THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE BUXTED MUDDLES

 

Chart of William & Elizabeth Muddle's Family

 

William and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Sally Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex on 30 December 1858, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 21 March 1859. In the census of 7 April 1861 Sally, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at Old Mill Warren near Crowborough in the north of Buxted Parish. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Sally, now aged 12, was living with her parents at Old Malling Farm Cottages in South Malling near Lewes in Sussex, and she was going to school.

When she was 22 years old Sally married 23-year-old William Godley at St Peter & St Paul Church in Sutton-by-Dover Parish, Kent on 25 October 1881. At the time of their marriage William was a farm labourer living at Rotherfield in Sussex, and Sally was living with her parents at Maydensole Farm in Little Mongeham near Deal in east Kent. William was the son of Matthew Godley and his wife Mary Ann (née Dadswell); he had been born at Ditton near Maidstone in Kent, and his birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1858.

William and Sally had at least five children; the first three were born at Crowborough in Sussex between 1883 and 1886, the fourth at Lydden in Kent in 1890. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at Dry Hill in Sundridge, Kent, with their then four children, and William was working as a farm labourer. Their fifth child was born in 1893, probably at Sundridge. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Gate Farm in Tudeley near Tonbridge in Kent with their five children and their 1-year-old niece Elsie Muddle, who was the illegitimate daughter of Sally’s sister Ellen. William was then working as a carter on a farm. They later lived at Hadlow in Kent.

 

William and Sally’s eldest child was Elizabeth Mary Godley who was born at Crowborough in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1883. In the census of 5 April 1891 Elizabeth, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at Dry Hill in Sundridge, Kent, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Elizabeth, now aged 17, was working as a domestic housemaid and living with her parents at Gate Farm in Tudeley near Tonbridge in Kent.

 

William and Sally’s second child was William Alfred Godley, known as Alfred, who was born at Crowborough in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1885. In the census of 5 April 1891 Alfred, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Dry Hill in Sundridge, Kent, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Alfred, now aged 16, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at Gate Farm in Tudeley near Tonbridge in Kent.

 

William and Sally’s third child was Frances Godley who was born at Crowborough in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1887. In the census of 5 April 1891 Frances, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at Dry Hill in Sundridge, Kent. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Frances, now aged 13, was living with her parents at Gate Farm in Tudeley near Tonbridge in Kent.

 

William and Sally’s fourth child was Thomas David Godley who was born at Lydden near Dover in Kent, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Lydden on 9 February 1890. In the census of 5 April 1891 Thomas, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Dry Hill in Sundridge, Kent. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Thomas, now aged 11, was living with his parents at Gate Farm in Tudeley near Tonbridge in Kent.

 

William and Sally’s fifth child was Frederick Godley whose birth was registered in Sevenoaks registration district in Kant, which included Sundridge, during the 3rd quarter of 1893. In the census of 31 March 1901 Frederick, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at Gate Farm in Tudeley near Tonbridge in Kent.

 

William and Elizabeth’s second child was Spencer Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex on 19 January 1861, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 5 May 1861. In the census of 7 April 1861 Spencer, at the age of 2 months, was living with his parents at Old Mill Warren near Crowborough in the north of Buxted Parish. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Spencer, now aged 10, was living with his parents at Old Malling Farm Cottages in South Malling near Lewes in Sussex, and he was going to school. In the census of 3 April 1881 Spencer, at the age of 20, was working as a gardener and living with his parent’s at Bettenhurst Cottage in Ticehurst, Sussex.

Soon after the 1881 census Spencer moved to the Sevenoaks area of Kent where he became coachman at Knole Park. It was while driving in and out of Knole Park that he met Clara who was a live-in nursery maid for the Knocker family, of the Sevenoaks solicitors Knocker and Fosketts, who lived at The Red House just outside the gates of Knole Park. Clara and her elder sister Jenny, who was a nanny, had moved with the Knocker family from Great Dunmow in Essex. So when he was nearly 24 years old Spencer married 20-year-old Clara Skingle in St George Hanover Square Registration District in London on 1 January 1885. Clara was the daughter of Isaac and Susan Skingle, and she had been born at Great Dunmow in Essex on 12 April 1864.

Spencer and Clara had seven children born between 1885 and 1904, the last of whom died when only 8 years old. Their first child was born at Ash to the north of Sevenoaks in Kent at the end of 1885, but it seems unlikely that they were actually living there as Spencer was working at Knole Park to the south of Sevenoaks. They were living at Sundridge, just to the west of Sevenoaks, when their next two children were born in 1887 and 1889, and Spencer was described as being a groom, and then a coachman at their baptisms.

 

 

Spencer and Clara then moved to Brasted, which is just to the west of Sundridge, and in the census of 5 April 1891 they were recorded as living with their three children in the High Street at Brasted, and Spencer was now a butcher. The 1891 edition of Kelly's Directory of Kent, Surrey & Sussex listed William Muddle as a butcher in Brasted, this is thought to have been Spencer's business that he operated under the name William Muddle. When their fourth and fifth children were baptised in 1894 and 1896 they were still living in the High Street at Brasted, but Spencer was now described as being a market gardener. At this time they are thought to have had a greengrocer's shop in Brasted High Street. The 1899 edition of Kelly's Directory of Kent listed William Muddle as a greengrocer at Brasted, this was presumably Spencer's business that he operated under the name William Muddle, which had been a butchers.

 

In about 1900 Spencer became a farmer and the family moved to Little Scords Farm at Toy's Hill, which is in the south of Brasted Parish. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were recorded as living at Toyshill Farm (this would actually have been Little Scords Farm) in Brasted Parish with their then five children, and Spencer was described as being a farmer and employer. The 1903 edition of Kelly's Directory of Kent listed Spencer Muddle as a farmer at Toys Hill and also as a greengrocer in Brasted under the name William Muddle. At the baptism of their seventh child in 1905 they were recorded as living in Brasted Parish and Spencer was a farmer. One of the crops Spencer grew at this farm was hops. The 1913 edition of Kelly's Directory of Kent listed Spencer Muddle as a farmer at Toys Hill but there was now no listing as a greengrocer under the name William Muddle. In about 1914 they moved from Little Scords Farm to Scords Farm at Toy's Hill. They grew strawberries on the farm, which they took to Croydon, and kept cows for milk, which they delivered around Brasted Chart. Clara's sister Jenny, who never married, lived with them at Scords Farm. Spencer was a local councillor and also served on the school board.

 

 

Spencer died on 11 November 1923, at the age of 62, in Sevenoaks registration district. Probate of Spencer’s will, which valued his effects at £4417 4s 6d, was granted on 3 March 1924 by London Probate Registry to his widow, Clara, and his two sons, Frank and Cecil.

Scords Farm now passed to Spencer and Clara’s two sons Frank and Cecil. When Cecil married in 1925 he lived in one of the three bungalows that had been built on the farm, and when Frank married in 1929 he lived in the farmhouse and Clara lived in a flat in a converted farm building. Frank and Cecil sold the farm in 1951. Frank moved into one of the bungalows on the farm, Cecil went to live in Weald near Sevenoaks, and Clara went to live with her daughter Lizzie at Weald. Clara later moved into a home in Sevenoaks, where she died on 27 March 1956, just before her 92nd birthday. Spencer and Clara are buried in Ide Hill Churchyard.

 

Spencer and Clara’s eldest child was Elizabeth Clara Muddle, known as Lizzie, who was born at Ash (in Farningham sub-district of Dartford registration district) to the north-east of Sevenoaks in Kent on 20 December 1885 (this is the date on her birth certificate, but the family bible gives the 19 December 1885, and that was the date that Elizabeth celebrated as her birthday). In the census of 5 April 1891 Elizabeth, at the age of 5, was living with her parents in the High Street at Brasted in Kent. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Elizabeth, now aged 15, was recorded as living with her parents at Toyshill Farm (this would actually have been Little Scords Farm at Toys Hill) in Brasted Parish.

When she was 28 years old Elizabeth married 26-year-old Harold Earle at Brasted Baptist Chapel on 19 June 1914. Harold had been born on 30 May 1888. He was a coal miner from South Wales and he had met Elizabeth when he visited his brother, who was a member of Brasted Baptist Chapel, as was Elizabeth.

Harold and Elizabeth first lived in South Wales where their two children were born in 1915 and 1918. In 1920 they moved to Ramsgate in Kent and Harold worked as a miner in the Kent coalfield. Then in 1935 Harold gave up mining and they moved to Ide Hill near Sevenoaks where Harold managed a farm for Elizabeth’s brother Bert. Later they moved to Weald near Sevenoaks and Harold became a gardener. Harold died on 23 February 1962, at the age of 73. Elizabeth then lived for about ten years in a flat near Whitstable in Kent, which was near to where her daughter lived. Then in 1973 Elizabeth went to live with her daughter in Whitstable, where she died on 16 February 1990, at the grand age of 104.

 

Harold and Elizabeth’s eldest child is Evelyn Clara Earle who was born in South Wales on 16 July 1915. When she was 24 years old Evelyn married 32-year-old Rupert Alfred Jesse Fox at St George’s Church in Weald, Kent on 3 September 1939. Rupert had been born on 24 December 1906. Rupert and Evelyn lived at Whitstable in Kent where they had one child, a son, born in 1942. Rupert was a travelling salesman for a builder’s merchants. He died on 27 March 1972, at the age of 65. The following year Evelyn’s mother came to live with her until her death in 1990.

 

Harold and Elizabeth’s second child is Spencer Robert Earle, known as Bob, who was born in South Wales on 7 September 1918. Spencer was in the army during the Second World War, and it was after he was evacuated from Dunkirk that he was posted to Ross-on-Wye and first met the girl who was to become his wife. Spencer then served in several parts of Europe before being captured by the Germans. He was sent to a POW camp in Poland from which near the end of the war he escaped and made his way back to England.

