The Barham Saga I

Pea-Bee was reminded of an old genealogist’s maxim – always following the family. He had a mystery: a young couple who started their lives in the 1840s in SE London/NW Kent and yet moved to Gloucester in the mid 1870s to raise a family. There was no obvious reason for the move. The young man was working in his father’s bakery in Chislehurst and, it seemed, had every expectation of taking over the business. There seemed to be no family link to Gloucester – neither sets of parents came from the West Country. It was a mystery.

However they got there, the couple’s life in Gloucester was eventful and there was enough information to warrant a new Pea-Bee Blog about them.

Pea-Bee’s interest had been sparked by the wife and he knew all about her family, but in preparing a little background, Pea-Bee decided to go back to the husband’s family and look at what happened to his siblings – and the link to Gloucester was eventually revealed. So now there will be two blogs….

This is the story of Thomas Barham (1847-1935) and his wife Lydia Matilda Mayze (1840-1917) but first, Thomas’s family…

The Barham Family

William Barham was born in the Twitton area of Otford, in the Darenth Valley, Kent, in about 1815, the son of Richard Barham. He started his working life as a gardener, moving between different villages in north Kent – Bexley, Farningham and Chislehurst – and it was in Chislehurst that he had settled by 1850 and where he eventually became a baker (by 1861) – and a fairly successful one it would seem, such that in the 1870s he was taking advertisements in a local directory.[1] [Fig 1]

While in Bexley in 1842, he married Eliza Beakhurst (or Beakhust)[2], a domestic servant, also born about 1815, but in Hampstead Marshall, a village near Newbury, Berkshire, who had been working in Foots Cray, close to Bexley, in 1841.[3] [Fig 2]

William and Eliza had at least seven children:

1.       Sarah Ann Barham born in Bexley at the beginning of 1843[4]

2.       Richard William Barham, born in Bexley in 1844[5]

3.       Thomas Barham, born Farningham in 1847[6]

4.       Eliza Barham, born Chislehurst in 1850[7]

5.       Fanny Barham, born Chislehurst in 1853[8]

6.       Mary Jane Barham, born Chislehurst in 1855[9]

7.       George Barham, born in Chislehurst in 1858[10]. George died before adulthood, either in 1867 or 1870[11]

1. Sarah Ann Barham married a gardener, John Nicholls, in 1866[12]. The family stayed in Chislehurst and, in 1881, lived next door to William Barham’s bakery[13]. John and Sarah had at least 9 children.

2. Richard William Barham became a baker like his father. In 1861 he was in Kensal Green in the house of Mary Clunie, a baker employing one man (her son David) and a boy: Richard was the boy[14]. In 1871, he and his sister Mary Jane Barham were in the house of his uncle and aunt, William and Ann Evans, in Gloucester[15]. He died in 1886[16] and it would appear that he never married.

3. Thomas Barham – of whom more in the second blog

4. Eliza Barham married Jesse Hall, a builder, in 1871[17]. Ten years later Jesse Hall was to act as executor for his father-in-law’s will[18]. Jesse and Eliza had three children[19]

5. Fanny Barham married Frederick George Collison in 1878[20]. He worked as a baker with his father-in-law in 1881, but after William’s death, he had a bakery in Eltham in 1891[21]. In 1901, however, he had become a house painter and the couple lived in Catford[22] and in 1911 he was a caretaker of vacant houses and they were living in Blackheath[23]. Frederick and Fanny had two children in the 1891 census but one died in childhood and in 1911 only recorded the living child.

6. Mary Jane Barham joined her brother Richard in the visit to her uncle and aunt, William and Ann Evans in Gloucester in 1871[24]. However, she was to marry a Gloucester man, William Henry Woodward, in Chislehurst in 1878[25] and then return to Gloucester where, in 1881, he was a beer house keeper[26]. However, by 1891 William Woodward had become a solicitor’s clerk and the family were living in Foots Cray[27]. In 1901 they were in Middlesex, first in Feltham[28], and then (by 1911) in Ashford[29]. William and Mary Jane had 4 children, one of whom died young.

William Barham remained a baker in Chislehurst until his death on 25 June 1881[30]. He left a personal estate of £170 0s 9d with his son-in-law, Jesse Hall, as one of the executors[31]. His widow, Eliza, died in 1890[32].

Eliza’s maiden name is given as Beakhurst in both the 1841 census and at the time of her marriage to William Barham, when she was described as the daughter of William Beakhurst[33].

