THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE DORSET MUDDLE FAMILIES THE PORTLAND MUDDLES

 

Chart of William & Eliza Muddle’s Family

 

William and Eliza’s eldest child was Harriet Georgina Muddle who was born at 9 Athol Terrace, East Cliffe, Guston, Dover on 6 September 1867, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Dover on 24 November 1867. In the census of 2 April 1871 Harriet, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 9 Athol Terrace in Guston. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Harriet, now aged 13, was living with her parents at 36 East Cliffe in Guston, and she was going to school. In the census of 5 April 1891 Harriet, at the age of 23, was a nurse visiting Crofton House, Croft Road, Tormoham, Devon, the home of Justice of the Peace Robert Frost whose household included a 2-year-old granddaughter.

When she was 32 years old Harriet married 42-year-old widower George Whittaker at Buckland Parish Church in Dover on 16 April 1900. They were both then living at 15 Woods Place in Buckland and George was working as a carman. George was the son of William and Bethia Whittaker; he had been born at Petham, Kent and his birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1858 under the name Whitacre. In the census of 31 March 1901 George and Harriet were living at 38 East Cliffe with George's 8-year-old daughter from his previous marriage, and George was continuing to work as a carman.

Harriet died at Dover on 11 March 1907 at the age of 39. Twenty-five years later George died at the age of 74, his death being registered in Elham registration district, which is about 9 miles north-west of Dover, during the 4th quarter of 1932.

 

William and Eliza’s second child was George William Muddle who was born at East Cliffe, Guston, Dover on 15 January 1869, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Dover on 25 April 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 George, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at 9 Athol Terrace in Guston. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 George, now aged 12, was living with his parents at 36 East Cliffe in Guston, and he was going to school.

Seven years later George was a labourer, when, at the age of 19 years and 9 months, he enlisted in the East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) at Dover on 20 October 1888. He enlisted for 12 years; the first 7 years in Army Service and the following 5 years in the Army Reserve. He joined the regiment at Canterbury two days later as Private 2634. George was then described as being 5ft 5¾in tall, weighing 129lbs, with 34½in chest, fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, and to have several moles on his body and indistinct tattoo marks on his right forearm and hand. He had four vaccination marks on his left arm from being vaccinated as an infant, and he was re-vaccinated on the left arm with two vaccinations on the 28th.

After about three weeks at the depot in Canterbury George was posted to Dover on 14 February 1889, where he spent 23 days in hospital with mild gonorrhoea. He was then stationed at Aldershot from 6 August 1889 before embarking on the Malabar for India on 20 November 1889. George arrived in India on 17 December 1889 and was posted to Dum Dum just outside Calcutta ten days later. During 1890 he was in hospital three times with inflammation of the lymph glands for periods of 37, 31 and 77 days. After having completed 2 years service George was awarded 1d Good Conduct pay on 20 October 1890. He was then stationed at Calcutta from 29 December 1890, where during 1891 he again spent time in hospital. First he was in hospital for 10 days with gonorrhoea, then in June he was in for 6 days with ague and he was back in for another 6 days with ague during July. On the 3 October George was admitted to hospital with lymph gland problems and he was transferred to hospital in Darjeeling on 14th, where he was treated with mercury and discharged from hospital on 31st. George was back in Calcutta on 15 March 1892 where, from 23 June, he spent 10 days in hospital with gonorrhoea.

The following year George was station at Jullundur, which is 200 miles northwest of Delhi, from 3 March 1893, and then at Mooltan, which is now Multan in Pakistan and 250 miles southwest of Jullundur, from 20 September 1893, where he was again back in hospital with gonorrhoea for 9 days from 5 August 1894. After having completed 6 years service George was awarded 2d Good Conduct pay on 20 October 1894. The following year George was again in hospital from 21 September 1895 for 29 days with an ulcer on his penis. Then from 24 April 1896 George was stationed at Peshawer, which is to the west of Rawalpindi in what is now Pakistan and about 250 miles north of Multan. Later that year George left India when he embarked on the SS Dilwara on 6 November 1896 and arrived back in England on 27 November 1896. A few days later, on 1 December 1896, George was transferred to the reserve, until 3 years later, on 4 December 1899, he was recalled to army service, presumably to serve in South Africa. His service record records him embarking on the SS Gaika on 22 December 1899 and also that on mobilization he was found unfit, which is not suprising in the light of his earlier army medical record. It's unclear if he actually sailed to South Africa, but as no return voyage was recorded this seems unlikely. George was finally discharged as medically unfit on 28 July 1900, after having served a total of 11 years and 282 days.

George had been granted 1d good conduct pay on 20 October 1890 and 2d good conduct pay on 20 October 1894. He gained a 3rd class Certificate of Education on 14 November 1890, a 2nd class Certificate of Education on 24 June 1893, and he also passed the Soldier's Signalling Certificate in Telegraphy on 28 May 1894.[1]

In the census of 31 March 1901 George, at the age of 32, was living with his widowed mother at 36 East Cliffe, and he was now working as a house painter’s labourer, probably with his brother Charles who was a house painter. George never married; he died at Dover on 27 October 1910 at the age of 41.

 

 

William and Eliza’s third child was Fanny Eliza Muddle who was born at East Cliffe, Guston, Dover on 13 September 1870, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Dover on 18 December 1870. In the census of 2 April 1871 Fanny, at the age of 6 months, was living with her parents at 9 Athol Terrace in Guston. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Fanny, now aged 10, was living with her parents at 36 East Cliffe in Guston and she was going to school. In 1889, when she was about 19, Fanny had an illegitimate son, at which time she was staying with her parents at 36 East Cliffe. In the census of 5 April 1891 Fanny, at the age of 20, was a live-in general servant to the family of hatter Edward Lance at 120 Ramsden Road, Clapham, London.

