THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

James and Ann’s eldest child was James Muddle who was born at Biddenden in Kent, and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Biddenden on 28 February 1762. In early 1773, at the age of 11, James was left as the only survivor of his family; his father had died in 1766, his mother in 1772, and his two brothers in 1765 and 1773.

Three years later when he was 14 years old James was apprenticed to Edward Button of Biddenden, a peruke maker (a maker of popular wigs from the 17th to early 19th century, also known as a periwig maker), for a period of 7 years from the date of his indenture of 12 March 1776.[2] Edward Button was paid £10 to take James as an apprentice; this would normally have been paid by James' father, but he was dead along with all of James' other close relatives on his father's side of the family. And as there is no record of the Overseers of the Poor of Biddenden having paid for his apprenticeship, it seems likely that it was his mother's brother, Robert Hatch, who paid for it, and that Robert and his wife Lucy, who only had one child of their own, had been looking after James. The other possibility is that one of the many Biddenden charities paid for James' apprenticeship, but unfortunately none of their records for this period survive.

James was one of the witnesses when his uncle, Robert Hatch, married for a second time at Biddenden on 4 December 1788. Then the following year, when he was 27 years old, James married 21-year-old Mary Bridgland at the Parish Church of All Saints in Biddenden on 27 July 1789. Mary was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Bridgland and she had been baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Biddenden on 10 April 1768. James and Mary had seven children, one of whom died in infancy. Their first child was born at Benenden in Kent in 1791, they then moved to Staplehurst in Kent where their other six children were born between 1793 and 1806.

At some point they are thought to have moved back to Biddenden as James was witness at three marriages there in the period 1821-22, suggesting that he may have been parish clerk. Then James died at Biddenden at the age of 62 (not 63 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Biddenden on 17 June 1824. Some time after James' death Mary moved to Tunbridge Wells where she died at the age of 69 (not 73 as given on her burial record), and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Biddenden on 19 November 1837. Mary had probably been living with her daughters Ann and Sarah, who were living at Diggens Lane in Tunbridge Wells in the 1841 census.

Their children were:

James 1791-1853  Ann 1793-1848  Thomas 1794-1834  Mary 1797-?

Sarah 1799-1802  Sarah 1802-1862  Martha 1806-1854

James and Mary’s eldest child was James Muddle who was born at Benenden in Kent, and baptised at St George & St Margaret’s Church in Benenden on 1 May 1791. By the beginning of 1793 James had moved with his parents to Staplehurst in Kent. When he was 25 years old James married 26-year-old Fanny Reeves at St Mary Magdalene Church, Gillingham, Kent on 29 July 1816. They stated that they were both then living at Gillingham, but that was probably a matter of convenience as their first child was to be born at Staplehurst just three months later and they were both natives of Staplehurst. Fanny was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Reeves, and she had been baptised at All Saints Church in Staplehurst on 9 May 1790. James and Fanny had five children, all sons, born at Staplehurst between 1816 and 1827, the second of whom died in 1821 when only 2 years old.

James was described as an attorney’s clerk at the baptisms of his first four children between November 1816 and July 1824. He worked for Staplehurst solicitor James Ottaway, who was also one of the coroners for Kent, and in his capacity as Ottaway’s clerk James is known to have witnessed three wills dated 21 January 1818, 21 July 1823 and 11 January 1825. During this time he was also named as a trustee in two deeds from 1821 and 1822, when he was described as a gentleman of Staplehurst. It seems that James lost his job as clerk to James Ottaway a few months after Mr Ottaway death in March 1825 as a result of being thrown from his chaise while travelling on business.[3]

James seems to have then tried setting up in business himself by opening a school at Staplehurst. This he announced in the Maidstone Journal of 16 August 1825:

School at Staplehurst.

J Muddle

Respectfully informs his friends, at Staplehurst, and places adjacent, that he intends to OPEN a BOARDING and DAY SCHOOL, at the above place, on Monday next, the 22nd instant, for the INSTRUCTION of YOUTH and CHILDREN in Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, &c.

Terms to be Stated on application as above.

Staplehurst, 15 August 1825.

It seems that James took the lease on a house next to the Churchyard in Staplehurst in which to live and house his school, but the school probably never got started as less than eight months after announcing the school James was offering the lease for sale in an announcement in the Maidstone Journal of 4 April 1826:

TO BE SOLD, OR LET ON LEASE,

For the term of Five years,

ALL that MESSUAGE, TENEMENT or DWELLING HOUSE with a good Office 22 feet by 16½ attached to the same, together with a good Garden, and every convenience for the reception of a genteel family situate and being near to and adjoining the Church Yard of the pleasant village of STAPLEHURST, in Kent, in the occupation, formerly of Messrs MUNK and KATTE, Solicitors, and now in the occupation of Mr JAMES MUDDLE.

Applications to be made to Mr MUDDLE; or to Mr KELLY, Auctioneer and Appraiser, Staplehurst, aforesaid.

And then a month later in the Maidstone Journal of 2 May 1826:

DWELLING HOUSE, Staplehurst.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,

By J. KELLY,

On MONDAY, the 8th of MAY, 1826, at the KING’S HEAD INN, STAPLEHURST, at four o’clock in the afternoon,

ALL that MESSUAGE, TENEMENT or DWELLING HOUSE with a good Office 22 feet by 16½ attached to the same, together with a good Garden, and every convenience for the reception of a genteel family situate and being near to and adjoining the Church Yard of the pleasant village of STAPLEHURST, in Kent, in the occupation, formerly of Messrs MUNK and KATTE, Solicitors, and now in the occupation of Mr JAMES MUDDLE.

Applications to be made to Mr MUDDLE; or to Mr KELLY, Auctioneer and Appraiser, Staplehurst, aforesaid.

But it seems that the lease was not sold as the sale was announced again a year later in the Maidstone Journal of 3 April 1827:

STAPLEHURST, KENT.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,

By SAMUEL DOBELL,

On MONDAY, the 16th day of APRIL instant, at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, at the King’s Head Inn, Staplehurst.

ALL that MESSUAGE, TENEMENT or DWELLING HOUSE comprising 1 parlour, 1 kitchen, a large room lately used as a school-room, wash-house, and a pump erected therein, pantries, two good cellars, two chambers, and convenient closets, and two attics, with the outbuildings, offices, and a large Garden, to the same belonging, pleasantly situated in the Church-yard of the healthy village of Staplehurst, and now in the tenure or occupation of Mr James Muddle.

Together with the free and uninterrupted use of the Carriage-road way or Passage, leading from the Town or village of Staplehurst aforesaid, to the said Messuage or Tenement, Hereditaments and Premises. And also the Right of Road and the liberty to fetch and carry away Water from a certain Pond there, called the Gill field Pond:

For further particulars (apply if by letter post paid) to Messrs JAMES and OTTAWAY, Solicitors, Staplehurst; or to Mr Wm HAGUE, Solicitor, Cranbrook.

Presumably this time the lease was sold as no further announcements of its sale have been found. Later that year at the baptism of his fifth child in December 1827 James described himself as a writer, but it seems that the failure of his school venture brought ruin and loss of status to James, because in the Militia Lists of both 1828 and 1831 he was listed as a labourer with four children under 14, and to be poor and exempt from service.

The family probably continued to be poor with little hope of improvement in its condition during the 1830s when labourer's wages were being reduced for the little work that was available for them. And it seems likely that it was to escape these conditions that their son Henry joined the army on Christmas Day 1838; to be followed by his brother James fifteen days later. Two months after their sons had enlisted James and Fanny probably went to Chatham to watch them sail away on 8 March 1839 to serve their country on the other side of the World. But it would probably have not been until late in 1839 that they received the news that their son Henry had died on the voyage, less than a month after they had seen him off.

The Tithe Map and Schedule for Staplehurst of circa 1840 shows James Muddle as the occupier of a house and garden of 21 perches on which no tithe was payable that was plots 771 & 771a on the map and owned by Henry Hoare. In the census of 6 June 1841 James and Fanny and their youngest son, John, were living in Henry Hoare's Cottages in Staplehurst, and James was working as a farm labourer. Their son George married in 1844, but fifteen months later he died of tuberculosis and they buried him in their local churchyard at Staplehurst.

James was recorded as being a member of the Staplehurst Friendly Society for the year 1849-50. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 James, Fanny and their youngest son were living at Reed Farm in Strood near Rochester in Kent; James was continuing to work as a farm labourer and they had two young men, William Pankhurst and James Barden, who were farm labourers, as lodgers. It’s thought that James, Fanny and their youngest son had probably moved to Strood to find work.

James died at Strood at the age of 62, and he was taken back to Staplehurst to be buried in All Saints Churchyard on 30 June 1853. Then two years later Fanny would have received the news that her eldest son, James, had died while serving with his regiment in the Crimea. Some time after her husband’s death Fanny moved back to Staplehurst, and in the census of 7 April 1861 she was a laundress boarding with the family of hairdresser Sederick Watson in Staplehurst Village. Fourteen years after her husband’s death Fanny died at Staplehurst, at the age of 77, and she was buried in All Saints Churchyard at Staplehurst on 29 August 1867. Only John, the youngest of her five sons, survived her, and could have been there to mourn her.

Their children were:

James 1816-1855  Thomas 1819-1821  Henry 1821-1839

George 1824-1846  John 1827-1903

James and Fanny’s eldest child was James Muddle who was born at Staplehurst in Kent, and baptised at All Saints Church in Staplehurst on 3 November 1816. On Wednesday 9 January 1839 James, at the age of 22, enlisted as Private 1098 in the 1st Battalion of the 21st Regiment of Foot at the Regimental Depot in Chatham, Kent. This was a fusilier (light infantry) regiment. Fifteen days earlier his younger brother, Henry, had enlisted in the same regiment. Two months after enlisting James and his brother, together with several other recruits, were sent to join the regiment, which was then stationed at Hobart in Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). They embarked at Chatham on 8 March 1839. Personal disaster struck during the voyage when James' brother died on 2 April 1839. James would have witnessed his brother being buried at sea. He had most likely enlisted to be with, and to look after, his younger brother, but now he had to soldier on by himself.

It was not record on which ship the 21st Regiment's recruits sailed, but at this time it was normal for recruits who were going to join their regiments in either India or Australia to be used as guards on convict ships going to Australia. The guard typically consisted of about 30 men under the command of an officer. The only convict ship going to Hobart that was at sea when Henry died on 2 April was the Marquis of Hastings, a 452 ton sailing ship that had been built in 1819. She sailed from Woolwich on 6 March 1839 with 100 prisoners and then put in at Portsmouth where she embarked 140 more prisoners. This would be consistent with her stopping off at Chatham to embark James, Henry and the rest of the 21st Regiment recruits as guards on 8 March. The Marquis of Hastings sailed from Portsmouth on 17 March under the command of Henry I Naylor and arrived at Hobart on 23 July 1839 where she disembarked 233 prisoners, 7 having died on the voyage. This arrival date fits with James being recorded as joining the regiment at Hobart in the third quarter of 1839 musters, this also being the musters on which Henry's death was recoded, which would only have been known to the regiment in Hobart after the ship's arrival.

