George Albert Hitchin
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George Albert was the second son of Everett and Rebecca Hitchin (née Bentley). His father Everett was born in Nottingham in 1847, the son of John and Mary Ann Hitchin. His mother Rebecca Bentley was born in about 1850, the daughter of Charles Bentley of Belton, Leicestershire. They were married at Sneinton St Stephen on 24 December 1868 and had at least five children who were all born in Nottingham: John Everett birth reigstered 1870 (J/F/M Radford), George Albert b 1873 (J/A/S Nottingham), Harry b. 1876 (J/A/S Nottingham), Florence Ada b. 1878 (J/A/S Nottingham) and Charles William b. 1880 (A/M/J Nottingham). In 1871 Everett (24), Rebecca (21) and their eldest son John (1) were living on Thoroton Street, Nottingham. Everett, a machine holder, was listed in an 1888 Nottingham street directory: Sion Hill Factory and home at 63 Wimbourne Road, Radford. Everett, a lace maker, and Rebecca were still living at 63 Wimbourne Road in 1891; Only four of their children were still living at home: John a draughtsman, Harry (14) a brass bobbin maker, Ada (12) and Charles (1). George Albert (17), a cotton lace maker, was living in Long Eaton with his grandparents John and Mary Ann Hitchin. Everett Hitchins was listed on an outward passenger list onboard SS Aconcagua departing Liverpool on 7 January 1892 for Rio de Janeiro. He died on 19 February 1892 and was buried in the Cemetario dos Ingleses Gamboa, Rio de Janeiro. Given Everett's occupation it is probable that he was travelling to Brazil on business. George Albert married Minnie Plackett (b. 24 August 1874, Breaston) in 1894 (A/M/J Shardlow). They had five children, all born in Long Eaton, one of whom died in childhood: Helena b. 17 December 1894 (reg. 1895 Shardlow), Minnie b. 8 April 1896, Eveline b. 1898 (A/M/J Shardlow) d. 1902 (O/N/D Shardlow), Albert b. 1901 bap. Long Eaton St John 24 April 1902 and Charles Leon b. 9 January 1907. George's mother Rebecca died on 2 March 1896 at Long Eaton and it is likely that all the family moved there, probably after Everett's death in 1892. In 1901 George's brother Harry was married and living in the town with his wife Gertrude, son Edward Harry and his sister Florence Ada. Florence Ada married Sidney Herbert Plackett on 23 December 1905. George Albert and Minnie were living at 57 Granville Avenue, Long Eaton, in 1901 with their three daughters, Helena, Minnie and Eveline. Their son Albert was born later that year and Eveline died the following year aged 4. They were still at the same address in 1911 along with their four surviving children, Helena a lace mender, Minnie a lace assistant, Albert (9) and Charles (4). His widow continued to live at 45 Granville Avenue until her death on 4 May 1925. Of George Albert's children: Helena married Edmund Turner (b. 8 November 1902) in 1915 (J/F/M Shardlow). In 1939 they were living on Curzon Street, Long Eaton; Edmund was a furniture packer. Also in the household was Helena M. (later Sadler) b. 28 June 1915 an electric weaver, Minnie V. (later Robertson) b. 13 March 1917 spring seat assembler and Edmund b. 13 September 1927. Helena died in 1973 (O/N/D Nottingham). Helena married Andrew Marsh (b. 9 May 1898) at Long Eaton St John in 1920. They may have had three children: George b. 1922 (J/F/M Shardlow), Donald b. 1928 (J/F/M Shardlow) d. 1929 (A/M/J Shardlow) and Eileen b. 1931 (J/F/M Shardlow) d. 1931 (J/F/M Shardlow). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living on Wellington Street, Long Eaton; Andrew was a London Midland Scottish railway driver. Also in the household was her brother Charles (divorced) a foreman upholsterer. The record of another member of the household, possibly their son George, remains closed. Helena died in 1969 (J/F/M Nottingham), her husband survived her (d. 1976 J/F/M Derby). Albert Everett married Jenny Carter at Long Eaton St. Jonn in 1924. He died on 5 February 1968; the probate record gave his address as William Street, Long Eaton. Charles Leon married Doris L Sellears in 1931 (J/A/S Shardlow). He and Doris were divorced and in 1939 Charles was living in Long Eaton with his married sister Minnie Marsh; he was a foreman upholsterer. He married secondly Mary Veronica Little in 1943 (Ilkeston Register Office). He died in 1978 (O/N/D Ilkeston).
He died at Calais on 16 April 1917 and was buried in Calais Southern Cemetery (Plot G. Row 1. Grave 5). CWGC Calais Southern Cemetery: 'The 30th, 35th and 38th General Hospitals, No.9 British Red Cross Hospital and No.10 Canadian Stationary Hospital were also stationed in the town, providing about 2,500 beds. From May 1915 to March 1918, Commonwealth burials were made in Calais Southern Cemetery.'
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'In memory of a dear husband & father tho' lost to sight to memory dear' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 7 March 1896: ‘Hitchin. On the 2nd inst. At Long Eaton, Rebecca Hitchin, wife of the late E Hitchin, and eldest daughter of Charles Bentley, Belton, Leicestershire, late of Sneinton, aged 46 years. Deeply lamented.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 27 April 1917: ‘Hitchin. Private GA Hitchin, Sherwood Foresters, the beloved husband of Minnie Hitchin, of Long Eaton, and second son of the late Everett and Rebecca Hitchin of Nottingham, died of wounds, April 16th, aged 43. He laid down his life for his country. From his broken-hearted wife and children.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) WW1 Pension Ledgers: dependants Minnie Hitchin widow b. 24 August 1874, residence Long Eaton and child Charles Leon Hitchin b. 9 January 1907 Probate: Hitchin Minnie of 45 Granville-avenue Long Eaton Derbyshire widow died 4 May 1925 Probate Derby 22 June to Edmund Turner [son-in-law] dyer and Andrew Marsh [son-in-law] railway fireman. Effects £295 14s. 8d.
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