilderness, Husband Hunter and Temporary Gentleman. She also appeared on stage in plays and in April she was cast as Desdemona in “Othello”, in September she appeared in “If” and in November in “Duburau”. In one article her views were sought on the opening theatres on Sunday, her response was that it was “iniquitous and highly improper”.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Madge’s brother Dion Titheradge was occasionally mentioned in the newspapers too. He was mentioned for his revues and his new play “The K.C.”.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Rigger Titheridge of HMS Alexandra won a prize in a Whist Drive organized by the Royal Yacht Sports Club.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Bishops Waltham Miss Titheridge helped organize a garden party at The Thickets, with tea, folk dances and a whist drive.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>At the horticultural Show at Baltonsborough (near Glastonbury) B Titheridge won 3rd prize for the children’s wildflower collection and Kenneth Titheridge won a prize for his wildflower collection in the under 8 age group.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Portsmouth Christine Titheradge, a contralto, performed at a concert being run by the District Free Church Women’s Committee.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>At Shedfield there was a dedication of the monumental cross, at Fords Corner crossroads, in memory of the “42 gallant men of the village of Shedfield” who gave their lives in WW1 (among the names A G Titheridge).</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>At Winchester a memorial to the fallen bell ringers was unveiled in the belfry of Winchester Cathedral. It was dedicated to the 56 members of the Diocesan Guild of Bell ringers who fell in the Great War and in whose memory two bells were added to the peel (Titheridge of Shedfield was among the names) </p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Bishops Waltham Mrs Titheridge was elected to the committee of the Women’s Institute.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Shedfield, St John the Baptist, Dorothy Gladys Titheridge youngest daughter on Noah Titheridge of Acadia was married to Mr Cecil Vear. The bride wore brown velvet and had a bouquet of chrysanthemums. There were no bridesmaids and the best man was Walter Titheridge, the bride’s brother </p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Southampton St Marks Church Mr W Tidridge was the bass soloist in a rendering of the “Messiah” and later in the year performed in Stainer’s “Crucifixion”.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Australian Newspapers</h3><p>The Australian press also provided some interesting articles / trivia</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Adelaide, South Australia Wallace Sutton Titheradge was charged with unlawfully obtaining money from a shop keeper by deception, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 6 months in prison.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Ballarat, Victoria the company Titheradge and Growcutt, situated on Main Street, held regular auctions.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Molong, New South Wales there were references to both J Titheridge and Len Titheridge acting as referees at football matches.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Marrickville, New South Wales the marriage of Noel Bennett was recorded. He was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Bennet of “Tytheridge”, Albermarle Street, Marrickville.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Wellington, New South Wales there was an obituary of Mrs Phyllis Titheradge who died aged 36 years old, leaving a husband, Frederick, and 6 children.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Mr Titheridge from Orange, New South Wales took his homing pigeons to Wellington 60 miles away for a race to Orange.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>At Cumnock ,New South Wales Mrs Lote Titheradge had the misfortune to sustain serious scalds as a result of spilling a kettle of boiling water over her leg and foot. </p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Vaucluse, New South Wales the estate of the late George Sutton Titheradge, actor, was put up for auction, described as Lot 9 and 10 Grand View Estate.</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Mrs Herrick Knowles (daughter of George Sutton Titheradge and sister of Madge) was cast in the role of Nerissa in The Merchant of Venice.</p><p>I wonder what future generations will make of our 2021 newspapers in 100 years time?</p><p>Happy New Year to all.</p><div><br /></div>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-63317090022063292122020-10-11T12:12:00.002+01:002021-08-04T23:31:39.838+01:00Ben Springate Titheridge – WW2 Prisoner of War<p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir14y05io4Ud71tbHtIMjFHYZD0WJIzaNKUjxbu2skE88_4OFUF_Y31oI5uhpt1kz-5RDw5nfyvefDGtswRJ9aEeIe67cdkPEqyq9MLIDyxXCP9UUYRHF3MswHQje4QosYBgOGiyr0ftnp/s577/family+tree.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="577" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir14y05io4Ud71tbHtIMjFHYZD0WJIzaNKUjxbu2skE88_4OFUF_Y31oI5uhpt1kz-5RDw5nfyvefDGtswRJ9aEeIe67cdkPEqyq9MLIDyxXCP9UUYRHF3MswHQje4QosYBgOGiyr0ftnp/s320/family+tree.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Today’s blog is about Ben Springate Titheridge, who in World War 2 was taken Prisoner of War by the Japanese on Christmas Day 1941.<br /><br /><br />Ben was descended from the Titheridges of Cheriton, being the 6 times great grandson of John Titheridge and Anne Quallat. His parents were William Henry Titheridge and Annie Eliza Springate and he was one of four boys, all born in Portsmouth. The boys were <div><div><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>William Brownelle Titheridge born 1910 and died in 1967 in Gosport</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Peter Alistair Gordon Titheridge born 1914 and died 2010 in Lee on Solent</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ben Springate Titheridge born 17 April 1920 and died 1 December 2008 in Gosport </p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Robert Springate Titheridge born 1922 and died 1963 in Portsmouth.<br /><br /><br />Ben’s father’s family tree can be found at these links <a href="https://titheradgefamilyhistory.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/tree-1-cheriton-titheridges-reduced.pdf" target="_blank">Family Tree of Cheriton</a> leading to the <a href="https://titheradgefamilyhistory.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/tree-1-branch-1e-alverstoke-richard-and-sarah.pdf" target="_blank">Family Tree of Alverstoke</a> . Ben was just 14 when his mother, Annie, died aged 43 in 1934. Three years later his father, William, remarried to Edith Walker. William had served in the Royal Navy during WW1, more about his story can be found at <a href="https://titheradgefamilyhistory.wordpress.com/william-henry-titheridge-diarist-and-royal-navy-officer/" target="_blank">this link </a>. William retired from the Navy in 1926 aged 50. In August 1939 at the outbreak of war he was recalled to the Navy, and on the 1939 Register, taken in September 1939, he is shown Naval officer with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. On the 1939 Register Ben was at home with his father and stepmother living at Penlee, Montserrat Road, Lee-on-Solent Hampshire. He was working as an apprentice joiner.</p><p><br /><br />All of William’s four sons answered the call to arms and fought in World War 2. Eldest son, William, was already serving in the Royal Air Force at the outbreak of war. Peter joined the Royal Navy and after the war served in The Royal Navy Reserve for many years, retiring with the rank of Commander. Robert served in the Royal Marines and later the Fleet Air Army as a glider pilot. <br /><br /><br />Ben joined the Army and the records show he was in the Royal Engineers, 22 Fortress Company, service number 2116437 with rank of Sapper. According to Ben’s brother he was 21 when he joined up, probably joining early in 1941. Ben was sent to Hong Kong in the latter half of 1941. According to his brother he had only been there a few weeks when on 8 December 1941 Japan declared war on the USA by attacking Pearl Harbour. Hours after the Pearl Harbour attack the Japanese attacked Hong Kong. Around 1,500 troops were killed by the Japanese in the subsequent fighting. After 18 days of fierce fighting the allied troops were overwhelmed by the large number of Japanese that had invaded this British territory. On Christmas Day 1941 the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Young, was forced to surrender to the Japanese. The Japanese continued to occupy Hong Kong throughout the war, until Japan surrendered on VJ Day (15 August 1945). <br /><br /><br />Over 6500 survivors of the conflict were taken into captivity. Those taken prisoner endured terrible suffering or death. Japanese prisoners of war were either held in Japan or in the far east countries occupied by the Japanese. The prisoners were both members of the military and civilians who had been in the far east at the outbreak of war. Conditions endured in the camps were tough with no obeyance of the Geneva Convention. Ill health was rife with the major problems being malnutrition, dysentery, malaria and cholera. The death toll from these conditions was high but other causes of death included the work the prisoners were made to do and the punishments they had to endure. <br /><br /><br />Ben Titheridge was among those taken prisoner. For those fearful sitting at home news was slow to filter back to England. It was 23 January 1942 before Ben’s name appeared on the War Office Casualty List, reported as missing on 25 December 1941 (the day of surrender). It was 18 August 1942 that his name again appeared on the War Office Casualty List, this time reporting that he was a prisoner of war. His family had suffered 8 months not knowing what had happened to him. This article appeared in the local paper.</p><p>Hampshire Telegraph 6 November 1942</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><b>Serving Family</b></p><p><i>Sapper B S Titheridge, R.E., who was missing after the capitulation of Hong Kong, has since been reported as a prisoner of war in Japanese-occupied territory. Ben Titheridge was well known locally and is the third son of a family of four, all of whom are serving – one with the RAF, one with the Royal Marines, and another in the Royal Navy. Their father, Lieut-Comdr. Titheridge, of Penlee, Montserrat Road, Lee-on-Solent, is also serving with the Royal Navy.</i></p></blockquote><p>Ben remained a prisoner of war for over 3 years 8 months. He was liberated on 2 September 1945 from Shamshuipo Prisoner of War Camp in Hong Kong. For the family at home they still had to wait until 27 September 1945 before the War Office Casualty List reported he was alive and had been freed from the Prisoner of War Camp. <br /><br /><br />Ben returned home to Portsmouth, but was left permanently disabled from his war time experience. He never married and lived in Gosport until his death in December 2008 aged 88.<br /><br /><br />VJ Day commemorations in August this year made me aware that I knew very little about World War 2 in the far east. Since then I have been reading about the war against Japan and Japanese Prisoner of War camps. I have been deeply moved by the numerous personal accounts of survivors of these prisoners of war camps and the terrible conditions they endured.<br /><br /><br />If you are related to Ben and can add to this story please get in touch. Email: titheradgegenealogy@gmail.com</p><div><br /></div></div></div>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-48685353391232182452020-08-15T22:50:00.002+01:002021-08-04T23:30:41.043+01:00VJ Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcap23eIpsbrSEvsfNx-Hv0zAQlj6vUAMki2Mx2BDXP_-4EV3tNfXtnlj1feBv7-cSIRRuIlR2cqaQKKVE6c-rxpeRQtJ1FXFEXAXWav9-dLtxgw5WePINS-dEkklGxCxRLhfdF28LRg6e/s1600/IMG_5826a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="433" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcap23eIpsbrSEvsfNx-Hv0zAQlj6vUAMki2Mx2BDXP_-4EV3tNfXtnlj1feBv7-cSIRRuIlR2cqaQKKVE6c-rxpeRQtJ1FXFEXAXWav9-dLtxgw5WePINS-dEkklGxCxRLhfdF28LRg6e/s320/IMG_5826a.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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Today, 15 August 2020, is the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day.). We commemorate 75 years since Japan surrendered and the Second World War ended. <br />
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While Victory in Europe occurred on 8 May 1945 there were many armed forces personnel still fighting against the Japanese in the Far East. Fighting here lasted for another 3 months. Tens of thousands of men from Britain and the Commonwealth were involved in this fight against the Japanese. Many died in the conflict and many were held prisoner.<br />
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Today we remember all those who served in the Far East in World War 2. We remember those who sacrificed their lives and those who were involved in the fighting or held prisoner of war, many of whom suffered both physically and mentally from the conflict.<br />
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I thought it appropriate that we remember some of our family members who were in the far east at this time. It is hard to access records of the Second World War and therefore my list of those who were involved in this aspect of the war may be incomplete. Those known to be involved are ;<br />
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<h4>
George William James Titheridge born 1912 and died 1943</h4>
George was a Royal Engineer who died in Sankrai Prisoner of War Camp on the Thailand - Burma Border<br />
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<h4>
Ben Springate Titheridge born 1920 and died 2008</h4>
Ben was a Royal Engineer who spent nearly 4 years as a Prisoner of War in a Hong Kong POW camp.<br />
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<h4>
Alan Courtney Tytheridge born 1889 died 1959</h4>
Alan was a civilian living in Japan. He was imprisoned by the Japanese in Yokohama Camp. Alan’s story of life in a Prisoner of War Camp can be read at <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2019/07/alan-courtney-tytheridge-part-3-japan.html">this link.</a><br />
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In a future blog I will tell the story of George and Ben.<br />
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If you can add to the list or add further information about the above individuals please email me: titheragegenealog@gmail.com<br />
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<br />Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-71522960327642112212020-07-27T16:32:00.001+01:002020-07-30T09:32:20.268+01:00Nearly 500 Years of Titheridge History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<h3>
Old Records</h3>
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Often when writing about the Titheridge family I mention that individuals are related to John Titheridge and Ann Quallat who married in Cheriton in 1663. You may think that these are the oldest records we have found. This is not the case, and we have identified about 35 individuals who were born before 1663. The problem is that we have no evidence to connect these individuals to John and Ann.<br />
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There are many difficulties when looking at old Parish Records. The old records are often illegible and reading them can be impossible, unless you are an expert in reading Old English. Another problem is that a lot of parishes do not have records that go back beyond the 18th century, many of the older records have not survived.<br />
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This blog lists what records we have found in Hampshire before 1665 and are therefore over 355 years old. The spelling variations of the surname are quite impressive and include Titheridge, Tytheridge, Titherygge, Tytheryge, Tetridge, Tederidge.<br />
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<h3>
Basingstoke 497 years ago </h3>