Then after the war when he was 27 years old Spencer return to Ross-on-Wye and married 23-year-old Noreen Pearl Irish there on 14 November 1945. Noreen had been born on 29 March 1922. Spencer and Noreen have one child, a son, born in 1954. Spencer worked for an agricultural equipment company as an electrical engineer, and travelled around the hop gardens of Kent and Sussex during the hop picking season maintaining hop picking and drying machinery.

 

Spencer and Clara’s second child was William Spencer Muddle, known as Bill, who was born at Sundridge just to the west of Sevenoaks in Kent on 25 September 1887, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Sundridge on 27 November 1887. In the census of 5 April 1891 Bill, at the age of 3, was living with his parents in the High Street at Brasted in Kent. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Bill, now aged 13, was living with his parents at Toyshill Farm (this would actually have been Little Scords Farm at Toys Hill) in Brasted Parish.

When he was 22 years old Bill and his brother Bert emigrated from England to Canada. They sailed 2nd class on the Empress of Ireland of the Canadian Pacific Line from Liverpool on 11 March 1910 bound for St John, New Brunswick.[1] After a voyage of 7 days they arrived at St John on 18 March and the passenger list recorded that they were farmers bound for Strome in Alberta.[2] They first lived at Strome, where Bill did ground breaking work with steam engines pulling big breaker ploughs. Then in 1913 they each took homesteads in the Horseshoe area of Sounding Lake near Monitor in eastern Alberta. Bill’s homestead was 160 acres at N.E.-35-36-4-W4, which he later enlarged to about 1000 acres with the purchase of further land. At the same time the girl that Bill had known back in England came out to Canada to marry him. So at the age of 25 Bill married 23-year-old Annie Leake at Provost in eastern Alberta on 7 July 1913. Annie had been born in Hampshire, England on 7 August 1889. She had sailed 3rd class on the Empress of Britain of the Canadian Pacific Railway Atlantic Steamship Line from Liverpool on 7 February 1913 bound for St John, New Brunswick. The passenger list described Annie as being a domestic.[3]

 

 

Bill and Annie lived on their homestead in the Horseshoe area of Sounding Lake, which they farmed and ranched, and there they raised six children born between 1914 and 1928. Bill served on the school board and was for many years foreman of a road crew during the summer months. He was very musical, a talent that has passed on down through at least three generations of his descendants, and he played his accordion in bands at local dances.

After many dry years at Sounding Lake they moved to a farm 3 miles north of Rimbey in Alberta in 1937. There Bill raised purebred Hereford cattle, and also Clydesdale horses in the early years. In 1947 Bill's brother Bert, with wife Maggie and son Henry, who had returned to England in 1931, came on a visit from England, staying about three months from mid-May to mid-August. Then in 1965 Bill's brother Ernest Muddle, who lived at Brisbane in Australia, visited on his round the world trip to visit relatives, the first time they had seen each other since Bill had migrated to Canada 54 years earlier. During his latter years Bill enjoyed many hours in his garden.

Annie suffered from arthritis and spent several years in a wheelchair before she died at her home near Rimbey on 25 December 1972, at the age of 83. Her funeral service was at the Anglican Church of the Epiphany in Rimbey on 28 December; followed by burial in the Mount Auburn Cemetery at Rimbey. After Annie's death Bill became a resident of the Rimbey Auxiliary Hospital. He died at Rimbey Auxiliary Hospital on 18 July 1979, at the age of 91. His funeral service was at the Anglican Church of the Epiphany in Rimbey on 21 July; followed by burial in the Mount Auburn Cemetery at Rimbey.

 

Bill and Annie’s eldest child was Spencer Muddle, known as Spen, who was born at the family farm in the Horseshoe area of Sounding Lake near Monitor in eastern Alberta on 26 April 1914. Spencer inherited his father’s musical talent and at an early age learnt to play the fiddle. During their teens Spencer and his two brothers played at local dances and concerts. Spencer went to Horseshoe School and then his first job was for neighbouring rancher Logan Latimer. After leaving home Spencer operated a livery barn in Monitor and also worked for a dray service delivering goods.

When he was 24 years old Spencer married 27-year-old Ethel Catherine Mitchell at Consort, Alberta on 30 June 1938. Ethel was the daughter of John and Jane Mitchell; she had been born in Whitehaven registration district in Cumberland, now part of Cumbria, England on 5 September 1910. Then when she was five years old she emigrated, with her parents, from England to Canada. Spencer and Ethel first lived at Monitor in eastern Alberta where the first three of their four daughters were born between 1939 and 1942. Ethel, like Spencer, was talented musically and played the organ and piano. This talent has passed on to their daughters and grandchildren, and music has been very important in the life of this family.

Then in late 1943 they moved to Rimbey, where Spencer’s parents already lived, and took up residence at the Aunger Farm. The following spring they moved to the Cecil Garrett farm which they purchased and started farming. It was hard to make a living at the start and Spencer made extra money by playing at dances with his brother Norman, and also butchering turkeys at Christmas. Ethel, who had been a school teacher out on the prairie, now worked as a teacher at the Monte Vista School, and then later at Leedale School. Their fourth daughter was born in 1949.

Then in 1953 Spencer got the British American Oil Company Agency in Rimbey and started fuel deliveries to drilling rig sites. The business grew rapidly over the next ten years, with Spencer taking on the agencies for Macobar Mud, Cardium Sands and David Brown Tractors. In 1963 Spencer sold the fuel delivery business and took on the agency for New Holland farm equipment that went well with the David Brown agency. The business was called Spen Muddle Farm Equipment, until in 1971 the name was changed to Bonanza Farm Equipment Ltd when Spencer’s son-in-law Jack Evernden, who had been working for the business, went into partnership with Spencer. The business was sold in 1978 and Spencer went into semi-retirement on his farm.

Spencer was also actively involved in the community, as a member of the Anglican Church, the Old-time Fiddlers’ Association, the Rimbey Agriculture Society and the Rimbey Lions’ Club. Horses were one of his other great loves, and he was a member of the Rimbey Racing Association as well as the Rimbey Rodeo Association on whose board he served for over twenty years as well as being Rodeo Manager.

Ethel died at the Rimbey and District Health Care Centre on 9 September 1996, at the age of 85. Her funeral service was at the Zion Lutheran Church in Rimbey on 13 September; followed by burial in West Haven Cemetery at Rimbey. Spencer died at the Rimbey and District Health Care Centre on 26 January 1998, at the age of 83. His funeral service was at the Zion Lutheran Church in Rimbey on 31 January; followed by burial in West Haven Cemetery at Rimbey.

 

Bill and Annie’s second child was Kenneth Muddle, known as Ken, who was born at Consort in eastern Alberta on 21 June 1915. Ken went to Horseshoe School. He inherited his father's musical talent and during their teens Ken and his two brothers played at local dances and concerts. In 1937 he moved with his parents to their new farm 3 miles north of Rimbey, Alberta.

When he was 23 years old Ken married 20-year-old Ethel Lorine Swartz, known as Lorine, at the Old Log Anglican Church of the Epiphany in Rimbey on 27 March 1939. Lorine was the daughter of Charles and Ethel Swartz; she had been born on 4 September 1918, and was the sister of the Janie Isabel Swartz who married Ken's brother Norman. Ken and Lorine lived at Rimbey where they had five children of their own born between 1941 and 1954, the second of whom died in infancy. They also adopted a daughter in 1961.

Ken was a truck driver transporting cattle, lumber, coal and anything else that people wanted. He retired as a trucker in the early 1970s and they moved to Calgary, Alberta where Ken got a job as a taxi driver for Killarney Cabs. Later he bought his own taxi and operated it in conjunction with Killarney Cabs. In the mid-1980s they moved to Edmonton, Alberta and Ken, now retired, enjoyed going to the race track, visiting old friends, and playing horse shoes and cards. They bought a holiday trailer and enjoyed camping.

Ken died at Edmonton on 17 April 1991, at the age of 75. His funeral service was at the Anglican Church of the Epiphany in Rimbey on 20 April; followed by burial in West Haven Cemetery at Rimbey. Lorine continued to live at Edmonton until in 1995 poor health forced her to move into a senior's home at Evansburg, Alberta. She later moved to the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Stoney Plain, Alberta where she died on 1 December 2000, at the age of 82. Her funeral service was at Wilson's Funeral Chapel in Rimbey on 5 December; followed by burial in West Haven Cemetery at Rimbey.

 

Bill and Annie’s third child was Norman Muddle who was born in the Sounding Lake area near Monitor, Alberta on 13 May 1917. Norman inherited his father’s musical talent and during their teens Norman and his two brothers played at local dances and concerts. In 1937 he moved with his parents to their new farm 3 miles north of Rimbey, Alberta.

When he was 23 years old Norman married 18-year-old Janie Isabel Swartz at Rimbey, Alberta on 24 June 1940. Janie was the daughter of Charles and Ethel Swartz; she had been born on 31 July 1921 and was the sister of the Ethel Lorine Swartz who married Norman's brother Ken. Norman and Janie lived on their farm at S.E.24-43-2-W5 in the Montavista district near Rimbey where they had three children born between 1942 and 1959.

They first lived in a two room 12ft x 24ft house, but gradually made improvements and acquired a few milk cows. In 1952 they built a new house, and later the electricity was connected, which made things quite comfortable. Then one day when they were away from home the house was struck during a bad electrical storm and it was burnt down. This seemed the end but with the help of neighbours they soon rebuilt the house, which they continued to live in, and one room is filled with the trophies and ribbons won with their horses at the many shows they attended. They raised and trained quarter horses and the whole family were active in local horse clubs, horse shows and gymkhanas. They farmed, milked cows, and raised purebred Herefords on their farmstead until the mid-1980s.

