THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE ARDINGLY MUDDLES

 

Chart of William & Ann Muddle’s Family

 

William and Ann’s eldest child was William Henry Muddle, known as Harry, who was born at Doods Road in Reigate on 18 February 1876. In the census of 3 April 1881 Harry, at the age of 5, was staying with his grandmother, Jane Muddle, at Nutley Lane in Reigate. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Harry, now aged 15, was living with his parents at 34 Nutley Lane in Reigate, and he was now a whitesmith’s apprentice.

When he was 23 years old Harry married 21-year-old Emma Kate Simmons at St Mary’s Church in Reigate on Saturday 1 July 1899. Harry was then a plumber living in Nutley Lane, and Emma was living with her widowed mother at Fern Villa in Station Road, Redhill. Emma was the daughter of William and Emma Simmons; she had been born at Redhill and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1878. Emma's father had died a few months after her birth.

In the census of 31 March 1901 Harry and Emma were living in part of 17 South Road in Reigate and Harry was working as a lead plumber. The Kelly’s Directory of 1902 records W H Muddle as living at Hartington, Springcopse Road, Reigate. Harry and Emma had two children born in Reigate in 1902 and 1908. Emma died at Reigate at the age of 32, and she was buried in grave N32 of Reigate Cemetery on 5 January 1911. Then the following year Harry married Lillian Mary Rogers in Farnham registration district in Surrey during the 2nd quarter of 1912. There were no children from this marriage.

Harry was described as a licensed victualler in 1915 when he acted as one of the executors of the will of his aunt, Elizabeth Muddle; also in 1919 when he acted as one of the executors of the will of his aunt, Jane Muddle; and again in 1929 when he acted as one of the executors of the will of his aunt, Emily Muddle. In 1931 Harry was described as being a beer retailer when he acted as one of the executors of his mother’s will. The Kelly’s Directories of 1913, 1923 & 1925, the Holmesdale Directories of 1927, 1929 & 1931, and the Kelly’s Directory of 1932, all record W H Muddle as a beer retailer at 32 Nutley Lane in Reigate; this is the public house known as the Prince of Wales where Harry had taken over as licensee from his father in about 1913. So three generations of the Muddle family had been licensees at the Prince of Wales; Harry's grandfather, Henry Muddle, then his widowed grandmother, Jane Muddle, followed by Harry's father, William Muddle, and then Harry himself, spanning about 75 years from the late 1850s to the early 1930s.

Harry probably then retired in about 1933, as the Kelly’s Directories of 1934 & 1937 show him as living at Avenir, Slipshatch Road, Reigate. Harry was still living at Avenir when he died in South-East Surrey registration district, at the age of 81, and was buried with his first wife and son in grave N32 of Reigate Cemetery on 12 October 1957. The Kelly’s Directory of 1959 shows Mrs Muddle living at Avenir. Lillian died in South-East Surrey registration district at the age of 93, and she was buried with her husband and stepson in grave N32 of Reigate Cemetery on 12 March 1974.

 

Harry and Emma’s eldest child was Marjorie Evelyn Muriel Muddle who was born at Springcopse Road in Reigate on 28 December 1902. When she was 24 years old Marjorie married 30-year-old Arthur Francis Vinson in Reigate registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1927. Arthur was the son of Arthur and Catherine Vinson; he had been born in Reigate on 28 January 1897. Arthur and Marjorie always lived in Reigate where they had two children born in 1928 and 1942. Arthur worked for the Redhill Water Company and Marjorie was a milliner at Wrights in Reigate. Arthur died at the age of 88, his death being registered in South-East Surrey registration district during September 1985. Nine years later Marjorie died at the age of 91, her death being registered in South-East Surrey registration district during November 1994.

 

Harry and Emma’s second child was Raymond Henry Muddle whose birth was registered in Reigate registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1908. Raymond died at the age of five, and he was buried with his mother in grave N32 of Reigate Cemetery on 8 June 1914 .

