THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE BUXTED MUDDLES

 

Chart of Charles & Annie Muddle's Family

 

Charles and Annie’s eldest child was Ernest Charles Muddle who was born at Six Wents Cottage in Coopers Green, Sussex on 10 December 1884, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted, Sussex on 1 February 1885. In the census of 5 April 1891 Ernest, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Six Wents Cottage, and he was going to school. Ernest left school at the age of seven and started work in Buxted Park House, where his father was then working. Ernest worked at several jobs in Buxted before moving to London to work. In the census of 31 March 1901 Ernest, now aged 16, was recorded in two places; living with his parents at Post Office Row in Buxted and working as a carpenter; and as a live-in hall boy in the household of the Earl of Ducie at 16 Portman Square, St Marylebone, London. One of these records may have been for Ernest's brother Albert, who has not been located in this census, the London record did give an age of 14, so possibly Albert, but now impossible to tell, though, unlike Ernest, Albert is not known to have ever been in London. Later Ernest worked as a hairdresser in London. In about 1905 Ernest and his brother Douglas converted to being Methodists, and Ernest did lay work for the Methodists in London.

When he was 25 years old Ernest emigrated from England to Canada. He sailed 3rd class on the Lake Manitoba of the Canadian Pacific Line from Liverpool on 30 March 1910 bound for St John, New Brunswick. The departure passenger list describes Ernest as a labourer and he was recorded on the list as E Maddle aged 22.[1] After a voyage of 11 days Ernest arrived at St John on 10 April and on the arrival passenger list he was recorded as Ernest Maddle aged 28.[2] The family story is that on arrival in Canada the immigration officials thought that Muddle sounded funny as a name and changed it to Moddle, is not quite what the passenger lists indicate but Ernest ended up using the name Moddle. Ernest initially worked as a farm labourer for a Mr Sweetman near Scugog in Ontario, and like his father, he did some lay preaching for the Methodists. This resulted in him being sent to Elk Lake, a mining town in northern Ontario, as a lay preacher.

 

 

When he was 25 years old Ernest married 22-year-old Miriam Maud Macey, known as Maud, on 5 August 1911 at the home of Rev John L Lake, a Methodist minister, in Toronto. Ernest was then a Methodist Minister living in the Village of Highland in Ontario, and Maud was a dressmaker who had been living in London, England. Ernest had meet Maud, who was a cockney, while doing lay work for the Methodists in London. Maud had worked as a dressmaker for Liberty’s in London, and she had also sung with evangelists in pubs, parks etc. Maud was the daughter of Rowland James and Sarah Annie Macey, and she had been born in the parish of St George in the East in Stepney, London on 14 May 1888. She migrated to Canada just before her marriage to Ernest, sailing 3rd class on the Tunisian of the Allan Line from Liverpool on 27 July 1911 bound for Quebec.[3] After a voyage of 8 days Maud arrived at Quebec on 4 August.[4]

Ernest and Miriam initially lived at Earlton in Ontario where their first child was born in 1912. As a result of his work as a lay preacher Ernest was now encouraged to enter the ordained ministry. So he gave up his farming job, and they moved to Belleville in Ontario where Ernest attended Albert College. Their second child was born at Belleville in 1914, and Ernest was ordained in about 1915. They were then sent to Thornloe, a small town in northern Ontario, where their third child was born in 1918. When Ernest's father completed an army form listing the living relatives of his son Douglas on 24 March 1919 he stated that Ernest's address was RR2, Coldwater, Ontario. In 1920 they returned to England with their three children and stayed with Ernest's parents at The Ramblers in Buxted. They sailed 3rd class on the Grampian of the Canadian Pacific Line from Montreal and arrived at Southamption on 4 July 1920.[5] Ernest was considering joining the Methodist Church in England, and preached for a while in Coventry. But after 8 months they returned to Thornloe in Canada. They sailed 3rd class on the Minnedosa of the Canadian Pacific Line from Liverpool on 19 March 1921,[6] and after a voyage of 10 days they arrived at St John, New Brunswick on 29 March 1921.[7] In the Canadian census of 1 June 1921 they were living in a rent house at Thornloe with their three children and Ernest was a clergyman. It was while they were at Thornloe that they lived through the 'Hailebury Fire' of the 4 October 1922. Their experiences of this fire were written-up by their son Harold Moddle on 75th anniversary of the fire in 1997, based on the memories of his elder sister Ethel Dickin née Moddle, to read click here.