The Ship's Surgeon's report survives; it is concerned with the health of the prisoners, but does give an idea of the conditions James encountered during the voyage:

The Marquis of Hastings Convict Ship sailed from Woolwich on the 6th of March 1839, having embarked on the 4th, 100 prisoners at that place and proceeded to Portsmouth to receive 140 more, making a total of 240 male prisoners and at the period of their embarkation, they appeared generally in a tolerable state of health. The ship sailed from Portsmouth on the 17th March and after clearing the Channel, had favourable weather and crossed the Equator on the 18th of April and continued to have fine and dry weather until we reached about 50 or 60 degrees to the Eastward of the Cape of Good Hope, running down in 38/39 South Latitude, at which time we experienced vicissitudes of temperature and wet, cold, damp and often boisterous weather which appeared greatly to affect the health of the prisoners and several were daily added to the sick list with inflammatory complaints, and symptoms of scurvy began to appear amongst the prisoners and also Scorbatic cases of Erysipilas. Eleven cases of the latter disease occurred during the voyage, 4 of which proved fatal and in those cases the Patients were men of broken down constitution and at the same time, labouring under scorbatic symptoms. 49 cases of Scorbatus (scurvy) on board, 45 recovered, 4 sent to hospital. Treatment used: the heavy metals mercury and antimony; camphor, ammonia, salines and purgatives. Three other cases of death occurred on board, viz 1 enteritus, 1 phthisis and 1 laryngitis, and 8 of the prisoners were sent to the Colonial Hospital on the ship's arrival at Hobart Town. The unusual number of bad cases and large sick list during the later part of the voyage, I attribute entirely to the cold and damp weather we experienced in running down our longitude from the Cape of Good Hope to Van Diemen's Land, for it was at this period the prisoners suffered the most.

All hands were kept on deck during the day as much as possible, by which means the prison was kept dry and well ventilated at the time the prisoners were sent below for the night, which was generally at sun set. At the time the cold and damp weather commenced, the prisoners were allowed on deck in divisions, one division remaining on deck for a short time only and the other coming up and returning in rotation, which gave them more room to move about the deck and also in continual exercise. A school was established in the prison and about 40 of the prisoners who merely knew their letters at the time of their coming on board, could write and read tolerably well on the ship's arrival in the Colony. Divine Service was performed every Sunday and every means used to promote a religious and moral disposition in the convicts. The greatest attention was paid to their cleanliness and to every circumstance that promoted and added to their general comfort.      Edward Jeffrey, Surgeon Supt.

On arrival in Hobart James and the other surviving recruits joined the rest of the regiment, which had been in Australia on convict guard duty since 1833. But soon after James arrived the regiment departed for India, and during the second quarter of 1840 James was with the regiment at Fort William in Calcutta, and spent part of this quarter sick in the regimental hospital. A few years later the regiment moved west to Kamptee near Nagpur in central India where James is known to have been with the regiment during the fourth quarter of 1843. Later they moved north to Agra where James was with the regiment during the second quarter of 1846. During 1848 the regiment left India for Great Britain and were initially stationed at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. During the fourth quarter of 1848 James was with a detachment at Greenlaw to the south-east of Edinburgh near the border with England, and he was now getting 1d per day in good conduct pay.

In the census of 30 March 1851 James was recorded with the rest of the regiment at the Infantry Barracks in Glasgow. He was stated to be married, but if this is correct no other evidence of his wife has been found. The regimental musters for the second quarter of 1851 record that James was then getting 2d per day in good conduct pay. Later in 1851 the regiment moved to England and then in 1853 to Ireland. During the first quarter of 1854 the regimental musters record James with the regiment at Dublin, and it was during this quarter that his good conduct pay went up from 2d to 3d per day. The regimental musters for the third quarter of 1854 recorded that during this quarter James and the rest of the regiment transferred from Dublin to the Heights before Sebastopol in the Crimea. They had sailed from Cork during August to fight the Russians in the Crimean War.

During the fourth quarter of 1854 the regimental musters record James and the rest of the regiment as being on the heights above Sebastopol. It was during this quarter the 21st Regiment took part in two of the major battles of the Crimean War, the Battle of the Alma on 20 September and the Battle of Inkerman on 5 November. The regiment's casualties during the Battle of Inkerman were 7 officers and 114 men. For his part in these battles James was awarded the Crimea Medal with clasps for Alma and Inkerman.[4]

The regimental musters for the first quarter of 1855 record James and the rest of the regiment in camp before Sebastopol. During the second quarter the regiment was still in camp before Sebastopol, but the musters grimly record that James died in camp on 27 May 1855; he was 38 years old, and it seems likely that he died from disease rather than enemy action. He had served with the 21st Regiment of Foot, which in 1881 became the Royal Scots Fusiliers, for 16 years, and presumably lies buried in Russian soil somewhere near Sebastopol.[5]

James and Fanny’s second child was Thomas Muddle who was born at Staplehurst in Kent, and baptised at All Saints Church in Staplehurst on 27 June 1819. Thomas died at Staplehurst when he was only 2 years old, and he was buried in All Saints Churchyard at Staplehurst on 26 February 1821.

James and Fanny’s third child was Henry Muddle who was born at Staplehurst in Kent, and baptised at All Saints Church in Staplehurst on 11 February 1821. On Christmas Day, Tuesday 25 December 1838, Henry, at the age of about 18, enlisted as Private 1091 in the 1st Battalion of the 21st Regiment of Foot at the Regimental Depot in Chatham, Kent. This was a fusilier (light infantry) regiment. Fifteen days later, on 9 January 1839, his elder brother, James, also enlisted in the same regiment. Two months after enlisting Henry and his brother, together with several other recruits, were sent to join the regiment, which was then stationed at Hobart in Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). They embarked at Chatham on 8 March 1839. But Henry was never to see this distant land; he died on the voyage, on 2 April 1839, at the age of 18, and he would have been buried at sea.[6]

Henry had probably joined the army to escape the desperate poverty that labouring families such as his faced in the late 1830s and at least have the security of food and clothes that the army offered. But after just four months as a soldier he paid for this with his life.

If the ship on which Henry and his brother sailed has been correctly identified as the Marquis of Hastings (see section above on Henry's brother James for details) then it would have been only 16 days after sailing from Portsmouth that Henry died, suggesting that it might have been as a result of an accident rather than disease, which would probably not have had time to breakout. The Ship's Surgeon's report for this voyage survives; it doesn't record Henry's death as it was concerned with the health of the prisoners, but it does record that the ship crossed the Equator on 18 April, which would mean it was still in the North Atlantic when Henry died.

James and Fanny’s fourth child was George Muddle who was born at Staplehurst in Kent, and baptised at All Saints Church in Staplehurst on 25 July 1824. In the census of 6 June 1841 George, at the age of about 17, was a live-in farm labourer to farmer Thomas Osborne at Wanshurst Farm, Marden, Kent.

When he was 20 years old George married 19-year-old Eliza Wright at St Peter & St Paul’s Church, East Sutton, Kent on 17 November 1844. George was then a labourer living at Staplehurst and Eliza was a labourer living at East Sutton. Neither could write, just making their mark on their marriage certificate. Eliza was the daughter of John and Susannah Wright, and she had been baptised at St Peter & St Paul’s Church in East Sutton on 26 April 1825. George and Eliza lived at Sutton Valence in Kent where George worked as a farm labourer and their only child was born there in 1845. Then the following year George died at Sutton Valence on 25 February 1846, at the age of 21, from phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis) and congestion of the lungs that he’d had for 12 weeks, and he was buried in All Saints Churchyard at Staplehurst on 4 March 1846.

After George’s death Eliza had four illegitimate children, all born in workhouses between 1847 and 1861. The first of these children, a son, was born in Hollingbourne Union Workhouse on 14 August 1847, and then baptised at Maidstone Union Workhouse Chapel at Linton on 1 October 1847. Eliza would have gone into Hollingbourne Union Workhouse to have her son as she was then living at Sutton Valence, which came within that union, but the authorities there must have soon found out that Eliza’s ‘Parish of Settlement’ was Staplehurst, which she had acquired when she married George (wives taking their husband’s place of settlement on marriage), so, as Staplehurst was in Maidstone Union, she would have been transferred to that workhouse as soon as her condition allowed it. The birth of this child was registered at Hollingbourne without any father being named but when he was baptised at Linton Eliza gave his father as her late husband George Muddle, even though George had died seventeen months before the birth and couldn’t possibly be the father. This son only lived for six months, dying in Maidstone Union Workhouse in February 1848.

The second of Eliza’s illegitimate children, a daughter, was born in Maidstone Union Workhouse in October 1849. In the census of 30 March 1851 Eliza, at the age of 26, was a pauper in Maidstone Union Workhouse; she had her young daughter with her and her 5-year-old legitimate son was in the Union Workhouse School. Eliza’s third illegitimate child, another daughter, was born in the same workhouse in August 1858. In the census of 7 April 1861 Eliza, aged 36, was a pauper in Maidstone Union Workhouse and had the occupation of charwoman. She had her youngest daughter with her and her elder daughter was in the Union Workhouse School; her son had escaped the workhouse by joining the Royal Marines the year before. Just three days after the census Eliza gave birth in the workhouse to her fourth and last illegitimate child, another son.

Some time after the birth of her last child Eliza managed to finally escape the workhouse, and in the census of 2 April 1871, now aged 46, she was housekeeper to bachelor John Bright at 6 George Street in Maidstone. John was a labourer at a paper mill; Eliza had her two youngest children with her, her eldest son was still in the Royal Marines and her eldest daughter had married two years earlier. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Eliza was still housekeeper to John Bright, who was now a 70-year-old general labourer, but they were now living at 33 Church Street in Tovil near Maidstone. Eliza’s youngest son was now in the army, but her youngest daughter who had married a few months earlier was, together with her husband and young daughter, living with John and Eliza.

Three years after the 1881 census John Bright died, his death being registered in Maidstone registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1884. In the census of 5 April 1891 Eliza, at the age of 66, was living with the family of her youngest daughter, Eliza Bonner, at 31 Church Street in Tovil. Eliza died in West Kent General Hospital at Maidstone on 16 September 1897, at the age of 74, from acute gastro enteritis. Her death was registered by her daughter Eliza Bonner, who was then living at 21 Hartnup Street in Maidstone, so it seems likely that Eliza had been living there with her before she had to go into hospital.

