Alexander was the youngest of 19 children, born in the Coronation year of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, after whom he was perhaps named. He joined the regular army aged 16 (lying about his age), married while based in Dorset, later being a Prisoner of War in Germany during WW2. Records of his life … Continue reading Alexander Edward Stocking (1902-1971): A career in the Tank Corps and WW2 PoW
2xGreat Grandparents
Violet Rose May Ivy Stocking (1900-1963): A life of loss
The youngest daughter of my 2xgreat grandparents, Violet suffered the loss of two brothers and both her parents by the time she was 20, and her only child died in infancy. She worked for a stationer before marrying a Stockbroker. He may have been a WW2 prisoner of war, and worked in the same street … Continue reading Violet Rose May Ivy Stocking (1900-1963): A life of loss
Alfred Edmund Ilott Stocking (1898-1978): Military Medal Holder
Named for his older sister's husband, Alfred was the 17th of my 2xgreat grandparents' children. He followed his brothers into the Army in WW1, and was the second in the family to be awarded the Military Medal. Despite a shotgun wound to the face, and a work accident that damaged his shoulder, he lived a … Continue reading Alfred Edmund Ilott Stocking (1898-1978): Military Medal Holder
Archibald David Stocking (1894-1961): Driver in the Howitzer Brigade [Updated]
It was a letter from Archie’s son Ron that sparked my search for my 2xgreat-grandparents' children. Archie turned out to be the fourteenth of 19. He was a driver in the Howitzer Brigade in WW1 before returning to work on London's trams. Amongst his six grandchildren are a well-known journalist and author, and a mountain … Continue reading Archibald David Stocking (1894-1961): Driver in the Howitzer Brigade [Updated]
Annie Louise Stocking (1892-1975): A love of colourful clothing
Annie was the 13th child born to my 2xgreat grandparents, and suffered several losses, including the death of her mother, while still young. She married towards the end of WW1 and lived the rest of her life in Lewisham. Newspaper coverage of her two daughters' weddings suggest she had a keen and colourful fashion sense. … Continue reading Annie Louise Stocking (1892-1975): A love of colourful clothing
Richard Henry Stocking (1890-1904): A life cut short
My 2xgreat grandparents had a total of 19 children. Richard Henry was their 12th child and one of three to die young. His life was cut short when he was just 14; the family was very close and his death would have had a big impact. Here is what little I know of him, and … Continue reading Richard Henry Stocking (1890-1904): A life cut short
Lavinia (Lily) Stocking (1888-1968): Five Monk sons
Known in her early years as Lily, she was a witness to at least two of her sisters' weddings before marrying, in 1909, Frederick James Monk, a stationer's Card Cutter. He suffered ill-health after serving in the Remount Company during WW1, but continued to work. They had five sons between 1910-1919. What records did they … Continue reading Lavinia (Lily) Stocking (1888-1968): Five Monk sons
Elizabeth Bridgetina Stocking (1886-1960): Gent’s Hat Trimmer
'Lizzie' Stocking married Arthur William Evans in 1910, aged 23. They lived their married life in London, leaving little documentary record other than the death in infancy of their only baby, enumeration in the decennial censuses and long-term residence in Ringstead Road, Catford. There were, however, more convoluted connections between the Stocking and Evans families, … Continue reading Elizabeth Bridgetina Stocking (1886-1960): Gent’s Hat Trimmer
Catherine Alice (Kate) Stocking (1885-1967): Tingewick and turbulence of War [Updated]
Kate, the eighth child of my great grandparents, grew up with her many siblings in South London. Before marrying Tramways Engineer Charles Hall in 1908, she worked as a Shirt Machinist. They stayed together through two world wars, moving from London to Buckinghamshire to run The Crown Inn at Tingewick. But their family stories illustrate … Continue reading Catherine Alice (Kate) Stocking (1885-1967): Tingewick and turbulence of War [Updated]
Aaron Archibald Stocking (1883-1917): Military Medal [Updated]
My great great uncle Aaron Stocking was 34 years old when he was killed in action at Bourlon Wood, France on 1 December 1917. His wife of two years was pregnant with a son he would never see. He was awarded the Military Medal; I hunted for years for a citation but a letter he … Continue reading Aaron Archibald Stocking (1883-1917): Military Medal [Updated]
My Stocking Roots 