Henderson Family 1610 - 1956
The starting point for my research began with my grandfather, George Henderson, who was born in 1899 on Fair Green Hill in Cavan, Ireland.
The Henderson family was ‘Scots-Irish’ and settled in County Cavan during the ‘plantation’ of the Ulster province[1] in the early 1600’s. Under James I, the English quelled an Irish rebellion and native farmsteads were destroyed and the land divided up into baronies. All four baronies in Cavan, where the earliest Henderson families can be found, were occupied almost entirely by Scottish immigrants.
Research has been hampered by poor records availability across Ireland (regular visitors to the site may even have observed this page getting shorter as familial links appear increasingly speculative).
The Henderson family was ‘Scots-Irish’ and settled in County Cavan during the ‘plantation’ of the Ulster province[1] in the early 1600’s. Under James I, the English quelled an Irish rebellion and native farmsteads were destroyed and the land divided up into baronies. All four baronies in Cavan, where the earliest Henderson families can be found, were occupied almost entirely by Scottish immigrants.
Research has been hampered by poor records availability across Ireland (regular visitors to the site may even have observed this page getting shorter as familial links appear increasingly speculative).
Robert Henderson (my 4ggf)
Mentioned in the birth certificate of his son John, Robert was married to Catharine and had three children living in Tomregan:
1814 John (my 3ggf)
Mentioned in the birth certificate of his son John, Robert was married to Catharine and had three children living in Tomregan:
1814 John (my 3ggf)
John Henderson (my 3ggf) 1814 – 1892
John was baptised in Tomregan, May 1814 (record).
When of working age, John moved to Kilnacreevagh, 13 miles southeast near Butler’s Bridge, and worked for William Humphreys who was a significant landowner and farmer in the area[10]. In 1834 he married Mary Anne Dunne in the parish of Annagh, west of Ballyconnell (record). Mary was 14 years younger (she was born in 1828) and from Drumallon[11], the daughter of John and Judith Dunne. They had five children:
1841 John (my 2ggf)
1842 Alice
1846 Jane
1853 Robert
When of working age, John moved to Kilnacreevagh, 13 miles southeast near Butler’s Bridge, and worked for William Humphreys who was a significant landowner and farmer in the area[10]. In 1834 he married Mary Anne Dunne in the parish of Annagh, west of Ballyconnell (record). Mary was 14 years younger (she was born in 1828) and from Drumallon[11], the daughter of John and Judith Dunne. They had five children:
1841 John (my 2ggf)
1842 Alice
1846 Jane
1853 Robert
1857 Griffiths Valuation for Moher
John and Mary were living in Drumcarban in 1841[12], six miles southwest of Cavan. John was a labourer. Six years later, the 1857 Griffith’s Valuation (right) recorded him in Tomregan parish and living in the westernmost townland of Moher where he was a tenant farmer of land owned by Earl Annesley. The family occupied a house, offices and land (as well as renting land in the neighbouring townlands of Bawnboy and Mullinacre). He co-farmed 113 acres of land[13] with two Catholic families, the Reilly’s and Kelliher’s[14].
John died in 1892 at the age of 78[15] following which, his widow, Mary Anne (my 2ggm) moved in with their son Robert and his wife Esther who farmed the adjoining 30 acres of land[16]. Robert was both farmer and the County Engineer; and later on Assistant County Surveyor. Mary died in 1915 at the age of 87.
John died in 1892 at the age of 78[15] following which, his widow, Mary Anne (my 2ggm) moved in with their son Robert and his wife Esther who farmed the adjoining 30 acres of land[16]. Robert was both farmer and the County Engineer; and later on Assistant County Surveyor. Mary died in 1915 at the age of 87.
John Henderson (my 2ggf) 1841 – 1918
Farnham House in 1889
John was born in 1841 in County Cavan[17], it wasn't until he was 10 that he was baptised (record).
In July 1876[18], John was working as a farmer and living in Drumkeen when he married a minor - younger by 20 years - Mary Anne Courtney from the neighbouring townland of Swellan. Mary was the daughter of another labourer, John Courtney and Elizabeth (nee Little) (record).
During the 1890’s, John and Mary both worked on the Farnham estate; John was a gardener and Mary was a housekeeper[19],[20] in the employ of Somerset Maxwell, the 10th Baron of Farnham. John worked under the head gardener, Lancashire-born Thomas Dallimore, and was paid eight shillings a week[21].
The couple had six surviving children born between 1882 and 1899:
1882 Elizabeth "Lizzie". She married John McCartney in Belfast 1906.
1884 Joseph. He died during an epileptic seizure in 1907.
1887 Mary Anne
1890 Robert. He married Amelia and they lived at 85 Hopewell Street, Belfast.
1893 James
1899 George (my grandfather).
Before leaving Cavan, the family lived in Halfacre, an area of Cavan presently occupied by Fair Green Hill[22] and known to be the poorer part of the town.
