Great x3 Uncle Alfred Boobier

My Great x3 Uncle Alfred (1873 - 1904) was a foreman at a large printing works, and a younger brother of my Great Great Grandfather Walter Boobier (1871 - 1924).

Alfred Boobier was born in Apr/May/Jun 1873 in Exeter, Devon to William Boobier (about 47), a journeyman stone mason, and Jane Boobier (nee Mutter) (about 36).

Alfred was baptised on 25th June 1873, in St Leonard, Exeter.

Alfred had eight older half siblings (six older half brothers and two older half sister) from his father William's first marriage to Emma Kimmings:

• William Edwin Kimmings  1850 - 1851 (14 months)
• Thomas Philip  1851 - 1907  (55 years old)
• William Donald  1854 - 1855  (13 months)
• Emma Grace  1855 - 1911  (54 years old)
• Edwin John  1858 - after 1871  (at least 13 years old)
• William Edwin  1861 - 1916  (55 years old)
• Lucy Janet/Jeanette  1863 - 1863 (0 - 3 months)
• George Albert  1864 - 1925  (61 years old)

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

• Robert 'Bob'  1869 - 1926  (56 years old)
• Walter  1871 - 1924  (53 years old)
• Alfred  1873 - 1904  (31 years old)
• Frederick  1874 - 1945  (70 years old)

Alfred and his younger brother Fred attended Dames school. Then from August 1878, Alfred, aged five, and Fred, aged four, attended Rack Street School

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

1881 Census:

In April 1886, when Alfred was thirteen?, his father William passed away, aged fifty-nine, in Exeter.

Five years later, in Jan/Feb/Mar 1891, when Robert was eighteen?, his mother Jane passed away, aged fifty-three, in Exeter. His eldest brother Robert found work as a carpenter, whilst the younger brothers, including Alfred, worked as labourers. In 1891, the young brothers were living at Weirfield Place, Exeter.

1891 Census:

On 10th July 1895. Alfred (22) married Elizabeth Grace Lewis Nunn (18) from Hersett Heath, Suffolk, at Free Church Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire.

Alfred and Elizabeth had no children.

The couple moved to Fakenham, in Norfolk. Elizabeth's parents and younger siblings lived next door.

1901 Census:

They then moved to Reading.

Sadly, in Jun/Jul/Aug 1904, Alfred passed away, aged thirty-one, in Reading.

Alfred was 'held in the highest esteem'.

From the Western Times of 20th September 1904: