My Great x3 Half Uncle George (1864 - 1925) was a paper maker, a lance corporal and gymnastic instructor in the army, later a hall porter and gate keeper still for the army, father of three, and an older half brother of my Great Great Grandfather Walter Boobier (1871 - 1924).
George was born on 17th April 1864, in Tiverton, to William Boobier (about 38), a stone mason, and Emma Boobier (nee Kimmings) (about 37), a laundress.
George was baptised on 21st April 1864 in St Peter, Tiverton.
George was the youngest of eight children (six sons and two daughters):
- William Edwin Kimmings 1850 - 1851 (14 months)
- Thomas Philip 1851 - 1907 (55 years old)
- William Donald 1854 - 1855 (about 1 year and half)
- Emma Grace 1855 - 1911 (54 years old)
- Edwin John 1858 - 1???
- William Edwin 1861 - 1916 (55 years old)
- Lucy Janet/Jeanette 1863 - 1863 (0 - 3 months)
- George Albert 1864 - 1925 (61 years old)
Three of George's older siblings passed away before he was born - two were also called William.
In Oct/Nov/Dec, his eldest brother William Edwin Kimmings passed away, aged about fourteen months.
In May 1855, William Donald passed away, aged about thirteen months. He was buried on 17th May 1855, in St Peter in Tiverton.
In Jan/Feb/Mar 1863, Lucy, passed away, aged zero to three months, in Tiverton.
In January 1867, when George was two, his mother Emma passed away, aged about forty. She was buried on 24th January 1867 in Exeter. George's father remarried the next year. William (about 41) married Jane Mutter (about 30) in May/June 1868.
George had four younger half brothers:
- Robert 1869 -
- Walter 1871 -
- Alfred 1873 -
- Frederick 1874 -
1871 Census: with family in Exeter
1881:
As a young man, George worked as a paper maker.
On 14th Nov 1884, George (1041) enlisted as a private in the army, aged twenty. He had previously been in the volunteers. On the 30th August 1886, he was promoted to Lance Corporal.
His service record give a brief physical description: he was 5'5'', with dark brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. During his time in the army, he lost the top of his little finger on his right hand.
For over six years, from 14th November 1884 to 27th January 1891, he served at 'Home' e.g. in the UK. Then he was nearly two years in Egypt (28th January 1891 to 28th December 1892). Then nearly seven years in the East Indies (from 29th December 1892 to 20th September 1899). Then in South Africa for nine months (21st September 1899 to 3rd June 1900). Then 'Home' again for three months (4th June 1900 to 22nd September 1900). Then back to South Africa for sixteen months (23rd September 1900 to 18th January 1902). Then back to the East Indies for two years (19th January 1902 to 23rd January 1904). And finally back 'Home' for nearly two years (24th January 1904 to 13th November 1905).
He served for twenty-one years!
George served in the Second Boer War, including the defence of Ladysmith.
He was for 15 years a gymnastic instructor, and 14 years a member of the army temperance association.
He was described as 'a sober, reliable and trustworthy soldier'. His conduct and character were 'exemplary'.
 |
| George in his army uniform, with an impressive moustache |
On 16th September 1905, George (41), an experienced soldier, married Emily Kate Eacott (21 or 22), from Reading, in Exeter
 |
| George's wife Emily |
The couple moved to Surrey, where they had their three children.
Two sons and one daughter:
- Albert Reginald 1906 - 1932 (26 years old)
- Walter Ralph 1913 - 1946 (33 years old)
- Doris Mabel 1916
 |
| George and Emily's sons |
No longer a serving soldier, George continued to work for the army as a hall porter and later gate keeper at the Staff College, Camberley.
Sweetly his home is called 'Devonshire Cottage' - likely after his home county.
1911:
By the time of the 1921 Census, George and his young family were living at Barossa Lodge, Camberley.
1921 Census:
In Jul/Aug/Sep 1925, George passed away, aged sixty-one, in Farnham, Surrey. He left behind a young widow and three children - aged nineteen, eleven and nine.
On 7th January 1928, George's second son Walter enlisted in the army for twelve years, when he was only fourteen! Service Number: 777504. He was in the Royal Regiment of Artillery (Boy Service). A brief physical description is given of barely teenage Walter: he was 5' 3/4'', with a fresh complexion, brown hair and blue eyes.
Sadly George's eldest son Albert passed away, aged 26, in 1932, in Brighton.
In 1935, George's youngest child and only daughter Doris married Herman John Schudel. His father was Swiss, his mother Welsh, but he grew up in London. They had one son called Jack in 1936.
George's second son Walter went on to serve in the Second World War. Service Number: 259855. He was in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He achieved the rank of Captain.
George's widow, Emily, remarried in 1943, to John T Crook.
Walter had divorced his wife wife Evelyn Marjorie, in 1942, because she had been unfaithful with E Milne. He married Gladys Lomas in 1944. They had baby Christine in 1945.
Sadly he died, aged 33, on 27th Dec 1946, in Hamburg, Germany.
Doris and Herman must have divorced because both remarried in 1952. Doris remarried Percy Charles Doy and had daughter Dianne in 1955.
George had three grandchildren: Jack (1936), Christine (1945) and Dianne (1955).
On 2nd November 1954, George's widow Emily passed away, aged seventy or seventy-one, in The Ashford Hospital, Ashford, Middlesex. She left effects to the value of £1835 to her daughter Doris. The Bank of England's Inflation Calculator says this is akin to over £44,000 in 2026.
