THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE BUXTED MUDDLES

 

Chart of James & Sarah Ann Muddle's Family

 

James and Sarah Ann’s eldest child was Mercy Muddle who was born in Buxted Parish, probably at High Hurstwood, in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 30 March 1862. In the census of 2 April 1871 Mercy, at the age of 9, was living with her parents in Barracks Cottages at the end of Royal Oak Lane in High Hurstwood, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Mercy, now aged 19, was a live-in general servant for the family of farmer Richard Dengate at Hill House in Newenden, Kent.

When she was 24 years old Mercy married 24-year-old Nelson Thomas at St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling, Sussex on 13 March 1886. Nelson was then a farm labourer from Mountfield in Sussex, and Mercy was living at Brightling. Nelson was the son of John and Sarah Thomas; he had been born at Mountfield in Sussex and baptised at All Saints Church in Mountfield on 1 September 1861.

Nelson and Mercy had two children. Their first child, a son, was born at Brightling (possibly at the home of Mercy’s brother Joseph) less than 3 months after their marriage. At the baptism of this son in October 1886 they were recorded as living at Mountfield. Their second child, another son, was born at Battle in 1888. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at Witherenden Cottage in Stonegate with their youngest son; Nelson was still a farm labourer and they had 28-year-old Horace Parsons as a lodger and 27-year-old James Underdown as a boarder. Their eldest son was staying with Mercy’s parents. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Witherhurst in Burwash with their youngest son, and Nelson was now working as a bricklayer.

 

Nelson and Mercy’s eldest child was Nelson James Dennis Thomas who was born at Brightling in Sussex in 1886. Nelson was privately baptised on 6 June 1886 with only the one Christian name, but the record in St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling baptism register was later cancelled, and Nelson was baptised again, now with all three Christian names, at St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling on 3 October 1886. In the census of 5 April 1891 Nelson, at the age of 4, was living with his maternal grandparents, James and Sarah Ann Muddle, at Witherenden Hill in Burwash Weald, Sussex. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Nelson, now aged 14, was living with his widowed paternal grandfather, John Thomas, and John’s spinster daughter, Emily Thomas, near the church in Mountfield, Sussex.

 

Nelson and Mercy’s second child was Charles John Albert Thomas who was born at Battle in Sussex, and baptised at All Saints Church in Mountfield, Sussex on 29 July 1888. In the census of 5 April 1891 Charles, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Witherenden Cottage in Stonegate, Sussex. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Charles, now aged 12, was living with his parents at Witherhurst in Burwash, Sussex, and he was going to school.

 

James and Sarah Ann’s second child was Spencer James Muddle who was born in Buxted Parish, probably at High Hurstwood, in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted on 27 December 1863. Spencer name on his birth certificate was Spencer James, but his baptism incorrectly recorded it as Spencer Jane! In the census of 2 April 1871 Spencer, at the age of 7, was living with his parents in Barracks Cottages at the end of Royal Oak Lane in High Hurstwood, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Spencer, now aged 17, was working as a farm labourer and lodging with the family of wheelwright Walter Cook in Church Road at Ashburnham.

When he was 26 years old Spencer married 17-year-old Harriett Louisa Paine at St Peter's Church in Stonegate near Ticehurst on 12 July 1890. They were both then living in Stonegate and Spencer was a farm labourer. Harriett was the daughter of James and Philadelphia Paine; she had been born at Heathfield in Sussex, her birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1872, and she was baptised at All Saints Church in Heathfield on 5 January 1873. Spencer and Harriett had nine children born between 1891 and 1902. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at Bivelham Cottage in Mayfield, which was probably where their eldest child was born later that year. Their second child was born in 1892 while they were living at Witherenden Cottage in Ticehurst. When their next two children were born in 1894 and 1895 they were living at Dallington, then the following two were born at Brightling in 1897 and 1899. They had moved to South Sewage Farm in the Langton Green area of Eridge Green Parish by the time their sixth child was baptised in 1900. In the census of the 31 March 1901 they were living at South Sewage Farm with their then six surviving children, and Spencer was working as a farm labourer, as he had been since their marriage. Their seventh child was born at South Sewage Farm in May 1901, and they were still there when their eighth child was born in 1902 and died when only a month old. When two of their daughters died in 1906 and 1907 they were living at Bolebrook in Hartfield. It's thought that Spencer was at sometime badly burnt in an accident.

Spencer died at the age of 50 (not 54 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Battle registration district during the 1st quarter of 1914. Then two years later Harriett had an illegitimate daughter born in Battle registration district in 1916. Eleven years after Spencer’s death Harriett, at the age of 52, married 46-year-old widower Thomas Frank Bond at Chichester Register Office in Sussex on 10 January 1925. They were both then living at 30 Church Road in Chichester, and Thomas was a bricklayer’s labourer. Thomas was the son of Thomas Frank and Mary Ann Bond; he had been born at Chichester and his birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1878.

 

Spencer and Harriett’s eldest child was Lily Emily Beatrice Muddle who was born at Mayfield in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1891. In the census of 31 March 1901 Lily, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at South Sewage Farm in the Langton Green area of Eridge Green Parish, Sussex. Lily died at Bolebrook in Hartfield, at the age of 15, and she was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Hartfield in Sussex on 29 September 1906.

 

Spencer and Harriett’s second child was Charles Spencer Muddle who was born at Witherenden Cottage in Ticehurst, Sussex on 25 November 1892. Charles died at the age of 3, his death being registered in Hastings registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1896.

 

Spencer and Harriett’s third child was Clement Ernest W Muddle who was born at Dallington in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1894. In the census of 31 March 1901 Clement, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at South Sewage Farm in the Langton Green area of Eridge Green Parish, Sussex.

When he was 25 years old Clement married 21-year-old Mary Victoria Sophia Lelliott in Battle registration district during the 4th quarter of 1919. Mary had been born in Eastbourne registration district in Sussex on 27 December 1897. Clement and Mary had six children, which included two sets of twins. Their first three children were born in Battle registration district in 1920 and 1922, and the other three were born in Hailsham registration district in 1924 and 1926. Their youngest child died in late 1928 when only 2 years old. Then the following year Clement died at the age of 35, his death being registered in Lewes registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1929.

It's thought that it was probably in the early 1940s that Mary and some of her children moved to Portsmouth in Hampshire. When her son Peter's British Seaman's Identity Card was issued on 1 December 1942 Mary was living at 36 Angerstein Road, North End, Portsmouth. Forty years after Clement's death Mary, at the age of about 62, married Albert Bell in Portsmouth registration district during the 1st quarter of 1960. Mary died at the age of 84, her death being registered in Portsmouth registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1982.

 

Spencer and Harriett’s fourth child was Lottie Edith Muddle who was born at Dallington in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1895. In the census of 31 March 1901 Lottie, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at South Sewage Farm in the Langton Green area of Eridge Green Parish, Sussex. Lottie never married. She died when she was about 81 years old, her death being registered in Hastings registration district in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1976.

 

Spencer and Harriett’s fifth child was Cecil/Cissie Albert Muddle who was born at Brightling in Sussex on 8 November 1897, and privately baptised by St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling on 2 May 1898. Cecil was baptised as Cecil Albert Muddle but his birth was registered as Cissie Albert Muddle. In the census of 31 March 1901 Cecil, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at South Sewage Farm in the Langton Green area of Eridge Green Parish, Sussex.

When he was 33 years old Cecil married Elizabeth Collins, who was about 45, in Battle registration district in Sussex during the 3rd quarter of 1931. They didn’t have any children. Elizabeth died at the age of 59, her death being registered in Battle registration district during the 4th quarter of 1945. Thirty-six years later Cecil died, when he was about 84 years old, his death being registered in Hastings registration district in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1981, under both the name Cecil and Cissie.

 

Spencer and Harriett’s sixth child was Harriett Maud Muddle who was born at Brightling in Sussex, and privately baptised by St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling on 27 February 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Harriett, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at South Sewage Farm in the Langton Green area of Eridge Green Parish, Sussex. Harriett died at Bolebrook in Hartfield, Sussex, at the age of 8, and she was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Hartfield on 4 June 1907.

 

Spencer and Harriett’s seventh child was Sidney Clarence Muddle who was probably born at South Sewage Farm in the Langton Green area of Eridge Green Parish in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Eridge Green on 20 May 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Sidney, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at South Sewage Farm in the Langton Green area of Eridge Green Parish. Sidney never married. He died at the age of 64, his death being registered in Hailsham registration district in Sussex during the 1st quarter of 1965.

 

 

Spencer and Harriett’s eighth child was Cyril Nelson Muddle who was born at South Sewage Farm in the Langton Green area of Eridge Green Parish in Sussex on 13 May 1901. Cyril’s birth was registered as Clarance Nelson Muddle and his death as Cyril Nelson Muddle, Cyril is thought to have been his correct name as his elder brother had the second name of Clarence. Cyril never married. He died when he was about 22 years old (not 20 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Westhampnett registration district near Chichester in Sussex during the 2nd quarter of 1923.

