THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE DORSET MUDDLE FAMILIES THE WIMBORNE MUDDLES

 

Chart of Henry & Emily Mudle’s Family

 

Henry and Emily’s eldest child was William Henry Mudle who was born at 7 Home Road in Battersea on 1 April 1896. In the census of 31 March 1901 William, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at 31 Chesney Street in Battersea. During the First World War William was Private T-4436 and then Private 241175 in the 1/5th Battalion The Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, the same regiment that his cousin Joseph Henry William Slinn was with. William served much of the time in the desert, being in Nasariyeh in September 1916 and Mesopotamia in March 1918. He was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.[1]

After the war William became an insurance agent working for either the Prudential or the Pearl Assurance Co. When he was 26 years old William married 24-year-old Dorothy Edith Pridmore at St Mary Magdalene Church in Colchester, Essex, on 27 January 1923. William was then an insurance agent living at London Road, Ripley, Surrey, and Dorothy was a monotype operator living at 17 Harcourt Road in Colchester. Dorothy had been born at Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire on 18 October 1898, the daughter of baker William Edward Pridmore.

William and Dorothy had one child, a son, born at Ripley in Surrey in 1925. They moved about a lot, their son is said to have attended nearly a dozen schools. By the start of the Second World War they were living in Portsmouth where William joined the Portsmouth Home Guard on 5 June 1940. He was made a Corporal on 27 September 1940 but resigned on 5 January 1941 due to pressure of business commitments. William had gone into the grocery business, and at one time he had two or three grocery shops and also several shoe shops. They lived at 122 Somers Road, Southsea, Hampshire, at the back of the grocer’s shop, which was on the corner, with a shoe shop next door. William also invested in property, having about half a dozen properties in Portsmouth that he rented out.

As William got close to retirement he sold off his properties, and soon after their son moved to Hayling Island they followed, purchasing a new bungalow at 10 Sinah Lane. There both William and Dorothy enjoyed gardening, and William ‘invested’ in a flutter on the horses and football pools. William died at 10 Sinah Lane on 15 December 1972, at the age of 76, from heart disease. Dorothy then followed her son to Gosport where she lived in a flat at Leventhorpe Court for four years until she died in the War Memorial Hospital at Gosport on the 21 April 1976, at the age of 77. Both William and Dorothy were cremated.

 

William and Dorothy’s only child was Godfrey Martin Mudle, known as Jeff, who was born at Ripley near Guildford in Surrey on 25 May 1925. Jeff attended several schools as his parents moved about. He ended up at Portsmouth College where he gained his matriculation in 1942, this qualified him to go to university, but as it was during the Second World War Jeff signed up, on 25 January 1943, instead. As he was short-sighted and had worn spectacles from an early age he was unsuitable for active service, and as he had been in the Air Training Corps he joined the RAF Auxiliary working on the maintenance of fighter planes. His service record describes him as being 5ft 6¼in tall with a chest measurement of 31½in, brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. It was while he was stationed at an airfield near York in 1944 that he first met his future wife. Jeff was then posted to the Middle East until he was discharged on 22 August 1947 with the rank of Corporal.

Soon after he got back to England Jeff, at the age of 22, married 23-year-old Constance Vivian Stirk, known as Vivian, at St Lawrence Church in York on 17 May 1948. Vivian had been born at York on 6 November 1924. They first lived at 255 Chichester Road, North End, Portsmouth, which was one of the grocer’s shops belonging to Jeff’s father. While they were there the first of their five children was born, but Jeff was not interested in spending his life as a grocer, so his father sold the shop and they moved to 56 Campbell Road. Jeff now develop his interest in photography, which had started while he was in service during the war, into a business, initially by taking holidaymaker’s photos at the holiday camps on Hayling Island. As the business grew larger premises were required, so in 1955 they moved to The Old Mortuary on Hayling Island. While there their next three children were born resulting in the need for yet larger accommodation, which they solved by purchasing an acre of land in St Mary’s Road and building a large bungalow, which was finished in time for the birth of their last child in 1959.

The photography business developed into a successful string of shops at Hayling Island, Waterlooville, Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport. This resulted in Jeff having a little more leisure time, so he took up sailing again, having enjoyed sailing in the Red Sea while in service during the war. Soon Jeff decided that now, at the age of 42, was the time to pursue his dream. He was going to build his own yacht, large enough for the family and sail off round the world. Their home was sold in 1972 and they moved into cramped quarters above one of their shops while Jeff, his sons, and many helpers built Wandering Star, a ferro-cement ketch that was launched two years later. By now their daughter had married and their son Adrian was planning to go to college, so Jeff, Vivian and their other three sons sailed off over the horizon. They lead a nomadic life for the next few years, but were mostly based in the Caribbean. When Vivian got an on-shore job, first at the Galley Bay Hotel and later at Coco Point Hotel (where she stayed until she retired), Antigua became their base island.