 

 

In 1925 Ernest and Maud were sent to the ‘charge’ at Mindemoya on Manitoulin Island, where their fourth child was born in 1926.[8] In 1927 they moved on to South Porcupine, another mining town, and then later that year they moved on to Emsdale, which is further south in Ontario, and where their fifth child was born in 1929. Then in 1931 they were sent to Downsview, which is just north of Toronto. In 1939 they moved on to the church at Wanstead in Toronto, where they stayed until 1942 when they were sent to a ‘rural charge’ near Aurora, about twenty miles north of Toronto, with three ‘preaching points’ called the Temperance ‘charge’. They lived in Aurora, where Ernest retired in 1953. Ernest spent several years taking things easy and then served as minister for a small ‘Brethren’ church in Stouffeville until his death.

Ernest died at Toronto Western Hospital in Toronto on 27 October 1955, at the age of 70, and he was buried in Aurora Cemetery. Maud then lived with her daughter Betty for a while before becoming a housekeeper for several years, after which she moved to an apartment in Weston, a suburb of Toronto, where her daughters Ethel and Betty both lived. Maud had to move into the nursing home of Aurora Manor in Aurora a few months before her death there on 4 July 1974, at the age of 86. Maud was buried with her husband in Aurora Cemetery.

 

Ernest and Maud’s eldest child was Rowland James Densely Moddle who was born at Earlton in Ontario on 15 December 1912. In about 1916 Rowland moved with his parents to Thornloe in northern Ontario where he started his elementary schooling. Then for eight months from late 1920 to early 1921 Rowland went to England with his parents and they stayed with his grandparents at The Ramblers in Buxted, Sussex. During this time Roland attended Buxted School and then on their return to Thornloe he continued his elementary schooling there. In the Canadian census of 1 June 1921 Rowland, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at Thornloe in northern Ontario. For his High School education Rowland had to go to Huntsville, which is 160 miles to the south of Thornloe, where he boarded. His education continued at North York and then Ryerson Teacher's College. After which he taught in a school in Earlton.

When he was 27 years old Rowland married 25-year-old Winnifred Dickin at Downsview United Church in Downsview near Toronto on 14 September 1940. Winnifred, who had been born on 28 February 1915, was the sister of Harold Walter Dickin who had married Rowland’s sister Ethel in 1934. Rowland and Winnifred had three children born between 1940 and 1953.

During the Second World War Rowland was an aircraft maintenance and fabrication instructor in the Canadian Air Force. After the war he went to Victoria College in Toronto and took his B.A. Degree. Rowland and Winnifred then lived at Aurora in Ontario where Rowland taught Manual Arts at the High School. Rowland was a fine watercolour artist; he had several showings of his work, and he was also an excellent jewelsmith. He was an active member of the Aurora United Church, singing in the choir and serving the church in various other positions.

Rowland loved the lake country and built a cottage in the Karwathas, which he maintained until his death. Rowland died in Newmarket Hospital on 30 October 1993 at the age of 80, and he was buried in Aurora Cemetery with his parents. Winnifred died in Newmarket Hospital on 19 April 1997 at the age of 82, and she was buried with her husband in Aurora Cemetery.

 

 

Ernest and Maud’s second child is Ethel Ivy Moddle who was born at Belleville in Ontario on 4 June 1914. In about 1916 Ethel moved with her parents to Thornloe in northern Ontario, and then for eight months from late 1920 to early 1921 she went to England with her parents, where they stayed with her grandparents at Ramblers in Buxted, Sussex. During this time Ethel started her schooling at Buxted School and then on returning to Thornloe in northern Ontario she continued her elementary schooling there. In the Canadian census of 1 June 1921 Ethel, at the age of 7, was living with her parents in Thornloe. After completing her elementary education Ethel couldn't go on to High School as that would have meant boarding away from home, which her family couldn't then afford. But when the family moved to Downsview, Ontario, in 1931 Ethel was able to go to High School for a while.

