Owen Burchby Alvey

Owen Burchby was the son of Samuel and Harriet Mitchell Alvey (née Smith). Both his parents were born in Nottingam, his father in 1859 and his mother in about 1861. Samuel and Harriet were married on 12 December 1881 at Nottingham St Stephen, probably Sneinton parish church, and had six sons who were all born in Nottingham: Samuel b. 1884, Wallace b. 1886, Owen Burchby b. 28 August 1891, Dennis b. 2 February 1894, Charles Ralph b. 1897 and Walter Carran b. 29 June 1900. In 1891 Samuel, a hosiery machine fitter, and Harriet were living on Neville Street, Nottingham, with their sons Samuel (6) and Wallace (4). They were still at Neville Street in 1901. All six sons were in the home on the night of the census: Samuel an iron moulder, Wallace, a telegraph messenger for the Post Office, Owen (9), Dennis (7), Charles (3) and Walter (under 1 year). By 1911 Samuel and Harriet were living at 17 Mayfield Grove, Nottingham. Only five of their sons were still at home: Wallace, a letter carrier for the Post Office, Owen and Dennis who were both lace warehousemen, Charles a sinker maker (hosiery machines) and Walter. The eldest son, Samuel, had married Mary Ada Pearson in 1908 and they were living off Birkin Avenue, Hyson Green, with their two children, Ellen and Frank. Owen probably emigrated to Canada before the war as did his brother Dennis. Dennis enlisted in 1915 and named his mother, Harriet, of 52 Mayfield Road, Nottingham, as his next of kin. Samuel and Harriet later moved to 121 St. Saviour's Road East, Leicester. Harriet probably died in 1934 while Samuel died on 16 March 1936 at Nottingham General Hospital although he was then living at 9 Margaret Road, Leicester. His son Walter was awarded probate. Owen was the husband of Mary Ann Alvey, of 93 Chestnut Avenue, Hamilton, Ontario. (No details on CWGC). Two of Owen's brothers, Samuel and Wallace, also died in the war (see 'Extra information'), Dennis enlisted on 19 April 1915 at Hamilton, Ontario. He served with the Canadian Infantry (406664 Private), latterly with the 29th Bn (18 May 1917-8 August 1919), and served overseas. Dennis married Rose E. on 8 January 1918 and died in Canada on 12 June 1957. Their brother Charles Ralph also emigrated to Canada where he was recorded on the 1921 Census. Walter married Ethel Brandreth in 1927 (A/M/J Leicester) and they had two sons, John P (b. 19 April 1928) and James K. (b. 1935). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living on Gwendolen Road, Leicester; Walter was an engineer's toolmaker. Ethel died in 1961 and Walter in 1985.