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The Grandchildren Keep the Family Growing
(1869–1992)
Out of William George and Charlotte Nixey’s twenty-three grandchildren, only one didn’t survive childhood, George Arthur Secker, who died at the age of three months. The remaining twenty-two grandchildren all died at some point during the twentieth century, the first in 1901, and the last eighty years later in 1981. In this chapter, the order in which the grandchildren appear is chronological by the year of their death.
George Arthur Secker (1876–1876)
George Arthur Secker was born at Slough on 5th May 1876, and died in the Bedford area on 27th August the same year. The following memorial inscription appears on the Nixey family vault at St. Lawrence’s churchyard in Slough:
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Also to the memory of George Arthur |
George Ernest Mills (1883–1901)
Second Lieutenant George Ernest Mills served with the 1st Battalion of the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment at Moedwil, South Africa. He was killed in action during the Boer war on 30th September 1901.
Francis Lennox Holmes (1887–1914)
Francis Lennox Holmes is found in the 1901 Census visiting his uncle William Mills and cousins at the Bennington Rectory, Hertfordshire (Ref: RG13 piece 1303 folio 25 page 16). According to the Gloucestershire Echo of Monday 2nd November 1914, he attended Cheltenham College from 1901 to 1905, joined the South Staffordshire Regiment as second lieutenant in September 1908, and was gazetted in July 1909.
When the 1911 Census was taken, he was recorded as an “Officer” with the 1st Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment at the South Barracks in Gibraltar (Ref: RG14 piece 34996 schedule 9999).
He was killed in action in World War I on 23rd October 1914 during the first battle of Ypres. He was recorded in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour, and in the Bond of Sacrifice, Officers Died in the Great War (1917) volume 1 pages 192-193. Regarding him, the latter says:
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He joined the battalion at Devonport, and went with it to Gibraltar, and afterwards to Pietermaritzburg, Natal. On the outbreak of the war with Germany he was ordered home for active service and went with his battalion to the front. The following entry relating to his death was found in his Colonel’s diary: “Lieutenant Holmes was killed this day. He was taking observation and instructing the men where and when to aim. He was in command of a half of ‘B’ Company, and had been doing excellent work the whole day. He had been looking after and superintending a machine gun, which did very good service. He also had done a lot of very dangerous work in scouting through the wood in front of his section of trenches, and had shown much pluck and coolness.” A Lance-Corporal gave the following details: “On the 22nd October, 1914, I was working my machine gun when Mr. Holmes came up to me, and acted as my number two, and also as my observer, as the Germans were only five hundred yards from us, and he was quite excited, as I was mowing them down in hundreds, and we got over that day all right. On the 23rd October he visited me again, and I shifted my position close to where Mr. Holmes was killed about three o’clock. He was in a trench just in front of some cottages – four of them I believe. He was at the back of his trench, taking cover at the back of a bag of potatoes, bandaging up Private Mills, who had his three fingers blown off. After that he was taking aim at the Germans, and he was just going to pull the trigger when a bullet hit him straight between the two eyes. He never spoke at all: he died instantly. He was carried into some cottages at the back ... I wish he had lived. I shall never forget him as long as I live. He was a hero.” |
Probate was granted on 14th May 1915 to his brother, reverend George Sydenham Holmes, clerk, his personal estate being valued at £372.
Gerald Desmond Mills (1891–1917)
Gerald Desmond Mills was educated at Felstead Preparatory, Essex, then at Haileybury College, Hertford, and later at the Military Academy in Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment in October 1910.
In the 1911 Census, he is found at Gough Barracks, Trimulgherry Deccan, India with “E And F Companies 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters” (Ref: RG14 piece 34991 schedule 9999). He returned to the UK in March 1914 to join the Royal Flying Corps. He received his Flying Certificate on the 22nd May 1914, and on the 7th April 1915 he went to France as a Flight Commander with No.7 Squadron. He died in an aeroplane accident on 19th May 1917 in France. Regarding his death, the Lincolnshire Echo of Friday 25th May 1917 reported:
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Major-General Mills, R. F. C., youngest son of Canon Mills, rector of Bennington, Herts., has been killed while flying in France. He had been only four days in France, being formerly on the Staff of the Air Board. |
Thomas Lionel Collingwood Chown (1873–1935)
Thomas Lionel Collingwood Chown is recorded as a visitor and student in the 1891 Census at the Farlington Rectory, Havant, Hampshire, and with him is his younger brother William (Ref: RG12 piece 851 folio 39 page 1). They are in the household of Arthur J Richards, the rector of Farlington.
Thomas later became a Law-Student, and while living at Hollington, Sussex, married Edith Hannah Crofts on 15th July 1896 at St. Saviour’s, St. George’s Square, Pimlico. They were married byArthur J Richards, in the presence of Edward Howard Secker, Esther Crofts, and Dora Collingwood Chown.. Their fathers were recorded as Thomas Collingwood Chown and Josiah Crofts, both referred to as “Gentleman.”