Norman died in the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre on 17 February 2002, at the age of 84. His funeral service was at the Rimbey United Church on 22 February; followed by burial in West Haven Cemetery at Rimbey.

 

Bill and Annie’s fourth child was Nancy Julia Muddle who was born on 19 December 1919. Nancy married Wesley Stringer at Monitor during 1934. Wesley was the son of John and Emily Stringer, and he had been born at Virden, Manitoba on 18 February 1911. Wesley and Nancy had twin sons born at Consort in the Sounding Lake area of eastern Alberta in February 1935. One of the twins died in March 1937 and was buried in the neighbouring town of Monitor. Then later in 1937, at about the same time that Nancy’s parents moved to Rimbey, they also moved to the Rimbey area and their third child was born at Bentley near Rimbey in August 1937. The following August their fourth child was born, and a few days later Nancy died on 31 August 1938, at the age of 18. Nancy was buried in Mount Aubern Cemetery at Rimbey, Alberta. Seven months later their fourth child died. Wesley remarried and he died at Rimbey in 1994 when he was about 83.

 

Bill and Annie’s fifth child is Mollie Jenny Muddle who was born on 30 May 1926. Mollie married Louis John Gyori, known as Lou, at Rimbey, Alberta. Lou had been born at Sounding Creek, Alberta on 2 August 1914. Lou and Mollie had three sons and three daughters born between 1947 and 1962. They had a farm at Lockhart Valley near Bentley, Alberta until in 1986 they retired, sold the farm, and moved to Red Deer, Alberta. Lou died at Red Deer, Alberta on 14 August 1989, at the age of 75, and was buried at Bentley.

 

Bill and Annie’s sixth child is Peggie Muddle who was born at Monator, Alberta on 7 June 1928. When she was 20 years old Peggie married 26-year-old Daniel James Preston, known as Danny, on 23 October 1948. Danny had been born on 21 June 1922. Danny and Peggie farmed near Bluffton, Alberta and they had a son and a daughter born in 1952 and 1963. Daniel died on 26 September 1990, at the age of 68, and he was cremated. After Daniel's death Peggie moved into Rimbey for five years. She married Alec Gillispie on 13 April 1996 and they went back to live on Peggie's farm near Bluffton. Peggie died at the Centennial Centre in Ponoka on 5 November 2006, at the age of 78. Her funeral service was at the Zion Lutheran Church in Rimbey on 10 November; followed by cremation at Red Deer.

 

Spencer and Clara’s third child was Herbert Isaac Muddle, known as Bert, who was born at Sundridge just to the west of Sevenoaks in Kent on 10 February 1889, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Sundridge on 28 April 1889. In the census of 5 April 1891 Bert, at the age of 2, was living with his parents in the High Street at Brasted in Kent. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Bert, now aged 12, was living with his parents at Toyshill Farm (this would actually have been Little Scords Farm at Toys Hill) in Brasted Parish.

When he was 21 years old Bert and his brother Bill emigrated from England to Canada. They sailed 2nd class on the Empress of Ireland of the Canadian Pacific Line from Liverpool on 11 March 1910 bound for St John, New Brunswick.[4] After a voyage of 7 days they arrived at St John on 18 March and the passenger list recorded that they were farmers bound for Strome in Alberta.[5] In the census of 1911 Bert was living with farmer Cyril Stephens and his wife Marguerite on their farm in the Strathcona district of Alberta; he was working as a labourer on their farm, and he had worked 30 weeks in Canada during 1910 at 60 hours per week and had earned a total of $160. Bert and Bill lived at Strome in Alberta, where Bert did butchering work. Then in 1913 they each took homesteads in the Horseshoe area of Sounding Lake near Monitor in eastern Alberta. Bert’s homestead was 160 acres at S.W.-3-37-4-W4, which he later enlarged to about 1000 acres with the purchase of further land.

Then in 1916 the girl that Bert had known back in England came out to Canada to marry him. So when he was 27 years old Bert married 24-year-old Agnes Mary Marchant, known as Maggie in Canada and as Aggie in England, at Monitor in Alberta on 20 July 1916. Maggie was the daughter of Henry and Emily Marchant; she had been born at Toys Hill, Brasted, Kent on 6 February 1892. She had sailed cabin class on the Missanabie of the Canadian Pacific Railway Atlantic Steamship Line from Liverpool on 7 July 1916 bound for Montreal. The departure passenger list described Maggie as being a school teacher.[6] After a voyage of 8 days the Missanabie arrived at Quebec on 15 July and the passenger list produced by the immigration officials there stated that Maggie had been a school teacher in England; that her destination was Monitor in Alberta and that she was to be married to Herbert Muddle.[7] Maggie would have then sailed on the Missanabie up the St Lawrence River to Montreal and then travelled on with her travelling companion, Katie Cockton, to Monitor, Alberta where they were both to be married on arrival to their respective boy friends. However only one marriage license was available in Monitor so a coin was tossed that resulted in Bert and Maggie being the ones to get married immediately in a ceremony that was plagued by clouds of mosquitoes. Bert and Maggie raised two children, born in 1917 and 1919, on their farm, where they grew crops such as wheat and oats, and had a herd of about fifty cattle.

Just before Christmas 1925 Bert, Maggie and their two children travelled to England to visit Bert's relatives at Toy's Hill. They sailed 3rd class on the Metagama of the Canadian Pacific Line from St John, New Brunswick and arrived at Liverpool on 20 December 1925. On the passenger list Herbert was described as a farmer and Agnes as a housewife, and their address in England was to be Toy's Hill, Brasted, Kent.[8] After three months in England they returned to Canada sailing 3rd class on the Montcalm of the Canadian Pacific Line from Liverpool on 26 March 1926,[9] and after a voyage of 9 days they arrived at St John, New Brunswick on 4 April 1926.[10]

Bert became ill, the farm was not doing very well due to the dry weather and the world recession, and Maggie was not happy in Canada. So in June 1931 they walked off their farm and the family returned to England. They sailed 3rd class on the Duchess of York from Montreal and arrived at Southampton on 17 June 1931.[11] They initially lived at Sundridge in Kent, where Bert was a farm manager for about a year and then a tenant farmer for two years. They then moved to Weald near Sevenoaks in Kent where they took the tenancy of Panthurst Farm, which they worked with their son Henry.

In 1947 Bert and Maggie visited the family of Bert's brother Bill in Canada. They flew by Pan American Airways from London on 9 May 1947 to arrive at New York the nexted day in transit to Canada. Their arrival documents describe Bert as 5ft 6ins tall with a fair complexion, grey brown hair and blue eyes, and Maggie as 5ft 5ins tall with a medium complexion, grey brown hair and grey eyes. They crossed into Canada on 14 May. They were in Canada for nearly three months and crossed back into the USA at Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls on 10 August 1947. The boarder crossing documents describe Bert as 5ft 6ins tall with a ruddy complexion, brown hair and blue eyes, and Maggie as 5ft 5ins tall with a fair complexion, grey hair and grey eyes. They were due to leave the USA on Pan American Airways' flight number 100 from LaGuardia Airport in New York at 3pm on 14 August.[12] Their son Henry had been working with them on their farm, then in 1948 he went to Kenya to farm but had to return in 1950 after Bert became ill and needed assistace on the farm. Ten years after their first visit Bert and Maggie again visited Bert's brother Bill in Canada. This time they sailed tourist class on the United States of the United States Line from Southampton on 7 June 1957 and arrived at New York on 12 June 1957 in transit to Canada.[13] They had four months in Canada before sailing tourist class on the United States of the United States Line from New York and arriving at Southampton on 9 October 1957. On the passenger list they were recorded as still living at Panthurst Farm.[14]

In 1957 Bert and Maggie retired and moved up the road from Panthurst Farm to live at a smaller farm they owned called Beechmont, their son Henry and his family taking over at Panthurst Farm. Bert had a stroke and had to go into Orpington Hospital where he died on 28 November 1974, at the age of 85. He was cremated at the Kent & Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 4 December 1974 and his ashes buried there on 30 April 1975. Maggie continued to live at Beechmont for a while, but after a fall she moved to a sheltered flat for about 18 months, and then to High Hilden Old People's Home at Hildenborough in Kent where, after about 18 months, she died on 11 July 1980, at the age of 88. She was cremated at the Kent & Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 18 July 1980 and her ashes buried there on 1 August 1980 next to her husband's ashes. They are commemorated there by an inscribed plaque.

 

Bert and Maggie’s eldest child is Herbert Henry Muddle, known as Henry, who was born at Monitor, Albert, Canada, on 1 September 1917. Henry lived with his parents on their farm and had to ride a horse to the school, which was five miles away, out on the prairie. Then in 1931 Henry left Canada, when his parents gave up their farm and returned to England. Henry worked with his parents on Panthurst Farm at Weald near Sevenoaks in Kent, and during the Second World War he was in the Home Guard.

Then three years after the war Henry, aged 30, went to Kenya to farm, he sailed tourist class on the Llangibby Castle of the Union Castle Line from London on 13 August 1948 bound for Mombasa.[15] In late 1949 his sister Marjorie came out to visit him in Kenya, and five months later, after their father had become ill, Henry had to gave up farming in Kenya they returned to England together. Henry and Marjorie sailed tourist class on the Dunottar Castle of the Union Castle Line from Mombasa and arrived at Southampton on 20 April 1950.[16] Henry returned to working with his parents on their farm.