 

William and Ann’s second child was Frederick James Muddle who was born at Doods Road in Reigate on 1 November 1879. In the census of 3 April 1881 Frederick, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Doods Road in Reigate. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Frederick, now aged 11, was living with his parents at 34 Nutley Lane in Reigate. When he was 21 years old Frederick married 22 year old Edith Emily Rolph at All Saints Church, Upper Norwood, Surrey on 13 January 1901. They were both then living at 63 Central Hill in Norwood, which was Edith’s parents home, and Frederick was a greengrocer working for Edith’s father who had a greengrocer’s shop. Edith was the daughter of Stephen and Emma Rolph, and she had been born at Reigate on 19 September 1878. In the census of 31 March 1901 Frederick and Edith were living in two rooms at 1 Whitely Road in Norwood, Frederick was working as a greengrocer and Edith was a clerk at the G.P.O.

Frederick and Edith had six children, and they were living in Croydon registration district when their first two children were born in 1902 and 1904. Then on 8 January 1906 Frederick was appointed a constable in the Metropolitan Police with Warrant Number 92797, and they moved to West Ham registration district in Essex where their next two children were born in 1907 and 1909. They then moved to Epsom registration district where their last two children were born in 1912 and 1919. While in Epsom registration district they lived in Frederick Road, Sutton, but as their last children where born, the house became too small and they rented the upstairs of their neighbour's house for some of the children to sleep in. Then the whole family helped in building their own house, called Suo Marte, at 95 Gander Green Lane in Cheam. Frederick retired by resignation from the Metropolitan Police on 11 May 1931 after 25 years service.[1] In June 1931 Frederick was described as being a retired police officer when he acted as one of the executors of his mother's will. The London Telephone Directory of 1939 and 1953 listed them as living at 95 Gander Green Lane.

Edith died at her home, Suo Marte, at the age of 79, and she was buried in plot GX52 of Sutton Cemetery on 24 September 1957. The Telephone Directory for Outer London (Surrey) of 1958 listed Frederick as still living at 95 Gander Green Lane. Four years after Edith’s death Frederick died at his home, Suo Marte, at the age of 82 and he was buried with his wife in plot GX52 of Sutton Cemetery on 23 December 1961.

 

Frederick and Edith’s eldest child was Ethel Dorothy E Muddle, known as Dorothy, who was born in Croydon registration district on 27 May 1902. When she was about 20 years old Ethel married Denis Punter at Woodmansterne Church in Surrey during the 2nd quarter of 1922. They had one child, a daughter. Ethel died in September 1958 at the age of 56.

 

Frederick and Edith’s second child was Louisa May Muddle, known as Louie, who was born in Croydon registration district on 26 December 1903. On her 25th birthday, 26 December 1928, Louisa married 30-year-old William John Gallington, known as Billy, at St Dunstan’s Church, Cheam, Surrey.

William was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Gallington, and he had been born at Leith in Scotland on 13 July 1898. He had served as a carpenter in the Merchant Navy and his Service Certificate described him as 5ft 8in tall with brown hair, brown eyes and to have a tattoo of clasped hands on his left forearm. After leaving the navy William joined the construction company of Robert McAlpine (later to become Alfred McAlpine) where he progressed rapidly and became responsible for the wooden parts of construction projects. It was in this capacity that he was sent to work on the Sutton to Wimbledon railway line that run opposite Louisa's home in Gander Green Lane, and he found lodgings with Louisa and her parents. William and Louisa were attracted to each other with the result that Louisa, who had been engaged to someone else, became pregnant and they married.

William and Louisa had four children born between 1929 and 1940. One of the construction projects that William worked on was the Cheddar Reservoir, and while working on this William had a serious night-time motoring accident that put him in hospital for six months. For a long time he was in a coma, but after finally making a full physical recovery it became apparent that his character had changed and he had lost the drive that had been propelling him upwards in his profession. The company of Robert McAlpine thought highly of him, and were probably grooming him for a higher position within the company, but that was not to be, though William continued to work for Robert McAlpine for the rest of his working life he never progressed higher within the company.