For Thomas, the turn of the twentieth century was far from enjoyable. Joseph Russell Jeaffreson, a noted explorer and a former Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, whose father was a doctor in Leamington, struck up a friendship with Thomas who at the time lived in Bexhill-on-Sea. As both men were very interested in exploration, they formed a partnership for financing an expedition to the Arctic. Joseph persuaded Thomas to invest funds in a dedicated bank account, and to make out cheques for various items of equipment and stores that he claimed were needed for the trip. However, Joseph never made a similar investment, and none of the goods ordered were ever seen by Thomas. Cheques had been made out by Thomas to suppliers in Norway, but were found to have been cashed by Joseph in London. The original plan had been to go to Siberia, but this was then changed to Spitzbergen in Norway. They actually got as far as St Petersburg in October 1899, when Joseph suddenly disappeared, never to be seen again by Thomas, who was left to pay all the outstanding costs of an expedition that never materialised.
Joseph was charged on a series of allegations of obtaining money by fraudulent representation, and was committed in April 1900 at Westminster Police Court and refused bail. His trial at the Middlesex Sessions in May 1900 was reported extensively in the press. For example, the Stamford Mercury in its issue dated Friday 25th May 1900 reported:
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An Explorer Sentenced |
In the 1901 Census, Thomas and his wife Edith are found living at 54 Devonshire Road, Bexhill, Sussex, and with them are their children, Thomas Dennis aged three, and Marian aged two (Ref: RG13 piece 875 folio 11 page 14). Also with them are two servants, Annette Meech and Sophia Snashall.
Thomas served as Second Lieutenant with the Highland Light Infantry Battalion during World War I.
He died at the age of sixty-three at Kensington in 1935.
His widow, Edith Hannah Chown née Crofts, died at Brighton, Sussex on 19th November 1957.
George Bridges Stevens (1882–1937)
The Times of Friday 17th December 1909 made the following announcement:
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Stevens : Moore. – On 14th Dec., at Colombo, George Bridges Stevens, of Godahena, Neboda, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Stevens, 8, Essex-villas, Kensington, to Charlotte Jekyll Moore, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Moore, Yeovil. |
His death was announced in the October 1937 issue of the Radleian:
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Stevens. On 9th October, 1937, at Millakande, Maha-gama, Ceylon, Col. George Bridges Stevens, C.B.E., V.D. He was at Radley from 1896 to 1901, and was a Prefect. He was afterwards at Exeter College, Oxford. From 1906 he was a tea and rubber planter in Ceylon, and from 1908 he was in the Ceylon Planters’ Rifle Corps. During World War 1 he served as Colonel in the Hampshire Regiment in France. From 1927 to 1929 he was Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding the Ceylon Planters’ Rifle Corps, and he was acting Commandant of the Ceylon Defence Force. He was awarded the V.D. in 1927 and the C.B.E. (Military) in 1930. |
John Hugh Secker (1874–1941)
John Hugh Secker was recorded as an “Engineer” in the 1901 Census, and was boarding at 19 Gladstone Road, Colchester, Essex in the household of Emma Rabett (Ref: RG13 piece 1705 folio 128 page 4).
When the next Census was taken in 1911, he was said to be an “Engineer Consulting”, and was visiting Launcelot Louis D Gibbs, an Officer in the RFA, and his wife, Hilda Dwarries, who were living at Eling Lane, Eling, Hampshire (Ref: RG14 piece 5924 schedule 84).
From 1919 to 1920 he served as an Officer in the British Royal Air Force.
John is said to be married in the 1921 Census, where he and his wife Annie are found living at Beltons, Cookham Dean, in the Maidenhead area of Berkshire (Ref: RG15 piece 06048 schedule 170).
John Hugh Secker died aged sixty-seven on 11th September 1941 in the Paddington area of London, and was buried at St. Lawrence’s, Slough. There is a memorial inscription to him on the left-hand panel of the Nixey family vault, along with his father and eldest brother, which reads:
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John Hugh Secker, 3rd son of the above |
The following appeared in the “1942 Institution of Mechanical Engineers: Obituaries”:
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Captain John Hugh Secker was born in 1874 and educated at Uppingham School, and at schools in France and Switzerland. He then studied for three years at the City and Guilds Engineering College, and after serving his apprenticeship with Messrs. Davey and Paxman, Ltd., of Colchester, from 1896 to 1898, he remained in the employment of the firm as superintendent in charge of the erection of boilers and engines. |
George Sydenham Holmes (1884–1945)
George Sydenham Holmes is found in the 1901 Census recorded as a Student in St. Peter’s College at Radley, Abingdon, Berkshire (Ref: RG13 piece 1132 folio 60 page 2). In the next Census in 1911, he was a “Clergyman in the Established Church,” boarding at 107 Auckland Road, Croydon, Surrey, in the household of Arthur William Bedford (Ref: RG14 piece 3386 schedule 122).
When the 1921 Census was taken on the night of 19th June, George was boarding at 26 Whitworth Road, South Norwood, in Surrey (Ref: RG15 piece 03494 schedule 379), and he is said to be an Assistant Priest of St Johns Upper Norwood.
