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
In the news
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
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]
Harriett Elizabeth Stocking (1879-1945): A large family
Harriett was the fourth of my 2xgreat grandparents' 19 children and had her own large family of ten with her husband Alfred Edmund Ilott Bishop. They lived their lives in Camberwell and then Norwood in London, dying in the final throws of WW2. They gave a home to her widowed sister and their ten children … Continue reading Harriett Elizabeth Stocking (1879-1945): A large family
Alice Caroline Stocking (1874-1928): A tragic end
Alice was the eldest of my 2xgreat grandparents' children and appears to have had a steady childhood, albeit one of 19 children. After leaving school, she worked as a needlewoman, making shirts and hat trimmings. Her home life after she married was also straightforward, although she only had two children, a small family for the … Continue reading Alice Caroline Stocking (1874-1928): A tragic end
Susie and Dot Fage: Sisters of Sandy
My maternal grandmother was one of eight children, four girls and four boys. Her three surviving brothers worked in market gardens before and after their service in WW1. Her three sisters were still alive when I was young, and both she and her sister Vera lived to be over 100, but I knew little about … Continue reading Susie and Dot Fage: Sisters of Sandy
Beth and Vera: Centenarian Fage sisters
My Mum's family were fairly long-lived and indeed, both her own mother and one of her aunts reached their centenaries. Both celebrated their golden weddings with their husbands and, indeed, my Nana Brown was married for 70 years. They lived through two world wars and much much more; how were their milestones celebrated? Elizabeth Sarah … Continue reading Beth and Vera: Centenarian Fage sisters
Fage sons in WW1: Fred, Albert and Jesse
My maternal great grandparents had eight children, seven of whom survived to adulthood. Their three sons all joined the forces and fought in WW1, and one was taken Prisoner of War. My grandmother would have been 17 when war broke out; she and the rest of the family no doubt had an anxious time waiting … Continue reading Fage sons in WW1: Fred, Albert and Jesse
William John Fage (1872-1940): Death in the Blackout
My maternal great grandmother Alice Fage died at home in Sandy on 12 February 1940. Two weeks later, on 26 February, her widower was involved in a fatal accident. Reports of the inquest heard of his state of mind at the time, and reveal witness statements from some of the family. This is his final, … Continue reading William John Fage (1872-1940): Death in the Blackout
My Stocking Roots 