Great Great Uncle Frank Vernon

My Great Great Uncle Frank (1896 - 1897) was the younger brother of my Great Grandfather Walter Charles Vernon (1892 - 1965).

Frank was born on 18th August 1896 in Sandford, Devon, to Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (27), an agricultural labourer and farm carter, and Lucy Vernon (nee James) (28), a former domestic servant and housewife.

Frank was baptised on 13th September 1896 in Sandford, Devon. At the time of his birth, the family resided in Lower Henstill Cottages in Sandford.

Frank was the youngest of four siblings born to Harry and Lucy (one daughter, three sons):

• Edith Ellen  1891 - 1971 (79 years old
• Walter Charles  1892 - 1965  (73 years old)
• William John  1894 - 1895  (1 year old)
• Frank  1896 - 1897 (6 months old)

On 27th December 1895, Frank's older brother, 1-year-old William (recorded on his death certificate as John implying his parents may have called the young boy by his middle name) passed away, in Sandford. He had whooping cough, followed by a convulsive attack.

Baby Frank and his mother Lucy were both ill with pulmonary tuberculosis and passed away from the disease.

On 22nd February 1897, Frank passed away, aged only six months, in Langham, Kennerleigh.

One month later, his mother Lucy passed away, aged twenty-nine, on 25th March 1897, in Kennerleigh. Lucy's death left Harry a widower with three young children under five years old

But before Lucy passed away, it seems Harry may have begun an affair with Ellen Tonkins - her son Fred Tonkins, born Apr/May/Jun 1897, was conceived before Lucy's death and Harry would later recognise him as his son. On New Year's Eve 1897, Harry and Ellen married. Before they married, Harry was described as Ellen's lodger. 

Frank's ten younger half siblings (8 half brothers and 2 half sisters):

• Frederick 'Fred' (born Tonkins, later Vernon)  1897 - 1915  (18)
• Mabel Ellen  1898 - 1994  (95)
• George  1900 - 1900  (0 - 3 months old)
• George Henry  1901 - 1973  (71)
• Ernest Isaac  1904 - 1997  (93)
• Isaac Harry (went by Harry like his father)  1906 - 1964  (58)
• William Harwood  1908 - 1972  (64)
• Florence Emily  1911 - 1993  (82)
• Sidney 'Sid'  1913 - 2004  (91)
• Percy  1915 - 2002  (86)