Francis Van Praet

Francis Van Praet was born in 1894 in Nottingham and was the son of Henry and Sarah Ann Van Praet née Groucutt of 72 Kirkwhite Street Nottingham. His father Marinus (believed anglicised to Henry) was married in 1883 in Nottingham to Sarah Groucutt, they had the following children all born in Nottingham except Nellie b1892 in Battersea, their other children being Francis b1894, Hilda b1895, Alice Florence b1898, Horace Edgar b1895, and John Henry b1906. In the 1911 census the family are shown living at 9 Trent Bridge Footway, Nottingham and are shown as Sarah Ann Van Praet 46 yrs , married , head of the family (born Prences End Staffordhsire) no occupation, she is living with her children Nellie 19 yrs a lace measurer, Francis 17 yrs a machine operator, Hilda 16 yrs a cigar maker, Alice Florence 13 yrs a guard folder, Horace Edgar 7 yrs and John Henry 5yrs His father Henry (Marinus) is not shown at the address on the night of the census and has not be found anywhere else on the 1911 census although he did not died until 1939 when he was 79 yrs of age. His probate was proven in Nottingham on 6th May 1919 and shows him as Francis Van Praet of Truman Villa, Arkwright Street, Meadows, Nottingham, Lieutenant HM Army died 1st October 1918 in France or Belgium , his effects of £254 5shillings and 8 pence were left to Henry Van Praet a cigar maker (his father)