THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE ARDINGLY MUDDLES

 

Chart of Edward & Phoebe Muddell’s Family

 

Edward and Phoebe’s eldest child was William Marchant Muddell who was born at Balcombe in Sussex on 18 January 1860. In the census of 7 April 1861 William, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at the home of his mother's widowed father, William Marchant, who was a master grocer, at Gilletts in Balcombe. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 William, now aged 11, was visiting John and Harriett Giles at 162 Queens Road, Deptford, London, and he was now going to school.

On 19 January 1874 William, at the age of 14, was appointed a telegraphist's clerk at Groombridge Station in Sussex by the London Brighton & South Coast Railway. His wage was 10 shillings per week but he only lasted about 6 months in this job as he was dismissed on 10 July 1874 for cash irregularities.[1] Then seven years later in the census of 3 April 1881 William, at the age of 21, was a live-in grocer's shopman for grocer William Loxley at 1 Market Square in Horsham, Sussex.

William was a 24-year-old clerk when he enlisted as Private 5812 in the Army Hospital Corps, at Brighton on 19 February 1884, for 7 years Army Service followed by 5 years in the Reserve. He was then described as 5ft 6ins tall, weighed 123lbs, had a 33½ins chest, fair complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. He had a tattoo of an anchor and ring on his left forearm and a tattoo of a cross and two other marks on his right forearm. He joined the Army Hospital Corps at Aldershot on 6 March 1884, gained a 2nd Class Certificate of Education on 25 June 1884, and on 19 August 1884 he was appointed a 1st Class Orderly in the Medical Staff Corps.

William embarked for Egypt on 24 February 1885 and arrived at Suakin on the Red Sea coast on 16 March 1885. He took part in the Suakin Expedition of 1 March to 14 May 1885 against the Mahdists in eastern Sudan. For this William was awarded the Egypt Medal 1882-1889 with bar for Suakin 1885, and also the Khedive's Bronze Star 1884-1886. William was granted Good Conduct Pay of 1d per day on 19 February 1886, having completed 2 years' service, and on 14 May 1886 he arrived at Cairo. After 1 year and 155 days in the Sudan and Egypt William embarked for Malta on 18 July 1886 where he was appointed a Lance Corporal on 7 January 1887, and then promoted to Corporal on 10 July 1887. While in Malta William became a member of the United Brethren Lodge No 1923 of the Freemasons in Malta. His initiation was 9 June 1887, his passing on 14 July 1887 and his raising on 11 August 1887.[2] On 13 August 1888 William was permitted to extend his Army Service to complete 12 years, and on 30 September 1888 was transferred to Gozo, the island off the northern coast of Malta. Having served 3 years and 67 days on Malta William arrived back in England on 24 September 1889.

 

 

In the census of 5 April 1891 William, at the age of 31, was a Corporal in the Medical Staff Corps at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, Hampshire, (in Hound Parish near Southampton). Two days later William, at the age of 31, married 27-year-old Annie Matilda Stevens at the Parish Church in Frimley, Surrey on 7 April 1891. Annie's birth had been registered in Horsham registration district in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1863. Then on the 24 April 1891 William was promoted to Sergeant, and on the 23 May 1891 he was placed on the Married Roll so that Annie could live with him. The first of William and Annie's three children was born at Netley on 19 December 1891. William completed a course of training in the Hygiene Laboratory at Netley on 15 February 1893, and he was still at Netley when he re-engaged with the Medical Staff Corps on 17 March 1893 so that he could complete 21 years' service.

Two weeks later, on 30 March 1893, William was transferred to Dublin, Ireland where William and Annie's second child was born on 28 April 1894. William was moved to Castlebar in western Ireland on 14 August 1896, back to Dublin on 24 June 1897, returning to Castlebar on 19 August 1897 and back to Dublin again on 18 June 1898. William was on his way to join the Nile Expedition of 1898, also known as the Gordon Relief Expedition; he arrived at Aldershot on 28 June 1898 and embarked on the SS Nubia on 1 July 1898, arriving at Atbara on the Nile to the north of Khartoum in the Sudan on 16 August 1898. Just a week later, on 23 August 1898, William was promoted to 2nd Class Staff Sergeant in the R.A.M.C. (Royal Army Medical Corps), which had replaced the Medical Staff Corps. After 120 days away from England William arrived back at Aldershot on 28 October 1898, and for his service during this campaign he was awarded the Queen's Sudan Medal 1896-1898, silver version.

 

 

William had been in England for just short of a year when, on 21 October 1899, he embarked for South Africa and the Boer War. While in South Africa William was promoted to 1st Class Staff Sergeant on 15 June 1900, and served in South Africa all through the war and for two years afterwards, being granted 7d per day long service pay on 1 April 1904. He arrived back in England on 29 June 1904, having been away for 4 years and 251 days. For this campaign William was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with bars for Transvaal, Orange Free State and Natal, and also the King's South Africa Medal with bars for South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902.

In the census of the 31 March 1901 Annie and her two children were living in 2 rooms at 45 Palmerston Street in Devonport, and in this census Annie had put William as the head of the household and a Sergeant in the Royal Army Medical Corps, as if he was living there, but William was then away serving in South Africa.

While stationed at Aldershot William was admitted to hospital on 7 October 1904 with a fractured right radius (one of the forearm bones) that had happened while he was off duty. He was in hospital for 43 days being discharged on 18 November 1904. On completing his 21 years' service William was discharged at Aldershot on 18 February 1905 as a Quarter Master Sergeant with a pension of 2s 9d per day. His character was then described as exemplary and he had been awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct medals, He was then 45 years old and his intended place of residence was 59 Craigmore Avenue, Stoke, Devon.