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Last month we were very excited when we came across the oldest family record yet found. The record is from the reign of Henry VIII, who was on the English throne from 1509-1547. The source of this find is the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1523 for Basingstoke, Hampshire. Basingstoke is a town 18 miles to the north east of Winchester.<br />
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Lay Subsidy was a tax that was levied by Henry Vlll, to help finance his campaigns in France. An individual was taxed on income from freehold land, the value of moveable goods, or their wages. An individual was only taxed in one of these categories and the tax was paid in the place he lived. On 21 May 1523 parliament granted an annual subsidy for four years, to be assessed each year. For the first two years, land was assessed at 12 pence in the pound, and moveable goods at the rate of 12 pence in the pound for those who owned £20 of goods, and 6 pence in the pound for those who owned 40 shillings.-£20 of goods. Persons who were paid annual wages of more than 20 shillings. were charged 4 pence annually.<br />
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The Lay Subsidy Roll for Basingstoke shows the total amount of tax levied in Basingstoke was £65 5 shillings. Some of the richer residents were charged up to £4. Among those listed to pay the tax is James Titherygge who needed to pay 2 shillings.<br />
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<h3>
Avington and Chilcomb 475 years ago </h3>
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We have found records between 1539 and 1542 relating to Ricardus Tetridge. These records are also in the reign of Henry Vlll. Ricardus died in 1542 and left a will. The will mentions his wife Marjorie, son William, an unborn child, his mother Alys and his stepbrother William Kynsmill, who is the Dean of Winchester Cathedral. We also have a record of Richardus Tytheryge marrying an Alys Hall in Winchester St Maurice on 6 June 1539. Ricardus’s will refers to land in Avington and Chilcomb, these villages are situated just to the east of Winchester. This story has been written about on the website, so please follow <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://titheradgefamilyhistory.wordpress.com/the-wealthy-family-members/"><span style="color: red;">this link</span></a></span>to read more. There must be some link to the previous record in Basingstoke because Ricardus’ stepbrother William Kynsmill is known to have been born in Old Basing, a village two miles from the centre of Basingstoke.<br />
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<h3>
Titheridge Families in Avington 410 years ago </h3>
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It is in the reign of James 1, in 1609, that the Titheridge name is found in the parish records for Avington, St Mary. The parish records only start in 1609 and between this date and 1686 there are gaps in the records surviving. From the records that are available we have been able to construct the following family groups.<br />
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Natham Titheridge and an unknown wife had 4 children, Emma (died 1610), Mary (born 1610), John (born 1618) and Margaret (born 1630).<br />
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Stephen Titheridge and Jane had 6 children, Elizabeth (died 1616), Alice (born 1625), William (born 1628), Jane (born1629), John (born 1631) and Constance (born 1635). Constance was probably buried on 29 Apr 1666 in Martyr Worthy, where the burial of Constance Tederidge age 29 is recorded. Stephen Tythridge was buried on 18 Jan 1641 and Jane, a widow, is buried on 10 June 1677 in Avington.<br />
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Three other Titheridges are mentioned in the parish records. Nathaniel, the parish clerk, is born 1622 and died 31 Aug 1653. The fact that he is the parish clerk suggests he was educated man and he could read and write. Also mentioned are William Titheridge buried 9 Jan 1609 and Elizabeth Titheridge, a widow, buried 27 Nov 1623.<br />
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Another reference to Avington is in Hampshire Marriage Licences which record.<br />
“Roger Hocklie of Itchen Abbas married Frances Titheridge of Avington spinster. Father Nath T of Avington husb bond at Winchester St Thomas 9 October 1630”<br />
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With the parish records being incomplete it is impossible to tie these together in a coherent manner. One could speculate that John born in 1631 might be the John who turns up in Cheriton, but there is no supporting evidence for this suggestion.<br />
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<h3>
Titheridge Family in Old Alresford 379 years ago </h3>
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In 1641, nineteen years before John and Ann’s marriage in Cheriton, another John Titheridge married Eme Garrett in Old Alresford. They had 8 children all born in Old Alresford, Nathaniel (born1644), Elizabeth (born 1646), Richard (born 1648), William (born 1650), Thomas (born 1652), Thomas (born 1653), Stephen (born 1655) and Joshua born 1660. No further records of marriages or deaths are found for any of these individuals. It is speculation that Joshua could have moved to Kingsclere / Basingstoke area to start another family group, but there is no supporting evidence for this.<br />
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<h3>
Titheridge Family in Cheriton 357 years ago</h3>
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It was in 1663, in the reign of Charles ll, that John Titheridge married Ann Quallat in Cheriton. This marriage produced a <a href="https://titheradgefamilyhistory.wordpress.com/introduction-to-the-family-trees/"><span style="color: red;">Cheriton family tree</span></a> which is familiar to many, and which links over 1700 individuals with Titheridges remaining in Cheriton until the 20th Century.<br />
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Unfortunately, there are too many missing pieces of the jigsaw to join these records up. Any attempt to do so would be pure speculation. However, it is exciting to know that 500 years ago there is a record of the surname Titheridge with James Titherygge living in Basingstoke.<br />
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Below is a map showing the close relationship of villages of Chilcomb, Avington, Old Alresford and Cheriton mentioned above.<br />
<br />
If you have Hampshire records before 1663 that I haven’t mentioned please email me : titheradgegenealogy@gmail.com<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe height="480" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1rcv3jhYNT2QwmFy2ALWkRzcHVzrz4XOe" width="640"></iframe>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-23652344490983348242020-07-14T20:52:00.005+01:002021-08-04T23:28:59.827+01:00Philip Titheradge and a Case of Measles<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivd5fDIrsppbjjq8UJRMuL9IT6Vxs8SKz8RLXT9C6TR8s7CsxoNSYDw09YTyjFypKxbfwOS8pq0rZGln6BgjKh62610yvHafCe5jSY5CQ8YDQZYJDFWDOZjOgHuco8vlOw7wQtbRQTbt8D/s1600/Philip+Anthony+Lester+Titheradge+prizegiving+Bickley+school+circa+1937%255B5836%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="794" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivd5fDIrsppbjjq8UJRMuL9IT6Vxs8SKz8RLXT9C6TR8s7CsxoNSYDw09YTyjFypKxbfwOS8pq0rZGln6BgjKh62610yvHafCe5jSY5CQ8YDQZYJDFWDOZjOgHuco8vlOw7wQtbRQTbt8D/s320/Philip+Anthony+Lester+Titheradge+prizegiving+Bickley+school+circa+1937%255B5836%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="1">Philip Titheradge at Prize giving at Bickley Hall School in 1937</font></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
A Dangerous Virus</h3>
<br />
This is a quote from the Public Health England website:<br />
<br />
<i>“This is the most infectious illness known to man and is much easier to catch than flu or Ebola. This virus is spread through the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can easily catch it by breathing in these droplets or touching a surface where they have settled and then placing your hands near your nose or mouth, as the virus can survive on surfaces for a few hours.” </i><br />
<br />
No, I am not talking about Corona virus, this article was written long before anyone had heard of or even imagined corona virus. The disease is measles.<br />
<br />
Measles starts with cold like symptoms followed by a rash, other symptoms can include fever, sore eyes, aches and pains, loss of appetite and tiredness. Measles can be serious and lead to life threatening complications. Complications of measles can include diarrhoea and vomiting, fits caused by fever and infections of the middle ear, eyes, brain or airways. Worldwide more than 140,000 people died from measles in 2018, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Philip Titheradge</h3>
<br />
Today’s blog is the story of how a 9-year-old boy suffered after catching measles in 1935 and the lifelong effect this had on him. Philip Anthony Lester Titheradge was born in October 1925 in the Paddington district of London. He was the elder of two sons born to William Charles Titheradge and Lilian Gertrude Hicks. He was sent to Bickley Park School, near Bromley (Kent) where he was a boarding pupil. In July 1935 he was taken ill at school with measles.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Health care in 1935</h3>
<br />
The story takes place 85 years ago in an era before a National Health Service, and an era without many of the vaccines, such as MMR, that we take for granted today. The measles vaccine was not introduced to the UK until 1968. There were also no antibiotics for treating any of the complications that might arise from measles. Although Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic, penicillin, in 1928 it took over a decade before penicillin was introduced as a treatment for bacterial infections and 1945 before it was introduced on a large scale.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Letter Home</h3>
<br />
Below is a copy of the 1935 doctor’s letter that was sent home to Philip’s parents which details the progress of his case of measles and detailing the treatment he received. The doctor was Dr Alfred Talbot Rogers, M.B., B.S. London with Honours in Surgery. Dr Rogers was part of a group of doctors working in Bromley near to Philip’s public school.<br />
<br />
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i>Blyth Lodge,<br /></i><i>35, London Road,<br /></i><i>Bromley, Kent.<br /></i><i>Ravensbourne 4084</i></blockquote><div> </div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i>Re Anthony Titheradge</i></blockquote><div> </div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i>This boy fell ill on July 21st and by July 24th the rash of measles was well out. On the 25th his left eardrum was red but painless. On the 26th (still without appreciable pain) it was bulging, and on 27th as there was no sign of subsidence of the trouble an anaesthetic was given and the drum was punctured. The ear discharged freely but in spite of this tenderness developed in the mastoid and the bone was opened and drained by Mr R J Cann on July 29th.</i> </blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i><i>Two days after the operation a pleuritic rib developed in the left axilla, and subsequently practically the whole of the left lower lobe showed signs of consolidation. During the following week inflammation and suppuration developed (again without pain) in the right middle ear, there was however no mastoid tenderness or oedema and in view of the danger of a further anaesthetic in the presence of a lobar pneumonia the ear was left to discharge by itself which it has done freely since August 12th.</i></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i><i>He was seen by Mr Cann on August 15th. Mr Cann advises that the mastoid wound should be dressed with eusol dressing (only packed lightly into the wound) that the discharge from the right ear should be carefully frequently cleaned away and spirit drops instilled.</i><i><br /></i><i>If this ear continues to discharge for three or four weeks in spite of this treatment the mastoid bone may need to be opened. </i></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i><i>The pneumonic area gradually diminished, the temperature fell by lysis and by August 15th I could no longer find any area of bronchial breathing. I was a little anxious at one time that following on what must have been a streptococcal pleurisy – an empyema might develop but fortunately he seems to have escaped this complication.</i></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i><i>A Talbot Rogers <br /></i><i>MB <br /></i><i>17.8.1935</i></blockquote>
<br />
His daughter, Penny, sent me this additional information:<br />
“This letter contains details of an operation for mastoiditis for Philip Titheradge, August 1935. This took place at school and the operation was on the kitchen table! Philip was almost totally deaf in his left ear from this time on (he was not quite ten when this took place) and had a deep cavity behind his left ear.”<br />
<br />
<h3>
Healthcare in 2020</h3>
<br />
Today it is unlikely Philip would have caught measles since most children are given their MMR vaccine, to protect them against Measles, Mumps and Rubella, at 1 year old and this is followed by a second dose of vaccine at 3 years old.<br />
<br />
The mastoiditis which Philip developed is a known complication of measles. The mastoiditis is a secondary bacterial infection of the mastoid process and today would be treated with antibiotics. Most bone infections are now treated conservatively with antibiotics, opening them up often makes things worse. It should be noted how ill poor Philip was, as at one time mastoiditis was a leading cause of childhood mortality.<br />
<br />
The pneumonia which Philip developed was probably an anaesthetic/surgical complication, as it is quite common after anaesthesia to get a build-up of fluid in the lungs, which increases the risk of infection. Today this pneumonia would also be treated with antibiotics.<br />
<br />
As for the operation on the kitchen table at school – well, words fail me!<br />
<br />
Hopefully reading this article makes us grateful that we live in an age of the National Health Service, vaccines and antibiotics.<br />
<br />
Our thanks to Penny for sharing this letter with us and giving us an insight to life in the 1930s.<br />
<br />
The image above shows Philip just a couple of years later being presented with an athletics cup. The effects of his illness and operation did not prevent him having a lifelong love of and prowess in sports in general and swimming in particular, though he was prone to ear infections.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-7800846935446038612020-07-05T12:04:00.005+01:002021-08-04T23:28:31.183+01:00Peter Titheradge 1910-1989<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vIFZWeouLyxdWdT4XNekwD-WIKWGD8F6oXV-831cwfYqeedLRhZ_n0otO1UXlR51piXykMKh6lQ1gsfjy4mpcVpM9aW0-iEY_B5wFjGP5KDBUbl_F98VbFB0MRC43hiq09SLKy50od2V/s1600/Peter+Dion+Titheradge+c1965.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="747" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vIFZWeouLyxdWdT4XNekwD-WIKWGD8F6oXV-831cwfYqeedLRhZ_n0otO1UXlR51piXykMKh6lQ1gsfjy4mpcVpM9aW0-iEY_B5wFjGP5KDBUbl_F98VbFB0MRC43hiq09SLKy50od2V/s320/Peter+Dion+Titheradge+c1965.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Titheradge about 1965</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This blog has been written by Thain Hatherly with an introduction by Ann.<br />
<br />Peter Dion Titheradge was a very talented man. In his early career he was a writer of songs, revues, poems and radio programs. Later he worked for the BBC and is best known as a producer of many iconic radio programs. He is most famous for his work with the iconic radio program "I'm Sorry I'll Read that Again". A previous blog has covered Peter's earlier life and works and can be read at <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2015/09/peter-dion-titheradge-bbc-radio.html">this link </a>.<div><br /><div>In this article Thain tells us about his and his wife's friendship with Peter. He has also transcribed some of the Peter's letters. Much of the blog is in Peter's own words and covers the period of his life from 1963 to 1989 and life after retirement. Those of us who are older will remember many of the famous names mentioned in this article and we will remember, with a smile, many of the Radio programs mentioned, that we listened to in our youth.<br />