When he was 34 years old Henry married 22-year-old Mary Walkling at St John’s Church in Sevenoaks on 19 May 1952. Mary had been born on 30 March 1930. Henry and Mary had three children born between 1955 and 1961, the eldest of whom died in 1964 when only 8 years old. They first lived with Mary’s father in Sevenoaks, and Henry continued to work on his parent’s farm. Then when Henry’s parents retired in 1957 Henry and Mary moved to Panthurst Farm. When the Sevenoaks by-pass was built, which cut right through Panthurst Farm, the council built them a new house on the farm, which they moved into in 1969. For the next five years they had to endure the building of the by-pass. Then in 1981 they gave up the tenancy of Panthurst Farm and moved up the road to a smaller farm they owned called Beechmont, where they finally retired to a bungalow they had built there.

Mary died in Pembury Hospital on 6 December 2003, at the age of 73. Her funeral and cremation took place at Tunbridge Wells Crematorium on 15 December 2003, and her ashes were buried at the crematorium.

 

Bert and Maggie’s second child is Marjorie Clara Muddle who was born at Monitor, Albert, Canada, on 11 March 1919. Marjorie lived with her parents on their farm and had to ride a horse to the school, which was five miles away, out on the prairie. Then in 1931 Marjorie left Canada, when her parents gave up their farm and returned to England. Marjorie lived with her parents on Panthurst Farm at Weald near Sevenoaks in Kent, and worked as a school canteen assistant.

Marjorie's brother Henry went out to Kenya to farm in 1948, then the following year Marjorie, aged 30, went out to visit him, she sailed tourist class on the Dunottar Castle of the Union Castle Line from London on 12 November 1949 bound for Mombasa.[17] After five months with her brother in Kenya and after their father became ill her brother gave up farming in Kenya and they returned to England together, sailing tourist class on the Dunottar Castle of the Union Castle Line from Mombasa to arrived at Southampton on 20 April 1950.

When she was 35 years old Marjorie married 37-year-old Ernest Berwick Ogilvie at St George’s Church in Weald on 3 April 1954. Ernest had been born on 21 August 1916. Ernest and Marjorie had one child, a daughter, born in 1958. They lived at Oxford for three years, and then moved to Orpington in Kent. Ernest was a sports reporter, initially for local papers in Oxford and Kent, and then for the national papers, The Telegraph and The Times. Ernest died on 22 October 1982, at the age of 66. Marjorie still lives in Orpington.

 

Spencer and Clara’s fourth child was Frank Stanley Muddle who was born at the High Street in Brasted, Kent on 24 October 1894, and baptised at St Mary's Church in Sundridge, Kent on 2 December 1894. In the census of 31 March 1901 Frank, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Toyshill Farm (this would actually have been Little Scords Farm at Toys Hill) in Brasted Parish. Frank lived with his parents on Scords Farm at Toy's Hill, and worked on the farm. Then when his father died in 1923, Frank and his brother Cecil took over the farm.

When he was 35 years old Frank married 38-year-old Dorothy Ivy Peters at St Mary's Church in Ide Hill, Kent on 26 October 1929. Dorothy was the daughter of Alfred and Florence Peters, and she had been born at Sundridge in Kent on 23 May 1891. Frank and Dorothy had one child, a son, born in 1930. They lived in the farmhouse at Scords Farm until Frank and Cecil sold the farm in 1951. They then went to live at The Rushes, which was one of the bungalows on the farm. In 1959 Frank and Dorothy went to Canada to visit their son, who had migrated there in 1957. They sailed tourist class on the Sylvania of the Cunard Line from Liverpool on 12 May 1959 bound for Montreal. On the passenger list Frank gave his occupation as retired and Dorothy's as a housewife.[18] They stayed in Canada for about six weeks and then flew home.

Frank died at their home, The Rushes, on 29 January 1969, at the age of 74. He was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 4 February 1969, and his ashes were scattered in Ide Hill Churchyard. Dorothy then moved into a sheltered flat, 63 Laurie Rockdale Gardens in Sevenoaks, where she died on 10 September 1974, at the age of 83. She was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 13 September 1974, and her ashes were buried there.

 

 

Spencer and Clara’s fifth child was Ernest Edward Muddle who was born at the High Street in Brasted, Kent on 11 October 1896, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Sundridge, Kent on 6 December 1896. In the census of 31 March 1901 Ernest, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at Toyshill Farm (this would actually have been Little Scords Farm at Toys Hill) in Brasted Parish. Ernest lived with his parents at Little Scords Farm and then Scords Farm at Toy’s Hill. He was going to agricultural college and thinking of becoming a vet, when the First World War broke out and he joined the British Army, and from January 1917 he served in Mesopotamia. On 1 July 1917 2nd Lieutenant E E Muddle of the Royal Engineers was made a Lieutenant with seniority next below Lieutenant H C Fulcher.[19] Ernest was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal, and also two emblems.[20]

Bob Burdekin who was Ernest's best friend in the army in Mesopotamia had emigrated from England to Australia a few years before the war, and what he told Ernest about Australia resulted in Ernest deciding to emigrate from England to Australia in 1919. Ernest sailed 1st class on the SS Columbia of the Anchor Line from Glasgow on 24 November 1919 and arrived at New York in the USA on 4 December 1919. The departure passenger list described Ernest as an engineer bound for Australia.[21] The arrival passenger list at New York described Ernest as being 5ft 9ins tall with a fair complexion, fair hair and grey eyes, and to be in transit to Queensland, Australia, where he was to join Captain A H Burdekin at Winton in Queensland.[22] Presumably Ernest was intending to visit his two brothers in Alberta, Canada before going onto Australia.

Ernest managed farms for Bob Burdekin near Winton in western Queensland on which they run sheep. And that was where Ernest meet his future wife who was a bank clerk living in Winton. Then in 1933 Ernest brought a farm at Zillmere on the outskirts of Brisbane, and when he was nearly 37 years old he married 33-year-old Alma Lane at St. John’s Cathedral in Brisbane on 7 October 1933. Alma was a 5th generation Australian and had been born on 27 July 1900. They lived on the farm at Zillmere, where they had one child, a son, born in 1936.

During the Second World War they were living at Zillmere when Ernest, at the age of 43, enlisted in the Australian Army at Lytton in Queensland on 22 July 1940. He saw action in New Guinea. In early 1945 the King approved that Captain E E Muddle No. QX35564 of the Australian Military Forces be mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the South-West Pacific.[23] The citation in G. H. file AMF O/A 21 was for Exceptional services in the field in New Guinea. Ernest was Lieutenant QX35564 at DEF Lytton when he was discharged on 8 May 1945.

Alma died of cancer in January 1962, at the age of 61. During 1965 Ernest went on a round the world trip to visit his relations in England and his brother Bill in Alberta, Canada, whom he hadn't seen for 54 years. The following year, 1966, Ernest, at the age of about 70, married his late wife's sister, Merle Lane, who was about 59. Merle had been born on 23 April 1907. Brisbane slowly encroached on their farm, finally resulting in the farmhouse being isolated within a northern suburb of the city. Ernest died in July 1976, at the age of 79. Merle continued to live in the farmhouse until she had to go into a home. She died in August 1993, at the age of 86.

 

Spencer and Clara’s sixth child was Cecil Alfred Muddle who was born at Little Scords Farm, Toy’s Hill in Brasted Parish, Kent on 2 May 1901. Cecil lived with his parents on Scords Farm at Toy’s Hill, and worked on the farm. Then when his father died in 1923 Cecil and his brother Frank took over the farm. Cecil had a TB hip, which had to be pinned, and he did the family milk delivery around Brasted Chart.

When he was 24 years old Cecil married 28-year-old Edith Maud Ellard, who was known as Ella, at Four Elms Parish Church in Kent on 10 June 1925. Ella had been born on 25 March 1897. Cecil and Ella didn't have any children. They lived in one of the bungalows on Scords Farm until Cecil and Frank sold the farm in 1951. They then moved to a house at Weald in Kent, and then later to 18 Ashley Road in Hildenborough, Kent. Ella died at Hildenborough on 17 March 1982, at the age of 84, and she was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 26 March 1982. Four years later Cecil was still living at 18 Ashley Road in Hildenborough when he died on 2 March 1986, at the age of 84. He was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 7 March 1986. Cecil and Edith's ashes are buried together at the crematorium.

 

Spencer and Clara’s seventh child was Norman Charles Muddle who was born at Toy's Hill in Brasted Parish, Kent on 11 September 1904, and baptised at St Mary's Church in Sundridge, Kent on 8 January 1905. Norman died at Toy's Hill on 28 March 1913, when he was 8 years old, and he was buried in St Mary's Churchyard at Ide Hill on 2 April 1913.

 

William and Elizabeth’s third child was Adelaide Muddle who was born at South Malling near Lewes in Sussex on 15 July 1863, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in South Malling on 6 December 1863. In the census of 2 April 1871 Adelaide, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at Old Malling Farm Cottages in South Malling, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Adelaide, now aged 17, was a live-in domestic cook for the family of grocer and draper Edgar Cooper at Norwich House in Ticehurst Village, Sussex. Then in 1884, when she was about 21 years old, Adelaide had an illegitimate daughter born at Lydden near Dover, where her parents were then living.

When she was 25 years old Adelaide married 26-year-old Joseph Burnett Lloyde at Dover Register Office on 3 April 1889. At the time of their marriage Joseph was a bombardier in the London Division of the Royal Artillery based at Dover Castle, and Adelaide was living at 6 Connaught Park Gardens in Dover. In the census of 5 April 1891 Adelaide was a live-in housemaid to the family of Lieut. Col. William Kaye at 25 Leybourn Terrace in the Charlton area of Dover. Joseph was probably away serving overseas. Joseph and Adelaide had one child born at Dover in 1891.