William and Annie's third child was born at Saltash in Cornwall on 10 January 1906. In the census of 2 April 1911 William, Annie and their three children were living at C House, York Road, Weston Mill Estate, St Budeaux, Devonport, and William was an Army Pensioner and a Commercial Traveller in vinegar, pickle, sauces etc.

William was living at 2A Northumberland Street, Weston Mill Estate, St Budeaux and still a Commercial Traveller when, at the age of 55, on 3 February 1915 during the First World War he enlisted as Quarter Master Sergeant 51936 in the R.A.M.C. He then applied for a commission which resulted in him being discharged as a Quarter Master Sergeant on 10 June 1915 so that the following day he could take up his commission in the R.A.M.C. as a Temporary Quarter Master, with the honorary rank of Lieutenant.[3] He was posted to Frensham Hill Military Hospital in Surrey, and William and Annie then lived in Boundstone Road, Frensham Hill.. On the 11 June 1918 William was promoted to Temporary Quarter Master and Captain in the R.A.M.C.[4] Then on 1 January 1920 William was demobilised and the following day, having completed of his service, he relinquished his commission, retaining the rank of Quarter Master and Captain.[5] From 2 January 1920 his pension was to be 4s 8½d per day.

Information on William's army career comes from announcements in The London Gazette and his army service records.[6] His medals have been donated by his family to the R.A.M.C. Museum in Aldershot.

It’s thought that William may have been a publican at the White Hart in Frimley after he left the army as Annie's father, Albert Stevens, had been a publican in Frimley. They were living at The Bungalow, Dockenfield, Farnham, Surrey when Annie died at The Hospital, Haslemere, Surrey on 16 January 1934 at the age of 70. She was buried in St James' Churchyard at Rowledge in Hampshire, which is near Farnham in Surrey, where an inscribed headstone marks her grave. Annie died intestate and administration of her estate, which was valued at £148 10s 2d, was granted on 17 February 1934 by London Probate Registry to her daughter Gladys. Seven years later William had been living at Bats Corner, Dockenfield when he died in Hambledon Infirmary, 1 Wormley Lane, Hambledon, Surrey on 2 July 1941, at the age of 81, from senile degeneration. He died intestate and administration of his estate, which was valued at £671 9s 8d, was granted on 23 August 1941 by Llandudno Probate Registry to his son Leslie.

 

William and Annie’s eldest child was Alec Reginald Muddell who was born at Netley in Hampshire on 19 December 1891, and baptised at Netley on 24 February 1892. In the census of 31 March 1901 Alec, at the age of 9, was living with his mother at 45 Palmerston Street in Devonport, his father was then serving in South Africa. He was educated at the Garrison School and then the High School in Devonport. On 14 January 1907 Alec, at the age of 15, became an Articled Pupil at S W Haughton & Son, a firm of Architects & Surveyors in Plymouth, for 4 years, and during this time he attended evening classes in architecture at the Science, Art & Technical Schools in Plymouth. Alec was a Scout for over four years and became an Assistant Scout Master. In the census of 2 April 1911 Alec, now aged 19, was working as an architect and surveyor, this was for S W Haughton & Son, and living with his parents at C House, York Road, Weston Mill Estate, St Budeaux, Devonport.

Alec was working as an Architect's Assistant at S W Haughton & Son and living with his parents at 2A Northumberland Street, Weston Mill Estate when, at the age of 22, he enlisted as Private 695 in the 19th Service Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers at Plymouth on 5 October 1914 during the First World War. He was then described as 5ft 11¾ins tall, weighed 136lbs, had a 37ins fully expanded chest, fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair.

It seems that one of Alec's friends and probably a colleague working at the same architectural company was Eric Edward James Henderson, who in the 1911 census was an Architect's Pupil living in Plymouth and two years younger than Alec. Eric joined the 19th Royal Fusiliers in 1916 and later became a Lieutenant in the Manchester Regiment. There is a postcard from Eric to Alec at his home at 2A Northumberland Street dated 18 May 1915, when they were both in the 19th Royal Fusiliers, with the message 'Your King & Country need You, Congratulations!!!' that is thought to refer to Alec deciding to apply for a commission.

 

 

Alec applied for a commission on 9 June 1915 which resulted in him being discharged as a Private in the Royal Fusiliers on 28 July 1915 so that he could take up his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 11th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment the following day. He was to initially report to Beechfield, Yelverton, Devon on 2 August 1915 for a course of instruction.[7]

On the 16 March 1916 Alec was transferred to the 2/4th Battalion of the London Regiment: Royal Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant. Then 7 months later, on 13 October 1916, he was promoted to temporary Lieutenant in the London Regiment.[8] The book The War History of the 4th Battalion The London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) 1914-1919 contains information on the Battalion's transfer to France and reported that one of the officers was 2nd Lieutenant A R Muddle commanding a Light Trench Mortar Battery:

In the latter part of January 1917 the long awaited order arrived for the 58th Division to proceed overseas. On the 23rd of that month the 2/4th Battalion left Sutton Veny with a strength of 32 officers and 976 other ranks and proceeded to Southampton, where it embarked on the Viper, and crossed to Havre, arriving the following morning at daybreak. Disembarkation took place at once and the Battalion, preceded by its pipe band, marched to the Reinforcement Camp at Sanvic. The next day the Battalion entrained for Abbeville, but on arrival found its orders to stay there countermanded and the journey was therefore continued to Fortel, a small village about six miles south-west of Frevent.

