Ernest Edwin Wilson

Ernest Edwin was the eldest child of Edwin and Phoebe Wilson (née Smith).His father Edwin Wilson was born in Ossington, Nottinghamshire, in about 1846. His mother Phoebe was born on 27 August 1858 in Bolingbrook, Lincolnshire. They were married on 9 March 1885 at St Paul, Hyson Green, Nottingham and had seven children who were all born in Nottingham: Ernest Edwin b. 14 September 1885 bap. Nottingham St Andrew (Anglican) 2 December 1885, Leonard Gordon b. 1886 bap. St Andrew 1887, Percy Bernard b. 30 November 1888 d. 30 November 1915, Mabel Florence b. 1890, Beatrice Alice b. 1892 and Dorothy b. 1899.Edwin Wilson was described on the 1891 Census as a school dancing master and on the 1901 and 1911 Census as a professor of dancing 'on his own account'; it is likely that he taught dancing at the Victoria Halls, Nottingham. The halls, which included a skating rink in the largest hall, were previously known as the Alexandra Hall and had been relocated at least once, and at the time Edwin was associated with them were situated on Talbot Street. The halls provided spaces not only for ice skating but exhibitions, entertainment and dinners.In 1891 Edwin (44) and Phoebe (32) were living on Huntingdon Street, Nottingham; the baptismal records of their two eldest sons (1885 and 1887) gave their address as 30 Huntingdon Street. They had four children by 1891; Ernest (5), Leonard (4), Percy (2) and Mabel (1).By 1901 they were living at 23 Conway Street, Nottingham, with their seven children, Ernest and Leonard who were both working as clerks, and Percy, Mabel, Beatrice (8), Albert (7) and Dorothy (2).The family had moved to 62 Huntingdon Street, Nottingham, by 1911. Only five of their children were still living at home; Percy and Mabel who were both clerks for a lace manufacturer, Beatrice a pattern girl for a lace manufacturer, Albert an apprentice with a hosiery firm and Dorothy who was still at school.Ernest Edwin was recorded on the 1911 census as a 'lay evangelist ('captain')' in the Church Army living in the Church Army mission van in Clent, Stourhead, Worcestershire. Also at the same address was George Henry Argyle (25) a 'cadet' who was 'undergoing training in the Church Army.'The second son, Leonard Gordon, had joined the Royal Navy on 30 March 1903 on a non-continuous engagement. He had regular short periods out of the Navy, 'shore own request', but would then return to the Royal Navy. It is likely that during one of these times ashore in 1911 he was recorded on the census working as grocer's manager and boarding in Brinsington near Chesterfield, Derbyshire.Edwin Wilson died aged 66 on 17 May 1913 (A/M/J Nottingham) at his home at 62 Huntingdon Street. His widow, Phoebe, later moved to 25 Colville Terrace, Colville Street. She was still living there in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled and sharing the house with her married daughter, Dorothy Matthews and her husband John (Wilson/Giovanni Mattenci m. 1927). Phoebe died on 20 May 1949 (A/M/J Nottingham).Leonard Gordon served in the Royal Navy during the war but transferred to the RAF as a sergeant (steward) from 1 April 1918-10 September 1918. However, the transfer was annulled and he then served with the Royal Navy until discharged shore on 9 April 1919 on demobilization. He made his home with his mother at 25 Colville Terrace until his death in 1931.Albert Edward attested on 9 September 1914 and was posted initially to the 5th Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps before being transferred, probably on 1 October 1915, to the 1st Garrison Bn Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served with the British Expeditionary Force from 4 January 1915-2 February 1915, before returning to the UK where he served from 3 February 1915 until posted to India, probably on 11 February 1916, with the Oxford & Bucks. Light Infantry. In India he was borne as a supernumerary on the roll of the regiment as he was on the Unattached List (Corps of Military Staff Clerks). He appears to have returned to England after the war via Alexandria, sailing from Egypt on 20 June 1919 onboard HT Ellenga for demobilisation on 4 July 1919. He was discharged to 25 Colville Terrace.