When she was 20 years old Ethel married 22-year-old Harold Walter Dickin at Downsview on 27 October 1934. Harold, who had been born on 22 May 1912, was the brother of Winnifred Dickin who was to marry Ethel’s brother Rowland in 1940. Harold and Ethel had two children born in 1935 and 1942. They first lived at Downsview where Harold drove a route delivering milk. Then when Harold bought a cartage business they moved to Weston, a suburb of Toronto. During the Second World War Ethel took in lodgers working in war related factories, as her way of helping the war effort. Ethel has always been an active member of her church and frequently sang in the choir, having the gift of a lovely voice.

Harold sold his cartage business in about 1980. He died in the Humber Memorial Hospital in Weston on 21 October 1995, at the age of 83, and he was buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Vaughan, a suburb of Toronto. Ethel continues to live at their home in Weston.

 

 

Ernest and Maud’s third child was Douglas Armentieres Moddle who was born at Uno Park in northern Ontario on 5 May 1918 while his parents were living at Thornloe in northern Ontario. He was named after his father's brother Douglas who was killed in action in 1914 at Armentieres in France, during the early stages of the First World War. For eight months from late 1920 to early 1921 Douglas went to England with his parents and they stayed with his grandparents at The Ramblers in Buxted, Sussex. On returning to Thornloe in northern Ontario Douglas, at the age of 3, was recorded in the Canadian census of 1 June 1921 as living with his parents in Thornloe. In 1925 he moved with his parents to Mindemoya then to South Porcupine in 1927 and then Emsdale later in 1927. In 1931 he moved with his parents to Downsview, which is just north of Toronto, where he took his High Schooling at York Memorial Collegiate. He was a Valedictorian[9] there and then went on to Victoria College where he took his B.A. and M.A. in Geology and Mineralogy. During the Second World War Douglas worked for the Department of Defence as a weather analyst at Malton Air Center.

When he was 24 years old Douglas married 26-year-old Florence Enid Gardiner at Mount Dennis United Church in Mount Dennis, a suburb of Toronto, on 4 July 1942. Florence had been born on 1 January 1916. They had three children born between 1944 and 1951. They lived in North York, a suburb of Toronto, where Douglas built his own house. The family spent two years in Burma where Douglas worked for the government as a mineralogist. But for most of his life Douglas worked for the Ontario Provincial Government as an assayist, becoming head of the department some years before his retirement. His main interest outside work was in building and repairing things for the home, and he also built a cottage at Jack’s Lake near Bancroft.

Douglas was divorced from Florence and went on to marry twice more, but had no further children. Douglas was an active member of the Unitarian Church when he died in North York Hospital in North York, a suburb of Toronto, on 3 November 1988 at the age of 70, and was buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Vaughan, a suburb of Toronto.

Florence died on 21 August 2001, at the age of 85, after fighting Parkinson’s disease for several years.

 

Ernest and Maud’s fourth child was Harold Dwight Moddle who was born at Mindemoya, Manitoulin Island, Ontario on 2 October 1926. Harold moved with the family to South Porcupine then Emsdale, and then in 1931 to Downsview where he went to elementary school. He went to High School at Scarboro Collegiate when his father became minister of the church there. The family then moved to Aurora and Harold did his last year of High School there. He went to Victoria College for his B.Div. and to Emmanuel College for his M.Div.

When he was 24 years old Harold married 23-year-old Phyllis Ayleen Ball at Wesley United Church in Vandorf, a small community east of Aurora, on 26 October 1950. Phyllis had been born on 17 May 1927. They had four children born between 1950 and 1958.

Harold was ordained into the United Church in 1951, and he then went to Hardisty in Alberta for two years, before returning to a rural church at Melville near Stouffeville in Ontario. Harold left the ministry after three years and went to work for the Bell Telephone Company in Toronto, Windsor and Montreal. He then returned to the ministry and went to the Alderwood United Church at Etobicoke, a western suburb of Toronto, where he was a minister for 23 years.

Harold and Phyllis separated, and Phyllis died on 12 April 1994 at the age of 66. Harold continued to live in Etobicoke, and he remained active in church related ministries, particularly to prisoners in correctional institutions in Ontario and the United States. In late November 2005 Harold was admitted into hospital with pneumonia and put on a respirator for about twelve days. After some improvement in his condition he suffered a fatal heart attack on 8 December 2005, he was 79. A memorial service was held at Alderwood United Church (the church he had pastored at for 23 years) on 11 December.

