Herbert Sketchley

Herbert (Bertie/Bert) was born in 1895 and when he was 3 weeks old was adopted by Arthur Edward Sketchley, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Elizabeth Sketchley née Holmes. His stepfather Arthur Edward Sketchley was the son of Frederick and Charlotte Sketchley and was born in Brant Broughton in 1856 (J/A/S Newark, Horsman). He was baptised in Brant Broughton parish church on 24 August 1856. Elizabeth Holmes was the daughter of Henry and Ann Holmes and born in North Collingham, probably in 1858 (O/N/D Newark, Cookson). Elizabeth's father was a malster and in 1881 and 1891 was the innkeeper at the Crown Inn, North Collingham. However, in 1881 Elizabeth (21) was a general domestic servant in the household of John Rowbotham, a miller and baker, at Mill Lane, Brant Broughton. Arthur and Elizabeth were married in St Helen's parish church, Brant Broughton, on 15 August 1892 (J/A/S Newark). Arthur was 36 years old and Elizabeth 32. In the 1901 census the family, including Herbert, are living at Pond Lane, Brant Broughton. In the 1911 census the family are living at Brant Broughton and shown as Arthur Edward 54 yrs a farm labourer, who is living with his wife Elizabeth 52 yrs and their grandson Arthur Holmes 16 yrs (b. Sneinton Nottingham) a farm labourer. Arthur states on the 1911 census that he has been married for 18 yrs and has had no children. No previous marriage has been traced for either Arthur or Elizabeth; with the surname Holmes it sems likely that the grandson, Arthur, was Elizabeth's grandson. Herbert Sketchley has not been found to date on the 1911 census. Elizabeth Sketchley died in 1918 (J/F/M Newark) aged 59. Arthur married Sarah J Lyons in 1921 (J/F/M Newark); Sarah died in 1934 (J/F/M North Kesteven Lincs) aged 48. The widowed Arthur was still living in Brant Broughton in 1939 at the time of the England & Wales Register; he was described as a retired agricultural labourer. He died in 1941 (J/F/M North Keseven) aged 84.