On 14 July 1917 Alec was made an acting Captain while in command of the 173rd Light Trench Mortar Battery.[9] Alec must have relinquished the rank of acting Captain, probably when no longer in command of the trench mortar battery, because on 23 August 1918 he was again made an acting Captain while commanding a Company.[10] It would have been while he was commanding this company that he was wounded at Moricourt on the 27 August 1918. The village of Moricourt, which is about 6½ miles east of the town of Albert in the Somme valley, was then being retaken from the Germans. Alec was hit by a fragment of shell in the rear of the calf of his right leg. He had an operation to remove the shell fragment and returned to England, leaving Le Havre on 5 September 1918 and arriving at Southampton the following day. He was then at Brookhill Convalescent Hospital, Harrow Weald, North London until going to live with his parents at Boundstone Road, Frensham Hill, Surrey. On 9 December 1918 it was reported that his wound had fully healed and he had good movement in his leg. He was given 3 weeks leave and ordered to report to the 3rd Reserve Battalion of the London Regiment at Blackdown, Hampshire on 29 December 1918, so he had that Christmas at home[11]

Alec was serving with the 1st Reserve Battalion of the London Regiment when he was discharged from active service on 6 April 1919, and he relinquished the rank of acting Captain on ceasing to command a Company the same day.[12] For some reason it was gazetted that Alec again relinquished the rank of acting Captain on the 11 July 1919.[13] As Alec had served in France he should have been awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal, but as there's no surviving Medal Card for him it's not known if he actually received them.

Alec sailed 1st class on the Coronado of the Elders & Fyffes Line from Garston in Liverpool on 6 June 1919 bound for Kingston, Jamaica. The passenger list stated that his last permanent residence had been in England and that his intended future permanent residence was to be in the West Indies.[14] After nearly five years in Jamaica Alec sailed 1st class on the Motagua of the Elders & Fyffes Line from Kingston and arrived at Avonmouth (Bristol) on 23 March 1924. On the passenger list Alec gave his occupation as planter and stated that he would be staying at Dockenfield in Farnham, Surrey; his parents lived at The Bungalow in Dockenfield.[15] Alec was in England for just over a month before sailing 1st class on the Coronado of the Elders & Fyffes Line from Bristol on 28 April 1924 bound for Kingston, Jamaica.[16] Sometime during the next two years Alec moved from being a planter in Jamaica to being an agriculturist in Columbia and as such sailed 1st class on the Coronado of the Elders & Fyffes Line from Santa Marta, Columbia and arrived at Avonmouth on 28 June 1926. On the passenger list he stated that his address in England was to be Brookleigh, Lancaster Road, West Norwood, London.[17]

 

 

While back in England Alec, aged 34, married 27-year-old Florence Marjorie Hammond in Lambeth registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1926. Florence had been born in Lambeth registration district on 13 September 1898. After just 3½ months in England Alec was living at 36 Lancaster Road, West Norwood when he sailed 1st class on the Carare of the Elders & Fyffes Line from Avonmouth on 11 October 1924 bound for the Canal Zone, Central America. On the passenger list Alec gave his occupation as planter and his intended country of residence as Nicaragua. Two months later Florence had been living at 36 Lancaster Road, West Norwood when she sailed 1st class on the Bayano of the Elders & Fyffes Line from Bristol on 13 December 1926 bound for Kingston, Jamaica, with her intended country of residence as Nicaragua.[18]

Alec and Florence had two children; the first, a daughter, was born in late 1927 while they were living in either Nicaragua or Honduras. They were living in Honduras when Florence and her daughter sailed 1st class on the Samala of the Elders & Fyffes Line from Puerto Castilla, Honduras and arrived at Garston, Liverpool on 6 May 1928. Their address in England was to be 36 Lancaster Road, West Norwood.[19] Florence and her daughter had four months in England before sailing 1st class on the Coronado of the Elders & Fyffes Line from Avonmouth on 14 September 1928 bound for Kingston Jamaica on their way to Honduras.[20]

Alec, Florence and their daughter must have returned to England from Honduras, probably in early 1929, because they had been staying at 36 Lancaster Road, West Norwood when they sailed 1st class on the Andalucia Star of the Blue Star Line from London on 30 May 1929 bound for Santos in Brazil. On the passenger list Alec gave his occupation as farmer.[21] After nearly three years in Brazil Florence and her daughter sailed 1st class on the Afric Star of the Blue Star Line from Santos and arrived at London on 25 March 1932, and their address in England was to be 36 Lancaster Road, West Norwood.[22] Three months later Alec joined them sailing 1st class on the Stuart Star of the Blue Star Line from Santos and arriving at London on 11 June 1932, on the passenger list Alec gave his occupation as tropical agriculture.[23] Alec had two months in England before sailing 1st class on the Napier Star of the Blue Star Line from London on 13 August 1932 bound for Buenos Aires, Argentina, though his intended country of residence was Brazil.[24] Two months later Florence and her daughter sailed 1st class on the Andalucia Star of the Blue Star Line from London on 22 October 1932 bound for Santos in Brazil.[25]

After eight months back in Brazil Florence was expecting her second child when she and her daughter sailed 1st class on the Stuart Star of the Blue Star Line from Santos and arrived at London on 30 June 1933, their address in England was again to be 36 Lancaster Road, West Norwood.[26] Alec and Florence's second child, a son, was born in Lambeth registration district during late 1933. Florence had nearly nine months in England living at 36 Lancaster Road, West Norwood before, with her daughter and young son, she sailed 1st class on the Stuart Star of the Blue Star Line from London on 24 March 1934 bound for Santos in Brazil.[27] After fifteen months in Brazil Florence and her two children sailed 1st class on the Sultan Star of the Blue Star Line from Santos and arrived at London on 28 June 1935.[28] Alec followed three months later, sailing 1st class on the Stuart Star of the Blue Star Line from Santos and arriving at London on 5 October 1935.[29] During this visit to England they again stayed, it seems for the last time, at 36 Lancaster Road, West Norwood.