When William retired they moved from Sutton in Surrey to Pevensey Bay near Eastbourne in Sussex. William died in a nursing home in Eastbourne on 18 April 1971, at the age of 72. Two years later Louisa moved to Redhill in Surrey to be near the rest of the family. Then eleven years after William's death Louisa died in the East Surrey Hospital at Redhill, at the age of 78, her death being registered during the 1st quarter of 1982.

 

 

Frederick and Edith’s third child was Frederick Rolph Muddle who was born in West Ham registration district in Essex on 31 March 1907. When he was 23 years old Frederick married 21-year-old Christine Leitch in Kingston registration district in Surrey during the 2nd quarter of 1930. They had one child, a daughter, before they separated. Then in 1945 Christine was living at 33 Central Gardens, Morden, Surrey, when she had a son by another partner. Christine died at the age of 64, her death being registered in Paddington registration district in London during the 2nd quarter of 1973. Frederick died on 22 February 1979 in Sutton registration district in Surrey at the age of 71, and he was buried in plot VX327 of Sutton Cemetery.

 

Frederick and Edith’s fourth child was Kathleen Annie Muddle who was born in West Ham registration district in Essex on 2 April 1909. When she was 21 years old Kathleen married Frederick Burton in Epsom registration district in Surrey during the 3rd quarter of 1930. Frederick was from Scotland and had met Kathleen while he was working on the railway in the Epsom area. They had one child, a son. Kathleen died in Bracknell registration district in Berkshire on 10 April 1976, at the age of 67. Frederick has also died.

 

Frederick and Edith’s fifth child was Harold Stephen Muddle who was born in Epsom registration district in Surrey on 8 April 1912. When he was 29 years old Harold married Edna May Love in Mid-East Surrey registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1941. They had two children, both daughters, born in Mid-East Surrey registration district in 1942 and 1948. The family name was changed from Muddle to Muddel sometime between the births of their two children. Edna died at the age of 67, her death being registered in Croydon registration district in Surrey during the 3rd quarter of 1978.

 

Frederick and Edith’s sixth child was Nora Julie Muddle who was born in Epsom registration district in Surrey in 1919. When she was 20 years old Nora married 23-year-old Sidney Wilfred Cordle at St Dunstan’s Church, Cheam, Surrey on 10 February 1940. Sidney was the son of William and Blanche Cordle, and he had been born at 26 Walpole Terrace in Brighton on 10 April 1916. Sidney and Nora had four children born between 1943 and 1948. Sidney died at his home, 95 Gander Green Lane, Cheam, Surrey, during July 1980, at the age of 64.

 

William and Ann’s third child was Ethel Annie Muddle who was born at Reigate and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1881. In the census of 3 April 1881 Ethel, at the age of 3 months, was living with her parents at Doods Road in Reigate. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Ethel, now aged 10, was living with her parents at 34 Nutley Lane in Reigate. Ethel died in Reigate registration district on 12 November 1899, at the age of 18, and she was buried in grave U7113 of Reigate Cemetery on 16 November 1899. (Ethel's parents were later buried in the same grave.)

 

William and Ann’s fourth child was Albert Arthur Muddle who was born at 44 Homesdale Road in Reigate on 4 October 1889. In the census of 5 April 1891 Albert, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 34 Nutley Lane in Reigate. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Albert, now aged 11, was living with his parents at 32 Nutley Lane in Reigate. When he was 22 years old Albert married 25-year-old Janet Muir Wilson at St Matthew’s Church in Redhill, Surrey on 20 April 1912. Albert was then a chauffeur living with his parents at 32 Nutley Lane in Reigate, and Janet was a tailoress living at 3 London Road in Redhill. Janet was the daughter of John and Catherine Wilson, and she had been born at 3 Cleveden Villas, Torquay, Devon on 26 September 1886.

