It is a memory of my mother that her grandparents Herbert George Norris and Elizabeth Fanny (nee Darby) separated. She remembers that her grandmother went on a cruise with another man but nothing else. An examination of the electoral role, however, reveals a little more information.
Looking at the electoral roles for 1918 we find that Herbert George Norris and his wife are living at 19 Cooks Road, Southwark. The couple are also living there in 1919 and 1920. From 1921, however, Elizabeth Fanny is not listed at this address. Instead, in 1921, there is Herbert George Norris and three others: William Arthur Norris, Mabel Jessie Norris and Alfred Walter Thorpe. In the years that follow, the people living at 19 Cooks Road changes quite frequently - but there is no record of an Elizabeth Fanny Norris living there again. What is interesting, however, is that in 1928 a Sarah Jane Rogers is resident at the address, and continues there in 1929 ... come 1931, however, there is no Sarah Jane Rogers but there is a Sarah Jane Norris ... is that the same person? It very much looks like it is, because in the marriage records for the second quarter of 1930 we find that a Herbert George Norris married a Sarah Jane Rogers in Southwark ...!
According to the electoral roll, Herbert George and Sarah Jane Norris continued to live at 19 Cooks Road until at least 1939 ... at least thirteen other names are also associated with this address during that period. It seems likely, therefore, that the couple took in lodgers; but it is interesting to note that a number of the names are Rogers ... Florence Rogers, Frank Rogers, Albert Rogers, Edward Rogers, Arthur Rogers and George Henry Rogers ... and these, perhaps, are vital clues to identifying the woman who became Herbert George's second wife; but that is work for another day ...
As always, thoughts and further information are warmly welcome!
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Monday, 11 March 2013
Gladys Norris
A fellow descendant of George Herbert Norris and researcher into the Norris family has kindly supplied me with some photos. They include these pictures of Gladys Norris.
Gladys Norris was the daughter of George Herbert Norris and his wife Elizabeth Fanny Darby. She was, therefore, my grandfather's sister. Acoording to the 1911 Census Gladys was born in 1907 in Tooeting (sic), Surrey.
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| Gladys Norris as a young woman |
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| Gladys Norris in later life |
With thanks to Karen for supplying the photos
Doris Ivy Norris
A fellow descendant of George Herbert Norris and researcher into the Norris family has kindly supplied me with some photos. They include this picture of Doris Ivy Norris.
Doris Ivy Norris was the daughter of George Herbert Norris and his wife Elizabeth Fanny Darby. She was, therefore, my grandfather's sister. She was born in 1912 in Southwark.
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| Doris Ivy Norris |
With thanks to Karen for supplying the photo
Thursday, 21 February 2013
A Photo of my Grandfather Herbert Edmunds
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| Herbert Edmunds |
This is my paternal Grandfather Herbert Edmunds, the son of Harriet Edmunds. Herbert was born in 1880, in Boscombe, Wiltshire.
A Photo of Harriet Edmunds
It's an ill wind that blows no good ... our house needs some work done on the roof, I have to sort out the loft in preparation ... What do I find? A large collection of my late father's photographs, including this picture of my Great Grandmother Harriet Edmunds! Looking at this picture, the word that comes to mind is ... kindly ...
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| Harriet Edmunds |
Saturday, 16 February 2013
Military Career of William Arthur Norris (b 1899)
I have previously written of another William Arthur Norris and his military career; that was the son of Jacob Norris (my Great Great Grandfather) who was quickly discharged after enlisting in the Lancers on the grounds that he was unlikely to make a capable soldier. The William Arthur Norris that I write about here is the grandson of Jacob Norris, born to his son Frederick J Norris c 1899. He is therefore the cousin of my grandfather William Herbert Norris and of the same age.
William Arthur Norris (b 1899) joined the army on the 5th of May 1915, signing up for the duration of the war with the 17th Battalion Kings Royal Rifles. He is given the Regimental No C3097. William Arthur's Service Record tells us that his next of kin is Frederick John Norris and that the family home is 163 Wolsely Buildings, Jacob Street, Bermondsey. His occupation is given as that of a Packer at a Cake Bakery. William Arthur's military career, however, did not last very long. He was posted on 5th May 1915 but discharged on 9th August of the same year because he was underage. William Arthur had falsely claimed to be 19 years and 90 days; in fact he was only about 16.