Alec and Florence must have returned to Brazil, probably in late 1935, their son sailed 1st class on the Rodney Star of the Blue Star Line from London on 30 November 1935 bound for Santos in Brazil, he was only two years old so he must have been travelling with someone, possibly it was 27-year-old secretary Norah Mayers, who was also travelling 1st class to Santos.[30] Their daughter stayed in England, probably going to boarding school. After about 2½ years in Brazil Florence and her son sailed 1st class on the Avelona Star of the Blue Star Line from Santos and arrived at London on 3 August 1938. Their address in England was now to be 14 Banstead Road, South Sutton, Surrey.[31] Alec followed two months later sailing 1st class on the Sultan Star of the Blue Star Line from Santos and arrived at London on 19 October 1938. On the passenger list Alec now gave his occupation as commercial and his address in England was to be 2 Newlands Court, Streatham Common, London.[32] They had all been living at 2 Newlands Court when Alec, Florence and their two children sailed 1st class on the Avelona Star of the Blue Star Line from London on 24 December 1938 bound for Santos, Brazil. On this passenger list Alec gave his occupation as agriculturist.[33]

When their son was nearly 12 years old they sent him to school in England, he sailed cabin class on the Rugeley of the Lamport & Holt Line from Santos and arrived at Liverpool on 19 September 1945, he was travelling with four other schoolboys and his address in England was to be Hutton Grammar School near Preston, Lancashire.[34] Two years later Alec, Florence and their daughter sailed 1st class on the Potaro of Royal Mail Lines from Rio Grande, Brazil and arrived at Liverpool on 9 August 1947. On the passenger list Alec gave his occupation as businessman and his daughter, now aged 19, was a secretary; their address in England was given as their son's school, Hutton Grammar School near Preston.[35] After 4½ months in England Alec and Florence had been living at 24 Palace Road, Streatham, London when they sailed 1st class on the Debrett of the Lamport & Holt Line from Liverpool on 23 January 1948 bound for Santos, Brazil. On the passenger list Alec now gave his occupation as draughtsman.[36] This was Alec and Florence's last time in Brazil and after 2½ years there Florence sailed on the Potaro of Royal Mail Lines from Porto Alegre, Brazil and arrived at Manchester on 1 July 1950. She gave her intended address in England as 10 Beulah Road, Epping, Essex.[37] It's assumed that Alec probably returned to England later in 1950.

Marjorie died at the age of 79, her death being registered in Worthing registration district in Sussex during the 1st quarter of 1978. Later that year Alec died at the age of 86, his death being registered in Worthing registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1978.

 

William and Annie’s second child was Gladys Maude Marchant Muddell who was born at Dublin in Ireland on 28 April 1894, and baptised in Dublin on 23 May 1894. In the census of 31 March 1901 Gladys, at the age of 6, was living with her mother at 45 Palmerston Street in Devonport, her father was then serving in South Africa. Gladys attended the Garrison School in Devonport and on the 1 July 1907, when she was 13, was examined by Lieut. S G Goater, an Inspector of Army Schools, and given a certificate showing that her standard in eleven subjects was good to excellent. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Gladys, now aged 16, was living with her parents at C House, York Road, Weston Mill, St Budeaux, Devonport.

 

 

At the beginning of 1916, during the First World War, Gladys, at the age of 22, became a member of the Surrey/74 V.A.D. ( Voluntary Aid Detachment). On 18 January 1918 Gladys, on completing two years' service with the Surrey/74 V.A.D., was presented with a Red Cross Certificate showing that she had been elected an Associate of the Society and was entitled to wear the Associate's Badge. Then on 2 June 1921 Gladys, on completing five years' service with the Surrey/74 V.A.D., was presented with a Red Cross Certificate showing that she had been elected a Member of the Society and was entitled to wear the Member's Badge. For her services during the war Gladys was also presented with certificates by the Surrey Branch of the Red Cross Society and the Joint Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St John of Jerusalem in England. Finally on 24 July 1922 Gladys received the British Red Cross Society medal for War Service with a letter from the Commandant of the Surrey/74 V.A.D.

 

 

It was presumably her experience and training in the Surrey/74 V.A.D. looking after and nursing war casualties that led to Gladys working as a nurse for the rest of her life. In 1934 Gladys was granted administration of her mother's estate. She never married and was living, and presumably working, at Horton Hospital, Epsom, Surrey, when she died on 1 August 1943, at the age of 49. It's thought that she was buried in St James' Churchyard at Rowledge in Hampshire, which is near Farnham in Surrey. Probate of Gladys' will, which valued her effects at £901 14s 0d, was granted on 4 October 1943 by Llandudno Probate Registry to her brother Leslie.

 

 

William and Annie’s third child was Leslie Albert Norman Muddell who was born at Saltash in Cornwall on 10 January 1906. In the census of 2 April 1911 Leslie, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at C House, York Road, Weston Mill, St Budeaux, Devonport.

When he was 29 years old Leslie married 31-year-old Ethel May Arundell at St Peter's Church in Wrecclesham near Farnham in Surrey on 22 June 1935. Ethel had been born on 26 June 1903. They initially lived at Wrecclesham where their two children were born in 1936 and 1937, and then in about 1938 they moved to Keltoo, East Avenue, Heath End near Farnham. Leslie was a linotype operator in the print industry, and he was described as being a linotype operator in 1941 when he was granted administration of his father's estate, and again in 1943 when he was the executor of the will of his sister Gladys.

Ethel died in South-West Surrey registration district on 16 December 1978 at the age of 75. Then twenty-one years later Leslie was a retired printer living at 43 East Avenue, Heath End, Farnham, Surrey when he died in West Surrey registration district on 29 November 1999, at the age of 93. His ashes were scattered at Cranleigh School in Surrey.

 

Edward and Phoebe’s second child was Charles Edmund Muddell whose birth was registered in Cuckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1861. Charles died at Balcombe when only five months old, and he was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard at Balcombe on 7 March 1862.

