William SAUNDERS is a distant relation - 1st Cousin, 5 x removed, but I am intrigued by him. He was born in Chelwood, the son of Joseph SAUNDERS and his wife Phoebe HATHWAY who were living (I think) at nearby Corston at that time. in 1828, William SAUNDERS of Corston married an Elizabeth HATHWAY at St Annes Church, Wick and Abson. Although it is not listed on the marriage entry, The Licence lists her as a widow. From the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub https://catalogue.gloucestershire.gov.uk/records/GDR/17/2/78/98 The witnesses to the marriage were Robert and Mary HITCH. I believe that she had been previously married to Harry HATHWAY who had died in 1826. Harry's Will was proved by the PCC. The executors were Robert HITCH and William SAUNDERS. In it he mentions "my said wife Elizabeth HATHWAY" A Harry HATHWAY had married an Elizabeth SHORTMAN in 1822 at Wick and Abson. On the 1841 census William is listed with a wife called Ann who died in 1843 - was this Elizabeth? - Was she a widow when she married Harry?
Any help sorting this out would be much appreciated. Who did William SAUNDERS marry? William's Will is long and mentions many different people called HATHWAY - but his mother was a HATHWAY so that is not surprising. Thank you.
In 1941 a German Bomber returning to France after a mission to Birkenhead landed at Lulsgate after receiving a false radio location signal (a MEACON) from a Transmission Mast probably based in Lympsham. The plane crossed the Bristol Channel thinking that this was the English Channel and that the signal was coming from Brest, its home airport. Does anyne know the position of this mast in Lympsham? I have added a document which describes this incident researched by John Penny, a well known Bristol Local Historian.
Located in St Saviour's Church is a War Memorial dedicated to those that lost their lives in WW1. Looking through the list there is a name SISTER DARLING.
Most transcriptions record the name as "Darling SISTER" - but look there is no comma.
So is it actually "Sister DARLING" and if so who was she - a Nurse?, a Nun?, a Spy?
Does anybody know? - I have been struggling to find anything at all.
Just wondering if anyone knows how to find out what happened to the remains of those who died at West End House, Shepton Mallet during the mid-1950s? In particular, I'm trying to establish what happened to the body of Fanny Laura Bennett who died there on 3rd June 1955 and am wondering if she might have received a pauper burial. Any ideas?
I am trying to find any information regarding 2 brothers who were evacuated to Weston during WW2. Their names were Terence (Terry) and Kevin (born Kevan) KELLEHER from Paddington. They were born in December 1927 and June 1930 respectively. All I know is that they were taken in by 2 (or possibly 3) elderly spinsters who ran a school. I know that Pat Hase has done a lot of research on private schools in Weston and wonder if this rings any kind of bell?
My grandparents took in refugees, but none by this name. However, the younger brother was the same age as my mother so there is an outside chance that the name will mean something to her. I will talk to her about this, but thought I would try this route first.
Both brothers have apparently died, but their records are still currently redacted on the 1939 Register.
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