Percy William Drabble

Percy William Drabble was the son of William Glazebrook Drabble and Mary Jane Drabble (née Hendy). His father William Glazebrook was born in Caunton, Nottinghamshire, in 1866, the son of William and Charlotte Drabble of Caunton Lodge. He was baptised at Caunton St Andrew on 11 November 1866. His mother Mary Jane Hendy was born in about 1865 at Staply Hill, Gloucestershire. William and Mary Jane were married at Caunton St Andrew on 22 September 1889 (reg. O/N/D Southwell). They had nine children, two of whom died in childhood. Their children were: Ethel Elizabeth b. Caunton 12 August 1890 bap. Caunton St Andrew 28 September 1890; Mary Jane b. Caunton 27 March 1892 bap. St Andrew 12 June 1892; Albert William b. Caunton 24 December 1893 (reg. 1894 J/F/M) bap. St Andrew 18 February 1894 d. 1896 (A/M/J Newark); Elizabeth b. Newark April 1896 bap. St Andrew 15 October 1899; Percy William b. 3 November 1897 bap. St Andrew 15 October 1899; Albert Edward b. Newark 22 May 1899 bap St Andrew 15 October 1899; Eveline/Evelyn b. Newark 31 March 1902; Wililam Thornton b. Newark 1904 (O/N/D) d. December 1911 and Dorothy May b. Newark 25 May 1910. William (24), an agricultural labourer, and Mary ((26) together with their first child Ethel were living in Kersall Square, Caunton, in 1891. They had five more children in the next ten years, one of whom, Albert William (b. 1893), died aged two in 1896. By April 1896 when Elizabeth was baptised, the family was living on Cromwell Road, New Town, Newark, and this was still the family's address when Albert Edward was baptised in October 1899. However, they had moved to 32 Wright Street, Newark, by 1901. William was employed as a brewer's drayman. He and Mary now had five children: Ethel (10), Mary (9), Elizabeth (4), Percy (3) and Albert (1). Eveline was born the following year, followed by William and Dorothy. Mary Jane snr. died in August 1910, a few months after the birth of her daughter Dorothy. Her husband William was living at 140 North Gate, Newark, in 1911 with seven of his eight children: Ethel (20) of no occupation and presumably at home caring for the family, Mary a tailoress, Percy school/part-time errand boy, Albert, Evelyn, William and Dorothy. Elizabeth was a general domestic servant at South Clifton, near Newark, in the household of her aunt and uncle, Mary (née Drabble) and John Thorpe, a licensed victualler. The youngest son, William Thornton, died in December 1911 (buried 26 December). The later CWGC record gave William's address as 53 Alliance Street, Newark. William died in August 1923. Of Percy's six surviving siblings: Ethel Elizabeth married George H Lunn in 1912. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living at Gas House, Potter Hill, Newark; George was a joiner (public works). Also in the home were their sons Arthur Henry (b. 8 October 1917) a capstan operator and Charles Reginald (b. 22 January 1920) a farm labourer. The records of two other members of the household remain closed. Ethel died in 1968. Mary Jane has not yet been traced after 1911. Elizabeth married Arthur W Higgs in 1918. In 1939 they were living in Chesterfield, Arthur was a LMS engine fireman. The record of one other member of the household remains closed. Elizabeth died in 1972. Albert Edward married Elsie G Hodson in 1927. In 1939 they were living in Nottingham; he was a motor mechanic and Elsie a silk hosiery mender. The record of one other member of the household remains closed. Albert died on 27 September 1972. Eveline married John W Shepherd in 1922. In 1939 they were living on Alliance Street, Newark, with their daughter Margaret (b. 11 June 1928). The records of two other members of the household remain closed. Eveline died in 1940. Dorothy May married Richard Watson (b. 1912 d. 2002) in 1935 and in 1939 they were living in Newark. She probably died in 1994 (reg. Mansfield, Dorothy May White-sic, b. 25 May 1910).