 

 

Ernest and Maud’s fifth child is Elizabeth Eileen Ross Moddle, known as Betty, who was born at Emsdale, Ontario on 17 August 1929. Betty moved with the family to Downsview and went to school in Scarboro and Aurora. After High School she trained for and became a Registered Nurse, in which profession she worked until at the age of 23 she married 27-year-old Jack Vaughan Reid at Wesley United Church in Vandorf, a small community east of Aurora, on 20 September 1952. Jack had been born on 15 June 1925. They lived at Weston, a suburb of Toronto, where they had three children born between 1953 and 1963. Jack initially worked as a schoolteacher, but spent most of his life as a drapery installer. Jack died on 10 December 1982, at the age of 57, and he was buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Vaughan, a suburb of Toronto. Betty continues to live at Weston; she is an active member of the Weston Baptist Church, singing in the choir, and she is also an avid gardener and a skilled cake decorator.

 

Charles and Annie’s second child was Albert Edward Muddle who was born at Six Wents Cottage in Coopers Green, Buxted, Sussex on 19 August 1887, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 2 October 1887. In the census of 5 April 1891 Albert, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at Six Wents Cottage. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Albert, now aged 23, was working as a hairdresser and living with his parents at The Ramblers in Buxted.

Albert became a hairdresser at Newhaven; then when he was 24 years old he married 23-year-old Mabel Reeves at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 8 April 1912. Mabel was the daughter of Frederick and Charlotte Reeves, and she had been born at Tunbridge Wells in Kent on 20 April 1888. Albert and Mabel lived at Newhaven where they had three daughters, the first born in 1914 and then twins in 1918. They were living at 19 Brighton Road in Newhaven when their first child was baptised in January 1915.

The 1915 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex listed Albert Edward Muddle as a hairdresser at Meeching Road in Newhaven. They were living at 70 Brighton Road in Newhaven when Mabel purchased 21 Elphick Road in Newhaven from solicitor Harold Montague Blaker, a trustee of the estate of the late William Dawes Redman, on 27 November 1918.[10] When Albert's father completed an army form listing the living relatives of his son Douglas on 24 March 1919 he gave Albert's address as Holmrook, Newhaven.

Albert was a keen bowls player. The 18 July 1919 edition of The Essex County Chronicle reported that at Leyton on Saturday 12 July 1919 Essex played Sussex at bowls with Essex winning even though five of their team never competed due to rain; one member of the Sussex team was A E Muddle.

Albert was a hairdresser living at Newhaven when he became a member of the Homestrew Lodge No 3277 of Freemasons at Newhaven. His initiation was on 7 January 1920, his passing on 3 March 1920 and his raising on 7 April 1920.[11]

Albert continued as a hairdresser in Newhaven for the rest of his working life. By 1948 they had moved to Lewes as the Telephone Directory for that year lists A E Muddle as living at 7 Highdown Road, Lewes, and he continued to be listed at that address until the 1965 edition. Albert died at Lewes in May 1964, at the age of 76. The 1966 to 1969 editions of the Telephone Directory then listed M Muddle as living at 7 Highdown Road, Lewes. Six years after her husband's death Mabel died at Lewes on her 82nd birthday, the 20 April 1970.

 

Albert and Mabel’s eldest child was Mina Enid Muddle who was born at Newhaven in Sussex on 4 November 1914, and baptised at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Buxted, Sussex on 23 January 1915.

When she was 24 years old Mina married 24-year-old George Walton Rowe in Lewes registration district in Sussex during the 2nd quarter of 1939. George's birth had been registered in Newhaven registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1914. George and Mina lived in Lewes, and during the Second World War George served in the military police. He was a sergeant in the Corps of Military Police serving in Egypt when he died on 28 April 1943, at the age of 28, from smallpox. George, whose service number was 7689871, was buried in plot 3, row D, grave 26, of the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Egypt. Heliopolis is a north-eastern suburb of Cairo, about 10 miles from the city centre. There were no children from George and Mina's marriage.

