Great x3 Aunt Alice Smith (nee Sandford)

My Great x3 Aunt Alice (1877 - 1943) was a domestic servant on a farm, housewife, mother at least of ten, step-mother of seven, and a younger sister of my Great Great Grandfather Mark Sandford (1872 - 1945).

Alice was born on 23rd March 1877 in Feniton, Devon, to George Anley Sandford (about 33), a farm labourer, and Sarah Ann Sandford (nee Willis) (about 37), a lacemaker and housewife.

Alice was baptised 21st April 1878 in Feniton.

Alice had two older half siblings, her mother's illegitimate children born before her marriage:

• William Willis  1864 - 1922  (58)
• Mary Willis  1868 - 1937  (69)

William and Mary lived with their maternal grandparents.

Alice was the third of five children born to George and Sarah Ann (two sons and three daughters):

• Mark  1872 - 1945  (73)
• Jane Mary  1873 - after 1911  (at least 38)
• Alice  1877 - 1943  (65)
• Susan  1882 - after 1939  (at least 57)
• Henry 'Harry'  1884 - 1917  (32 or 33)

Around 1880, when Alice was a toddler, she and her family moved about two miles north from Feniton to Payhembury.

1881 Census:

In the early 1880's, when Alice was about three, the family made a bigger move, about twenty-six miles west from Payhembury to Zeal Monachorum.

They moved again in the late 1880's, when Alice was in her tweens, five miles east from Zeal Monachorum to Morchard Bishop.

In the 1880's and 1890's, Alice's older half-brother William Willis served as a gunner in the Royal Artillery. He would serve for twelve years, including six years (from 1886 to 1893) in Gibraltar.

As young as thirteen, Alice was living away from home, living and working as a domestic servant on a farm. At the time of the 1891 Census, she lived with and worked for farmer William Kelland and his wife Elizabeth at Middlecott, in Morchard Bishop.

1891 Census:

Living with Alice's father George, her older half sister Mary Pike (formerly Gill; nee Sandford), and other family members on the 1901 Census, is a William George Sandford, who is described as George's grandson. William was born Jan/Feb/Mar 1895, in the district of Crediton - his mother's maiden name was Sandford. Either unmarried seventeen year old Alice or her unmarried twenty-one year old older sister Jane was William's mother; however, William seems to have remained closer to his Aunt Mary Pike, for it is Mary, rather than Alice or Jane, whom he puts as his next of kin on his World War One Army Service Records.

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1897, when Alice was twenty, her mother Sarah Ann passed away, aged fifty-seven, in the district of South Molton.

In the 1890's and early 1900's, both of Alice's brothers, Mark and Harry, like their older half-brother William before them, served in the army. In 1896, twenty-four year old Mark enlisted as a private in the 4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He served for three years. In 1901, eighteen year old Harry enlisted as a private, also in the 4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment.

Mark and Harry seemingly looked alike as young men: both had fresh complexions, fair hair and blue eyes. I wonder if Alice was fair as well.

Alas by the time of the 1901 Census, twenty-four year old Alice was a pauper in Crediton Workhouse. There she gave birth to a illegitimate child. Some poor and or unmarried women simply went to workhouse to give birth - this might have been the case for Alice, as her occupation is still given as a domestic servant. Alice christened her son Cyril Daniel Vodden Sandford. I wonder if Vodden was the father's surname.

A little more research revealed: that on the 1901 Census, there was a thirty-four year old thatcher called Daniel Vodden living at Bow, with his wife and two surviving daughters. A third child, a son named Cyril, had been born and died in 1900. As Vodden is quite an unusual surname, and with the same combination of uncommon names (Cyril, Daniel and Vodden), it seems likely Alice named her son for the thatcher, who may well have been her son's father.

1901 Census:

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1902, Alice (25), a domestic servant and single mother of one, married widower William Smith (about 45), a farm labourer and father of seven (five surviving), in the district of Crediton. Alice's son Cyril was only one years old at the time, and on the next Census (the 1911) he has gained the surname of Smith and is described as William's son. I cannot confirm if William was Cyril's biological father, but going by records it looks like William came to consider Cyril his (unofficially adopted?) son.

From her marriage to William, Alice gained seven step-children (five living) - William's children by first wife Thirza, who had passed away two years earlier, in 1900. At the time of their mother's death at only thirty-six or thirty-seven, and then their father's remarrying, the five surviving Smith children would have been aged between five and seventeen.

Alice's seven step-children (three boys and four girls):

• William Henry  1885 - 
• Alice Maud  1886 - 
• Rosina/Rosanna Sarah  1887 - 1889  (between 16 and 21 months)
• Ernest Samuel  1889 - 1890 (between 10 and 14 months)
• Dora  1891 - 
• Jessie  1893 -
• George  1895 -

Alice and William then had ten children (nine sons and one daughter) (including Alice's firstborn son Cyril, born before their marriage and possibly the biological son of Bow thatcher Daniel Vodden):

• Cyril (born Cyril Daniel Vodden Sandford, later simply went by Cyril Smith)  1901 - 
• Harry  1903 - 
• Reggie 'Reg'  1904 -
• Arthur  1906 -
• Thomas 'Tom'  1908 -
• Edward  1910 -
• Annie  1912 - 1927  (14 years old)
• Charles  1915 -
• Percival  1918 -
• Frank  1920 -

Alice and her family lived at New Inn Cottage in Chawleigh for many years.

