Erdington postmen heroes remembered

[Vivienne14]

Viv, on the information about Alexander Leadbeater you say that by 1911 they had moved to Woodcock Street.

They are at 33 Edwards Road on the 1911 census and on his burial information in 1917 his address is 33 Edwards Road.

I think it is also relevant to include that in 1891 whilst living with his mother in Walsall the 16yr old Alex was a Telegram Messenger so was employed by the Post Office at that time.

Thanks Alberta, will update his info. Viv.

 

[josietrue]

it might be of intrest
to know that frank concannons son (leslie joseph ) died on the 19 april 1942 of his wounds his records state that he was a staff serjeant no 7261382 in the RAMC the son of frank and elizabeth concannon and is buried in ventnor cemetry the isle of wight
will look to see if he had any children

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks Josie will keep the info on the Concannon's for the next update of our soldier's details. Viv.

 

[lynne webb]

Found a Frederick Charles Holmes, KIA 31st Dec, 1916 aged 25, parents Henry and Mary Ann. I think he is the younger brother of Henry James Holmes. How sad.

 

[Vivienne14]

That is terribly tragic Lynn. That would be two sons killed in action in the space of 5 months of each other. Heartbreaking. Thanks for the info, it's been added to the next Erdington postmen/soldier's update. Viv.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[josietrue]

hi viv
i got you instant message but dont know how to reply back ( thick )
i have rechecked frank cannon concannon records and my mistake his daughters name is dorothy mary not ( margaret ) sorry
everything else is right
josie

 

[Vivienne14]

Many thanks Josie, will make the change for the next update. Fingers crossed you find a connection. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

A bit more on Cornelius. Cornelius Ernest Neal was born in 1881 (Aston) and married Edith E (nee Deakin) in 1912 (Aston).
He is buried at Chocques Military Cemetery (grave ref I. D. 78).

Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

Just for info. There is/was a chapel dedicated to WW1 soldiers within St Barnabas Church, Erdington. There is/was a rectangular, wooden memorial plaque in there listing 136 soldiers.

Don't know, however, if this survived the fire at the church. Info came from here:


https://www.ukniwm.org.uk/server/show/conMemorial.38612/fromUkniwmSearch/1

Viv.

 

[pjmburns]

I think Cornelius Ernest Neal is listed on the 1911 census as a railway porter living with his parents (Henry and Mary Anne) at 8 Woodbine Place, Wilton St, Aston.
Janice

 

[pjmburns]

Cornelius's widow is still listed at 66 Farnham Road on the 1922 and up to 1945 electoral roll. By 1945 there is also a Stanley Neal on the roll - not sure yet how he relates to her. There is also a death of an Edith E Neal in 1946. Stanley is still at the same address in 1955 (as far as I can go on Ancestry). I have now found a birth with mother Deakin for 1914. Stanley seems to have married in 1950 and his wife (Molly formerly Culling) listed on the electoral roll in 1955. I can't at the moment find any children from that marriage.

Janice

 

[Astoness]

hi folks..sorrry ive not be around for a few days...big internet problems which has now been sorted out...glad to be back and will catch up on posts on this thread later on...

lyn

 

[Stephen0002002]

Quick 1: You lot are brilliant - thanks for this wonderful thread.

 

[Vivienne14]

Cornelius's widow is still listed at 66 Farnham Road on the 1922 and up to 1945 electoral roll. By 1945 there is also a Stanley Neal on the roll - not sure yet how he relates to her. There is also a death of an Edith E Neal in 1946. Stanley is still at the same address in 1955 (as far as I can go on Ancestry). I have now found a birth with mother Deakin for 1914. Stanley seems to have married in 1950 and his wife (Molly formerly Culling) listed on the electoral roll in 1955. I can't at the moment find any children from that marriage.

Janice

Thanks so much Janice. Cornelius and Edith probably only had the one child, unless they had (at most) one before Stanley. I hope son Stanley and his wife had children. It's good that you've found more info as the picture of Cornelius was a little bare. I'll add all your info to the update Janice. Thanks for digging around. Viv.

 

[Astoness]

Quick 1: You lot are brilliant - thanks for this wonderful thread.

thank you stephen its amazing what can be acheived when we all pull together and we are not done yet..:encouragement:

lyn

 

[Ken_R]

I'm still here. My contribution on Albert Edward Sharp is essentially complete. I'll try and post it tomorrow - Friday.

 

[pjmburns]

Cornelius Neal.
I haven't, so far, found any children of his son Stanley but it looks as if Stanley may have moved out of the area as I found a death of a Stanley Ernest Neal in Hereford in 1993 - dob given as Dec 1913 which ties in with the registration I found of first quarter 1914.

Janice

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks Ken and Janice. Thanks for trying Janice. Was wondering if Stanley's wife Molly (nee Culling) had a connection with Hereford. Viv.