While most of the censuses in which she appears give her place of birth as Newbury, Berkshire, one gives it as “Hamsted”[34] and there is a record of an Eliza Beckhust, daughter of William and Sarah Beckhust, being baptised at Hampstead Marshall, a small parish close to Newbury, on 7 January 1816.[35]

She had at least one sister, whose name was given as Ann Beakhust when she married William Evans in Gloucester in 1840[36]. She was described as being born in East Woodhay, Hampshire, in 1819[37]. (East Woodhay was just across the county boundary from Hampstead Marshall.) However, when Ann and William had a son, he appears in the records as Edmund Breakhust Evans, Edmund Beakhust Evans, and Edmund Beakhurst Evans[38].

Other researchers suggest that the name was originally Beakhust and all other spellings are just variants.[39]

---

[1] William Barham’s date and place of birth have been inferred from the five censuses in which he appeared. The places where he worked have been inferred from his children’s dates and places of birth. The censuses were: 1851 England Census Class HO107; Piece 1606; Folio 490; Page 27; GSU roll 193505. (Ancestry.com 1851 census Kent>Chislehurst>District 6a>image 28); 1861 England Census Class RG 9; Piece 464; Folio 11; Page 15; GSU roll 542643 (Ancestry.com 1861 census Kent>Chislehurst>District 1>image 16); 1871 England Census Class RG10; Piece 876; Folio 51; Page 4; GSU roll 827772 (Ancestry.com 1871 census Kent>Chislehurst>District 2>image 8); 1881 England Census Class RG11; Piece 857; Folio 103; Page 18; GSU roll 1341203 (Ancestry.com 1881 Census Kent>Chislehurst>District 3a>image 19)

[2] England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915 Dartford Q2 1842 Vol 5 p132 (via Ancestry.com); (for discussion on Eliza’s surname, see footnote y)

[3] 1841 England Census Class HO107; Piece 481; Book 8; Civil Parish Foots Cray; County Kent; Enumeration District 11; Folio 10; Page 14; Line 12; GSU roll 306874 (Ancestry.com 1841 census Kent>Foots Cray>District 11>image 8)

[4] England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 Dartford Q1 1843 Vol 5 p89 (via Ancestry.com)

[5] England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 Dartford Q4 1844 Vol 5 p89 (via Ancestry.com)

[6] England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 Dartford Q2 1847 Vol 5 p99 (via Ancestry.com)

[7] England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 Bromley Q2 1850 Vol 5 p63 (via Ancestry.com)

[8] England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 Bromley Q2 1853 Vol 2a p159 (via Ancestry.com)

[9] England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 Bromley Q4 1855 Vol 2a p185 (via Ancestry.com)

[10] England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 Bromley Q3 1858 Vol 2a p212 (via FreeBMD.org.uk)

[11] England & Wales, FreeBMD Death Index, 1837-1915 Bromley Q4 1867 Vol 2a p172 or Bromley Q3 1870 Vol 2a p211 (via Ancestry.com)

[12] England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915 Bromley Q4 1866 Vol 2a p547

[13] 1871 England Census Class RG10; Piece 876; Folio 37; Page 64; GSU roll 827772 (Ancestry.com 1871 Census Kent>Chislehurst>District 1a>image 17); 1881 England Census Class RG11; Piece 857; Folio 103; Page 18; GSU roll 1341203. (Ancestry.com 1881 Census Kent>Chislehurst>District 3a>image 19); 1891 England Census Class RG12; Piece 632; Folio 129; Page 15; GSU roll 6095742 (Ancestry.com 1891 Census Kent>Chislehurst>District 3b>image 16)

[14] 1861 England Census Class RG 9; Piece 785; Folio 45; Page 14; GSU roll 542700 (Ancestry.com 1861 Census Middlesex>Willesden>District 3>image 15)

[15] 1871 England Census Class RG10; Piece 2621; Folio 61; Page 28; GSU roll 835316 (Ancestry.com 1871 Census Gloucestershire>Barton St Mary>District 13>image 29)

[16] England & Wales, FreeBMD Death Index, 1837-1915 Bromley Q4 1886 Vol 2a p237 (via Ancestry.com)

[17] England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915 Bromley Q2 1871 Vol 2a p473 (via Ancestry.com)

[18] Ancestry.com England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 1881>B>Ba image 63

