Percival Francis Webster

Percival Francis Webster was the son of Percival James and Mary Jane Webster (née Toplis). His father Percy was born on 3 October 1873 at Budby, Nottinghamshire, the son of Robert and Elizabeth Webster (birth reg. 'Percy'). He was baptised on 16 November the same year at Edwinstowe St Mary. His parents had a large family including Charles b. 24 November 1879, who later worked as a forester and woodman. Percy was still living at home in Budby in 1891. His mother Mary Jane was born in January 1873 at Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, the daughter of Francis, a cordwainer, and Annie Toplis. In 1881 the family was living in Draycott in Clay, Staffordshire. Percival James (23) and Mary Jane (24) were married on 6 June 1897 at St Thomas, London. Percy was working as a groom and both he and Mary were living at 4 Oakley Building. They had three children, one of whom died young: Percival Francis b. 9 July 1898 bap. Tothill Fields St Mary 14 August 1898; William Robert b. 6 February 1900 bap. St Mary 15 April 1900 and Annie Elizabeth M b. 1901 bap. St Mary 6 August 1901 d. 1902. All the children were born in Westminster and the births registered in the St George Hanover Square registration district. At the time of William's baptism in 1900 the family was living at 10 Edward Street, Tothill Fields, but in 1901 Percival, a GPO porter, Mary and their two sons were recorded at Chapter Chambers, Tothill Fields. Their third child, Annie, was born later that year but died in 1902. The family probably returned to live in Nottinghamshire as Percival James' death in 1904 was recorded in the Southwell registration district. In 1911 Mary was living in Owthorpe with her late husband's brother, Charles, a woodsman, and her two sons Percival (12) and William (11), who were described as Charles' nephews. The census records that Charles and Mary had been married for five years (no children). No record of a marriage has been traced although a marriage would not have been legal until the passing of the Deceased Brother's Widow's Marriage Act 1921. In 1939 Charles, a forester and woodman, and Mary, described as married, were living at the Woodman's Cottage, Owthorpe. Mary probably died in 1961 (A/M/J Nottingham). Percival Francis' brother William Robert served in the North Staffordshire Regiment (51356 Private) during the war. He enlisted on 8 March 1918 when he was 18 years old and gave his next of kin as his mother. He served in Ireland but in December 1918 was attached to the 472nd Agricultural Company Burton Joyce [Nottinghamshire] but 'ceased to be attached to 472 Agric. Coy. wef and including 30 April 1919.' He transferred to Class 'Z' Army Reserve on 28 November 1919. He claimed a disability pension for a hernia which was disallowed on appeal in June 1925. The Pension Appeal Tribunal came to the decision as he 'always wore a truss since childhood' and had also undergone surgery for the condition at Currough Military Hospital in June 1918. William probably died in 1977 (death registered Derby).