1911 Census:

Alice's younger brother Harry - whom she may have named her second son for - served and was sadly killed in the First World War. Her nephew, Arthur Harry Gill, the son of her older half sister Mary Pike (formerly Gill; nee Willis) also served and was killed in action.

Her brother Harry, having served as a private in the early 1900's (service number 6687), was re-conscripted as a corporal (service number 3/6687) in the 8th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He was listed as wounded on the casualty list of 31st January 1915 and again on the casualty list of 28th February 1915. He was killed in action on 25th March 1917, aged thirty-three. Harry's name appears on the Bow War Memorial; as well as at the Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France.

Her nephew Arthur (service number 71781) was a private in the 5th Battalion (Territorials) of the Devonshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 27th September 1918, less than two years before the end of the war, aged twenty-three or twenty-four. Arthur's name appears on the Eggesford War Memorial; as well as on the Vis-en-Artois (British Cemetery and) Memorial at Haucourt, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

During the First World War, as well as losing her younger brother and nephew, Alice's father George also passed away. In Apr/May/Jun 1917, when Alice was forty, George passed away, aged seventy-four, in the Crediton district.

Nine month after armistice, Alice's eldest son, eighteen year old Cyril, followed in the footsteps of his Uncle Harry and cousin Arthur, and joined the army. His service number was 205937. On 29th August 1919, he enlisted as a private in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He served for one year at 'Home'. During that year, he had recurrent bouts of influenza. He spent first 21 days in hospital with influenza, from 2nd - 22nd March 1920; then two weeks later, he was back in hospital with influenza, and remained in hospital for over a month, from 6th April to 8th May 1920. He was discharged on 28th August 1920.

Cyril's Army Service Records gives a physical description of Alice's eldest son as a young man. He was 5'2 3/4'' and weigh 8st 1lb (essentially my size! as I'm just 5'3'' and 8st). He had a fresh complexion, fair hair and grey eyes. He also had flat feet and varicose veins on his legs.

In Oct/Nov/Dec 1923, when Alice was forty-six, her husband William passed away, aged about sixty-six, in the district of Crediton.

Three and half years later, in February 1927, when Alice was forty-nine, her daughter Annie also passed away after one week's illness, aged only fourteen, in Chawleigh. Though Alice had given birth to ten children, nine had been sons - Annie had been her only daughter.

From the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 18th February 1927:

Annie had passed away from 'sleeping sickness' (encephalitis lethargica), a disease which attacks the brain and leaves the victim in a statue-like state, speechless and motionless. There was a worldwide epidemic of sleeping sickness between 1915 and 1926, which affected nearly five million people, of whom a third passed away from the disease. Of those who survived, many never returned to their former 'aliveness'.

From Awakenings (1973) by Oliver Sacks:

"They would be conscious and aware - yet not fully awake; they would sit motionless and speechless all day in their chairs, totally lacking energy, impetus, initiative, motive, appetite, affect or desire; they registered what went on about them without active attention, and with profound indifference. They neither conveyed nor felt the feeling of life; they were as insubstantial as ghosts, and as passive as zombies." 

1939 Census:

Many of Alice's sons were young men at the time of the Second World War. Did they serve?

Alice did not live to see the end of the Second World War. In February or March 1943, Alice passed away, aged sixty-five, in Chawleigh.

From Western Times of 5th March 1943:

Great x3 Aunt Jane Mary Pyke (nee Sandford)

My Great x3 Aunt Jane (1873 - after 1911) was a domestic servant, housewife, possibly mother of one, and a younger sister of my Great Great Grandfather Mark Sandford (1872 - 1945).

Jane was born in Apr/May/Jun 1873 in Colyton, Devon, to George Anley Sandford (about 30), a farm labourer, and Sarah Ann Sandford (nee Willis) (about 33), a lacemaker and housewife.

Jane had two older half siblings, her mother's illegitimate children born before her marriage:

• William Willis  1864 - 1922  (58)
• Mary Willis  1868 - 1937  (69)

William and Mary lived with their maternal grandparents.

Jane was the second of five children born to George and Sarah Ann (two sons and three daughters):

• Mark  1872 - 1945  (73)
• Jane Mary  1873 - after 1911 (at least 38)
• Alice  1877 - 1943  (65)
• Susan  1882 - after 1939 (at least 57)
• Henry 'Harry'  1884 - 1917  (32 or 33)

Jane and her family seem to have moved around a lot, likely as Jane's father George found work as a labourer on different farms...