[19] 1911 England Census Class RG14; Piece 3596; Schedule Number: 25 (Ancestry.com 1911 Census Surrey>Richmond>District 16>image 50)

[20] England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915 Bromley Q2 1878 Vol 2a p547 (via Ancestry.com)

[21] 1891 England Census Class RG12; Piece 516; Folio 10; Page 15; GSU roll 6095626 (Ancestry.com 1891 Census London>Eltham>District 1>image 16)

[22] 1901 England Census Class RG13; Piece 552; Folio 27; Page 10 (Ancestry.com 1901 Census London>Lewisham>Lewisham>District 26>image 11)

[23] 1911 England Census Class RG14; Piece 2715 (Ancestry.com 1911 Census London>Greenwich>Greenwich East>District 29>image 216)

[24] 1871 England Census Class RG10; Piece 2621; Folio 61; Page 28; GSU roll 835316 (Ancestry.com 1871 Census Gloucestershire>Barton St Mary>District 13>image 29)

[25] England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915 Bromley Q3 1878 Vol 2a p576 (via Ancestry.com)

[26] 1881 England Census Class RG11; Piece 2537; Folio 140; Page 7; GSU roll 1341612 (Ancestry.com 1881 Census Gloucestershire>Gloucester Barton St Mary>District 19>image 8)

[27] 1891 England Census Class RG12; Piece 633; Folio 53; Page 18; GSU roll 6095743 (Ancestry.com 1891 Census Kent>Foots Cray>District 4b>image 19)

[28] 1901 England Census Class RG13; Piece 1171; Folio 87; Page 17 (Ancestry.com 1901 Census Middlesex>Feltham>District 1>image 17)

[29] 1911 England Census Class RG14; Piece: 6745; Schedule Number: 226 (Ancestry.com 1911 Census Middlesex>East Bedfont>District 02>image 454)

[30] England & Wales, FreeBMD Death Index, 1837-1915 Bromley Q2 1881 Vol 2a p221 (via Ancestry.com)

[31] Ancestry.com England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 1881>B>Ba image 63

[32] England & Wales, FreeBMD Death Index, 1837-1915 Bromley Q2 1890 Vol 2a p210 (via Ancestry.com)

[33] 1841 England Census Class HO107; Piece 481; Book 8; Civil Parish Foots Cray; County Kent; Enumeration District 11; Folio 10; Page 14; Line 12; GSU roll 306874 (Ancestry.com 1841 census Kent>Foots Cray>District 11>image 8); England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915 Dartford Q2 1842 Vol 5 p132 (via Ancestry.com) and copy of marriage certificate Fig 2

[34] 1861 England Census Class RG 9; Piece 464; Folio 11; Page 15; GSU roll 542643 (Ancestry.com 1861 census Kent>Chislehurst>District 1>image 16)

[35] England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 7 Jan 1816 FHL File No 1279458 IT 25-28 (via Ancestry.com)

[36] England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915 Gloucester Q1 1840 Vol 11 p321 (via Ancestry.com)

[37] 1861 England Census Class RG 9; Piece 1768; Folio 97; Page 18; GSU roll 542865 (Ancestry.com 1861 census Gloucestershire>Barton St Mary>District 12>image 19)

[38] England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 Gloucester Q4 1846 Vol 11 p365; England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 31 Jan 1847 FHL File No 991283; England & Wales, FreeBMD Death Index, 1837-1915 Gloucester Q1 1910 Vol 6a p210 (via Ancestry.com)

[39] Dave Beakhust at http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=498848.msg3557775#msg3557775

Sergeant Edward Holman, Royal Engineers (1830-1882)

Edward Holman was born in Portsea, Hampshire, on 9 February 1830, the son of Richard and Mary Holman, and was baptised at St Mary, Portsea, on 14 March.

When Edward married in 1854, his father was described as “Private Sappers & Miners”.

Edward enlisted in the Army on 23 December 1840 as a Bugler in the Royal Engineers and was stationed in Woolwich at the time of the 1841 census. He was underaged, in terms of assessing his military service, until 9 February 1848 after which date he continued to serve as a Bugler until 1 July when he was posted Sapper in 35th Company, Royal Engineers, the substantive rank he held for over five years until he was promoted 2^nd Corporal on 1 December 1853. However, by the 1851 census he had been appointed lance corporal, still based at Woolwich.

He was promoted further – Corporal on 1 April 1855 and Sergeant on 1 February 1857.