 

Spencer and Harriett’s ninth child was Albert Edward Muddle who was born at South Sewage Farm in the Langton Green area of Eridge Green Parish in Sussex, and privately baptised by Holy Trinity Church in Eridge Green on 22 July 1902. Albert died at South Sewage Farm on 28 July 1902 when only one month old, and he was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard at Eridge Green on 31 July 1902, in grave number 392, which is unmarked.

 

Harriett’s tenth child, born two years after Spencer’s death, was Alice M Muddle whose birth was registered in Battle registration district in Sussex during the 2nd quarter of 1916. When she was 23 years old Alice married Wilfred E Newport in Chichester registration district in Sussex during the 3rd quarter of 1939.

 

James and Sarah Ann’s third child was Joseph Muddle who was born at Old Malling in South Malling Parish near Lewes in Sussex on 1 April 1865, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in South Malling on 4 June 1865. In the census of 2 April 1871 Joseph, at the age of 6, was living with his parents in Barracks Cottages at the end of Royal Oak Lane in High Hurstwood, Sussex, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Joseph, now aged 16, was working as a general labourer and living with his parents in Church Lane at Netherfield in Sussex.

When he was 21 years old Joseph married 17-year-old Rosa Kate Hook, known as Kate, at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst, Sussex on 25 December 1886. Kate was then only 17 years old (not 18 as given on the marriage certificate) and their first child was born less than 4 months later. Kate was the illegitimate daughter of Harriet Hook, and she had been born at Robertsbridge in Sussex on 26 October 1869. Her first name was Rosa at her baptism at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst on 30 January 1870, but at her marriage and at the births of her children it was given as Rhoda.

In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at Paddock Gate in Brightling with their then two children, and Joseph was a farm labourer. Also living with them then was Kate's young half-sister Martha Ann Hunnisett. (Kate was the illegitimate daughter of Harriet Hook of Robertsbridge who later married Stephen Parks at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst on 25 December 1871. But Stephen died only 9 months later, and Harriet then married John Hunnisett, Martha Ann's father, at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst on 31 May 1873.)

When their third child was born in mid 1893 they were living at Ox Lodge in Brightling Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Long Houses in Brightling with their than five children, and Joseph was now working as a shepherd on a farm. Joseph's occupation was also given as shepherd at the baptism of his daughter Martha in 1902, but then in 1911 at the baptism of his daughter Ruth he was back to being described as a farm labourer. Joseph worked for many years at Brightling Park where he was a shepherd and farm labourer.

They were still living at Long Houses in Brightling in 1911. Joseph and Kate lost one of their daughters to consumption in 1911 and then two of their sons in the First World War. In mid-1952 Joseph's brother Jim came from Canada to visit them at Long Houses. They continued to live at Long Houses until Kate died there on 30 January 1955, at the age of 85. Joseph then went to live with his daughter Alice at Middle Street in Hastings, Sussex, where he died on 16 March 1957, at the age of 91 (nearly 92). Joseph and Kate were buried together in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Brightling, and their grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

Joseph and Kate’s eldest child was Florence Harriet Muddle, known as Flo, who was born at Brightling in Sussex on 6 April 1887. Florence was first baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling on 22 April 1887, when her second name was given as Harriet. Then she was baptised again at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst on 31 July 1892, the same day her younger brother Joseph was baptised, and her second name was now given as Annie. In the census of 5 April 1891 Florence, at the age of nearly 4, was living with her parents at Paddock Gate in Brightling. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Florence, now aged 13, was living with her parents at Long Houses in Brightling. Florence died on 10 May 1911, at the age of 24, in Battle registration district from consumption.

 

 

Joseph and Kate’s second child was Joseph William Frederick Muddle who was born at Robertsbridge in Sussex on 22 September 1889, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst on 31 July 1892. (Joseph was baptised as Joseph William Muddle, his birth was registered as Joseph William Frederick Muddle, and he was normally known as Joseph Frederick.) In the census of 5 April 1891 Joseph, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Paddock Gate in Brightling. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Joseph, now aged 11, was living with his parents at Long Houses in Brightling, and he was going to school.

Joseph joined the army before the First World War, and is thought to have served in Africa; he is known to have been in Gibraltar during 1910, as he sent his brother Bob a postcard from there. During the First World War Joseph enlisted at Hastings as Private L/9259 in the 2nd Battalion of The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment and sailed for service on the Western Front in France and Flanders on 4 October 1914. Just 24 days later he was killed in action on 28 October 1914, at the age of 25. Joseph has no known grave, but he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres in Belgium, where his name was recorded as Joseph Frederick Richard Muddle, and he is also commemorated on the War Memorial outside St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling. Joseph was awarded three campaign medals, the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1914 Star with clasp.[1] The 1914 Star was awarded to those who had served ashore in France and Flanders between 5 August 1914 and 22 November 1914, and the clasp was for those who had actually been under fire between these dates.

The action that Joseph was involved in when he was killed was the defence of the village of Ghellevett, which is east of Ypres in Belgium. The British were on the eastern side of the village, which had a vital crossroads, and they were on the southern side of the east-west road they were defending. This was early on in the war when it was still very mobile, and not the static heavily defended trench warfare that developed later. The only defence they had time to build was an earth bank that was just enough to lie behind. The Germans swept though the British position completely overrunning it and buried the British dead in their own defences. So at least the field in which Joseph lies in his unmarked grave is known.

 

Joseph and Kate’s third child was Robert Stanley Muddle, known as Bob, who was born at Ox Lodge in Brightling, Sussex on 5 June 1893, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst on 29 July 1894. In the census of 31 March 1901 Robert, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at Long Houses in Brightling, and he was going to school.

Robert was a farm labourer, when, at the age of 24, he married 23-year-old Winifred Bishop, known as Win, at St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling on 20 April 1918. Winifred was the daughter of William and Emma Bishop, and she had been born at Little Paxton in Huntingdonshire on 7 October 1894. Bob and Win had one child, a son, born in 1919 while they were living at Grants Cottage in Brightling. Sometime during the 1930s Bob became a tenant farmer at Birchen Farm in Brightling, where they continued to live until Bob died in Hastings Hospital on 7 January 1982, at the age of 88. He was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Brightling and his grave is marked by an inscribed headstone. Bob had been a very religious man; he was a member of the Congregational Chapel in Brightling, from which he received a certificate to say that he had not missed a service in 50 years.

After Bob’s death Win went to live with her son’s family at Four Marks near Alton in Hampshire. Win died in Alton registration district in Hampshire on 16 October 1983, at the age of 89. She was cremated at Ash Crematorium near Aldershot and her ashes were put into Bob’s grave in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Brightling.

 

Robert and Winifred’s only child was William Joseph Muddle, known as Bill, who was born at Grants Cottage in Brightling, Sussex on 26 April 1919. William joined the RAF as a boy apprentice in 1936; his service number was 544046. During the Second World War he was on aircraft maintenance, and served at RAF Manston during the Battle of Britain and then in India and Burma.

When he was 21 years old William married 20-year-old Joan Ellen Heard at Christ Church in Ramsgate, Kent on 5 April 1941. William was then an electrician living at Birchen Farm in Brightling, and Joan was living at 72 Crescent Road in Ramsgate. Joan was the daughter of policeman Charles James Heard, and she had been born at Gravesend in Kent on 31 October 1920. Bill and Joan had two children, the first being born in 1942 at Tunbridge Wells when Joan was evacuated there from Ramsgate, and the second at Ramsgate in 1944.

When he was demobbed in 1945 William became the manager of the Grand Garage at Broadstairs in Kent. Then in 1951 William got employment with the Crown Agents as a mechanical inspector for the Public Works Department in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in East Africa. William went out first and was followed by Joan and their two children, who had been living at 9 Grove Road in Ramsgate when they sailed tourist class on the Durban Castle of the Union Castle Line from London on 8 June 1951 bound for Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika.[2] In Tanganyika they lived at Mbeya, Dodoma, Tanga and Morogoro. Their two children went to boarding school in Africa until in 1956 the family returned to their home at 9 Grove Road in Ramsgate and the two children were put into boarding school in England. William and Joan then returned to Tanganyika, William went first sailing tourist class on the Warwick Castle of the Union Castle Line from London on 14 November 1956 bound for Dar-es-Salaam.[3] To be followed by Joan who sailed tourist class on the Kenya of the British-India Steam Navigation Company from London on 13 March 1957 bound for Dar-es-Salaam.[4] William became seriously ill while in Tanganyika, which resulted in William and Joan returning to England in 1959. William then worked for the Forestry Commission, first at Dumfries in Scotland, then from 1965 at the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, and finally at Alton in Hampshire from 1968 until his retirement in 1981. William and Joan were then living at Four Marks near Alton in Hampshire.

William died on 4 November 1993 in Basingstoke Hospital, at the age of 74, from the effects of the illness he had contracted in Africa. In 1996 Joan went to live at 21 Cobham Towers, Sutton Place, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, where she was near her son and also the sea that she loved. But after only five months there she died on 1 March 1997 at St Michael’s Hospice, 25 Upper Maze Hill, St Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex, at the age of 76. Both William and Joan were cremated and their ashes were buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Brightling.