Mina’s second marriage, when she was 30, was to 36-year-old Leslie John Culligan, known as Pat, in Lewes registration district on 10 October 1945. Pat was the son of John and Daisy Culligan and he had been born at Liscard in Cheshire on 6 January 1909. Pat and Mina had one child, a son, born in Lewes registration district during 1947. Mina died in Eastbourne registration district in Sussex on 18 January 1996, at the age of 81. Three years later Pat died at the age of 90, his death being registered in Lewes registration district during January 1999.

 

 

Albert and Mabel’s second child, the eldest of twins, was Josephine Muddle who was born at Newhaven in Sussex on 3 June 1918. When she was 28 years old Josephine married 26-year-old Thomas Ernest Young in Lewes registration district on 20 July 1946. Thomas was the son of Thomas and Violet Young and he had been born in Lewisham registration district in London on 14 January 1920. They had two sons born in 1948 and 1952. Thomas died in Lewes registration district on 12 August 1987, at the age of 67. Fifteen years later Josephine died at the age of 84, her death being registered in Brighton registration district in Sussex during December 2002.

 

Albert and Mabel’s third child, the youngest of twins, was Vera Muddle who was born at Newhaven in Sussex on 3 June 1918. When she was 48 years old Vera married 42-year-old Edwin Guy Durrant, known as Guy, in Lewes registration district on 1 October 1966. Guy was the son of Edwin and Amy Durant and he had been born in Uckfield registration district in Sussex on 23 November 1923. Guy and Vera lived at Ridgewood in Uckfield. Vera had a hairdressing business in Lewes, and Edwin worked at Ben Ware's Brick and Tile Works in Ridgewood for 35 years until it closed down. He then worked for Ross Chicken, before becoming a caretaker at a primary school. They didn't have any children. Edwin died at Uckfield on 25 June 1994, at the age of 70. Six years later Vera died in hospital at Haywards Heath in Sussex on 4 June 2000, at the age of 82, and she was cremated at Tunbridge Wells Crematorium on 16 June 2000, with a service of thanksgiving at the Parish Church of Holy Cross in Uckfield.

 

Charles and Annie’s third child was Douglas James Muddle who was born at Six Wents Cottage in Coopers Green, Sussex on 31 January 1890, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted, Sussex on 23 March 1890. In the census of 5 April 1891 Douglas, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Six Wents Cottage. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Douglas, now aged 11, was living with his parents at Post Office Row in Buxted, and he was going to school. Douglas went to Buxted National School, and in the punishment book it was recorded that in 1901 he was whacked for repeatedly giving trouble to Mrs Prothero. Douglas was recorded in his army records as being a Methodist; which he had become at the same time as his elder brother Ernest, probably in about 1905.

Douglas was an 18½-year-old oil engine driver when he enlisted at Uckfield on 22 July 1908 for 7 years army service followed by 5 years on the army reserve, as Private 2961 in the Rifle Brigade. He was then described as 5ft 5¼ins tall, weighed 125lbs, had a 35½ins fully expanded chest, blue eyes, fair physical development and two scars near his eyebrows. Douglas was posted to the 1st Battalion were he was granted his 1st Good Conduct Badge on 22 July 1910 and then promoted to Corporal on 19 June 1911. He was a corporal stationed at Chichester when on 10 November 1912 he was charged with 'neglect of duty when in charge of a barrack room by failing to turn his men out for parade' for which he was severely reprimanded. Douglas had become an Acting Sergeant when at Chichester on 6 April 1913 he was charged with 'leaving barracks when warned for duty' for which he was again severely reprimanded, and he was still an Acting Sergeant when at Chichester on 8 July 1913 he was charged with being 'absent from parade for field training'.

The 3 July 1914 edition of The Essex County Chronicle reported on the annual meeting of the Essex County Rifle Association held at Middlewick Ranges, Colchester on Saturday 27 June 1914. In the All Comers' Competition over 200 yards joint first with a score of 34 was Sergeant Muddle of the 1st Rifle Brigade, and over 600 yards one of those coming second with a score of 33 was Sergeant Muddle of the 1st Rifle Brigade. This has to be Douglas as he was the only Muddle who was at this time a sergeant in the 1st Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. For the 200 yards his prize was £1 10s and for the 600 yards his prize was 10s.