At the time of the 1939 Register, George was living at Marchmont, Leckhampton Road in Cheltenham (Ref: RG101 piece 5065D schedule 140).
George Sydenham Holmes died aged sixty-one on 17th November 1945 at Cheltenham. With regards his will, the Gloucestershire Echo of 18th March 1946 printed the following:
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£16,000 Will of Rev. G. S. Holmes |
Dora Collingwood Chown (1876–1948)
Dora Collingwood Chown was visiting her cousin Charlotte Maude Douglas-Jones and family at Glanenthwy, Pentir, Bangor, Caernarvonshire, Wales at the time of the 1901 Census (Ref: RG13 piece 5281 folio 41 page 21). A little over a year later, she married a solicitor named George Charles Grubbe on 8th April 1902 at Christ Church, Down Street, in the Mayfair area of London. Their fathers were named as John Eustace Grubbe and Thomas Collingwood Chown.
In the 1911 Census, she and her husband are found at 28 Dawson Place, Notting Hill W, Kensington, London (Ref: RG14 piece 141 schedule 78). They had three servants, Catherine Brockbank, Emmeline Harrison, and Annette Coralie Chinery. Unusually for a Census entry, details of their birthplaces were very detailed, George’s being given as “23 Queen Square Bloomsbury Middlesex,” and Dora’s as “29 Pembroke Garden Kensington.”
Ten years later when the 1921 Census was taken, they are found living at New Home, New Milton, in the Lymington area of Hampshire (Ref: RG15 piece 05465 schedule 203). George’s occupation was recorded as “Solicitor Retired.”
George Charles Grubbe died in July 1929 in the Blything area of Suffolk, he was seventy-six years old.
The Portsmouth Evening News in the issue of Saturday 19th January 1935 published the following article regarding Dora under the heading “An Optical Illusion, Woman Driver’s Explanation”:
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That the lighting in a curved part of Station Road, Freshwater, produced an “optical illusion” at night time, was the explanation offered to the County Bench at Newport this morning by Mrs. Dora Collingwood Grubbe, of Totland, for driving into a lamp-post and breaking it at about 7 p.m. on January 10. She was fined £5 and 15s. costs for driving without due care and attention. |
Dora is found in the passenger lists sailing from the UK on 23rd January 1939 aboard the East Asiatic Co Ltd’s vessel “Jutlandia” from Southampton to Bangkok, Thailand.
Evidently she had returned to England by 29th September that year when the 1939 Register was taken, as she is found at Hall Cottage, South Green, Southwold, in Suffolk where she is said to be living on “Private Means” (Ref: RG101 piece 6626F schedule 197).
Dora Collingwood Grubbe died on 7th September 1948 in the Lothingland area of Suffolk, she was seventy-two years old.
William Hubert Collingwood Chown (1875–1950)
William Hubert Collingwood Chown is recorded as a “Visitor” and student at Farlington Rectory, Havant, Hampshire in the 1891 Census, and with him is his elder brother Thomas (Ref: RG12 piece 851 folio 39 page 1). They are in the household of Arthur J Richards, the rector of Farlington.
Hubert Chown and Ellen Louise Lloyd, both of 102 Queensland Road, were married on 26th February 1896 at the Islington register office, London, in the presence of A Batten and Louise Whittle. Their only child was a girl, Hazel Chown Lloyd, who had been born on 13th May 1895 in the St. Leonard’s area of Sussex. In the 1901 Census, Ellen Louise and five year-old Hazel are found with Ellen’s brother, Robert Alfred Lloyd, his wife and children, and their widowed mother at Hazeldean, 8 Tunley Road, Streatham, Wandsworth, London (Ref: RG13 Piece 472 Folio 32 Page 8).
In late 1903, Ellen Louise Chown petitioned to divorce William Hubert Collingwood Chown, on the grounds of desertion and adultery for more than two years. According to the divorce case-file (held at the National Archives), she stated that following their marriage he had never lived with her, and that there had been no children from their marriage. She also stated that her husband had frequently committed adultery with Alice Mary Collingwood, that from about the 20th May 1896, her husband and Alice had lived together as man and wife at 1215 California Street, Denver, Colerado, USA, and at 1836 Lafayette Street, Denver, and that at those places they had habitually committed adultery. Ellen also petitioned for her husband to pay all the legal costs incurred. Her petition was filed on 1st December 1903, a divorce was granted, the Decree Nisi was issued on 29th November 1904, and the Decree Absolute on 5th June 1905. On 20th February 1906, William Hubert Collingwood Chown was ordered to pay into court the costs of £69 11s. 4d, but there is no evidence in available records to show that the amount was ever paid.