<br />
I would like to thank Thain for all the work he has done producing this article for the blog and for being kind enough to share his memories with us. The article is wonderful, and it gives us an insight into Peter's life. Hearing Peter's story from someone who knew him adds so much and reading it in his own eloquent words is just magnificent.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Peter Dion Titheradge 18th September 1910 to 21st March
1989 </h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I first met Peter Titheradge through my wife Pam. She and I met in 1963 at
King’s College, London University, a sprawling maze of premises next to
Somerset House. We were both involved in many activities including student
journalism, the drama society etc. Like all students then, we had grants to
live on during term-time, but needed to find temporary jobs to tide us over in
the vacations. That was very easy in those days. Pam found temporary work as a
clerk-typist through an employment agency, and one of her first postings in the
summer vacation of 1964 was with BBC Radio at Aeolian Hall, New Bond Street, to
cover staff holidays. At that time, Peter Titheradge was Light Entertainment
Organiser, and so her ultimate boss. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end of Pam’s vacation stint, Peter
invited her to lunch at a posh Bond Street restaurant, and asked me too. He
wanted me to be a stringer in his role as a talent scout. He had recruited
Humphrey Barclay and other members of the Cambridge Footlights crew who had
just returned from a tour in New Zealand and went on to Broadway in September
1964 – including Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, David Hatch
and Bill Oddie. All of them went on to distinguished careers in radio and
television. Peter had good Oxbridge contacts, and thought I could keep my ear
to the ground for comic talent across the forty-odd colleges of London
University. Some hope! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The German degree course Pam was following involved a
year of study abroad, so during the 1964-1965 academic year Peter took me under
his wing and set about expanding my cultural education. His hospitality and
generosity knew no bounds: he took me to venues like Covent Garden which I
could never afford, and to the theatre and cinema. He treated me to sumptuous
meals at expensive restaurants, or at his flat in Dorset House, Gloucester
Place – completely unfazed by my uncut hair and student garb of patched jeans,
lurid shirts and a sort of opera cloak I had adapted from a workman’s donkey
jacket. Our friendship never looked back from then. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In summer 1965 Pam
approached the BBC direct, and again in 1966, and did several spells of temping
at Aeolian Hall, finally working there permanently. From late 1967, she and I
lived in Hamburg, and in 1969 travelled overland to Australia. With work-stops
in Perth and Sydney, we drove extensively around Australia, before embarking on
a French cargo boat to return to Europe via the Panama Canal in March 1971. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We
kept in touch with Peter by letter, and back in England, we had brief contact
with him while we studied for a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education in
Bristol, before he retired and at last travelled to see his sister Meg and
nephew Adam in Masterton, New Zealand in March 1972. The following account of
his travels is edited from Peter’s letters to us, written in July 1973 while
(ironically) he was also returning to England by sea through the Panama Canal… </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Early in 1968 I was forced by the resignation of Humphrey Barclay (who moved
to London Weekend Television) to take over the production of I’m Sorry I’ll
Read That Again while continuing to function as Light Entertainment Organiser
or LEO (under which guise Pam first knew me!). </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘</i><i>By the end of 1968 I had begun,
after initial near-panic, to enjoy being a producer (a role I had refused
twenty years before and only finally accepted under protest!). But although I
was given an extra secretary, and David Hatch as co-producer, I found the
double task of producing and being LEO too taxing for my dwindling genius, so I
was allowed to give up the latter task and become a full-time producer. They
also, touchingly, extended my tenure beyond my official retirement date (18th
September 1970 – my sixtieth birthday) up to 1st April 1972 – so that, forsooth,
I could complete exactly a quarter of a century with the BBC which I had joined
on 1st April 1947. I gladly accepted of course – although my poor sister was
expecting me in NZ for Christmas 1970 and had already practically aired the
sheets! </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘From then on life was thoroughly pleasant, though at times stunningly
busy (far more so than when you first knew me). I was given the most amiable
programmes to produce – nothing mind-blowing or really intellectually taxing
(either to me or the public) – which included a cheery panel-game called Many A
Slip, a spy serial The Dark Island, set in the Outer Hebrides and sufficiently
successful to beget two sequels, a transference to radio of the old TV saga Dr
Finlay’s Casebook (of which I did, believe it or not, fifty-four!) and of
course the ever-continuing horror of I’m Sorry which had been responsible for
this new and final phase of my ‘career’. (The height of irony was attained when
I reached NZ, innocently thinking I’d escaped from it all, and bingo! Proceeded
to hear nearly every one of my programmes on the radio there!)… </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘But to resume
– you’re not bored, are you? – during the same period (roughly 1966 to 1972) I
contrived to have three major operations and three minor ones. I think I had
already acquired my gluten enteropathy (allergy to wheat flour) while we were
still in touch – it dates back to 1965. But don’t be alarmed… let it suffice to
say that I never felt better in my life and haven’t had so much as a head cold
the whole time I’ve been away. ‘</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Then at last retirement loomed. I had produced
and edited all my programmes by the end of February 1972 – some of which, I may
say, were still being transmitted months after I left the country, so my name
was still ringing round the land – enough to make one almost believe in a life
after death! </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Having virtually finished all work in February, I had a clear
month to sweep away the accumulated silt of twenty-five years in my office,
pack to go to NZ (a five-week journey by every form of transport except mule!),
and say my farewells. The latter seemed to wear on for an entire week, for I
was given official luncheons, official teas (Pam will remember such functions
in the Aeolian canteen!), and a cocktail party in Broadcasting House, and made
three speeches of enviable wit and fire – they all had to be different too,
because some of the same people were present on all three occasions. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘The
festivities (or wakes according to the way you look at it) concluded with a
champagne party of my own given to 130 guests in a large conference room in The
Langham on Wednesday 29th March, and literally within twelve hours of shaking
the last valedictory hand I was on the Golden Arrow for Paris on the first leg
of my trek to New Zealand. (April 1st, my statutory ‘last’ day, happened to fall
at Easter, so they let me leave two days early!) Reason for my precipitate
departure wasn’t fear of the police but simply so I shouldn’t wake up the
following Monday morning and think ‘My God, I’ve nowhere to go – I’ve RETIRED!’
– subtle psychological stuff! As a result I never have felt retired.’</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another
letter, written later in July 1973 from the same ship, en route for the Azores,
continued thus:<i> ‘Having written from Panama, and done my duty by others to the
extent of 75 cards, I find myself with still a week to go of this unexampled
leisure. Shipboard leisure is unlike any other – so little liable to
interruption – no telephone, no-one calling to read the meter, no need to pop
down to the corner shop for a packet of fags. Of course there’s always the
chance of a typhoon, I suppose. Still, before that happens, I might as well get
you and Pam up to date with my life-story – so stifle your yawns and sit up
straight. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘</i><i>I brought you to the point, I think, where on the very morning of my
retirement I departed for Paris by train, boat, and train. It was Easter
weekend, and the limes and chestnuts were at their delicate best. Indeed I’ve
rarely known Paris so lovely – or so crowded! I escaped for one whole afternoon
to the Père Lachaise cemetery and paced about, practically the only one alive,
among the illustrious dead. I was much amused by Chopin’s grave – a small
obelisk with his profile in bas relief and, underneath, the simple words ‘à
Fréd. Chopin’. I shall always think of him now as good old Fred! </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘From Paris I
moved on to Amsterdam for a few days – my first visit, certainly not my last.
Thence (via an afternoon at The Hague and the most exquisite Vermeer in the
world) to Rotterdam, there to embark on a Rhine steamer. I enjoyed a leisurely
four-day cruise upstream, inert and grossly over-fed. Oddly enough, the place
that stayed most vividly in mind is not Cologne, not Coblenz, but Düsseldorf,
although a side-trip to Heidelberg was interesting. I disembarked at Strasbourg
for a couple of nights; then by train to Munich, where I visited one of
Ludwig’s castles in the Bavarian Alps, and went to the exquisite opera-house
twice. I liked Munich – hadn’t expected to, considering what it spawned. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Then
followed the highlight of my journey – eight days in a Europabus from Munich to
Teheran. I wrote an account of it for my travel agent – he very kindly made
some copies – I’ll send you one when I get home. Not because it is a model of
English prose – far from it, I wrote it with a set purpose, and he had never
booked anyone on the Europabus before – but it’ll save me writing it all over
again here! </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Briefly, the route lay through Austria, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria,
Istanbul (where we had two nights, and I fell in love with the place), and of
course mainland Turkey. While at Teheran (which I hated) I flew down to Isfahan
for one night. After that I took to the air for the rest of the way, touching
down for a couple of days each at Delhi, Calcutta, and Bangkok. It was a sad
mistake to revisit India; and I saw nothing at Bangkok except Americans. Then
to Sydney for a week with friends in St Ives, during which we saw the
Australian ballet (very good, I thought), and I found my grandfather’s grave. I
was conceived in Sydney, so I always feel at home there! Finally, one afternoon,
I flew across the Tasman to Wellington and the welcoming arms of the family. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘I
must now pause to confess something I have not yet told anyone at home – which
is that, on retirement, I had long planned to settle permanently in New
Zealand. My sister had welcomed the plan, which was first formulated way back
in 1965. It really did seem the obvious move – I was without ties in England, I
had liked New Zealand on my first visit there in 1958-59, and Meg and Adam (my
nephew – now 19) are my nearest and dearest. Economically it was practical too
– my BBC pension is not large but, pooled with the family’s resources, it was
adequate for a comfortable life. Such was the plan. The reason I told none of
my relatives or friends at home was from a dread of farewells – forever – my
intention was to announce it from NZ after a month or so there. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘As you will
remember, I have no furniture or household effects (lost in a depository fire
in 1953), so it was merely a question of having my books, pictures and papers
crated, and saying that they were going into store! My clothes went into a
couple of trunks and sundry suitcases. (And I told Ronnie Hill it would be too
expensive for me to return to Dorset House, which God knows is the truth!) So
there I was – fully uprooted – with all my worldly possessions going ahead of
me by sea, except what I needed for the journey. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Mind you, I talk of avoiding
farewells – but I had to suffer them one-sidedly, saying “See you in a year’s
time” with a gay laugh, while simultaneously genuinely believing I should never
see them again. And now you will be wondering what has happened to alter all
this. Let me hasten to say it has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with New
Zealand (I’m no ‘moaning pom’), still less with my welcome from the family. I
was lapped in every comfort, my room had been planned and equipped with the
greatest care and affection, with a multitude of cupboards and bookshelves and
drawers, and the sun shone unblinkingly on one of the most beautiful countries
in the world despite its being winter when I got there. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘My first two months
were very happy indeed. I hadn’t seen Meg for eleven years, so there was much
to catch up on, and it was great getting to know Adam again. I seem to have
been born to retirement as the sparks fly upward – new routines of life took
over smoothly, the more so since they were linked with Meg, with whom I had
shared the earliest routines of all, those of childhood. I like New Zealand’s
uncongestedness and cleanliness and quietness – and of course its beauty. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Then
gradually an obscure sense of unease crept up on me – which became, more
distinctly, a sense of something missing – and what was missing was of course
the familiarity of England. Not Britain, I hasten to say – none of that robust
sort of flim-flam – equally not the theatre, ballet, opera, etc – not even my
friends. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘No, I can put it in no other way than by the word familiarity. New
Zealand stared back at me, beautiful but uncomprehending. England took me in,
absorbed me, made me a part of her. Sounds sentimental, I know, but it was
pretty basic. A matter of roots, I suppose, or age – or both. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Anyway, I became
unhappy, seemed to be in a cleft stick – cleft, what’s more, by myself – and
the day I said to myself almost with a sense of discovery “But this needn’t be
a life-sentence” was the beginning of release and of my eventual resolve to
return. From that moment I could regard the enterprise as a holiday and extend
it indefinitely with perfect equanimity. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Of course, telling Meg was hellish –
at a stroke it made her own exile so extreme – but she understood as I knew she
would, which in a strange sort of way didn’t make it any easier. However, human
nature is nothing if not resilient, and we all soon settled down again on the
new footing. We caravanned up the Tasman coast in the summer – and a glorious
summer too – and bathed and fished. I was taken for an exhausting but
exhilarating two-day bush trek by friends of Adam’s. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘I visited the South
Island twice and was given a marvellous time on both occasions by Meg’s
multitude of in-laws. I walked the Milford Track, a wonderful 35-mile hike
through the mountains of the extreme south, taking four days in superb weather.