It’s not known what then happened, but Joseph presumably died because Adelaide, at the age of 37, married 34-year-old widower Elijah Clark in Dover registration district during the 4th quarter of 1900. Elijah was the son of William and Hannah Clark; he had been born at East Mersea in Essex and his birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1866. He then married Susan Jane Bevers in Woolwich registration district during the third quarter of 1890 and they are thought to have had two children born in about 1892 at Woolwich and 1895 at Dover before Susan’s death at Dover during the 3rd quarter of 1899.

In the census of 31 March 1901 Elijah and Adelaide were living at 5 Hillside Cottages in the Buckland area of Dover and Elijah was a Gunner in the R A S. Living with them were Adelaide’s illegitimate daughter; her son from her marriage to Joseph Lloyde; and also Elijah’s son, 8-year-old William A Clark born at Woolwich, and his daughter, 5-year-old Mary H Clark born at Dover.

 

Adelaide’s illegitimate daughter was Edith Mary Rumbold Muddle who was born at Lydden near Dover in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1884. Edith was baptised at St Mary’s Church in Lydden on 13 May 1885. Edith’s father was probably one of the Rumbolds living near Folkestone, and only about five miles from Lydden. Edith gave her father’s name as William Rombold Muddle when she married. In the census of 5 April 1891 Edith, at the age of 6, was a visitor at 48 Union Road in the Buckland area of Dover, the home of the family of carpenter Richard Barwick. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Edith, now aged 16, was working as a general domestic servant and living with her mother and stepfather, Elijah Clark, at 5 Hillside Cottages in the Buckland area of Dover.

When she was 27 years old Edith married 27-year-old Harry Edwards at Brentford Register Office in Middlesex on 2 September 1911. Harry was then a bus conductor living at 9 Clifton Gardens in Chiswick, and Edith was living at Apham, 7 Park Road, Chiswick. They had three children born in Brentford registration district between 1912 and 1916.

 

Harry and Edith’s eldest child was George A L Edwards whose birth was registered in Brentford registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1912.

 

Harry and Edith’s second child was Lilian M Edwards whose birth was registered in Brentford registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1913.

 

Harry and Edith’s third child was Doris E Edwards whose birth was registered in Brentford registration district during the 4th quarter of 1916.

 

Joseph and Adelaide’s only child was John David Lloyde who was born at Dover in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1892. In the census of 31 March 1901 John, at the age of 9, was living with his mother and stepfather, Elijah Clark, at 5 Hillside Cottages in the Buckland area of Dover. John was a witness at his sister Edith’s marriage in 1911.

 

William and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Martha Jane Muddle who was born at South Malling near Lewes in Sussex on 6 October 1865. In the census of 2 April 1871 Martha, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at Old Malling Farm Cottages in South Malling, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Martha, now aged 15, was a live-in domestic servant at the Village Post Office in Ticehurst, Sussex for the family of George F Balcombe, who was Clerk to the Municipal Board of Guardians.

When she was 18 years old Martha married 20-year-old William Henry Williams at Whitfield Church near Dover in Kent on 29 July 1884. At the time of their marriage Martha was living in St Mary’s Parish in Dover, Kent, and William was a gardener living in Whitfield. William was the son of Richard and Margaret Williams; he had been born at Ripple near Deal in Kent on 11 June 1864. William and Martha had eight children; the first born at Lydden near Dover in 1885 and the rest at Dover between 1886 and 1907. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 4 Charlton Green in Dover with their then two children; William was continuing to work as a gardener, and they had Martha’s 14-year-old brother William Muddle staying with them. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 3 Herbert Street in Dover with four of their children, and William was working as a dock labourer.

 

 

It was probably in 1910 that the family descided to emigrated from England to Brantford, Ontario, Canada. The first to go was their eldest son Bert who sailed 3rd class on the Virginian of the Allan Line from Liverpool on 14 October 1910,[24] and after a voyage of 7 days arrived at Quebec on 21 October 1910.[25] In the census of 2 April 1911 William, Martha and their five youngest children were living at 10 Churchill Street in Dover and William was working as a labourer. Then a few days later William was the next to leave for Canada, he sailed 2nd class on the Victorian of the Allan Line from Liverpool on 14 April 1911,[26] and after a voyage of 8 days arrived at St John, New Brunswick on 22 April 1911. On the passenger list William stated that he had been a bricklayer in England and intended to be a farmer in Canada.[27] William and Martha's sons, William and Fred, and daughter Rose joined Bert and William in mid-1912; they sailed 3rd class on the Victorian of the Allan Line from Liverpool on 10 May 1912,[28] and after a voyage of 8 days they arrived at Quebec on 18 May 1912.[29] Martha and her two youngest children, Beatrice and Charles, should have sailed with these three but were rejected because Beatrice and Charles failed the medical; their heads being infected with ring worm, and Martha had to stay behind to look after them. Four months later Martha, Beatrice and Charles sailed 3rd class on the Victorian of the Allan Line from Liverpool on 27 September 1912,[30] and after a voyage of 7 days they arrived at Quebec on 4 October.[31] William and Martha and their six youngest children were now all living at Brantford, their two eldest children, daughters Agnes and Grace, had already married and stayed in England. In Canada William became a carpenter and built many houses in Brantford.

During the First World War William, at the age of 51, trimmed 8 years of his age so that he could enlist in the 125 Battalion of the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 27 November 1915 as Private 772242. He was then working as a carpenter and living at 26 Brant Avenue in Brantford. On his attestation papers he was described as being 5ft 6½ins tall with a 41½in expanded chest, medium complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair, and he gave his religion as Baptist.[32]

On the attestation papers of both William and his son William, who enlisted in November and December 1915, their address was changed from 81 Brock Street to 26 Brant Avenue, but on the attestation papers of William’s son Fred, who enlisted slightly earlier, in October 1915, the address was not changed from 81 Brock Street, so it seems that the family moved from 81 Brock Street to 26 Brant Avenue in about November 1915.

While serving in the First World War William was wounded and lost a leg. Martha died at Brantford in 1941, when she was about 76 years old, and William died at Brantford in 1954, when he was about 90 years old. They were both buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Brantford.

 

William and Martha’s eldest child was Agnes Jane Williams who was born at Lydden near Dover in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1885. In the census of 5 April 1891 Agnes, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at 4 Charlton Green in Dover. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Agnes, now aged 15, was a live-in domestic servant to the family of solicitor’s clerk William Stokes at 2 St Martins Terrace in Dover.

When she was 20 years old Agnes married 22-year-old John George F Gray in Dover registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1905. John’s birth had been registered in Greenwich, London during the 2nd quarter of 1883. John and Agnes had four children.

 

William and Martha’s second child was Grace Isabel Williams who was born at Dover in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1887. In the census of 5 April 1891 Grace, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at 4 Charlton Green in Dover. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Grace, now aged 14, was living with her uncle and aunt, Isaac and Sophia Collard, at 1 Mill Place in Whitfield near Dover. Isaac and Sophia Collard had been the witnesses at the marriage of Grace’s parents, and living next-door at 2 Mill Place was the family of Grace’s maternal grandparents, Richard and Margaret Williams.

When she was 25 years old Grace married 29-year-old Frederick Charles Berry in Dover registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1912. Frederick was the son of John and Jane Berry, he had been born at Eythorn in Kent and his birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1882. Frederick and Grace had two children.

 

  

William and Martha’s third child was Bertie Christopher Williams, known as Bert, who was born at Dover in Kent on 1 January 1893. Bert's birth was registered with his name as Bertie, but he always used the name Bert as an adult. In the census of 31 March 1901 Bert, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at 3 Herbert Street in Dover. When he was 17 years old Bert emigrated from England to Brantford, Ontario, Canada, he sailed 3rd class on the Virginian of the Allan Line from Liverpool on 14 October 1910, and after a voyage of 7 days arrived at Quebec on 21 October 1910. On the passenger list Bert stated that he had been working as a baker in England and intended to work as a factory hand in Canada. Bert's father followed him to Brantford in 1911 and then his mother and five younger siblings in 1912.

When he was 20 years old Bert married 25-year-old Clara Angrave at Brantford on 19 April 1913. Clara was the daughter of Joseph and Minnie Angrave; she had been born at Leicester, England and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1888. Bert and Clara had one child, a son.

During the First World War Bert, at the age of 22, enlisted in the 125th Battalion of the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 23 October 1915 as Private 305118. He was then working as a machine hand and living at 2 Edwin Street in Brantford. He had already served 2 years in the 38th D.R.C. On his attestation papers he was described as being 5ft 6ins tall with a 36in expanded chest, fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair, and he gave his religion as Methodist.[33] While he was serving in France as Private 305118 in the 1st Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment) he died on 3 May 1917, at the age of 24. Bert has no known grave but is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. After Bert’s death Clara returned to England with her son.

 

 

William and Martha’s fourth child was William Joseph Williams who was born at Buckland, Dover, Kent on 10 August 1894. In the census of 31 March 1901 William, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at 3 Herbert Street in Dover. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 William, now aged 16, was working as a shop assistant and living with his parents at 10 Churchill Street in Dover. When he was 17 years old William emigrated from England to Canada with his siblings Rose and Frederick; his father and eldest brother having gone earlier. They sailed 3rd class on the Victorian of the Allan Line from Liverpool on 10 May 1912 and arrived at Quebec on 18 May 1912. On the passenger list William stated that he had been a salesman in England and intended to be a gardener in Canada. After landing they travelled on to join their father and eldest brother at Brantford in Ontario, their mother and two youngest siblings following later in 1912.

During the First World War William, at the age of 20, enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 8 December 1914 as Private 55744. He was then working as a labourer and living with his parents at 26 Brant Avenue in Brantford. On his attestation papers he was described as being 5ft 8ins tall with a 36in expanded chest, fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair, and he gave his religion as Baptist.[34] William later emigrated from Canada to live at Lewiston in New York State, USA, he never married nor had any children.