 

Edward and Phoebe’s third child was George Edward Muddell who was born at Fletching, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1863. In the census of 2 April 1871 George, at the age of 8, was living with his parents in the High Street at Lewes, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 George, now aged 18, was living with his parents at Park Cottages in the St Johns area of Lewes, and he was working as a shopman.

When he was 26 years old George married Ann Alice Peters, who was about 24, at the Jireh Chapel in Lewes on 13 July 1889. Ann had been born at Lewes and her birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1865. George and Ann lived in Lewes where they had three children born between 1890 and 1895, the last dying when only 2 years old. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 12 Paddock Road in the St Johns area of Lewes with their then two children, and George was now a solicitor's clerk. Their second child was then just 7 days old, and staying with them to look after Ann and her two children, were monthly nurse (midwife) Jane Morley and 13-year-old nurse girl Amelia Smith, who was George's sister-in-law.

The 29 December 1897 edition of The Illustrated Official Journal (Patents) recorded that on 21 December 1897 George Henry Muddell had made a Patents Application for improvements in latch and other keys. In the census of 31 March 1901 George and Ann were living at Lime Terrace, North Street, Lewes, with their two surviving children, and George was continuing to work as a solicitor's clerk.

Ann died at the age of 40, her death being registered in Lewes registration district during the 4th quarter of 1905. Two years later George, at the age of 44, married 41-year-old spinster Elizabeth Sarah Beck at the Jireh Chapel in Lewes on 11 September 1907. George was then a solicitor's clerk living at 4 Lime Terrace, North Street, Lewes, and Elizabeth was the daughter of the late Henry Beck, a potato merchant, and she was living at 20 Market Street in Lewes. Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry and Sarah Beck, she had been born at Lewes and baptised at All Saints Church in Lewes on 14 January 1866. George and Elizabeth didn't have any children. In the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 20 & 21 Market Street in Lewes, which was a house and shop, where Elizabeth was a greengrocer, dealer and employer, and George worked as a clerk for a lawyer. The Kelly's Directory of Sussex for 1915 listed George Edward Muddell as a teacher of shorthand at 1 & 20 Market Street, Lewes.

George was living at 6 Clyde Road in Brighton when his son Edward returned home from the USA for a visit in 1931. In 1937 George was described as being a borough treasurer’s clerk when he acted as the executor of the will of his spinster sister Caroline Emily Muddell. In 1940 George was living in Brighton when he acted as one of the executors of the will of James William White.[38] George died at the age of 83, his death being registered in Brighton registration district during the 1st quarter of 1947. The following year Elizabeth died at the age of 82, her death being registered in Brighton registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1948.

 

George and Ann’s eldest child was Percy Stanley Muddell who was born at 12 Paddock Road, St Johns, Lewes, Sussex on 15 March 1890, and baptised at the Jireh Chapel in Lewes on 22 June 1890. In the census of 5 April 1891 Percy, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 12 Paddock Road in the St Johns area of Lewes. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Percy, now aged 11, was living with his parents at Lime Terrace, North Street, Lewes. He was educated at The Municipal Secondary School in Brighton. His mother died in 1905 and his father remarried in 1907.

The October 1910 issue of the Journal of the Institute of Bankers in its report on the Institute's preliminary examinations held on 11 to 13 April 1910 listed one of those taking the examination as Percy Stanley Muddell, who worked for Barclay's Bank at 178 Western Road in Brighton. In the census of 2 April 1911 Percy, at the age of 21, was working as a bank clerk and with his brother Edward was living with their widowed grandmother Phoebe Muddell and her spinster daughter Caroline at 1 Market Street in the All Saints area of Lewes.

Percy served for 4 years as a signaller in the 5th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment, a Yeomanry battalion, from which he resigned in about March 1913 because he left the district. He was a Bank Clerk on the Inspection Staff of Barclay's Bank when, at the age of 24, he enlisted as Private 179 in the RAMC (Royal Army Medical Corps) at Brighton on 3 November 1914, just after the start of the First World War. He served at the 2nd Eastern General Hospital in Brighton and on 4 June 1915 he was appointed a Lance Corporal. Then on 29 September 1915 Percy was granted a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and seconded to the 2/1st Company of the Sussex Royal Garrison Artillery of the Territorial Force.[39] So that he could take up his commission he was discharged as a Lance Corporal at the 2nd Eastern General Hospital on 19 October 1915, when he was described as being 6ft tall with a 37½ins fully expanded chest, light brown eyes, dark brown hair and to be very intelligent and well educated.

After 9 months as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Sussex Royal Garrison Artillery in England Percy arrived in France on 18 July 1916. Then from 6 July 1917, with precedence from 1 June 1916 Percy became a Lieutenant and remained seconded to the Sussex Royal Garrison Artillery.[40] He was to have the pay and allowances of a Lieutenant from 1 July 1917.[41]

On 7 November 1917 Percy was promoted to acting Captain in the Sussex Royal Garrison Artillery, then two weeks later on 21 November 1917 he was promoted to acting Major in the Sussex Royal Garrison Artillery. He relinquished the rank of acting Major on 9 December 1917, and then on 28 December 1917 he also relinquished the rank of acting Captain on ceasing to be 2nd in command of a Battery.[42]

Percy was attached to the 122nd Siege Battery when he was mentioned in dispatches on 8 November 1918.[43] Then from 10 November 1918 Percy was again promoted to acting Captain whilst 2nd in command of a Siege Battery.[44] Percy's Protection Certificate, issued when he came off active service, shows that he was then in France with the 525th Siege Battery of the Sussex Royal Garrison Artillery. On 26 February 1919 Percy again relinquished the rank of acting Captain.[45] The same day he also came off active service and was restored to the establishment of the Sussex Royal Garrison Artillery as a Lieutenant.[46]

