Henry Strutt

Henry was the second son of Henry and Elizabeth Ann Strutt (née Price). Henry Strutt and Elizabeth Ann Price were married at Gotham St Lawrence on 28 November 1886 and had eight children, who were all born in Gotham and with the exception of the youngest child, Ernest, were baptised at St Lawrence parish church: Harriet b. 1887 bap. 8 May 1887; Frederick William b. 1888 bap. 5 August 1888; Edith b. 1890 bap. 6 January 1892; Frances Elizabeth birth registered 1892 (J/F/M) bap. 6 January 1892; Henry birth registered 1894 (J/F/M) bap. 2 July 1899; Louisa b. 1896 bap. 2 July 1899; Wilfred b. 1899 bap. 2 July 1899 and Ernest b. 1904. Henry snr. was a plaster miner at the local gypsum works and some of his sons were later employed at the same works. In 1891 the 24 year old Henry and Elizabeth (22) were living at The Rushes, Malt Lane, Gotham, with two of their three children, Frederick (2) and Edith (1). On the night of the census their eldest child Harriet (4) was in the home of her maternal grandparents, William and Louisa Price, who also lived at The Rushes, Malt Lane. By 1901 Henry and Elizabeth were living on Wallace Street, Gotham. In the home on the night of the census were six of their seven children; Frederick, Edith, Frances (9), Henry (7), Louisa (4) and Wilfred (2). Harriet was again recorded as a visitor in the home of her grandparents, William and Louisa Price, who were now living at Bag Lane, Gotham. The youngest child, Ernest, was born three years later in 1904. On 21 February 1911, a few months before the Census, Elizabeth Ann was admitted to the Nottinghamshire Lunatic Asylum at Radcliffe on Trent. The register of admissions listed her as a 'pauper'. At the time of the census her husband and six of their children were living on Gladstone Street, Gotham. Henry was still a plaster miner, his son Fred (22) was 'bagging up' in the plaster mills and Henry (17) was a horse driver at the mills. Wilfred and Ernest were at school while his two daughters, Edith (21) and Louisa (14) were both 'at home', presumably managing the house for the family. There was also a boarder in the household, Frank Powdrill (46), a blacksmith striker, who in 1901 had been lodging with Elizabeth's parents, William and Louisa Price, at Bag Lane. The third daughter, Frances Elizabeth (19) was a domestic servant in the household of a widow, Mrs E Sagg, who was a tobacconist 'on her own account' in the Meadows, Nottingham. Elizabeth Ann died in the Lunatic Asylum on 8 February 1912 aged 44. At the time of Henry's death in 1915 his father was living on Wallace Street, Gotham. His father probably died in 1936. Henry's brother Frederick William may also have served in the war as there is a medal record for a Frederick W Strutt, 543675 Sapper Royal Engineers. Their brother Wilfred attested in the Sherwood Foresters in December 1915 and nominated his married sister Harriet (Swinscoe m. 1907) of Carlton, Nottingham, as his next of kin. He was under-age (b. January 1899) but was successful in his application and was drafted to France in 1916. However, when his true age was discovered he was transferred to England on 13 August 1916. He later joined the Royal Scots (353337 Private) and again served in France. He was still in France in July 1919 and was not demobilized until 9 August 1919 when he was discharged to Kegworth Road, Gotham.