While still in Woolwich, and then a 2^nd Corporal, he married Harriott Storey at St Mary Magdalene, on 25 September 1854.

At the time of the Mutiny, he was posted to India and was “wounded at Lucknow on 21 November 1857 by a musket ball shattering his right elbow joint – the arm has been amputated above the elbow”. As late as February 1859, the stump had not healed and Sergeant Holman was considered unfit for further service and he was discharged on 1 March, having served 11 years and 21 days.

At the time of his discharge, he was described as 5ft 6in tall, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. His trade had been that of carpenter. In all, he served for 11 years 21 days (plus 7 years 41 days while under age).

Immediately after he left the Army, he became Band and Drillmaster to the Philanthrophic Society’s Farm School, at Redhill, Surrey, at a “salary of £50 per annum, with lodging and firing”. Rev Charles Walters, resident chaplain, explains Holman’s duties in his Annual Report to the Society’s committee and membership in 1860 as: “An introduction of a small amount of military drill as a useful addition to the machinery of the school by improving the appearance, manners, and bearing of the boys, and regulating their movements.” Later, Edward also acted as clerk to the school’s secretary.

The 1861 census described him as “Band & Drillmaster, Chelsea pensioner and late sergeant of Engineers”; in 1871 as “Out pensioner Chelsea Hospital & Writing clerk in Society Office”; and in 1881 as “Clerk & Band Master, Philosophical Society's Farm School”. He was also at one time Bandmaster of 4^th Surrey Rifle Volunteers in Reigate.

He and Harriott were to have at least five children – three girls and two boys – born between 1859 and 1870. The second son joined the Royal Navy and was a Petty Officer.

When Edward Holman died, he left an estate of £334 4s 3d and administration was granted to his widow. His funeral was reported in the local paper:

THE SURREY MIRROR AND GENERAL COUNTY ADVERTISER

21 JANUARY 1882

REDHILL

Obituary – We regret to announce the death of Mr. Edward Holman, band and drill instructor at the Philanthropic Society’s Farm School, on the 8^th inst., after a long and trying illness, borne with exemplary patience and fortitude. Mr. Holman had been in the service of the society for upwards of 22 years, and was deservedly held in great esteem by all with whom he was connected, for although not of a demonstrative or ostentatious temperament, his sterling qualities and ever faithful discharge of duty ensured him unusually great respect, which was manifested in a remarkable manner on the occasion of his funeral, which took place on Friday last, at the Cemetery, Reigate. The service commenced at the School Chapel at 2 p.m., where all the officials and inmates of the school were in attendance. His remains were enclosed in a handsome elm coffin of correct shape, with appropriate brass furniture, a plain Latin cross running the who length of the lid, having a brass plate at the foot, on which was lettered “Edward Holman, died January 8^th, 1882, aged 51 years.” The coffin was brought into the chapel on a wheel bier, and was covered with a handsome violet pall, on which friendly hands had laid some beautiful wreaths and crosses of white azaleas and other flowers, ferns, &c. The bearers were the band boys of the Institution, and the schoolmasters and bailiff acted as pall bearers. The chaplain, the Rev. C. Walters, met the body at the western door, and read the usual opening sentences of the burial office as the procession moved up the nave, Mr. Trevarthen (Secretary) presiding at the organ and playing “O rest in the Lord” (Mendelssohn) as the bearers, &C., took their places. Psalms 39 and 90 were touchingly sung to a Gregorian chant (2^nd tone), and were followed by the lesson, most impressively read by the chaplain. After this Hymn 400 (A. and M.) “Christ will gather in His own,” was sung with appropriate solemnity and pathos, and as the body was removed “Nunc Dimitis” was chanted – a soft voluntary bringing this part of the service to an end. The cortege now formed to proceed to Reigate, the widow and some friends following in carriages, whilst the sons of the deceased, school officers, &c., walked on foot behind the bier, which was propelled by the band boys, the boys of one house (Queen’s) joining the train of mourners. We should here state that Mr. Homan was formerly a sergeant in the Royal Engineers, and had for many years enjoyed a pension for active service, which came to an end at Lucknow during the Indian mutiny, in consequence of the loss of his right arm. He was bandmaster of the Reigate Corps of Volunteers many years, until some three years ago his failing health compelled him to retire. The Reigate Rifle Corps, not unnaturally, desired to join in paying him military honours, and for that purpose the band and a detachment of the men met the funeral cortege en route to Reigate, awaiting it near the Cottage Hospital under command of Sergeant-Major Garton, some members of the old band joining in for the occasion. The procession halted to receive the Union Jack as a pall, and then at the word “Slow march” it moved solemnly forward to the soul-stirring strains of the “Dead March” with muffled drums, the effect being most striking and moving even strong men to tears. At Ringley, the Vicar (Rev. J. N. Harrison), as chaplain to the corps, met the procession and headed it to the grave, where a large number of people had assembled. The volunteers and the detachment of boys here formed a square, the touching burial office proceeding as usual, except that the grand unison of men’s and boys’ voices in the responses, Lord’s Prayer, &c., added greatly to the effect. At the conclusion of the service Hymn 401 (A. and M.) “Now the labourer’s task is o’er,” was very appropriately and pathetically sung, and the assemblage dispersed without the usual firing over the grave, because the arms of the corps had been called in for examination and repairs. We have frequently noticed in our reports of the annual festivals of the school how efficiently Mr. Holman’s training of the boys asserted itself, and we are assured on the best authority that since many years ago he added to his former duties that of clerk in the secretary’s office, the same high sense of duty made him equally efficient and useful there. He has gone down to his grave with universal respect and esteem, and will, we are sure, be long missed by those who knew his invariable honour and trustworthiness, and enjoyed his co-operation and friendship.