I had a week with friends in Auckland, New Zealand’s ‘swinging’ city – when I
heard Ashkenazy play Chopin (good old Fred!) at the Town Hall, went to the
theatre, saw a perfect first folio of Shakespeare in the library, tasted the
fleshpots. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘I was given plenty of evidence of how very possible it is to live a
perfectly fulfilled life in New Zealand – but still I wanted to go home – so
here I am on my way! Ironically enough, no-one at home need ever know any of
this – so far as they’re concerned I was going to be away for a year at least
and am returning after 16 months. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘So that’s my story. It has been in many
respects a distressing way, and certainly an expensive one, of learning
something more about myself. Simply that I am not the footloose guy I thought I
was! I shall miss the family sorely, of course – but it is my fate, and I must
accept it, to be missing something whichever side of the world I’m on. One
reason I’m returning by sea is that it’s the cheapest way of bringing the bulk
of my clobber back with me, though even so I’ve had to leave behind a quantity
of books and papers for later transmission when I have somewhere for them to
come to. Where that will be, I have no idea at present. I intend to get the
smell of the place again first. I’m pretty resourceless, so it will probably
end up by being a back room in Balham. As I said earlier, New Zealand was the
sensible course! </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘But my immediate intention is a Grand Tour visiting sundry
strategically placed friends and relations, which will take me into the New
Year. After that I have plenty of invitations to stay with various people in London
like old Humphrey. During this battening period I shall of course be
prospecting with regard to a future ‘home’. Till further notice, though,
continue to use Dorset House as my holding address. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘This has been a good
voyage. We left Wellington on Monday 2nd July, twenty-four hours late due to a
pilots’ strike, and had to miss Tahiti in order to make up time, which was
disappointing – and which meant a long fortnight between Wellington and the
Panama Canal without sight of land; but I enjoyed even that, for I’m never
tired of gazing at the sea and the occasional scurry of flying fish. I started
this letter when we were two days out of Curaçao. It has seen me across the
Atlantic, for we now have only a day to go to Ponta Delgada (in the Azores)
whence it will wing its way to you. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘We docked at Balboa late one night, and I
went into Panama City by the bus next morning and walked around for a couple of
hours. I found the passage through the canal absolutely fascinating, and
watched every moment of our progress from sea to sea, eschewing all meals till
we emerged safely into the Caribbean – not much of a sacrifice as it was a
humid hot day and I’ve eaten enough on this trip to last me till Christmas! I
kept my eyes skinned for the burnt-out Indian freighter – wasn’t quite sure
which way you were going when you referred me to the port side, so peered at
both, but no sign – they must have removed it. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Did you touch Curaçao on your
way? An odd island, I thought, dominated by the Shell refinery, but Willemstad
looked charming as we sailed in. I had a pleasant stroll round it – and of
course a sip or two of Curaçao! Since then there has been no excitement. I read
a book a day on average, go to the movies every other night, and spend the rest
of the time eating, sleeping, watching porpoises – and writing to you! </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Writing, moreover, at far too prolix a length for your patience, I fear, but
there’s been a lot of slack to pull in. However, we’re more or less up to date
now, I think, so I’ll shut up and take this along to the purser’s office for
mailing. It is Monday 23rd July, latitude 34N, longitude 36W, and on Friday
I’ll be in Southampton; London the same night. I can scarcely believe it!’ </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By
the time these letters had bounced off my mother’s address in Maidenhead and
caught up with us, Pam and I were back in Perth, Western Australia! Our
attempts to buy the house of our dreams in the Welsh Marches during 1971-72
were foiled by a house-price boom, so in October 1972 we returned to Perth to
earn a larger deposit. We corresponded with Peter intermittently till we came
back to England in February 1975, before the birth of our first child, and
bought an isolated cottage in Shropshire. A letter from Peter dated 30th April
1976 was written to fill in gaps in our knowledge since he had arrived back
from New Zealand and landed feet-first into a new career: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Arriving back from
New Zealand after an eighteen-month absence, I was so shaken by the cost of
things that momentarily I feared a pauper’s grave and, although in NZ I’d fallen
in love with inactivity, I was quite glad to accept the BBC’s unexpected recall
to freelance production. First it was a new domestic comedy series about
(ironically) retirement, called Home to Roost, starring Deryck Guyler and Molly
Sugden, two lovely artists, and it was great fun to do. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Then I took over an
existing series of P G Wodehouse adaptations (fortunately I like Wodehouse)
with Michael Hordern as Jeeves and Richard Briers as Bertie Wooster, two more
lovely artists, so that was great fun to do too. Home to Roost proved a success
and Radio 4 wanted a second series, but by that time (Spring 1975) the axe had
fallen and it had to be produced by a staff man. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘The dear good faithful BBC,
however, then asked me to write a report on Revue – its history, its present
state, its potential for a Radio 2 nostalgia series, etc; so I plunged into
research and came up with twenty closely typewritten foolscap pages, such
industry! On the strength of it they further asked me to assemble, and write
the narrative for, a series of eight hour-long programmes, but by then I was
sick of the subject – and had also discovered I could exist quite adequately on
my income – so I said no. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Then came the approach from the publishers I told
you of </i>(to write a history of Aeolian Hall)<i>. I must confess I was flattered,
and I allowed myself to be given an extremely expensive lunch and said I would
think about it. And indeed the idea was attractive, for I loved the dear old
Aeolian. But finally the thought of writing forty thousand words in six months
and selecting a hundred or so illustrations – nay more, the tedium of re-living
twenty-five years of my past life – filled me with such melancholy that I
fiendishly put them onto Ronnie Hill instead. He accepted, but has often since,
much to my wry amusement, declared how wise I was not to! </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i> ‘By this time
people were beginning to think me slightly unhinged – you know how strenuous
the average Anglo-Saxon is, and one seems to be surrounded by average
Anglo-Saxons in this country – and it was this more than anything (well,
perhaps the lure of a free fare north too!) that caused me to say yes when
Manchester University asked me to lecture on Radio Comedy to their Penn State
course, an educational sensation from which I have just returned. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Amid all the
above, of course, I had to find somewhere to live. I ‘gypsied’ around for most
of my first year home – dear old Humphrey put me up for ages, and I had several
spells back at Dorset House (by now grown too expensive to consider as a
permanency). I spent my second year in an unsatisfactory flat (share of
bathroom, you know the sort of thing), but at least it was in St John’s Wood
which is the part of London I understand best (because linked with childhood
and youth) and so I was on the spot when this place fell vacant, where the only
thing I share is the telephone. I’m really very lucky to have hit on anything
in St John’s Wood within my means because it’s a hellishly expensive area – I
actually saw an advert in The Times for a furnished flat only two roads away
from me at £110 a week!! </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Well, that brings me up to date. If you ask what I do
with myself, well, for a start I’ve never lived alone before and it has been a
revelation how much time, energy and wit it takes to feed, launder, and
house-clean one solitary being. Practicalities apart, there is always something
I should be doing (at the moment it’s my income-tax return) which I seem to end
up not doing in order to do something I don’t have to do (like going to see
Truffaut’s Baisers Volés this afternoon at the dear old Everyman), and this
continuous slight pressure on my conscience provides just the irritant the
oyster needs to achieve a pearl, and I a contented life. And certainly there
never seems to be any time. But I suspect time, like money, adjusts to one’s
temperament. In fact I think I’ve got exactly the right temperament for
retirement – bone-lazy. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Mentally, that is – physically, I’m a ball of fire and
bound about London like some character out of Dickens – remember how they
thought nothing of walking home to Walworth after a hard day’s work? I’ve no
idea where Walworth is but it sounds most frightfully remote. Yesterday for
instance I wanted to find a disused church in Tufnell Park (and you can’t get
remoter than that) which has just been converted to a theatre and I walked all
the way there from the Marylebone Road.’ </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Following this 1976 letter, Peter
stayed with us twice in Shropshire. We saw Paul Jones’ Hamlet with him at the
Ludlow Festival that year, and Henry V starring Mark Wing-Davey the following
year during a third stay. In 1977, we moved to a village in East Anglia, where
Peter again visited in September 1978 and April 1979. He was leading a very
peripatetic life, and often sent us postcards from places all over the country
where he happened to be staying. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Late in 1980, Peter must have again made a
lengthy visit to his sister Meg in New Zealand, for that year he sent us a
Christmas card designed, made and printed by his brother-in-law Keith; and in
March 1981 we received an aerogramme from him in New Zealand, the contents of
which were simply his (very typical!) poem below: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Alert the Royal Trumpeters! </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>England again may laugh. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Forth from the deep-freeze bring the fatted calf! </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>For in the latter days of March </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>(Get on with that triumphal arch!) </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Will come
the Voyager, the Flyer – </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Rehearse the choir! </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><br /></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Summon the Yeomen of the Guard! </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>The conquering hero comes, </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>You’ll know it by the pricking of your thumbs. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>For
as the world from winter wakes </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>(Away with melancholy, Jacques – </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Prepare to sing
that thing of Blake’s!) </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>He leaves the far Antipodes – </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Down on your knees! </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>And
if the time of waiting lags, </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Put out more flags! </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><br /></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Sound, sound the clarion! Let
it rip! </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>You shall not sound in vain. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Set London’s gutters gushing with
champagne! </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>For with the coming of the Spring </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>(Ring out, wild bells, God damn
you, ring!) </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Behold the Revenant, the Rover, </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>His journeying over! </i></div></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our last
contacts with Peter were in the mid-1980s, when he came to visit us after we
had been nearly out of touch for a while. By this time we had moved to Devon,
and were buried in work and parenthood, but it was always lovely to see him. He
had moved back to Dorset House, but was still very busy house-sitting for
friends and swanning round the most interesting parts of England. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In September
1985, he made another trip to New Zealand before his 75th birthday, staying for
six months. A postcard in late November from Lake Wanaka revealed he was ‘<i>in
the midst of a mighty safari up and down and through the South Island of NZ,
here for a week in a house overlooking this very fine lake. Up the Tasman coast
next week to Nelson where my nephew Adam recently bought a small picture
gallery…and a picture-framing workshop in which he is – thank God! – going mad
trying to cope with floods of orders. Back to the North Island in time for
Christmas’. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end of March 1987, we received a brief letter from Peter,
written from hospital in London: <i>‘Do forgive my impenetrable veil of silence,
but my wretched old allergy …has been giving trouble and my weight has rocketed
down. So they’ve hauled me in for tests and experiments with diet. In a
perverse sort of way I’m rather enjoying myself, just sinking back on my
pillows and watching everyone else milling around! I don’t think I’ll be here
much longer than the end of next week…’</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I replied a couple of weeks later, and
at the end of April 1987 we received a postcard from Llandaff in Cardiff:
<i>‘Thanks so much for a bumper letter, far more than my meagre communications
deserve! The doctors seem to have pulled me round. Having gone down to six
stone (didn’t know you could do that and live!), I am now well above seven and
rising. Convalescing with my cousins here and being spoilt rotten! Should
love to come and see you later in the year but want to be really fit again first.
