Leonard Edward Gill

Leonard was the only child of Edward and Lizzie Gertrude Hawkes Gill (née Downes). His mother, known as Gertrude, was the daughter of Alfred and Mary Ann Downes and was born in New Sleaford, Lincolnshire, in 1867 (J/A/S Sleaford). She was baptised at Sleaford parish church on 25 December 1870. In 1881 Alfred, a solicitor's general clerk, his wife and children, including Lizzie (13), were living at 278 West Streeet, New Sleaford.Edward Gill (28) and Gertrude (21) were married on 2nd August 1888 at the parish church of Quarrington Lincoln.In 1891 Edward (31 b. Featherstone Yorkshire), a commercial clerk, and Gertrude were lodging at 233 Balsall Heath Road, Kings Norton, Worcestershire, in the household of George Sale, a commercial clerk, and his wife Katie.Their son, Leonard Edward, was born in New Sleaford in 1892 (J/A/S Sleaford Lincs) and baptised in Sleaford parish church on 16 July 1893. His parents were resident in Coathouse, Yorkshire.His parents evidently parted later as in 1901 Gertrude and Leonard were living with Gertrude's widowed mother, Mary Ann Downes (63), at 9 Eastgate, New Sleaford. Mary Ann was a milk seller and Gertrude was described as a housekeeper. Also in the household on the night of the census were Gertrude's unmarried brother, Oswald (23), of no occupation, and two lodgers, a seed crusher's manager and a bank clerk.In 1911 Leonard Gill was boarding at 22 Maples Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham, with Joseph Emmison (46 b. Lincoln), secretary at a tobacco bonded warehouse (probably John Player & Sons) and his wife Mary Ann. Leonard was employed as a clerk at John Player & Sons, tobacco manufacturer.At the time of the 1911 Census Gertrude was manageress at the Pier Hotel in Skegness, Lincolnshire, employed by Charlie Thornton, hotel keeper, and his wife Florence. Gertrude's marital status was given as widow; no record of Edward's death has yet been traced.Both the newspaper report of Leonard's death and the probate records give his address as the Star and Garter Hotel, Hazelford, Bleasby. It is likely that his mother Gertrude was the hotel manageress. Gertrude later moved to Manor Cottage, Upton, Southwell, Nottinghamshire.