In the late 1870's, when Jane was about four, they moved about eleven miles north west from Colyton to Feniton.

Around 1880, when Jane was about six, they moved again about two miles north from Feniton to Payhembury.

1881 Census:

In the early 1880's, when Jane was about eight, they moved again about twenty-six miles west from Payhembury to Zeal Monachorum.

They moved again in the late 1880's, when Jane was in her teens from Zeal Monachorum east five miles to Morchard Bishop.

In the 1880's and 1890's, Alice's older half-brother William Willis served as a gunner in the Royal Artillery. He would serve for twelve years, including six years (from 1886 to 1893) in Gibraltar.

1891 Census:

Living with Jane's father George, her older half sister Mary Pike (formerly Gill; nee Sandford), and other family members on the 1901 Census, is a William George Sandford, who is described as George's grandson. William was born Jan/Feb/Mar 1895, in the district of Crediton - his mother's maiden name was Sandford. Either unmarried twenty-one year old Jane or her unmarried seventeen year old younger sister Alice was William's mother; however, William seems to have remained closer to his Aunt Mary Pike, for it is Mary, rather than Jane or Alice, whom he puts as his next of kin on his World War One Army Service Records.

In Apr/May/Jun 1896, Jane (22 or 23), a domestic servant, married Edward John Pyke (20), a horseman on a farm, in the district of Crediton. Jane and Edward had no children.

In the 1890's and early 1900's, both of Jane's brothers served in the army. In 1896, twenty-four year old Mark enlisted as a private in the 4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He served for three years. In 1901, eighteen year old Harry enlisted as a private, also in the 4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment.

Mark and Harry seemingly looked alike as young men: both had fresh complexions, fair hair and blue eyes. I wonder if Jane was fair as well.

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1897, when Jane was only twenty-three, her mother Sarah Ann passed away, aged fifty-seven, in the district of South Molton.

By the time of the 1901 Census, Jane's older brother Mark, returned from the army, lodged with Jane and her husband Edward at West Howell, Colebrooke. Mark also worked as a horseman on a farm, likely alongside his brother-in-law.

1901 Census:

Sometime in the first decade of the 1900's, Jane and Edward made the big move from their native Devon to Rhondda, in Glamorganshire, Wales.

At the time of the 1911 Census, living with them were two nephews: a John Sandford Pyke (whose parentage I can't presently determine) and Arthur Harry Gill. Arthur was the son of Jane's half sister Mary Pike (formerly Gill; nee Willis)). In 1908, Mary had then married Jane's husband Edward Pyke's younger brother Samuel Pike (Pyke). Also lodging with them were James Pyke (another younger brother of Jane's husband Edward Pyke) and Samuel Gill. Samuel was Jane's first cousin, the son of her maternal aunt Mary Ann Gill (nee Willis), as well as possibly the brother of her half sister Mary Pike (formerly Gill; nee Willis)'s first husband William Gill.

All the male relatives Jane lived with worked in the Welsh mining industry.

1911 Census:

Unfortunately the 1911 Census is the last definite record I can presently find relating to Jane and Edward. We leave them, in their late thirties, surrounded by their extended Devonshire family, working in the mines of South Wales.

Jane's younger brother Harry served and was sadly killed in the First World War. Her nephew, Arthur Harry Gill, the son of her older half sister Mary Pike (formerly Gill; nee Willis) also served and was killed in action.

Her brother Harry, having served as a private in the early 1900's (service number 6687), was re-conscripted as a corporal (service number 3/6687) in the 8th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He was listed as wounded on the casualty list of 31st January 1915 and again on the casualty list of 28th February 1915. He was killed in action on 25th March 1917, aged thirty-three. Harry's name appears on the Bow War Memorial; as well as at the Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France.

Her nephew Arthur (service number 71781) was a private in the 5th Battalion (Territorials) of the Devonshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 27th September 1918, less than two years before the end of the war, aged twenty-three or twenty-four. Arthur's name appears on the Eggesford War Memorial; as well as on the Vis-en-Artois (British Cemetery and) Memorial at Haucourt, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

Great x3 Half Aunt Mary Pike (formerly Gill; nee Willis)

My Great x3 Half Aunt Mary (1867 - 1937) was a housewife, mother of three, and an older half sister of my Great Great Grandfather Mark Sandford (1872 - 1945).

Mary was born in Jul/Aug/Sep 1867 in Colyton, Devon, the illegitimate daughter of Sarah Ann Willis (later Sandford) (about 27), a lacemaker.

Mary was baptised on 12th July 1868 in Colyton, Devon.

Mary was the second of two illegitimate children born to Sarah Ann, before her marriage:

• William Willis  1864 - 1922  (58)
• Mary Willis  1867 - 1937  (69)

Young Mary and William lived with their maternal grandparents, Sarah Ann's parents, James, a blacksmith, and Mary Willis, a lacemaker. The couple also took in another daughter Mary Ann's illegitimate son William John James Willis.