 

Joseph and Kate’s fourth child was Alice Mabel Annie Muddle, known as Allie, who was born at Brightling in Sussex on 22 April 1895, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst on 28 July 1895. In the census of 31 March 1901 Alice, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at Long Houses in Brightling, and she was going to school. In April 1913, when she was 17 years old, Alice had an illegitimate daughter who was born in Steyning registration district in Sussex. When her daughter was baptised in July 1913 Alice was living at Brightling, probably with her parents.

A few months after her daughter’s marriage, when she was 49 years old, Alice married 46-year-old Wilfred Christopher Edward Fuller at St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling on 4 November 1944. Wilfred, who had been born on 9 January 1898, had been caring for his mother and wouldn’t marry Alice until his mother died. There were no children from this marriage. Wilfred and Alice lived at Middle Street in Hastings, Sussex. Alice died at Hastings on 1 May 1973, at the age of 78. Twelve years later Wilfred died at Hastings during July 1985, at the age of 87.

 

Alice’s illegitimate daughter is Madeline Ivy Muddle, known as Maddie, who was born in Steyning registration district in Sussex on 28 April 1913, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst on 6 July 1913. When she was 30 years old Madeline married 27-year-old Albert Clifford Turley at St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling on 19 February 1944. They were both then munitions workers, and Albert was a farmer’s son from Hemingfold Farm at Battle, who had been born on 17 May 1916. They had one child, and Albert worked as an ambulance diver at Battle. Albert died at Hastings, at the age of 87, and his funeral was on 17 March 2004.

 

Joseph and Kate’s fifth child was William Benjamin George Muddle who was born at Brightling in Sussex on 12 March 1897, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling in 1897, (only the year was given on the baptism record, but it was between 7 February and 6 June). In the census of 31 March 1901 William, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at Long Houses in Brightling, and he was going to school.

During the First World War William enlisted at Hastings in April 1916 as Private 4399 in the Royal Sussex Regiment. He later became Private G/15849 in the 11th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment and was killed in action on 2 March 1917, at the age of 19. William had been wounded in a forward observation post at Ypres during the night and must have died soon afterwards as the battalion records record that one ‘other rank’ was killed during the night of 1-2 March 1917. He was buried in plot 7, row J, grave 20, of the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, which is 2km west of the village of Zillebeke near Ypres in Belgium. William is also commemorated on the War Memorial outside Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling. He was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.[5]

 

 

Joseph and Kate’s sixth child was Martha Kate Muddle, known at Matt, who was born at Brightling in Sussex on 17 August 1902, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling on 5 October 1902. When she was 28 years old Martha married 26-year-old Charles Chapman at St Leonards-on-Sea on 6 April 1931. Charles had been born at St Leonards-on-Sea on 4 March 1905. Charles and Martha didn’t have any children.

Charles served in the Royal Artillery during the Second World War and he was in France in 1944-45. He was awarded the 1939/45 Star, the France & Germany Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal. After the war Charles worked as a baker at Kings Bakers in St Leonards-on-Sea.

Charles died at Hastings during September 1974, at the age of 69. Martha had gone out to do some shopping and when she returned home Charles was slumped over the dinning room table; he had suffered a heart attack and died. Twenty-one years later Martha died at Hastings on 12 May 1995, at the age of 92.

 

 

Joseph and Kate’s seventh child was Ruth May Muddle who was born at Long Houses in Brightling, Sussex on 1 May 1911, and baptised a St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling on 9 July 1911. When she was 31 years old Ruth married 22-year-old Albert Edward Croft at St Thomas à Becket Church in Brightling on 17 April 1943. Albert had been born at Brightling on 6 December 1920. They had five children; the first three born at Brightling between 1944 and 1947, the fourth at Penhurst in 1948 and the fifth at Dallington in 1951. Albert worked for many years as a gardener in the famous gardens created at Great Dixter in Northiam by Christopher Lloyd.

Albert died at Beckley near Northiam on 25 October 1990, at the age of 69, when he committed suicide by hanging himself, being depressed at losing his job because of his failing health. He was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Brightling. Seven years later Ruth had been living at 1 Coombs Close, Hobbs Lane, Beckley when she died in the Conquest Hospital at St Leonards-on-Sea on 4 November 1997, at the age of 86. She was buried with her husband in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Brightling.

 

James and Sarah Ann’s fourth child was James Muddle, known as Jim, who was born at Hailsham in Sussex on 13 March 1867, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 28 March 1869, at the age of two, at the same time as his younger brother William. In the census of 2 April 1871 James, at the age of 4, was living with his parents in Barracks Cottages at the end of Royal Oak Lane in High Hurstwood, Sussex. In later life James said that he had only gone to school for about a week, and he had learned all there was to know. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 James, now aged 14, was working as a farm labourer and living with the family of his father’s brother, William Muddle, at Bettenhurst Cottage in Ticehurst, Sussex.

When he was 21 years old James married 22-year-old Annie Eliza Mercer at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst on 5 September 1888. Annie didn’t give a second name at her marriage, but it is understood to be Eliza as that was recorded on the passenger list on her arrival in Canada. She was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Mercer, and she had been born at Ashburnham in Sussex on 11 January 1866.

 

 

Jim and Annie had six children. Their eldest child was born at Mountfield in Sussex in 1889, and the second at Robertsbridge in Salehurst Parish in 1891. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living in Fair Lane in Robertsbridge, which was in Salehurst Parish, with their then two children, and James was a farm labourer. They continued to live in Salehurst Parish and their four other children were born there between 1893 and 1907. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Redland Farm Cottage in Salehurst Parish with their then five children, and Jim was now a milkman working on the farm. They had a lodger, 18-year-old John Dadson, who was also a milkman on the farm.

Jim also worked in the hop fields in the area, and later became a gardener on a local estate called Manley or Manning. While he was working there the squire’s wife died and Jim was asked to be a pallbearer at her funeral, which he did. Then when pay day came his pay was half a day short, and when he questioned this he was told that he had only worked half a day on the day of the funeral, being a pall bearer didn’t count as work. Jim was so mad, that when he got home, he said that he thought they should go to Australia, and Annie agreed. But after a discussion with their friend Bill Vidler who had emigrated from England to Canada, and was back in England on a visit, they decided on Canada instead.

So on 2 April 1913 Jim, his two eldest sons Jim jnr. and Bert, and Charlie Vidler (brother of Bill Vidler, and the boyfriend of Nellie) sailed 3rd class from Bristol on the Royal Line steamship Royal Edward,[6] and after a voyage of 6 days they arrived at Halifax on 8 April 1913. The passenger list described Jim and Charlie Vidler as farmers on their way to Blenheim.[7] The next day Jim and Charlie went by train to Guilds, which is on Rural Route 2 about five miles east of Blenheim in Ontario, where Jim took a farm. Jim jnr. and Bert went by train to Toronto where they lodged with the Farmer family. Then on 27 June Jim jnr’s wife Florrie and his sister Daisy sailed from Liverpool on the Empress of Britain, Florrie joined her husband in Toronto and Daisy went to the farm near Guilds. Finally the rest of the family, consisting of Annie and her three children, Nellie, Leslie, and Connie left England. They sailed 3rd class on the Cunard steamship Andania from Southampton on 17 July 1913 bound for Quebec.[8] After a voyage of 9 days they arrived at Quebec on 26 July.[9] They joined Jim and Daisy at the farm near Guilds. Bert left Toronto on 15 September and joined the family on the farm.

Then the following year Annie had her sister Florence join her in Canada. Florence Kate Mercer had married Charles Edward Bean in 1901, then on the 19 March 1914 they sailed from Southampton on the Ausonia with their young daughters Maisie and Christina to arrive at Portland, Maine on 1 April 1914 in transit to Blenheim, Ontario, and they gave Mrs Muddle of Guilds as the relative they were going to join.[10]

Jim, Annie and their family were still on their farm at Guilds in June 1918, when their daughter Nellie made a visit to Detroit, but they gave up farming soon after this, and the family moved to Windsor, Ontario, where Jim worked in the maintenance department of the Ford Motor Company until he retired. Annie died on 15 December 1946, at the age of 80.

In 1952 Jim, with his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Florence Muddle, visited England; they sailed tourist class on the Atlantic of Home Lines from Quebec and arrived at Southampton on 12 June 1952. On the passenger list Jim was described as retired and it stated that his address in England would be Long House, Brightling, Sussex, which was where the family of his brother Joseph lived.[11] After a month in England Jim was staying at 17 Vale Road in St Leonards-on-Sea, where his son and daughter-in-law had been staying, when all three of them sailed tourist class on the Atlantic of Home Lines from Southampton on 16 July 1952 bound for Quebec.[12]

Jim died on 26 February 1961, at the age of 93, while having a cataract operation at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Jim and Annie are buried in Windsor.

 

James and Annie’s eldest child was Thomas James Muddle, known as Jim, who was born at Mountfield in Sussex on 7 June 1889. In the census of 5 April 1891 Jim, at the age of 1, was living with his parents in Fair Lane at Robertsbridge in Salehurst Parish. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Jim, now aged 11, was living with his parents at Redland Farm Cottage in Salehurst Parish. Jim first worked as a telegraph boy, and then as a footman for Florence Nightingale’s aunt in London. When he was 24 years old Jim married 26-year-old Florence Alice Castle, known as Florrie, at the Wesleyan Chapel in Upper Park Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex, on 29 March 1913. Florence was the daughter of James and Edith Castle, and she had been born at St Leonards-on-Sea on 7 August 1886.