When she was 30 years old Fanny married 32-year-old Arthur Albert Nowers at St Ann's Church, Tottenham, London on 25 March 1901. They were both then living at 65 Shrubbery Road in Tottenham and Arthur was a Corporal in the Royal Field Artillery. Arthur was the son of Edward and Eleanor Nowers, and he had been born at Dover on 21 October 1868. Going by their names it seems likely that Arthur had been the father of Fanny's illegitimate son. Six days after their marriage in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living with the family of Arthur's widowed sister Eleanor Greenstreet at 65 Shrubbery Road. After their marriage Arthur and Fanny had seven children born at Leyton in the West Ham registration district of London between 1901 and 1912. When Fanny's son George died in 1916 and when Arthur and Fanny's son William emigrated in 1923 they were living at 55 Bakers Avenue, Hoe Street, Leyton, London E10. Arthur worked as a ticket inspector on the buses at Leyton.

Arthur died in Billericay registration district in Essex on 1 May 1918, at the age of 49. Thirty-six years later Fanny died in South-West Essex registration district on 25 May1954, at the age of 83.

 

Fanny’s illegitimate son, who was almost certainly fathered by her future husband, was George William Arthur Nowers Muddle who was born at East Cliffe, Guston, Dover on 5 October 1889, but only baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Dover on 22 March 1898 when he was 8 years old.

In the census of 5 April 1891 George, at the age of 1, was living with his grandparents, William and Eliza Muddle, at 36 East Cliffe; his mother was then working in service in London. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 George, now aged 11, was continuing to live with his now widowed grandmother, Eliza Muddle, at 36 East Cliffe. In the census of 2 April 1911 George, at the age of 21, was working as a storeman at the GPO Cable Depot and still living with his grandmother, Elixa Muddle, at 36 East Cliffe. After his grandmother died in 1912 George went to live with the family of his mother's brother William Richard Muddle at 22 Granville Street in Dover and he continued to work at the GPO Cable Depot in Dover's Eastern Docks. George never married.

During the First World War George enlisted in London as Private 4245 in the 8th Battalion of the London Regiment (Post Office Rifles), and he was Lance Corporal 4245 in the 8th Battalion of the London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) when he was killed in action at High Wood in France on 15 September 1916, at the age of 26, during the Battle of the Somme. He was buried in plot 7, row G, grave 32 of Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France, and he is commemorated on Dover War Memorial. For his war service George was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.[2]

 

 

Arthur and Fanny’s first legitimate child was Arthur Edward Nowers who was born at Leyton in the West Ham registration district of Essex (now part of London) on 23 December 1901, and baptised at Leyton Church on 19 March 1902. Arthur married in 1932 and had three children. Arthur died at the age of 58, his death being registered in South-West Essex registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1960.

 

Arthur and Fanny’s second legitimate child was Eleanor Grace Nowers who was born at Leyton in the West Ham registration district of Essex (now part of London) on 14 August 1903. Eleanor never married. She died in Waltham Forest registration district on 6 May 1990, at the age of 86.

 

Arthur and Fanny’s third legitimate child was Frank Ernest Nowers who was born at Leyton in the West Ham registration district of Essex (now part of London) on 30 March 1905. Frank married in 1931 but didn't have any children. He died in Waltham Forest registration district on 14 May 1985, at the age of 80.

 

Arthur and Fanny’s fourth legitimate child was William Olaf Nowers who was born at Leyton in the West Ham registration district of Essex (now part of London) on 6 November 1906.

William had been living with his parents at 55 Bakers Avenue, Hoe Street, Leyton, London E10 and working as a Shop Boy when, at the age of 16, he emigrated from England to Australia. He sailed 3rd class on the SS Ballarat of the P & O Branch Service Steamship Line from London on 24 May 1923 bound for Sydney, New South Wales.[3] William had begged and pleaded with his mother to let him go and she had scrimped and scraped to find a bit of money for the things he needed to take, but for some reason, some say home sickness, he hanged himself at Fremantle, Western Australia on 3 July 1923 when the Ballarat called in there on her way to Sydney.

The Ballarat had arrived at Fremantle on the evening of Monday 2 July and berthed on the morning of Tuesday 3 July. William's death was reported in the Wednesday 4 July 1923 edition of the evening paper, The Daily News, and repeated in the following day's edition:

YOUNG IMMIGRANT

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COMMITS SUICIDE AT FREMANTLE

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FIRST DAY IN AUSTRALIA

William Nowers, 16 years of age, was an immigrant booked from Tilbury Docks to Sydney by the P. and O. branch service steamer Ballarat which arrived at Fremantle during Monday evening. The Ballarat berthed yesterday morning, and some time last night, or early to-day, Nowers, with one end of a 5ft. rope tied round his neck and the other end attached to a substantial beam, let himself drop into space. A man entering the Fremantle smelter works at 7.15 o'clock this morning saw the lifeless body suspended in air, and wasted no time in notifying the police of his gruesome discovery. P.C. Hughes, of the Beaconsfield station, ordered the removal of the body to the Fremantle morgue. Nowers must have been dead some hours prior to the discovery, as the body was quite cold. That the deceased's action was deliberate and determined is emphasised by the fact that he had apparently made an attempt to drown himself, his clothes being wet beyond the knees. There is nothing to indicate the motive. In the deceased's possession was a passport supplying information as to his name, age and destination. A letter addresses to him from his mother was also found in the pocket. Nowers possibly located the rope near the smelters, and would have had to clamber on to a beam 7ft. from the ground before letting himself go.

A post-mortem examination was held this morning, and an inquest commenced at 2.30 o'clock.