 

William and Martha’s fifth child was Rose Elizabeth Williams who was born at Buckland, Dover, Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1898. In the census of 31 March 1901 Rose, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at 3 Herbert Street in Dover. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Rose, now aged 12, was living with her parents at 10 Churchill Street in Dover and she was going to school. When she was 13 years old Rose emigrated from England to Canada with her brothers William and Frederick; her father and eldest brother having gone earlier. They sailed 3rd class on the Victorian of the Allan Line from Liverpool on 10 May 1912 and arrived at Quebec on 18 May 1912. After landing they travelled on to join their father and eldest brother at Brantford in Ontario, their mother and two youngest siblings following later in 1912.

When she was 21 years old Rose married 23-year-old Bertram Louis Clute at Hamilton, Ontario on 8 April 1920. Bertram was the son of George and Minnie Clute; he had been born at Rochester in New York State, USA, and at the time of his marriage he was a barber living at Hamilton. Bertram and Rose had three children.

 

William and Martha’s sixth child was Frederick Richard Williams, known as Fred, who was born at Buckland, Dover, Kent on 10 November 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Fred, at the age of 4 months, was living with his parents at 3 Herbert Street in Dover. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Fred, now aged 10, was living with his parents at 10 Churchill Street in Dover and he was going to school. When he was 11 years old Fred emigrated from England to Canada with his siblings William and Rose; his father and eldest brother having gone earlier. They sailed 3rd class on the Victorian of the Allan Line from Liverpool on 10 May 1912 and arrived at Quebec on 18 May 1912. After landing they travelled on to join their father and eldest brother at Brantford in Ontario, their mother and two youngest siblings following later in 1912.

During the First World War Fred, at the age just under 15, (he lied about his age, saying he was just under 18) enlisted in the 162 Battalion of the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 5 October 1915 as Private 657195. He was then working as a labourer and living with his parents at 81 Brock Street in Brantford. On his attestation papers he was described as being 5ft 5¾ins tall with a 35in expanded chest, fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair, and he gave his religion as Baptist. Fred was sent for service on the Western Front in Europe but on 3 September 1917 his true age was found out and he was discharged.[35] Fred married Mae and had one child, a daughter.

 

William and Martha’s seventh child was Beatrice Winifred Williams, known as Beattie, who was born at Buckland, Dover, Kent on 28 November 1903. In the census of 2 April 1911 Beatrice, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at 10 Churchill Street in Dover and she was going to school. When she was 8 years old Beatrice emigrated from England to Canada with her mother and brother Charles; her father and four of her siblings having gone earlier. They sailed 3rd class on the Victorian of the Allan Line from Liverpool on 27 September 1912 and arrived at Quebec on 4 October 1912. After landing they travelled on to join Beatrice's father and siblings at Brantford in Ontario.

Beatrice married Hugh Hopkins, who had been born on 9 March 1904. They didn't have any children. Hugh died on 11 Octoberr 1980, at the age of 76. Beatrice died at Brantford on 1 April 1998, at the age of 94.

 

William and Martha’s eighth child was Charles Robert Williams who was born at Buckland, Dover, Kent during August 1907. In the census of 2 April 1911 Charles, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 10 Churchill Street in Dover. When he was 5 years old Charles emigrated from England to Canada with his mother and sister Beatrice; his father and four of his siblings having gone earlier. They sailed 3rd class on the Victorian of the Allan Line from Liverpool on 27 September 1912 and arrived at Quebec on 4 October 1912. After landing they travelled on to join Charles' father and siblings at Brantford in Ontario.

Charles married Jean Hunt and they had four children born at Brantford between 1932 and 1946. They divorced and Jean and their two youngest children migrated to New Zealand. Charles died at Brantford on 21 June 1986, at the age of 78. Jean died in New Zealand in 2006, at the age of 96.

 

William and Elizabeth’s fifth child was Annie Muddle who was born at South Malling near Lewes in Sussex on 10 January 1868, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in South Malling on 1 March 1868. In the census of 2 April 1871 Annie, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at Old Malling Farm Cottages in South Malling. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Annie, now aged 13, was living with her parents at Bettenhurst Cottage in Ticehurst, Sussex, and she was going to school.

When she was 17 years old Annie married 24-year-old William Friend at St Mary the Virgin Church in Lydden near Dover in Kent on 11 October 1885. At the time of their marriage William was a labourer and they were both living at Lydden. William was the son of James and Rosannah Friend; he had been born at Temple Ewell near Dover in Kent on 17 August 1861, and baptised at St Peter & St Paul Church in Temple Ewell on 14 November 1862.

William and Annie had fourteen children born between 1886 and 1908, two of whom died soon after birth. During these years they moved about frequently to various parishes lying in an arc from the west to north of Dover in Kent, and all within 8 miles of Dover. Presumably this was the result of William having to move around to find work. Their first child was born at Lydden in early 1886 and died there in mid-1886. Their second child was born at Alkham in early 1887, and when this child was baptised in late 1887 they were living in adjacent Poulton. Their third child was born at Lydden in 1888. Their fourth child was born at Shepherdswell in 1889 and they were living at Little Haynes in Sibertswold (Shepherdswell) when this child was baptised in early 1890. Their fifth child was born at Wootton in late 1890. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at Giddinge Cottage in Wootton with their then four surviving children, and William was working as a farm labourer. Their sixth and seventh children were born back at Lydden in 1892 and 1894, and the eighth at Goodnestone in 1896. Their ninth, tenth and eleventh children were born at Womenswold between 1898 and 1900, the first of these dying when only 12 days old. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living in The Street at Womenswold with their then eight surviving children, and William was working as a shepherd yardman on a farm. Their twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth children were born at Eastry between 1905 and 1908.

Their son William was killed in 1916 while serving in the army in France during the First World War. Annie was a short plump woman who usually wore decorative hats. William was a shepherd, he and had a mass of white hair and was known as Snowy. William was a retired farm labourer and had been living with the family of his daughter Christina Scott at 3 Green Lane in Margate when he died at Hill House in Minster, which had been a workhouse and was now an infirmary for the care of the elderly, on 14 January 1937, at the age of 75 (not 74 as given on his death certificate), from a cerebral haemorrhage. He was buried in Margate Cemetery on 18 January 1937. Twelve years later Annie was living with the family of her son Edward at No 3 Bungalow, Great Ware, Ash, Kent when she died there on 18 January 1949, at the age of 81 (not 82 as given on her death certificate), from senile myocardial degeneration. She was buried with her husband in Margate Cemetery on 21 January 1949.

 

William and Annie’s eldest child was Alfred William Friend who was born at Lydden near Dover in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1886. Alfred was privately baptised by St Mary the Virgin Church in Lydden on 29 March 1886. Alfred died at Lydden when only 6 months old, and he was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Lydden on 22 June 1886.

 

William and Annie’s second child was Kate Caroline Friend who was born at Alkham near Dover in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1887. Kate was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Lydden near Dover on 12 October 1887. In the census of 5 April 1891 Kate, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at Giddinge Cottage in Wootton near Dover. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Kate, now aged 13, was a live-in laundry maid to laundress Harriet Claypole at Gravel Castle in Barham, which is near Womenswold where her parents were then living.

 

William and Annie’s third child was Henry James Friend who was born at Lydden near Dover in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1888. Henry was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Lydden on 12 August 1888. In the census of 5 April 1891 Henry, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Giddinge Cottage in Wootton near Dover. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Henry, now aged 12, was living with his parents in The Street at Womenswold in Kent.

 

William and Annie’s fourth child was Alice Matilda Friend who was born at Shepherdswell near Dover in Kent on 18 September 1889. Alice was baptised at St Andrew’s Church in Shepherdswell on 3 February 1890. In the census of 5 April 1891 Alice, at the age of 1, was living with her parents at Giddinge Cottage in Wootton near Dover. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Alice, now aged 11, was living with her parents in The Street at Womenswold in Kent.

 

William and Annie’s fifth child was Edward George Friend who was born at Wootton near Dover in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1891. Edward was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Lydden near Dover on 11 October 1891. In the census of 5 April 1891 Edward, at the age of 3 months, was living with his parents at Giddinge Cottage in Wootton near Dover. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Edward, now aged 10, was living with his parents in The Street at Womenswold in Kent.

 

William and Annie’s sixth child was William Charles Friend who was born at Lydden near Dover in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1892. William was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Lydden on 19 February 1893. In the census of 31 March 1901 William, at the age of 8, was living with his parents in The Street at Womenswold in Kent. During the First World War William was Corporal CH/17714 in the Royal Marine Light Infantry when he died on 13 November 1916, at the age of 24. He was buried in plot I, row E, grave 23 of Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel, Somme, France.

 

William and Annie’s seventh child was Thomas Frederick Friend who was born at Lydden near Dover in Kent, and whose birth was registered during 3rd quarter of 1894. Thomas was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Lydden on 28 April 1895. In the census of 31 March 1901 Thomas, at the age of 6, was living with his parents in The Street at Womenswold in Kent.

 

William and Annie’s eighth child was Ellen Louisa Friend, known as Nell, who was born at Goodnestone, to the north of Dover in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1896. Ellen was baptised at St Margaret’s Church in Womenswold, Kent on 18 October 1896. In the census of 31 March 1901 Ellen, at the age of 4, was living with her parents in The Street at Womenswold.

 

William and Annie’s ninth child was Alfred John Friend who was born at Womenswold, to the north of Dover in Kent, during late March 1898. Alfred died unbaptised when only 12 days old, and he was buried in St Margaret’s Churchyard at Womenswold on 12 April 1898.