I’ll give you a ring when I get back to Dorset House – should be mid-May. You
seem to have quite enough on your hands at the moment!’ </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That, regrettably, was
our last written communication from Peter. Although Pam and I were both
ridiculously busy working in Devon and bringing up two children, Peter was also
busy doing what he (and Oscar Wilde) called ‘a Bunbury’ – visiting country
friends and relatives or house-sitting. We spoke by phone now and then to
exchange news and discuss possible dates to get together, but didn’t actually
see each other. A long silence ensued. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As usual, we sent a Christmas card to
Peter in 1990, and at the year’s end we were deeply shocked to receive a card
in Ronnie Hill’s wild writing, penned on Christmas Eve: <i>‘Your card, addressed
to Peter, brought me some sadness. As you may have suspected, he died on March
21st of 1989. He got very ill that time when he went to Llandaff and had to go
into hospital early the next year. I was also in another hospital at the time,
having had a bad fall, and he left us on my birthday, 21st March of that year.
John Loney and Humphrey Barclay arranged the setting up of a trust to encourage
and develop two young writers, so we were all happy about that. I do remember
meeting you, and wish you and the family very well. With good – and sad –
wishes, yours very sincerely, Ronnie Hill’.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was very upset not to have been
able to attend Peter’s funeral, and in March 1991 I sent Ronnie a birthday card
to arrive on the 21st, with a note asking for details of the trust and the
whereabouts of Peter’s grave. There was no reply, and I assumed that by then he
might have died too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peter was a modest man, and although he mentioned his
theatrical ancestors, I had no idea they were so famous and highly regarded.
Similarly, he used to speak lightly of having <i>‘written some silly little
musicals before the war’</i>, but I had no idea of their extent and popularity (no
internet then!). However, I did once ask about his wartime experience, and he
lent me a document he called his <i>‘Credo’</i>. Written at an all-night sitting while
posted to some remote location in India, it was an exploration of his
philosophy of life, his values and beliefs, and an assessment of where he
stood, and how and where he would like his life to proceed. As expected, it was
deeply thought-out, fluently expressed and extremely moving. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The photo shows
Peter at his office desk as Light Entertainment Organiser in Aeolian Hall circa
1965, gazing pensively out of the window. The pose is typical: a Woodbine
between two fingers (and probably another forgotten and smoking on the ashtray
beside him), and a cigarette pack held in the left hand. As usual, he’s wearing
a bow tie, with a silk handkerchief peeping from his jacket pocket. On the back
of the photo he has written: <i>‘For Thain and Pam, with love, Peter.’</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Thain
Hatherly, June 2020<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div></div>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-39628158045911182782020-06-28T12:50:00.001+01:002021-08-04T23:27:50.559+01:00Esther Titheridge 1881 - 1967<div><br /></div><div>After a long gap the blog is back! </div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfKSGnnU5ssSfxeoK3gWlzoYvK-Qo5z2uoUFx1Rkxk4eorzSCbpevvrc2cO4C9VnLnxkJ5HWSViKFf6gd2r3eEAW16_xdEk6PO3QKlBryvY8yLaxYkPYeUxuWboZd1NFaszyfplQWOI9v/s1956/Esther+Titheridge+-+1881-1967+Great+Gran+of+Nigel+Green.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1956" data-original-width="1326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfKSGnnU5ssSfxeoK3gWlzoYvK-Qo5z2uoUFx1Rkxk4eorzSCbpevvrc2cO4C9VnLnxkJ5HWSViKFf6gd2r3eEAW16_xdEk6PO3QKlBryvY8yLaxYkPYeUxuWboZd1NFaszyfplQWOI9v/w217-h320/Esther+Titheridge+-+1881-1967+Great+Gran+of+Nigel+Green.jpg" title="Esther Titheridge 1881 -1967" width="217" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font color="#4285f4" size="1">Esther Titheridge 1881-1967</font><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>Over the past few months I have taken a rest from Titheridge / Titheradge genealogy to concentrate on researching my parents’ families. The research has been concentrated on the surnames Westcott, Molloy, France, Brannan, John and Treble. I have had most success with the Westcott surname and have written up a small booklet on the family, as well as scanning and labelling all the family photographs. I have discovered that most of my family don’t have as much Welsh blood as I thought, as many ancestors came to Newport from Somerset to find work in the industries associated with coal mining in the Welsh valleys. The Irish side of the family have caused lots of difficulty. I cannot find where in Ireland Moses Molloy came from before he appeared in Newport. You would think with a name like that it would be easy! I thought the John family from the small village of Llanstadwell in Pembrokeshire would be easy, before I discovered that in Pembrokeshire the John surname appears more common than Smith or Jones. Brick walls everywhere, so I give up for the moment!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hence, it is with delight I return to research the Titheridge / Titheradge name. This is so much easier – you know if you find the name anywhere then they connect to the family tree somehow.</div><div><br /></div><div>My return to Titheridge /Titheradge genealogy has been further stimulated by contacts who found out about our research from the blog or website. In the past month, I have been lucky to be contacted by three wonderful individuals all offering helpful information. One person has offered to write about a Titheradge friend, one person has found me the earliest records of the Titheridge name and I have been sent some family photographs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nigel has kindly sent me two wonderful pictures of his great grandmother for me to share with everyone. These are the photographs of Esther Titheridge shown.</div><div><br /></div><div>Esther was born 1 December 1881 in West Meon, Hampshire. Her father was Charles Titheridge, who was the 4 times great grandson of John Titheridge and Ann Quallat from Cheriton. Twenty-six-year-old Charles married Ann Garrett on 3 June 1873 at West Meon. They had 8 children, the first four born in West Meon and the latter four in East Meon. The children were</div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div>Ellen Titheridge birth registered December 1877</div><div>Emily Rosetta Titheridge born 3 November 1879</div><div>Esther Titheridge born 1 December 1881</div><div>Arthur Charles Titheridge born 2 Jun 1883 <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2014/12/in-memory-of-arthur-charles-titheridge.html" target="_blank">(see this link for information on Arthur)</a></div><div>Albert Titheridge born 10 August 1885</div><div>Mary Titheridge born 10 August 1885</div><div>Ada Florence Titheridge birth registered December 1889</div><div>Gertrude Adelaide Titheridge born 15 March 1897 <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-sad-tale-of-gertrude-titheridge.html" target="_blank">(see this link for information on Gertrude)</a></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bW3t0JR7GrybK-sXjzzakwJCM5AU5UvDmoswlH7ajoZX21wy6G-hilUS67fd5C-eFwo0Lhn3qeTO_J5YfI8iWOUd3Qbi5vHA9p36YtFVyOclcWfXb1Vt_5pfL-woomBNjQ6kOJz7-9gd/s3722/Esther+Titheridge+at+Marriage+to+Walter+Nicholson+in+1906+at+Bishops+Waltham+.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3722" data-original-width="2704" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bW3t0JR7GrybK-sXjzzakwJCM5AU5UvDmoswlH7ajoZX21wy6G-hilUS67fd5C-eFwo0Lhn3qeTO_J5YfI8iWOUd3Qbi5vHA9p36YtFVyOclcWfXb1Vt_5pfL-woomBNjQ6kOJz7-9gd/w232-h320/Esther+Titheridge+at+Marriage+to+Walter+Nicholson+in+1906+at+Bishops+Waltham+.JPG" title="Esther Titheridge 1881-1967" width="232" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font color="#4285f4" size="1">Esther Titheridge in 1906 <br />at her marriage to Walter Nicholson</font></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The 1891 census shows Esther living with her family in East Meon village. In the 1901 census she is working as a servant in Farlington. When Esther was 25 she married Walter Nicholson on 13 January 1906 at Bishop’s Sutton. Esther and Walter lived in Bishops Sutton, Kilmeston and then by the 1911 census they had moved to 1 Elm Cottage, Frensham, Farnham, Surrey. Walter and Esther had 5 children:</div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div>Ada May Nicholson born 1906 in Bishops Sutton</div><div>Arthur Edwin Nicholson born 1907 in Bishops Sutton</div><div>Edith Blanche Nicholson born 1910 in Kilmeston</div><div>Winifred Dulcie Nicholson born 1914 in Farnham district</div><div>Nora Joan Nicholson born 1917 in Alton district</div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>The 1939 Register saw Walter and Esther living at Winters Farm in the Guildford area, with both working on the farm. Esther lived until the age of 85, she died in the March quarter of 1967 in Surrey.</div><div><br /></div>Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-20121155114311806242020-02-23T15:59:00.004+00:002020-02-23T16:00:40.699+00:00The Secrets of the Parish Registers – Illegitimate Children<h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOFJItJSiYCuLeA3FlIDSFrMH-ugILNjL9ojWAv6hpP1TO-7ynjHpBbLDDBSwJxf81cvPBxeQ1SIWcUw9zZfDq0LVqmPRBO1FQ5yH-EqhVxCXV1CvaBvw9AnLZWYXMJb0wtjgYIveuVqg/s1600/ide+hill+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="585" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOFJItJSiYCuLeA3FlIDSFrMH-ugILNjL9ojWAv6hpP1TO-7ynjHpBbLDDBSwJxf81cvPBxeQ1SIWcUw9zZfDq0LVqmPRBO1FQ5yH-EqhVxCXV1CvaBvw9AnLZWYXMJb0wtjgYIveuVqg/s320/ide+hill+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards Ide Hill from Emmetts Gardens, Kent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Parish Registers </h3>
<br />
When researching your family history, you should always try to view original records such as Parish Records or certificates. You used to only be able to view Parish Records at the County Record Office, but now several subscription websites have images of the original records. The contents of the Parish Baptism Records can be very useful since most Baptism Records show the names of both parents, their home address, occupation of the father and sometimes the child’s date of birth.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Illegitimate Children</h3>
<br />
Children born out of wedlock can cause a problem for genealogists. Generally, only the mother is named and the child may later take on the name of the father or stepfather. The attitude of the Church of England clergy to illegitimacy varied; some baptism are written without comment, other clergy make a great point that the child has been born out of wedlock.<br />
<br />
These baptism transcriptions illustrate the different ways the parish records show that the child is born out of wedlock.<br />
<br />
<i>West Meon</i><br />
<i>19 June 1881 Eva Mary Titheridge, daughter of Elizabeth Titheridge of West Meon.</i><br />
<i>Cheriton</i><br />
<i>22 September 1850 Harriett Titheridge, daughter of Harriett Titheridge a single woman</i><br />
<i>Alverstoke</i><br />
<i>6 January 1845 Rachel Titheridge, daughter of Elizabeth Titheridge a spinster from the poor house</i><br />
<i>Kilmeston</i><br />
<i>29 March 1807 George Titheridge, daughter of Lydia Titheridge. Illegitimate</i><br />
<i>New Alresford</i><br />
<i>9 December 1774 Robert Titheridge, natural son of Sarah Titheridge</i><br />
<i>Cheriton</i><br />
<i>26 December 1823 John Titheridge, son of Maria Titheridge a servant. Born 23 November 1823. Base Born.</i><br />
<i>Swanmore</i><br />
<i>25 June 1854 Sarah Ann Titheridge, daughter of Ann Titheridge from Swanmore. A Single woman. A bastard of a child.</i><br />
<br />
Occasionally a little more help is available to genealogists, such as the mother adding the father’s name to the child’s name and sometimes the possible father is named and shamed in the parish records e.g.<br />
<br />
<i>Gosport St Matthew</i><br />
<i>11 November 1888 Mabel Dashwood Titheridge daughter of Margaret Titheridge of Quay Lane Gosport, A domestic.</i><br />
<i>New Alresford</i><br />
<i>05 July 1778 John Sealy Titheridge illegitimate son of Frances Titheridge, reputed Father John Sealy of Somborne in the County of Southampton.</i><br />
<i>Southampton St Michael Extra</i><br />
<i>6 February 1803 Eliza Tetheridge daughter of William Paskins and Elizabeth Tetheridge illegitimate.</i><br />
<br />
In most cases, however, all that one can do is to assume that the father of the illegitimate child is the person the woman marries soon after the baptism.<br />
<br />
<h3>
David Tetheridge – a Mystery</h3>
<br />
When viewing the online Kent Parish Record for Brasted I found the following baptism entry:<br />
<br />
<i>23 February 1812 David son of Sarah Tetheridge B.B. (with the B.B. underlined twice)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
B. B. is an abbreviation for Base Born and the clergy man obviously wanted it to be seen by all.<br />
<br />
I had never come across David Tetheridge before and had no idea who Sarah was, and I could find no further record of either of them.<br />
<br />
Looking through the Brasted Parish Records I found<br />
<i>Jane baptised on 12 January 1806 daughter of William and Sarah Tetheridge</i><br />
<i>Joseph baptised on 5 June 1808 son of William and Sarah Tetheridge</i><br />
<i>James baptised on 12 November 1809 son of (the late) William and Sarah Tetheridge</i><br />
<br />
The last baptism had partly solved the mystery. Sarah was a widow and after William’s death had a child with someone else. Since the Parish Records of Brasted showed nothing else useful, I searched further afield. In Sundridge St Mary, one mile along the road, I found the marriage for Sar Totherage and Josiah Hodskins who married on 2 March 1812 (less than a month after David’s baptism).<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Story of David Tetheridge</h3>
<br />
By cross referencing the above information with 1841 and 1851 census and other parish records I was able to pull together the following facts.<br />
<br />