Their children were:

George 1845-1915  Richard James 1847-1848  Elizabeth Mary 1849-1932

Eliza Ann 1858-?  John James 1861-1952

George and Eliza’s only child was George Muddle who was born at Sutton Valence in Kent on 24 July 1845, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Sutton Valence on 17 August 1845. His father died just seven months after his birth. In the census of 30 March 1851 George, at the age of 5, was a pauper in the Maidstone Union Workhouse School; his mother and young sister were also paupers in Maidstone Union Workhouse.

On 11 May 1860 when he was nearly 15 years old, though he said he was 15, George enlisted in the Royal Marines at Chatham for 15 years. He was enlisted by Sergeant Major Lane who gave him free kit as his bounty. George’s enlistment papers describe him as 4ft 11ins tall with a ruddy complexion, grey eyes, sandy hair, and to have no distinctive marks. George’s time in the Workhouse School must have done some good as he could write; he signed his attestation papers clearly as George Muddles, which was the name he was known by on all his Royal Marines’ records.

George served as a Drummer in the 113 Company of the Chatham Division of the Royal Marines. He first served 1 year and 234 days on shore before serving 1 year and 3 days afloat on HMS Wellesley. He then had 133 days on shore before serving afloat on HMS Columbine for 4 years and 251 days. He then had 3 years and 218 days on shore, during which he was recorded in the census of 2 April 1871 as being a 25-year-old Drummer in the Royal Marines at Chatham Barracks, before serving afloat on HMS Resistance and HMS Caledonia for 2 years and 43 days. The Caledonia was a Guard Ship in the Forth from 1872 to 1875, so that must have been where she was moored while George was on her. George then served 130 days on shore before, after having served a total of 13 years and 282 days, he was invalided out of the service on 17 February 1874 because of chronic hepatitis. Through out his service George’s conduct was always described as very good, and he had been awarded two Good Conduct Badges, the last on 17 August 1870.[7]

Less than a month after being discharged from the Royal Marines George, at the age of 28, married 31-year-old widow Ellen Hughes, whose maiden name was Lloyd, at the Church of St Paul in Tranmere, Wirral, Cheshire on 9 March 1874. They were both then living at Tranmere, and George was working as a labourer. They had four children; the first born at Rock Ferry, Wirral in 1875, and the other three at Seacombe, Wirral between 1877 and 1883. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at 4 Russell Cottages, Wheatland Lane, Seacombe with their then three children and two of Ellen's daughters from her first marriage; George was working as a general labourer and they had 20-year-old John Nolan as a lodger.

The Electoral Registers for the Seacombe Electoral Division in Cheshire recorded George as an elector qualified to vote as the occupier of a dwelling house. These registers record the elector's address during the previous year, and the registers for each year from 1885 to 1890 record George as living at 112 Ashville Road in Seacombe. Then the register for 1891 records that George had moved from 112 Ashville Road to 58 Rankin Street during 1890, and the register for 1892 recorded that George had moved from 58 Rankin Street to 15 Rankin Street during 1891. This must have been early in the year because in the census of 5 April 1891 George and Ellen were living at 15 Rankin Street in Seacombe with their three youngest children, and George was continuing to work as a general labourer. The following year Ellen died in Birkenhead registration district, Wirral on 15 January 1892, at the age of 47. The Electoral Registers for 1893 and 1894 record George continuing to live at 15 Rankin Street, then the register for 1895 records that during 1894 George moved from 15 Rankin Street to 9 Bidston Terrace.

Four years after Ellen’s death George, at the age of 51, married widow Sarah Anderson, who was about 52 years old and whose maiden name was Price, at the Church of St Mary in Kirkdale, Walton on the Hill, Liverpool, Lancashire on 3 August 1896. They said that they were both then living at 20 Wilkin Street in Kirkdale, Liverpool, which was probably Sarah's home, and George said he was a mariner. Sarah was the daughter of William and Isabella Price and she had been born in Liverpool in about 1844. Sarah was also the mother of the husband of George's eldest daughter who had married in 1894. There were no children from this marriage as Sarah was too old.

When George's son John enlisted in the Royal Marine Artillery in October 1899 George and Sarah were living at 26 Cherry Bank Road, Oakdale, Seacombe. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were still living at 26 Cherry Bank Road and George was back to being a general labourer. Their son John's service record records that by 14 August 1911 they had moved to 1 Laburnum Cottage in Seacombe.

George died at the age of 69 (not 66 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Birkenhead registration district, Wirral during the 1st quarter of 1915. He was buried on 4 February 1915. George's death meant that he was never to know that his only son, who had followed him into service in the Royal Marines, was to die the following year at the Battle of Jutland. Nine years after her husband's death Sarah died at the age of about 80 (not 73 as given on her death certificate), her death being registered in Birkenhead registration district during the 4th quarter of 1924.

George and Ellen’s eldest child was Eliza Muddle who was born at Rock Ferry, Wirral, Cheshire on 18 December 1874, and baptised at the Church of St Paul in Tranmere, Wirral on 10 January 1875. In the census of 3 April 1881 Eliza, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at 4 Russell Cottages, Wheatland Lane, Seacombe, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Eliza, now aged 16, was a live-in general domestic servant to the family of iron roof builder Edmund Blakeley at 8 Halstead Road in Seacombe.

When she was 19 years old Eliza married 25-year-old William Andrew Anderson at the Church of St Hilary in Wallasey, Wirral on 5 August 1894. William was the son of Andrew and Sarah Anderson; he had been born in Liverpool and his birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1869. William's father was a ship's carpenter and died at sea in 1894, then in 1896 William's mother became the second wife of Eliza's father and therefore Eliza's stepmother as well as her mother-in-law. William and Eliza had eleven children born at Seacombe between 1894 and 1915, three of whom died in infancy.

William worked for a drug making company but was made ill by the chemicals they used and had to move to outside work so he became a drain flusher for Wallasey Council. In the census of 31 March 1901 William and Eliza were living at 34 Cherry Bank Road in Seacombe with their then two surviving children, and William was working as a flusher of drains. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 50 Sherlock Lane in Poulton with their then six surviving children and William described his occupation as a Public Health Department labourer. Later they moved to 27 Station Road in Poulton Wallasey which remained the family home even after their deaths. This was a large Victorian terrace house with a small front garden and a small rear garden/yard with a wide back to back entry. The house had two large reception rooms, a dining room with a kitchen, five bedrooms and an inside bath and toilet.

William died in Birkenhead registration district on 15 July 1946, at the age of 77 (not 76 as given on his death certificate). Eliza's sister Amy Lawson, who had been widowed earlier in 1946, came to live with Eliza at 27 Station Road and helped Eliza keep house for Eliza's two bachelor sons, William and Ernest, who had continued to live with their parents and then their widowed mother. Nine years after William's death Eliza died in Wallasey registration district on 8 May 1955, at the age of 80. Amy continued to live at 27 Station Road and keep house for her nephews William and Ernest until her death in 1967. After which William and Ernest continued to live there until their respective deaths in 1977 and 1985.

William and Eliza’s eldest child was William George Anderson who was born at Poulton, Wirral, Cheshire on 19 October 1894. In the census of 31 March 1901 William, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at 34 Cherry Bank Road in Seacombe. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 William, now aged 16, was working as an office boy and living with his parents at 59 Sherlock Lane in Poulton. During the First World War William served in the RAMC (Royal Army Medical Corps) in Gallipoli and the Dardanelles as well as Europe William never married; both he and his bachelor brother Ernest lived with their parents at 27 Station Road in Poulton Wallasey. After their father's death in 1946 they lived there with their mother and their widowed aunt Amy Lawson; this continued until their mother died in 1955 and their aunt in 1967. Then William and Ernest continued to live there together until William died in Wallasey registration district during August 1977, at the age of 82.

William and Eliza’s second child was Andrew Anderson who was born at Poulton, Wirral, Cheshire on 7 March 1896. Andrew died in Birkenhead registration district on 26 April 1896 when only 7 weeks old.

William and Eliza’s third child was Herbert Anderson who was born at Poulton, Wirral, Cheshire on 14 January 1897. Herbert died in Birkenhead registration district on 19 January 1897 when only 5 days old. It's thought that he was buried in Wallasey Churchyard.

William and Eliza’s fourth child was Amy Isabella Anderson who was born at Poulton, Wirral, Cheshire on 17 March 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Amy, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at 34 Cherry Bank Road in Seacombe. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Amy, now aged 12, was living with her parents at 59 Sherlock Lane in Poulton and she was going to school. Amy married and had two children, a son and a daughter. She died in Wallasey registration district on 23 January 1966, at the age of 66.

William and Eliza’s fifth child was Albert Anderson who was born at Seacombe, Wirral, Cheshire on 30 August 1901. Albert died in Birkenhead registration district on 22 March 1904 when only 2 years old.

William and Eliza’s sixth child was Lilian Anderson who was born at Seacombe, Wirral, Cheshire on 13 October 1903. In the census of 2 April 1911 Lilian, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at 59 Sherlock Lane in Poulton. Lilian married and had one child, a son. She died in Birkenhead registration district during March 1989, at the age of 85.

William and Eliza’s seventh child was John Anderson who was born at Seacombe, Wirral, Cheshire on 25 October 1905. In the census of 2 April 1911 John, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at 59 Sherlock Lane in Poulton. John married and had one child, a son. He died in Wallasey registration district during May 1982, at the age of 76.

William and Eliza’s eighth child was Ernest Anderson who was born at Seacombe, Wirral, Cheshire on 17 December 1907. In the census of 2 April 1911 Ernest, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at 59 Sherlock Lane in Poulton. Ernest never married; both he and his bachelor brother William lived with their parents at 27 Station Road in Poulton Wallasey. After their father's death in 1946 they lived there with their mother and their widowed aunt Amy Lawson; this continued until their mother died in 1955 and their aunt in 1967. Then Ernest and William continued to live there together until William died in 1977, leaving Ernest to continue living there until he died in Wallasey registration district on 4 April 1985, at the age of 77.

William and Eliza’s ninth child was Charles Anderson who was born at Poulton, Wirral, Cheshire on 14 December 1909. In the census of 2 April 1911 Charles, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 59 Sherlock Lane in Poulton. Charles married and had two children, a son and a daughter, but both died in infancy. He died in Birkenhead registration district on 30 June 1994, at the age of 84.