At some point prior to 1900, William changed his name, and was thereafter known as “Hubert Collingwood Charles.” Hubert and Alice are found in the 1900 United States Census living at Denver, Colerado, and with them is their son, Hubert Eric Charles who was born on 9th December 1898. Ten years later when the 1910 USA Census was taken, they were again living in Denver, and also with them is their second son, Leonard Compton Chown Charles, who was born on 21st November 1901. Within a few years, the family moved to San Francisco City, California, where in 1917 Hubert was drafted in to the military. Hubert and Alice are then found in subsequent Censuses of California at San Francisco in 1920, and Los Angeles in 1930, 1940, and 1950.
Hubert died at the age of seventy-five on 21st October 1950 in Los Angeles. His death index confirms his date of birth as 29th January 1875, and his mother’s maiden name is given as “Nixie.” Alice Mary survived him by more than ten years, until her own death at the age of eighty-six on 18th May 1961 at Los Angeles. Her death index gives her date of birth as 6th March 1875.
Meanwhile, back in the UK, Ellen Louise née Lloyd married her second husband, William Allan West, an insurance clerk, in the summer of 1905 at Hastings, Sussex. In the 1911 Census, the Wests are living at 39 Rayleigh Road, Wimbledon, Surrey (Ref: RG14 Piece 3478 Schedule 128). With them are Ellen’s daughter, Hazel Chown, a fifteen year-old scholar, and Ellen’s sixty-eight year-old widowed mother, Sarah Ellen Lloyd.
William Allan West, Ellen Louise née Lloyd, and Hazel Chown are again found living at 39 Rayleigh Road, Wimbledon when the 1921 Census was taken on the night of 19th June (Ref: RG15 Piece 03608 Schedule 155).
At the time of the 1939 Register, William and Ellen West are found living at 73 Banstead Road South, in the Carshalton area of Surrey (Ref: RG101 Piece 1327F Schedule 131). William’s occupation is recorded as an Insurance Clerk Retired, and their dates of birth are given as 1st July 1872 and 11th April 1877 respectively.
Edward Howard Secker (1872–1951)
Edward Howard Secker’s service records give his attestation date as 3rd January 1900, and his age is given as twenty-seven. He was involved in the Boer War, and was a Private in the Imperial Yeomanry.
He married Clara Benson on 21st June 1902, but it appears they had no children. Clara was born on 9th April 1872, the youngest child of James William Benson and Jane Farley Shindler, her father being the founder of J. W. Benson Ltd., Jeweller & Watchmakers.
The 1911 Census shows Edward and Clara living at Northfield, Slough Road, Datchet, Buckinghamshire, his occupation being recorded as “Black Lead Merchant and Manufacturer” (Ref: RG14 Piece 7824 Schedule 29). With them are two servants, Florence Neale and Florence Smith.
Edward was listed amongst the shareholders of the Great Western Railway in 1920. So far it hasn’t been possible to find them in the following year’s Census.
In The Scotsman of Saturday 7th September 1929, the following announcement of sale was made:
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By Direction of Edward Howard Secker, Esq. |
On 19th November 1931, Edward and Clara are found sailing from Southampton to Wellington, New Zealand aboard the New Zealand Shipping Company Limited’s vessel, “Rangitane”. Edward’s last place of residence is recorded as Badminton Club, London, while Clara’s is said to be Wraysbury, Bucks. They arrived back in the UK aboard the same ship in April 1932, the address they were travelling to being given as North Morar, Invernessshire. It’s apparent that at some point over the next five years or so, Edward and Clara were divorced, because The Times of 13th December 1938 made the following brief announcement:
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Secker – Dowling. On Monday, Dec. 12th, 1938, quietly in London, Edward Howard SECKER to Dorothy Lilian Dowling. |
Just three days after their marriage, Edward and Dorothy sailed as first-class passengers aboard the vessel “Hilary” from Liverpool to Portugal, Madeira and Brazil. Their cruise ended on 7th March 1939 when they arrived back at Liverpool aboard the cruise ship “Anselm”. The address they were travelling to was given as Tarrystone House, Cookham.
Later the same year when the 1939 Register was taken, Edward and Dorothy are found at the Bedford Hotel, Sidmouth, Devon (Ref: RG101 Piece 6833G Schedule 6). His occupation is recorded as a “Graphite Merchant Retired.” Meanwhile, Clara Secker née Benson is recorded as “Divorced” and is living at Dusk, Bridge Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire (Ref: RG101 Piece 2052C Schedule 105).
Edward Howard Secker of Box Cottage, Bafford-Lane, Charlton Kings, Gloucestershire, died on 18th January 1951. Probate was granted on 29th March to his widow, Dorothy Lilian Secker, and Val Randall, Company Director. His personal effects were valued at £26016 13s. 3d.
His widow Dorothy appears to have enjoyed travelling the world over the next eight years, including Mozambique in 1952, Australia in 1953-1954, Thailand in 1956, and another trip to Mozambique in 1959.
Dorothy Lilian Secker of 18 Withyholt Court, Moorend Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham died on 17th September 1986 aged eighty-nine. Her Probate record shows that her personal effects were valued at £103211.
Edward’s first wife, Clara Secker née Benson, of Dusk, Bridge Road, Maidenhead, died on 14th April 1965 at the age of ninety-three. Probate was granted on 4th June to her nephew Alfred Douglas Dalziel Benson, Company President (of J. W. Benson Ltd), and William Lacy Addison, Solicitor. Her personal effects were valued at £131185.