More details of William's death were recorded in the Fremantle Police Station's Occurrence Book on 4 July 1923: P C Hughes telephoned the station at 7.22am to report that he had been told that a man had hanged himself at the Fremantle Smelters and that he was going to investigate. At 8.20am the body arrived at the morgue having been taken there by P C Hughes in Davies' van. Upon searching the body, which was clothed in a dark tweed suit, grey cap and fawn coloured overcoat, a letter was found in the pockets addressed to Wm Nowers, a passenger on SS Ballarat from his mother, written from No 55 Baker's Avenue, Hoe St, Leyton, E17, together with two pieces of lead pencil, a broken comb and a small photo of the deceased. A post-mortem was ordered and Dr Williams asked to perform it. Later that day an inquest was opened at Fremantle Court House at 2.30pm, before acting Coroner Frederick James McLaren, when the body was viewed and identified by Irwin Bell Thompson, the inquest was then adjourned. At 10.55 that evening the police station received reports that there were rumours circulating in the town that someone had committed suicide on the SS Ballarat, Sgt Notley and P C Cheeseman made enquiries on the ship and found the rumours untrue; obviously the rumours were garbled versions of William's death.

William was buried in section MON AA, grave 0127 of the Anglican area of Fremantle Cemetery on 6 July 1923, in a sandy plot without a headstone. His funeral notice had been published in that day's edition of The West Australian stating that his funeral would leave the Private Mortuary of undertakers Arthur E Davies and Co, Market Street, Fremantle at 11.00am and arrive at the Cemetery at 11.20am.

The inquest into William's death was reopened at the Court House at 10.30am on Thursday 12 July 1923 and after hearing evidence from Dr Williams, Thomas Sibbrett and Constable W Hughes the Coroner returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death at Fremantle Smelters on 4 July 1923 from Asphyxiation by hanging, which was his own act.[4]

 

Arthur and Fanny’s fifth legitimate child was Hattie Nowers who was born at Leyton in the West Ham registration district of Essex (now part of London) on 26 October 1908. Hattie never married. She died in Waltham Forest registration district on 31 January 1992, at the age of 83.

 

Arthur and Fanny’s sixth legitimate child was Edith Margaret Nowers who was born at Leyton in the West Ham registration district of Essex (now part of London) on 28 February 1911. Edith married in 1932 and had two children. She died in Hitchin and Stevenage registration district on 16 May 2000, at the age of 89.

 

Arthur and Fanny’s seventh legitimate child was Charles Frederick Nowers who was born at Leyton in the West Ham registration district of Essex (now part of London) on 16 November 1912. Charles married in 1938 and had one child. He died in Waltham Forest registration district during June 1976, at the age of 63.

 

William and Eliza’s fourth child was William Richard Muddle who was born at 9 Athol Terrace, East Cliffe, Guston, Dover, on 17 February 1872. William was privately baptised by St James the Apostle Church in Dover on 17 June 1873, and then received into the church at St John Mariner Chapel in Dover on 16 October 1878 at the same time as his younger brother John was baptised. In the census of 3 April 1881 William, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at 36 East Cliffe in Guston and he was going to school. William is said to have been educated at Pier and St Mary’s schools in Dover. Family tradition has it that William was a baker’s boy and slept under the shop counter. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 William, now aged 19, was working as a milkman’s assistant and continuing to live with his parents at 36 East Cliffe.

In October 1900 William was appointed by the GPO to be a Cable Hand on its cable laying ships.[5] Then on 7 November 1900 William was certified by the Civil Service Commission as qualified to be appointed a Cable Hand on board Post Office Cable Ships.[6] In the census of 31 March 1901 William, at the age of 29, was a cable hand on HM Telegraph Ship Alert that was then at sea in Margate Roads of the coast of Kent. The Alert was a steam ship of 194 tons based at Dover and in the service of HM Postmaster General. This ship had originally been The Lady Carmichael owned by the Submarine Telegraph Company and on which William's father was serving in 1881. The Post Office purchased this ship in 1889 and renamed it Alert in 1894. William became a marine telephone cable foreman working for the British Telephone and Cable Company and then the GPO, and served on three HM Telegraph Ships, two called Alert and another called Monarch. The two ships called Alert were the one that was originally The Lady Carmichael that was scrapped in 1915, and another larger ship of 941 tons built in 1918 that was sunk by torpedo in 1945 with the loss of all hands several years after William's retirement. The Monarch was very similar to this second Alert.

 

 

When he was 30 years old William married 31-year-old Emily Esther Stagg at Mitcham Parish Church in Surrey on 26 April 1902. William was then a mariner living with his mother at 36 East Cliffe, and Emily was living at 35 Chapel Road in Mitcham. Emily was the daughter of Edward and Emily Stagg, and she had been born at St Ann’s in Middlesex on 3 March 1871. William and Emily had five children born at Dover between 1903 and 1913. When their first child was baptised in 1903 they were living at 19 Westbay Road; when the second was baptised in 1905 they were at 11 North Street; when the third and fourth were baptised in 1911 they were at 22 Granville Street, and William continued to be described as a mariner during this time. They were still living at 22 Granville Street in November 1912 when William's brother John Henry Muddle made his will, which made William his executor and also the beneficiary of his two life insurance polices.

 

 

For his service as a Merchant Seaman in the GPO Cable Service during the First World War William applied for the Mercantile Marine Medal and the British War Medal. The Mercantile Marine Medal was awarded to those who served at sea for no less than six months between 4 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, and who served at sea on at least one voyage through a danger zone. All recipients of the Mercantile Marine Medal were automatically entitled to the British War Medal. These medals were issued to William on 30 December 1921 when he was living at 22 Granville Street in Dover.[7] For his service as a Merchant Seaman during the First World War William was entitled to wear a chevron on his uniform for each calendar year of war service, this being a red chevron for service in 1914 and blue chevrons for each of the years 1915 to 1918, and William had all five chevrons as he had served all through the war. When he retired from the GPO Cable Service William was awarded the Imperial Service Medal, which was awarded to non-managerial civil servants who had served at least 25 years; GPO employees being civil servants.