Then four days later on 2 April 1913 Jim sailed 3rd class with his father and brother Bert from Bristol on the Royal Line steamship Royal Edward, arriving at Halifax on 8 April 1913. The passenger list described Jim as a draper’s assistant.[13] Jim and Bert went to Toronto where they lodged with the Farmer family and got jobs at Dunlop Tyre. Florrie, who had worked for seven and a half years at Carter’s shop in Robertsbridge, emigrated from England with her sister-in-law Daisy Muddle. They sailed 3rd class on the Empress of Britain of the Canadian Pacific Railway Atlantic Steamship Line from Liverpool on 27 June 1913 bound for Quebec. The departure passenger list described Florrie as a domestic.[14] After a voyage of 7 days they arrived at Quebec on 4 July and the arrival passenger list recorded that Florrie was to join her husband in Toronto.[15]

Florrie joined Jim at his lodgings with the Farmers in Toronto on 5 July. They had their first child while in Toronto, but Jim couldn’t stand the fumes at Dunlop so they left Toronto at about the end of 1915 and joined Jim’s parents on their farm near Guilds. While at Guilds their second child was born, but Jim was not cut out for farming and he got a job with Studabaker Automotive in Walkerville (now part of Windsor) on 8 December 1916. While they were living at Walkerville their eldest child died, in 1917, and their third child was born, in 1918.

In 1923 Florence, with her two surviving children, Cora and Christopher, travelled to England, presumably to visit her family. They sailed 3rd class on the Mauretania of the Cunard Line from New York and arrived at Southampton on 4 June 1923. On the passenger list Florence was described as a housewife and it stated that their address in England was to be 64 Alexander Road in St Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex.[16] After 2½ months in England they sailed 3rd class on the Berengaria from Southampton on 25 August 1923.[17] After a seven day voyage they arrived at New York on 1 September 1923 on their way home to 645 Hall Avenue in Windsor. On the New York arrivals' passenger list Florence was described as being 5ft 4ins tall with a fair complexion, brown hair and blue eyes.[18]

In 1952 Jim and Florence, together with Jim's father, visited England; they sailed tourist class on the Atlantic of Home Lines from Quebec and arrived at Southampton on 12 June 1952. On the passenger list Jim was described as a foreman and it stated that their address in England would be 17 Vale Road in St Leonards-on-Sea. After a month in England they were still staying at 17 Vale Road when all three of them sailed tourist class on the Atlantic of Home Lines from Southampton on 16 July 1952 bound for Quebec.

Jim died on 22 April 1976, at the age of 86. Twelve years later Florrie died at St Marys on 1 November 1988, at the grand old age of 102. Florrie was buried with her husband in St Thomas on 3 November 1988.

 

 

James and Annie’s second child was Albert William Muddle, known as Bert, who was born at Robertsbridge in Salehurst Parish, Sussex on 7 March 1891. In the census of 5 April 1891 Bert, at the age of 1 month, was living with his parents in Fair Lane in Robertsbridge. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Bert, now aged 10, was living with his parents at Redland Farm Cottage in Salehurst Parish.

When he was 22 years old Bert emigrated from England to Canada with his father and elder brother Jim. They sailed 3rd class on 2 April 1913 from Bristol on the Royal Line steamship Royal Edward, arriving at Halifax on 8 April. The passenger list described Bert as a grocer’s assistant.[19] His mother and his other brothers and sisters followed later in the year. Bert and his brother initially lodged with the Farmer family in Toronto and worked at Dunlop Tyre. But on 15 September Bert left Toronto and joined his parents on their farm near Guilds, which is on Rural Route 2 about 5 miles east of Blenheim in Ontario.

Bert was going to return to England to marry his fiancée, but he died at the farm near Guilds on 6 August 1914, at the age of 23, from a ruptured appendix.

 

James and Annie’s third child was Nellie Clara Muddle who was born at Robertsbridge in Salehurst Parish, Sussex on 9 July 1893. In the census of 31 March 1901 Nellie, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at Redland Farm Cottage in Salehurst Parish.

When she was 20 years old Nellie emigrated from England to Canada with her mother, her brother Leslie, and her sister Connie. They sailed 3rd class on the Cunard steamship Andania from Southampton on 17 July 1913 bound for Quebec. The departure passenger list described Nellie as being a milliner. After a voyage of 9 days they arrived at Quebec on 26 July and the arrival passenger list described Nellie as a domestic. Nellie’s father and her other siblings had gone to Canada earlier in the year. Nellie initially lived with her parents on their farm near Guilds, which is on Rural Route 2 about 5 miles east of Blenheim in Ontario.

On the 17 June 1918 Nellie was still living with her parents on their farm near Guilds, when she crossed over into the USA at Detroit to visit, for 10 days, her friend Mrs May Peters, who lived at 1341 Theodore Street in Detroit. The boarder crossing documents describe Nellie as being a domestic servant who was 5ft 3½ins tall with a fair complexion, light brown hair, blue eyes and a small scar under her right ear. It was soon after this that Nellie and her parents left their farm near Guilds and moved to Windsor in Ontario.

Later that year, when she was 25 years old, Nellie married 32-year-old James Arthur Johnson on 8 November 1918, and they had four children. James died on 29 November 1933, at the age of 47. Nine years later Nellie married Thomas Bannester Bouse, known as Tom, on 19 December 1942. There were no children from this marriage. Tom died on 8 February 1978, his 84th birthday. Nellie died on 18 September 1989, at the grand age of 96.

 

 

James and Annie’s fourth child was Daisy Kate Muddle who was born at Robertsbridge in Salehurst Parish, Sussex on 6 March 1898. In the census of 31 March 1901 Daisy, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at Redland Farm Cottage in Salehurst Parish.

When she was 15 years old, Daisy emigrated from England to Canada with her sister-in-law Florrie. They sailed 3rd class on the Empress of Britain of the Canadian Pacific Railway Atlantic Steamship Line from Liverpool on 27 June 1913 bound for Quebec. The passenger list described Daisy as a domestic.[20] After a voyage of 7 days they arrived at Quebec on 4 July and the arrival passenger list recorded that Daisy intended to work as a domestic in Canada and her destination was Blenin in Ontario.[21] Her father and two eldest brothers had gone earlier in the year, and her mother and the rest of the family followed later in the year. Daisy initially lived with her parents on their farm near Guilds, which is on Rural Route 2 about 5 miles east of Blenheim in Ontario. It was probably in late 1918 that Daisy and her parents left their farm near Guilds and moved to Windsor in Ontario.

When she was 21 years old Daisy married 22-year-old Orville John Victoria Hodgkin at Blenheim on 24 February 1920. Orville was the son of Zacharia and Nora Hodgkin, and had he been born at Guelph in Wellington County, Ontario on 19 June 1897. At the time of their marriage both Daisy and Orville were working as clerks. They lived in Windsor where they had two children born in 1921 and 1924, and Orville was a customs officer at the Ambassador Bridge and Tunnel in Windsor until he retired. Daisy died on 9 January 1934, at the age of 35. Orville then married Clare and had two more children; their son Orville was Chief of Police in Windsor. Orville died on 8 May 1950, at the age of 52.

 

Orville and Daisy’s eldest child was Kenneth Hodgkin who was born on 20 August 1921. Ken married Joan Hellier. They lived in Windsor, Ontario where they had one child, a son, before they divorced. Ken died in Windsor on 1 March 1991, of cancer, at the age of 69.

 

Orville and Daisy’s second child was Shirley Hodgkin who was born on 26 October 1924. Shirley went to live with Tom and Nellie Bouse in Detroit, USA, where she worked for the Cadillac Motor Car Company until she retired in 1989. Shirley never married. She lived with a friend at Taylor in Michigan, USA, where she died on 9 October 1993 of cancer, at the age of 68. Shirley was buried at Greenlawn Cemetery in Windsor, Ontario.

 

James and Annie’s fifth child was Leslie Powell Muddle who was born at Robertsbridge in Salehurst Parish, Sussex on 19 May 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Leslie, at the age of 10 months, was living with his parents at Redland Farm Cottage in Salehurst Parish.

When he was 13 years old Leslie emigrated from England to Canada with his mother, and his sisters Nellie and Connie. They sailed 3rd class on the Cunard steamship Andania from Southampton on 17 July 1913 bound for Quebec. After a voyage of 9 days they arrived at Quebec on 26 July. Leslie’s father and his other siblings had gone to Canada earlier in the year. Leslie initially lived with his parents on their farm near Guilds, which is on Rural Route 2 about 5 miles east of Blenheim in Ontario. It was probably in late 1918 that Leslie and his parents left their farm near Guilds and moved to Windsor in Ontario.

When he was 22 years old Leslie married 20-year-old Lenora Beatrice Craford at 142 Wellington Street, St Thomas, Elgin County, Ontario on 9 December 1922. Lenora was the daughter of George and Elizabeth Craford, and she had been born at Romney in Kent County, Ontario on 1 March 1902.At the time of their marriage Leslie was working as a miller’s helper and living at 57 Wilson Avenue in St Thomas, and Lenora was a chief telephone operator living at Blenheim in Kent County, Ontario. They lived at St Thomas where they had two children born in 1925 and 1929. Leslie worked for the St Thomas Parks Board, and then as a carpenter for the C & O Railroad.