William and Eliza’s tenth child was Phyllis Anderson who was born at Poulton, Wirral, Cheshire on 10 November 1913. Phyllis married and had two children, both daughters. She died in Birkenhead registration district on 9 April 2000, at the age of 86.

William and Eliza’s eleventh child was Doris Anderson who was born at Poulton, Wirral, Cheshire on 20 Oct 1915. Doris married and had two children, both daughters; she was widowed at the age of 40 and then married again without having any more children. She died in Chester and Ellesmere Port registration district on 29 May 1994, at the age of 78.

George and Ellen’s second child was John George Muddle who was born at Seacombe, Wirral, Cheshire on 14 August 1877, and baptised at the Church of St Paul in Tranmere, Wirral on 9 May 1880, at the same time as his younger sister. In the census of 3 April 1881 John, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at 4 Russell Cottages, Wheatland Lane, Seacombe. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 John, now aged 13, was living with his parents at 15 Rankin Street in Seacombe, and he was going to school. The 1898 Electoral Register for the Seacombe Electoral Division in Cheshire recorded John as an elector qualified to vote as the occupier of a dwelling house, and because he also reached the age of 21 during 1898. This register recorded that during the previous year, 1897, John had first been living at 21 Rankin Street but later moved to 2 Laburnum Cottages in Seacombe.

John was a 22-year-old labourer when he enlisted in the Royal Marine Artillery at Nottingham on 3 October 1899 as Private 8415. He was then described as being 5ft 9¼ins tall with a ruddy complexion, auburn hair and blue eyes. He was initially in Q Company, and he was found to be able to swim when he was tested on 29 November 1899. Then on 4 April 1900 he was transferred to L Company; promoted to Gunner 2nd Class on 1 July 1900 and then promoted to Gunner on 10 September 1900. He started serving on the battleship HMS Resolution on 18 January 1901 and in the census of 31 March 1901 John, at the age of 23, was a Gunner in the Royal Marine Artillery serving on the battleship HMS Resolution that was part of the Channel Squadron then at Gibraltar.

John transferred to the battleship HMS Formidable on 10 October 1901 and served on her for three years before returning to the Royal Marine Artillery Base on 1 October 1904. Then from 24 June 1905 John served on the new battleship HMS New Zealand for two years, returning to shore base on 15 June 1907. He joined his next ship, the battleship HMS Exmouth, on 30 October 1907.

When the Messina Earthquake struck on 28 December 1908 John was Gunner 8415 on the battleship HMS Exmouth in the Mediterranean. The Exmouth and other Royal Navy ships were ordered to give assistance and the Exmouth attended the scene from 31 December 1908 to 6 January 1909. This resulted in John and other crew members being awarded the Messina Earthquake Commemorative Medal 1908 that was issued by Italy.[8]

John was on the Exmouth for three years, returning to shore base on 6 January 1911. His next ship was the battlecruiser HMS Invincible that he joined on 16 May 1911 until transferring to HMS Victory at Portsmouth on 13 April 1912 and then the shore base on 24 May 1912. He joined armoured cruiser HMS Aboukir on 2 August 1912 before returning to shore base on 7 August 1912. He then joined the dreadnought battleship HMS King George V on 16 November 1912 and served on her until returning to shore base on 20 June 1913.

John joined his last ship, the battlecruiser HMS Indefatigable, on 3 December 1913. And John, at the age of 38, was still serving on Indefatigable as Gunner 8415 in the Royal Marine Artillery when she blew up after being hit in her magazines and sunk at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, with the loss of all but four of her crew of 1,017 men. John went down with his ship and the wreck site is his grave. He is commemorated on panel 21 of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

John had served in the Royal Marine Artillery for 16½ years and for the first ten years his character and ability were always classed as 'very good' then from 1911 his character deteriorated to 'good' to 'fair' and then 'indifferent' before returning to 'very good', and his ability deteriorated to 'satisfactory'. For his war service John received a War Gratuity of £10 that was presumably paid to his parents.[9]

George and Ellen’s third child was Amy Muddle who was born at Seacombe, Wirral, Cheshire on 20 March 1880, and baptised at the Church of St Paul in Tranmere, Wirral on 9 May 1880, at the same time as her older brother. In the census of 3 April 1881 Amy, at the age of 1, was living with her parents at 4 Russell Cottages, Wheatland Lane, Seacombe. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Amy, now aged 11, was living with her parents at 15 Rankin Street in Seacombe, and she was going to school. In the census of 31 March 1901 Amy, at the age of 21, was a live-in general domestic servant to the family of tailor's cutter William Shearer at 11 Wellesley Road in Liscard, Wirral.

When she was 35 years old Amy married 42-year-old Thomas Lawson in Birkenhead registration district, Wirral on 2 February 1916. There were no children from this marriage. They lived in Liverpool, Thomas was at one time a mariner, but later became a labourer, possibly in the docks, and Amy continued to work in domestic service. Thomas died at the age of 73, his death being registered in Liverpool North registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1946.

After the death of her husband Amy went to live at 27 Station Road in Poulton Wallasey, the home of her sister Eliza Anderson who was also widowed in 1946, soon after Amy. Eliza had her two bachelor sons, William and Ernest, living with her and Amy helped Eliza keep house for them and continued to keep house there for her two nephews after Eliza's death in 1955. Amy died in Birkenhead registration district on 10 April 1967, at the age of 87.

George and Ellen’s fourth child was Isabella Muddle who was born at Seacombe, Wirral, Cheshire, and baptised at the Church of St Paul in Seacombe on 13 May 1883. In the census of 5 April 1891 Isabella, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at 15 Rankin Street in Seacombe, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Isabella, now aged 18, was a live-in domestic servant to the family of iron merchant George Henry Johnson at 33 Falkland Road in Seacombe. Isabella died at the age of 26, her death being registered in Birkenhead registration district, Wirral during the 1st quarter of 1910.

Eliza’s first illegitimate child (her second child) was Richard James Muddle who was born in Hollingbourne Union Workhouse at Hollingbourne in Kent on 14 August 1847, and baptised in the Maidstone Union Workhouse Chapel at Linton near Maidstone in Kent on 1 October 1847. Richard died in Maidstone Union Workhouse when only 6 months old, and he was buried in Maidstone Union Burial Ground at Linton on 16 February 1848.

Eliza’s second illegitimate child (her third child) was Elizabeth Mary Muddle, known as Lizzie, who was born in Maidstone Union Workhouse at Linton near Maidstone in Kent on 17 October 1849, and baptised at the Maidstone Union Workhouse Chapel in Linton on 2 November 1849. In the census of 30 March 1851 Elizabeth, at the age of 1, was a pauper with her widowed mother in Maidstone Union Workhouse. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Elizabeth, now aged 11, was a pauper in Maidstone Union Workhouse School, her mother and younger sister were also paupers in Maidstone Union Workhouse.

When she was 19 years old Elizabeth married 22-year-old James Martin at All Saints Church in Maidstone on 16 May 1869. They should have married at St Philip’s Church, as that was their parish church, but it was in the process of being rebuilt. They were both then living at Bristows Yard in Maidstone and James was working as a labourer. Elizabeth signed their marriage certificate, James just made his mark, so Elizabeth’s time in the Workhouse School had done some good. James was the son of James and Ann Martin; he had been born at Loose Road in Maidstone on 24 February 1847, and baptised at All Saints Church in Maidstone on 30 May 1847.

James and Elizabeth had fourteen children born between 1869 and 1892, two of whom died in infancy and two more died at the ages of 8 and 17. When their first child was baptised in late 1869 they were living at George Street in Maidstone, but soon after this they moved to Tovil just outside Maidstone where all their other children were born between 1870 and 1892. In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at 10 Church Road in Tovil with their then two children, and James was working as a carman at an oil mill. When their seventh child was born in 1877 they were living at Godlings in Tovil and James was working as a carman at a paper mill. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 they were living in Tovil with their then seven surviving children, and James was now a general labourer. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 48 Church Street in Tovil with seven of their children, and James was continuing to work as a general labourer. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 31 Church Street in Tovil with five of their children, and James was now a carter at a paper mill.

James died in West Kent Hospital at Maidstone on 19 August 1903, at the age of 56 (not 57 as given on his death certificate), from chronic nephritis and cardiac failure. Twenty-nine years later Elizabeth had been living at 31 Tovil Hill in Tovil when she died in Coxheath Home at Linton on 22 November 1932, at the age of 83, from disease of the mitral valve of the heart and resultant general anasarca (swelling due to accumulation of fluid in body tissues and cavities).

James and Elizabeth’s eldest child was James Martin who was born at Maidstone in Kent on 17 September 1869, and baptised at All Saints Church in Maidstone on 28 November 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 James, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 10 Church Road in Tovil near Maidstone. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 James, now aged 11, was living with his parents in Tovil, and he was going to school.

James and Elizabeth’s second child was Walter Martin who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent, and baptised at St Stephen’s Church in Tovil on 13 November 1870. In the census of 2 April 1871 Walter, at the age of 6 months, was living with his parents at 10 Church Road in Tovil near Maidstone. Later that year Walter died at Tovil when only 11 months old, and he was buried in St Stephen’s Churchyard at Tovil on 4 September 1871.

James and Elizabeth’s third child was George Martin who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent on 24 November 1871, and baptised at St Stephen’s Church in Tovil on 13 July 1873, at the same time as his younger brother Charles. In the census of 3 April 1881 George, at the age of 9, was living with his parents in Tovil, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 George, now aged 19, was living with his parents at 48 Church Street in Tovil.

James and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Charles Martin who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent, and baptised at St Stephen’s Church in Tovil on 13 July 1873, at the same time as his older brother George. In the census of 3 April 1881 Charles, at the age of 7, was living with his parents in Tovil, and he was going to school. Charles died at the age of 17 (not 19 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Maidstone registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1890.

James and Elizabeth’s fifth child was Anne Martin who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent during the 4th quarter of 1874. She was only baptised at St Stephen’s Church in Tovil on 2 February 1876, just before she died at Tovil when only 15 months old, and was buried in St Stephen’s Churchyard at Tovil on 13 February 1876.

James and Elizabeth’s sixth child was Arthur Martin who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent, and baptised at St Stephen’s Church in Tovil on 9 July 1876. In the census of 3 April 1881 Arthur, at the age of 4, was living with his parents in Tovil. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Arthur, now aged 14, was living with his parents at 48 Church Street in Tovil. In the census of 31 March 1901 Arthur, at the age of 24, was working unloading barges and living with his parents at 31 Church Street in Tovil.