Albert and Janet had four children; the first two were born in Reigate registration district in 1913 and 1915. Then on 29 July 1916 Albert enlisted in the Motor Transport Division of the Royal Army Service Corps and by the time of his discharge on 5 September 1919 he was Acting Corporal DM2/195660. It seems that Albert only served in the United Kingdom as he does not seem to have been awarded any campaign medals.[2] After Albert was discharged from the army Albert and Janet's other two children were born at Avon Lodge in Pevensey Bay near Eastbourne in Sussex in 1920 and 1923. Albert then left his wife and children and went to live in France with a British married woman called Rose Claire Smith, who already had four or five children, and by whom Albert had a son born at The Hermitage, Nameau des Vertus in the township of Saint-Aubin-sur-Scie, just south of Dieppe in France on 11 April 1925. When this son married in 1950 Albert's occupation was given as consultant research.

Janet had been living at 8 Redstone Road in Redhill when she emigrated from England to New Zealand with the family of her daughter Phyllis. On 26 July 1947 they all flew on Pan American Airways flight 101/26 from London to New York and were described on American immigration documents as in transit to New Zealand. These documents described Janet as having brown hair and grey eyes.[3] When Albert's father died in 1948 he left the family home, Avon Lodge at Pevensey Bay, to Janet, who sold it. When Janet found that she was dying of cancer she returned to England to live with her daughter Eileen at Redhill, as she wanted to be buried at Reigate. Janet sailed tourist class on the Tamaroa of the Shaw, Savill & Albion Line from Wellington, New Zealand and arrived at Southampton on 29 October 1949. On the passenger list Janet gave her intended address in England as 1 Millhouse Estate in Salfords, Surrey.[4] Just on a year later Janet died at the age of 64, her death being registered in South-East Surrey registration district during the 4th quarter of 1950.

Five years after Janet’s death Albert, at the age of 66, married 43-year-old Patricia E K Granville in Cuckfield registration district in Sussex during the 1st quarter of 1956. Patricia had been born on 28 September 1912. Twenty years after this marriage Albert died at the age of 86, his death being registered in Stroud registration district in Gloucestershire during the 3rd quarter of 1976. Three years later Patricia died at the age of 67, her death being registered in Gloucester registration district in Gloucestershire during the 1st quarter of 1980.

 

Albert and Janet’s eldest child was Phyllis Brenda Muddle who was born in Reigate on 13 January 1913. When she was 25 years old Phyllis married 25-year-old Richard Joseph Parker, known as Dick, in Battle registration district in Sussex during the 2nd quarter of 1938. Dick had been born in Lewisham registration district in London on 6 January 1913. Dick and Phyllis had one child born in Hastings, Sussex during 1939. They had been living at Noseary in Iden near Rye in Sussex where Dick was a farmer when in 1947 they emigrated from England to New Zealand with their daughter and Phyllis' mother. On 26 July 1947 they all flew on Pan American Airways flight 101/26 from London to New York and were described on American immigration documents as in transit to New Zealand. These documents described Dick as 5ft 10½ins tall with fair hair and blue eyes, and Phyllis as 5ft 5ins tall with brown hair and blue eyes. They arrived in New Zealand in August 1947 and became sheep farmers. Richard died of cancer on 12 March 1979, at the age of 66, and he was buried at Tauranga. Seventeen years later Phyllis died on 29 September 1996, at the age of 83, and was cremated.