But this is not the end of the story ... because on 2nd October 1915 - and still underage - William Arthur Norris joined the 12th Battalion (Bermondsey) of the East Surrey Regiment. He was given the No 14150. The record appears damaged but this information about William Arthur Norris can be gleaned:
Height - 6 feet
Chest when fully expanded - 37 inches
Range of expansion - 2 inches
Weight - 134 pounds
Complexion - fresh
Eyes - blue
Hair - brown
His occupation is now given as Carman
Distinguishing marks are mentioned: a mole on the left upper lip and a scar on left side of the neck and the front of the left ear (suggesting perhaps a wound from a knife?)
The address that is given for his father is the same as he gave at his earlier enlistment.
William Arthur Norris was posted on 2nd October 1915. By 12th November, however, he had been struck off as a deserter! The only event mentioned on his service record is for the offence of overstaying his pass by seven days for which he was confined to barracks for fourteen days and forfeited seven days pay.
It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that William Arthur Norris was something of a handful; even so his father appears concerned for his welfare. He writes to his son's Commanding Officer ...
William Arthur Norris (b 1899) joined the army on the 5th of May 1915, signing up for the duration of the war with the 17th Battalion Kings Royal Rifles. He is given the Regimental No C3097. William Arthur's Service Record tells us that his next of kin is Frederick John Norris and that the family home is 163 Wolsely Buildings, Jacob Street, Bermondsey. His occupation is given as that of a Packer at a Cake Bakery. William Arthur's military career, however, did not last very long. He was posted on 5th May 1915 but discharged on 9th August of the same year because he was underage. William Arthur had falsely claimed to be 19 years and 90 days; in fact he was only about 16.
But this is not the end of the story ... because on 2nd October 1915 - and still underage - William Arthur Norris joined the 12th Battalion (Bermondsey) of the East Surrey Regiment. He was given the No 14150. The record appears damaged but this information about William Arthur Norris can be gleaned:
Height - 6 feet
Chest when fully expanded - 37 inches
Range of expansion - 2 inches
Weight - 134 pounds
Complexion - fresh
Eyes - blue
Hair - brown
His occupation is now given as Carman
Distinguishing marks are mentioned: a mole on the left upper lip and a scar on left side of the neck and the front of the left ear (suggesting perhaps a wound from a knife?)
The address that is given for his father is the same as he gave at his earlier enlistment.
William Arthur Norris was posted on 2nd October 1915. By 12th November, however, he had been struck off as a deserter! The only event mentioned on his service record is for the offence of overstaying his pass by seven days for which he was confined to barracks for fourteen days and forfeited seven days pay.
It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that William Arthur Norris was something of a handful; even so his father appears concerned for his welfare. He writes to his son's Commanding Officer ...
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Annie Norris
Annie Norris was the youngest child of Jacob Norris (my Great Great Grandfather).
She was born on 26th April 1869 in Charlton Somerset.
As we have shown elsewhere here, Annie's family moved to London sometime around 1879 - 1881 after her father went to prison for an assault on a woman in Frome. We now know they were in London by the Summer of 1880 because ...
On the 16th August 1880 Annie was admitted to St Clement's Road School in Kensington and Chelsea. Her admission No is 20, and the family address given as 98, Latimer Road. Her previous school appears to have been St James. Annie is eleven years old.
On 6th October 1889 Annie married Sydney Alfred Broome. This was at the Parish Church of St James the Great, Bethnal Green, in the borough of Tower Hamlets. Her father is given as Jacob Norris. The Groom's father is Harry Broome. Both Annie and Sydney are said to be aged 19 years and resident in Bethnal Green. The Groom's occupation is given as Painter; Jacob's occupation is given as Horse Keeper. The two witnesses are Frederick ? & Jane Harris
In the 1901 Census the couple are living in Loughborough Street in the Kennington Division of Lambeth. Annie is 31 years old and her place of birth is recorded as Somerset Charlton. Sidney is said to be 29 and a Builder's Labour. (There is a slight inconsistency here with the ages given on the marriage certificate). Also in the home is Annie and Sidney's daughter Elizabeth Broome. Her place of birth is given as London Kensington or Kennington.