Eventually their three sons went their own ways, two to Canada and the other to the USA. Then after several years sailing around the Caribbean Islands chartering the yacht, she was sold in 1991 and soon after this Vivian retired as well. Wanting to stay in a warm climate they moved to Florida in 1992 however they were only there for two years before Jeff was taken ill and returned to England in the August of 1994. In November he was admitted to hospital at Lymington in Hampshire where he died on 2 December 1994, at the age of 69, of cancer. He was cremated at Southampton Crematorium and his ashes released into the waters of the Solent.

Vivian then lived in Hampshire with her son Adrian and his wife Jenny. She died at Southampton on 21 November 2009, at the age of 85.

 

Henry and Emily’s second child was Henry Frederick Mudle, known as Harry, who was born at 1 Latchmere Street in Battersea on 25 August 1897. In the census of 31 March 1901 Henry, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at 31 Chesney Street in Battersea. At the beginning of 1913 Henry was working as a printer's boy when he joined the Royal Navy at the age of 15.

Henry's Royal Navy service number was initially J/22250 but changed to M/22677 when he became a Ship's Steward's Assistant on 22 January 1916. His service record describes him as being 4ft 9in tall, with a 32½in chest, brown hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion, but as a still growing boy his measurements where to increase. He started as Boy 2nd Class on 4 January 1913 on HMS Impregnable, a 121 gun sailing ship built in 1860 that was now based at Devonport as a training ship. On 16 August 1913 Henry was promoted to Boy 1st Class, and then the following day he transferred to the cruiser HMS Endymion. On 19 December 1913 Henry transferred to HMS Victory I, a shore base at Portsmouth, and then on 31 January 1914 he joined the battlecruiser HMS Princess Royal and was serving on her when the First World War started. Henry soon saw action as the Princess Royal was part of the Grand Fleet, which was involved in actions at the Heligoland Bight and Dogger Bank, and then on 24 January 1915 at Jutland where Henry's ship suffered several hits and 22 men were killed. The following month, on 25 February 1915, Henry got special promotion to Ordinary Seaman, six months before this would have normally happened on his 18th birthday. Then on 26 June 1915 his left leg was fractured when a fog buoy cable struck him and he was transferred on 1 July to shore station Victory I to recover. He rejoined the Princess Royal on 11 October 1915 but was back at shore base Victory I on 19 January 1916, probably because he was unfit for active service, but instead of being discharged from the navy it seems that Henry volunteered on 22 January 1916 to continue in the Navy in the non-fighting position of Ship's Steward's Assistant. Henry joined the light cruiser HMS Bristol on 20 April 1916 as a Ship's Steward's Assistant and was promoted to Victualler's Assistant on 28 February 1918. He served on the Bristol in the Mediterranean, the Adriatic and South Atlantic until on 30 May 1919 he returned to shore base Victory I, then transferred to Victory III, which was probably Haslar Naval Hospital at Gosport, on 1 July 1919, from which he was invalided out of the navy on 4 December 1919 because of astigmatism and optic atrophy. During all his service Henry was consistently described as being of very good character and of satisfactory ability. For his war service Henry was awarded three campaign medals, the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1914-15 Star. He also received the Silver War Badge on 10 November 1919 that was awarded to those military personnel who were discharged as a result of sickness or wounds contracted or received during the war.[2]

It was while Henry, at the age of 20, was a Ship's Steward's Assistant on HMS Bristol that he married 20-year-old Emily Maria Ruark on 25 February 1918 at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Floriana on Malta by special licence granted by the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Malta, Lord Michuen. Emily had been born at Cospicina in Malta on 24 October 1897, the daughter of Patrick and Gaetana Ruark. Presumably Henry’s ship HMS Bristol had been based at Malta while operating in the Mediterranean and that was how they met. From 1920 to 1935 Henry and Emily had five children, one of whom died young, while living in Malta. After being invalided out of the navy Henry worked as a groundsman at the Corralino Naval Football Grounds of the Fleet Union Club in Malta for 22 years from 1920 to 1942. He then continued to work as a caretaker and groundsman for the Navy in Malta until 26 July 1950. In 1946 Henry, Emily and their three youngest children visited England and they had been staying at 38 Tamperley Road, Balham, London when they sailed 1st class on the Duchess of Bedford of the Canadian Pacific Line from Liverpool on 7 May 1946 bound for Malta. On the passenger list Henry described himself as retired.[3]