Arthur Edward Mills (1889–1952)
Arthur Edward Mills is found living with his father at the Bennington Rectory in the 1911 Census, his occupation being given as “Divinety Student” (Ref: RG14 piece 7616 schedule 105). The Hertford Mercury and Reformer of Saturday 17th November 1917 printed a very descriptive article regarding his marriage to Mary Elinor Hargreaves:
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The marriage took place on Wednesday last week at St Peter’s Church, Bennington, of Arthur E. Mills, third son of the Rev. Canon Mills, of Bennington, and Mary Elinor Hargreaves, eldest daughter of the late Mr. R. T. Hargreaves, of Bennington Park, and of Mrs. Hargreaves, Old Rectory, Bennington. The officiating clergy were the Rev. Canon Mills and the Rev. G. V. Oddie, rector of Aston, the latter giving an address. The bride, who was given away by her mother, was gowned in white charmeuse, trimmed with Limerick lace, and wore a tulle veil, fastened by gold ribbon. Miss D. C. Hargreaves (sister) was the bridesmaid, being attired in white crepe de chine, with white velvet hat. The bridegroom’s gift to her was a gold bracelet. Captain O. Secker carried out the duties of best man. The subsequent reception was at the Old Rectory, Bennington. The honeymoon was spent at Broadway, Worcestershire, the bride’s travelling dress being of blue serge and her hat of blue velour, trimmed with fur. |
The Mills family arrived back at London on 1st July 1929 aboard Bibby Brothers and Company’s vessel “Cheshire,” Arthur Edward’s age being given as 40, while Mary Eleanor was 32, and their daughter Barbara Mary was 7.
Arthur and Mary are found at Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire when the 1939 Register was taken on 29th September (Ref: RG101 piece 5735B schedule 1). With them is their daughter, Barbara Mary who was born in 1921.
Arthur died at the age of 62, and according to probate records, his effects were valued at £12142 14s. 7d. The Times of Friday 14th March 1952 printed the following regarding his death:
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Mills. – On March 13, 1952, at Tachbrook House, Stourton, Shipston on Stour, Arthur Edward, third son of the late Canon Mills, of Benington, much loved husband of Mary. Funeral, Cherrington Church, tomorrow (Saturday) at 3.00pm. No mourning or bought flowers. |
William Onslow Secker (1869–1956)
William Onslow Secker married Beryl Spencer Brunton on 3rd July 1897 at St. Mark’s, North Audley Street, Westminster, London. They had two sons, Gerald Onslow who was born on 2nd June 1900 at Ingrogalla Kandy, Ceylon, and Derek Howard who was born on 20th April 1902 at Slough.
In the 1911 Census, “Onslow” and Beryl are found at Wood End House in Great Marlow, Buckinghamshire, his occupation being recorded as a retired tea planter. Also with them are three servants, Kate Brennen, Bessie Montague, and Jessie Bond. In the same Census, their sons are both found at The Grange, Shorecliffe Road, Folkestone, Kent.
At the time of the 1939 Register, Onslow and Beryl are living at Maldah, Institute Road, Marlow, Buckinghamshire. His occupation was recorded as a retired Ceylon Planter, and with them was a servant named Thelma M Hayden.
William died at the age of eighty-six on 19th January 1956, and was cremated at Henley Road Crematorium, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire on 23rd January. Probate was granted on 28th March to his son, Derek Howard Secker, a retired commander in the Royal Navy. His personal effects were valued at £6970 2s.