1871 Census:

On 7th May 1871, Mary's mother Sarah Ann (30), a lacemaker and single mother of two, married George Anley Sandford (27), a farm labourer, in Colyton. Before they married, George had lodged with Sarah Ann, her parents and family.

Mary had five younger half siblings - the legitimate children of his mother Sarah Ann and George Sandford - :

• Mark Sandford  1872 - 1945  (73)
• Jane Mary Sandford  1873 - after 1911  (at least 38)
• Alice Sandford  1877 - 1943  (65)
• Susan Sandford  1882 - after 1939  (at least 57)
• Henry 'Harry'  1884 - 1917  (32 or 33)

1881 Census:

In February 1885, when Mary was seventeen, her only full sibling, her twenty-one year old older brother William, left their grandparent's home of Parkhayne Cottage in Colyton, to enlist as a gunner in the Royal Artillery. He would serve for twelve years, including six years (from 1886 to 1893) in Gibraltar.

His Army Service Record gives us a physical description of Mary's brother as a young man: he was just short of 5'8'', ten stone, had a fair complexion, light brown hair and blue eyes. His character is described as 'exemplary'. His habits and conduct are 'regular, very good, temperate'. I wonder if Mary was like her brother in looks or temperament.

Whilst William was away in the army, their guardians/grandparents passed away. In 1886, when Mary was about nineteen, her maternal grandfather James passed away, aged about seventy-six, in the parish of Axminster. Two years later, in 1888, when Mary was about twenty, her maternal grandmother Mary passed away, aged about seventy-five, in the parish of Axminster.

I am yet to find Mary on the 1891 Census, but by late 1891 she had seemingly found her way all the way to Pontypridd in Wales, where she married.

In Oct/Nov/Dec 1891, Mary (24) married William Gill (27), in the district of Pontypridd, Wales. It looks like William may well have been Mary's first cousin, the son of her maternal aunt Mary Ann Gill (nee Willis),

Within a few years, they had moved back down to Devon, living around the Zeal Monachorum and Bow area.

Mary and William had at least two children:

• Arthur Harry  1894 - 1918  (23 or 24)
• Gwendoline Mary  1897 - 1922  (25)

Both of these children were born in Zeal Monachorum, Devon.

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1897, when Mary was about thirty, her mother Sarah Ann passed away, aged fifty-seven, in the district of South Molton.

Only a few months later, in Oct/Nov/Dec 1897, Mary's husband William also passed away, aged only thirty-three, in the district of Crediton.

Widowed, Mary sought relief from the parish to support herself and her young children. Come the 1901 Census, they lived with her widowed step-father George Sandford. Though no records confirm the identity of Mary's biological father, George may have been the father figure in her life. For example, on the 1901 Census, Mary is simply described as his daughter, and her children as his grandchild.

1901 Census:

Living Mary, her children, step-father George and younger half-brother Harry on the 1901 Census, is a William George Sandford, who is described as George's grandson. William was born Jan/Feb/Mar 1895, in the district of Crediton - his mother's maiden name was Sandford. One of Mary's younger unmarried half sisters - either twenty-one year old Jane or seventeen year old Alice - was William's mother; however, William seems to have remained closer to his Aunt Mary Pike, for it is Mary, rather than Jane or Alice, whom he puts as his next of kin on his World War One Army Service Record.

Mary's younger half brothers, Mark and Harry Sandford, also served in the army. In 1896, twenty-four year old Mark enlisted as a private in the 4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He served for three years. In 1901, eighteen year old Harry enlisted as a private, also in the 4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment.

Mark and Harry seemingly looked alike as young men: both had fresh complexions, fair hair and blue eyes.

A decade after her first husband's death, Mary remarried. In Jan/Feb/Mar 1908 (40), Mary married Samuel James Pike (or Pyke) (28) the younger brother of her half-sister Jane Mary Pyke (nee Sandford)'s husband Edward Pyke.

Mary was twelve years older than Samuel; however, on the 1911 Census her age is given as the same as his. I wonder if Samuel really knew how much older his wife was than him.

Mary and Samuel had one daughter:

• Ruby J  1910 -

1911 Census:

(I have since realised I made a typo in the above census transcript: Ruby was born in 1910, not 1901)

On the 1911 Census, the family live at 6 Four Ways, Eggesford. But by 1937, the family home would be three doors down at 9 Four Ways, Eggesford.

Mary's only son Arthur and younger half-brother Harry both served and were sadly killed in action during the First World War.

Harry, having served as a private in the early 1900's (service number 6687), was re-conscripted as a corporal (service number 3/6687) in the 8th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He was listed as wounded on the casualty list of 31st January 1915 and again on the casualty list of 28th February 1915. He was killed in action on 25th March 1917, aged thirty-three. Harry's name appears on the Bow War Memorial; as well as at the Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France.