Sarah Linsy (Linsey) was baptised in Warbleton, Sussex on 2 January 1780. In 1797 Sarah was living in Westerham, Kent and on 22 March 1797 she married William Teatherige in Brasted, Kent. William and Sarah had at least 3 children. William died in July 1809. After the death of William Sarah had an illegitimate child by Josiah Hodskins. The son David was baptised on 23 February 1812 and on 2 March 1812 Sarah married Josiah Hodskins . David, who had been christened a Tetheridge, took on his father’s surname. Sarah and Josiah had two addition children. The 1841 census showed Joshia and Sarah Hodskins aged 70 and 60 living at Ide Hill (3 miles away from Sundridge) and living with them was Esther Tetheridge. They were living next door to John Tetheridge, aged 45, and his family. John proved to be another of Sarah Williams’s children and Esther the grandchild. David, now called David Hodskins, married Sophia Welch at Sundridge in 1834 and they had at least 5 children. The 1851 census showed Sarah, now widowed, living in Sundridge with her son David Hodskins next door. Josiah Hodskins died in 1850 and Sarah died in 1854 both deaths registered under the surname Hoskins.<br />
<br />
This is a classic example of how difficult it can be to trace children born to single mothers. David Tetheridge became David Hodskins and in fact was not a Tetheridge at all and this explained why I never found any further reference to him.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-33164488283498344022020-01-23T17:03:00.002+00:002021-08-04T23:26:43.897+01:00Ernest Titheridge and World War 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4u_6fYxFYuw3E71bufSFAZCFNWnkQpELhE_D53Dpd_TEZBOfmyrKy58G3cTAoxqfjLOZN1YOKUSE39F_dcfgxUJGM0CeItQqZeOIics8WyT3pZGp6Lzh8Nbs8A-6aHCPD05PmCyH8BIXn/s1600/GEORGE%257E2+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="1069" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4u_6fYxFYuw3E71bufSFAZCFNWnkQpELhE_D53Dpd_TEZBOfmyrKy58G3cTAoxqfjLOZN1YOKUSE39F_dcfgxUJGM0CeItQqZeOIics8WyT3pZGp6Lzh8Nbs8A-6aHCPD05PmCyH8BIXn/s320/GEORGE%257E2+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George and Georgina Titheridge and their 8 children<br />
Ernest is sitting on his mother's lap. Taken about 1902</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
In the previous blog I told the story of Ernest Titheridge’s Bravery Award in World War 2. While researching Ernest’s life I discovered this story about Ernest in World War 1.<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Titheridge Family </h3>
<br />
Ernest was one of ten children born to George Titheridge and Georgina Hannibal over a 17-year period. The family moved around the London area quite a lot during this period but also spent a few years in Wales. Son George died in infancy and daughter Rose died aged seven. Ernest was the youngest of the family born on 6 May 1900. He died on 8 November 1976 at Wandsworth, aged 76. A faded family photograph can be seen on the left and his family tree can be seen at this <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://titheradgefamilyhistory.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/tree-1-branch-1l-london-john-and-sophia.pdf" target="_blank">link</a>. </span><br />
<br />
George and Georgina's children were<br />
<ul>
<li>Ruth born 1883 in Stoke Newington; died 1971</li>
<li>George David born 1884 in Stoke Newington; died 1885</li>
<li>Samuel born 1885 in Abergavenny; died 1957</li>
<li>Mary born 1886 in Newport</li>
<li>Lily born 1888 in Edmonton</li>
<li>Joseph born 1889 in South Hornsey; died 1917</li>
<li>William Henry born 1892 in Hackney; died 1851</li>
<li>Daisy born 1895 in Wandsworth</li>
<li>Rose born 1897 in Lambeth; died 1904</li>
<li>Ernest born 1900 in Lambeth; died 1976</li>
</ul>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
World War 1 </h3>
<br />
By the start of World War 1 the family were living at 61 Stockwell Park Road, Brixton. George and Georgina’s surviving sons were Samuel aged 29, Joseph aged 25, William Henry aged 22 and Ernest aged 15.<br />
<br />
William had joined the army in 1909 and was in the 13th Hussars. By December 1914 he was already fighting in France. His story has already been told in <span style="color: red;"> <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2016/02/william-henry-tetheridge-brave-hussar.html" target="_blank">a previous blog</a> </span>and his photograph, in uniform, can be found at<span style="color: red;"> <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-brave-hussar-part-2.html" target="_blank">this link</a> </span><span style="color: red;">.</span><br />
<br />
Ernest’s brother Joseph joined up to the Sussex Regiment in October 1914 and in February 1915 his eldest brother Samuel joined up to 4th London Regiment.<br />
<br />
This left 14-year-old Ernest at home with his parents and four sisters Ruth, Mary, Lily and Daisy. On the 5 May 1915 Ernest volunteered to join the army in the 23rd Battalion London Regiment. He was just one day short of 15 years old and lied about his age. On enlisting he gave his age as 19. Could he really have convinced the recruiting office that he was 4 years older than he was? Or were they so desperate for men that they turned a blind eye to this? We do not know why Ernest joined up; maybe he was unhappy at home, maybe he missed his brothers, maybe he wanted to be a grown up like his brothers or maybe he felt he should be defending his country against the Germans. Despite his youth Ernest was a good soldier and within 3 months was promoted to Lance Corporal and by 1 January 1916 he was promoted to Corporal, no mean feat for a 15-year-old.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Georgina's Action</h3>
<br />
One can only imagine the anguish of his mother Georgina, she had three sons in the army and then the fourth underage child joined up. However, he had been in the army 15 months before she acted to stop him being sent to war. Perhaps at first, she was happy for him to be earning money in the army; perhaps she was happy and proud for him to fight for his country; perhaps she didn’t know he had joined the army. Perhaps it was only when she realised the full horror of the war and the extent of the casualties being reported in the newspapers that she took action. It was some time in September that Georgina contacted the army authorities informing them that Ernest was under age and on 27 September 1916 he was stripped of his rank and reverted to the rank of Private. Georgina must have been told she had to write to formally request his release and had to produce evidence of his age. This would have proved a little difficult because for some unknown reason Ernest’s birth had never been officially registered. In Ernest’s Army Records is the letter written to the army authorities on 30th September requesting the release of Ernest from service on the grounds he was under age. Enclosed with the letter were his school certificate, and a declaration of his age. The letter reads<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>37 Angell Road</i><br />
<i>Brixton</i><br />
<i>SW</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>September 30th 1916</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>Dear Sir</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>Re my son Cpl E Titheridge </i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>I wish to claim his discharge from his Majestys Army on account of his youth. I enclose particulars of his birth as near as can be obtained as he was not registered. My motive for doing this is that I have three sons now serving in the Army.</i><br />
<i>Furthermore it is the boys wish.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>I remain yours truly</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>Mrs Titheridge</i><br />
<br />
<br />
As a result of the letter on Ernest was discharged from the army on 13 October 1916 when he was was just 16 years and 4 months, having served in the army for 1 year and 162 days. His official records show the reason for discharge as “having made a misstatement as to age on enlistment”. Fortunately, he had not been sent to fight in France.<br />
<br />
His character report on his discharge papers says,<br />
"He has been a clean, industrious and capable youth and is a willing and reliable worker."<br />
<br />
His mother must have been so relieved when her youngest son was released from the army. Was he pleased? I’m afraid we don’t know. I have only discovered the story from his army records not from his family.<br />
<br />
<h3>
The 23rd Battalion London Regiment </h3>
<br />
One of the best things I found when researching this story was a group photograph of the NCOs of the 23rd Battalion London Regiment, taken towards the end of 1915, which included a picture of Ernest. Ernest is in the back row the 7th person from the right. The picture can be seen at <a href="https://www.ukphotoarchive.org.uk/ww1-soldiers-group-photos/h839F9E3D#h839f9e3d" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">this link.</span></a><br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
The Brothers' War</h3>
<br />
His brothers suffered mixed fortunes in the war. Joseph was killed in action in 1917, while Samuel was discharged wounded. William Henry was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for bravery. A link to William’s story is given above and you can read Joseph’s story at <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2017/07/joseph-titheridge-died-31-july-1917-he.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">this link.</span></a><br />
<br />
<h3>
Boy Soldiers in World War 1</h3>
<br />
I wondered if Ernest’s story was unique. My research into this question revealed the statistics that it is estimated there were as many as 250,000 boys under the age of 18 in the army in World War 1. Their motives for joining up included patriotism, escapism and adventure. The rules were that men had to be 18 to join the army and a minimum height of 5-foot 3-inches tall with a minimum chest measurement of 34 inches. Ernest was in good health, 5-foot 6-inches tall and had a thirty five and a half inch chest, so he passed these joining criteria. Recruiting sergeants were paid for each recruit, so if the other criteria were met the age was often overlooked. There are stories of children as young as 12 joining up. I read the story of one boy who joined at 13 and died a year later at Ypres, aged 14. You can read more on the subject at <span style="color: red;">t<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29934965" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">his BBC link.</span></a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you can add more to Ernest’s story, please get in touch.<br />
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<br /></div>
Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-34189215972174176642019-12-18T23:37:00.001+00:002021-08-04T23:26:16.860+01:00Ernest Titheridge - WW2 Bravery Award<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX48CYTQ18L-r0eL3sNQnAyd5j_cOWBZbdcbmTerUKn4Ujw9XHEdKbMwztOYKmREqhMSZKx7s-B-D5W-9s-DVvj1budDg4dqulY59z1jEEl8IISxQiKJeTXJYUyPNF7MGxDJ1p84jQprii/s1600/20190426_125654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX48CYTQ18L-r0eL3sNQnAyd5j_cOWBZbdcbmTerUKn4Ujw9XHEdKbMwztOYKmREqhMSZKx7s-B-D5W-9s-DVvj1budDg4dqulY59z1jEEl8IISxQiKJeTXJYUyPNF7MGxDJ1p84jQprii/s320/20190426_125654.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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World War 2 saw many individuals performing great acts of bravery, not just those in the military fighting on foreign soil, but also those at home. In 1940 Ernest Titheridge was awarded the Civil Defence Gallantry Award for his actions in the London Blitz. This is his story.<br />
<br />
On 3 September 1939 war was declared against Germany. When war started Ernest Titheridge was a builder and plumber living at 46 Ferndale Road, Wandsworth. By the end of September Ernest had volunteered for the Civil Defence. He was appointed to the role of a Stretcher Party Driver in the Wandsworth area of London. Ernest and his wife Elsie Grace Judge had two children aged 14 and 4. By the end of September 1939 Elsie and their children had moved out of central London to the relative safety of Berkshire, where they were staying with the Denyer family at 21 Clever Hill Road, New Windsor. Ernest continued living in London moving to 26 Louisville Road, London SW17, sometime before 1941.<br />
<br />
On 7 September 1940 the blitz began. This was night time bombing raids against London and other British cities by Nazi Germany. On the night of 7 September 300 German bombers raided London and this was the first of 57 consecutive nights of bombing. The bombing raids over London continued until May 1941.<br />
<br />
By 13 October 1940 the bombing raids had been going on for 5 weeks. As a result many people had been killed, much of London had been damaged and the emergency services and civil defence were stretched to cope with the raids. On this particular evening Ernest was on duty in his civil defence role. During yet another air raid an explosive flare landed in the Atkins Road Bomb Disposal Yard. The bomb disposal yard adjoined the Clapham Stretcher Party station where Officer Webb was the duty officer in charge. On seeing the flames coming from the bomb disposal yard he called out the Stretcher Parties’ Fire Party consisting of Ernest, Percy Newman, Robert Wedlake and Lewis James.<br />
<br />
The Bomb Disposal Yard premises were protected by a 4-foot 6 inches wall with several rolls of barbed wire on top. However, not deterred the four men managed to climb over the wall. Under the direction of Officer Webb, they endeavoured to extinguish the fire by throwing sand on it. They were all well aware it was a bomb disposal yard and that there were explosives in the yard. There was concern that the heat would cause the TNT in the bombs and shells to explode. Eventually Royal Engineers came to assist the four men and the fire was extinguished. However, the explosive flare which caused the fire exploded and hit and injured two of the stretcher party, Percy and Robert, and some of the Royal Engineers.<br />
<br />
The four men, Percy Newman, Ernest Titheridge, Robert Wedlake and Lewis James were all awarded the Civil Defence Gallantry Award for their prompt and efficient action, which probably averted a major incident. They all acted with great courage in the face of danger from the unexploded bombs. In the recommendation for awards it was cited that “All concerned showed remarkable coolness and acted with speed and efficiency”. The award was reported in the London Gazette on 21 January 1941.<br />