 

 

William and Emily were living at 30 Fieldview, Wandsworth, London when Emily died on 27 September 1940 at the age of 69. She was buried in Wandsworth Cemetery. Probate of Emily’s will, which valued her effects at £194 10s 0d, was granted to William, then described as a retired cable foreman, at Llandudno Probate Registry on 27 January 1941. Six years later William died at 197 London Road, Buckland, Dover on 13 October 1946, at the age of 74. He was buried in Charlton Cemetery in Dover on 16 October 1946.

 

William and Emily’s eldest child was Frances Emily Muddle, known as Fanny, who was born at Dover on 2 July 1903, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Dover on 22 August 1903. When she was about 22 years old Fanny married 27-year-old Charles John Andrews, known as Charlie, in Dover registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1925. Charlie was the son of cabinet maker Alfred Andrews and his wife Edith, and he had been born at Dover on 13 October 1897. They had two children born in about 1928 and 1934. Charlie had a piano tuning business in London Road in Dover, and they lived on the other side of the River Dour. When Mary Ann Enticott of 170 Tooting Bec Road, Upper Tooting, London, the sister of Fanny's mother, died in early 1963, Fanny inherited £400, and when Mary Ann had made her will on 28 June 1962 Charles and Fanny were living at Cranbrook, Alfred Road, Dover. Charlie died at Dover on 1 September 1971, at the age of 73. Three years later Fanny died at Buckland Hospital in Dover on 4 January 1975, at the age of 71.

 

 

William and Emily’s second child was William Alfred Muddle who was born at Dover on 24 January 1905, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Dover on 23 April 1905. When he was 25 years old William married May Pascall, known as Mick, in Dover registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1930. They had one child, a daughter born in Wandsworth registration district in London during 1932.

May died at the age of 47, her death being registered in Wandsworth registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1950. Later that year William, at the age of 45, married 36-year-old divorcee Mabel Joyce Champness, whose maiden name was Perry at Wandsworth Register Office on 26 December 1950. William was then a journeyman carpenter and joiner living at 30 Fieldview in Earlsfield, London, and Mabel was a hospital wages clerk living at 271 Burntwood Lane in Earlsfield. Mabel was the daughter of railway foreman Charles Perry, and she had been born on 1 May 1914. William and Mabel didn’t have any children.

When Mary Ann Enticott of 170 Tooting Bec Road, Upper Tooting, London, the sister of William's mother, died in early 1963, William inherited £400, and when Mary Ann had made her will on 28 June 1962 William and Mabel were living at 30 Fieldview, Earlsfield, Wandsworth, that had been the home of William's parents. Mabel died in Kensington registration district in London on 25 November 1976, at the age of 62. The following year William died at the age of 72, his death being registered in Kerrier registration district in Cornwall during the 4th quarter of 1977.

 

 

William and Emily’s third child was Alice Muddle who was born at Granville Road in Dover on 14 May 1909 , and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Dover on 9 July 1911 at the same time as her younger sister. Alice was manageress of Timothy Whites in Hastings then her brother George introduced her to his friend Noel Robinson, which resulted in the marriage of 22-year-old Alice to 25-year-old Noel Robinson at St Andrew’s Church, Buckland, Dover on 29 July 1931. Noel was the son of John and Rose Ellen Robinson; he had been born at 3 Hotham Place, Devonport, Devon on 17 May 1906 and by 1919 was living in Dover as he was confirmed at St Barnabas Church in Dover on 10 April 1919.

Noel and Alice had three children, the first two born at Dover in 1932 and 1934, and the third in a London hospital in 1940. They first lived at 13 Whitfield Avenue, Buckland, Dover then when Noel took over his father’s chemist shop, called Buckland Drug Store, at 197 London Road, Buckland they moved to live over the shop. Noel was also a chiropodist and expanded the business into the houses on either side as well as after the war building out the back where he uncovered Roman artefacts. Alice helped out in the shop, and during the war they lived at Noel’s parent’s house, The Denbies in South Road, which being in the Dover suburb of River was further from the shelling and bombing. Their two eldest children were evacuated during the war.

When Mary Ann Enticott of 170 Tooting Bec Road, Upper Tooting, London, the sister of Alice's mother, died in early 1963, Alice inherited £400, and when Mary Ann had made her will on 28 June 1962 Noel and Alice were living at The Gateway, Marine Parade, Dover.

After they retired Noel and Alice brought a 400-year-old toll-keeper’s cottage, called Shalmsford Bridge Cottage, in Chilham, which is between Ashford and Canterbury in Kent. In the mid-1970s they sold the cottage and moved to New Zealand, but when after three years the cottage was up for sale again they bought it back and returned to England. They then lived in the cottage until they had to go into nursing homes. Noel died on 21 June 1994 at Kenfield Hall in Chartham near Canterbury in Kent, at the age of 88. Five years later Alice died on 1 March 1999 at High Meadow Nursing Home in Canterbury, at the age of 89, from a chest infection following three falls after being admitted to the nursing home in December 1998.

 

 

William and Emily’s fourth child was Mary Muddle who was born at Dover on 2 May 1911, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Dover on 9 July 1911. When she was 22 years old Mary married 26-year-old Harold Edward Woolhouse in Dover registration district during the 4th quarter of 1933. Harold was the son of Henry Fruin Woolhouse; he had been born at Dover on 16 June 1907 and was the brother of the Rita Woolhouse who was to marry Mary's brother George. During the Second World War Harold served in the Fire Service, then after the war he had a gentleman's hairdressing business in Dover that he had taken over from his father. Harold and Mary lived at 136 London Road in Dover next to Harold's hairdressing business, and they had two children born at Dover in 1939 and 1945.

When Mary Ann Enticott of 170 Tooting Bec Road, Upper Tooting, London, the sister of Mary's mother, died in early 1963, Mary and her brother George were the executors of her will, and Mary inherited £4000 together with all articles of household, domestic and peronal use or ornament then at 170 Tooting Bec Road and a half of any residue of the estate. Mary died in Buckland Hospital in Dover during December 1985, at the age of 74, and Harold died about three months later at Dover during February 1986, at the age of 78.