In late 1950 or early 1951 the family moved to England, and they were living at 9 Alfred Place in Worthing when Henry applied for a driving licence during April 1951. When their daughter Genevieve married in 1954 they were living at 26 Chedworth Crescent, Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, and Henry was then a school caretaker. In 1958 Henry and Emily migrated to the state of Victoria in Australia. They had been living at 333 Fawcett Road, Southsea and Henry was still a caretaker, when they sailed tourist class on the Fairsea of the Sitmar Line from Southampton on 5 August 1958 bound for Melbourne.[4] All their children with their families followed them to Australia over the next few years. In Australia Henry worked for a short while as a caretaker at a boy's school before retiring.

On the 9 June 1975 Henry reported that he had lost his Silver War Badge and a replacement one was issued to him on 7 July 1975. They were living at 79 William Street in Fawkner near Melbourne, Victoria, when Henry died there of a heart attack on 3 November 1979, at the age of 82. He was cremated at Fawkner Crematorium on 7 November 1979. Eleven years later Emily died at Fawkner on 15 April 1991, at the age of 93.

 

Henry and Emily’s eldest child was Henry William Samuel Lawrence Mudle, known as Harry who was born at Vittoriosa in Malta on 13 April 1920. Henry worked as a porter and liked to travel, he would go to England by taking a boat to the mainland and then a train across Europe. He was recorded returning from one of these trips, sailing cabin class on the Largs Bay of the Aberdeen and Commonwealth Line from Southampton on 9 April 1938 bound for Malta. On the passenger list Harry gave his last address in England as 3 Chestnut Grove, Balham, London, and his occupation as porter.[5]

Henry was a policeman when, at the age of 22, he married 18-year-old Theresa Camila Josephine Borg, known as Tessie, at Tarxien Parish Church in Malta on 21 August 1942. (Marriage registered on 26 August 1942.) Theresa had been born in Malta on 4 April 1924, the daughter of Lawrence and Elisa (or Celia) Borg. Henry was a very good sportsman; he excelled at the discus, javelin and football. Henry and Theresa had three children. Their first child was born at Poala in Malta in 1944 and later that year they moved to England. They lived in England for 3½ years and Henry worked as a car paint sprayer, before moving back to Malta in 1948. At the beginning of 1950 their second child was born, and then later that year they moved to Canada. It's not known how Henry got to Canada but Theresa and the two children sailed tourist class on the Nea Hellas of the Greek Line from Valletta, Malta on 4 November 1950 and after a voyage of 16 days they arrived at New York on 20 November 1950 in transit to Canada.[6] In Canada they lived at Oshawa in Ontario and Henry worked as a paint sprayer for the Ford Motor Company. Harry, Theresa and their two children left Canada in August 1954 sailing on the Samaria of the Cunard Line from Quebec and arriving at Southampton on 26 August 1954. On the passenger list they gave their intended address in England as 67 Sompting Road, Worthing, Sussex.[7]

In England Henry joined the RAF in 1956 and the family was posted to Cyprus. They spent 2½ years in Cyprus, during which time Henry was made a Corporal 2nd class. They returned to England in early 1959, but the year before Henry's parents had migrated to Australia and his siblings and their families followed over the next few years, so Henry bought himself out of the RAF and took his family to Australia, landing at Melbourne, Victoria on 28 November 1962. Henry and Theresa's third child was born at Melbourne in 1963. In Melbourne Henry worked as a house painter until he retired. They lived at Clayton in Melbourne until in the 1980s they moved to Queensland where Henry died in 1989, when about 69 years old. Theresa lives with her daughter Irene on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

 

 

Henry and Emily’s second child was Frederick Mudle, known as Freddie, who was born in Malta during 1923. Frederick died in Malta during 1933 when about 10 years old.

 

Henry and Emily’s third child is Emily Mudle who was born in Malta during 1927. Emily visited England with her parents in 1946. She married Douglas Watson, probably in Malta in about 1947. They had four children; the first two were probably born in Malta. They then moved with the rest of the family to England in late 1950 or early 1951 and their other two children were born in Worthing registration district in Sussex in 1953 and 1956. After this they moved to Australia, probably in the early 1960s. Douglas died in 2001.