Leslie died on 9 May 1970, at the age of 69, and Lenora died on 20 March 1972, at the age of 70. They are both buried at St Thomas, Ontario.

 

 

James and Annie’s sixth child is Annie Constance Muddle, known as Connie, who was born at Robertsbridge in Salehurst Parish, Sussex on 21 June 1907. When she was 6 years old Connie emigrated from England to Canada with her mother, her brother Leslie, and her sister Nellie They sailed 3rd class on the Cunard steamship Andania from Southampton on 17 July 1913 bound for Quebec. After a voyage of 9 days they arrived at Quebec on 26 July. Connie’s father and her other siblings had gone to Canada earlier in the year. Connie initially lived with her parents on their farm near Guilds, which is on Rural Route 2 about 5 miles east of Blenheim in Ontario. It was probably in late 1918 that Connie and her parents left their farm near Guilds and moved to Windsor in Ontario.

Connie married William Risley Fellows IV, known as Bill, and they had one child, a son. Bill died on 21 September 1951, at the age of 46. Connie’s second marriage was to William Garrison, also known as Bill. There were no children from this marriage, and Bill died on 9 July 1961. Connie worked in the office of the Chrysler Company, and lives at Erieau, Ontario.

 

James and Sarah Ann’s fifth child was William Muddle who was born at Uckfield in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 28 March 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 William, at the age of 2, was living with his parents in Barracks Cottages at the end of Royal Oak Lane in High Hurstwood, Sussex. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 William, now aged 12, was living with his parents at Church Lane in Netherfield, Sussex, and he was going to school. In the census of 5 April 1891 William, at the age of 22, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at Witherenden Hill in Burwash Weald, Sussex.

When he was 23 years old William married 16-year-old Caroline Holden at St Peter & St Paul Church in Wadhurst, Sussex on 16 July 1892. They were both then living at Wadhurst and William was a farm labourer. Caroline was the daughter of Alfred and Esther Holden; she had been born at Brighton in Sussex and her birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1875. William and Caroline had at four children; the first was born at Wadhurst in late 1893; the second at Mayfield in Sussex in 1896; and the third at Portslade in Sussex in 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Friths in Chiddingly, Sussex with their then three children, and William was working as a cowman. Later that year their fourth child was born at Friths in August. They were living at Church Farm Cottages in Lancing, Sussex in 1918.

It’s thought that William had T.B. He died at the age of 62 (not 63 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Steyning registration district in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1931. Twelve years later Caroline died at the age of 67 (not 69 as given on her death certificate), her death being registered in Chichester registration district in Sussex during the 2nd quarter of 1943.

 

William and Caroline’s eldest child was Harold William Frank Muddle who was born at Wadhurst in Sussex, and baptised at St Peter & St Paul Church in Wadhurst on 17 January 1894. In the census of 31 March 1901 Harold, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at Friths in Chiddingly, Sussex.

When he was 24 years old Harold married 19-year-old Alice Sarah Cozens in Steyning Registration District in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1918. Alice was the granddaughter of Sarah Cozens; she had been born at Brighton in Sussex and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1899. Harold and Alice had one child born in Hailsham registration district in Sussex in 1922. Ten years later Alice died at the age of 33, her death being registered in Cuckfield registration district in Sussex during the 3rd quarter of 1932.

Thirteen years after Alice’s death Harold, at the age of 51, married 43-year-old Hester Lena Colliss in Midhurst registration district in Sussex during the 3rd quarter of 1945. Seven years later Harold died at the age of 59, his death being registered in Portsmouth registration district in Hampshire during the 2nd quarter of 1952. Hester died when she was about 70 years old, her death being registered in Midhurst registration district during the 4th quarter of 1971.

 

Harold and Alice’s only child is Ivy Grace Muddle who was born in Hailsham registration district in Sussex on 11 January 1922. When she was about 20 years old Ivy married 21-year-old Cecil Allan Sadler in Midhurst registration district in Sussex during the 1st quarter of 1942. Cecil died at the age of 69, his death being registered in Chichester registration district in Sussex during October 1989. The following year Ivy died at the age of 68, her death being registered in Chichester registration district during May 1990.

 

William and Caroline’s second child was Dennis Clarence Muddle who was born at Mayfield in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1896. In the census of 31 March 1901 Dennis, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at Friths in Chiddingly, Sussex. Dennis served in the army during the First World War as Private 117780 in the Machine Gun Corps, and as a result was listed as ‘Dennis Muddell of Church Farm Cottages’ on the Lancing, Sussex absent voters list of 1918. He was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and British War Medal.[22]

When he was 30 years old Dennis married 17-year-old Ivy Olive R Brook in Thakeham registration district in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1926. Ivy had been born on 9 August 1909. They had two children; the first was born in Thakeham registration district in 1927 and the second in Horsham registration district in Sussex in 1948.

Dennis died at the age of 65, his death being registered in South-East Surrey registration district during the 1st quarter of 1962, and he was buried in Hills Cemetery at Horsham in Sussex. Ivy lived at 1 Woodmancote Court in Blenheim Road, Horsham. Thirty-nine years after Dennis’ death Ivy died at the age of 91, her death being registered in Horsham registration district during April 2001. She was buried with her husband in Hills Cemetery.

 

William and Caroline’s third child was Ivy May Muddle who was born at Portslade in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Ivy, at the age of 1, was living with her parents at Friths in Chiddingly, Sussex. When she was 22 years old Ivy married 27-year-old Robert Percival Mouland in Steyning registration district in Sussex during the 2nd quarter of 1922. Robert was the son of Charles and Lucy Mouland; he had been born at Baynards in Surrey and his birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1895.

 

William and Caroline’s fourth child was Arthur Ernest Muddle who was born at Friths in Chiddingly, Sussex on 21 August 1901. When he was 22 years old Arthur married 30-year-old Margaret Elizabeth Holford in Steyning registration district in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1923. Margaret was the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Holford; she had been born at Tunbridge Wells in Kent and her birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1893. Arthur and Margaret had one child born in Steyning registration district in 1924. Margaret died at the age of 67, her death being registered in Horsham registration district in Sussex during the 1st quarter of 1961. Three years later Arthur died at the age of 63, his death being registered in South-West Surrey registration district during the 4th quarter of 1964.

 

James and Sarah Ann’s sixth child was Lewis Edward Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex, and his birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1870, but only baptised when about four years old, at Markbeech Church near Edenbridge in Kent on 3 November 1874. In the census of 2 April 1871 Lewis, at the age of 6 months, was living with his parents in Barracks Cottages at the end of Royal Oak Lane in High Hurstwood, Sussex. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Lewis, now aged 10, was living with his parents at Church Lane in Netherfield, Sussex, and he was going to school. In the census of 5 April 1891 Lewis, at the age of 20, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at Witherenden Hill in Burwash Weald, Sussex.

When he was 23 years old Lewis married 22-year-old Ellen Ann Weeks at St Peter & St Paul Church in Wadhurst, Sussex on 22 July 1893. Ellen was the daughter of John and Ann Weeks; she had been born at Wadhurst and her birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1871. Lewis and Ellen had ten children and initially lived at Wadhurst, where their first two children were born in 1894 and 1896. Then when their third child was born in 1898 they were living at Hoath Corner in Chiddingstone, Kent, and Lewis was a general labourer. They then moved to Withyham in Sussex where their next three children were born in 1900, 1902 and 1904, and where Lewis worked as a farm labourer. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 2 Station Road in Withyham with their then four children, and they had 19-year-old Fred Hider as a boarder. By the time their seventh child was born in 1906 they had moved to the adjacent parish of Hartfield where they lived at Spring Cottage near the church, and Lewis work for a farmer called Trick.

By 1915, the year that both their eldest and youngest daughters died within the space of four months, they were living at Little Parrock, which was near Forest Row on the road between Forest Row and Hartfield. This property was referred to as Lower Parrock Cottage by their eldest son while he was in the army during 1915/16. In 1925 they were living at Hammerwood near East Grinstead, Sussex. They finally ended up living at 41A Morton Road in East Grinstead. Lewis had been a farm carter, and was also a skilled hedgelayer and rick thatcher.

Lewis was a small man who in later life had to walk with two sticks because of arthritis in his hips, and he had retired by 1927 when his daughter Dorothy married. Ellen on the other hand was a big woman, but asthmatic. Ellen died in the Queen Victoria Hospital at East Grinstead on 14 January 1950, at the age of 78. Then a year later Lewis died in St Leonards Hospital at East Grinstead on 10 February 1951, at the age of 80 (not 83 as given on his death certificate). They were both buried in section 3C, grave 790 of Mount Noddy Cemetery in East Grinstead after funeral services at St Swithun’s Church in East Grinstead.

 

Lewis and Ellen’s eldest child was William Edward Sidney Muddle who was born at Wadhurst in Sussex on 13 March 1894. In the census of 31 March 1901 William, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at 2 Station Road in Withyham, Sussex.