James and Elizabeth’s seventh child was Alice Martin who was born at Godlings in Tovil near Maidstone in Kent on 18 April 1877, and baptised at St Stephen’s Church in Tovil on 13 May 1877. In the census of 3 April 1881 Alice, at the age of 3, was living with her parents in Tovil. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Alice, now aged 13, was a live-in domestic servant to the family of publican Alfred Turner at The Old English Gentleman in Church Street at Tovil.

James and Elizabeth’s eighth child was Eleanor Martin who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent during the 4th quarter of 1878, and baptised at St Stephen’s Church in Tovil on 13 July 1879. In the census of 3 April 1881 Eleanor, at the age of 2, was living with her parents in Tovil. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Eleanor, now aged 12, was living with her parents at 48 Church Street in Tovil.

James and Elizabeth’s ninth child was Jane Susannah Martin who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent, and baptised at St Stephen’s Church in Tovil on 13 March 1881. In the census of 3 April 1881 Jane, at the age of 3 months, was living with her parents in Tovil. Jane died at the age of 8, her death being registered in Maidstone registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1889.

James and Elizabeth’s tenth child was Lizzie Martin, known as Lily, who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent on 22 May 1882, but only baptised at St Stephen’s Church in Tovil on 14 October 1892, at the same time as her three younger siblings. In the census of 5 April 1891 Lily, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at 48 Church Street in Tovil. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Lily, now aged 18, was a live-in domestic servant to the family of army tailor George McBride at 145 High Street, Lewisham, London.

James and Elizabeth’s eleventh child was Herbert Henry Martin who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent on 12 September 1883, but only baptised at St Stephen’s Church in Tovil on 14 October 1892, at the same time as three of his siblings. In the census of 5 April 1891 Herbert, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at 48 Church Street in Tovil. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Herbert, now aged 17, was working as a milkman and living with his parents at 31 Church Street in Tovil.

James and Elizabeth’s twelfth child was William Martin who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1887. In the census of 5 April 1891 William, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at 48 Church Street in Tovil. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 William, now aged 13, was living with his parents at 31 Church Street in Tovil.

James and Elizabeth’s thirteenth child was Rose Martin who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1889. Rose was baptised at St Stephen’s Church in Tovil on 14 October 1892, at the same time as three of her siblings. In the census of 5 April 1891 Rose, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at 48 Church Street in Tovil. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Rose, now aged 12, was living with her parents at 31 Church Street in Tovil.

James and Elizabeth’s fourteenth child was Horace Martin who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent, and privately baptised by St Stephen's Church in Tovil on 26 January 1892, followed by being received into the church on 14 October 1892. In the census of 31 March 1901 Horace, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at 31 Church Street in Tovil. Horace worked at Tovil paper mills and then at Woolwich Arsenal where he played for their football team. He then joined the Metropolitan Police and served until his 50th birthday at Westcombe Park police station where his regular beat was half way through the Blackwall Tunnel and back. Then as soon as he retired he had to rejoin until 1946 for the War effort. Horace was living at Purbrook in Hampshire when he died at nearby Cosham, at the age of 79, his death being registered during the 4th quarter of 1971.

Eliza’s third illegitimate child (her fourth child) was Eliza Ann Muddle who was born in Maidstone Union Workhouse at Linton near Maidstone in Kent on 2 August 1858, and baptised at the Maidstone Union Workhouse Chapel in Linton on 18 August 1858. In the census of 7 April 1861 Eliza, at the age of 2, was a pauper with her widowed mother in Maidstone Union Workhouse. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Eliza, now aged 12, was living with her mother, who was housekeeper to John Bright at 6 George Street in Maidstone, and she was said to be going to school. Later in life Eliza couldn’t sign her name, just making her mark on the certificates of her marriage and her mother’s death, so her schooling if she actually had any had little effect, unlike her two elder siblings who both attended the workhouse school and were able to at least sign their names.

When she was 22 years old Eliza married 26-year-old James Thomas Bonner at Maidstone Register Office on 27 November 1880. At this marriage James stated he was a blacksmith, but was more likely a blacksmith's labourer, living at 22 Church Street in Tovil, and Eliza was living at 33 Church Street in Tovil. James was the son of George and Harriet Bonner; he had been born at Maidstone and his birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1854.

James and Eliza had four children born at Tovil between 1881 and 1887. In the census of 3 April 1881 James, Eliza and their then one child were living at 33 Church Street in Tovil, which was the home of John Bright for whom Eliza's mother was housekeeper, and James was now a general labourer. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 31 Church Street in Tovil with their four children; Eliza's mother was living with them, John Bright having died in 1884, and James was continuing to work as a general labourer.

James died at the age of about 43 (not 41 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Maidstone registration district during the 1st quarter of 1897. Later that year Eliza was living at 21 Hartnup Street in Maidstone when she registered her mother's death in September 1897.

Three years after the death of her husband Eliza, at the age of 42, married 33-year-old bachelor George Thomas Jenner at Maidstone Register Office on 15 December 1900. George was then a mill labourer living at George Street in Maidstone, and Eliza was living at 35 Church Street in Tovil. George was the son of William and Jane Jenner; he had been born in Maidstone and his birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1867. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Farleigh Hill in East Farleigh near Maidstone with Eliza's two sons, and George was working as a general labourer.

Eliza died at the age of 63 (not 62 as given on her death certificate), her death being registered in Maidstone registration district during the 4th quarter of 1921. Fifteen years later George died at the age of 69, his death being registered in Maidstone registration district during the 1st quarter of 1937.

James and Eliza’s eldest child was Rosina Victoria Bonner who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent, and baptised at St Stephen’s Church in Tovil on 13 March 1881. In the census of 3 April 1881 Rosina, at the age of 2 months, was living with her parents at 33 Church Street in Tovil, which was the home of John Bright. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Rosina, now aged 10, was living with her parents at 31 Church Street in Tovil.

James and Eliza’s second child was James George Bonner who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1883. In the census of 5 April 1891 James, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at 31 Church Street in Tovil. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 James, now aged 17, was working as a labourer in a paper mill and living with his mother and stepfather at Farleigh Hill in East Farleigh near Maidstone.

James and Eliza’s third child was Annie Eliza Bonner who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1885. In the census of 5 April 1891 Annie, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at 31 Church Street in Tovil.

James and Eliza’s fourth child was George Robert Bonner who was born at Tovil near Maidstone in Kent, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1888. In the census of 5 April 1891 George, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at 31 Church Street in Tovil. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 George, now aged 13, was working as a labourer in a paper mill and living with his mother and stepfather at Farleigh Hill in East Farleigh near Maidstone.

Eliza’s fourth illegitimate child (her fifth child) was John James Muddle who was born in Maidstone Union Workhouse at Linton near Maidstone in Kent on 10 April 1861, and baptised at the Maidstone Union Workhouse Chapel in Linton on 1 May 1861. In the census of 2 April 1871 John, who was nearly 10, was living with his mother, who was housekeeper to John Bright at 6 George Street in Maidstone, and he was going to school.

John was a farm labourer and a member of the West Kent Militia when, on 2 March 1878 at the age of nearly 17 (though he told the army 18), he enlisted at Maidstone as Private 788 in the 46th Brigade for 12 years, which was to consist of 6 years in the army and 6 years in the reserve. The 46th Brigade Depot at Maidstone was for the 50th (The Queen’s Own) Regiment of Foot and the 97th (The Earl of Ulster’s) Regiment of Foot. John’s service documents describe him on enlisting as being 5ft 5¼ins tall with a chest measurement of 33¾ins, a sallow complexion, blue eyes, brown hair and no distinguishing marks. His physical development was described as moderate and he had been vaccinated on his left arm in infancy. When he was finally discharged from the army after serving 21 years this description had been modified to give his height as 5ft 7½ins and his complexion as fresh, so army life had probably been good for John.

He arrived at Maidstone Barracks on 4 March 1878 but was almost immediately sent to Edinburgh; he boarded a Royal Navy ship on 7 March and was on her for 25 days before arriving at Edinburgh on 1 April.[10] After only five months service John was appointed a Lance Corporal on 3 August 1878, and then after just one year’s service he was promoted to Corporal on 1 March 1879. While at Edinburgh John was admitted to hospital on 23 September 1879 for 20 days with blotches on his skin and pain in his tonsils caused by syphilis, which was treated with iodine and potassium. John was awarded 1d Good Conduct Pay on 4 March 1880.

After two years at Edinburgh John was transferred to Colchester, arriving there on 22 March 1880. He passed his Second Class Certificate of Education on 17 November 1880. John was appointed a Lance Sergeant on 1 February 1881, and then two months later promoted to Sergeant on 1 April 1881. In the census of 3 April 1881 John, at the age of nearly 20, was recorded as a Corporal in the Infantry Camp at Colchester, his promotion to Sergeant two days earlier being overlooked by whoever filled in the census return. On 1 July 1881 (The Queen’s Own) Royal West Kent Regiment was formed by amalgamating the two regiments that formed the 46th Brigade Depot, and John became a Sergeant in this new regiment. He was at Colchester for 20 months before being transferred to Aldershot, where he arrived on 22 November 1881.

After just over eight months at Aldershot John embarked on the liner SS Catalania on 3 August 1882 and sailed to Egypt, arriving on 20 August 1882. John then took part in the military action by which Britain took control of Egypt to protect its interests there, and for this he was later awarded the campaign medals: Egyptian War Medal 1882 and the Khedives Bronze Star. After about seven weeks on active service in Egypt John contracted a fever and was transferred to Cyprus where he arrived on 12 October 1882. Then on 25 October he was admitted to hospital because of his fever, which was causing severe diaphoretic (sweating), but after 37 days in hospital he made a perfect recovery.

John's regiment, The 1st Battalion of (The Queen's Own) Royal West Kent Regiment, was stationed at Polemidia Camp in Cyprus when the regiment's Medal Rolls were compiled for the Egyptian War Medal on 25 November 1882 and the Khedives Bronze Star in March 1883. The Egyptian War Medals were issued on 27 February 1883 and the Khedives Bronze Stars later that year.[11]

While in Cyprus John’s Good Conduct Pay was increased to 2d on 4 March 1884, and on 7 April his commander described his habits as temperate and his conduct as good. After about eighteen months in Cyprus John returned to England, arriving on 28 April 1884. Having now completed six years' service John transferred to the Reserve at Maidstone on 1 May 1884 and received £18 14s 8d in deferred pay. It seems that life outside the army didn’t suit John because after only five months on reserve he re-joined the colours on the 26 September 1884 as a Sergeant in the Royal West Kent Regiment. He was posted to the Permanent Staff of the 3rd/4th Battalion of the regiment on 10 October and then promoted to Colour Sergeant on 20 December 1884. John had done extremely well to go from Private to Colour Sergeant in 6½ years.

