Richard Bowskill Day

Richard was the son of Arthur and Jane Day (née Bowskill). His birth was registered in East Retford, Nottinghamshire, and on the census of 1901 and 1911 his place of birth was given as Retford. However, when he enlisted in the army he gave his birthplace as New Clee, Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Both his parents were born in Retford, his father Arthur in about 1863 and his mother in 1865. They were married in 1888 (East Retford registration district) and had eight children of whom five survived infancy: Mabel b. Retford birth registered 1889 (J/F/M), Richard Bowskill b. 1891, Harry Valentine b. Retford 14 February 1899 (J/F/M), Alice Winifred b. Retford 4 June 1900 and Marion Olive b. Retford 18 April 1908. In 1881 Arthur (27) a domestic gardener, and Jane (25) were living at Babworth Old Lodge, Main Street, Retford, with their daughter Mabel (2). They were living on Babworth Road, Retford, in 1901, and had four children: Mabel, Richard (9), Harry (2) and Alice (under 1 year). By 1911 the family was living on Station Road, Retford. Four of the five children were still living at home: Richard, a railway clerk, Harry and Alice who were at school, and Marion (2). Mabel has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census although her father had included her name in the members of the household but had then crossed it out. When Richard attested in 1914 he named his parents and brother as his next of kin and gave their address as 31 Crow Hill Road, Cleethorpes. Richard's younger brother Henry Valentine was serving as a Pioneer, service number 267984, at the time of his brother's death in 1917. Two copies of Army Form 4080 listing Richard's surviving blood relatives were completed by his mother. The first was completed in October 1919 and named his parents and sisters Alice and Marion, all of 31 Crow Hill Avenue, Cleethorpes, and his brother Harry Valentine, 267984 Pioneer, at Victory Barracks, Belfast. The eldest daughter, Mabel, was not named. The second form was completed on 17 November 1920: Parents: Arthur & Jane Day of 31, Crow Hill Avenue, Cleethorpes. Brother: Harry V Day aged 21 of 10, Pembrook Grove, Manchester Sister: Mrs M Johnstone aged 31 of Sutton near Retford, Notts Sister: Alice W Day aged 20 an inpatient at the Asylum, Lincoln Sister: Marion Day aged 12 of 31 Crow Hill Avenue, Cleethorpes Arthur Day probably died in 1921 (reg. Grimsby) and his wife Jane in 1942 (reg. Lincoln). Mabel's marriage (Johnstone) has not yet been traced nor any record of her found after 1920 (see above). Harry Valentine married Florence M Bellamy in 1925 (reg. Grantham). In 1939 they were living in Lincoln with their daughter Audrey (b. 1926); Harry was retired (ill health), former occupation telegraphist. He died in 1947. Alice Winifred died in 1981 (reg. Caistor, Lincolnshire). Marion Olive married Tom Ingoldby (b. 1906) in 1931 (reg. Grimsby). In 1939 they were living in Leicester; Marion was a shoe shop assistant and Tom a hire purchase collector and salesman. Marion died in 1986 (reg. Bridport Dorset).