In June 1920 Percy applied to resign his commission because he had moved to Eastbourne and would be unable to give up sufficient time to carry out his duties as a Territorial Officer. He also applied to retain the rank of Captain on resignation, but as he had been an acting Captain for less than the required 6 months this was turned down. His resignation of his commission was granted and became effective on 7 July 1920, but with Percy retaining the rank of Lieutenant.[47]

The information on Percy's army service comes from issues of The London Gazette and also his Army Officer Service Papers.[48] For his service in France during the First World War Percy was awarded two campaign medals, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.[49]

When he was 28 years old and still serving in the army Percy married Elsie Margaret Rugg , who was about 30, in Lewes registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1918. They had two children born in Eastbourne registration district in Sussex in 1919 and 1925. When he applied for his war medals on 7 August 1921 Percy was living at 90 Willingdon Road in Eastbourne. Elsie died at the age of 83, her death being registered in Eastbourne registration district during the 1st quarter of 1972. Four years later Percy died at the age of 86, his death being registered in Eastbourne registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1976.

 

George and Ann’s second child was John Edward Muddell, known as Edward, who was born in Lewes on 30 March 1891,[50] and baptised at the Jireh Chapel in Lewes on 15 November 1891. In the census of 5 April 1891 Edward, at the age of 7 days, was living with his parents at 12 Paddock Road in the St Johns area of Lewes. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Edward, now aged 10, was living with his parents at Lime Terrace, North Street, Lewes. Edward's mother died in 1905 and his father remarried in 1907.

Edward was living at Lewes, where he was working as an architect, when on 19 March 1908, at the age of 17, he enrolled in the 1st Cinque Ports Rifle Volunteer Corps. He was in company D and his regimental number was 4984. His Corps Muster Roll record described him as being 5ft 9in tall with a 36in chest measurement. He took the Oath of Allegiance on 1 April 1908 when he was in company D with regimental number 111. In the census of 2 April 1911 Edward, at the age of 20, was working as an architect and surveyor's assistant and with his brother Percy was living with their widowed grandmother Phoebe Muddell and her spinster daughter Caroline at 1 Market Street in the All Saints area of Lewes.

Edward had been living with his father and stepmother at 20 Market Street in Lewes when he emigrated from England to the USA. He sailed cabin class on the Scandinavian of the Canadian Pacific Line from Southampton on 11 August 1921. On the departure passenger list Edward gave his intended country of future residence as the USA.[51] After a voyage of 9 days Edward arrived at Quebec, Canada on 20 August 1921. On the arrival passenger list for those crossing over to the USA Edward gave his occupation as architect and his final destination as Cleveland, Ohio where he was going to visit his cousin Harry Akehurst at 1331 East 92nd Street, Cleveland for four months before returning to England. On this list Edward was described as 5ft 9ins tall with a pale complexion, brown hair and blue eyes. Edward didn't return to England at the end of his four month visit. When he was 35 years old he married 30-year-old Carol in Manhattan on 19 March 1927. Carol had been born in St Paul, Minnesota on 28 May 1896, and both her parents had been born in Norway. In the census of 1 April 1930 they were living at 46-12, 23rd Street, Douglaston, New York City, Queens County, New York State. Edward was working as an architect and they had a live-in house servant, 28-year-old Petra Petersen, who was Norwegian. They owned their house, which was valued at $18,500.

 

 

Edward and Carol sailed 2nd class on the Ile de France of the French Line from New York on 1 August 1931 and arrived at Plymouth on 7 August 1931. On the passenger list Edward's occupation was architect and Carol's was secretary, and their address in England was to be 6 Clyde Road, Brighton, which was the home of Edward's parents.[52] Carol sailed home on the Paris of the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (CGT) Line from Le Havre, France on 25 August 1931 and arrived at New York on 31 August 1931.[53] Two weeks later Edward sailed home tourist class on the Mauretania of the Cunard Line from Southampton on 12 September 1931 and arrived at New York on 17 September 1931. On the passenger list Edward was described as 5ft 7ins tall with a fresh complexion, brown hair and grey eyes. Both Edward & Carol gave their home address as 46-12 Forest Drive, Douglaston, New York.[54]

On 20 December 1939 Carol sailed from New York on the Kungsholm and returned to New York on the Kungsholm on 5 January 1940, so this was presumably a Christmas and New Year cruise that Carol had taken without her husband. She gave her home address as 1 West 47th Street, New York and had for some reason stated that she was single and taken 9 years off her age, which she gave as 34 instead of 43.[55]

During the Second World War Edward, when he was 51, registered in 1942 for what became known as the 'Old Man's Draft'. This was for men born between 28 April 1877 and 16 February 1897 and not then in the military, and it was for the government to get an idea of the industrial manpower of the country that could work on war production. Edward's draft registration card recorded that he lived at 116 East 58th Street in New York and that he worked for architect Alfred E Poor at 9 Rockefeller Plaza in New York. Edward was granted naturalization by the Southern District Court of New York on 3 May 1943; petition number 417841.

Edward then moved to California for a few years. He was recorded in the 1944 and 1946 registers of voters for Pasadena City Precinct No 58 as an architect and member of the Republican Party living at 535 East California Street, Pasadena.

Four editions of the Westport City Directory from 1948 to 1956 all listed Edward and Carol Muddell as living at 137 East State Street in Westport, Fairfield County, Connecticut, with Edward working there as an architect and Carol as a women's clothing retailer. The Bridgeport Telegram of Bridgeport, Connecticut reported in its issues of 9 February and 2 & 4 March 1955 that Edward Muddell had been given planning permission for a parking area at the Carol Muddell dress shop in East State Street between South Compo Road and Imperial Avenue in Westport, Fairfield County, Connecticut. In the 1957 edition of the Westport City Directory Carol still had her women's clothing retail business at 137 East State Street, but they now both lived at 338 East State Street where Edward also had his architect's business.