Being a serving soldier Douglas was one of the first to be sent to France at the start of the First World War, embarking on 23 August 1914 as part of the British Expeditionary Force. He had been in France nearly 4 months and was Sergeant 2961 in the 1st Battalion of the Rifle Brigade with the qualification of Scout, when he was killed in action at Armentieres Woods on 19 December 1914, at the age of 24. He was buried in plot 4, row H, grave 2, of the Rifle House Cemetery in Belgium. This cemetery is by the Belgium village of Ploegsteert, which is about 3 miles north of the French town of Armentieres. Douglas is also commemorated as D Muddle on Buxted War Memorial in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen.

Douglas had made an Army Will on 8 August 1914 while an Acting Sergeant stationed at Colchester Barracks, two weeks before leaving for France. In this will he stated that his assets were a £272 Life Insurance Policy with the City Life, £9 Funeral Money from the Loyal Green Jackets Lodge of the Ancient Order or Manchester Unity of Oddfellows and any Army Pay due at the time of his death. From this he left the following bequests: to his mother £115; to Miss Mina Mason of 3 Mac Gowans Terrace, Ranelagh, Dublin £115 and her mother Lucy Mason of the same address £10; and £10 each to his sisters Ethel and Nora, his brother Robert and Ethel's intended husband Victor Wells. All remaining money and personal possessions to his father whom he made his executor. A special request was that no one was to Wear Black.[12] This will seems to indicate that Miss Mina Mason, whom he refers to as his 'Dearest Mina' was probably his fiancée.

The War Office announced on 26 October 1915 that they were holding £21 12s 8d of the personal estate (presumably outstanding pay) of the deceased soldier D J Muddle, Sergeant in the 1st Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, for which applications were requested from persons supposing themselves entitled as next of kin.[13] This was presumably applied for by his father as there are several letters dating from 1915 in Douglas' army records written by his father requesting his son's personal effects and outstanding pay.[14]

For his war service Douglas was awarded the Victory Medal, the British War Medal, and the 1914 Star, which were received by his father in 1919 and 1921.[15]

 

 

Charles and Annie’s fourth child was Ethel May Muddle who was born at Post Office Row in Buxted, Sussex on 27 October 1893. In the census of 31 March 1901 Ethel, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at Post Office Row in Buxted, and she was going to school. Ethel went to Buxted National School and in the punishment book in about 1902 it was recorded that she had two cuts (strokes of the cane) for being idle and slovenly. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Ethel, now aged 17, was working as a draper's assistant and living with her parents at The Ramblers, which was part of Post Office Row, in Buxted. When her brother Douglas made his will in August 1914 Ethel was still living with her parents at The Ramblers.

When she was 21 years old Ethel married 28-year-old Sidney Victor Wells at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 18 August 1915. Sidney was then a soldier living at Eastbourne in Sussex. He was the son of Frank and Louisa Wells, and he had been born at Lewes on 17 August 1887. When her father completed an army form listing the living relatives of his son Douglas on 24 March 1919 he stated that Ethel was living with her parents at The Ramblers in Buxted, presumably Sidney was still in the army. Sidney and Ethel lived at Newhaven in Sussex where they had five children born between 1922 and 1932.

Before the First World War Sidney had served in India with the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, a cavalry regiment. The regiment came home from India early during the First World War and Sidney embarked with them for France on 16 December 1914. For his service during the war Sidney was awarded three campaign medals, the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1915 Star.[16] After the war Sidney served with the regiment in Germany as part of the 'army of occupation'. Sidney left the army as a Quartermaster Sergeant in the mid 1920s and then had a corner shop and milk round in Newhaven. When the business failed Sidney had to cycle to work in Hove for a time, before joining Southern Railways where he worked as a ganger on the electrification of the lines.

When Ethel's mother became ill during the Second World War, Ethel and the children, who were still at home, went to live at Eventide in Buxted to look after Ethel's parents. They continued to live at Eventide after Ethel's mother died in 1942. Sidney had stayed for a time in Newhaven because of his work, before joining them at Eventide. When he retired from the railways, at the age of 65, Sidney did a milk round in Buxted until he was 70 years old. He was then a gardener for the radio and television presenter, Fyffe Robertson, at Twin Acres, Pound Green, Buxted.