 

 

William and Emily’s fifth child was George Muddle who was born at Dover on 28 July 1913. When he was 25 years old George married 22-year-old Rita Winifred Woolhouse at the Methodist Church, London Road, Dover on 10 August 1938. Rita was the daughter of Henry Fruin Woolhouse; she had been born at Dover on 1 October 1915 and was the sister of Harold Woolhouse who had married George's sister Mary. George and Rita had two children; the first born during 1944 at Aldenham Hall in Bushey, Hertfordshire, to which Rita had been evacuated for the birth, and the second in Dover during 1947.

George served in the Fire Service during the Second World War. He was stationed mainly in Dover which bore a major onslaught during the Blitz. George fought fires caused by the bombing of the town and port as well as tackling fires on ships in the English Channel. Rita, who had worked in her father's hairdressing business in her youth, stayed with George in Dover during the war rather than evacuating to a place of safety as many Dover citizens did. After the war George made his career in the Kent Fire Brigade with postings all over Kent. When their son Clive applied for his seaman's card in 1963 they were living at 3 Maynard Place, Star Mill Lane, Chatham. At the time of his retirement he was Divisional Commander based in the Medway Towns and was responsible for a quarter of the county.

When Mary Ann Enticott of 170 Tooting Bec Road, Upper Tooting, London, the sister of George's mother, died in early 1963, George and his sister Mary were the executors of her will, and George inherited £3000 together with the freehold properties of 168 & 170 Tooting Bec Road, the leasehold house at 85 Crowborough Road, Tooting, and a half of any residue of the estate.

Some time after George retired they moved to Whitfield near Dover. Rita died in the Kent and Canterbury Hospital at Canterbury on 11 January 2004, at the age of 88. Three years later George had been living at Whitfield Rest Home, 107 Sandwich Road, Whitfield when he died there on 11 June 2007, at the age of 93, from coronary artery atherosclerosis with myocardial fibrosis. Both George and Rita were cremated at Barham Crematorium near Dover and their ashes scattered in the same location at the crematorium.

 

William and Eliza’s fifth child was Sarah Annie Muddle who was born at 36 East Cliffe, Guston, Dover on 15 February 1874, and baptised at St John Mariner Chapel in Dover on 6 November 1874. In the census of 3 April 1881 Sarah, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at 36 East Cliffe in Guston, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Sarah, now aged 17, was a live-in housemaid at the Clergy Home of Rest, 8-9 East Cliffe, where Mary Taplin was the head of a household which included six visitors and four other servants.

When she was 52 years old Sarah married 49-year-old widower Christopher John Stickley at St James' Church, Edgbaston, Birmingham on 4 September 1926. Christopher was then a train driver living at 5 Bemlington Road in Small Heath, and Sarah was living at 27 Frederick Road in Edgbaston. Christopher was the son of William and Ann Stickley; he had been born at Little Compton in Warwickshire (now in Oxfordshire) and his birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1877. There were no children from this marriage, Sarah being too old.

Sarah died at the age of 62, her death being registered in Birmingham registration district during the 4th quarter of 1936. Eighteen years later Christopher died at the age of 77, his death being registered in Birmingham registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1954.

 

William and Eliza’s sixth child was Charles Robert Muddle who was born at East Cliffe, Guston, Dover on 8 December 1875, and baptised at St John Mariner Chapel in Dover on 19 January 1876. In the census of 3 April 1881 Charles, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at 36 East Cliffe in Guston and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Charles, now aged 15, was working as an errand boy and continuing to live with his parents at 36 East Cliffe. In the census of 31 March 1901 Charles, at the age of 25, was living with his widowed mother at 36 East Cliffe and he was now working as a house painter, probably with his brother George who was a house painter's labourer. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Charles, at the age of 35, was working as a house painter for a builder and continuing to live with his widowed mother at 36 East Cliffe. Charles never married; he died at Dover on 28 June 1912 at the age of 36.

 

William and Eliza’s seventh child was John Henry Muddle, known as Jack, who was born at East Cliffe, Guston, Dover on 10 July 1877, and baptised at St John Mariner Chapel in Dover on 16 October 1878. In the census of 3 April 1881 John, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at 36 East Cliffe in Guston. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 John, now aged 13, was working as an errand boy and continuing to live with his parents at 36 East Cliffe.

When he was 20 years old John married 18-year-old Susannah Irons, known as Sue, at Dover Register Office on 6 March 1898. John was then a postal letter carrier living with his parents at 36 East Cliffe, and Susannah was living at 5 Woolcomber Lane in Dover. The 24 May 1989 edition of The London Gazette reported that on 19 May 1898 the Civil Service Commission had certified that John Henry Muddle was qualified to be a postman working for the Post Office at Dover, so John had probably only started working as a postman shortly before his marriage.

John and Susannah had seven children born at Dover between 1898 and 1914, three of whom died in infancy. They were living at 10 Woolcomber Lane in Dover and John was a postman when their first child was baptised in 1898. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 1 Trevanion Lane in Dover with their then one surviving child and John was now working as a navvy. When their fifth child was baptised in 1907 they were living at 8 St James' Place in Dover and John was working as a labourer. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 17 St James Lane in Dover with their four surviving children and John described himself as an erector working at home on public works. When John made his will on 29 November 1912 they were still living at 17 St James Lane in Dover, and this will bequeathed the proceeds from John's two life insurance policies to his brother William Richard Muddle and also made him sole executor.

Susannah died at the age of 35, her death being registered in Dover registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1915, this being the same quarter that the death of their youngest child was also registered. It was probably after this that their youngest surviving child, who was about 4 years old, was put into the care of Dr Barnardo’s Homes. Their other three surviving child, who were aged between 9 and 15, probably remained living with their father. John was described as being a general labourer when his son William married in 1929; he was also a boatman and beach comber who had difficulty keeping a job because of problems with drink. John died at the age of 71, his death being registered in Thanet registration district in Kent during the 2nd quarter of 1949.

