Great Great Grandfather Walter Boobier

My Great Great Grandfather Walter (1871 - 1924) was a municipal labourer and father of two.

Walter Boobier was born early in 1871 in Exeter, Devon to William Boobier (about 45), a journeyman stone mason, and Jane Boobier (nee Mutter) (about 34).

Walter was baptised on 23rd April 1871 in St Leonard, Exeter.

Walter had six older half siblings (five older half brothers and one older half sister) from his father William's first marriage to Emma Kimmings:

• William Edwin  1850 - 1851 (14 months)
• Thomas Philip  1852 -
• Emma Grace  1855 - 
• Edwin John  1858 - 
• William Edwin  1861 -
• George Albert  1864 -

Walter was the second of four sons born to widower William and his second wife Jane Mutter:

• Robert  1869 -
• Walter  1871 -
• Alfred  1873 -
• Frederick  1874 -

In 1881, Walter and his family could be found living on Jubilee Street in Exeter.

1881 Census:

In April 1886, when Walter was fifteen, his father William passed away, aged fifty-nine, in Exeter.

Five years later, in Jan/Feb/Mar 1891, when Walter was nineteen, his mother Jane passed away, aged fifty-three, in Exeter. Walter and his three brothers (aged sixteen to twenty) were left orphans. The eldest Robert found work as a carpenter, whilst his younger brothers, including Walter, worked as labourers. In 1891, the young brothers were living at Weirfield Place, Exeter.

1891 Census:

Sometime in the 1890s, Walter and his brothers moved from Weirfield Place to 5 Paragon Place, also in Exeter.

1901 Census:

On 16th August 1901, Walter (30) married Mary Ann 'Polly' Manning (31) in Holy Trinity, Exeter. At the time of their marriage, Walter lived at 14 Melbourne Street in Exeter; whilst Polly lived at 4 Colleton Grove, Exeter. At the latter address, Walter and Polly set up home.

Walter and Polly had two daughters:

• Ellen Emma  1903 - 1977 (74)
• Ivy Jane  1905 - 1978 (73)

1911 Census:

Early in 1916, when Walter was forty-five, his wife Polly passed away, aged forty-six, in Exeter.

Walter and his daughters Ellen and Ivy in the early 1920s

In the summer of 1924, Walter passed away, aged fifty-three, in Exeter. Upon his death, his daughters Ellen (twenty or twenty-one) and Ivy (nineteen) were left orphans, just as Walter and his siblings had been at similar ages.