John William Hempsall

John William was the son of George Stafford Hempsall and Isabella (née Bowman). His father George was born in Egmanton, Nottinghamshire, in about 1861, the son of Joseph and Jane Hempsall. In 1871 the family was living on Top Street, East Markham, where Joseph was a grocer on his own account. His mother Isabella Bowman was born in 1862 (reg. Southwell) in Boughton, Lincolnshire. In 1871, Isabella (9) was living with her paternal grandparents, William and Sarah, at Top Street, East Markham. George Stafford and Isabella were married at East Markham St John the Baptist on 9 February 1885 and had at least seven children one of whom died in childhood. All the children were born in East Markham: Martha Jane b. 1885, George Cecil b 1888, Francis Edwin b. 9 March 1891, Annie Elizabeth b. 24 June 1893, John William b. 1896 (reg. J/F/M), Isabel May b. 12 February 1898 and Joseph Henry b. 1901 (O/N/D) d. 1904 (A/M/J). In 1891 George (30) was a bricklayer, living with his wife and three children, Martha (5), George (2) and Francis (under 1 year) on Old Hall Lane, East Markham. The family had moved to Top Street, East Markham, by 1901. George was a builder and licensed victualler. His wife and their six children were in the home on the night of the census: Martha, George, Frances, Annie (7), John (5) and Isabel (3). Joseph was born later that year but died in 1904. George Stafford died in 1903 and his widow married Richard Rose-Smithson (b. 28 May 1875) in 1908. They had one child, Mary Alice b. 1909 (J/F/M), who died the same year (J/F/M). In 1911 Richard (35), a newsagent on his own account, and Isabella (49) were living on Top Street, with four of Isabella's six children: George a bricklayer, Francis a wagoner on a farm, John a day lad for a market gardener, and Isabel (13) who was at school. Martha and Annie were both waitresses living and working at the Yarborough Hotel, Bethleham Street, Grimsby. Martha died the following year (1912 O/N/D Retford). Isabella died in 1924 and her husband Richard Rose-Smithson in 1951. John's brother George Cecil married Lucy Booth in 1913 and they had three children, John Stafford, George Cecil and Anne. George served in the war and was killed in 1917. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Of their surviving siblings: Francis Edwin married Kate Everton (b. 1 August 1895) in 1917. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Francis, a railway fitter's labourer, and Kate were living on Church Street, East Markham, with their son Francis (b.7 September 1919) a railway oiler and greaser, and Margaret Burton (or Cook) (b. 21 March 1927). Francis died in 1951. Annie Elizabeth married John B Smith (b. 20 February 1886) in 1914. In 1939 Annie and John, an engineering fitter, were living on Farm Lane, East Markham, with their son Leslie (b. 17 May 1915) an iron and brass turner. Also in the household was Annie's widowed stepfather, Richard Smithson, a market gardener's labourer. He died in 1951. Annie died in 1973. Isabel May married Alfred C Spashett (b. 1 May 1892) in 1924 (O/N/D Grimsby). In 1939 they were living on Annesley Street, Grimsby, with their children William A (b. 16 April 1925) 'seeking work', and Sylvia (b. 20 November 1928). Isabel died in 1978.