His position as bandmaster, however, was taken by Henry Mallinder, former drum major in the 3^rd Battalion Grenadier Guards.

The story of the Mallinder family has been told in another Pea-Bee History blog

Mallinders in the Army

While researching the band and drillmasters at the Philanthrophic Society’s Farm School, at Redhill, Surrey in the second half of the 19th century (all of them ex-Army), I came across the Mallinder family. Following the death of Sergeant Edward Holman in 1882 (see previous post in this topic), the position of bandmaster was taken by Henry Mallinder, former drum major in the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards.

Three generations of the Mallinders served with the Colours – most with the Grenadiers – during the 19th century.

The first of the family known to have been a soldier was William Mallinder, Henry’s father.

2163 Private William Mallinder Grenadier Guards (1806-1871)

Born at Reading October 1806 (extrapolated from age at enlistment and age at discharge) Parents not known. By trade a shoemaker who enlisted in the Grenadier Guards at Sheffield 24 January 1831 aged 24 4/12.

Promoted Corporal 5 March 1833 but tried by court martial 15 September 1833 for telling an officer and untruth and neglect of duty; sentence: reduced to private and 14 days Imprisonment.

Promoted Corporal 1 March 1838 and Sergeant 24 February 1842. Tried by court martial 30 December 1850 for disgraceful conduct; sentence: reduced to private and one month imprisonment (imprisonment remitted).

Regimental board 26 August 1852. Medical report: Chronic Rheumatism. Has had occasional attacks of Rheumatism & has in winter suffered from Bronchitis

Opinion: Worn out by length of Service and Rheumatic pains. Discharged: 14 September 1852. Age at discharge: 45 10/12 years.  Service after deductions 21 years 209 days. Never served abroad

Married 17 November 1837 Mary Ann Bryan, then aged 15. She was the daughter of Charles (a hatter) and Mary Ann and born in Westminster 16 April 1822.

William and Mary Ann had 20 children between 1838 and 1864 of whom 11 survived infancy. The first 11 children were born at, or close to, various barracks across London and South East England – Chichester, Windsor, Westminster and the Tower of London. The last nine children were born in Bow in east London where the family lived after William left the Army. Initially William returned to his trade as shoemaker, but he was later described as a watchman and a chandler/greengrocer. Indeed, on 17 November 1862, he was fined by magistrates under the Weights & Measure Act as a chandler with inaccurate weights and scales. He died in May 1871, aged 64, and Mary Ann survived him by seven years.

Of William’s eight sons who reached maturity, four joined the Army (three in the Grenadiers), one the Royal Navy, one died of epilepsy in his early 20s, and the other two emigrated to New Zealand.

The soldiers were:

Henry Mallinder served 1853-1882

Francis John Mallinder served 1859-1874

Ernest Alfred Mallinder served 1872-1878

Arthur William Mallinder served 1884-1889 (Royal Fusiliers – invalided)

6274 Sergeant Drummer Henry Mallinder Grenadier Guards (1843-1907)

Born in the parish of St Margaret’s, Westminster in about 1843 or possibly as early as October 1842 (no record found)

Enlisted October 1852 at the age of about 9 years as drummer

Pensionable service dated from October 1860

Discharged as Sergeant Drummer 14 March 1882

Became bandmaster at Philanthropic Society’s Farm School, Redhill

Married 23 December 1866 Hannah Moore (1844-1914) and had 13 children of whom eight reached maturity.