The Westport City Directory of 1959 listed Edward and Carol as having moved to White Plains in Winchester County, New York State, which is about 22 miles south-west of Westport. They were living at New Milford, Litchfield County, Connecticut, which is about 30 miles north of Westport, when Carol died there on 1 January 1978, at the age of 81.[56] Three years later Edward was living at 14 Bennett Street, New Milford when he died at Bethany, New York State on 8 July 1981, at the age of 90.[57]

 

George and Ann’s third child was Eva Lilian Muddell who was born in Lewes, and baptised at the Jireh Chapel in Lewes on 24 November 1895. Eva died at Roseland Cottages, Cliffe, Lewes on 15 January 1898, when only 2 years and 4 months old, from meningitis that she had suffered from for 21 days. Eva’s death was registered by her grandmother S A Harvey who lived at Roseland Cottages, so Eva was probably being nursed by her grandmother in her home rather than her parents home, probably so as to isolate her from her two brothers so that they didn’t catch the infection.

 

Edward and Phoebe’s fourth child was John Muddell who was born at Balcombe, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1865. In the census of 2 April 1871 John, at the age of 6, was living with his parents in the High Street at Lewes, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 John, now aged 16, was living with his parents at Park Cottages in the St Johns area of Lewes and he was working as a gardener. In the census of 5 April 1891 John, at the age of 26, was a domestic gardener boarding with the family of head gardener James Coleman at Castle Pond Cottage in Nuthurst. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 John was living at Garden House in Nuthurst, he was still a domestic gardener, and he had 26-year-old domestic gardener George Humbleton living with him. They were both probably working for Emma Henderson at nearby Sedgwick Park.

Later that year when he was 36 years old John married 40-year-old spinster Elizabeth Chapman at St John the Baptist Church, Southover, Lewes on 26 June 1901. John was then a gardener from Nuthurst, and Elizabeth was the daughter of merchant's foreman George Chapman and living at Southover. They were living at Castle Pond Lodge in Nuthurst when their only child, a son, was born during 1902. The 22 October 1904 edition of The Gardener's Chronicle carried the following advert:

FOR SALE - TWO TREE-FERNS, Dicksonia antarctica, height 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 6 inches, from tub to crown; makes fronds from 6 to 7 feet. Cheap: Offer? Apply to - J MUDDELL, Sedgwick Park Gardens, Horsham.

In the census of 2 April 1911 John and Elizabeth were living at Castle Cottages in Sedgwick Park, Nuthurst with their son and John was a domestic head gardener. In A County Directory of the Principal Gardens in Great Britain and Ireland of 1917 it was recorded that J Muddell was the gardener for Mrs Henderson at Sedgwick Park.

Elizabeth died at the age of 85, her death being registered in Brentford registration district in Middlesex during the 3rd quarter of 1945. Six years later John died at the age of 85, his death being registered in South-West Surrey registration district during the 1st quarter of 1951.

 

John and Elizabeth’s only child was Theophilus John Muddell who was born at Castle Pond Lodge in Nuthurst, Sussex on 27 April 1902. In the census of 2 April 1911 Theophilus, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at Castle Cottages in Sedgwick Park, Nuthurst. When he was 25 years old Theophilus married 29-year-old Dorothy May Baker in Horsham registration district during the 1st quarter of 1928. Dorothy had been born on 9 October 1898. They didn’t have any children. Theophilus died at the age of 67, his death being registered in Hillingdon registration district in Middlesex during the 1st quarter of 1970. Fifteen years later Dorothy died at the age of 86, her death being registered in Eastbourne registration district in Sussex during January 1985.

 

Edward and Phoebe’s fifth child was Mary Ann Muddell who was born at Balcombe, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1867. In the census of 2 April 1871 Mary Ann, at the age of 3, was living with her parents in the High Street at Lewes. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Mary Ann, now aged 13, was a live-in domestic servant to the family of horse trainer James Nightingale at Park Villa in Hamsey near Lewes.

Mary Ann has not been found in the British 1891 census so it seems probable that she had by then moved to Paris in France, because, when she was 28 years old she married 24-year-old Sidney John Hedgeland at the British Consul’s Office in Paris on 4 April 1896. Mary Ann was then a governess living at 16 Rue Brey in Paris, and Sidney was a silversmith living at 20 Rue St Ferdinand in Paris. Sidney was the son of clerk Samuel John Hedgeland and he had been born at St Pancras in London where his birth had been registered during the 4th quarter of 1871.

Some time during the next five years Sidney and Mary Ann returned to England where in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living in two rooms at 3 The Cliff, Carshalton Road, Sutton, Surrey, where Sidney was working at home on his own account as a jeweller and insurance agent. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 32 Brunswick Square in Camberwell, London and Sidney was working as a jeweller's clerk. They had Sidney's 38-year-old spinster sister, Florence Hedgeland, living with them and 19-year-old Hetty Beck was a visitor; both were working as shop assistants.

Sidney and Mary Ann didn't have any children. Sidney died at the age of 44, his death being registered in Edmonton registration district in Middlesex during the 4th quarter of 1915. Eleven years later Mary Ann died at the age of 59, her death being registered in Camberwell registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1926.

 

Edward and Phoebe’s sixth child was Caroline Emily Muddell who was born at Balcombe, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 Caroline, at the age of 1, was living with her parents in the High Street at Lewes. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Caroline, now aged 11, was living with her parents at Park Cottages in the St Johns area of Lewes, and she was going to school.

