Claude Gilson

Born in the first quarter of 1896, Claude was the son of John and Athelina Gilson nee Woodward. John Gilson was born Carrington Cambridgeshire/Huntingdonshire in 1863 (O/N/D Huntingdon), the son of George Gilson. His wife Athelina was born in St Osyth, Essex, the daughter of George and Sarah Woodward; her birth was registered in 1861 (J/F/M Tendring Essex) and she was baptised at St Peter & St Paul, St Osyth, on 22 March 1863. John and Athelina were married at St Peter's church, Derby, on 24 April 1886. John (22) was a railway shunter and was living at Morlesham Street, Derby, while Athelina (25) was a servant and living at 6 Canal Street, Derby. According to the 1911 Census they had had nine children, who were all still living. However, 11 children were named on the census between 1891 and 1911 together with another child who had been born before their marriage. It is possible that they had completed the 1911 Census counting only the nine children who were in the house on the night of the census. The children, who were born in Sneinton apart from George Woodward who was born in Derby were: George Woodward (probably George Hubert Woodward b. 1882 J/A/S Derby mother's name Woodward), Arthur James b. 1887 (A/M/J Nottingham), John William b. 1888 (J/A/S Nottingham) bap. (John William Gibson-sic) 25 February 1889 Sneinton St Stephen, Annie b. 26 October 1890 (O/N/D Nottingham), Atheline b. 1892 (O/N/D Nottingham), Mabel b. 1894 (A/M/J Nottingham), Claude birth registerd 1896 (A/M/J Nottingham), Frank Thomas prob. b. 1898 (A/M/J Nottingham), Susan birth registered 1899 (J/F/M Nottingham), Ethel birth registered 1901 (J/F/M Nottingham), Edith b. 1902 (J/A/S Nottingham) and Sarah birth registered 1906 (J/F/M Nottingham). At the time of their son John William's baptism in 1889 John and his wife were living at 29 Thoresby Street, Sneinton, Nottingham. They and their four children, George Woodward (9) - described as John's son - Arthur (4), John (2) and Annie (5 months) were still at the same address in 1891. Arthur died three years later in 1894 (J/F/M Nottingham) aged 7 years. John (37), a gas works labourer, and Athelina were living at 7 Paxton Street, Nottingham, by 1901. In the home on the night of the census were eight of their nine surviving children: John (12), Annie (10), Athelina (8), Mabel (7), Claude (5), Frank (3), Susan (2) and Ethel (under 1 year). George Woodward was living in Derby and working as a smith's striker at a railway engine works. The family was still living at 7 Paxton Street in 1911. John was now working as a jobbing gardener. Nine children were in the home on the night of the census: Annie (20), Atheline (20) and Mabel (17) who were lace workers, Claude (15), Frank (13), Susan (12), Ethel (10), Edith (8) and Sarah (5). John has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census while George Woodward was married (Frances May Slater, m. 15 December 1906, Normanton) and still living in Derby. Claude's mother, Athelina, died in 1931 (J/F/M Nottingham); the family home was still at 7 Paxton Street. His father John was living at 29 Welbeck Street, Nottingham, in 1939 at the time of the England & Wales Register; his occupation was given as retired gardener. He died in 1940 (J/F/M Nottingham). Of Claude's siblings: George Woodward attested on 23 November 1915 and served as a Sapper (150807 Royal Engineers); his service record was initially in the name of Woodward but later amended to Gilson. Post-war records were in the name Woodward. He and his wife Frances had at least three children: George Hubert William (b. 27 June 1907), Arthur James (b. 16 August 1911) and Frances May (b. 21 October 1912). George was widowed by 1939 and living at 104 Victory Road, Derby; he was working as a general labourer. Arthur James died in 1894 John William served in the 1/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters and in 1916 was a corporal serving in 'C' Company He had served in France from 28 February 1915. He transferred to the 58th Machine Gun Corps (Sergeant) on 15 May 1916 and was wounded in action in October 1918. He was discharged in January 1919 from Clipstone Camp, Nottinghamshire, to 10 Gasby Terrace, Pym Street, Nottingham. He had worked as a brush maker before the war and his employer, William Kiddier, wholesale brush manufacturer of Nottingham, had written to the army in January 1919 stating that he was willing to re-employ John. Annie may have married Samuel Green in 1912 (A/M/J Nottingham). In 1939 Samuel (b. 25 July 1888), a letterpress printer, and Annie were living at 7 Girsby(?) Terrace, Nottingham, with Bernard S Green (b. 9 May 1917) a hotel porter, and Stanley Green (b. 21 August 1922) a cycle maker. Annie probably died in 1962 (O/N/D Nottingham) Athelina has not yet been traced after the 1911 Census Mabel has not been positively identified in records after 1911 Frank Thomas probably married Minnie Hickton (b. 20 March 1897) in 1919 (O/N/D Nottingham). In 1939 they were living at 37 Twells Street, Nottingham; Frank was a skilled worksman in an engineering department. He died in 1953 (J/A/S Nottingham). Susan died on 18 March 1929 at 7 Paxton Street. She had not married. Ethel has not been positively identified in records after 1911. Edith has not been positively identified in records after 1911. Sarah died on 6 September 1931 at 7 Paxton Street. She had not married.

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