Arthur's service number was 71781. He was private in the 5th Battalion (Territorials) of the Devonshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 27th September 1918, less than two months before the end of the war, aged only twenty-three or twenty-four. Arthur's name appears on the Eggesford War Memorial; as well as on the Vis-en-Artois (British Cemetery and) Memorial at Haucourt, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

During the First World War, as well as losing her only son and younger half-brother, Mary's step-father George passed away. In Apr/May/Jun 1917, George passed away, aged seventy-four, in the Crediton district.

Mary's nephew William George Sandford (the illegitimate son of one of her younger half sisters, Jane or Alice Sandford) also served in the First World War, but survived. He was a private (service number P/15805) in the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regimant. He had actually enlisted before the start of the war. He served at 'Home' from 28th March 1914 to 25th July 1916; then from 26th July 1916 to 8th August 1917, served in the British Expeditionary Force; and finally from 9th August 1917, served at 'Home' again. He was awarded the British Medal for Bravery in the field in 1917. In 1918, he had transferred to the Military Foot Police, in which he served until January 1920.

In Oct/Nov/Dec 1920, Mary's eldest daughter Gwendoline sadly also passed away, aged only twenty-five, in the district of Crediton.

On 8th May 1937, Mary herself passed away, aged sixty-nine, in the Exeter district. She was survived by her second husband Samuel and younger daughter, Ruby.

Her funeral on 11th May 1937 at All Saints Church, Eggesford, appears to have been highly attended by family and friends.

From the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 14th May 1937:

From the Western Times of 14th May 1937:

A year later, and she was still greatly missed by her husband Samuel and their daughter Ruby.

From the Western Times of 6th May 1938:

Samuel and Ruby posted the same notice a year later in the Western Times of 5th May 1939, two years after Mary's passing. 

Great x3 Half Uncle William Willis

My Great x3 Half Uncle William (1864 - 1922) was a blacksmith, labourer, private and gunner in the Royal Artillery, railway plate-layer (for L&SWR), and an older half brother of my Great Great Grandfather Mark Sandford (1872 - 1945).

William was born in January or February 1864 in Colyton, Devon, the illegitimate son of Sarah Ann Willis (later Sandford) (about 23), a lacemaker.

William was baptised on Valentine's Day 1864 in Colyton.

William was one of two illegitimate children born to Sarah Ann, before her marriage:

• William Willis  1864 - 1922  (58)
• Mary Willis  1868 - 1937  (69)

Young William and Mary lived with their maternal grandparents, Sarah Ann's parents, James, a blacksmith, and Mary Willis, a lacemaker. The couple also took in their daughter Mary Ann's illegitimate son William John James Willis.

1871 Census:

On 7th May 1871, William's mother Sarah Ann (30), a lacemaker and single mother of two, married George Anley Sandford (27), a farm labourer, in Colyton. Before they married, George had lodged with Sarah Ann, her parents and family.

William had five younger half siblings - the legitimate children of his mother Sarah Ann and George Sandford - :

• Mark Sandford  1872 - 1945  (73)
• Jane Mary Sandford  1873 - after 1911 (at least 38)
• Alice Sandford  1877 - 1943  (65)
• Susan Sandford  1882 - after 1939  (at least 57)
• Henry 'Harry' Sandford  1884 - 1917  (32 or 33)

1881 Census:

As a teenager, William worked as an assistant to his maternal grandfather James, who was a blacksmith. By 1885, a twenty-one year old William gives his occupation as a blacksmith.

Having previously belonged to the Devonshire Rifle Volunteer Corps, on 10th February 1885, William enlisted at Exeter as a private and gunner in the Royal Artillery. For some reason he gives his age as eighteen, when he was actually just turned twenty-one. He would serve for twelve years.

From 10th February 1885 to 10th November 1886, William served at 'Home', for one and half years. During this first year in the Royal Artillery, he suffered a bout of measles. He was in hospital for twenty days, from 19th April to 8th May 1886. From 11th November 1886 to 8th December 1893, he served in Gibraltar, for six years. And finally from 9th December 1893 to 9th February 1897, at again served at 'Home', for four years.

His Army Record gives us a physical description of William as a young man: he was just short of 5'8'', 10 stones, had a fair complexion, light brown hair and blue eyes. His character is described as 'exemplary'. His habits and conduct are 'regular, very good, temperate'.

Whilst William was in the army, his guardians/grandparents passed away. In 1886, when William was twenty-two, his maternal grandfather James passed away, aged about seventy-six, in the parish of Axminster. Two years later, in 1888, when William was twenty-four, his maternal grandmother Mary passed away, aged about seventy-five, in the parish of Axminster.

On 3rd September 1894, William (30), a gunner and labourer, married Emily Hepper (25), in Heanton Punchardon, Devon. William and Emily didn't have any children.

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1897, when William was thirty-three, his mother Sarah Ann passed away, aged fifty-seven, in the district of South Molton.

After leaving the army, William went on to work as a plate-layer for the London & South Western Railway,

1901 Census:

1911 Census:

By 1922, William and Emily were living at 2 Railway Cottages at Chawleigh.