William had been living with his parents at Lower Parrock Cottage in Hartfield, Sussex when he enlisted in the army during the First World War as Private S/3565 in the 9th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was sent to the Western Front in France and Flanders on 31 June 1915. Three months later he was captured by the Germans at La Bassé, in Belgium near the French boarder at Armentieres, on 27 September 1915, after being wounded by a bullet through the knee. After being taken prisoner he was in the trenches for one day before being taken to La Bassé village and being placed in a cellar for the night. He was taken to a dressing station in a German Red Cross van and then again dressed at a dressing station before being transported by motor to Seclin in France, just south of Lille. After four days at Seclin he was taken by train to Jülich in Germany, a journey of about 24 hours, during which he was given two basins of soup. William arrived at Jülich on 6 October and while there he had to have his right leg amputated in hospital under anaesthetic because of gangrene. He considered his treatment to be satisfactory, being supplied with the hospital blue uniform and bedclothes, and that the British were treated with greater consideration than the Russians. Though he didn’t receive all the letters and parcels that had been sent to him, and those he did receive had been opened. As a result of his amputation William became part of an exchange of sick and injured prisoners; he left Jülich on the 2 February 1916, and then from Aachen on 5 February he returned home. This information comes from William’s interview by the Committee on the Treatment of British Prisoners of War after his return home.[23] As part of his rehabilitation, as an injured soldier, William was taught to repair boots, and he was discharged from the army on 22 November 1916. William was awarded three campaign medals, the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1914-15 Star.[24]

When he was 28 years old William married 24-year-old Phoebe Smith at Ashurst Wood Congregational Church in Sussex on 30 December 1922. William was then a master boot repairer living at 14 Highfields in Forest Row and Phoebe was a parlour maid at East Court in East Grinstead. They had one child born in 1924, and they lived in several different houses at Highfields in Forest Row finally ending up at number 16. William continued his boot repair business in Forest Row until he retired.

William was a very active member of Ashurst Wood Congregational Church, where he was lay preacher, Sunday school teacher, secretary etc. Phoebe died at Charring Cross Hospital in London on 26 August 1968, at the age of 70, from a blood clot, when she was having an operation for a detached retina. William continued to live at 16 Highfields until he finally had to go into Oaklea Nursing Home near East Grinstead, where he died on 9 March 1975, at the age of 80. Both Phoebe and William were cremated at Worth Crematorium.

 

William and Phoebe’s only child is Sidney Charles Lewis Muddle who was born at Forest Row in Sussex on 15 January 1924. Sidney served in the RAF for five years during the Second World War, and then after the war he went to live at Reigate in Surrey, where he worked until retirement as a coach driver for London Transport. When he was 27 years old Sidney married 21-year-old May Priestman at St Mary's Church in Reigate on 31 March 1951. They always lived at Reigate where they had two sons born in 1952 and 1957. Sidney died at the age of 81, his death being registered in Sutton registration district in Surrey during May 2005. Later that year May died at the age of 76, her death being registered in Medway registration district in Kent during November 2005.

 

Lewis and Ellen’s second child was Bertha May Muddle, known as May, who was born at Wadhurst in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1896. In the census of 31 March 1901 May, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at 2 Station Road in Withyham, Sussex. May died of pneumonia at Hartfield in Sussex, at the age of 18, and she was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Hartfield on 26 March 1915.

 

Lewis and Ellen’s third child was David Albert Muddle who was born at Hoath Corner in Chiddingstone, Kent on 27 September 1898. In the census of 31 March 1901 David, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at 2 Station Road in Withyham. When he was 25 years old David married 27-year-old Nellie Elizabeth Friend, known as Nell, in East Grinstead registration district in Sussex during the 2nd quarter of 1924. They had one child born in 1928, and they lived at 4 Beeches Field in Ashurst Wood near East Grinstead. David worked as a gas fitter for the East Grinstead Gas Company, and he was also captain of the East Grinstead fire brigade. David died at the age of 82, his death being registered in Crawley registration district in Sussex during the 2nd quarter of 1981. A few months later Nellie died when she was about 85 years old, her death being registered in Crawley registration district during the 4th quarter of 1981. They were both cremated at Worth Crematorium.

 

Lewis and Ellen’s fourth child was Alfred John Muddle who was born at Withyham in Sussex on 21 April 1900, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Withyham on 1 July 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Alfred, at the age of 11 months, was living with his parents at 2 Station Road in Withyham. Until 1942 Alfred mistakenly thought that his second name was Charles, so all records up until then are for Alfred Charles Muddle. Alfred was bought up by his maternal grandparents at Withyham, because they wanted to raise one of their daughter’s children. Alfred was in the Rifle Brigade during the latter stages of the First World War, and then after the war he lived in lodgings at Withyham.

When he was 24 years old Alfred married 19-year-old Alice Jessie Divall, known as Jessie, at St Mary the Virgin Church in Hartfield, Sussex on 4 August 1924. Jessie had been born on 15 September 1904. Alfred and Jessie had two children born in 1924 and 1927. Alfred and Jessie first lived at Chuck Hatch near Hartfield with Jessie’s parents, but by 1927 they had moved with them to nearby Wrens Warren at Colemans Hatch. Then in 1932 they moved to Pimp Barn at Fishers Gate in Withyham, where they stayed until 1950. They then moved to Mardens Hill in the St Johns area of Crowborough. Alfred had been a gamekeeper on Ashdown Forest for the syndicate that had the shooting rights on Earl de la Warr’s estate. He was then a gardener when his daughter married in 1949, and later he had to retire because of ill health.

Alfred died on 9 May 1967, at the age of 67, and he was buried in St Michael & All Angels Churchyard at Withyham on 13 May 1967. Jessie stayed at Mardens Hill until in 1977 she moved to Cherry Cottage in Mill Crescent in the centre of Crowborough. Ten years later Jessie was still living at Cherry Cottage when she died on 8 August 1987, at the age of 82. She was buried alongside her father in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Hartfield on 14 August 1987.

 

Lewis and Ellen’s fifth child was Annie Dorothy Muddle, known as Dolly, who was born at Withyham in Sussex on 27 April 1902, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Withyham on 6 July 1902.

When she was 25 years old Dolly married 26-year-old Charles William Alfred Holman, known as Tom, at St Swithun’s Church in East Grinstead, Sussex on 8 October 1927. At the time of their marriage Tom was a groom living at Tickerage Cottage in Kingscote near East Grinstead, and Dolly was living at Harts Hall in North End, East Grinstead. They had three children. Tom was a carter at Gravetye Manor near West Hoathly in Sussex where they lived over the stables, and their first child was born there in 1930. Then in 1935 Tom got the job of farm manager at The Epileptic Colony in Lingfield, Surrey and for a few months they lived in East Grinstead where their second child was born, before they could move into the farm manager’s house at the Colony in Lingfield.

After Tom retired they went to live at Orchard Court in East Grinstead Road, Lingfield. Tom died at Smallfield Hospital in Horley, Surrey on 16 December 1977, at the age of 76, from heart failure. Dolly continued to live at Orchard Court until she died there on 27 October 1986, at the age of 84, from bronchopneumonia.

 

 

Lewis and Ellen’s sixth child was Bertie James Muddle who was born at Withyham in Sussex on 10 May 1904, and baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Withyham on 7 August 1904. Bertie first worked on a farm, and then for his brother William in his boot repair business at Forest Row, before finally becoming a gardener.

When he was 21 years old Bertie married 22-year-old Violet Rose Alexandria Fowler at East Grinstead Register Office in Sussex on 28 July 1925. Violet had been born on 2 August 1902. Bertie had married so that he could get a married gardeners job, and Bertie and Violet didn't live together until about a year later when Bertie finally told his parents that he was married. They had three children, the first two being born at Cuckfield in Sussex in 1926 and early 1928. Then later in 1928 they moved to Everlands, between Ide Hill and Weald, just to the south-west of Sevenoaks in Kent, where Bertie worked for Mr Campbell who later became Lord Colgrain, and where their third child was born in 1934. Bertie was foreman of the pleasure grounds at Everlands, until in 1936 he became head gardener.

In 1952 they left Everlands, and went to live in a council house at Sundridge in Kent. Bertie now became a freelance gardener and continued his lecturing on horticulture for adult education classes at colleges, which he had started when head gardener at Everlands. Then in 1977 Bertie and Violet moved into an annex of their daughter Shirley's house, Glebe Cottage, London Road, Dunton Green near Sevenoaks in Kent. Violet died on 7 May 1983, at the age of 80, and she was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 13 May 1983. Bertie continued to live in his daughter's house and died there on 1 January 1999, at the age of 94, and he was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 8 January 1999. Both Violet and Bertie's ashes were buried at the crematorium.

 

Lewis and Ellen’s seventh child was Walter John Muddle who was born at Hartfield in Sussex on 14 August 1906. When he was 23 years old Walter married 24-year-old Doris Mabel Rann at St Swithun’s Church in East Grinstead, Sussex on 21 July 1930. At the time of their marriage Walter was a pigeon loft manager living at 178 London Road in East Grinstead, and Doris was a cook living at Glastonbury in Morton Road, East Grinstead. Doris’ birth had been registered in Croydon registration district in Surrey during the 3rd quarter of 1906. They were living at 32 Morton Road in East Grinstead and Walter was still a pigeon keeper when just over a year after their marriage Doris died at Westminster Hospital in London on 27 August 1931, at the age of 25, from heart failure, after giving birth to their first child, who was stillborn. Doris was buried in section 1C, grave 480 of Mount Noddy Cemetery in East Grinstead after a funeral service at St Swithun’s Church in East Grinstead.