Five days after his promotion and eight months after his return to England John, at the age of 23, married 22-year-old Eleanor Isabel Pobgee at St Philip’s Church in Maidstone on 25 December 1884. John was then a Colour Sergeant living in the Barracks at Maidstone, and Eleanor was a domestic servant living at Salem Street in Maidstone. Eleanor was the daughter of Charles and Sarah Pobgee, and her birth had been registered at Maidstone during the 1st quarter of 1863. John and Eleanor had six children born between 1885 and 1901, two of whom died in infancy and one at the age of 18. Their first three children were born at Maidstone in 1885, 1887 and 1889, the second of these died at Maidstone in 1888 when only 9 months old. They lived in The Barracks at Maidstone until at least February 1888 when their second child died, but by the time their third child was baptised in July 1889 they were living at 79 Boxley Road in Maidstone.

John was transferred to the Depot of the Royal West Kent Regiment at Maidstone on 10 July 1886. Then on 1 July 1889 John re-engaged with the regiment at Maidstone so as to complete a total of 21 years' service, and his regimental number became 2571. He became eligible for Good Conduct Pay of 3d on 29 July 1890.

On 8 January 1891 John was made a Staff Sergeant at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst in Berkshire. In the census of 5 April 1891 Eleanor and her then youngest daughter were living at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, and John was a visitor at 38 Foster Street in Maidstone where their eldest daughter was a boarder with Eleanor’s parents, Charles and Sarah Pobgee. John and Eleanor’s 4th and 5th children were born at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst in 1892 and 1897.

John became eligible for Good Conduct Pay of 4d on 20 July 1894, and on 1 July 1896 he was awarded a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, but without any increase in his Good Conduct Pay.[12] Then on the 3 March 1899 John was finally discharged from the army, having completed his 21 years' service, and received £40 15s 0d in deferred pay. On discharge John started to receive his army pension of 2s 6d per week, his Chelsea Pensioner’s number being 94238.[13]

After his discharge John was employed by the Royal Military College as a gatekeeper at their Windsor Lodge at 19s 4d per week and this is where the family lived until John transferred to the College’s Mess Staff on 29 November 1899 at 18s per week. This is probably when the family moved to 14 Portesberry Road, Camberley, Surrey, which is not far from the college, as that was where they were living when their sixth child was born in February 1901. They were also recorded in the census of 31 March 1901 as living at this address with three of their children, their other two then surviving children were visiting Eleanor’s parents in Maidstone, and John was working as a waiter at the Royal Military College. Their daughter Doris died in late 1901, at the age of 4. John again became a gatekeeper for the college on 7 July 1904 at £1 1s per week, this time at the college’s York Town Lodge and the family would have moved there to live. Their son Oswald died in late 1911 at the age of 18. It was probably after the First World War that John was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.[14] This medal, with an annual annuity, was to recognise meritorious, and normally long, service by Sergeants and other senior NCOs. John was still receiving pay from the Royal Military College on 24 August 1923.[15]

Eleanor died at the age of 83, her death being registered in North-West Surrey registration district during the 1st quarter of 1946. Then six years later John was living at 46 Princess Street in Camberley with his spinster daughter Agnes when he died there on 20 March 1952, at the age of 90, from myocardial degeneration (heart failure) and arteris sclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

John and Eleanor’s eldest child was Eleanor Gertrude Muddle who was born at The Barracks, Sandling Road, Maidstone, Kent on 22 September 1885, and baptised at St Philip’s Church in Maidstone on 1 November 1885. In the census of 5 April 1891 Eleanor, at the age of 5, was boarding with her maternal grandparents, Charles and Sarah Pobgee, at 38 Foster Street in Maidstone, where her father was a visitor on census night. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Eleanor, now aged 15, was, together with her young sister Doris, visiting her maternal grandparents, Charles and Sarah Pobgee, at 38 Foster Street in Maidstone. When she was 29 years old Eleanor married Alexander Gamble in Farnham registration district in Surrey during the 1st quarter of 1915.

John and Eleanor’s second child was John Charles Muddle who was born at The Barracks, Sandling Road, Maidstone, Kent on 4 May 1887, and baptised at St Philip’s Church in Maidstone on 3 June 1887. John died at The Barracks when only 9 months old, and he was buried in grave 295L1 of Maidstone Borough Cemetery, Sutton Road, Maidstone on 22 February 1888.

John and Eleanor’s third child was Agnes Maud Muddle who was born at Maidstone in Kent on 28 April 1889, and baptised at St Philip’s Church in Maidstone on 7 July 1889. At the beginning of 1891 Agnes moved with her parents to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Berkshire, and in the census of 5 April 1891 Agnes, at the age of 1, was living with her mother, her father was away visiting, at the Royal Military College. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Agnes, now aged 11, was living with her parents at 14 Portesberry Road, Camberley, Surrey. Agnes never married and she was living with her widowed father at 46 Princess Street in Camberley when he died there in 1952. Agnes died at the age of 79, her death being registered in Reading registration district in Berkshire during the 4th quarter of 1968.

John and Eleanor’s fourth child was Oswald Walter James Muddle who was born at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Berkshire on 21 October 1892, and baptised at the Royal Military College Chapel on 12 February 1893. In the census of 31 March 1901 Oswald, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at 14 Portesberry Road, Camberley, Surrey. Oswald died at the age of 18, his death being registered in Farnham registration district, which includes Camberley, during the 4th quarter of 1911.

John and Eleanor’s fifth child was Doris Violet Muddle who was born at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Berkshire on 4 August 1897, and baptised at the Royal Military College Chapel on 5 September 1897. In the census of 31 March 1901 Doris, at the age of 3, was, together with her elder sister Eleanor, visiting her maternal grandparents, Charles and Sarah Pobgee, at 38 Foster Street in Maidstone. Then later that year Doris died at the age of 4, her death being registered in Farnham registration district, which includes Camberley, during the 4th quarter of 1901.

John and Eleanor’s sixth child was Eveline Grace Muddle who was born at 14 Portesberry Road, Camberley, Surrey on 21 February 1901. In the census of 31 March 1901 Eveline, at the age of 1 month, was living with her parents at 14 Portesberry Road, Camberley, Surrey. Eveline never married, she died when she was about 80, her death being registered in North-West Surrey registration district during the 1st quarter of 1981. The third forename of Isobel had been added to her name by the time of her death.

James and Fanny’s fifth child was John Muddle who was born at Staplehurst in Kent, and baptised at All Saints Church in Staplehurst on 9 December 1827. In the census of 6 June 1841 John, at the age of 13, was living with his parents at Henry Hoare's Cottages in Staplehurst. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 John, now aged 23, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at Reed Farm in Strood near Rochester in Kent. The family had probably moved to Strood to find work and John’s father died there in June 1853. The following year John, at the age of 26, married 22 year old Amy Bennett at St Nicholas’ Church in Strood on 11 June 1854. When they married both John and Amy were living at Barton’s Alley in Strood and John was working as a labourer. Amy was the daughter of John and Maria Bennett, and she had been baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Rochester on 20 November 1831.

After their marriage John and Amy lived at Strood for the rest of their lives. They had ten children, six of whom died in childhood. Their first child was born ten months before their marriage at Roe Buck Lane in Rochester, possibly this was Amy’s parent’s home, but the birth was registered by Amy as if she and John were a married couple. They were living at Barton’s Alley in Strood when this child died during September 1854, at the age of 1, just three months after their marriage.

The 27 November 1855 edition of The South Eastern Gazette carried a notice of sale by auction of a number of freehold premises at the foot of Strood Hill in the City of Rochester owned by Henry James Rayson. Lot 8 was two brick built tenements occupied by weekly tenants, John Muddle and William Collins, on which the annual rental was £15 12s. This must be Barton's Alley and shows that John and Amy Muddle were renting their home for 3s per week.

John and Amy's next eight children were born at Barton’s Alley between 1855 and 1867, and five of them died there. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at Barton’s Alley (called Barton Court in the census record) with their then three surviving children; John was a farm labourer and they had 57-year-old farm labourer John Evans as a lodger. They are known to have continued living at Barton’s Alley until at least March 1868 when their ninth child died there. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at Ball’s Buildings in Strood with their now three surviving children; John was working as a labourer and they had John Coates as a lodger. Their tenth child was born later in 1871 and they were still living at Ball’s Buildings when this child was baptised in January 1872.

They were living at Broom Hill in Strood when Amy died at the age of 47 (not 48 as given on her death certificate and burial record), and she was buried in St Nicholas’s Churchyard at Strood on 19 December 1878. In the census of 3 April 1881 John and his four surviving children were living in a cottage in London Road at Strood; John was working as a general labourer and his only surviving daughter was acting as his housekeeper. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 John, his daughter and his youngest son were living in Broom Hill Lane at Strood, and John was back to working as a farm labourer. In the census of 31 March 1901 John and his daughter, who was now 43, were living at 2 Broom Hill in Strood, and John, at the age of 73, was working as a non-domestic gardener. Then two years later John died at the age of 75, his death being registered in Strood registration district during the 1st quarter of 1903.

John and Amy’s eldest child was John Muddle who was born at Roe Buck Lane, Rochester, Kent on 9 August 1853, ten months before his parents’ marriage. John died at Barton’s Alley in Strood near Rochester when he was only one year old, and he was buried in St Nicholas’ Churchyard at Strood on 10 September 1854.

John and Amy’s second child was John Muddle who was born at Barton’s Alley in Strood near Rochester in Kent, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Strood on 11 March 1855. In the census of 7 April 1861 John, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Barton’s Alley. Then later that year John died at Barton’s Alley when he was only six year old, and he was buried in St Nicholas’ Churchyard at Strood on 8 September 1861.

John and Amy’s third child was Ann Muddle, also known as Annie, who was born at Barton's Alley in Strood near Rochester in Kent, and baptised at St Nicholas' Church in Strood on 31 May 1857. In the census of 7 April 1861 Annie, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at Barton's Alley. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Annie, now aged 13, was living with her parents at Ball's Buildings in Strood, and she was going to school. Annie's mother died in 1878 and in the census of 3 April 1881 Annie, at the age of 23, was living with her father and three surviving brothers at a cottage in London Road at Strood, and as the only surviving daughter she was acting as their housekeeper. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Annie, at the age of 34, was living with her father and her youngest brother at Broom Hill Lane in Strood. In the census of 31 March 1901 Annie, at the age of 43, was living with just her father at 2 Broom Hill in Strood, where she would have been continuing to look after him.