Charlotte Maude Secker (1870–1956)
Charlotte Maude Secker married William Douglas-Jones at Slough on 12th April 1894. William had been born in 1868 at Muckairn, Argyll, Scotland, and was the son of William and Mary. Their marriage was reported on in a number of newspapers, both in North Wales and Buckinghamshire. The following very descriptive article appeared in the North Wales Chronicle of Saturday 28th April 1894 under the heading “The Wedding of Mr W. Douglas Jones”:
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On Thursday, the 12th inst., there was a large gathering at Upton Old Church, Slough, Buckinghamshire, the occasion being the marriage of the only daughter of Mr and Mrs E. Onslow Secker, of Denmark House, Slough, with Mr William Douglas Jones, solicitor, of Bangor. The venerable Norman Church was full to overflowing, a very large concourse awaiting outside to greet the bride. During the interval of waiting the arrival of the bride a selection of music was played by the organist. Upon the bride’s arrival, the service commenced by singing the hymn “The voice that breathed o’er Eden.” In the absence of the Rev. William Mills, uncle of the bride, owing to the illness of his wife, the service was impressively read by the Rev. Arthur Richards, rector of Farlington, Hants, the final address being given by the Rev. H. S. Young, rector of Slough. The bride, followed by her five pretty and picturesque bridesmaids, was conducted to the chancel steps on the arm of her father, where the bridegroom, attended by Mr Arthur Macartney-Filgate, of the 4th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (a brother officer of the bridegroom), awaited her. During the signing of the register in the vestry Turle’s Wedding Chorale was beautifully sung by the choir, and then, to the strains of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, the bride and bridegroom proceeded down the church with the bridesmaids in attendance. On arriving outside the porch they were met with the hearty congratulations of the assembled spectators, who lined the pathway to their carriage, and had apparently come supplied with the customary rice. The bride, whose charming manner and appearance was generally remarked, was attired in a handsome gown of rich white duchesse satin, which was unique in its exquisite simplicity. The bodice was trimmed with lace, short puffed sleeves of satin, with undersleeves of lace. She wore a plain white tulle veil, fastened by a diamond crescent, the gift of the bridegroom, and a train of real orange blossom, and a spray on each sleeve and waist, and carried a bouquet of lilies o’ the valley, orange blossom, and white roses. The bridesmaids were Miss Beryl Brunton and four little girls, cousins of the bride, namely, Miss Daisy and Miss Dolly Mills, and Miss Cissy and Miss Vera Holmes. Miss Brunton’s dress was pink satin, with fichu of pink crape, with a white Cavalier hat, trimmed with pink roses. The little girls were simply pictures in pretty frocks of white satin, with chemisettes of pink crape, and in the style of the period of Charles I, with close fitting lace caps. Each bridesmaid carried a bouquet of pink azaleas, carnations, and lilies of the valley, and wore a gold bar brooch with small red enamel heart set with pearls, presented to them by the bridegroom. Mrs Kenmuir Douglas (mother of the bridegroom) wore a charming dress of electric blue bengaline, trimmed with guipure lace and gold, small French bonnet, composed of shaded tea roses and gold butterfly. She also carried a lovely bouquet of Maréchal Niel roses and lilies of the valley. After the ceremony the wedding party assembled at Denmark House, and was limited exclusively to the nearest relatives on either side, the large reception, which was to have taken place, being cancelled owing to the sad death of the bridegroom’s partner (the late Mr Henry Barber), amongst those present being Mr and Mrs Kenmuir Douglas, Messrs Harold and Tom Jones, Mr Shirley Jones, Colonel and Mrs Thistlethwayte, Mr and Mrs C. B. Stevens, Mrs P. R. Holmes, Masters Sydenham and Lennox Holmes, Messrs Edward, John, and Victor Secker, the Rev. and Mrs Savill Young, Mrs Thomas Chown, the Rev. and Mrs Arthur Richards, Mrs Burkin Young, Mrs Trew Tegon, Miss Seale, Mr Arthur Macartney-Filgate, Mrs Spencer Brunton, Miss Brunton, Miss Olive and Miss Dorothy Brunton, Captain and the Misses Higgins &c., where they were entertained with Mr and Mrs Onslow Secker’s usual hospitality. The bride and bridegroom were recipients of many handsome presents, the number being, we believe, about 180. Mr and Mrs Douglas Jones left for London very early in the afternoon, amidst showers of rice, old shoes, and other emblems of good luck, the bride wearing a costume of fraise and cream shot cloth with waistcoat of cream silk, a rich black silk cape lined back with rose colour, trimmed with lace insertion and large black picture hat trimmed with roses and black ostrich feathers. |
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“Priodasau |
Amongst the large amount of gifts they received was a canteen of silver dessert cutlery, which was given them by “Mr. George Wixey.”
In the 1901 Census, Charlotte is found living at Glanenthwy, Pentir, Bangor, Caernarvonshire, Wales with her husband and their three children (Ref: RG13 piece 5281 folio 41 page 21). All three children were said to have been born at Glanaethwy, near Bangor. William Eric Vivian was born on 23rd March 1895, Gwynedd Maud May was born on 23rd March 1897, and Jessie Elian was born on 24th November 1898. Also with them are four servants, Edith Holland, Alice Ringwill, and Hannah and Mary Owen, as well as Charlotte’s niece, Dora Collingwood Chown.
When the 1911 Census was taken, William and Charlotte are found at Fawley Lodge, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire (Ref: RG14 piece 8048 schedule 8). With them are two servants, – Bowler and Annie Tilley. Their son William is found at Radley, Abingdon, Berkshire, while their two daughters, Gwynedd and Elian, are both found at Southlands School, Sutton Avenue, Seaford, in Sussex (Ref: RG14 piece 4853 schedule 43).
The year 1915 got off to a very bad start for Charlotte, and must have proved a very difficult time for her to cope with. First of all, their son William was killed in action in France on 15th January 1915 while serving as second Lieutenant in the 33rd Battery of the Royal Field Artillery.