Walter was a salesman before the Second World War, and his second marriage, at the age of 30, was to 26-year-old Elsie Mary Scales in Tunbridge registration district in Kent during the 1st quarter of 1937. Elsie had been born on 23 August 1910. They had one child born in 1938 before the marriage ended in divorce during the Second World War. Elsie lived with Charles Henry Waite by whom she had two children in Leicester registration district in Leicestershire in 1943 and 1946 before she married him in Leicester registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1949. They lived at Leicester and Elsie died from a stroke on 11 December 1987, at the age of 77.

Walter was a warrant officer in the RAF during the Second World War, when he was responsible for looking after the carrier pigeons. Walter’s third marriage, at the age of 39, was to 24-year-old Irene Doris Clarke at East Ham in London on 27 April 1946. Irene had been born in West Ham registration district on 24 September 1921. Walter and Irene lived at East Grinstead where they had two children born in 1947 and 1948, and Walter worked as a painter and decorator for East Grinstead Council. The family name was changed to Muddell after the birth of their two children. Walter died on 12 August 1978, at the age of 71, and he was cremated on 18 August 1978 at Worth Crematorium where his ashes remain.

 

Lewis and Ellen’s eighth child was Spencer George Muddle, known as George, who was born at Hartfield in Sussex on 8 February 1909. When he was 24 years old George married 19-year-old Grace Selina Hodge at East Grinstead Register Office in Sussex on 31 March 1933. Grace had been born in Godstone registration district in Surrey on 3 August 1913. George and Grace always lived at Lingfield in Surrey where they had five children born between 1933 and 1953, and George worked as a bricklayer. During the Second World War George was in the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) and served in Burma and Japan. Grace died in South-East Surrey registration district on 13 August 1989, at the age of 76. George died in South-East Surrey registration district on 26 August 1996, at the age of 87.

 

Lewis and Ellen’s ninth child is Elizabeth E Kate Muddle, known as Kate, who was born at Hartfield in Sussex on 7 November 1911. When she was about 20 years old Kate married William Frank Southall in East Grinstead registration district during the 4th quarter of 1931. They had three children born between 1932 and 1948. William was a head cowman, and they lived at several place including Edenbridge in Kent, and Chailey and Mayfield in Sussex. William died in about 1974 at the age of about 63. Kate, at the age of 76, then married a widower Edward F Wood in Eastbourne registration district in Sussex during January 1988, but Edward died about 4 years after the marriage. Kate lived in a nursing home at Eastbourne until her death at the age of 90, her death being registered in Eastbourne registration district during the 3rd quarter of 2002.

 

Lewis and Ellen’s tenth child was Bessie Edith Mary Muddle who was born at Hartfield in Sussex on 16 October 1914, and privately baptised by St Mary the Virgin Church in Hartfield on 6 May 1915. Bessie died at Hartfield when only eight months old, and she was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Hartfield on 15 July 1915.

 

James and Sarah Ann’s seventh child was Sidney Charles David Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex in about 1872, but only baptised when about two years old, at Markbeech Church near Edenbridge in Kent on 3 November 1874. In the census of 3 April 1881 Sidney, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at Church Lane in Netherfield, Sussex, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Sidney, now aged 18, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at Witherenden Hill in Burwash Weald, Sussex.

When he was 22 years old Sidney married 17-year-old Emma Edwards Bassett at St Philip’s Church in Burwash Weald on 10 November 1894. Emma was the daughter of Henry and Emma Bassett; she had been born at Burwash and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1877. Sidney and Emma had five children; the first born at Burwash in 1895, the second at Etchingham in 1897, and the next two at Burwash in 1898 and 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living in Priesthews Cottage at Hankham in Westham Parish near Eastbourne with their four children, and they had 15-year-old Alfred Marshall as a lodger. Alfred was a stockboy on a farm and was probably working with Sidney who was a stockman on a farm. Sidney and Emma’s fifth child was born at Hankham during 1902. They were still living at Priesthews Cottage when their third child died in late 1907. Sidney was described as being a carter when his son Percy married in 1926 and as a cow keeper when his daughter Isabel married in 1935.

Sidney was living at The Laurels in Langton Green, Kent, when he died at the age of 67. He was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Speldhurst in Kent on 6 November 1939. Emma died in the War Memorial Hospital at Crowborough in Sussex, at the age of 83, and she was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Speldhurst on 9 March 1961.

 

Sidney and Emma’s eldest child was Sidney Charles Augustus Muddle who was born at Burwash in Sussex on 14 June 1895. In the census of 31 March 1901 Sidney, at the age of 5, was living with his parents in Priesthews Cottage at Hankham in Westham Parish near Eastbourne in Sussex.

When he was 28 years old Sidney married 37-year-old Elizabeth Alice Tasker, known as Lizzie, in Tunbridge registration district in Kent during the 1st quarter of 1924. Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas and Emily Tasker; she had been born at Withyham in Sussex and her birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1886. Sidney and Elizabeth had one child, a daughter, in 1925. They lived at Groombridge in Sussex where Sidney was a poultryman in 1925. They were living at Beech Cottage in Bidborough near Tunbridge Wells, Kent and Sidney was a private gardener when Elizabeth died in Pembury Hospital on 19 February 1958, at the age of 71, from bronchopneumonia.

The following year Sidney, at the age of 64, married 61-year-old widow Blanche Elizabeth May Jenner, whose maiden name was Bassett, at Tonbridge Register Office in Kent on 18 September 1959. Sidney was then a domestic gardener living at 33 Culverden Avenue in Tunbridge Well, and Blanche was living at 3 Mapleside in Bidborough. Blanche was the daughter of farm cowman Arthur Bassett, and she had been born in Tonbridge registration district on 24 May 1898. They were living at 8 The Glebe in Bidborough when Sidney died in Hastings registration district in Sussex on 3 November 1970, at the age of 75. He was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 10 November 1970. Seventeen years later Blanche had been living at 6 Garlinge Road in Southborough when she died in Tunbridge Wells registration district on 17 April 1988, at the age of 89. She was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 25 April 1988. Both Sidney and Blanche's ashes were collected from the crematorium by J Kempster.

 

Sidney and Emma’s second child was Isabel Emma Kate Muddle, known as Bell, who was born at Etchingham in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1897. In the census of 31 March 1901 Isabel, at the age of 4, was living with her parents in Priesthews Cottage at Hankham in Westham Parish near Eastbourne, Sussex.

When she was 38 years old Bell married 31-year-old Charles Henry Isted at Holy Trinity Church in Coleman’s Hatch, Sussex on 30 March 1935. Charles was then a chauffeur and gardener living at Burwash in Sussex, and Bell was living at Coleman’s Hatch. Charles’ birth had been registered in Ticehurst registration district in Sussex during the 1st quarter of 1904. Charles and Bell had two children, who both died young. Bell was housekeeper to Rudyard Kipling at Batemans in Burwash, and her husband Charlie was a jobbing gardener. They lived in a house at School Hill in Burwash that was built for them by Kipling, on land that he had given them.

 

Sidney and Emma’s third child was Elsie Mercy Olive Muddle who was born at Burwash in Sussex on 11 March 1898, and baptised at St Bartholomew’s Church in Burwash on 29 May 1898. In the census of 31 March 1901 Elsie at the age of 3, was living with her parents in Priesthews Cottage at Hankham in Westham Parish near Eastbourne, Sussex. Elsie was still living at Priesthews Cottage when she died at the age of 9. She was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard at Westham on 18 December 1907.

 

Sidney and Emma’s fourth child was Charles Herbert David Muddle who was born at Burwash in Sussex on 18 November 1899. Charles was privately baptised by St Bartholomew's Church in Burwash on 13 March 1900 and then received into the church on 29 April 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Charles, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Priesthews Cottage in Hankham within Westham Parish near Eastbourne, Sussex. Charles served in the army during the First World War and became shell shocked, which resulted in odd behaviour for the rest of his life.

When he was 30 years old Charles married 16-year-old Ruby Mary Hards in Steyning registration district in Sussex during the 2nd quarter of 1930. Ruby was the daughter of Frank and Kate Hards, and she had been born in Steyning registration district on 31 December 1913. Charles worked as a farm labourer moving from farm to farm in the Kent, Sussex and Surrey area. They had eight children, all sons; their first three children were born in Steyning registration district between 1930 and 1933. Their fourth child was born in Tonbridge registration district in Kent in 1937; their fifth in Uckfield registration district in Sussex in 1941; their sixth in South-East Surrey registration district in 1944; their seventh in Hastings registration district in Sussex in 1946; and their eighth in Tonbridge registration district in Kent in 1947. Then from about 1948 they lived out in the county at Eastling near Faversham in Kent. They separated in 1949 with Ruby and her eight sons continuing to live at Eastling. It was a hard life for Ruby bringing up her eight sons by herself.

Charles had been living at 269 Upper Grosvenor Road in Tunbridge Wells when he died in Tunbridge Wells registration district on 22 June 1986, at the age of 86. He was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 1 July 1986, and his ashes were buried at the crematorium on 16 July 1986.