 

William and Annie’s tenth child was Alfred John Friend who was born at Womenswold, to the north of Dover in Kent, on 1 April 1899, and baptised at St Margaret’s Church in Womenswold on 9 July 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Alfred, at the age of almost 2, was living with his parents in The Street at Womenswold.

 

William and Annie’s eleventh child was Ernest Albert Friend who was born at Womenswold, to the north of Dover in Kent, on 18 October 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Ernest, at the age of 5 months, was living with his parents in The Street at Womenswold.

 

William and Annie’s twelfth child was Victor Sidney Friend, known as Son, who was born at Eastry, to the north of Dover in Kent, on 24 September 1905.

 

William and Annie’s thirteenth child was Christina Ivy Friend who was born at Eastry, to the north of Dover in Kent, on 18 December 1906.

 

William and Annie’s fourteenth child was Reginald Herbert Friend who was born in Eastry registration district in Kent, on 27 May 1908.

 

William and Elizabeth’s sixth child was Lucy Elizabeth Muddle who was born at South Malling near Lewes on 27 September 1870, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in South Malling on 6 November 1870. In the census of 2 April 1871 Lucy, at the age of 6 months, was living with her parents at Old Malling Farm Cottages in South Malling. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Lucy, now aged 10, was living with her parents at Bettenhurst Cottage in Ticehurst, Sussex, and she was going to school. In the census of 5 April 1891 Lucy, at the age of 20, was a live-in domestic servant to the family of registered practitioner Howard H Danmere in the High Street at Brasted in Kent.

When she was 21 years old Lucy married 28-year-old Robert Hickman Cole at St Martin’s Church in Brasted on 21 November 1891. At the time of their marriage Robert was a labourer and they were both living at Brasted. Robert was the illegitimate grandson of William and Sarah Cole; his birth had been registered in Upton registration district in Worcestershire during the 4th quarter of 1863. Robert and Lucy had at least two children born at Brasted in 1892 and 1898. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living in the High Street at Brasted with their two children. Robert was working as a postman, and they had 50-year-old bachelor, Henry Tester, as a lodger. They later lived at Wallington near Croydon in Surrey.

 

Robert and Lucy’s eldest child was Lucy Elizabeth Cole who was born at Brasted in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1892. In the census of 31 March 1901 Lucy, at the age of 8, was living with her parents in the High Street at Brasted. It’s thought that Lucy married Jack and went to live in Somerset.

 

Robert and Lucy’s second child was Harry Cole who was born at Brasted in Ken, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1898. In the census of 31 March 1901 Harry, at the age of 2, was living with his parents in the High Street at Brasted.

 

William and Elizabeth’s seventh child was Ellen Muddle who was born at Battle in Sussex on 8 February 1873. In the census of 3 April 1881 Ellen, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at Bettenhurst Cottage in Ticehurst, Sussex, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Ellen, now aged 18, was visiting her brother Spencer’s family in the High Street at Brasted in Kent.

Ellen had four illegitimate children. In 1899, when she was 26 years old, Ellen had an illegitimate daughter who was born in Dover Union Workhouse. Then in 1902, when she was 29, Ellen had another illegitimate daughter in Dover Union Workhouse; she was then described as being a general domestic servant of Sevenoaks in Kent. In 1904, when she was 31, Ellen has an illegitimate son who was born in the Sevenoaks Union Workhouse at Sundridge in Kent. And finally in 1906, when she was 33, Ellen had another illegitimate son who was born in Birchfield House at Sundridge (another name for Sevenoaks Union Workhouse). At these last two births Ellen was described as being a general servant at Brasted in Kent.

Ellen never married, and she continued to live in the Brasted area and work as a general servant. Ellen died at Birchfield House Infirmary in Sundridge on 4 March 1923, at the age of 50, from lobar pneumonia and heart failure.

 

Ellen’s first illegitimate child was Elsie Muddle who was born in Dover Union Workhouse at Buckland in Kent on 13 April 1899, and baptised in the Workhouse on 30 April 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Elsie, at the age of 1, was living with the family of her mother’s sister, Sally Godley, at Gate Farm in Tudeley near Tonbridge in Kent.

 

Ellen’s second illegitimate child was Mabel Frances Muddle who was born in Dover Union Workhouse in Union Road, Dover, Kent on 13 May 1902.

 

Ellen’s third illegitimate child was Edward William Muddle who was born in the Sevenoaks Union Workhouse at Sundridge in Kent on 30 August 1904. Edward died when only a few months old, his death being registered in Canterbury registration district in Kent during the 1st quarter of 1905. (The name on the death certificate was William Edward Muddle.)

 

Ellen’s fourth illegitimate child was Benjamin Muddle who was born in Birchfield House at Sundridge in Kent (another name for Sevenoaks Union Workhouse) on 2 December 1906. (Benjamin’s birth was registered as Ben.) When he was about 24 years old Benjamin married 20-year-old Violet Winifred Lardner in Marylebone registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1930. Violet had been born in Marylebone registration district on 29 September 1910. Benjamin and Violet didn’t have any children. Benjamin died at the age of 75, his death being registered in Newmarket registration district in Cambridgeshire during the 2nd quarter of 1982. Thirteen years later Violet died at the age of 84, her death being registered in Bury St Edmunds registration district in Suffolk during August 1995.

 

William and Elizabeth’s eighth child was Kate Caroline Muddle who was born at Ticehurst in Sussex on 26 January 1875. Kate died at Ashburnham in Sussex when only just on 4 months old, and she was buried in St Peter’s Churchyard at Ashburnham on 27 May 1875.

 

William and Elizabeth’s ninth child was William Muddle, known as Bill, who was born at Ticehurst in Sussex on 15 May 1877. In the census of 3 April 1881 Bill, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at Bettenhurst Cottage in Ticehurst, and he was going to school. It was soon after this census that Bill moved with his parents and siblings to Lydden in Kent and he attended Lydden School as there is a book presented to him inscribed William Muddle, Lydden School, August 17, 1888. In the census of 5 April 1891 Bill, now aged 13, was staying with the family of his married sister, Jane Williams, at 4 Charlton Green in Dover, Kent, and he was working as an errand boy. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Bill, at the age of 23, was a domestic groom living with the family of coachman Henry Slaughter at Brasted Park in Kent and working for Colonel William Tipping.

When he was 31 years old Bill married 21-year-old Rosina Siney, known as Rose, at St Leonard’s Church in Chelsham, Surrey on 3 October 1908. At the time of their marriage William was a cowman living at Lingfield in Surrey, and Rose was living at Chelsham. Rose was the daughter of John William and Mary Ann Siney; she had been born at Chelsham in Surrey and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1887.

 

Three years after their marriage they emigrated from England to Australia sailing 3rd class on the Moravian of the Aberdeen Line from London on 30 September 1911 and arrived at Melbourne on 12 November 1911. The passenger list described William as being a farm labourer.[36] After arriving in Australia they initially share farmed at Barham on the Murray River, which is about 150 miles north-west of Melbourne on the boarder of Victoria and New South Wales. They had two children; their first child was born in 1915 at Kerang in Victoria, which is about 15 miles south-west of Barham. They then moved to Maffra in East Gippsland, Victoria, which is about 110 miles due east of Melbourne, where their second child was born in 1919. While they were in Maffra Bill worked at Nestles Sugar Beet Factory, and had a small farm on the banks of the Macallister River. Sometime after the birth of their children Bill changed the family name to Muddell. They then moved about 35 miles further east to Bairnsdale where Bill worked as a wardsman at Bairnsdale Hospital and Rose worked in the hospital laundry where later her daughter also worked.

Then in 1935 they purchased a small farming property in Bryant Road, Dandenong, which is about 20 miles south-east of central Melbourne. Their son Ken moved there first followed by Bill and then later Rose and their daughter Marjorie. Later they moved to Clow Street in Dandenong and Bill worked for Mr Cadle, who owned a Hay & Grain Store and had a big family home where Bill was employed as the gardener. Their daughter Marjorie married in 1939 and their son Ken the following year.

 

In 1942 Bill and Rose moved to Olinda, which is 25 miles east of Central Melbourne. Bill worked as a gardener at several large stately homes in the area. Rose laundered butchers aprons, as she was an experienced laundress; she was also a cook and operated their home as a Bed and Breakfast, Olinda being a popular holiday destination.

Rose died on 25 April 1947, at the age of 60, in Dandenong and she was buried in Dandenong Church of England Cemetery on 28 April 1947. Their daughter Marjorie with her husband and daughter then came to live with Bill at Olinda. This arrangement ended in 1952 and Bill then rented a room in Olinda until finding work as a gardener and handy man; first at Woodend, which is about 40 miles north-west of Melbourne, and then at a Children's Home in Forest Hill, which is about 10 miles east of Central Melbourne.

In 1960 Bill, aged 82, sailed on the Patris of the Chandris Line for Pireaus in Greece and then travelled overland across Europe to visit his sister Lucy in England. He then went on to Canada to visit a cousin, he returned to England and had been staying at 178 Charing Cross Road in London when he sailed tourist class from London on the Stratheden of the P & O - Orient Line on the 27 September 1960 bound for Melbourne.[37] On this voyage Bill became ill while sailing through the Suez Canal. Nearly ten years later, and twenty-three years after Rose's death, William died at Dandenong on 10 January 1970, at the age of 92 (not 93 as given on his death certificate), and he was buried in Dandenong Church of England Cemetery on 13 January 1970.

 

Bill and Rose’s eldest child was Marjorie Jean Muddle/Muddell who was born at Kerang in Victoria, Australia on 2 July 1915. Marjorie moved with her parents to Maffra and then Bairnsdale where she started work, with her mother in the laundry of Bairnsdale Hospital. Then in 1935 she moved with her parents and brother to Dandenong. In 1937 when she was 22 years old Marjorie had daughter.