 

Albert and Janet’s second child was Basil Arthur Muddle who was born in Reigate registration district in Surrey on 9 May 1915. Basil was born crippled, this is thought to have been a withered leg that his mother blamed on a fall she had during pregnancy. This leg was amputated when Basil was about 18 years old. When he was 29 years old Basil married 20-year-old Mary O’Shea in Upton registration district in Worcestershire on 30 August 1944. Mary had been born in Ireland on 15 April 1924. Basil and Mary had four children; the first two were born in Surrey in 1945 and 1946. They then moved to Ireland where their third child was born at Powercourt in County Wicklow in 1948. They returned to England and their fourth child was born in Uckfield registration district in Sussex in 1949. They then moved to Ireland again, where their youngest child died of meningitis in late 1951. Mary had TB but recovered, though she suffered badly from chest infections for the rest of her life. In 1952 the family returned to England and it was at this time that Basil changed the family name from Muddle to Thornton. They lived at several places in southern England before finally settling in Cornwall in 1968. Basil was an electronics engineer; he had shops in several places and was always inventing things. Then in later life he did clock and watch repairs. Basil died in Camborne-Redruth registration district in Cornwall during November 1986, at the age of 71, from pneumonia after having a stroke. He was cremated. Nineteen years later Mary died on 9 March 2006, at the age of 81.

 

Albert and Janet’s third child is Alan Albert Muddle who was born at Avon Lodge, Coast Road, Pevensey Bay, Sussex on 6 April 1920. Alan apprenticed as a chef and worked at the Queens Arms Hotel, Esplanade, Hastings. When he was 19 years old Alan married 20-year-old Maisie Lilian Keeley, known as Meg, at Battle in Sussex on 2 August 1939. Meg was the daughter of George and Rose Keeley, she had been born at Brightling in Sussex on 16 December 1918 and had gone into service after leaving school.

Alan and Meg had four children born in Battle registration district between 1940 and 1947. They first lived at Burwash, initially at Portland Cottages then at Highfields, before moving to Oxenbridge Row at Etchingham. During the Second World War Alan joined the army and served in France. After the war he was a railway signalman at Robertsbridge, Stonegate and Etchingham, and also had a small house repair business. When their son Nigel applied for his seaman's card in 1961 they were living at 5 Oxenbridge Row in Etchingham. Alan worked on the building of the M4 motorway just before he and Meg emigrated from England to Australia in May 1973. They lived in Adelaide for a time before touring around the Australian countryside, and then went to live with their daughter Jean in Adelaide. After being ill for many years and virtually bedridden for the last six months, Alan died in hospital on 28 March 2002, at the age of 81. Alan donated his body to Flinders University for scientific research.

 

Albert and Janet’s fourth child is Eileen Muriel Muddle who was born at Avon Lodge, Coast Road, Pevensey Bay, Sussex in 1922. When she was 21 years old Eileen married Edward Brierley, known as Ted, in Maidstone registration district in Kent during the 2nd quarter of 1944. They had five children, Lorna, Elizabeth, Brenda, Josephine and John, and they lived at Red Hill in Surrey. After Eileen’s mother died in 1950 while staying with them, they emigrated from England to New Zealand.

 

Albert and Rose’s illegitimate son was Jean Arthur Smith who was born at The Hermitage, Nameau des Vertus in the township of Saint-Aubin-sur-Scie, just south of Dieppe in France on 11 April 1925. His birth was registered with the French Mayor of the district, but not with the British Consul. Then in mid-1947, when he was 22, Jean Arthur Smith, who was then known as Tony Jean Arthur Muddle, engaged Bird & Bird of Gray's Inn, London to see if his birth could now be registered with the British Consul as he wished to change his name to Muddle and obtain a British passport, but this was refused by the British Foreign Office as he was not the legitimate descendent of a British paternal ancestor.[5] So presumably he never got a British Passport but he did change his name to Anthony Arthur Muddle.

When he was 25 years old Anthony married 23-year-old Mary Josephine Parkin at Broomfield Church near Chelmsford in Essex on 29 November 1950. Anthony was then a metallurgist living at 92B Bradford Street, Braintree, Essex, and Mary was living at The Haven, Mill Lane, Broomfield. Mary was the daughter of Thomas and Clara Parkin, and her birth had been registered in Chelmsford registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1927.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2005-2011

Last updated 21 April 2011