A little over two months later, William Douglas-Jones died of heart failure on 26th March at the Croft, Wickham, Hampshire, he was forty-seven years old. Probate was granted to his widow on 3rd June, his personal effects being valued at £5178 8s. 10d. Additional details about both Williams are found in The following newspaper extracts from the North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser, in its issues dated 1st and 9th April 1915:
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Captain W. Douglas Jones The Late Capt. W. Douglas Jones |
At the time of the 1921 Census on the night of 19th June, Charlotte is indexed as “Maude” Douglas Jones. She is found living with her two daughters, Gwynedd and Elian, at Orchard Dene, Bourne End, in the Wooburn area of Buckinghamshire (Ref: RG15 piece 07329 schedule 328). Also with them was a “House Parlour Maid” named Winifred Halford Binnee, and two visitors, Edith Arnold, and Arthur Rees Price whose occupation was recorded as a “Solicitor.”
When the 1939 Register was taken, Charlotte and her two daughters were living at 1 Charlton Park Gate, Charlton Kings, Gloucestershire, and with them was a lady by the name of Constance Spearman.
Charlotte Maude Douglas-Jones died at 148 Old Bath Road, Cheltenham, on 25th March 1956, at the age of eighty-six. Probate was granted to her two daughters on 4th June, her effects being valued at £10781 1s. 8d.
William Eustace Mills (1881–1957)
William Eustace Mills attended Winchester College and King’s College Cambridge, where he attained Bachelor of Arts, 2nd class honours in the Theological Tripos in 1903, and Master of Arts in 1907. He attended Leeds Clerical School in 1903, became a Deacon in 1904, and was ordained a Priest in 1905. He was the Curate of Barking in Essex from 1904 to 1913, where he is found in the 1911 Census, living at 26 Cecil Avenue.
William was Rector of Walkern from 1913 until 1921. He married Everilda Louise Tindall Lucas in 1913 at Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Everilda was the daughter of William Tindall Lucas, a Banker, and his Canadian wife Frances Augusta née Farmer, and was born on 8th July 1889 at Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Their marriage was reported on in the Hertford Mercury and Reformer in the issue dated Saturday 16th August 1913:
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Mills – Tindall-Lucas |
During the first World War, Reverend William Mills was a Chauffeur for the Red Cross (Overseas volunteers). From 1921 to 1946 he followed in his father’s footsteps when he became Rector of Benington.
In the 1939 Register, William and Everilda are found at Little House, Bennington, William being recorded as a “Clerk in Holy Orders Rector of Bennington”. He died on 5th October 1957 at The Lister Hospital, Hitchin, and Probate was granted on 16th January 1958 to David Hitchcock Spencer, Publisher, and James Cuthbert Lindsell, Solicitor. His effects were valued at £17152 9s. 11d. His wife Everilda died on 7th February 1992 at Westbank, 64 Sevenoaks Road, Borough Green, Sevenoaks, Kent, at the wonderful age of one-hundred and two! Probate was granted on 25th August, her effects being valued at £3833.
The following description of St. Peter’s Church, Benington comes from page 48 of “Walks in the Country near London” by Christopher Somerville, published in 2003:
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St Peter’s is built of knapped (cut) flint, and possesses a tremendous array of carved stone medieval heads, inside and out. There’s a weather-beaten statue over the porch, and in the porch’s east window two beautiful stained-glass lights: one with daffodils and a gardener’s spade and fork commemorating William Eustace Mills (1881-1957), for 25 years rector of Benington; and the other with snowdrops and a painter’s palette, brushes and easel in memory of the long-lived Everilda Louise Tindall Mills (1889-1992). |
Clara Marguerite Mills (1884–1958)
In the 1939 Register, Clara is found living at Great Pastures, Hertford, and she is said to be living on private means. Clara died unmarried at the age of seventy-three in the spring of 1958 at Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
Clara Augusta Holmes (1886–1960)
The Times of Friday 21st April 1916 made the following announcement:
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Mr. T. Moore and Miss Holmes |
Interestingly, Clara’s husband Thomas Moore was the brother of Charlotte Jekyll Moore who had married Clara’s 1st cousin George Bridges Stevens in 1909.
At the time of the 1939 Register, Thomas and Clara were living at 24 Higher Kingston, Yeovil, Somerset, Thomas’ occupation being recorded as a “Solicitor” (Ref: RG101 piece 7054F schedule 182).
Clara Augusta Moore died on 26th April 1960 in Yeovil, Somerset.
Dennis Bridges Stevens (1895–1965)
When the 1911 Census was taken, Dennis was a Scholar at The Cross, Repton, Near Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (Ref: RG14 piece 16767 schedule 68). He is boarding in the household of Harold Carlyle Hayward and family, Harold being described as a “Schoolmaster human master.”
Dennis appears in the Royal Navy Officer’s Medal Roll and the Royal Marine Medal Roll for 1914 to 1920.
On 11th April 1918, Dennis married Dorothy Gladys Campbell at St. George Hanover Square, London. Dorothy was born on 14th April 1891. When the next Census was taken on the night of 19th June 1921, Dennis and his family are found living at 116 Foxley Lane, Purley, in Surrey (Ref: RG15 piece 3537 schedule 275). Dennis’ occupation is given as “Accountant s Articled Clerk,” his employer being named as “Messrs. Baker Sutton & Co. Chartered Accountants, Eldon Street, London EC2.” Dorothy’s birthplace is given as “Bolivia La Paz.” With them are their two children, Margaret Bridges and Richard Bridges, as well as a Cook named Lily Ulph, Parlour Maid Mildred Ulph, and Domestic Nurse Dorothy Bennefield.
