Susan was 15th of 19 children. She was left with three youngsters of her own when her ex-serviceman husband Fred Smith died after ten years of marriage. In the early 1940s, she moved with her second husband Harry Catlow to Tingewick, Bucks, where they ran The White Hart. Tragedy struck when both her daughter and … Continue reading Susan Caroline Stocking (1896-1971): A move to Tingewick and family tragedies [Updated]
In the news
Stocking homes: Beechfield Road, Catford
My Stocking ancestors (amongst others) tended to stay in one place, often with several branches and generations of the family living very close to, or with, each other. Beechfield Road in Catford, South London, was the centre of the family's life from the early-mid 1900s until after WW2. I wonder what stories those properties could … Continue reading Stocking homes: Beechfield Road, Catford
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
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
My Stocking Roots 