John Tom Hempsall

John Tom was the son of John Thomas and Hannah Isabella Hempsall (née Price). Both his parents were born in Egmanton, Nottinghamshire, in 1864. They were married at the parish church of Our Lady of Egmanton on 12 September 1889 and had five children who were born in Ollerton: Sarah Ann b. 1 August 1890 bap. Wellow St Swithin 24 August 1890; Nellie b. 1891 bap. Ollerton St Giles 27 December 1891; John Tom b. 1893 bap. St Giles 16 April 1893; Frank b. 15 May 1895 bap. St Giles 9 June 1895 and Violet b. 27 November 1902 (reg. 1903 J/F/M). In 1891 Thomas, a joiner, and Hannah were living on Wellow Road, Ollderton, with their daughter Sarah (under 1 year). They were living at the same address when the next two census were recorded. In 1911 only four of their five children were living at home: Sarah (20) a supplementary teacher (Nottinghamshire County Council), Nellie (19) no occupation, John (18) an improver to the joinery trade and Violet (8). Also in the household was their father's widowed mother, Ann Hempsall (80). Frank (16) was one of two farm workers employed by, and living in the household of, John Charles Wood, farmer, of Ollerton. John was engaged to Lizzie Rolling of Primrose Hill Farm, Rufford, at the time of his death. His mother Hannah died in 1926 and his father John in 1928. His brother Frank enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery on 18 November 1914 (52924 Gunner); he gave his address as Wellow Road, Ollerton, occupation wheelwright. He served at home from 18 November then with the BEF France from 18 July 1915. He was admitted to the Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, on 14 October 1916 suffering from sycosis impetigo and returned to England on 17 October and admitted for treatment at the Sycamore Road Military Hospital, Nottingham. He then served in England until 14 July 1917 when he embarked for Mesopotamia where he served at Basra from 18 August. He was then transferred to Egypt, en-route from 3 May 1918 until arriving in Alexandria on 17 May. Frank was admitted to the General Hospital Alexandria in March 1919 suffereing from typhus, a telegram being sent to his father to advise him that his son was dangerously ill. His family heard nothing more until 15 March when they were informed Frank was 'out of danger.' Frank (Cadre of 91 Heavy Brigade) embarked Alexandria in HMT Malwa, for the UK on 18 June 1919. Frank married Lillian (Lily) Whitlam (b. 11 February 1899) in 1917 while serving in the UK. In 1939 when the England and Wales Register was compiled they were living at The Kennels, Rufford Park, Nottinghamshire; Frank was a journeyman joiner. Also in the home were their children Frank Raymond (b.12 September 1922) and Hazel (b. 25 November 1929. The record of one other member of the household remains closed. Frank died on 19 June 1954; he was still living at The Kennels. Lily died in 1975. Of John's three sisters, Nellie has not been traced after 1911. However, Sarah probably qualified as a nurse (trained Lincoln Infirmary 1914-1917; registered 16 November 1923 London). In 1923 she was working at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, Lancashire, and was a sister tutor at the same hospital in 1939. Sarah died on 16 November 1970; she was then living at The Villas, Forest Road, New Ollerton. Violet became a school teacher and in 1939 was living on Wellow Road, Wellow, Ollerton. Also in the household was Lucy Firth (b. 1892), a health visitor (SRN). Violet was living at The Villas, Forest Road, New Ollerton when she died on 18 October 1986.