Anthony Solari
In 1911 he was an assistant ice cream vendor in the family business.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Anthony (Tony) was born in 1894 in Nottingham, the son William and Ann Ellen Solari (née Chapman).
His father William was born in 1851 in Cambridge and his mother Ann Ellen Chapman was born in 1856 in Nottingham. They were married in 1873 in Nottingham and had seven children, two of whom died in infancy or early childhood before 1911. Four of their five surviving children as recorded on the 1891/1901/1911 census were: Julia b1876, Joseph b1889, Anthony b1894 and Madeline Solari b 20 November 1896, who were all born in Nottingham. Their fifth surviving child may have been John Bartholomew Solari (b. abt 1873 d. 12 August 1952) who was the executor of Julia Solari's Will in 1950. The two children who died in infancy were William Lawrence, who died on 29 July 1888 aged 14 months, and Mary who died on 16 April 1893 aged 1 month.
His father William, an ice cream manufacturer, died on 15th February 1898 at Nottingham; he was 46 years old. Probate proven Nottingham, 4th March 1898: William Solari, 41 Leenside, Nottingham, confectioner, died 15th February 1898. Effects £952 10 shillings. Administration awarded to his widow, Ellen Solari.
In 1911 census the family was living at 41 Leen Side, Nottingham: Ellen 55 yrs widowed, a confectioner and ice cream vendor, and her unmarried children Julia 35 yrs, a shop keeper, Joseph 21 yrs and Anthony 17 yrs, both assistant ice cream vendors, and Madeline 15 yrs an assistant shopkeeper.
Ellen Solari died on 7 January 1923 aged 67 years.
Of Anthony's siblings:
Julia died unmarried on 24 November 1950. She was then living at 10 Ewart Road, Forest Fields, Nottingham.
Joseph may have also served in the war (129308 Royal Field Artillery, British War Medal and Victory Medal). He married Beatrice Nellie Drury in 1921 (O/N/D Nottingham) and died on 25 January 1941. He was then living at 93 Bunbury Street, Meadows, Nottingham.
Madeline married George H Garrett in 1924 (O/N/D Nottingham) and died in 1973 (March Nottingham) aged 76.
Anthony Solari enlisted at Nottingham and served with 1/4th Battalion King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment).
He died on 15 June 1917 at No. 12 Casualty Clearing Station from wounds received in action and was buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. I E 34).
CWGC history of Mendinghem Military Cemetery: the Cemetery is 17k, from the town of Ieper (Ypres). 'Mendinghem, like Dozinghem and Bandaghem, were the popular names given by the troops to groups of casualty clearing stations posted to this area during the First World War. In July 1916, the 46th (1st/1st Wessex) Casualty Clearing Station was opened at Proven and this site was chosen for its cemetery. The first burials took place in August 1916. In July 1917, four further clearing stations arrived at Proven in readiness for the forthcoming Allied offensive on this front and three of them, the 46th, 12th and 64th, stayed until 1918. From May to July 1918, while the German offensive was at its height, field ambulances were posted at Proven. The cemetery was closed (except for one later burial) in September 1918.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: Son of the late Ellen Solari, of Nottingham.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'A noble life laid down R.I.P.'
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 26 June 1917 :
'SOLARI. – Died of wounds received in action, June 15th, Private A. Solari (known as Tony), K.O.R.L. Regt., of 75, Arkwright-street. R.I.P. – From his sorrowing mother, sisters, brother Joe (in France).'
'SOLARI. Died of wounds received in action, June 15th, Private A. Solari, age 22, youngest brother of Mr. J. Solari, R.I.P. – From sorrowing niece and nephews.'
Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 15 June 1918:
'SOLARI. In loving memory of my dear son, Pte. Anthony Solari (known as Tony), who died of wounds in France June 15th, 1917. Sleep on, dear son, and take thy rest, they miss you most who loved you best. - Loving mother and brother Joe (in France).'
'SOLARI. In loving memory of my dear brother, Anthony, who died of wounds in France, June 15th, 1917. Fondly remembered. - Brother John and niece Hilda.'
'SOLARI. In loving memory of our dear brother, Pte. A. Solari, who died of wounds in France, June 15th, 1917. A noble brother, good and kind, loving memories left behind. - Loving sisters Julia and Madeline.'
SOLARI. In affectionate remembrance of Anthony, killed in action June 15th, 1917. - Fondly remembered by Tom and Nellie.'
SOLARI. In loving memory of Anthony Solari, killed in action June 16th [sic], 1917. - Fondly remembered by his friend Will.'
Above courtesy of Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Inscription on family headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery: 'In loving memory of William Solari of Nottingham who died Feby. 15th 1898, aged 46 years. Gone but not forgotten. Also of Ellen Solari, wife of the above who died Jany. 7th 1923 aged 67 years. Our loss is her eternal gain. RIP. Also of Anthony Solari, dearly beloved son of the above, who died of wounds received in action, June 15th 1917. Interred in France. Aged 22 years. A noble life laid down. RIP. Also William Lawrence, son of the above, who died July 29th 1888 aged 14 months. Also Mary their daughter who died April 16th 1893 aged 1 month.'
Probate: Solari Joseph of 93 Bunbury-street Nottingham died 25 January 1941 at The City Hospital Nottingham Administration Nottingham 7 March to Beatrice Nellie Solari widow. Effects £180 7s. 10d.
Probate: Solari Julia of 10 Ewart-road Forest Fields Nottinghamshire spinster died 24 November 1950 Administration Nottingham 18 January to John Bartholomew Solari retired manufacturer. Effects £1767 7s. 10d.
Anthony Solari
Photograph courtesy of Dennis Weston
Anthony Solari
Family grave and headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (11 April 2018).
Photo of Anthony Solari
Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium (www.cwgc.org)