Great x3 Uncle Frank Edworthy

My Great x3 Uncle Frank Edworthy (1866 - 1929) was a farm labourer, cowman, father of eleven, and the youngest brother of my Great Great Grandfather William Edworthy (1852 - 1911).

Frank was born in Jan/Feb 1866 in East Worlington, Devon, to William Edworthy (about 45), a farm labourer, and Mary Edworthy (nee Harris) (about 42), a housewife.

On the 18th February 1866, Frank was baptised in East Worlington.

Frank was the tenth and youngest son of eleven children (four daughters and seven sons):

• Ann  1841 - 1882  (41)
• John  1844 - 1910  (65)
• Elizabeth  1849 - 1917  (about 68)
• William  1852 - 1911  (about 59)
• George  1854 - 1876  (22)
• Samuel  1856 - 1920  (64)
• Ellen  1858 - 1934  (75)
• Lewis  1861 - 1943  (82)
• Frederick  1863 - 1943  (79)
• Frank  1866 - 1929  (63)
• Mary Harris  1869 - 1939  (69)

Frank and his siblings grew up at Edgelake/Oddislake Cottage, thatched cob cottage built in the early 1600s, in East Worlington.

(You can read more about the structure of the property here.) 

Edgelake/Oddislake Cottage

1871 Census:

1881 Census:

As a teenager, Frank worked as a farm servant.

In Jan/Feb/Mar 1885, Frank (18, or just turned 19), a farm labourer, married Elizabeth Jane Green (18), a domestic servant and mother of one, in the district of South Molton.

Frank and Elizabeth had eleven children (4 daughters and 7 sons):

• Lucy  1884
• William  1885 - 1914 
• John  1888
• Florence Jane  1890 
• Samuel 'Sam' 1893 
• Frank  1895
• Bessie  1898 
• Fred  1901
• Edith Annie  1903
• George Henry  1905
• Reginald James  1907

Eldest child Lucy was born and baptised in the summer of 1884 with her mother's maiden name of Green and no father is listed. On the 1891 Census, her surname is given as Edworthy and she is listed as Frank's daughter. On the 1911 Census, they couple state they had eleven children, which would include Lucy.

Frank and Elizabeth brought up their family at Bapcott Cottage, in the village of Stoodleigh.

1891 Census:

1901 Census:

Around 1902, the family moved about three miles from Stoodleigh to Washfield, where the youngest three children were born.

On 27th December 1905, Frank and Elizabeth's eldest son William, aged 20 (service number 4763 and then 8101), enlisted in the army, as a private in the Devonshire Regiment. 

His enlistment papers give a brief physical description: he was 5'5'', with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair.

He served at Home in Devon from 27th December 1905 - 7th January 1908. Then in India from 8th January 1908 - 20th December 1908. Then in Malta from 21st December 1908 - 17th January 1912. Then Egypt from 18th January 1912 - 7th April 1913. Then Home again from 8th April 1913 - 18th July 1913. He was discharged - and deemed medically unfit for further military service - on the 18th July 1913.

His conduct and character were "exemplary".

1911 Census:

Their eldest son William passed away in 1914, aged 29, in the district of Tiverton. He was buried on 21st October 1914, in Loxbeare, Devon. Did he pass away as a result of injuries sustained in military service?

Son John signed up on 12/07/1915. He was a private (18946) in the 1st Battalion, 3rd Company, Devonshire Regiment. He had been in service just short of one year, when on 06/06/1916, he was admitted to hospital with pyrexia of unknown origin. At some point in the following months, he transferred as a private (22402) to the 6th Battalion, C Company, Dorestshire Regiment. John was wounded (report date 13/10/1916). He was again admitted to hospital with inflammation of connective tissue (legs), on 14/07/1917. John was discharged, as no longer physically fit to serve, on 30/05/1919.

Son Samuel (18992) signed up as a private in the Devonshire Regiment on 14/07/1915. He was 5' 8'', had dark hair and a fresh complexion. He served in England, France and Italy. In 1916, he was wounded on the left big toe and heel. On 8th October 1918, he was wounded by a piece of shell in the right thigh. On his medical report, despite his injuries, he is described as a 'well nourished muscular man'. He was discharged on 22/04/1919.

Son Frank (9936) was a private and then an acting corporal, in the Devonshire Regiment. Frank was wounded (report date 01/09/1917).

1921 Census:

At the time of the 1921 Census, the only adult child still living with Frank and Elizabeth is their son John. Father and son worked for farmer J. Yendle at Fordlands, Chevithorne - Frank as a cowman and John as a farmhand/agricultural labourer.

In Oct/Nov/Dec 1929, Frank passed away, aged 63, in the district of Tiverton.

In Apr/May/Jun 1940, Frank's widow Elizabeth passed away, aged 74, in the district of Tiverton.