On Thursday 8th June 1922, William passed away, aged fifty-eight, at work. He complained of feeling 'done up' to a colleague, Robert Sampson, before sitting down. Just after Robert saw William's head fall backwards; he went over to him, but William passed away almost immediately. The locum tenens found 'a marked degeneration of the heart muscle, caused by extensive disease of the arteries supplying the heart' and 'a certain amount of inflammation of the stomach of fairly long standing'. William's death was attributed to 'a syncope [loss of consciousness caused by drop in blood pressure] following heart disease and indigestion'.

From the Western Times of 9th June 1922:

Three years later, in Apr/May/Jun 1925, his wife Emily passed away, aged fifty-six, in the district of Crediton.

Great Great Aunt Alice 'Allie' Brownscombe Gale (formerly Squire; nee Easterbrook)

My Great Great Aunt Allie (1904 - 1981) was a housewife, verger, mother of three, and the younger sister of my Great Grandmother Dinah Bessie Sandford (formerly Luxton; formerly Batchelor; nee Easterbrook).

Allie was born on 9th August 1904, in Black Torrington, Devon, to Ezekiel Herd Easterbrook (65), a blacksmith and farrier, and Alice Brownscombe Easterbrook (nee Fisher) (35), a housewife and former housekeeper.

Allie was baptised on 31st March 1907, in Broadwoodkelly. She was named for her mother.

Allie was the second of two daughters:

• Dinah Bessie  1902 - 1976
• Alice 'Allie' Brownscombe  1904 - 1981

By 1907, Allie and her family had moved to Henwood Cottage in Broadwoodkelly.

By 1909, they had moved to Park View, also in Broadwoodkelly.

1911 Census:

Allie was ten when the First World War began.

In Apr/May/Jun 1920, when Allie was fifteen, her father Ezekiel passed away, aged eighty. At the time, Allie's older sister Dinah was seventeen, unmarried, and between three and five months pregnant with her first child. Family legend says that Dinah was kicked out by her parents for falling pregnant before marriage.

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1924, Allie (19 or 20) married George Squire (21 or 22), a mason, in the district of Torrington.

Allie and George had three children:

• Yvonne 'Vonnie' P  1925 -
• Keith  1926 -
• Monica Joan  1928 -

All three children were born in the district of Crediton.

The 1929, 1930 and 1931 electoral registers shows Allie and George living at Mill Lane in Sandford. On the 1930 register they are shown living with John and Lucy Squire - likely close relatives of George. Also their next-door neighbour on all three registers is a Henry Squire - likely another relation.

By 1939, the family had moved over the border to Bridgetown in Somerset.

1939 Census:

By the Second World War, Allie's marriage was unhappy. Though the 1939 Census shows the family together, a newspaper article states George 'frequently stayed away from home' and 'a few years after marriage he left her [Allie] and asked to be divorced'.

A divorce from George was granted to Allie on 27th November 1942 on the grounds that he had committed adultery. 'In September 1941, she heard that he was going about with a girl and she now alleged that he committed adultery in that year at Bampton'. The divorce was made absolute in June 1943. Allie was granted custody of the youngest child - Monica, who would have been fourteen at the time her parents divorced. I wonder if the middle child - Keith, sixteen at the time - was considered an adult, alongside eldest child - Vonnie, seventeen at the time - and thus custody of them wasn't granted to either parent.

From the Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser of 5th December 1942:

From the Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser of 26th June 1943:

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1943, Allie (38 or 39) married Archibald 'Archie' Cornelius Gale (41), a lorry driver for a corn mill and former private in the 1st Battalion of Somerset Light Infantry (1920 - 1921), in the district of Taunton, in Somerset.

Archie had been dismissed as permanently unfit from the army back in 1921, aged only eighteen, due to congenital cataracts in both eyes, which he had had since infancy. His army records give a physical description: as a young man, Archie was 5' 7 1/2'', with a fresh complexion, dark brown hair and brown eyes.

Allie's niece Bette looked up to her Auntie Allie, in a way that she didn't look up to her own mother, Allie's older sister Dinah.

In many senses, Allie was quite old-fashioned. For example, Bette would make sure she wasn't wearing trousers, but a dress or skirt, when she visited her favourite and only aunt. My mother, Bette's youngest daughter Julie, also recalls Auntie Allie always served bread and butter (real butter) at tea-time. If Julie couldn't make it, when her parents visited, Allie would send home her bread and butter.

My mother has fond memories of visiting her great aunt, whom she called Auntie Allie. She also referred to her as her as 'my thin granny', as apposed to her 'fat granny' - her own grandmother, Allie's older sister Dinah. A young Julie could sit on her thin granny's lap, but couldn't fit on her fat granny's lap due to her large belly.

Julie, like her own daughters, was a polite, quiet child. Her Auntie Allie was an avid reader - had large bookshelves full of books, including lots of Agatha Christie - and encouraged her quiet great niece to read. Julie was encouraged to use her home like a library: every time she visited and started a book, she was allowed to take it home to finish it and bring it back next time she visited with her parents. If Auntie Allie gave a gift, it would be a book.