In the census of 5 April 1891 Caroline, at the age of 21, was living with her widowed mother and younger brother at 5 Sun Street in the St Johns area of Lewes, and both Caroline and her mother were working as laundresses on their own accounts. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Caroline, at the age of 31, was living with her widowed mother at 1 Cliffe Church Yard in the Cliffe area of Lewes, and they were both working as laundresses at home on their own accounts. In the census of 2 April 1911 Caroline, at the age of 41, was living with her mother at 1 Market Street in the All Saints area of Lewes; neither were now working but they had Caroline's two nephews, Percy and Edward Muddell, who were young adults and both working, living with them.

Caroline never married. She was living at Pouchlands House, Chailey, Sussex, when she died on 2 March 1937 at the age of 67. Probate of Caroline’s will, which valued her effects at £116 3s 1d, was granted on 1 May 1937 by Lewes Probate Registry to her brother George Edward Muddell.

 

Edward and Phoebe’s seventh child was Lewis Alexander Muddell who was born at Lewes, and baptised at St Anne’s Church in Lewes on 14 January 1872. (Lewis was born and baptised as Alexander Lewis, but seems to have always been known as Lewis Alexander) In the census of 3 April 1881 Lewis, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at Park Cottages in the St Johns area of Lewes, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Lewis, now aged 19, was living with his widowed mother and sister Caroline at 5 Sun Street in the St Johns area of Lewes, and he was working as a carpenter’s apprentice.

When he was 27 years old Lewis married Alice Packham, who was about 30, at the Jireh Chapel in Lewes on 3 June 1899. Alice was the daughter of William and Frances Packham; she had been born in Lewes and her birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1869. Lewis and Alice lived in Lewes where they had one child born in 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 37 New Road in the St Johns area of Lewes with their son, and Lewis was working as a house carpenter and joiner. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 6 New Road in the St Johns area of Lewes with their son, and Lewis was continuing to work as a house carpenter and joiner. They now had a boarder, 65-year-old spinster Charlotte Hore, who was a collector for the Brighton Deaf & Dumb Institution.

Between 1924 and his death in 1936 Lewes submitted eight building control plans to Lewes Borough Council on which he was described as L Muddle, builder, decorator and undertaker of 6 New Road, Lewes. Three of these plans were for his own properties; a plan for 1 October 1924 was for additions to his home at 6 New Road, then a plan of 3 October 1928 was for a property in Rotten Row in Lewes and a plan of 5 February 1936 was for a tool shed at Hill View, Rotten Row where his son was later known to have lived.[58]

When Lewis died on 30 July 1936, at the age of 64, they were living at 6 New Road in Lewes. Probate of Lewis’ will, which valued his effects at £2918 17s 0d, was granted on 8 October 1936 by Lewes Probate Registry to his widow, Alice, and his son Leslie. Twenty-three years later Alice died at the age of 90, her death being registered in Lewes registration district during the 1st quarter of 1960.

 

Lewis and Alice’s only child was Leslie Alexander Muddell who was born at Lewes on 16 January 1900, and baptised at the Jireh Chapel in Lewes on 14 October 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Leslie, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 37 New Road in the St Johns area of Lewes.

Leslie was working as an accountant's clerk when, during the First World War, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the Sussex Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 19 February 1918, and was described as being 5ft 5½ins tall with a 34½ins chest, fair complexion, fair hair and blue eyes. His service number was Z/613 and he served at shore station HMS Victory VI from 18 March 1918 until 10 days later on 28 March 1918 he was discharged because he refused to be vaccinated.[59]

When he was 26 years old Leslie married Ethel May Page in Lewes registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1926. Ethel was the daughter of William and Maria Page; she had been born in Lewes and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1900. Leslie and Ethel didn't have any children. In 1936 Leslie was described as being an accountant's clerk when he acted as one of the executors of his father's will. Ethel died at the age of 37, her death being registered in Lewes registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1937.

After his father's death Leslie took over his father's building and undertaking businesses; there are nine building control plans that he submitted to Lewes Borough Council between 7 October 1936 and 8 October 1948 on which he was described as L Muddell, builder of 6 New Road, Lewes.[60] The Telephone Directories from 1941 to 1975 list L A Muddell as living at Hill View, Rotten Row, Lewes, with the business of L Muddell, builder and undertaker, at 6 New Road, Lewes from 1941 until 1960 and then at The Workshop, Castle Ditch Lane, Lewes from 1961 to 1975.

Seven years after Ethel’s death Leslie, at the age of 44, married 25-year-old Mary Page in Hailsham registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1944. Mary was the daughter of baker Jesse Page, and she had been born on 11 March 1919. Leslie and Mary had two children born in Lewes registration district in 1945 and 1948. The 24 October 1952 edition of the Sussex Express & County Herald reported that Mr L A Muddell was one of the mourners at the funeral on Wednesday 22 October of Mr Edward Relf held at the Lewes Cemetery where Pastor W J Moore of the Jireh Chapel officiated. Leslie and Mary were living at Hill View, Rotten Row, Lewes when Leslie's appointment as one of the trustees of the Providence Chapel in Chichester was recorded in a memorandum dated 1 October 1959.[61] Leslie was still a trustee of the Chapel when a small section of the Chapel land was transferred to public ownership in an agreement dated 23 January 1970.[62]

Leslie died at the age of 80, his death being registered in Eastbourne registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1980. Four years later Mary, at the age of 65, married 42-year-old divorcee David Walter Roberts at South Street Free Church in Eastbourne on 5 May 1984. They were both then living at 1 Lawrence Close in Eastbourne and David was a voluntary driver. David was the son of porter Walter John Roberts and his birth had been registered in Eastbourne registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1941. Mary died at the age of 84, her death being registered in Eastbourne registration district during June 2003.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2005-2015

Last updated 27 November 2015