 

[pjmburns]

I am not sure. I can't find a death for her but there is another marriage in the 1970s for a Stanley E Neal in Birmingham so I wonder if something happened to Molly or if it was a coincidence. I will keep digging when i can.

Janice

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks Janice. Will keep a note of posts #137 and #139 for now and see how it progresses. All very time consuming, but so very interesting! We've all come a long way from the little info we started with.Viv.

 

[Dave M]

Few pics of the Royal Mail Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum

 

[Dave M]

Few more

 

[Astoness]

smashing photos dave thank you for finding the time to take them...:encouragement:


UPDATE FROM ME..

AS YOU KNOW FOLKS ON MONDAY AFTER PERSONALLY VISITING THE ERDINGTON SORTING OFFICE I WAS TOLD TO EXPECT A CALL BACK..I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE BRITISH POSTAL MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES THAT CRIS TAFT WOULD BE GETTING IN TOUCH WITH ME..NEARLY IN THE WORDS OF NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN TO DATE I HAVE RECEIVED NO REPLIES OR EMAILS SO I HAVE NOW CONTACTED THE APPROPRIATE PERSON AT THE EVENING MAIL AS I FEEL ITS NOW TIME TO STEP THINGS UP..WILL KEEP YOU ALL INFORMED..

LYN

 

[Ken_R]

My contribution

ALBERT EDWARD SHARP.

[Records indicate] Albert Edward Sharp was born in Bristol, Gloucestershire, in 1878[1] to parents William and Annie Sharp. He was followed a year later by a sister, Emily[2]. In 1881[3] the family were living in the Stapleton area of Bristol with the father employed as a Gardener in Domestic Service.

By 1891[4] he had acquired a further three siblings. William born in 1882[5], Annie Martha born 1884[6], and Lilla born 1890[7], who were then followed by Florence Rose in 1892[8].

Whilst the rest of the family continued to reside in the Fishponds area [of Bristol], 1901[9] finds Albert lodging in High Street, Erdington, where he is in employment to an Auctioneer. In 1903 he married Caroline Annie Homer[10] and their first child, Gladys Ada Emily[11], arrived the following year.

Subsequent children were named, Beatrice Alice in 1905[12], Bertha Annie in 1906[13], Elvina Lillian Alexandra in 1908[14], Albert Edward in 1910[15], Harry Leslie in 1912[16], and William James in 1914[17]. Then finally, Florence Dora Sharp was born in 1917[18]. Sadly, she was never to know her father.

In 1911[19] the family were living at 44 Gravelly Lane, Erdington, and Albert Edward was working as a Window Cleaner.

It is unclear when Albert began working for the Post Office but it may have been as late as 1915[20]. His Military records appear not to have survived but from his Headstone it can be learnt that he served with the Devonshire Regiment and then the Labour Corps. He died in the Military Hospital, Out Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds in 1918[21], and his Funeral took place at St Barnabas Church, Erdington, on 5 December that year [22].

The family, by this time, were living in Coton Lane, Erdington[22], and remained there for some years thereafter.

References.
[1]Q3, 6a, 189
[2]Q4, 6a, 201
[3]RG11, Piece 2507, Folio 19, Page 31
[4]RG12, Piece 1992, Folio 70, Page 16
[5]Q1, 6a, 206
[6]Q1, 6a, 77
[7]Q2, 6a, 186
[8]Q3, 6a, 183
[9]RG13, Piece 2875, Folio 55, Page 6
[10]Q3, 6d, 733
[11]Q1, 6d, 426
[12]Q4, 6d, 372
[13]Q4, 6d, 410
[14]Q4, 6d, 405
[15]Q1, 6d, 380
[16]Q3, 6d, 815
[17]Q3, 6d, 1253
[18]Q1, 6d, 1003
[19]RG14, RD 385, SD 5, ED 9, Schedule 74
[20]British Postal Service Appointment Books 1915, Image 280.
[21]Q4, 4a, 1978
[22]Erdington, St Barnabas 1914-1928, Page 78, Image 41.

Whilst the MI and other records give a year of 1917, the Death registration and Parish register both record the year as 1918.

Of the children, what can be inferred is that:-
Gladys Ada Emily Sharp married Frank Edgar Green 1923, Q4, 6d, 1045

Elvina Lillian Alexandra married Reginald R Dodds in 1930.
Children.
Brian W Dodds in 1933.
Raymond E Dodds in 1935.
Barry R Dodds in 1937.

Raymond E Dodds married Marian Eyles in 1957. It appears they had a daughter, Judith A born 1957 Q4, 9c, 885, who may be identical with the Judith A Dodds that in 1991, married a Graham S Meah. Q3, 32, 599, who, with an apparent Birth record in 1959, would be of a similar age.