Ethel's father died in 1959 and then Ethel, who was described as being a lovely lady by everybody who knew her, died at the age of 68, her death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1961. Sidney then lived at Eventide by himself, until he had to go into Highview, the council nursing home at Ridgewood in Uckfield, where he died at the age of 86, his death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1973.

 

Sidney and Ethel’s eldest child was Desmond Wells who was born at Newhaven in Sussex on 7 June 1922. Desmond was a fireman at Newhaven, until he joined the Royal Navy during the Second World War. When he was 20 years old Desmond married his childhood sweetheart, 20-year-old Constance Mary Louise Hart, who was known as Connie, at Newhaven Methodist Chapel on 17 May 1943. Connie was the daughter of William and Maud Hart and her birth had been registered in Pancras registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1923.

Connie lived at Peacehaven in Sussex while Desmond was stationed in Ireland where he was a telegraphist on HMS Egret. Three months after their marriage Desmond was killed on 27 August 1943, at the age of 21. He went down with his ship, HMS Egret, when it was sunk in the North Sea by German dive-bombers. Desmond is commemorated on the Buxted War Memorial in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen as D Wells, and also on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in panel 77, column 1.

There were no children from Desmond and Connie's marriage, and nineteen years after Desmond's death Connie, at the age of 39, married Stanley Jones in Mid-Eastern Surrey registration district during the 4th quarter of 1962.

 

 

Sidney and Ethel’s second child is Charles Ray Wells, known as Ray, who was born at Newhaven in Sussex on 3 December 1923. When he was 15 years old Ray joined the Royal Navy. He was serving on HMS Queen Elizabeth, which was a troop-ship during the Second World War, during the evacuation of British Forces from Greece. Ray also served on HMS Magpie when Prince Philip commanded it.

When he was 26 years old Ray married 28-year-old divorcee Photini Nickolas Vaitsis, who was Greek, at Tunis in Tunisia on 6 November 1950. Photini had been born on 16 November 1921, and she had two children from her first marriage, who took the Wells name. There were no children from Ray and Photini's marriage, which ended in permanent separation. Photini died at the age of 76, her death being registered in Portsmouth registration district during March 1998.

When he was 40 years old Ray left the Navy, having served 25 years. He then sold life insurance for seven years before going to work for Lloyds Bank. He was then an administrator in a sheet metal company before finally retiring. Ray’s second marriage, at the age of 74, was to 62-year-old widow Patricia Lily Mary Burt, known as Mary, at Fareham Register Office on 27 August 1998. Mary, who had been born on 14 September 1935 and whose maiden name was Jordan, had been a widow since 1975, and had lived with Ray in Gosport for several years before marrying him after the death of his first wife in early 1998. Ray died in Portsmouth registration district on 21 January 2005, at the age of 81.

 

 

Sidney and Ethel’s third child is Valerie Nancy Wells who was born at Newhaven in Sussex on 25 December 1925. During the first part of the Second World War Valerie worked for her uncle, Wallace Muddle, at his hairdressing business in Croydon, Surrey. She then served in the WRNS (Women's Royal Naval Service) for the later part of the Second World War.

When she was 22 years old Valerie married 23-year-old Peter F Norrish at Lewes in Sussex on 3 September 1948. Peter was the son of Frank and Winifred Norrish and he had been born in Croydon registration district in Surrey on 14 August 1925. Peter and Valerie lived at a number of places in England, where Peter worked for engineering companies. They had two sons born in Bristol registration district in Gloucestershire in 1957 and 1958, but their marriage later ended in divorce. Valerie lived at Cuckfield in Sussex before she died on 8 January 2002, at the age of 76, and was cremated at Brighton Crematorium on 16 January 2002.

 

 

Sidney and Ethel’s fourth child was Vivienne Welcome Wells who was born at Newhaven in Sussex on 7 April 1930. Vivienne worked at Parker Pens in Newhaven, and then the Buxted Chicken Factory. Vivienne never married, and she later went to live at Lewes, where in late 1982, at the age of 52, she died in Lewes Hospital from cancer. Her death was registered during the 4th quarter of 1982.

