The 12th child born to my 2xgreat grandparents, Rose grew up in her father's home village of Redbourn, where he was a master baker. She worked as a skilled waterproof clothing machinist with her older sister. I made a cardinal error marrying her off to the wrong man, tracing their lives without double checking the … Continue reading Rose Ephgrave (1892-1969): Family ties (almost a mistake!)
Engineering
George Ephgrave (1885-1935): Milk sterilizer engineer
My great great uncle George was one of several in his family to leave rural Hertfordshire for a life in London. There he worked, like his brothers Frederick and William, for a large dairy company. He became an electrical engineer involved in milk sterilization. He and his wife had two daughters. He died at the … Continue reading George Ephgrave (1885-1935): Milk sterilizer engineer
Arthur Ephgrave (1876-1943): Family puzzles
The fourth of my great grandparents' 13 children, Arthur grew up in St Alban's but raised his own much smaller family in Luton following a brief stay in London. He worked in two of Luton's major industries before and after WW1 service, but finished his working life at Vauxhall's Motor Works. Intriguingly, his wife appears … Continue reading Arthur Ephgrave (1876-1943): Family puzzles
My great grandmother’s four surviving siblings
My great grandmother Susan Caroline Hill had seven siblings, but only four survived beyond their third birthdays. Research into the surviving four reveals stories of further loss and survival, changing circumstances, military and civilian war casualties and emigration. Some of them are told here. Loss and survival My 2xgreat grandparents, Elsted-born Labourer John Hill and … Continue reading My great grandmother’s four surviving siblings
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
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]
John Arthur Stocking (1882-1957): Telephone Engineer
Years ago, in conversation with my Dad about his family, he recalled his 'Uncle John' who used to play the piano whenever Dad visited their Beechfield Road home in Catford. 'Uncle John' was actually his father's uncle; it's strange to think that, when I hold Dad's hand, there's a personal connection back to my great … Continue reading John Arthur Stocking (1882-1957): Telephone Engineer
My Stocking Roots 