At the time of the 1939 Register, they are found living at Little Mynthurst, Smalls Hill, in the Dorking area of Surrey (Ref: RG101 piece 1936A schedule 131). Dennis’ occupation is recorded as a “Chartered Accountant Office Manager”, and living with them are their daughters Margaret and Catherine, their son Richard, and Dennis’ mother Augusta.
Dennis died at the age of sixty-nine in Plympton, Devon in 1965.
Eileen Maude Mills (1892–1965)
On 27th February 1917 at St. Peter’s Church, Bennington, Eileen Maude Mills married Roland Heath, a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers. He was the eldest son of George and Mrs. Heath of Redcott, Cobham, and was born on 25th September 1889. Roland and Eileen were married by Eileen’s father William Mills, with the assistance of her brother, William Eustace Mills, the Rector of Walkern.
At the time of the 1939 Register, they were living at 35 The Avenue, Surbiton, Surrey, Roland’s occupation being recorded as “H M Insp Of Surrey Schools” (Ref: RG101 piece 1385A schedule 186). Living with them is their son Martin, who was born on 22nd February 1920 in the St. George Hanover Square area of London, and who is recorded as a “Student”, as well as two servants, William Anderson, a “House Man,” and his wife Florence, a “Cook in Domestic Service.”
Victor Hart Secker (1877–1966)
Victor Hart Secker married Ina Lorna Marjorie Salmon on 31st July 1907 at St. Jude’s, South Kensington, London when he was twenty-nine years old. At the time of the 1911 Census, Victor and Ina are found at 20 Jameson Road, Bexhill, Sussex, with Ina’s widowed mother, Ina Gertrude Bush Salmon. Also with them are their children Lorna Elizabeth aged two and the most recent addition to the family, Edward John Richard, both children having been born in Bangalore, India.
Following his wife’s death on 23rd December 1936 at Te Awanga, New Zealand, at the age of fifty-three, Victor married his second wife, Evelyn Isabel Werner, in Surrey in 1939, who was thirty years his junior. Major Victor Hart Secker died at the age of eighty-eight on 5th February 1966 at the Bon Aid Nursing Home, Jersey, Channel Islands.
Jessie Dorothy Mills (1886–1966)
In the 1939 Register, Jessie Dorothy Mills is found living at Great Pastures, Hertford, and is said to be living on “Private means.” She died unmarried at the age of eighty years in Hertfordshire in late 1966.
Dorothy Christine Gauntlett Harrison (1895–1972)
Dorothy Christine Gauntlett Harrison married Herbert Stanley Starkey on 12th June 1923 at Cheltenham. Their marriage was reported on in the Cheltenham Chronicle in its issue dated Saturday 16th June, under the heading “Cheltenham Society Wedding”:
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The wedding took place quietly on Tuesday at All Saints’ Church, Cheltenham, of Miss Dorothy Christine Gauntlett Harrison and Mr. Herbert Stanley Starkey. The bride is the daughter of Col. and Mrs. B. G. Harrison, of Evesham House, Cheltenham, and the bridegroom son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Starkey, of Eversfield, Trowbridge. The officiating clergy were the vicar of All Saints’ (Canon P. M. C. Johnstone) and the Rev. G. S. Holmes (brother of the bride). |
At the time of the 1939 Register, Herbert and Dorothy were living at 21 Bathwick Hill, Bath, in Somerset (Ref: RG101 ppiece 7004E schedule 236). Herbert’s occupation was recorded as a “Lt Col T A 24yrs Wilts Regt,” while Dorothy was said to be a “Senior Leader With Wilts A T S.”
Dorothy died in Cheltenham in 1972.
Frederica Vera Holmes (1890–1981)
Frederica Vera Holmes married John Yelverton Hadden in the spring of 1934 in Hertfordshire. John had been born in Dublin, Ireland on 7th January 1895. In the 1939 Register they can be found living at 231 Prestbury Road, Cheltenham, her husband John being recorded as a “Biscuit Representative Tra”. She died aged ninety-one at Cheltenham in 1981.
References
The Bond of Sacrifice: A Biographical Record of All British Officers Who Fell in the Great War, ed. L. A. Clutterbuck and W. T. Dooner, vol. 1, Aug-Dec 1914 (published 1917), pp. 192-193.
John Hugh Secker’s obituary appeared in the “1942 Institution of Mechanical Engineers: Obituaries”, and was found on the Grace’s Guide to British Industrial History.
The file reference for the divorce of Ellen Louise and William Hubert Chown is: National Archives, J 77/803/4429.
Unless otherwise stated, all newspaper articles can be found at the British Newspaper Archive.
Credits
The photo of the commemorative stained glass windows at Benington is a Flickr photo by jmc4.
The photograph of Francis Lennox Holmes was found at The Morgan Web Site.