The first 10 children were born at, or close to, various barracks across Britain – Chelsea, Windsor, Westminster, the Tower of London and Dublin. The last three children were born in Redhill where the family lived after Henry left the Army.

All but the youngest of the six sons to reach maturity joined the Army (the youngest died when he was 24)

Henry William Mallinder (1868-1921) served with 2^nd Dragoon Guards (1885-1907)

Herbert Albert Mallinder (1875-1903) served with Grenadier Guards (1890-1900)

Leopold Robert Mallinder (1879-1931) served with Grenadier Guards (1893-1911) including a period with Military Foot Police (1907-1910); re-enlisted as driver RASC (1914-1919)

Richard Wentworth Mallinder (1880-1914) enlisted as boy solider, Grenadier Guards in 1895 but was discharged after 80 days as "unlikely to become an efficient soldier"

Sidney Charles Mallinder (1885-1918) served with 2^nd Dragoon Guards 1902-1905 (under the name Charles Moore and including a period in South Africa 1903-1905), transferred to Army Reserve and mobilised with Military Mounted Police 5 Aug 1914 (he had joined the Metropolitan Police as a PC in 1906). Suffered from TB and was discharged 25 Feb 1915, returning to the Met and serving as a PC until his death in 1918

798 Drummer Francis John Mallinder (c1847-1933)

Born in the parish of St Margaret’s, Westminster in 1846/7 (no record found)

Enlisted 18 November 1859 at the age of 13 years and 1 month.

Pensionable service dated from 1 November 1864

Never served abroad

Discharged 2 November 1874

Became a brewery watchman in Mile End, east London

Married 20 December 1874 Mary Ann MacVee (1848-1900) and had five children, including two sons only one of whom reached maturity

Married 12 October 1902 Elizabeth Jane Poulter (nee Smith) (1859-1937)

The marriage with the Widow Poulter in 1902 was later linked with the two marriages of Francis’s youngest son, Alfred Ernest Mallinder (1880-1939). In 1904 Alfred married Alice Mary Poulter (1881-1912), one of the daughters of Elizabeth Poulter by her first marriage (to Philip Matthew Poulter (1857-1891)). After the death of Alice, Alfred married her sister Rose Poulter (1888-1967) in 1916

Alfred Ernest Mallinder served as private with the 2^nd London Regiment in WWI

4284 Supernumerary Drummer Ernest Alfred Mallinder (1861-1919)

Born 23 August 1861 4 Ford St, Bow

Enlisted 1872 at the age of 11

Discharged for bad conduct 12 August 1878

Became a brewer’s drayman in Mile End, east London

Married 25 December 1891 Eliza Shepherd (1871-1948) and had seven children, the oldest and the youngest being boys. The eldest son – William Henry Mallinder (1892-1961) enlisted with the 17^th (County of London) Battalion of the Territorials and served in France 9 March 1915 to 28 September 1916. He was invalided out in February 1917

1355 Private Arthur William Mallinder Royal Fusiliers (1862-1912)

Born 15 July 1864 4 Ford St, Bow

Enlisted 18 July 1884

23 August 1886 awaiting trial for striking a superior officer, imprisoned until 17 November 1886

Served at Gibralter (13 Dec 1884-13 Dec 1885); Egypt (14 Dec 1885-8 Jan 1888); East Indies (9 Jan 1888-14 Oct 1889); returned to UK with palpitations

Discharged from Netley as unfit 14 Jan 1890

Conduct indifferent

Habits intemperate (he had been treated for syphilis in 1885)

Like his brother, he became a brewer’s drayman in Mile End, east London

Married 22 November 1891 Ada Ward (c1870-1935) and had three children, two of whom reached maturity including another

Arthur William Mallinder (1896-1972) who joined the Royal Marines on 23 November 1914, 12 days before his 18th birthday – those 12 days not counting towards his service! He left the Marines as a Gunner in June 1919, joining the Royal Navy as a Stoker. He was eventually discharged unfit on 14 April 1920 after dislocating a cartilage.