There is an Electoral Roll entry in 2002 for a Graham S Meah in Alcester, but not with a Judith. In fact, it reads more like a ‘lodgings’ so perhaps better not pursued. However, there is a 2013 entry for a Judith Florey-Meah in Sutton Coldfield [address not shown] who might be directly connected to this line.

Albert Edward [junior] married Beatrice May Morris, Q2, 1933, Birmingham, 6d, 729.
Children – possible [Morris being a more common Surname]
Albert E Dodds in 1933
Barry R Dodds in 1958
Tony W Dodds in 1962
Although perhaps the latter 2 should be discounted due to age difference.

Grandchildren.
Brian W Dodds married Mary Page in 1954 and in 1955 were living at 33 Summerlee Road, Erdington. Can't see any obvious children for them.

Albert E Sharp (b. 1933) may be identical with a 1954 Marriage to Joyce M Higgins, Q2, 9c, 1109, and in 1955 were living at 16, Chudleigh Road, Stockland Green.
Grandchildren? [Children of Albert E Sharp & Joyce M Higgins]
Christopher J in 1955
Angela J in 1958

Barry R Dodds married June Kitteridge in 1958. Two Births registered in Meriden may be pertinent to them.
Adrian Stuart in 1969 Q1, 9c, 1635.
Amanda Louise in 1973 Q1, 9c, 2704

E&OE:smug:

 

[Astoness]

brilliant info ken..i feel as though i know these men..

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks from me too Ken. You've created a very full picture and some helpful suggestions to other relations. A lot of hard work!

I shall be putting all the revised and new information onto the new thread in the next couple of days, at tge latest by 4 March. Each individual soldier's details will have its own single post, so there will be 7 new posts added to the thread.

Where possible, I'd like to add specific references to the source of contributor's info (e.g England & Wales Births Q2 7b 700) so please add them to this thread if you can. Then I can add them to the soldiers details as references for others.

Once again, many thanks for all your hard work. Viv.

 

[Astoness]

viv i wished that i was as good as you at organising this sort of info...i would have it all written on scraps of paper that i could not find when i wanted it lol...thank you..

lyn

 

[AliBlackwell]

This is so heart warming to see. Roundabout Theatre Company (Milton Keynes) will be performing So, Not a Lovely War on Saturday 8th November 2014 in the Custard Factory. The show is set in Alcock Street Deritend and is based on the diaries of Harry Smith who lived in court 1 / 7. Harry and 3 of his brothers fought in two world wars but only 2 came back. The show will commemorate the lives of all the men and women whose lives were affected by both wars. They should and will be remembered.

 

[Vivienne14]

Me too Lyn, scraps of paper everywhere, working between PC and iPad, often wondering what planet I'm on! But will do my best to get everyone's input correctly into order on the new thread. (Do shout if it isn't). It's good that we've all pulled together to highlight the big sacrifice those soldiers/postmen made on Ken Stowe's wonderful tablet. Viv.

 

[pjmburns]

Right here goes: Cornelius Ernest Neal all information in one place.
Cornelius was born at the end of 1881 (birth registered in the last quarter at Aston 6d 291). According to the censuses he was the son of Henry William and Mary Ann Neal. Henry is listed as a cycle maker or a cycle machinist or a bicycle builder. There are several other children William and Mabel then Cornelius and Alfred (all listed on the 1891 census).
In 1911 Cornelius is back home (I can’t find him on the 1901 census) with his parents and his occupation is listed as a railway porter.
In 1912 Cornelius married Edith E Deakin (3[SUP]rd[/SUP] quarter Aston 6d 606) and she is listed on the CWGC record of his death along with his parents. There is a birth record of a son Stanley registered in the 1[SUP]st[/SUP] quarter 1914 Aston 9d 1179. When I tracked his death January 1993 (Hereford B12D in district 5161B and entry 183) it gave his date of birth as 19the December 1913.
Cornelius is listed on CWGC as Ernest Cornelius and was in the Cameronians (1[SUP]st[/SUP] Bn Scottish Rifles). He died of his wounds 26[SUP]th[/SUP] August 1915 and is buried at Chocques Military Cemetery (grave ID 78).
His widow Edith is listed on the electoral roll at 66 Farnham Road (as per CWGC) until her death in 1946 (September Birmingham 9c 30). Stanley is listed at the same address until at least 1955 (as far as I can check on Ancestry – but I will have a look the next time I go to Birmingham Library).
Stanley married Molly Culling in the last quarter of 1950 (Birmingham 9c 297) and she is also listed on the electoral roll. I think Molly was a war widow originally from Handsworth (born Molly Georgina Shaw in 1916).
I can find no record of any children from the marriage although there might have been a stepson Robert Culling born in Birmingham in 1944 the year Molly’s husband was killed.
I can find no death for a Molly Neal and interestingly there is a Mollie G Neal listed as living in Hereford. Could she still be alive at almost 100??

Hope this helps.
Janice