<br />
So, who was Ernest Titheridge? He was one of ten children born between 1883 and 1900 to George Titheridge and Georgina Hannibal. Ernest was the youngest born on 6 May 1900. His family tree can be seen at <a href="https://titheradgefamilyhistory.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/tree-1-branch-1l-london-john-and-sophia.pdf" target="_blank">this link.</a> Ernest died on 8 November 1976 at Wandsworth aged 76.<br />
<br />
Research into Ernest revealed another story of Ernest in World War 1, this story will be told in the next blog.<br />
<br />
If you are related to Ernest and can add to this story please get in touch.Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-53103816098587184682019-10-09T21:23:00.003+01:002021-08-04T23:25:32.276+01:00Alfred Titheradge – A Painful Death<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHdl3U5dsNqa2zHHxQho_Q0yIeh8Ul0GHxeKeH1Dp1hXGGbDKDlttduTU5aG2-Wu5GnZJv9pOdYU1FWD0Qmwm-XCNXg-9VzC3G0Vishv6IPQBco-lR2q780sM1WJDfaOUfOT2EbB-rBT8/s1600/IMG_7223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="577" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHdl3U5dsNqa2zHHxQho_Q0yIeh8Ul0GHxeKeH1Dp1hXGGbDKDlttduTU5aG2-Wu5GnZJv9pOdYU1FWD0Qmwm-XCNXg-9VzC3G0Vishv6IPQBco-lR2q780sM1WJDfaOUfOT2EbB-rBT8/s320/IMG_7223.JPG" width="320" /></a>While searching some newspapers I came across the following article<br />
<br />
<b>Philadelphia Inquirer on 29 April 1902</b><br />
<br />
<b>Linesman Plunged from Pole</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i>By the sudden breaking of one of the brackets on an electric light pole yesterday afternoon, Alfred Titheridge, 42 years old, 4246 Linmore Avenue, was thrown to the ground thirty feet below and narrowly escaped being killed. Titheridge is a trimmer employed by the Powelton Electric Light Company and was working upon a pole at Fifty-sixth and Market Streets. One of the steel brackets placed on each side of the pole became loosened and the man was pricipitated to the ground. In his flight through the air he turned and struck on his feet. Both of his legs were broken as was his wrists. He was sent to the Presbyterian Hospital.</i><br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Alfred was not as lucky as the article states and it is clear that his injuries were more severe that was first realised. He died the day after the story was written, on 30th April 1902 and was buried on 5 May 1902.<br />
<br />
Alfred’s correct surname was Titheradge not Titheridge and his story has been written in an earlier <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2015/02/alfred-titheradge-1859-1902-our.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><b>blog </b></span></a><br />
<br />
Alfred was born in Paddington in 1859 son of Edward Eatrill Titheradge and Eliza Peters. He first appeared in the records in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1887 married to Elizabeth. We have no record of his marriage to Elizabeth nor his arrival in the USA. Alfred and Elizabeth had at least 8 children and as far as we know all but one died in childhood. The surviving child, Maud Titheradge, was born in 1889. Thirteen-year-old Maud was left an orphan on Alfred’s death as her mother, Elizabeth, had died in 1897 when Maud was eight. Maud later married Ralph Gras and they had at least 9 children.<br />
<br />
The story illustrates the lack of Health and Safety regulations in this era, as Alfred had no safety harness or anything else to prevent his fatal fall. <br />
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Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-12278591816203418022019-09-27T20:12:00.002+01:002021-08-04T23:25:07.562+01:00World War 2 – The First Titheridge Casualty<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlFdy7t0zFLTHDcqjoPGjIpE_fUcpmUjH3fLS7YBO09MwdKzB2AQqm6BtCopA2xRdDCpaWGi7Nqcbb43Vl2C_e4osK0n4C65TlQ-bipkHzGxZ1snB2Pd9yUM-8LKem2KjWXgxd3PEWvE-/s1600/DSC06830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="433" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlFdy7t0zFLTHDcqjoPGjIpE_fUcpmUjH3fLS7YBO09MwdKzB2AQqm6BtCopA2xRdDCpaWGi7Nqcbb43Vl2C_e4osK0n4C65TlQ-bipkHzGxZ1snB2Pd9yUM-8LKem2KjWXgxd3PEWvE-/s320/DSC06830.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headstone of Dayrell Titheridge <br />
at Shedfield Churchyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On 3 September 1939, Britain declared war on Germany. Nine days after war was declared the first war time death of a family member occurred. His life was lost, not by an act of war but by a road accident on home soil.<br />
<br />
The victim was 24-year-old Dayrell Charles John Titheridge a member of the Royal Artillery.<br />
<br />
Dayrell was born on 28 January 1915 in the Droxford area of Hampshire, most likely near Shedfield or Waltham Chase. He was the eldest of 8 children born to Noah John Titheridge and Annie Louise Ferris. There were 7 boys and 1 girl in the family, born between 1915 and 1936.<br />
<br />
Sometime between 1933 and 1935 Dayrell joined the Royal Artillery. In 1935 he was living in the Louisburg Barracks at the Bordon Army Camp, Hampshire. At the age of 21 Dayrell married Jessie Muriel Webb on 25 September 1935 at St Alban's church, Hindhead, Surrey.<br />
<br />
By the outbreak of war in September 1939 Dayrell had gained the rank of Lance Bombardier and he was still stationed at Bordon Camp as part of the 2nd Field Regiment.<br />
<br />
On Tuesday 12 September 1939 Dayrell was riding his motorbike at about 5.45 in the morning, just as it was light. He collided with a car in Honey Lane, Selbourne, Hampshire while travelling towards Bordon. At the inquest the driver of the car said, he was driving his car along Honey Lane towards Selbourne when, as he was rounding a left-handed bend, he saw a motorbike five to six feet from its off side of the road. The motorist applied his brakes, but the motorcycle seemed to wobble in front of him and crashed into his radiator. Dayrell was taken to hospital and was suffering from severe head injuries. He never regained consciousness and died a couple of hours later.<br />
<br />
The inquest was held by the Winchester County Coroner at Alton Police Court. A verdict of accidental death was given with the driver of the car exonerated from blame.<br />
<br />
Dayrell was buried in St John the Baptist church in Shedfield, his local home church which was a mile south of his parent’s home of 11 Beaucroft Road, Waltham Chase. His grave is situated to the rear of the church. The grave is pictured above. His death is recorded on the Commonwealth War Grave Commission site as he was a serving soldier in war time. In the burial ground at Shedfield, across the road from the church, is a War Memorial to the men of Shedfield, pictured below.<br />
<br />
As far as I can tell Dayrell’s widow never remarried and she died in Taunton in September 1981.<br />
<br />
For Dayrell’s parents, Noah and Annie, they not only had to cope with the loss of a son but also the worry of their other sons serving in the war. By the end of World War 2 five of their six remaining sons were serving their country in the forces. Fortunately, all five sons returned home safely.<br />
<br />
While researching this article I viewed the British Army Casualty List for the period 3 September to 19 September 1939 a period of 16 days. I was shocked to see that in UK, during this period, a total of 22 soldiers lost their lives on home soil and not due to warfare. (8 were accidentally killed, 5 died as a result of an accident, 7 died, 1 drowned, 1 was missing presumed drown plus 4 were reported as dangerously ill).<br />
<br />
If you are related to Dayrell and can add any more to this story please get in touch.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uhDO76u7mM26l8qZg5geOHjCXzVeXpkB1K1MfaHL7CZocnu_IhVJh8GAuLSt9-p0_Fx_DBK8ndSS9iuEzQLqcf3tbTB8KAaR1x3agsxb4gactgpbh94Ws3wCA4YyZC5J4eS6XzrKXgha/s1600/DSC06859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="577" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uhDO76u7mM26l8qZg5geOHjCXzVeXpkB1K1MfaHL7CZocnu_IhVJh8GAuLSt9-p0_Fx_DBK8ndSS9iuEzQLqcf3tbTB8KAaR1x3agsxb4gactgpbh94Ws3wCA4YyZC5J4eS6XzrKXgha/s320/DSC06859.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shedfielld Memorial <br />
to those who lost their lives in World War 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lLZsDNw12gf4nvH_SSNoTTzHUVLlN_bYIz4uLlbG2nNK3SHorCQ4FYN3rzYlpNbK13CfP3NAmAWLbOFF_zebKFJmrtJTSz64S48DiyX-dQyJwH7NsfCi0srk3V_MrQbGQykHPGjjMrxK/s1600/DSC06865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="433" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lLZsDNw12gf4nvH_SSNoTTzHUVLlN_bYIz4uLlbG2nNK3SHorCQ4FYN3rzYlpNbK13CfP3NAmAWLbOFF_zebKFJmrtJTSz64S48DiyX-dQyJwH7NsfCi0srk3V_MrQbGQykHPGjjMrxK/s320/DSC06865.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St John the Baptist Church<br />
in Shedfield, Hampshire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-17738116028758791852019-09-04T22:23:00.002+01:002021-08-04T23:24:50.143+01:00World War 2 Remembered – 80 years on <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQQ2fcp-IhLGZjg073CzVtzOVBLUiSaobVw_aQajq2l34rR9lyHf3tsFXevWJuivZ4kFe8Z3aorn3RZhflp9KqjeUvKrmjAihvYMsOA61zrrIJitbOh0Pv5sUrNG10ioxWhi3WNAZVI55/s1600/ww2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="581" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQQ2fcp-IhLGZjg073CzVtzOVBLUiSaobVw_aQajq2l34rR9lyHf3tsFXevWJuivZ4kFe8Z3aorn3RZhflp9KqjeUvKrmjAihvYMsOA61zrrIJitbOh0Pv5sUrNG10ioxWhi3WNAZVI55/s320/ww2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
War Is Announced</h3>
<br />
Eighty years ago, on 3 September 1939, Britain declared war on Germany. Hitler's aggressive foreign policy had led to the invasion of the Czech lands in March 1939. Britain and France subsequently agreed to support Poland in the event of a German invasion. However, this had no affect and Hitler attacked Poland on 1 September 1939. On 3 September the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, announced that the Germans had failed to respond to the British deadline for the withdrawal of German troops from Poland. The Germans were told that unless Germany announced plans to with draw from Poland a state of war would exist between the two countries. Chamberlain announced to the country, "I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received and consequently this country is at war with Germany."<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Effects of War</h3>
<br />
World War 2 had a devastating effect on all our families.<br />
<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Men already in the armed forces they were sent to war.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Many men volunteered to go and fight in the Army, Navy and Air Force.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The National Service Act imposed conscription and many men were forced to enlist in the armed forces.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In the six years of war many lives were lost. Others became prisoners of war and many were wounded. All bearing the mental scars of warfare.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>There were many courageous acts, many recognised with bravery awards.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>For those who lived in London, and other British cities, there were air raids by the German Luftwaffe. The population got used to air raids, air raid sirens, nights spent in air raid shelters and the resulting devastation, loss of houses and loss of life. Many of our family members lived in London and Portsmouth, both areas targeted by the air raids.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>People were displaced from their homes as large-scale evacuation took place of women and children, from the cities to the safer country environment.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Emergency measures were announced, which included identity cards, blackouts, rationing of food and clothing and other commodities.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Women took on roles that they had not done before, from working in the land army to the munitions work.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A few soldiers found themselves a long way from home where they met local girls and fell in love - romances and subsequently families, that would not have happened without the war.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Some World War 2 Stories Relating to The Family</h3>
<br />
If you search the Internet there are several individuals who have written about their experiences in World War 2. For copyright reasons I cannot rewrite their story but below are links to what information is available on the internet on family name and World War 2. Please click the links to read their story.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Catherine Titheridge </h4>
Catherine was a stewardess Wren on HMS Hornet. Read <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/47/a4590047.shtml" target="_blank">her story.</a><br />
<h4>
Dusty Titheridge</h4>
Dusty was in the RAF and married his Canadian sweetheart. Read <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=sUf265ZsQSsC&pg=PA167&lpg=PA167&dq=%22titheridge%22+%221939%22&source=bl&ots=1YzBLLEZOY&sig=ACfU3U1O8Dj3Tnhicoo8tasjmcPzvg6nBg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjrhNOThaDkAhWqXRUIHSRTAkMQ6AEwEnoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22titheridge%22%20%221939%22&f=false" target="_blank">his story.</a><br />
<h4>
Roy Leslie Walter Titheradge </h4>
Roy was mentioned in despatches for his bravery. Read <a href="https://www.ww2boffin.com/blog/titheradge-roy-leslie-walter" target="_blank">his story.</a><br />
<h4>
Muriel Tytheridge</h4>
Muriel was a young girl when she was evacuated to countryside from Woolwich. Read <a href="http://www.memoriesofwar.org.uk/page_id__49_path__0p12p32p.aspx" target="_blank">her story</a><br />
<h4>
Alan Tytheridge</h4>
Alan was held in a Japanese Prisoner of War camp. Read <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2019/07/alan-courtney-tytheridge-part-3-japan.html" target="_blank">his story. </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
More World War Stories</h3>
<br />