Elizabeth Broome was born on 16th September 1889. Observant readers will notice that this was a few weeks before Annie and Sydney were married. This, however, is consistent with their child being registered as Elizabeth Broome Norris (in the last quarter of 1889). This "irregularity" might be the reason why Elizabeth was not christened immediately.
Elizabeth Broome was christened on 22nd September 1893 at St Barnabas Lambeth. The family's address is not clear; perhaps 54 Paradise (?) Road. The father's occupation is given as Labourer.
At the age of five, on 26th April 1894 Elizabeth was admitted to Springfield School, Lambeth. (The same school that my Grandfather William Norris would later attend). Her admission No is 325.The family address is given, but is not clear, perhaps 53 Marshall Street (?). Elizabeth had previously been at the National School, Camberwell.
Annie died in the final quarter of 1910. Curiously her death is registered in Romford, Essex.
In the 1911 Census Sidney Broome is living at 1 Lowden Road, Herne Hill, London. He is 42, a widower and employed as a House Painter in the Building Industry
In 1911 Annie and Sidney's daughter, Elizabeth Broome, is visiting the Steven Household at 111 Ormside Street, Peckham, Camberwell. Elizabeth is single, aged 21. Her occupation is given as Counter Hand in the Restaurant Industry. It maybe that she worked and / or was friends with Kathleen Mary Steven who was a waitress in a restaurant (and the daughter of Thomas and Emma Steven whose home it was). Or maybe the attraction was their son Thomas George who, aged 24, was a seamen in the Royal Navy ....
She was born on 26th April 1869 in Charlton Somerset.
As we have shown elsewhere here, Annie's family moved to London sometime around 1879 - 1881 after her father went to prison for an assault on a woman in Frome. We now know they were in London by the Summer of 1880 because ...
On the 16th August 1880 Annie was admitted to St Clement's Road School in Kensington and Chelsea. Her admission No is 20, and the family address given as 98, Latimer Road. Her previous school appears to have been St James. Annie is eleven years old.
On 6th October 1889 Annie married Sydney Alfred Broome. This was at the Parish Church of St James the Great, Bethnal Green, in the borough of Tower Hamlets. Her father is given as Jacob Norris. The Groom's father is Harry Broome. Both Annie and Sydney are said to be aged 19 years and resident in Bethnal Green. The Groom's occupation is given as Painter; Jacob's occupation is given as Horse Keeper. The two witnesses are Frederick ? & Jane Harris
In the 1901 Census the couple are living in Loughborough Street in the Kennington Division of Lambeth. Annie is 31 years old and her place of birth is recorded as Somerset Charlton. Sidney is said to be 29 and a Builder's Labour. (There is a slight inconsistency here with the ages given on the marriage certificate). Also in the home is Annie and Sidney's daughter Elizabeth Broome. Her place of birth is given as London Kensington or Kennington.
Elizabeth Broome was born on 16th September 1889. Observant readers will notice that this was a few weeks before Annie and Sydney were married. This, however, is consistent with their child being registered as Elizabeth Broome Norris (in the last quarter of 1889). This "irregularity" might be the reason why Elizabeth was not christened immediately.
Elizabeth Broome was christened on 22nd September 1893 at St Barnabas Lambeth. The family's address is not clear; perhaps 54 Paradise (?) Road. The father's occupation is given as Labourer.
At the age of five, on 26th April 1894 Elizabeth was admitted to Springfield School, Lambeth. (The same school that my Grandfather William Norris would later attend). Her admission No is 325.The family address is given, but is not clear, perhaps 53 Marshall Street (?). Elizabeth had previously been at the National School, Camberwell.
Annie died in the final quarter of 1910. Curiously her death is registered in Romford, Essex.
In the 1911 Census Sidney Broome is living at 1 Lowden Road, Herne Hill, London. He is 42, a widower and employed as a House Painter in the Building Industry
In 1911 Annie and Sidney's daughter, Elizabeth Broome, is visiting the Steven Household at 111 Ormside Street, Peckham, Camberwell. Elizabeth is single, aged 21. Her occupation is given as Counter Hand in the Restaurant Industry. It maybe that she worked and / or was friends with Kathleen Mary Steven who was a waitress in a restaurant (and the daughter of Thomas and Emma Steven whose home it was). Or maybe the attraction was their son Thomas George who, aged 24, was a seamen in the Royal Navy ....
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