 

Sidney and Ethel’s fifth child was Robert Rosslyn Wells, known as Ross, who was born at Newhaven in Sussex on 12 June 1932. Ross went to Oxford University and then became a geography teacher. When he was 26 years old Ross married 25-year-old Audrey Burton in Basford registration district in Nottinghamshire on 28 March 1959. Audrey was the daughter of John and Edith Burton and she had been born in Basford registration district on 24 February 1934.

From 1962 to 1967 Ross and Audrey lived in Kenya, where Ross was a headmaster and also helped to set up newly independent Kenya's exam system. While in Kenya the first two of Ross and Audrey's three children were born in 1962 and 1963. After they returned to England their third child was born in Mansfield registration district in Nottinghamshire in 1968. Ross was headmaster at a number of schools in the north of England.

Ross and Audrey divorced, and Ross, at the age of 59, then married 42-year-old Rosemary Owen Bruce, whose maiden name was Spedding, in Blackpool & Fylde registration district in Lancashire on 23 May 1992. Rosemary had been born in Manchester registration district in Lancashire on 2 August 1949. There were no children from this marriage, but Rosemary has two daughters from her previous marriage. Ross died of cancer in Blackpool & Fylde registration district on 11 March 1995, at the age of 62.

 

Charles and Annie’s fifth child was Lenora Kate Muddle, known as Nora, who was born at Post Office Row in Buxted, Sussex on 16 December 1897. In the census of 31 March 1901 Nora, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at Post Office Row in Buxted, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Nora, now aged 13, had left school and was at home with her parents at The Ramblers, which was part of Post Office Row, in Buxted. When her father completed an army form listing the living relatives of his son Douglas on 24 March 1919 he stated that Nora was living at 11 Hamilton Road in Brighton.

When she was 27 years old Nora married 33-year-old Frank Herbert Fordham at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 3 October 1925. Frank was then a gardener living at Bolney in Sussex, and Nora was living in Hogge House Road at Buxted. Frank was the son of Stephen and Martha Fordham, and he had been born at Great Chesterford in Essex on 11 August 1892.

Frank and Nora initially lived at Buxted while Frank worked as a gardener at Buxted Park. They then moved to Benenden in Kent, where Frank was gardener at the exclusive girl's school, with responsibility for the flowers and fruit. While they were living at Benenden their only child, a son, was born in 1928. When Frank retired they moved to a flat behind Benenden Post Office.

Frank died in Maidstone registration district in Kent on 10 April 1972, at the age of 79. Then later that year Nora died in Maidstone registration district on 7 December 1972, at the age of 74.

 

Charles and Annie’s sixth child was Wallace Robert Muddle, known as Bob, who was born at Post Office Row in Buxted, Sussex on 21 June 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Bob, at the age of 9 months, was living with his parents at Post Office Row in Buxted. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Bob, now aged 10, was going to school and living with parents at The Ramblers, which was part of Post Office Row, in Buxted. Bob went to Buxted National School, and in the punishment book it was recorded that in 1913 he got two whacks of the cane for insolence to Miss Eves.

Bob was still living at The Ramblers when, at the age of 18, he was conscripted into the RAF on 25 June 1918. He was found fit to be an Observer or Pilot but was discharged as a Pilot Officer in the RAF on 17 July 1918.[17] When his father completed an army form listing the living relatives of his son Douglas on 24 March 1919 he stated that Bob was still living with his parents at The Ramblers. The family then moved in the 1920s to Chequers Farm at Five Ashes, where Bob had a rather unsuccessful attempt at farming.

When he was 32 years old Bob married 21-year-old Alexina Jean Beckley at St Bartholomew's Church in Cross-in-Hand, Sussex on 17 September 1932. Bob was then a hairdresser living in the High Street at Waldron, Sussex and Alexina was living at Cross-in-Hand. Alexina had been born in Uckfield registration district in Sussex on 27 May 1911. They lived at Croydon in Surrey, where Bob was a hairdresser, and they had two children born in 1944 and 1946.

Bob died in Croydon registration district on 6 May 1974, at the age of 73. Six years later Alexina died in Croydon registration district on 5 April 1980, at the age of 68.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2008-2016

Last updated 12 January 2016