Ruby had longed to move from the country into the town of Faversham to make her life easier and this she did in 1987, but only six months later she died at the age of 74, her death being registered in Swale registration district in Kent during March 1988.

 

Sidney and Emma’s fifth child was Percy Henry Orlando Muddle who was born at Hankham within Westham Parish near Eastbourne, Sussex on 27 November 1902, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Westham on 8 March 1903.

When he was 24 years old Percy married 26-year-old Annie Ashdown at St Mary the Virgin Church in Speldhurst, Kent on 29 July 1926. Annie was the daughter of Thomas and Clara Ashdown; she had been born at Tonbridge in Kent and her birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1903. She was the sister of the Ellen Elizabeth Ashdown who had married Percy’s cousin Cecil Walter Muddle in 1923. Percy and Annie lived at Groombridge where they had three children born between 1928 and 1936, and Percy worked as a painter and decorator for a local building company. Their children were registered with the name Muddell, as Annie didn’t like the name Muddle.

They were living at 3 The Walks in Groombridge when Annie died in Tunbridge Wells registration district on 1 December 1965, at the age of 62. She was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 3 December 1965, and her ashes were buried in St John's Churchyard at Groombridge on 6 December 1965. Percy then stayed with his daughter Brenda and her family for a while before purchasing a house at Langton Green near Tunbridge Wells. Then in the early 1980s Percy married widow Margaret Ellen Calloway. Margaret’s maiden name was Summerfield; she was the daughter of Albert Thomas and Ellen Summerfield, and had been born in Rugby registration district on 19 November 1901. Her first marriage was to Brinley James P Calloway who had died on 16 September 1970.

Percy and Margaret lived in a sheltered council flat, 17 Kirby Court in Langton Green. Percy died in Tunbridge Wells registration district on 2 March 1988, at the age of 85. He was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 10 March 1988, and his ashes buried at the crematorium on 25 March 1988. Seven years later Margaret was living in a nursing home, Middlefield, Burdett Road, Rusthall near Tunbridge Wells when she died on 2 October 1995, at the age of 93. She was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 10 October 1995, and her ashes buried at the crematorium on 25 October 1995.

 

James and Sarah Ann’s eighth child was Sarah Muddle, known as Sally, who was born at Markbeech near Edenbridge in Kent, and baptised at Markbeech Church on 3 November 1874. In the census of 3 April 1881 Sarah, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at Church Lane in Netherfield, Sussex, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Sarah, now aged 16, was living with her parents at Witherenden Hill in Burwash Weald, Sussex.

When she was 23 years old Sarah married 25-year-old William Holford at St Philip’s Church in Burwash Weald on 23 April 1898. William was then a farm labourer living at Aldrington near Hove in Sussex, and Sarah was living at Burwash Weald. William was the son of Joshua and Jane Holford; he had been born at Framfield in Sussex and his birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1872. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living in two rooms at 18 Suffolk Street in Aldrington and William was working as a builder’s yardman. In about 1930 Sarah was living at Hove.

 

James and Sarah Ann’s ninth child was Walter Charles Muddle who was born at Burwash in Sussex, and privately baptised by St Bartholomew’s Church in Burwash on 5 March 1877. Walter’s birth was registered, and he was baptised, with just the name Walter, but by the time he married he had added the second name of Charles. In the census of 3 April 1881 Walter, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at Church Lane in Netherfield, Sussex. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Walter, now aged 14, was working as a houseboy and living with his parents at Witherenden Hill in Burwash Weald, Sussex.

When he was 21 years old Walter married 18-year-old Louisa Charlotte Jenner at St Peter & St Paul Church in Hellingly, Sussex on 17 September 1898. At the time of their marriage they were both living at Hellingly and Walter was a labourer. Louisa was the daughter of John William and Frances Esther Jenner; she had been born at Mayfield in Sussex and her birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1880. Walter and Louisa had five children; the first three were born at Burwash between 1899 and 1902. In the census of 31 March 1901 Walter, Louisa and their then two children were living with Walter’s parents at Witherenden Hill in Burwash Weald, and Walter was working as a farm labourer. They were still living at Witherenden Hill, and Walter was still a farm labourer, when their third child was baptised in April 1903. But when their next two children, who were twin daughters, were born in March 1910 they were living at Blocks in Ashurst near Henfield in Sussex where Walter was a farm stockman.

Louisa died at the age of 73, her death being registered in South-East Surrey registration district during the 1st quarter of 1954. Four years later Walter died at the age of 80, his death being registered in Lewes registration district in Sussex during the 1st quarter of 1958.

 

Walter and Louisa’s eldest child was Cecil Walter Muddle who was born at Burwash in Sussex on 15 September 1899, and baptised at St Dunstan’s Church in Mayfield, Sussex on 4 November 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Cecil, at the age of 1, was, together with his parents, living with his paternal grandparents, James and Sarah Ann Muddle, at Witherenden Hill in Burwash Weald.

When he was 23 years old Cecil married 22-year-old Ellen Elizabeth Ashdown, known as Nellie, in Tonbridge registration district in Kent during the 2nd quarter of 1923. Nellie was the daughter of Thomas and Clara Ashdown; she had been born at Tonbridge on 23 December 1900, and she was the sister of the Annie Ashdown who was to married Cecil’s cousin Percy Henry Orlando Muddle in 1926. Nellie, like her sister, didn’t like the name Muddle and used the name Muddell, but they were not consistent with the use of these names, their first two children were registered under the name Muddell and then the other four under the name Muddle. All their children married using the name Muddell, but Cecil and Nellie were back under the name Muddle when they died.

Cecil and Nellie had six children; the first born in Eastbourne registration district in Sussex in 1925; the second in Sevenoaks registration district in Kent in 1927; the third in Reigate registration district in Surrey in 1930; and the other three in Lewes registration district in Sussex, probably at Chailey, between 1931 and 1937. They finally settled at Chailey. Cecil dying in Lewes registration district, which includes Chailey, on 20 October 1975 at the age of 76, and Nellie dying in Lewes registration district on 10 April 1983 at the age of 82. They were both buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Chailey, where their grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

Walter and Louisa’s second child was Ivy Alice Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Burwash Weald in Sussex on 7 February 1901, and baptised at St Philip’s Church in Burwash Weald on 16 June 1901. In the census of 31 March 1901 Ivy, at the age of 2 months, was, together with her parents, living with her paternal grandparents, James and Sarah Ann Muddle, at Witherenden Hill in Burwash Weald. When she was 27 years old Ivy married Sidney C Buckland in Godstone registration district in Surrey during the 4th quarter of 1928.

 

Walter and Louisa’s third child was Olive Annie Rose Muddle who was born at Burwash Weald in Sussex on 3 September 1902, and baptised at St Philip’s Church in Burwash Weald on 19 April 1903. When she was about 25 years old Olive married William E Humphrey in Godstone registration district in Surrey during the 3rd quarter of 1927.

 

Walter and Louisa’s fourth child, the eldest of twins, was Violet Muddle who was born at Blocks in Ashurst near Henfield in Sussex at 7.30am on 10 March 1910. Violet was baptised at St James Church in Ashurst on 3 April 1910, when she was given the names Violet Grace, but her birth was registered with just the name Violet, and that seems to have been the only name she used. Violet never married, she died at the age of 64, her death being registered in Westminster registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1974.

 

Walter and Louisa’s fifth child, the youngest of twins, was Lucy Muddle who was born at Blocks in Ashurst near Henfield in Sussex at 7.40am on 10 March 1910. Lucy was baptised at St James Church in Ashurst on 3 April 1910, when she was given the names Lucy Caroline, but her birth was registered with just the name Lucy, and that seems to have been the only name she used. Lucy died at the age of 14, her death being registered in Godstone registration district in Surrey during the 1st quarter of 1925.

 

James and Sarah Ann’s tenth child was Alice Esther Muddle who was born at Ewhurst in Sussex, and her birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1878. In the census of 3 April 1881 Alice, at the age of 2, was living with her parents in Church Lane at Netherfield in Sussex. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Alice, now aged 12, was living with her parents at Witherenden Hill in Burwash Weald, Sussex.

When she was 20 years old Alice married 23-year-old Stephen Henry Potter at St Philip’s Church in Burwash Weald on 10 June 1899. Stephen was then a farm labourer living at Stonegate near Ticehurst in Sussex. He was the son of Henry and Philadelphia Potter; he had been born at Battle in Sussex and his birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1876. Stephen and Alice had a daughter born at Stonegate in 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Hammerden Cottage in Stonegate with their daughter, and Stephen was working as a farm carter.

 

Stephen and Alice’s only child was Violet Mercy Potter, known as Mercy, who was born at Stonegate near Ticehurst in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Mercy, at the age of 1, was living with her parents at Hammerden Cottage in Stonegate.

 

James and Sarah Ann’s eleventh child was Charles Muddle who was born at Mountfield in Sussex, and baptised at All Saints Church in Mountfield on 29 May 1882. Charles died at Mountfield when he was only 9 weeks old, and he was buried in All Saints Churchyard at Mountfield on 4 June 1882.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2008-2010

Last updated 7 April 2010