John William Fish

John William was the son of Joseph and Mary Annie Fish (née Robinson). His father Joseph was born in West Butterwick, Lincolnshire, in about 1856, the son of John Fish. His mother Mary Annie Robinson was born in Osbournby, Lincolnshire, in about 1865, the daughter of Tenant Robinson. Joseph (30), resident London, and Mary Annie (21), resident Osbournby, were married at Osbournby parish church on 19 July 1886 and had three children of whom two survived childhood: John William b. London 1887 and Mabel b. Sleaford 1894. In 1891 Joseph, a tailor, and Mary were living at West Banks, Sleaford, with their son John (5). The family had moved to 32 Grantham Road, Sleaford, by 1901. John's parents and sister Mabel (16) a milliner, were still living at the same address in 1911. However, John was not in the home on the night of the census. John married Alice Pask (b. 21 December 1884, reg. Sleaford 1885) on 23 October 1912 in Lincoln. There were no children of the marriage. John and Alice were living at 95 Kimbolton Avenue, Lenton Sands, Nottingham, when he attested in 1915 and his widow was still living at the same address in May 1919 when she completed a form for the army listing his surviving relatives: Alice Fish (widow) and Mabel Fish aged 24 (sister) both of 95 Kimbolton Avenue, and parents Joseph and Mary Fish of 32 Grantham Road, Sleaford. The later CWGC record gave Alice's address as 140 Portland Road, Nottingham. John's parents continued to live in Sleaford where Joseph died in 1929 and his widow Mary on 19 February 1936. The probate record gave Mary's address as 30 Grantham Road; administration of her Will was awarded to her married daughter Mabel Hilton (m. Herbert H Hilton 1929 reg. Sleaford).