 

John and Susannah’s eldest child was William Henry Muddle who was born at Dover, and baptised at St James the Apostle Church in Dover on 6 September 1898. William died soon after his baptism, his death being registered in Dover registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1898.

 

John and Susannah’s second child was John Henry Muddle who was born at Dover on 24 August 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 John, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 1 Trevanion Lane in Dover. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 John, now aged 11, was going to school and living with his parents at 17 St James Lane in Dover.

John had been working as a coal labourer before he joined the Royal Navy during the First World War just before his 18th birthday, though he gave his birth date as 31 July 1899 to make it look as if he had just passed his 18th birthday. John's Royal Navy service number was K/44851 and his service record describes him as 5ft 3in in height with a 33¾in chest, brown hair, blue eyes and a ruddy complexion. He joined on 7 August 1917, for the duration of hostilities, as Stoker 2nd Class at HMS Pembroke II, which was a shore base at Eastchurch near Chatham in Kent. Then on 9 October 1917 he transferred to the cruiser HMS Crescent that was then a depot ship attached to the Grand Fleet, returning to HMS Pembroke II on 31 May 1918. He was then promoted to Stoker 1st Class on 10 July 1918 when he transferred to the cruiser HMS Blenheim (Shark) that was being used as a depot ship, and he again returned to HMS Pembroke II on 27 March 1919 until he was demobbed on 8 June 1919. At the end of 1917 and 1918 John's character was described as very good and his ability as satisfactory. For his service during the war John was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.[8]

After his discharge fron the Royal Navy John registered as a merchant seaman with Identity Certificate Number 350955 and rating of Trimmer, which was the equivalent of his rating of Stoker in the Royal Navy. He now gave his correct date of birth of 24 August 1899. The registration card doesn't record John signing on for any voyages so it's possible he never actually worked as a merchant seaman.[9]

When he was 21 years old John married 22-year-old Ada Parry in Canterbury registration district in Kent during the 1st quarter of 1921. Ada had been born on 5 June 1898. They had one child, a daughter, born in Canterbury registration district during 1924. John served in the Royal Navy. He died at the age of 53, his death being registered in Canterbury registration district during the 1st quarter of 1953. When his daughter married in 1974 John was described as having been a boilerman for the Gas and Water Company. Twenty-eight years after John's death Ada died at the age of 83, her death being registered in Canterbury registration district during the 4th quarter of 1981.

 

 

John and Susannah’s third child was Hettie Christina Muddle who was born at Dover, and baptised at St James the Apostle Church in Dover on 26 February 1902. In the census of 2 April 1911 Hettie, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at 17 St James Lane in Dover. When she was 22 years old Hettie married 27-year-old William Perridge in Dover registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1924. William was the son of Charles and Maria Perridge; he had been born at Peckham in London and his birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1896. William and Hettie had three children; the first born in Lambeth registration district in London in 1925, the second in Dover registration district in Kent in 1929 and the third in Camberwell registration district in London in 1932.

 

John and Susannah’s fourth child was William Morris Muddle who was born at Dover in Kent on 21 November 1905. In the census of 2 April 1911 William, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at 17 St James Lane in Dover.

On 21 February 1924, when he was 18 years old, William enlisted for 12 years in the Royal Navy as Stoker 2nd Class, K63521. He was then described as 5ft 3ins tall with a 35ins chest, fair hair, blue eyes, fresh complexion and no distinguishing marks. He was station at HMS Vivid, the navy barracks at Devonport, until 15 September 1924, and then served on HMS Ramillies where he was made a Stoker 1st Class on 21 February 1925. He returned to shore at HMS Vivid on 10 September 1925 and then from 1 May 1926 he served on HMS Scythe where he was granted his 1st Good Conduct Badge on 21 February 1927. From 12 May 1928 he was back on shore at HMS Vivid and then served on HMS Defiance from 18 August 1928, returning to shore at HMS Vivid on 2 February 1929.

While stationed on shore at HMS Vivid William, at the age of 23 married 22-year-old Alma Lilian Ford at Newport Register Office, Monmouthshire, Wales on 6 March 1929. They were both then living at 120 Shaftesbury Street in Newport, and William was Stoker K63521 in the Royal Navy. Alma was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Ford and she had been born at Newport on 11 February 1907. William and Alma had one child, a daughter, born in Newport during September 1929.

William went back to sea on 19 March 1929, less than two weeks after his marriage, to serve on HMS Durban where on 4 October 1929 he was deprived of his 1st Good Conduct Badge, which was restored on 4 April 1930. He returned to shore again at HMS Vivid on 13 August 1930 and then went back to sea on 16 September 1930 to serve on HMS Dorsetshire for 4½ years where on 4 April 1932 he was granted his 2nd Good Conduct Badge, and when he attaining the age of 28 his description was 5ft 4ins tall with a 39ins chest, fair hair, blue eyes, fresh complexion and tattoos on both forearms. He returned to shore again at HMS Drake, the new name for HMS Vivid, on 16 March 1935 where he was appointed an Acting Leading Stoker on 8 March 1935 backdated to 8 March 1935. He then went to sea on HMS Leander on 8 March 1935 where he was made a Leading Stoker on 8 March 1936 and granted his 3rd Good Conduct Badge on 21 February 1937. He returned to shore again at HMS Drake on 30 April 1937 and then went to sea again on HMS Galatea on 9 June 1937, transferring to HMS Active based at HMS St Angelo in the Grand Harbour on Malta on 25 March 1938 and then HMS Hunter also based at HMS St Angelo on 18 October 1938. While on Hunter William was appointed an Acting Stoker Petty Officer on 1 December 1938 and then on 16 April 1939 he was presented with his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and a gratuity of £20. Then from 5 August 1939 Hunter became based at HMS Drake at Devonport and William was made a Stoker Petty Officer on 1 December 1939.