Colour Sergeant GEORGE GARTON Grenadier Guards (1835-1902)

6723 Colour Sergeant GEORGE GARTON Grenadier Guards (1835-1902)

Born c 1835, one of some 15 children of William Garton, a labourer, and Ellen (nee Burbridge) of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, George Garton was baptised there on 26 July 1835.

His obituary states that he “took the Queen’s shilling in 1854, and served for nine months in the Crimea.”

From discharge records, it is possible to calculate that he joined the Grenadier Guards at some time in February 1854 and, after 21 years 29 days service, was discharged on 10 March 1875. He could have had a few years “underage” service as a boy soldier although in 1851, aged 16, he was living with his parents and described as a gardener.

However, no record has so far been found of him being awarded a Crimea Medal.

George Garton was married at Biggleswade on 8 September 1859 to Charlotte Jemima Halloway. The couple had at least 8 children, the first 7 born at or near various barracks: Dublin (1860); Westminster (1862), Windsor (1864), Westminster (1866), Ireland (1868), Tower of London (1870), and Westminster again (1872). The last child was born in Reigate not long before George left the Army and where he was to live until his death.

He was “a soldier” in Windsor in April 1861 and was a colour sergeant at Wellington Barracks in 1871.

In 1881, the census records describe him as a “Chelsea Pensioner and ??? Volunteers”.

Again, according to his obituary “He came to Reigate in the year 1873, and immediately joined the local Volunteers, then the old 5th Surrey, and in connection with which the formation of a second battalion was largely due to his exertions.”

He was Sergeant-Major of A and B Companies, 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment for most of the 17 years he was with the volunteers until his retirement on 24 March 1890.

After retirement, Horse Guards gave permission for him to hold the honorary rank of Sergeant-Major and to wear the uniform of the Corps.

In about 1883, he was appointed school attendance officer in Reigate, a position he held until his death in 1902. He appears to have acted as drillmaster at the Philanthropic Society’s Farm School, Redhill, from before 1888 to after 1899.

He died on 6 June 1902, aged 67, and was buried at St Mary, Reigate, on 11 June. His estate was valued at £482 17s with his son, George Charles Garton, appointed executor.

The Surrey Mirror and County Post, Friday, June 13, 1902.

DEATH OF SERGT.-MAJOR GARTON

Although not wholly unexpected, the news of the death of Sergt.-Major Garton, at Reigate, on Friday morning, came as a great shock to the inhabitants of the borough. The name of this veteran soldier has long been inseparably associated with the town of Reigate, and the active interest he has displayed in almost everything concerning the welfare of the community, had earned from him the highest esteem of all with whom he came in contact. His demise came with almost painful suddenness, his illness being of but a week’s duration, and up to within a week or two of his illness he retained all his extraordinary vitality and energy, which was so remarkable in a man of his years. Sergt.-Major Garton took the Queen’s shilling in 1854, and served for nine months in the Crimea. It will be interesting to know that shortly before his death the deceased soldier received an invitation to join his old comrades, the Crimean Guardsmen, at Waterloo Palace on the occasion of the forthcoming Coronation procession. He came to Reigate in the year 1873, and immediately joined the local Volunteers, then the old 5th Surrey, and in connection with which the formation of a second battalion was largely due to his exertions. For the past 19 years he has efficiently carried out the arduous duties appertaining to the post of Attendance Officer. He has always shown a great willingness to assist in any local organisation, and took special interest in horticultural work in the borough. He was for a good many years the drill instructor to the boys at the Farm School, and was also the secretary to the Soldiers Entertainment Committee. Mr. Garton was in his 67th year.

THE FUNERAL.