Annie's father died in 1903 and in the census of 2 April 1911 Annie, at the age of 53, was living at 57 Western Road in Strood and gave her occupation as lets lodgings. The census recorded that this house had 6 rooms, so plenty of rooms for Annie to let to lodgers, though she didn't seem to have any at the time of the census. Annie never married and her bachelor brother Walter lived with her at 57 Western Road from the time he was first discharged from the army in early 1913, except for the time he was serving in the army during the First World War. Annie was living at 57 Weston Road in Strood when she died at the age of 68, and was buried in St Nicholas' Churchyard at Strood on 4 February 1926. Her brother Walter continued to live at 57 Western Road until his death in 1938.

John and Amy’s fourth child was James Muddle who was born at Barton’s Alley in Strood near Rochester in Kent, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Strood on 27 March 1859. In the census of 7 April 1861 James, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Barton’s Alley. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 James, now aged 12, was living with his parents at Ball’s Buildings in Strood, and he was going to school. James’ mother died in 1878 and in the census of 3 April 1881 James, at the age of 22, was working as a labourer in a cement works and living with his father and three surviving siblings at a cottage in London Road at Strood.

When he was 27 years old James married 22-year-old Hannah M Nicholls, known as Annie, at St Peter’s Church in Rochester on 6 June 1886. They were both then living in St Peter’s Parish in Rochester, and James was a cement worker. They were living at Grange Road in Strood near Rochester when their only child, a son, was born in late 1887. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 they were living in three rooms at Hearsay Cottage, Grove Road, Frindsbury near Rochester with their young son, and James was still a cement worker. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 39 Bowes Road in Frindsbury with their son; James was working as a labourer in a cement works and they had Annie’s brother Thomas Nicholls staying with them.

Annie died at the age of 47, her death being registered in Strood registration district during the 1st quarter of 1911. James was still living at 39 Bowes Road when his son married in October 1911. Twenty-six years after his wife’s death James died at the age of 77, his death being registered in Medway registration district during the 1st quarter of 1937.

James and Annie’s only child was Joshua James Muddle who was born at Strood near Rochester in Kent, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Strood on 21 October 1887. In the census of 5 April 1891 Joshua, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at Hearsay Cottage, Grove Road, Frindsbury near Rochester. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Joshua, now aged 13, was working as a railway office messenger and living with his parents at 39 Bowes Road in Frindsbury.

When he was 24 years old Joshua married 23-year-old Annie Richards at St Mary the Virgin’s Church in Strood on 14 October 1911. Joshua was then a government labourer living with his parents at 39 Bowes Road, and Annie was living at 6 Bowes Road. Annie was the daughter of James and Ellen Richards; she had been born at Hoo near Rochester in Kent and her birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1888. Joshua and Annie were living at 101 Kitchener Road in Strood and Joshua was working as a storehouseman when their only child, a daughter, was born in late 1920.

Joshua, Annie and their daughter sailed 2nd class on the Rajputana of the P & O Steam Navigation Company from London on 10 March 1934 bound for Gibraltar.[16] They were on government business and it seems that Joshua was probably going to be working in the naval stores on Gibraltar. Then after three years on Gibraltar they all returned to England on a visit; they embarked as 2nd class passengers on the Rajputana of the P & O Steam Navigation Company at Gibraltar and arrived at London on 4 June 1937. The passenger list described Joshua as a foreman and their intended address in England was 70 Station Road in Strood, Kent.[17] After just over a month in England they had still been living at 70 Station Road, Strood when they sailed tourist class on the Strathaird of the P & O Steam Navigation Company from London on 9 July 1937 bound for Gibraltar. On the passenger list Joshua was described as an assistant foreman of stores.[18] After nearly three more years on Gibraltar, and several months after the start of the Second World War, Annie and her daughter embarked as 2nd class passengers on the Strathaird of the P & O Steam Navigation Company at Gibraltar and arrived at Liverpool on 29 May 1940. On the passenger list they gave their intended address in England as 70 Station Road in Strood.[19]

It seems likely that Joshua remained working in the Royal Navy Stores on Gibraltar all during the Second World War, only returning to England after the war. It was probably for this that he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal in 1948 when he had become Acting Foreman of Storehouses at the Royal Navy Armament Depot in Upnor near Chatham in Kent.[20]

Joshua died at the age of 75, his death being registered in Chatham registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1963. Six years later Annie died at the age of 80, her death being registered in Sittingbourne registration district in Kent during the 1st quarter of 1969.

Joshua and Annie’s only child was Betty Joan Muddle who was born at Strood near Rochester in Kent during the 4th quarter of 1920, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin's Church in Strood on 23 January 1921. In 1934, when she was 13, Betty went to Gibraltar with her parents as her father now had a job there. In mid-1937 Betty and her parents had a one month visit to England and on the ship's passenger list Betty was described as being a student. Then in mid-1940, several months after the start of the Second World War, Betty and her mother returned to England to stay at 70 Station Road in Strood, and on this passenger list Betty, now aged 19, was described as being a librarian.

When she was 27 years old Betty married John H Jones in Chatham registration district in Kent during the 3rd quarter of 1948. They had one child, a son, born in Chatham registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1949.

John and Amy’s fifth child was Thomas Muddle who was born at Barton’s Alley in Strood near Rochester in Kent, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Strood on 23 September 1860. Thomas died at Barton’s Alley when he was only five months old, and he was buried in St Nicholas’ Churchyard at Strood on 6 January 1861.

John and Amy’s sixth child was William Muddle who was born at Barton’s Alley in Strood near Rochester in Kent, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Strood on 19 January 1862. (At his baptism William’s name was incorrectly recorded as John.) In the census of 2 April 1871 William, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at Ball’s Buildings in Strood, and he was going to school. William’s mother died in 1878 and in the census of 3 April 1881 William, now aged 19, was working as a farm labourer and living with his father and three surviving siblings at a cottage in London Road at Strood.

When he was 24 years old William married 23-year-old Mary Ann Judd at Holy Trinity Church in Brompton near Rochester on 29 May 1886. They were both then living in Brompton and William was a labourer. Mary Ann was the daughter of George and Emma Judd; she had been born at Romford in Essex and her birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1862. The Judd family had moved from Romford to Shorne near Rochester by the time of the 1881 census, and Mary Ann was then working there as a live-in domestic servant.

William and Mary Ann didn't have any children but Mary Ann's brother Walter Judd had married and had two children before he died in 1890 and as their mother Elizabeth couldn't look after them the daughter, Annie Elizabeth Judd, was taken in by William and Mary Ann and effectively adopted by them. The son, William Henry Judd, was taken in by a member of their mother's family. Their mother remarried in 1895 but died the following year leaving these two children effectively orphans.

In the census of 5 April 1891 William and Mary Ann were living at 34 Cross Street in Strood; William was working as a general labourer and they had Mary Ann's niece, 5-year-old Annie Elizabeth Judd, living with them as their adopted daughter. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 122 Brompton Lane in Strood; William was working as a labourer at the cement works and their adopted niece was still living with them. This niece continued to live with them until she married Thomas Stanley Watson in 1905 and then migrated to Canada in early 1911. In the census of 2 April 1911 William and Mary Ann were living at 103 Montfort Road in Strood; William was still a labourer at a cement works and they now had their 7-year-old niece Rosie Cheeseman living with them.

Mary Ann died at the age of 71 (not 70 as given on her death certificate), her death being registered in Strood registration district during the 1st quarter of 1934. Ten years later William died at the age of 82, his death being registered in Chatham registration district during the 4th quarter of 1944.

John and Amy’s seventh child was George Muddle who was born at Barton’s Alley in Strood near Rochester in Kent, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Strood on 12 January 1865. George died at Barton’s Alley when he was only two months old, and he was buried in St Nicholas’ Churchyard at Strood on 22 January 1865.

John and Amy’s eighth child was Alfred Muddle who was born at Barton’s Alley in Strood near Rochester in Kent, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Strood on 10 December 1865. Alfred died at Barton’s Alley when he was only ten weeks old, and he was buried in St Nicholas’ Churchyard at Strood on 14 January 1866.

John and Amy’s ninth child was Henry Muddle who was born at Barton’s Alley in Strood near Rochester in Kent, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Strood on 29 September 1867. Henry died at Barton’s Alley when he was only seven months old, and he was buried in St Nicholas’ Churchyard at Strood on 15 March 1868.

John and Amy’s tenth child was Walter Muddle who was born at Ball's Buildings in Strood near Rochester in Kent during the 3rd quarter of 1871, and baptised at St Nicholas' Church in Strood on 28 January 1872. Walter's mother died in 1878 and in the census of 3 April 1881 Walter, at the age of 9, was living with his father and three surviving siblings at a cottage in London Road, Strood, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Walter, now aged 19, was working as an iron moulder and living with his father and sister at Broom Hill Lane in Strood.

Walter was 20½ years old and working as a moulder when he enlisted for 7 years active service and 5 years on the army reserve, as Sapper 26305 in the Royal Engineers at Chatham on 25 January 1892. He was then described as 5ft 7¼ins tall, weighed 120lb, had a 35½ins fully expanded chest, fresh complexion, brown eyes, brown hair and a mole on his right cheek. On entry Walter's proficiency as a moulder was rated a fair, but by 1893 this had increased to skilled, then by 1894 it was superior and by 1895 it was very superior. Walter was in the 6th Company of the Royal Engineers at Chatham when was granted 1d Good Conduct pay on 25 January 1894; appointed a Lance Corporal in the 9th Corps on 7 October 1895 and had his Good Conduct pay increased to 2d on 25 January 1898. He was promoted to 2nd Corporal on 1 May 1898 and then on 15 November 1898 he extended his active service to 12 years.

Walter embarked for Gibraltar on 10 December 1898 and then after 11 months in Gibraltar the Boer War resulted in Walter embarking for South Africa on 18 November 1899 where he was promoted to Corporal on 1 February 1900. He was with the 6th Company Royal Engineers of the South African Field Force for nearly 3 years until returning to Britain on 28 September 1902. For his service during the Boer War Walter was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal, and the King's South Africa Medal with claps for South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902.

On his return to Britain Walter was posted to Fort Camden, Cork, Ireland where he re-engaged on 22 December 1903 to complete 21 years active service. He was promoted to Sergeant on 1 June 1904 and embarked for South Africa again on 21 February 1905 where he served for just over 4 years. Walter was transferred to the 56th Corps on 26 March 1909 and arrived back in England on 17 April 1909 where he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major on 25 January 1910. Walter was transferred to the 17th Corps on 15 March 1910 and discharged to pension on 24 January 1913 having completed his 21 years' service. On discharge Walter's conduct and character were described as exemplary; he was sober and industrious, well educated, with an excellent manner and in every respect fitted to be a foreman in charge of men. He was given a £5 Good Conduct Gratuity and his intended place of residence was to be 57 Western Road, Strood, the home of his spinster sister Annie Muddle.

