Frank Sydney Bee

Frank Sydney was the son of Thomas Bee and his wife Louisa nee Thorpe. Thomas Bee was born in Swarby, Lincolnshire, and Louisa in Wilsford, Lincolnshire, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Thorpe. Thomas and Louisa were married in 1882 (J/A/S Sleaford) and according to the 1911 Census had seven children: John T, Edith Alice, George T, William Henry, Charles Reginald birth registered 1893 (J/F/M Basford), Robert Harold b. 26 May 1895 and Frank Sydney b. 1897 (A/M/J Basford). The birth places of the oldest four children are given variously in Lincolnshire, but the youngest three boys were born in Nottinghamshire, probably in Gamston although Barkestone/Barnstone appears on some census. In 1891 Thomas (33), a horseman, was living in Osbournby Lincolnshire. He was alone in the home on the night of the census as his wife Louisa (26) and their four children, John (7), Edith (6), George (2) and William (6 months) were visitors in the home of her married sister, Flora Welbourne (23), and her husband George Welbourne, a malster, in Spittlegate, Lincolnshire. By 1901 Thomas (43) and Louisa were living in Gamston where Thomas was a wagoner. Five of their children were at home on the night of the census: George (12), William (10), Charles (8), Robert (5) and Frank (3). Ellen (15) was probably registered in Eccles, Lancashire, a servant in the household of Alfred Thorpe (38, b. Nottingham) and his wife; Alfred was manager (sewing machine maker). Their eldest son, John, would have been 17 at the time of the census and was probably working and living away from home as was their daughter. By the time of the 1911 Census Thomas (53) was at the Harlequin public house in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. In the home on the night of the census were his wife and five of their seven children: Edith (25) a blouse cutter, William (20) a farm labourer, Charles (18) a merchant's clerk, Robert (15) a bricklayer's labourer ad Frank, a telegraph messenger. At the time of the census George was serving in India with the 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. Frank married Ada L Chambers in 1915 (A/M/J Basford) and they had a son, Frank S, in 1916 (Basford, mother's maiden name Chambers). Frank's brother, Robert, joined the Royal Navy in 1913 (J.23988(Po) Able Seaman)and was lost with HMS Ariel when she was sunk by a mine on 2 August 1918 (Portsmouth Naval Memorial). At the time of Robert's death the family was living at 2 Florence Road, Gedling.

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