Then when she was 23 years old Marjorie married 21-year-old Albert Riseley, known as Bert, at Scot's Church in Dandenong on 25 February 1939. Albert had been born on 21 July 1917. Bert and Marjorie had one child, a daughter, born at Mirboo North, South Gippsland, Victoria in 1945. When Marjorie's mother died in 1947, Marjorie, Bert and their daughter moved to Olinda to live with Marjorie's father; this arrangement ended in 1952. Marjorie, Bert and their daughter then moved to Mt Eccles, which is between Warragul and Leongatha in the Strezlecki Hills in South Gippsland, where Bert worked on his uncle's sheep farm. In 1956 they moved to Belgrave in the Dandenong Ranges where for several years Bert was a driver for US Bus Lines before becoming a taxi driver. In late 1964 or early 1965 they moved to Dandenong where Bert worked as a garbage collector for the City of Waverly; a job that was obtained for him by his brother-in-law Ken Muddell. Bill remained in this job until he retired, and then in retirement he and Marjorie managed several Caravan Parks until moving to Bateman Bay on the south coast of New South Wales.

When their health started to be a problem they moved to Lang Lang in Victoria to be closer to medical services and family. Marjorie died in the Koo-Wee-Rup Hospital, South Gippsland, Victoria on 4 August 1996, at the age of 81. Twelve years later Bert died in St John of God Hospital, Berwick, Victoria on 17 June 2008, at the age of 90.

 

 

Bill and Rose’s second child was Kenneth Norman Muddle/Muddell, known as Ken, who was born at Maffra in Victoria, Australia on 27 April 1919. Ken moved with his parents and sister to Bairnsdale and he attended Bairnsdale Technical School, which he left in 1933, at the age of 14. In 1935 Ken, and then his parents and sister, moved to a small farming property they had bought in Bryant Road, Dandenong where Ken worked as a market gardener.

When he was nearly 21 years old Ken married 17-year-old Betty Jean Paydon at the home of Betty's parents in Clow Street, Dandenong on 10 April 1940. Betty was the daughter of Aleck Arthur and Edith Ellen Paydon, and she had been born at what was then her parents' home at McCrae Street in Dandenong on 27 October 1922. Ken and Betty had one child born at Dandenong in 1940.

During the Second World War they were living at Dandenong when Ken, at the age of 20, enlisted in the Australian Military Forces at Melbourne in Victoria with service number V285944 and then transferred to the Australian Imperial Forces on 12 March 1943 with service number VX124289. He was Lance Sergeant VX124289 in the 3rd L of C PROV (3rd Lines of Communication Provisional) when he was discharged on 11 December 1943.

After his discharge Ken worked as a driver for his father-in-law, who was a carrier and furniture removalist in Dandenong, his father-in-law having 'claimed' Ken from the army so that he could work for him. Later Ken returned to market gardening. Then during the 1950s while living at Boronia, Victoria and then Fern Tree Gully, Victoria Ken worked as a tip truck driver and then an excavator operator at a quarry.

Ken and Betty divorced in October 1963. Ken, at the age of 47, then married 37-year-old Madge Hugo, known as Marge, at Melbourne Register Office on 18 March 1967. Marge was a divorcee with a grown up daughter, and she had been born in Tasmania on 15 June 1929. Ken was a keen gardener and wherever he lived he always had a prolific vegetable and flower garden. Ken was working as a roadsign maintenance man for the City of Waverley Shire Council when died in his sleep at home in Dandenong on 19 September 1975, at the age of 56. Marge now lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.

 

William and Elizabeth’s tenth child was Charles Muddle who was born at Maydensole Farm in Little Mongeham near Deal in Kent on 21 April 1883. In the census of 5 April 1891 Charles, at the age of 7, was, together with his mother, lodging with gardener George Marsh and his wife at Lydden Street in Lydden near Dover in Kent, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Charles, now aged 17, was living with his widowed mother at Toy’s Hill Oast in Brasted Parish, Kent, which was next-door to his brother Spencer’s family at Little Scords Farm. Charles was described as being a farm labourer working at home, which probably meant that he was working for his brother, Spencer, who was a farmer.

When he was 25 years old Charles married 23-year-old Lilian Heath at St Peter & St Paul Church in Bromley, Kent (now part of Greater London) on 10 October 1908. At the time of their marriage Charles was a gardener living at 16 Prospect Place in Bromley and Lilian was living at 3 Palace Road in Bromley. Lilian was the daughter of Elvey and Eliza Heath, and she had been born at Brasted in Kent on 12 July 1885.

 

 

They had one child, a daughter, born at Bromley in 1909, and Charles had at sometime worked as a butcher’s assistant before they emigrated from England to Australia just three weeks after Charles’ brother William and his wife had gone there. The Victorian Government had chartered the Gothic to bring 1450 new settlers to Victoria. Charles, Lilian and their young daughter sailed 3rd class on the Gothic of the Aberdeen Line from London on 21 October 1911 and landed at Melbourne on Sunday the 3 December 1911.[38] The Gothic’s arrival was described in an article in the local newspaper, The Argus, the following day. The ship’s passenger list described Charles as being a labourer. The family settled in an area about 125 miles due north of Melbourne on the boarder between Victoria and New South Wales. After arriving in Australia they had two more daughters born in 1912 and 1914, and then they had a son in 1926. It was sometime between 1914 and 1926 that Charles changed the family name by deed poll to Muddell.

Charles first worked on a farm called Thule near Barham in the Moulamein registration district of New South Wales, and then on a number of other farms in the area, before setting up as a butcher. He first had a butcher’s shop in Barham and then later at Echuca in Victoria.

Lilian died on 17 December 1940, at the age of 55, in Echuca Hospital, and she was buried in Echuca. Then when he was 58 years old Charles caused a scandal by getting a 35-year-old English woman called Elsie May Wratten, known as May, pregnant. They married in February 1942 at the Baptist Church in Essendon near Melbourne in Victoria, and the resultant child was a daughter born in November. Elsie was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann Wratten, and her birth had been registered in Eastry registration district in Kent, England during the 2nd quarter of 1907.

May died on 13 December 1970 (date from stepson Lance) in Brighton registration district in Melbourne at the age of 63. An inquest into her death held on 11 June 1971 found that she had died from a self-administered drugs overdose. Charles died on 11 June 1971, the date of the inquest into his wife’s death, (though date given by son Lance is 13 June 1971), at the age of 88, while staying with one of his daughters in Greensborough registration district in Melbourne. He was buried with his first wife in Echuca.

 

Charles and Lilian’s eldest child was Evelyn Agnes Muddle/Muddell, known as Ev, who was born at Bromley in Kent on 16 February 1909. In 1911 when she was two years old Evelyn emigrated, with her parents, from England to Australia. They sailed 3rd class on the Gothic of the Aberdeen Line from London on 21 October 1911 and landed at Melbourne on Sunday the 3 December 1911. It was after they had arrived in Australia that her father changed the family name to Muddell.

When she was 21 years old Evelyn married 24-year-old William Albert Alexander Macdonald, known as Alec, at Coburg (5 miles north of Melbourne) in Victoria on 7 February 1931. Alec had been born on 7 March 1906. Alec and Ev had three children born between 1933 and 1948. Alec died at Deniliquin in New South Wales on 24 July 1973, at the age of 67. Ev then moved to Canberra where she died on 5 April 2000, at the age of 91.

 

Charles and Lilian’s second child was Lilian Roseina Muddle/Muddell, known as Rose, who was born on 1 October 1912 in Moulamein registration district in New South Wales. When she was about 22 years old Rose married Ray Stewart Jamieson, who was about 23, in Victoria during 1935. Ray was the son of Alexander and Ellen Jamieson, and his birth had been registered in Stawell registration district during 1912. Ray and Rose had one child, a son, born in 1935. Ray was an alcoholic and he died of alcoholic poisoning at the age of 47, his death being registered in Ballarat registration district, which is about 60 miles west of Melbourne, during 1959. Rose then married a Mitchell. Rose died in Melbourne registration district on 31 October 1983, at the age of 71, from cancer.

 

Charles and Lilian’s third child was Irene Muddle/Muddell, known as Rene, who was born in Echuca registration district in Victoria on 3 February 1914. When she was 22 years old Rene married 21-year-old Gilbert Alfred Cornish, known as Gil, on 27 June 1936. Gilbert had been born on 18 January 1915. Gil and Rene had three children born between 1938 and 1946. Rene died on 13 December 1996, at the age of 82, from Alzheimer’s disease. Gil died on 5 May 1998, at the age of 83.

 

Charles and Lilian’s fourth child is Lansell Charles Muddell, known as Lance, who was born at Koondrook in Victoria on 27 December 1926. When his mother died at the end of 1940 Lance went to live with his eldest sister, Ev, and her family in Melbourne. Lance continued to live with Ev’s family in Melbourne until he joined the army just before the end of the Second World War. Lance was living at Riddell just to the north of Melbourne when, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the Australian Army at Royal Park in Melbourne on 27 February 1945. He was Private VX96481 with the 8th Australian Static Laundry when he was discharged on 16 January 1947. When he left the army Lance moved to Deniliquin in the south of New South Wales where he found work as a linesman for the telephone company.

Then when he was 26 years old Lance married 24-year-old Audrey Jean McMillan at Deniliquin on 6 October 1953. Audrey had been born on 11 July 1929. Lance and Audrey had two children born at Deniliquin; the first was a son who was stillborn in 1958, and the second was a daughter born in 1959. Lance continued to work for the telephone company, becoming an area manager, until a few years before he reached retirement age he took early retirement so that he could look after his wife. Audrey died at Deniliquin on 12 December 1995, at the age of 66, and she was buried in Lawn Cemetery at Deniliquin.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2008-2010

Last updated 5 March 2010