Wilfrid May

Wilfrid was the youngest son of Daniel May and his wife Sarah Hannah née Palmer. Daniel May was born in about 1838 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, the son of Daniel May. Sarah Hannah Palmer was the daughter of William Henry Palmer and born in Doncaster in 1849 (A/M/J Doncaster) Daniel and Sarah were married on 16 August 1877 (J/A/S Doncaster Yorkshire) and had four children of whom three survived: Dan b. Lound 28 January 1882 (J/F/M East Retford), Eustace Henry b. Lound 1884 (A/M/J East Retford) and Wilfrid b. Carlton-on-Trent 1888 (O/N/D Southwell). In 1891 Daniel (51) a malster, and Sarah (40) were living at Carlton Lodge, Main Street, Carlton-on-Trent, with their three surviving children, Dan (9), Eustace (7) and Wilfrid (2). Daniel employed two general servants, Annie Stoorley (27) and Fanny Priscilla Batty (20). Daniel and Sarah were still living at Carlton Lodge in 1901 although only Eustace (17) and Wilfrid (13) were still living at home. The family had a cook, Elizabeth Longmate (19 b. Sutton-on-Trent) and housemaid, Mary A Longmate (34 b. Ossington). At the time of the census the eldest son, Dan (19), was a boarder at 44 High Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire, in the household of Amelia Bond (44) married but not head of household; the census does not give Dan's occupation. The family home was still at Carlton Lodge in 1911 but Wilfrid (22), a bank clerk, was the only one of the children living at home. Mary Longmate (45) and Elizabeth Longmate (29) were still employed by the family. Daniel snr died aged 76 on 8 March 1914 (J/F/M Southwell); Administration of his will was awarded to his widow and three sons. Sarah Hannah died on 21 April 1920; her address was then at The Hollies, Radcliffe-on-Trent, which was probably the home of her eldest son, Dan. Both Daniel and Sarah were buried in St Mary's churchyard, Carlton-on-Trent. Of Wilfrid's brothers: Dan married Gladys Elizabeth Johnson (b. Sutton-on-Trent 1884, J/A/S Southwell) at All Saints Church, Sutton-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, on 2 November 1909 (O/N/D Southwell). They had two children: Gladys Joan b. 12 January 1914 (J/F/M Southwell) and Una b. 13 May 1920 (A/M/J Bingham). In 1911 Dan and Gladys were living in Sutton-on-Trent; Dan was a malster manager. He enlisted in 1918 and was posted to the 1st Reserve Garrison B, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, but transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps (12th Company MT) and was demoblized on 23 March 1919. Dan was living at The Hollies, Radcliffe on Trent, when he joined the army but the family later moved to Dorset. His wife, Gladys Elizabeth, died on 8 May 1932; the Probate record gave her address as 6 Chestnut Villas, South Walks Road, Dorchester. Dan, a foreman malster, was still living in Dorchester in 1939 at the time of the England & Wales Register. His two daughters were still living at home: Gladys Joan, an assistant secretary (hospital), and Una (later Lindsay), a student. Also in the household was Charles GM Donaldson (b. 16 April 1912), a medical practitioner. Charles and Gladys were married on 24 March 1940 (A/M/J Dorchester). Dan employed a housekeeper, Elizabeth Longmate (b. 28 August 1881), who was probably the servant previously employed by his parents. Dan died on 17 January 1969; he was then living at 3 South Road, Taunton. Eustace Henry married Mary E Hawdin (b. 22 July 1887) in 1910 (O/N/D Southwell). They had two daughters: Mary b. 1910 (O/N/D Southwell) and Margaret b. 1912 (O/N/D Southwell). In 1911 Eustace (27) a farmer, and Mary (23 b. Muskham) and their daughter, Mary (u/1 year) were living in Cromwell, Nottinghamshire, probably at Elms Farm, with Mary's parents John William (66), a farmer, and Betsy (55). Eustace joined the Army in 1916, giving his age as 31 years 5 months and his occupation as malster; he was still living in Cromwell. He joined the Machine Gun Corps and was posted for duty at Derby on 10 July 1916. Eustace embarked Folkestone on 11 February 1917, disembarking Boulogne the same day, after which he served in France and Belgium. He later transferred to the Labour Corps (60th Labour Company) and on 30 November 1918 to 472 Agricultural Company Burton Joyce (673147); he was not discharged from the Army until 18 November 1919. It is likely that he was medically downgraded and was transferred to the Labour Corps as his discharge papers note that he was in hospital in April 1918 for a month and also received hospital treatment in Bristol, Warrington, Bury St Edmunds and Colchester. He had several medical examinations in relation to pension awards and was found to be suffering initially from myalgia and later rheumatism in the back and legs 'since 1917'. Eustace died aged 41 on 14 January 1926 (J/F/M Southwell); the Probate record gave his address as Mayville, North Muskham. His daughter, Margaret, died at the age of 19 in 1931 (O/N/D Southwell). In 1939 his widow, Mary, and their unmarried daughter, Mary, were living at Mayfield House, Southwell; the occupations of both women was given as 'domestic duties'.