As well as reading, Allie enjoyed embroidering. I was fortunate enough to be handed down my grandparents' dining room table, along with a couple of pretty embroidered table clothes, which my Auntie Janet believes were likely made by Allie. Also a framed embroidery of cat, which I believe was handed down to one of my Auntie Anita's daughters, hung for years on my grandparent's living room wall - my mother informed me today that it was made by Allie.

Photograph of Auntie Allie's Cat Embroidery, 2019

Julie remembers that Allie was left-handed, like herself. She can picture Allie, even to this day, whipping up the cream for a trifle, left-handed. After which she would let let Julie lick the spoon.

Julie remembers Auntie Allie living in Wiveliscombe. Her home was a traditional two-up two-down, with an extension at the back, where the bathroom was, and in which she even had a knitted lady loo roll cover. Her pretty garden was on the other side of the lane. Julie remembers once when a young girl, she and her older sister Anita made up afternoon tea, in Auntie Allie's tea set, and carried it out on a tray, across the country lane, and had it in the summerhouse with the grown-ups.

Though in many ways quite traditional - being a housewife, who enjoyed reading, embroidering and baking, who served afternoon tea and bread and butter -; in other aspects, Allie was non-traditional and had, to quote my mother, 'something about her'. Firstly, her seeking and obtaining a divorce back in the 1940's was quite something. She also drove. And was an active member of her community, acting for many years as verger in the church opposite her home in Wiveliscombe.

In Oct/Nov/Dec 1976, when Allie was seventy-two, her husband Archie passed away, aged seventy-four, in the district of Taunton Dean, Somerset.

Very early in January 1981, Allie passed away, aged seventy-six, in the district of Taunton Dean, Somerset. She didn't get to open all her niece Bette's twelve days of Christmas gifts she had given her.

Great Great Half Uncle Percy Vernon

My Great Great Half Uncle Percy (1915 - 2002) was an under foreman at a dairy, father of one, and a younger half brother of my Great Grandfather Walter Charles Vernon (1892 - 1965).

Percy was born on 28th February 1915 in Whiddon Down, Devon, to Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (46), an agricultural labourer and farm carter, and Ellen Vernon (nee Tonkins) (39), a former domestic servant and now a housewife.

Percy had four older half siblings (one half sister and three half brothers) - the children of his father Harry and his first wife Lucy James - :

• Edith Ellen  1891 - 1971  (79)
• Walter Charles  1892 - 1965  (73)
• William John  1894 - ????  (?)
• Frank  1896 - 19??  (?)

And nine full siblings (seven brothers and two sisters):

• Frederick 'Fred' (born Tonkins, later Vernon)  1897 - 1915  (18)
• Mabel Ellen  1898 - 1993  (94)
• George  1900 - 1900  (0 - 3 months)
• George Henry  1901 - 1973  (71)
• Ernest Isaac  1904 - 1997  (93)
• Isaac Harry (went by Henry)  1906 - 1964  (58)
• William Harwood  1908 - 1972  (64)
• Florence Emily  1911 - 1993  (82)
• Sidney 'Sid'  1913 - 2004  (91)
• Percy  1915 - 2002  (86)

Percy was the youngest of his many siblings.

Around 1912 to 1915, the family lived at Turnpike Gate or Toll Bar House in Whiddon Down. A toll-house, which often had a gate across the turnpike road, was a cottage on which the charges for the turnpike were often displayed on the side of. Percy and his closest in age sibling, Sid, were both born at this house.

Percy was born in the middle of the First World War. His older half brother Walter and older brother Fred both served in the war. Whilst Walter, an experienced soldier survived; teenage Fred was not so lucky. He was killed on Thursday 30th September 1915, during (or just after) the Battle of Loos, aged only eighteen. His name appears on the Men of Dunsford war memorial.

Later in life, Percy and Sid recalled the family lived between Bow and Down St Mary, around 1919. By 1922, they have moved to Westwood, between Exeter and Cullompton.

In Apr/May/Jun 1936, Percy (21), an under foreman at a dairy, married Dorothy Studley (21), in Taunton, Somerset.

Though born 'Percy', on his record of marriage and the 1939 Census he goes by 'Percival'.

By the time of the 1939 Census, the young couple had moved to Oxford. It was the dawn of the Second World War and Percy was in his mid twenties - the age called up to fight. I wonder if Percy served? If he did serve, he survived.

1939 Census:

Ten years into their marriage, Percy and Dorothy had one son:

• Andrew H  1946 -

Their son Andrew was born back in Taunton, implying they may have moved back there come the mid 1940's, only to later return to Oxfordshire.

In Jan/Feb/Mar 2002, Percy passed away, aged eighty-six, in Oxfordshire.

Great Great Half Uncle Sidney 'Sid' Vernon

My Great Great Half Uncle Sid (1913 - 2004) was a farmery hide rounder, fish and chip shop owner, father of three, and a younger half brother of my Great Grandfather Walter Charles Vernon (1892 - 1965).

