Walter Hooton

Walter was the son of Walter and Sarah Hooton (née Atkin). His father Walter was born in Sneinton, Nottingham, in about 1870, the son of Thomas and Mary Hooton. In 1891 the family, including Walter, a stone mason, was living on Antill Street, Stapleford. His mother Sarah was born in Radford, Nottingham, also in about 1870. Walter and Sarah were married in 1891 (J/A/S Nottingham) and had six children of whom four survived infancy. The four surviving children were born in Stapleford: Henry Alfred b. 1892, Annie b. 15 September 1896, Walter b. 1899 and James Alfred b. 9 May 1902. In 1901 Walter (31) and Sarah (31) were living on Antill Street, Stapleford, with their three children Henry (8), Annie (4) and Walter (1). Also in the household was Walter's widowed mother, Mary (58). Walter snr. died in 1909 and in 1911 Sarah was living at 4 Antill Street with her four children, Henry a joiner, Annie a nurse girl, Walter and James (8). Sarah gave her occupation as boarding house keeper ('at home') although there were no boarders in the house on the night of the census. Sarah married John Chambers at Long Eaton Register Office in 1914 (J/F/M Shardlow). Sarah completed a form for the army after the war listing Walter's surviving blood relatives: Mother: Sarah Chambers (late Hooton), 29 Antill Street, Stapleford Brother: Henry Albert, 4 Antill Street and James Alfred, 29 Antill Street Sister: Annie Hooton, 4 Antill Street From correspondence in Walter's service documents, his mother had moved from 4 Antill Street to 29 Antill Street by October 1918. Sarah died on 21 November 1928; her husband Thomas Chambers had predeceased her. The probate record gave her address as Antill Street. Of Walter's siblings: Henry Albert married Sarah A Botham in 1914 and they had three children: Walter James b. 7 September 1915, Lily b. 22 November 1917 and Albert b. 10 July 1919. They were still living at 4 Antill Street in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Henry was a permanent way lengthman, Walter a hosiery trimmer, Lily a lace net mender (m. Stanley Drew Dec. 1939) and Albert a coal hoist labourer. The eldest son Walter died in the Second World War (see 'Extra information'). Henry died in 1961. Annie married Thomas Godfrey in 1920. They had at least six children: Ernest Alfred b. 7 October 1921, Joyce M. b. 20 March 1924, Alfred P b. 1926, Eric b. 1928, Beryl b. 1932 and Peter b. 1934. In 1939 the family was living on Breedon Street, Long Eaton. Thomas (b. 10 September 1895) was a foreman waste manufacturing rag wiping materials. Also in the home were Ernest an iron moulder and Joyce (later Ellis) an apprentice dressmaker. The records of four other members of the household remain closed and were probably those of their other children, Alfred, Eric, Beryl and Peter. Annie died in 1974. James Alfred was living at 29 Antill Street in 1939; he was employed as a rag washer. He married Grace Evelyn Brown in 1955. James died on 24 December 1959; the probate record gave his address as Bridge Street, Long Eaton. His wife survived him.