Walter's army records seem to indicate that after his discharge he may have worked for the Royal Engineers in Chatham as a civilian. Then less than 2 years after his discharge the outbreak of the First World War resulted in Walter, at the age of 43 and still working as a moulder, enlisting again in the Royal Engineers at Chatham on 28 September 1914 as Sapper 52925. He was then described as 5ft 7¾ins tall, weighed 153lb, had a 36ins fully expanded chest, fresh complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. The following day he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major and posted to the 80th Field Company of the Royal Engineers.

Walter embarked for France on the 26 July 1915 where he served for just over 2 years. While in France Walter was granted leave from the 80th Field Company from 22 December 1916 to 1 January 1917. He was then mention in the 9 April 1917 dispatch of Sir Douglas Haig, which was published in the London Gazette of 18 May 1917. He was also brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War for valuable services rendered. Walter made an Army Will while he was serving that left everything to his sister Annie Muddle of 57 Western Road, Strood.

Walter returned to England on 1 October 1917 and was posted to B Company of the 3rd Reserve Battalion of the Royal Engineers at Newark, Nottinghamshire on 8 October 1917. He was granted leave from that company from 18 April 1918 to 23 April 1918. Walter was discharged on 22 February 1919 and gave his intended place of residence was to be 57 Western Road, Strood, the home of his sister Annie. For his service during the First World War Walter was awarded three campaign medals, the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1914-15 Star.[21]

Walter never married and lived with his spinster sister Annie at 57 Weston Road in Strood until Annie died in 1926. Walter then continued to live at 57 Weston Road and was an army pensioner when he died in the County Hospital at the age of 66. He was buried in grave Q286 of Strood Cemetery on 8 March 1938.

James and Mary’s second child was Ann Muddle who was born at Staplehurst in Kent on 22 January 1793, and baptised at All Saints Church in Staplehurst on 20 February 1793. Ann never married. In the census of 6 June 1841 she was living at Diggens Lane in Tunbridge Wells, and living with her was her sister Sarah Driver and also three female members of a Beale family, who were probably related to William Beale the husband of her sister Martha. It’s thought that this is probably where her mother had been living when she died at Tunbridge Wells in 1837. Ann died at Tunbridge Wells at the age of 55, and she was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard at Tunbridge Wells on 19 March 1848.

James and Mary’s third child was Thomas Muddle who was born at Staplehurst in Kent on 14 December 1794, and baptised at All Saints Church in Staplehurst on 11 January 1795. Thomas went to London and at the age of 25 he married Ann Nunn at St Pancras Parish Church on 26 September 1820. Ann was the daughter of Thomas Nunn and she had been born in Essex. Thomas and Ann didn't have any children, and Thomas died in the Infirmary in St Marylebone at the age of 39 (not 40 as given on his burial record), and was buried in the Churchyard of St Marylebone Parish Church on 22 August 1834.

Seven years after Thomas' death Ann married 64-year-old widower William Bubb at St Pancras Parish Church on 9 December 1841. William was then a coachman living in Devonshire Street and Ann was living at St Mary. William was the son of Thomas Bubb; he had been born at Cheltenham in Gloucester and baptised at the Parish Church of St Mary in Cheltenham on 30 March 1777. In the census of 6 June 1841 William and Ann were living at Devonshire Mews East in St Marylebone; William was a male servant, presumably a coachman, and they had 20-year-old male servant James Coates living with them. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at 36 Devonshire Place Mews and William was still a coachman. Eight years later Ann died; her death being registered in Marylebone registration district during the 1st quarter of 1859. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 William was a retired coachman living at 18 Cornwall Terrace Mews in St Marylebone, and he had his granddaughter 24-year-old Mary Bubb living with him. William died when he was just on 86 years old, his death being registered in Marylebone registration district during the 1st quarter of 1863.

James and Mary’s fourth child was Mary Muddle who was born at Staplehurst in Kent on 12 January 1797, and baptised at All Saints Church in Staplehurst on 15 January 1797. When she was 22 years old Mary married Richard Craite at All Saints Church in Staplehurst on 18 October 1819. Richard was under age and married with his parents’ consent.

James and Mary’s fifth child was Sarah Muddle who was born at Staplehurst in Kent on 5 December 1799, and baptised at All Saints Church in Staplehurst on 12 January 1800. Sarah died at Staplehurst when only 2 years old, and she was buried in All Saints Churchyard at Biddenden on 28 September 1802.

James and Mary’s sixth child was Sarah Muddle who was born at Staplehurst in Kent on 5 December 1802, and baptised at All Saints Church in Staplehurst on 2 January 1803. When she was 20 years old Sarah married George Driver at All Saints Church in Biddenden on 3 May 1823. George was then living at Biddenden and Sarah at Greenwich. It’s thought that Sarah may have separated from her husband because in the census of 6 June 1841 she was living with her sister Ann Muddle at Diggens Lane in Tunbridge Wells. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 she was living at 9 Tranquil Cottages, Albert Street, Tunbridge Wells, and she had her niece Clara Beale living with her; she was working as a needlewoman and stated that she was married. Sarah died when she was about 60, her death being registered in Tonbridge registration district during 4th quarter of 1862.

James and Mary’s seventh child was Martha Muddle who was born at Staplehurst in Kent on 17 January 1806, and baptised at All Saints Church in Staplehurst on 9 February 1806. When she was 22 years old Martha married 21-year-old William Beale at All Saints Church, Maidstone, Kent on 17 February 1828. William was the son of Stephen and Ruth Beale; he had been born at Frant in Sussex and baptised at St Alban's Church in Frant on 4 April 1806.

At their marriage William and Martha stated that they were both then living in All Saints Parish in Maidstone, but that was probably a matter of convenience as their first child was to be born later that year at Staplehurst. They then moved to Tunbridge Wells where they had five more children born between 1833 and 1842. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living in Grove Hill Road at Tunbridge Wells with their then five children, and William was a builder. They moved to Frant where their fourth child died in mid-1848 and later that year their seventh child was born. In the census of 30 March 1851 they were living in Frant Road at Frant with their six surviving children, and William was a carpenter and builder.

Martha died at Frant, at the age of 47 (not 45 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in St Alban's Churchyard at Frant on 8 January 1854. In the census of 7 April 1861 William and his son Harry were living at 2 Woodland Place, Quarry Road Tunbridge Wells, William was a builder and his son a carpenter. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 William and his son Harry were living at 99 Camden Road in Tunbridge Wells and they were both working as carpenters and builders. Twenty-one years after Martha's death William was living at Tunbridge Wells when he died at the age of 69 (not 67 as given on his burial record), and was buried in St Alban's Churchyard at Frant on 2 May 1875.

William and Martha’s eldest child was Emma Beale who was born at Staplehurst in Kent in about 1828. In the census of 6 June 1841 Emma, at the age of 12, was living with her parents in Grove Hill Road at Tunbridge Wells. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Emma, now aged 22, was living with her parents in Frant Road at Frant, and she was working as a dressmaker.

William and Martha’s second child was Emily Ruth Beale who was born at Tunbridge Wells in Kent in about 1833. In the census of 6 June 1841 Emily, at the age of 7, was living with her parents in Grove Hill Road at Tunbridge Wells. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Emily, now aged 17, was living with her parents in Frant Road at Frant, and she was working as a dressmaker. Emily was living at Tunbridge Wells when she died at the age of 27, and was buried in St Alban's Churchyard at Frant on 20 January 1861.

William and Martha’s third child was Agnes Beale who was born at Tunbridge Wells in Kent in about 1836. In the census of 6 June 1841 Agnes, at the age of 5, was living with her parents in Grove Hill Road at Tunbridge Wells. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Agnes, now aged 14, was living with her parents in Frant Road at Frant, and she was going to school. In the census of 7 April 1861 Agnes, at the age of 24, was a live-in house servant to brewer and farmer Thomas Batchelor and his wife at the Royal Oak Inn at Bells Yew Green in Frant Parish. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Agnes, at the age of 34, was a live-in general domestic servant to the family of brewer George Ware at Bells Yew Green.

William and Martha’s fourth child was Frances Ann Beale who was baptised at St Peter & St Paul Church in Tonbridge on 21 February 1838. In the census of 6 June 1841 Frances, at the age of 3, was living with her parents in Grove Hill Road at Tunbridge Wells. Frances moved with her parents to Frant where she died when she was 10 years old, and she was buried in St Alban's Churchyard at Frant on 14 May 1848.

William and Martha’s fifth child was Clara E Beale who was born at Tunbridge Wells in Kent in about 1840. In the census of 6 June 1841 Clara, at the age of 1, was living with her parents in Grove Hill Road at Tunbridge Wells. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Clara, now aged 10, was living with her parents in Frant Road at Frant, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Clara, at the age of 21, was working as a servant and living with her aunt Sarah Driver at 9 Tranquil Cottages, Albert Street, Tunbridge Wells.

William and Martha’s sixth child was William Harry Beale, known as Harry, who was born at Tunbridge Wells in Kent in about 1842. In the census of 30 March 1851 Harry, at the age of 8, was living with his parents in Frant Road at Frant, and he was going to school. Harry's mother died in 1854 and in the census of 7 April 1861 Harry, now aged 18, was living with his widowed father at 2 Woodland Place, Quarry Road, Tunbridge Wells; Harry was a carpenter and his father a builder. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Harry, at the age of 28, was living with his father at 99 Camden Road in Tunbridge Wells, and they were both working as carpenters and builders.

William and Martha’s seventh child was Selina Martha Young Beale who was born at Frant in Sussex, and baptised at St Alban’s Church in Frant on 17 December 1848. In the census of 30 March 1851 Selina, at the age of 2, was living with her parents in Frant Road at Frant. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Selina, now aged 12, was living with her aunt Sarah Beale at Bells Yew Green in Frant Parish. Sarah was the widow of Stephen Beale, a brother of Selina's father, and Selina had probably been living with her since her mother's death in 1854 when she was only 5 years old. In the census of 2 April 1871 Selina was a live-in domestic servant to school mistress Elizabeth Reed and her two sisters at their boarding school for girls at 37 Montpelier Crescent in Brighton.

James and Ann’s second child was Thomas Muddle who was born at Biddenden in Kent, and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Biddenden on 8 April 1764. Thomas died when he was only about a year old, and he was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Biddenden on 17 March 1765.

James and Ann’s third child was Philip Muddle who was born at Biddenden in Kent, and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Biddenden on 22 January 1767. Philip's father had died just before his birth and his mother died in 1772, making him an orphan at the age of 5. Then the next year Philip died at the age of 6, and he was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Biddenden on 17 April 1773.