When the Second World War started on 3 September 1939 HMS Hunter was searching for German commerce raiders off Sierra Leone, then in late October she transferred to the North American and West Indies Station before returning to the British Isles in February 1940 to be refitted at Falmouth until 9 March. She then joined the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla of the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow, which on 6 April sailed as escort to four minelayers that two days later laid mines in the Vestfjord, Norway. Then on 10 April the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla attacked the German destroyers that had transported German troops to Narvik in northern Norway. During this action HMS Hunter was sunk with the loss of over one hundred crew members, one being Stoker Petty Officer D/KX63521 William Morris Muddle. This action that resulted in William's death on 10 April 1940, at the age of 34, became known as the First Battle of Narvik. During all his 16 years service in the Royal Navy William's character was described as very good.

A letter dated 14 April 1940 and addressed to Mrs A L Muddle at 108 Shaftesbury Street, Newport first informed Alma that HMS Hunter had sunk and that William was missing, followed by a letter of 18 April saying that it was unlikely that he had survived. A letter of 15 May informed Alma that as William was regarded as missing her allowance of 60s 6d per week would be reduced to 44s per week after 13 June. It was not until a letter and telegram of 16 July 1940 that Alma was told that William's body had been washed ashore and buried at Narvik on 26 April 1940, and enclosed his identity disc. Finally a letter of 10 December 1947 informed Alma that William had been buried in plot 11, row M, grave 5 of Narvik New Cemetery in Norway.[10]

Five years after William's death Alma, at the age of 38, married 36-year-old Sidney Charles Wetter in Newport registration district during the 4th quarter of 1945. Sidney was the son of William Henry and Grace Wetter and his birth had been registered in Newport registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1909. There were no children from this marriage. Alma died at the age of 66, her death being registered in Newport registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1973.

 

William and Alma’s only child was Dorothy Maureen Muddle who was born at Newport in Monmouthshire on 15 September 1929. When she was 21 years old Dorothy married 23-year-old Douglas Melville Bateman in Newport registration district during the 1st quarter of 1951. Douglas had been born in Newport registration district on 10 April 1927. They didn't have any children and Douglas worked for the British Aluminium Company from 1942-67. Douglas died at the age of 71, his death being registered in Newport registration district during February 1999. Five years later Dorothy died from lung cancer at the age of 74, her death being registered in Newport registration district during April 2004.

 

John and Susannah’s fifth child was Emily Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Dover, and baptised at St James the Apostle Church in Dover on 27 November 1907. Emily died when she was only 2 years old, her death being registered in Dover registration district during the 4th quarter of 1909.

 

John and Susannah’s sixth child was George Thomas Muddle, known as Bud, who was born at Dover in Kent on 6 June 1910. In the census of 2 April 1911 George, at the age of 9 months, was living with his parents at 17 St James Lane in Dover. George's mother died in 1915, when he was about 4 years old, and it's thought that this was when he was taken into the care of Dr Barnardo's Homes. When he was 15 years old Barnardo's sent him to Australia under their scheme to give their 'orphans' a supposedly new start in life in a new country. George had been living at Dr Barnardo's Homes, 18/26 Stepney Causeway, London E1 when he sailed, with 39 other teenaged Barnardo's boys, 3rd class on the Benalla of the P & O Line from London on 17 September 1925 bound for Sydney. Like all the other boys George's occupation was given as farming on the passenger list.[11]

When he was 27 years old George married 21-year-old Jean Taylor at Rooty Hill in western Sydney, New South Wales on 5 February 1938. Jean had been born on 4 February 1917. They had four children born in Sydney between 1938 and 1953.

During the Second World War they were living at Eastern Creek in western Sydney, New South Wales when George, at the age of almost 30, enlisted in the Australian Army at Paddington in Sydney on 4 June 1940. Six months later he was Private NX20113 in the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion when he was discharged on 6 November 1940. He re-enlisted at Paddington the following day - effectively a transfer. He was Private N100263 at the L H Q EME School (L Headquarters Electrical & Mechanical Engineering School) when he was finally discharged on 31 October 1945.

George had been living at Blacktown in western Sydney when he died on 11 July 1987, at the age of 77.[12] Jean continued to live at Blacktown until she had to move to Ashwood Nursing Home where she was living when she died on 14 May 2011, at the age of 94. Her funeral service was at Pinegrove Crematorium on 20 May 2011.[13]

 

John and Susannah’s seventh child was Susie Muddle who was born at Dover, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1914. Susie died when just one year old, her death being registered in Dover registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1915, this being the same quarter that her mother’s death was registered.

 

William and Eliza’s eighth child was Frank Ernest Muddle who was born at East Cliffe, Guston, Dover on 8 June 1879. In the census of 3 April 1881 Frank, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 36 East Cliffe in Guston. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Frank, now aged 11, was continuing to live with his parents at 36 East Cliffe, and he was now going to school. In the census of 31 March 1901 Frank, at the age of 21, was living with his widowed mother at 36 East Cliffe, and he was now working as a navvy.

When he was 25 years old Frank married 27-year-old Fanny Bracknell at Dover Register Office on 22 April 1905. Frank was then a labourer living with his parents at 36 East Cliffe, and Fanny was living at 2 Maxton Terrace in Dover. Fanny was the daughter of farm labourer George Bracknell and his wife Mary; she had been born at Odiham near Hook in Hampshire and her birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1877. In the census of 1901 Fanny had been a live-in general domestic servant to the family of Percy Boylon at 21 Priory Hill in Dover.