Over the next few blogs I hope to recount a few of the family stories I know relating to World War 2. Many of us have heard our parents or grandparents talk about life in the war, but despite this it is much harder to research individuals in the second world war compared to first. This is due to the confidentiality of the records and the fact they are not readily available. However, did you know, if your father or grandfather or other family member fought in World War 2 that their next of kin can access their records if they are deceased? The fee is £30. If they or their spouse are still alive, the records can be accessed for free. Information about this service is available <a href="https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records" target="_blank">at this link. </a><br />
<br />
If you can tell us about the life of someone who fought in World War 2, and would like it recorded here, please email me and I will publish your story.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-15238081877797773902019-08-24T09:09:00.001+01:002021-08-04T23:23:58.075+01:00Dame Ellen Terry and the Titheradge Connection<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFh5_NmFXKpbeutgfLk9eJkAo0m40yvJPZrzpb5RlVx9hfd-ho4cWBKO12RkL0ko9VAkapCAG8gA-zNZfxTX_LCmNPobl2cafwyE35l8OcJDl943uI38ofZU_3DrCnNcHJ1tKOEzcqdsR/s1600/Smallhythe+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="577" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFh5_NmFXKpbeutgfLk9eJkAo0m40yvJPZrzpb5RlVx9hfd-ho4cWBKO12RkL0ko9VAkapCAG8gA-zNZfxTX_LCmNPobl2cafwyE35l8OcJDl943uI38ofZU_3DrCnNcHJ1tKOEzcqdsR/s320/Smallhythe+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smallhythe Place Home of Ellen Terry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Smallhythe Place</h3>
<br />
Last month we visited the National Trust gardens of Sissinghurst Castle in Kent, former home of Vita Sackville-West. The gardens were beautiful and in full bloom. We finished our trip by early-afternoon so decided to fill the time with a visit to the nearby National Trust Property of Smallhythe Place. Smallhythe Place near Tenterden, in Kent, is a half-timbered house built in the late 15th or early 16th century. It is a picturesque cottage surrounded by gardens. Its claim to fame is that it was the home of the famous Victorian actress Dame Ellen Terry. She lived there from 1899 until her death in 1928. On her death her daughter, Edith Craig, converted the house into a museum to commemorate her mother’s remarkable acting career. Today the house is owned by the National Trust, it is full of items connected to Ellen Terry and the theatre world of the late nineteenth / early twentieth century.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Ellen Terry</h3>
<br />
Ellen Terry was born in 1847 into a family of actors and she appeared on stage from an early age. She was an acclaimed actress who was one of the most popular performers on the stage. She made her name in both England and America. She became famous for her roles in Shakespearean plays, particularly in 1875 when she played Portia in The Merchant of Venice, a role she recreated many times throughout her career. Between 1878 and 1902 she was the leading lady for Sir Henry Irving. She continued to act on stage, and in some early films, until ill health led her to retire in 1925. In 1925 she was honoured for her work and given the rank of Dame. Dame Ellen Terry died in 1928. She married three times, with none of the marriages lasting very long; she also had various other relationships.<br />
<br />
One of the most stunning exhibits at her home in Smallhythe was her dress for the role of Lady Macbeth, it is a green silk dress decorated with iridescent beetle wings. The 1889 oil painting of Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth by John Singer Sargent wearing this dress is a well-known painting, which can be viewed <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/21417" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
There are several connections with Ellen Terry and the Titheradge family.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Madge Titheradge and Ellen Terry</h3>
<br />
On show in the Smallhythe Place, opposite the ticket desk, is a ring that was given by Ellen Terry to actress Madge Titheradge. It is a gold ring studded with a number of diamonds. After Madge’s death the ring passed to Madge’s niece, Primrose Joanna Harris nee Cochrane, then was donated to the National Trust by her great niece. The ring can be viewed <a href="http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1117870" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Also, in the Smallhythe Collection is a Chinese blue silk satin robe embroidered with flowers and butterflies. It was given to Madge Titheradge by Ellen Terry when she married Charles Quartermaine in 1910. Ellen was particularly fond of the Asian style of dress and loved to wear silk kimonos. This was also presented to the National Trust by Madge’s great niece. The robe can be viewed <a href="http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1118810" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
At Madge Titheradge’s wedding to Charles Quartermaine one of the Bridesmaids was Beatrice Terry, Ellen Terry’s niece. Beatrice was the daughter of Charles Terry, Ellen’s brother. Among the guests at the wedding was Mrs Charles Terry, Ellen’s sister-in- law. In the accounts of the wedding in the Australian papers Ellen Terry and her brother Fred and sister Marion are also listed amongst the guests.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Ellen Terry and George Sutton Titheradge </h3>
<br />
George Sutton Titheradge was Madge’s father and a famous actor. In 1877 he was near the start of his career and moved from the provincial theatres to London. His first role in London was in a play at Her Majesty’s Theatre called “The House of Darnley”. He played the part of the Ellen Terry’s Lover. The play ran from October 1877 until January 1878. In February 1878 Ellen and George starred in another play, called "Victims", but this only ran for a short time.<br />
<br />
It was 37 years later, in 1914, when Ellen Terry and George Titheradge acted together again. Ellen Terry was on a tour of Australia and George was President of The Actors Association. George was part of the group that welcomed her to Sydney, Australia in May 1914. In July there was benefit performance for Ellen Terry, with numerous performers. The show included the trial scene from "The Merchant of Venice". Ellen Terry played the role of Portia and George Titheradge played the role of Shylock. This was one of George's last performances on stage and he died 18 months later in January 1916.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEd354Q0NTX9XK6BVsmRnIH7SOtMtVcNkKlWbwCenNjLfN8H2IO2mj7Gjpr4X3XadJuEHtYK-3L6qlOh9IrKviLWKURr1JOzDbpZchtSKhahDPnLPsPmPOlSeFGTe_2UP41cMfIlsfFSY/s1600/Smallhyther+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="577" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEd354Q0NTX9XK6BVsmRnIH7SOtMtVcNkKlWbwCenNjLfN8H2IO2mj7Gjpr4X3XadJuEHtYK-3L6qlOh9IrKviLWKURr1JOzDbpZchtSKhahDPnLPsPmPOlSeFGTe_2UP41cMfIlsfFSY/s320/Smallhyther+1.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiClRwtmcm3kgdMZ8dvjkF-vJnoc39wDuWwWRGP-fj-UcFBVA48m2eZczM-oNxFIc5FsX4Q8y9MjIFkHn2BEBKWp7OYcYUwnTpS_0jd0LyLYgihY_MyA7k4aJYndinQBwU7V-YSKCpbpEx/s1600/Smallhythe+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="577" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiClRwtmcm3kgdMZ8dvjkF-vJnoc39wDuWwWRGP-fj-UcFBVA48m2eZczM-oNxFIc5FsX4Q8y9MjIFkHn2BEBKWp7OYcYUwnTpS_0jd0LyLYgihY_MyA7k4aJYndinQBwU7V-YSKCpbpEx/s320/Smallhythe+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759341179415824865.post-42606092947422722262019-08-12T21:09:00.002+01:002021-08-04T23:23:27.830+01:00Alfred James Titheridge – Memorial Scroll<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoGDt3uZ10Q-vDzAlq3QGf8zoL7_uI28vNA5nZbM1YUO6_sG-UxbHIabUVB0bqoy6kdM37xuiWdi0Ygk1a-Wufd2WwoTHFTaSfedYeYcKhvyB7EGQ1cLSWv4JpYPMx-nPGk8FSmpm3XM5/s1600/memorial+scroll+for+alfred+james+titheridge+1915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1245" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoGDt3uZ10Q-vDzAlq3QGf8zoL7_uI28vNA5nZbM1YUO6_sG-UxbHIabUVB0bqoy6kdM37xuiWdi0Ygk1a-Wufd2WwoTHFTaSfedYeYcKhvyB7EGQ1cLSWv4JpYPMx-nPGk8FSmpm3XM5/s320/memorial+scroll+for+alfred+james+titheridge+1915.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World War 1 Memorial Scroll</td></tr>
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<b>Searching the Internet</b></h3>
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I often use Google to see if there are any new occurrences on the
Internet of the Titheridge / Titheradge family name. A recent search enabled me
to find, and buy, a World War 1 Memorial Scroll for Lance Corporal Alfred James
Titheridge of the Royal Sussex Regiment. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It seemed such a shame that it had been separated from the family of
Alfred, but somewhere along the line there was either no one to pass it on to
or the person who inherited it did not find it interesting and worthy of
keeping. I couldn’t bear to see it leave the family completely, so I bought it
an added it to my collection of Titheridge / Titheradge family heirlooms and
documents. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Memorial Scroll is shown in the picture. After World War 1 the
family would have received a Memorial Plaque as well as the scroll. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Memorial Plaque </b></h3>
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During World War 1 the government decided to issue plaques and scrolls
to commemorate those who had died in the World War in order to acknowledge
their extreme sacrifice. The small plaque was made of bronze and was about
11cms in diameter. It was issued to the next of kin of the casualty as a memorial
to their loved one. The design contains the symbolic figure of Britannia,
holding a laurel wreath in her left hand over a box inscribed with the name of
the deceased soldier. In Britannia’s right hand is a trident and at her feet is
a lion. Two dolphins facing Britannia
represent Britain’s sea power. The inscription reads “He died for Freedom and
Honour”. The round shape and coin-like appearance earned the plaques the nicknames
Dead Man's Penny, Death Penny, Death Plaque and Widow's Penny.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Memorial Scroll</b></h3>
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As well as receiving the plaque the family also received a Memorial Scroll.
This is what I now own for Alfred. The scroll is printed on high quality paper,
size 11 x 7 inches. The text is printed in calligraphic script beneath the
Royal Crest followed by the name of the commemorated serviceman giving his
rank, name and regiment individually written in calligraphic script. When it was
being designed the committee found the choice of words very difficult. These
are the poignant words that were eventual chosen: </div>
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<i>He whom this
scroll commemorates was numbered among those who, at the call of King and
Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and
finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice,
giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Let those who come
after see to it that his name be not forgotten.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Production and Distribution of
Plaque and Scroll</b></h3>
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The production of the plaques did not start until the late autumn of
1918 because of problems with setting up the manufacture of the bronze plaques,
with the supply of the metal difficult to obtain in wartime. The production of
the high quality Memorial Scrolls was begun in January 1919. They were printed
from a wood block by artists at the London County Council Central School of
Arts and Crafts.</div>
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From 1919 and for several years following there
were over 1,000,000 plaques and scrolls sent to next of kin in commemoration of
their soldiers, sailors, airmen and a few hundred women who died as a direct
consequence attributable to service in the Great War. The “next of kin” in a serviceman's Service Record was sent a form to complete, to confirm all the living next of kin of that serviceman and the
person to whom the plaque and scroll should be sent. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The scrolls and plaques were sent separately each with a cover letter with a message from the King. It read: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Buckingham Palace<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I join my grateful
people in sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the
Great War.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>George R.I.</i></div>
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<o:p>With over a million produced the plaques are still common today, although the scrolls are less likely to have survived. The one I have just acquired is a little tatty around the edges and is showing its hundred year age. I now own two scrolls but am yet to see a family related death plaque.</o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About Lance Corporal Alfred
James Titheridge</b></h3>
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My Memorial Scroll commemorates Lance Corporal Alfred James Titheridge.
Alfred came from Southwick, near Brighton in Sussex. He was the son of Albert
James and Catherine Titheridge. He was
in the Royal Sussex Regiment 2nd Battalion. He lost his life on 25 September
1915 at the Battle of Loos and is remembered on the Loos Memorial. His story
has already been told on a previous blog please click <a href="https://titheradgetitheridge.blogspot.com/2015/09/in-memory-of-alfred-james-titheridge.html" target="_blank">here </a>to read his story.</div>
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Alfred was descended from the Titheridges of Cheriton and you can find
his family tree at <a href="https://titheradgefamilyhistory.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/tree-1-branch-1m-sussex-james-and-harriet.pdf" target="_blank">this link</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Are you related to Alfred? If so please get in touch.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you have a Titheridge /Titheradge Memorial Scroll or Plaque, please
get in touch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Ann Titheradgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306275724183550209noreply@blogger.com0