William Douglas Commons
Known as Douglas. Educated at Broomhill and High Oakham Schools, he was employed by Montague Burtons (tailors) for six years. A life long Methodist, Douglas was training to be a Methodist lay preacher.
- Family History
- Military history
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William Douglas was the only son of Adin and Martha Commons (née Haywood), who were married in 1916.
Adin was a widower whose first wife Catherine Ann had died on 9 August 1914. Adin and Catherine (née Hare) were married at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Mansfield on 2 December 1889. They had four children, Walter Lancelot (1891 d. 1899), Agnes Maud (1893), Gladys May (1894) and Marion Joyce (1897). In 1891, Adin, an insurance agent, his wife and their son were living on Sherwood Street, Mansfield; Walter died in May 1899 aged 8. In 1914 the family home was on Albion Street, Mansfield.
Adin, Martha and their son William were still living at Albion Street in 1921; also in the household were two boarders, a married couple. Adin's three daughters were now married: Agnes to David Bilson (1918), Gladys to Frederick Clarke (1921) and Marion to Sydney Hidon (1921).
Adin died on 1 December 1924 aged 61.
In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled his widow Martha (b. 1887), a school meals assistant, was living at 'Inverkeillor' Thorn avenue Mansfield. The record of one other person in the household remains closed.
Martha later moved to 52 Titchfield Street, Mansfield. She died on 23 August 1958.
HMS Dunedin: launched 19/11/1918 and sunk 24/11/1941. Torpedoes from U-124 hit and sunk her off St Paul's Rock near Reife, Brazil. Only 4 officers and 63 men out of a crew of 486 survived.
Dunedin had been previously engaged in the capture of the Lothringin and an enigma cipher machine.
P/MX68958 Supply Assistant Cyril Candy and P/K53894 PO Stoker Tom Hartley of Mansfield were also Dunedin casualties.
Commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial (panel 6.2)
Mansfield Reporter 6 Dec 1889. Marriages: On the 2nd inst. At the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Mansfield, by the Rev W Rose, Mr Adin Commons, of Mansfield Woodhouse, to Miss Catherine Ann Hare, of Mansfield.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Mansfield Reporter, 'Deaths', 14 August 1914. '9th August Catherine Ann Commons (-)-terrace aged 53 years.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Mansfield Reporter, ‘Deaths’, 5 December 1924. On the 1st inst., Adin Commons, Albion Street, Mansfield, aged 61.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 4 June 1942: 'Another Young Mansfield Man.
Signaller William Douglas Commons who was serving on the same ship of Cyril Candy, has now been officially reported as having lost his life at sea. He was 23 year old son of the late Mr Adin Commons and Mrs Commons of "Inverkeillor" Thorn Avenue, Mansfield.
Douglas a life long member of the Methodist Church was training to be a lay preacher. On the good example of his father he was actively associated with the church's organisation and was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was educated at Broomhill School and later at High Oakham Central School. On leaving school he joined the staff of Montaque Burton Ltd where he worked for 6 years earning the goodwill of all.'
Probate: Commons William Douglas of Inverkeillor Thorn-avenue Mansfield Nottinghamshire died on or since 24 November 1941 on war service. Probate Nottingham 29 September to Martha Commons widow. Effects £173 0s.2d.
Probate (extract): Commons Martha of 52 Titchfield Street Mansfield Nottinghamshire widow died 23 August 1958 at The General Hospital Mansfield Probate Wakefield 23 October to The Yorkshire Penny Bank Limited.
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