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Graff, Phylis May, 1920 - 2000

Kevkonk

Kevkonk

master brummie
Trying to find birth and death details, cemetery etc
Worked in ammunition during ww2, lived in b73 Birmingham UK
Lived in Cornwall area for while.
Had lifelong companion Vera
 
Kevkonk said:
Trying to find birth and death details, cemetery etc
Worked in ammunition during ww2, lived in b73 Birmingham UK
Lived in Cornwall area for while.
Had lifelong companion Vera
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do you have anymore details...ie was she born in birmingham and die in birmingham..do you know the years she lived in cornwall...every little may help

lyn
 
Her mother lost an arm at The Erdington Laundry Co. Ltd, when Phylis was a child.
She was hit by car as child, bonesetter had to come from London, not sure how unusual that was then.
I don’t think she ever married.
She had an important job at Witton regarding WW2 armmunition.
One occasion during WW2 she was questioned about her name being German, by her employer IMI or GEC but was sorted as ok.
She died at Good Hope Hospital, born in Birmingham too I am sure.
Not sure, but maybe relatives in Staffs, but only very distant memory of conversation many years ago?can’t be sure at all.
The two ladies lived in Boldmere Rd, but put it in storage mode? and went to live in various locations around Cornwall. But when money running out, returned and bought smaller home in Wylde Green.
Both short stature ladies, liked to shop / visit Lichfield with Jack Russell dog called Jack.
 
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are you sure you have her date of birth correct...you say 1920....the only phyllis may graff i can find so far is one born in smethwick in 1915 and died in sutton coldfield 1992..probate records show she was living at no 12 yew tree road sutton coldfield at time of death..no point in me posting more info if this is not the correct person ?..do you know the names of her parents?

lyn
 
Phyllis and Vera are listed at 46 Little Oak Road on the 1957 ER. Vera is also there on the 1939 Register, she was born Vera Cox and married Raymond Mudd in 1941.
 
Kevkonk said:
Thats her,right address,she was older than her friend Vera Mudd.
Is it possible to see probate records?
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sorry having problems posting the probate record but its on ancestry (there may also have been a will)...on the 39 eve of war census she was living in smethwick..occupation was light lathe work and jewellery assembling..all records on ancestry including her dads war records..

lyn
 
I understand Mr Mudd died soon afterwards with lung condition.
Astoness said:
she is at sutton coldfield crem..maybe someone can check to see if there was a will for you

lyn
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Thank you for letting me know, do you have exact date perhaps please.
You have been very kind in helping me with this, thank you again.
 
Kevkonk said:
I understand Mr Mudd died soon afterwards with lung condition.

Thank you for letting me know, do you have exact date perhaps please.
You have been very kind in helping me with this, thank you again.
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exact date of what kev ? if someone can check to see if there was a will you will have to order and pay for it...not sure of the process but someone should be able to direct you...i think wills are emailed to you and do not cost much...

lyn
 
The GRO gives her year of birth as 1915
GRAFF, PHYLLIS MAY 1915
GRO Reference: DOR Q3/1992 in BIRMINGHAM (0611I) Volume 32 Page 806 Entry Number 231
Could this be the birth record that you are seeking?Screenshot 2025-05-28 at 10-29-15 1915 Births Civil Registration Births 1837-2005 Advanced Sea...png
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Name:​
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Year of Birth:​
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pjmburns said:
You can order documents here. £1.50 for a document

Search probate records for documents and wills (England and Wales)

probatesearch.service.gov.uk probatesearch.service.gov.uk
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Thank you very much indeed, will take a look.
I was wondering from how long the two ladies had lived together in Birmingham.
I know they told me that they had a house near a church halfway down Boldmere Rd for a long while, with a bus stop outside their front door, where people used to sit on their front garden wall which annoyed them.
 
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Phyllis appears to have had a brother and 2 sisters, one of whom died as a baby. Both her remaining siblings seems to have married and had children - her brother, one daughter and her sister, 2 sons and a daughter.
 
Phyllis's father Percy was registered as Percy Graf Adkins in Nottingham 1885, the illegitimate son of an Alice Adkins from Kenilworth and I'd assume a Mr Graf.
 
MWS said:
Phyllis's father Percy was registered as Percy Graf Adkins in Nottingham 1885, the illegitimate son of an Alice Adkins from Kenilworth and I'd assume a Mr Graf.
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I seem to recollect now, I think when Phylis was questioned about her German sounding name during WW2 she added an extra f? But not sure what difference that may have made.
I wonder she did not take Adkins name?
 
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