Frank and Fanny's first child had been born at Dover a year before their marriage and died soon after birth. Then after their marriage they had six children born at Dover between 1905 and 1920. They were living at 10 Ladywell Court in Dover and Frank was a labourer when their second child, the first after their marriage, was baptised in 1906. When their fourth child was born in 1909 they were living at 14 Maxton Road in Dover and Frank was a general labourer. In the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 14 Maxton Road with their then three children and Frank was a general labourer at the Admiralty Works. When their sixth child were baptised in early 1915 they were living at 21 Manor Road in Maxton, Dover and Frank was a labourer.

During the First World War Frank was a 36-year-old skilled labourer living at 21 Manor Road in Maxton, Dover when he enlisted on 17 August 1915 for the duration of the war as Pioneer 111629 in D Company of the 2nd Labour Battalion of the Royal Engineers. He was then described as 5ft 5ins tall, weighed 129lbs, with a 36½ins fully expanded chest and for some reason gave his age as 40. He embarked for France on 22 August 1915, just 5 days after enlisting, and seems to have remained in France for the duration of the war. On 20 June 1917 Frank became Pioneer 290426 in the 701 Labour Company of the Labour Corps. He was given leave from 21 August 1918 to 9 September 1918 and was then in hospital from 15 to 21 October 1918. He left France at Dieppe on 23 February 1919 and was demobilized and transferred to the army reserve on 25 March 1919. His intended place of residence was then to be 21 Manor Road in Maxton, Dover.[14] For his service during the war Frank was awarded three campaign medals, the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1915 Star.[15]

When Frank and Fanny's seventh child was baptised in 1920 they were living at 21 Manor Road in Maxton, Dover and Frank was a marine porter. They were still living at 21 Manor Road when Frank's British War Medal was posted to him on 28 February 1921. Frank died at Dover on 21 September 1932 at the age of 53, and he was buried in Charlton Cemetery at Dover on 26 September 1932. Nineteen years later Fanny died at the age of 74, her death being registered in Dover registration district during the 1st quarter of 1952.

 

Frank and Fanny’s eldest child was Ernest Muddle Bracknell whose birth was registered in Dover registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1904. Ernest died soon after birth, his death being registered in Dover registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1904.

 

Frank and Fanny’s second child was Phyllis Annie Muddle who was born at Dover on 13 October 1905, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Dover on 25 February 1906. In the census of 2 April 1911 Phyllis, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at 14 Maxton Road in Dover and she was going to school. When she was 49 years old Phyllis married Wilfred E Ward in Dover registration district during the 1st quarter of 1955.

 

Frank and Fanny’s third child was Frank Ernest Muddle, known as Ern, who was born at Dover on 5 May 1907. In the census of 2 April 1911 Frank, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at 14 Maxton Road in Dover. When he was 26 years old Frank married 24-year-old Amy Grace Dixon at St Martin’s Church in Dover on 26 December 1933. Frank was then a cabinet maker living at 12 Manor Road in Dover and Amy was living at 65 Manor Road in Dover. Amy had been born in Dover registration district on 30 December 1908. They had two children, the first born at Dover in 1935, when they were living at 12 Manor Road and Frank was working as a house fitter, and the second born during 1944 in a nursing home at Tunbridge Wells in Kent as Amy had been moved away from Dover for the birth because of the war.

During the Second World War Frank was in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy; his service number was FX562272. During the war Amy and her children continued to live in Farthingloe Road, Maxton, Dover next-door to her sister-in-law Dinah Keeler and her children, even though they were near the anti-aircraft guns and most neighbours had left.

Their son John had migrated to New Zealand in 1955; then in 1958 Frank and Amy with their daughter Mary also migrated to New Zealand. They had been living at 20 Malmains Road in Dover when they sailed tourist class on the Fairsea of the Sitmar Genoa Line from Southampton on 4 November 1958 bound for Sydney, Australia. On the passenger list Frank gave his occupation as cabinet maker.[16] They travelled on to New Zealand arriving at Auckland in early December. They then travelled by train to Wellington where they met their son who was already living in New Zealand and they all went on to Paraparaumu to fly by DC3 to Nelson on the north coast of South Island. Frank and Amy returned to Dover in 1964, going back to Nelson in 1966 and finally returning to settle in Dover in 1971. Frank was a carpenter and during both periods in New Zealand he worked for the Nelson Harbour Board.

Frank died in Canterbury registration district in Kent on 15 January 1990 at the age of 82. Amy started to suffer from Alzimers Disease and had to go into a nursing home in Dover, she died on 4 December 2008, just 26 days short of her 100th birthday.

 

 

Frank and Fanny’s fourth child was Marjorie Fanny Muddle who was born at 14 Maxton Road in Dover on 6 July 1909. In the census of 2 April 1911 Marjorie, at the age of 1, was living with her parents at 14 Maxton Road in Dover. When she was 29 years old Marjorie married Phillip A Pack in Dartford registration district in Kent during the 2nd quarter of 1939.

 

Frank and Fanny’s fifth child was George William Muddle who was born at Dover on 12 March 1912. George never married. He died at the age of 86, his death being registered in Thanet and Dover registration district during September 1998.

 

 

Frank and Fanny’s sixth child was Edith May Muddle, known as Dinah, who was born at Dover on 29 June 1914, and baptised at St Martin’s Church in Dover on 1 February 1915. When she was about 24 years old Edith married 24-year-old James E G Keeler, known as Jim, in Dartford registration district in Kent during the 2nd quarter of 1938. Jim's birth had been registered in Dover registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1913. Jim and Dinah had four children born in Dover registration district between 1939 and 1950. Edith died at the age of 86, her death being registered in Thanet and Dover registration district during March 2001.

 

 

Frank and Fanny’s seventh child was Frances Emily Muddle who was born at Dover on 2 July 1920, and baptised at St Martin’s Church in Dover on 16 August 1920. Frances died when she was only about 6 months old, her death being registered in Dover registration district during the 1st quarter of 1921.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2005-2014

Last updated 8 March 2014