William Fowkes

William Fowkes was born in 1888 at Heanor and was the son of James a coal miner and Elizabeth Fowkes née Sutton. His father James was born in 1848 at Smalley, Derbyshire, his mother Elizabeth Sutton was born in 1851 at Heanor, Derbyshire, they were married on 30th November 1868 at Ilkeston Independent Chapel, they went on to have 19 children, sadly 5 were to die in infancy or early childhood, their surviving children were all born in Heanor and were, George b1868, John b1870, Elizabeth b1874, Nary Ann b1876, Harriett b1878 James b1879, Rebecca b1881, Emily b1883, Beatrice b1887, Thomas b1887, Martha Ann b1890, Albert Stephen b1893 and Ezra b1895. In the 1911 census the family are living at 133 Derby Road, Heanor and are shown as James Fowkes 63 yrs a coal miner- roadway he is living with his wife Elizabeth 60 yrs and their children, William 23 yrs a coal miner hewer, Martha Ann 21 yrs no occupation listed, Albert 18 yrs a coal miner hewer and Ezra 16 yrs a coal miner pony driver. William married Sarah Ann (Jennie) Spate (born 31st December 1888 Stafford) on 5th October 1912 at Ilkeston registry office, they lived at 17 Wellington Place, Eastwood they had 3 children, Emily born 13th April 1912, Evelyn born 17th May 1914 and William 24th August 1915. Following William's death his widow Jennie was awarded a pension of 27 shillings and 6 pence a week which commenced on 4th February 1918.