An exceptionally large gathering of the residents of the borough, public officials, and representatives of the various institutions with which the deceased was connected, testified to the popularity of Mr. Garton, and the respect and esteem in which he was held, at the funeral, which took place on Wednesday afternoon in the Reigate Cemetery was fixed for five o’clock, and by that time a crowd of extraordinary dimensions had assembled to await the arrival of the cortege. In Reigate there were many manifestations of sorrow and regret. The preliminary portion of the service was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. F.C.Davies, and the Parish Church was crowded with mourners and sympathisers. The coffin was borne from the approach to the cemetery to the church, and thence to the grace, on a bier by six of the deceased’s comrades from the 2nd V.B. The Queen’s, viz Sergts. Young, Legg, Godbeer and Smith and Col.-Sergts. Young and Binfield. The ceremony was not in the nature of a military funeral, but, though there was no beating of the drums nor firing of the guns, there unmistakeable evidence of the deceased’s association with military life. The coffin was draped with a large Union Jack; the funeral procession included a posse of the members of the 2nd V.B. The Queen’s in uniform, and a strong contingent of the lads from the Philanthropic Farm School, who present a soldierly appearance. The principal mourners were the three sons of the deceased, George Charles, Harry Herbert, and Arthur; the daughters, Mary and Florence; the grandson Mr Arthur Richmond Garton, representing his father, Capt. W.G.A.Garton who is out in South Africa; Mr William Garton and Mr Charles Garton, brothers of the deceased; Miss Ellen Garton, sister; Lizzie, Gertrude and Nelie, daughters-in-law; and Jendei, sister-in-law; Mr E. Penfold jun., Mr Thomas Penfold; Sergt-Inst Moir and Mrs G Heather; while the deceased was also followed to his last resting place by the Mayor of the Borough (Mr F.E.Barnes JP CC)….

(the rest of the article enumerates all the other mourners and details of all the wreaths and other floral tributes)

 Military careers of George Garton’s sons and grandsons

George and Charlotte’s eldest son, William George Alfred Garton (1860-1929), also joined the Grenadier Guards, at some time before 1881. Clearly his was a rising star, as he was a lance sergeant by the age of 21 (1881 census).

When he married on 16 October 1888 he was described as drill sergeant. He was married at St Peter Ad Vincula, the Tower of London chapel, and his bride, Fanny Baker, was a daughter of a Yeoman Warder.

William Garton served in Sudan (Egypt medal with Sudan 1885 clasp, Khedive’s Star, mentioned in dispatches as Colour-Sergeant); in South Africa (QSA with Wittebergen, Cape Colony and Transvaal clasps, KSA); and came out of retirement to serve in France during WW1 (1914 Star and clasp, War Medal, Victory Medal). He also was awarded the Silver War Badge.

On 1 May 1897, Sergeant-Major William George Alfred Garton, Grenadier Guards, was appointed Quartermaster, with the honorary rank of Lieutenant. He was promoted to Quartermaster and Honorary Captain in 1901 and retired 1 April 1910.

When war broke out in 1914, for some reason Quartermaster and Hon Captain W.G.A. Garton was attached to the Life Guards and arrived France on 8 October 1914.

When his next two promotions were gazetted, it read “Qr.-Mr. and Hon. Capt. W. G. A. Garton, R.H. G-ds., ret. pay, to be Hon. Maj. 9 Sept. 1916.” And “Qr.-Mr. & Hon. Maj. W. G. A. Garton (Ret. Pay), Household Cav.” to be Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel. 10 August 1917.

He was awarded the SWB while a major.

After the war, The London Gazette of 12 December 1919 reported that “Garton, Qr.-Mr. & Lt.-Col. William George Alfred, G. Gds.” was to be an Officer of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, “in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war.”

He died at home – Cragarhan, Reigate Road, Ewell, Surrey – on 4 March 1929 and the executors of his estate, valued at £544 17s 9d, were his widow and son Wilfred.

His other two sons – Lieutenants Arthur Richmond Garton, 6th Battn Northumberland Fusiliers, and Reginald William Garton, 11th Battn South Lancashire Regiment – were killed in action in 1915 and 1916 respectively.

Of George and Charlotte’s other sons, George Charles Garton (1862-1921) and Harry Herbert Garton (1866-1946), both joined the Reigate Volunteers and both reached the rank of Sergeant.

G/3907 Lance Corporal George Edward Garton, 6th Battn East Kent Regiment, eldest son of George Charles Garton, was killed in action in France in 1915.

Strange bits and pieces

Strange bits and pieces

Pea-Bee has been having a bit of a sort out and has found a number of little mementos that are both interesting and puzzling:

This first is a medal with "Tonic Sol-Fa Association" on one side and "Crystal Palace Choir July 17th 1861" on the other.

According to The Standard of 18th July 1861: "The fifth annual juvenile choral meeting of the association took place yesterday at the Crystal Palace, when the choir consisted of 3500 children, with a thousand tenors and bases."

[Pea-Bee will add a full transcription of the article at a later date - it does on a bit]

The second is this enamelled badge - dating from the 1920s/30s. Does anyone know was P.O.O.H. & R.H.B.F. stand for?

The only clue Pea-Bee has is that the original owner worked as a postman (P.O.?) and kept bees