 

Henry and Emily’s fourth child is Norah Jane Mudle who was born in Malta on 27 July 1928. Norah visited England with her parents in 1946. When she was 19 years old Norah married 22-year-old Alfred Goreing at Birzebbugia in Malta on 3 April 1948. Alfred had been born on 16 January 1926. They had seven children; the first was born in Malta in 1949. They then moved with the rest of the family to England in late 1950 or early 1951. Their second child was born in Epping registration district in 1952 and their third in Portsmouth registration district in 1956. Then in 1959 Alfred, Norah and their three children migrated to the state of Victoria in Australia. They had been living at 333 Fawcett Road, Southsea, Hampshire and Alfred was a labourer, when they sailed on the Strathnaver of the P & O Line from Tilbury, London on 16 February 1959 bound for Melbourne.[8] Their other four children were born in Australia between 1959 and 1972.

 

Henry and Emily’s fifth child is Genevieve Mary Rose Frances Mudle who was born in Malta on 1 November 1932. Genevieve visited England with her parents in 1946. Then she moved to England with her parents in late 1950 or early 1951. When she was 21 years old she married 25-year-old Kenneth Herbert Howard at Portsmouth Register Office on 16 October 1954. Genevieve was then a ward maid at the General Hospital living at 26 Chedworth Crescent, Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, and Kenneth was an able seaman on HMS Excellent at Portsmouth. Kenneth had been born on 18 May 1929. They had two children born in Portsmouth registration district in 1955 and 1956. Then in 1959 Kenneth, Genevieve and their two children migrated to the state of Victoria in Australia. They had been living at 333 Fawcett Road, Southsea, Hampshire and Kenneth was a semi-skilled foundry worker, when they sailed on the Strathnaver of the P & O Line from Tilbury, London on 16 February 1959 bound for Melbourne.[9]

 

Henry and Emily’s third child was Nathaniel Thomas Mudle, known as Nathan, who was born at 31 Chesney Street in Battersea on 11 September 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Nathan, at the age of 6 months, was living with his parents at 31 Chesney Street. During the First World War Nathan was in the RAF Flying Corps. Then after the war Nathan went into the insurance business, working for the Prudential. When he was about 19 years old Nathan married 19-year-old Beatrice Nellie Broomfield in Guildford registration district in Surrey during the 3rd quarter of 1919. They had two children, the first born at Fulham in London in 1920, and the other at Guildford in Surrey in 1921. Nathan was in the RAF Reserve and was called up for service during the Second World War. Nathan died from lung cancer at the age of 60, his death being registered in South-West Surrey registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1961. Twenty years later Beatrice died at the age of 81, her death being registered in South-West Surrey registration district during the 4th quarter of 1981.

 

Nathan and Beatrice’s eldest child was Geoffrey Martin Mudle whose birth was registered in Fulham registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1920. When he was about 23 years old Geoffrey married 20-year-old Molly Edna J Little in Birmingham registration district in Warwickshire during the 1st quarter of 1943. Molly had been born in St Thomas registration district in Devon on 23 December 1922. They had two children born in South-West Surrey registration district in 1944 and 1946. Geoffrey was in the RAF, and then worked for British Aerospace as an engineering technician until he retired. Molly died at Cranleigh in Surrey on 30 November 2000 at the age of 77.

 

Nathan and Beatrice’s second child was Peter Raymond Mudle whose birth was registered in Guildford registration district in Surrey during the 1st quarter of 1921. When he was about 24 years old Peter married 28-year-old Eunice Esther Cheesman in South-West Surrey registration district during the 1st quarter of 1945. Eunice had been born in Hambledon registration district in Surrey on 27 July 1916. They had two children born in South-West Surrey registration district in 1946 and 1959, the first of whom died soon after birth. Eunice died at the age of 58, her death being registered in South-West Surrey registration district during the 1st quarter of 1975. The following year Peter married June M Wilton in South-West Surrey registration district on 2 October 1976.

 

Henry and Emily’s fourth child was Emily Lily Mudle who was born at 13 Cabul Road in Battersea on 3 November 1905. When she was 23 years old Emily married Reginald Marshall in Hambledon registration district in Surrey during the 1st quarter of 1929. They had two children, Peter and Derek, before their marriage ended in divorce. Emily is thought to have died in 1978.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2005-2015

Last updated 14 June 2015