Frederick Henry Skermer

Fred Henry (also Frederick Henry) was the younger son of Samuel Robert Skermer and his wife Clara nee Loverseed. His father Samuel Robert was born in Belton, Leicestershire, in 1862 (O/N/D Loughborough Leics), the son of John and Elizabeth Skermer. His mother was widowed young and later married Joseph Hill. In 1881 Elizabeth and Joseph were living at 31 North Street, Sneinton, with their children and those by her first marriage, including Samuel. His mother Clara Loverseed was born in Nottingham on 10 July 1866 (J/A/S Nottingham), the daughter of James and Elizabeth. She had an older sister, Elizabeth. In 1871 the family was living at Woodborough Road Police Lodge; James Loverseed was a police constable. Samuel Robert and Clara were married at St Leodegarius, Basford, on 24 December 1887 (O/N/D Nottingham); they had two sons who were both born in Nottingham: William James b. 1888 (A/M/J Nottingham) and Fred Henry b. 20 March 1890 (A/M/J Nottingham). Both children were baptised at St Bartholomew church, St Ann's, on 10 August 1892. In 1891 Samuel, a bricklayer, and Clara, with their two children were living at 3 Hardy Terrace, Simkin Street, Nottingham. The family was still living at the same address in 1901; Samuel was working as a bricklayer while Clara was a lace machinist. Samuel died in December 1902 (O/N/D Nottingham) and was buried on 30 December. The widowed Clara and her sons were still living at 3 Hardy Terrace in 1911. William (22) was a gas stove fitter and Fred (21) a bricklayer. Clara married Thomas Gilbert in 1915 (J/F/M Nottingham) and at the time of Fred's death they were living at 86 Kirkewhite Street, Meadows. However, Clara was widowed by 1939 when at the time of the England & Wales Register she was living at 86 Kirkewhite Street, Meadows. She died on 13 March 1945 (J/F/M Nottingham). Fred's brother, William James, married Nellie Nixon (b. 22 July 1888) at St Saviour's church, Meadows, on 11 January 1913 (J/F/M Nottingham). They had at least five chiodren: Nellie b. 28 July 1913 (m. John George Howitt 1938, d. 1983), William Robert b. 12 February 1915, Hilda (later Wolfe) b. 28 March 1918, Kathleen (later Mace), b. 26 December 1920 and Alan b. 9 July 1928. William attested on 8 December 1915 and was transferred to the Army Reserve on 9 Decmber then mobilized on 27 June 1916. He was posted on 30 June to the 4th Bn Sherwood Foresters but transferred to another regiment (document illegible). He was transferred to the Royal Engineers on 25 May 1917 (459948 Sapper) and served with the 476th (Cornwall) Works Company. William probably did not serve overseas. He was discharged to Class 'Z' Army Reserve on 15 February 1919; home address 12 St Alban's Street, Flewitt Street, Nottingham. In 1939 William, a gas fitter for Nottingham Corporation, and Nellie were living at 9 Sophie Road, Nottingham, with their four youngest children, their eldest daughter, Nellie, having married the previous year. William died on 26 January 1948; the probate record gives his address as 46 Waterway Street, Meadows, Nottingham. Nellie survived him and died in 1968 (J/A/S Nottingham).