Sid was born 7th April 1913 in Whiddon Down, Devon, to Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (44), an agricultural labourer and farm carter, and Ellen Vernon (nee Tonkins) (37), a former domestic servant and now a housewife.

Sid had four older half siblings (one half sister and three half brothers) - the children of his father Harry and his first wife Lucy James - :

• Edith Ellen  1891 - 1971  (79)
• Walter Charles  1892 - 1965  (73)
• William John  1894 - ????  (?)
• Frank  1896 - 19??  (?)

And nine full siblings (seven brothers and two sisters):

• Frederick 'Fred' (born Tonkins, later Vernon)  1897 - 1915  (18)
• Mabel Ellen  1898 - 1993  (94)
• George  1900 - 1900  (0 - 3 months)
• George Henry  1901 - 1973  (71)
• Ernest Isaac  1904 - 1997  (93)
• Isaac Harry (went by Henry)  1906 - 1964  (58)
• William Harwood  1908 - 1972  (64)
• Florence Emily  1911 - 1993  (82)
• Sidney 'Sid'  1913 - 2004  (91)
• Percy  1915 - 2002  (86)

Around 1912 to 1915, the family lived at Turnpike Gate or Toll Bar House in Whiddon Down. A toll-house, which often had a gate across the turnpike road, was a cottage on which the charges for turnpike were often displayed. Sid and his younger brother Percy were both born at this house.

Sid was born with a clubbed foot. And was one of the first person in the South West to have a certain operation related to it. Due to his clubbed foot, he did not have to fight in the Second World War.

Sid was only a baby, when the First World began. His older half brother Walter and older brother Fred both served in the war. Whilst Walter, an experienced soldier, survived; teenage Fred was not so lucky. He was killed on Thursday 30th September 1915, during (or just after) the Battle of Loos, aged only eighteen. His name appears on the Men of Dunsford war memorial.

Later in life, Sid and Percy recalled the family lived between Bow and Down St Mary, around 1919. Sid remembered that, whilst the family lived there, their father would often send Florence and himself (about eight and six at the time) into Bow to get cider and tobacco for him.

By 1922, the family had moved to Westwood, between Exeter and Cullompton.

In Apr/May/Jun 1936, Sid (about 23) married Vera Louisa Hurved (18 or 19), in the district of Tiverton.

1939 Census:

I recall being told a story by my father: that in the Second World War, Sid's house (or the house next to it) was hit by a bomb. Sid survived, because he hid under the dining room table (which may well have been a Morrison shelter).

Sid and Vera had one surviving son:

• Roger J K  1948 -

Speaking with Roger in 2019, he sadly reported that his mother had alas suffered many miscarriages and/or stillbirths. For this reason, he was cherished by her the more.

Roger told us how, when was very young, Sid abandoned his wife and son, and soon sought a divorce. A shocked and saddened Vera was left to bring up their son, with support from her side of the family. Meeting my father and me in 2019, was the first time Roger had met any members of his father's side of the family.

Yet, when my father had done family research in the 1990's, the story he was told was that Roger's birth was the result of an affair, and that was why Sid sought a divorce. Speaking with Roger, getting his side of the story, and learning of his mother's soft-hearted personality, of her heartbreak at the break-up of her marriage, of her not remarrying but putting all her efforts into bringing up her one surviving child, of the sigma endured by her at being a divorced woman with a child; the Vernon side of the story seems the more unlikely and perhaps more of a cover up by Sid for his own actions.

Still that a divorce was granted meant there was deemed sufficient evidence of one or other party having committed adultery, cruelty, desertion (of at least two years) and/or having incurable insanity (such were the only reasons one could be granted a divorce before the Divorce Reform Act of 1969).

After his divorce, Sid soon remarried. In Oct/Nov/Dec 1951, Sid (38) married London-born Eva Fanny Midmore Hurcum (about 29), in Exeter.

Sid and Eva had two daughters:

• Linda W  1953 -
• Vanessa A  1961 -

Both daughters were born in Exeter, but the family at some point relocated to Exmouth. They lived there into old age.

At some point, Roger recalled the couple ran a fish and chip shop in the town, which he visited once or twice.

When my father began conducting his own family tree research in the 1990's, he paid a visit, along with my mother and myself as a baby, to his Great Half Uncle. A photograph taken that day, of myself as a baby held by an elderly Sid was the only photograph we had of him; but talking to Roger and learning he didn't have a single photograph of his father, and his earnestly asking if we had one, of course my father and I agreed he should have it.

My parents, my sister and myself moved to Exmouth in the summer of 2003. Along with our childminder, and the other minded kids, my sister and I would daily walk down the hill, on which an elderly Sid and Eva lived, on our way to primary school. As I walked, I would often look to the house.

In Oct/Nov/Dec 2004, Sid passed away, aged ninety-one, in Exmouth.