Walter Webster Wibdy

Walter was the son of William Wibdy, a general dealer, and Mary Wibdy (née Hickman). He was baptised at Chesterton, Cambridge, on 4 July 1869. William and Mary with their two sons, Herbert and Walter, evidently moved to Nottingham prior to 1881 as that year's census recorded them at 5 Alpine Street Basford. William was working as a general labourer and both his sons were coal miners. Walter joined the King's Royal Rifle Corps in 1897 when he was 20 years old and was still serving when he married Catherine Bunting at Nottingham Register Office on 28 April 1894. Catherine, who was born in Somercotes, Derbyshire, was the daughter of Job and Ann Bunting and had been a lace mender before her marriage. Walter and Catherine had eight children; Ethel Grace, William Walter (b. 8 April 1899), Lillian Ada (b. 27 November 1900), Annie Maud (b. 4 July 1902), Dorothy Ellen (b. 20 July 1904), Catherine May (b. 29 May 1906), Hilda Eva (b. 26 January 1911) and Frances Jessie (b. 30 August 1915). In 1901 while Walter was still serving in the army, Catherine was living at 2 Albert Street, Bulwell, with their first three children; Ethel (4), William (2) and Lillian (4 months). Catherine was a grocer/shop keeper on her own account and employed a young domestic servant, Sophia Hinton (12). Walter was discharged from the army in 1902 and in 1911 he and Catherine were living at 22 Broomhill Road which was to be their home until their deaths in 1920 and 1932 respectively. Walter had probably taken over the business which Catherine had been managing in 1901 as he was described as a baker/shopkeeper on his own account. By the time of the census they had seven children; Ethel Grace (14), who was assisting in the family business, William (11), Lillian (10), Annie (8), Dorothy (6), May (4) and Hilda (2 months). A seventh daughter, Frances Jessie, was to be born on 30 August 1915 just 4 months after Walter had enlisted in the Army Service Corps. Walter's only son, William Walter, joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Telegraphist and was just 17 years old when he was killed at the Battle of Jutland while serving in HMS Queen Mary. See this ROH for details of William's military record. His wife, Catherine, died on 11 January 1932 aged 59 years. His eldest daughter, Ethel Grace, married Clarence Holliday in 1920 and may have emigrated to America by 1930. Lillian Eva may have emigrated to Canada (1919-1924) and Annie may also have moved to Canada. Dorothy Ellen died on 18 November 1928 aged 24. Catherine May married Leslie Hardy in 1932 and died in 2002 aged 96 (death registered Tunbridge Wells, Kent), one child Stephen A Hardy (1938, Kent). Hilda Eva married Thomas G Allen in 1938 and died in 1993 aged 72 (death registered Lincoln), two children Sandra E (1942) and Glen (1945). The youngest daughter, Frances Jessie, married George E Osborn in 1938 and died in 1988 aged 72 (death registered Mansfield), one child Leigh (1946).