Harry Thorpe

Harry was born in 1887 the son of Frederick Henry Thorpe and Clara Thorpe formerly Ledger nee Daykin. Harry had three siblings, Clara (b.1886), Evangeline (b.1891), Frank (b. 1892) and a half-sister, Eliza Ledger (b. 1877), and a half-brother, William Ledger (b. 1881). Harry's mother, Clara, had married William Joseph Ledger (b. 1853, Oxton), a lace maker, in 1876. They had three children; Clara (b. 1877), Joseph William (b. 1879) and William (b. 1881, birth registered O/N/D). In 1881 they were living at 12 Alison Rise, St Ann's, Nottingham; in the household on the night of the census was their son, Joseph William (1), and Clara's parents, Joseph and Eliza Dakin. Clara's husband died in 1881 (O/N/D) aged 28. Their second child, Joseph William, died the following year in 1882 (death registered J/A/S) aged 3. The widowed Clara married Frederick Henry Thorpe in 1885 (J/A/S). Frederick had been born in Lincolnshire in 1858, Clara was born in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (abt. 1856). In 1891 they were living at 21 Westminster Street, St Ann's, Nottingham. Frederick (32) was a van driver. In the home were Clara's two children by her first marriage, Eliza (13) and William (9), together with her two children by Frederick, Clara (5) and Harry (3). Frederick and Clara were still living at the same address ten years later in 1901. Frederick was now working as a general dealer. In the home on the night of the census were Clara (15) a lace finisher, Harry (13), Evangeline (9) and Frank (8). Eliza Ledger (23) was still living with her mother and stepfather but William appears to have left home and may well have married. The family was still living at the same address in 1911 and all four of Frederick and Clara's children were still at home; Clara (25), Harry (23) a warehouse clerk, Evangeline (19) a shop assistant, and Frank (18) a market stall holder. Clara's daughter, Eliza, had now left home and may well have married (Grange). On 16 October 1911 Harry was ordered by Nottingham magistrates to pay 4s. a week to Grace Walters, 166 London Road, Nottingham, in respect of a child born 7 September 1911 (see 'extra information'). Harry married Florence Mabel Bartle in St Matthew's church, Carlton Road, Nottingham, on 9 November 1913 and they had a son, Donald Kenneth on 5 July 1914. At the time he enlisted in 1915 they were living at 38 Ball Street, Nottingham although army records show that correspondence was later sent to his widow at Rose Villa, Hendon Street, Wells Road, Nottingham. Florence and her son later lived at the Chequers Inn, Elston, near Newark. Harry's younger brother, Frank, also served in the Royal Garrison Artillery (69385 Corporal) and died of wounds on 9 June 1917. His father, Frederick, died the same year on 29 October 1917. Harry's widow completed a form for the Army in 1919 listing Harry's surviving blood relatives. On the form she named herself and her son, both of the Chequers Inn, Elston, and also listed: Mother Clara Thorpe, 21 Westminster Street, Nottingham Brother Frank Thorpe (deceased) 26 Half-brother William Ledger (38) Eastwood Notts Sister Clara Thorpe [Holmes] (33) Harlaxton Drive, Lenton, Nottingham Sister Eva [Evangeline] Thorpe [Ward] (28) [47 Thornton Road] Bootle, Liverpool Half-sister Lizzy [Eliza] Ledger [Grange] (40) St Ann’s Well Road, Nottingham (corrected information from the form completed by Harry's mother, Clara Thorpe, recording her youngest son's Frank's surviving relatives.) Harry's mother, Clara, died in 1935 (December, Nottingham registration district) aged 79.