When John's employer died in 1900, the number of gardeners on the Farnham estate went into decline and family left Cavan. They moved 50 miles northeast to the village of Bessbrook, County Armagh, where there was a thriving linen industry. The 1901 census of Bessbrook shows the family living in James Street at which time John (now 61) and his son Joseph were working as general labourers - his daughters’ Lizzie and Mary Anne were working in the Bessbrook linen mill, which was a short walk away in Mill Road. Lizzie was a linen reeler and Mary was a flax doffer - the job of the doffer was to tie up the full spindles of linen thread and quickly replace them with a fresh spindle. The work was hot and dusty with long hours and little opportunity for breaks, even for food.
In July 1876[18], John was working as a farmer and living in Drumkeen when he married a minor - younger by 20 years - Mary Anne Courtney from the neighbouring townland of Swellan. Mary was the daughter of another labourer, John Courtney and Elizabeth (nee Little) (record).
During the 1890’s, John and Mary both worked on the Farnham estate; John was a gardener and Mary was a housekeeper[19],[20] in the employ of Somerset Maxwell, the 10th Baron of Farnham. John worked under the head gardener, Lancashire-born Thomas Dallimore, and was paid eight shillings a week[21].
The couple had six surviving children born between 1882 and 1899:
1882 Elizabeth "Lizzie". She married John McCartney in Belfast 1906.
1884 Joseph. He died during an epileptic seizure in 1907.
1887 Mary Anne
1890 Robert. He married Amelia and they lived at 85 Hopewell Street, Belfast.
1893 James
1899 George (my grandfather).
Before leaving Cavan, the family lived in Halfacre, an area of Cavan presently occupied by Fair Green Hill[22] and known to be the poorer part of the town.
When John's employer died in 1900, the number of gardeners on the Farnham estate went into decline and family left Cavan. They moved 50 miles northeast to the village of Bessbrook, County Armagh, where there was a thriving linen industry. The 1901 census of Bessbrook shows the family living in James Street at which time John (now 61) and his son Joseph were working as general labourers - his daughters’ Lizzie and Mary Anne were working in the Bessbrook linen mill, which was a short walk away in Mill Road. Lizzie was a linen reeler and Mary was a flax doffer - the job of the doffer was to tie up the full spindles of linen thread and quickly replace them with a fresh spindle. The work was hot and dusty with long hours and little opportunity for breaks, even for food.
Bessbrook is a ‘model’ village built in 1845 to house the work force of the mill. James Street was demolished in the 1960’s to make way for O’Donohue Park south of Fountain Street.
The family resumed their migration east and by the 1911 census of Belfast were living in the Shankhill area of Belfast at 12 Fleming Street. Two factors could have influenced their decision to move a second time: there was an increasing level of violence in the years leading up to the partition of Northern Ireland and Belfast was a booming city offering the potential for well paid work. However, around the same time, either through illness or accident, two of their teenage children, Joseph and Mary Anne appear to have died.
John’s in-laws, John and Bessie Courtney (my 3ggp) also moved to Belfast[23] but when the father-in-law died, Bessie and brother-in-law Thomas, came to live with the family in Fleming Street. This is unsurprising as they had been life long friends, both coming from Half Acre.
In 1912, when John signed the Ulster Covenant, the family were living at 19 Fleming Street where they remained until John died from bronchitis in March 1918 (cemetery record). Mary Anne died in June the same year - they are both buried at the City Cemetery on Falls Road in a plot purchased by their son James.
The family resumed their migration east and by the 1911 census of Belfast were living in the Shankhill area of Belfast at 12 Fleming Street. Two factors could have influenced their decision to move a second time: there was an increasing level of violence in the years leading up to the partition of Northern Ireland and Belfast was a booming city offering the potential for well paid work. However, around the same time, either through illness or accident, two of their teenage children, Joseph and Mary Anne appear to have died.
John’s in-laws, John and Bessie Courtney (my 3ggp) also moved to Belfast[23] but when the father-in-law died, Bessie and brother-in-law Thomas, came to live with the family in Fleming Street. This is unsurprising as they had been life long friends, both coming from Half Acre.
In 1912, when John signed the Ulster Covenant, the family were living at 19 Fleming Street where they remained until John died from bronchitis in March 1918 (cemetery record). Mary Anne died in June the same year - they are both buried at the City Cemetery on Falls Road in a plot purchased by their son James.
George Henderson 1899 – 1955 (my paternal grandfather)
George was born in March 1899 on Fair Green Hill (Halfacre), Cavan (record). He was 2 years old when the family moved to Bessbrook, Co. Armagh.
Recorded on his army record, George’s first job after leaving school was as a cinema operator. He signed up for the army in 1916 - 17th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles. However, he only made it as far as the training camp at Ballykinler as he was discharged after 35 days for being underage – he had lied when joining up, saying he was over 18 when in fact he was not yet 17 (army service record).
After re-enlisting he joined the Royal Artillery and was sent to France where he was wounded while leading a mule train, carrying ammunition. A shell exploded close by causing one of the mules to fall upon him, pinning his legs to the ground. His account of the story to his daughter Clara was that he was trapped beneath the dead mule for several days before he was finally discovered and taken to a field hospital. He nearly lost his leg but his mother was concerned that an amputation would kill him off and wrote to the field hospital asking that he be sent to a ‘proper’ hospital in England – this request paid off because he kept the leg and was left only with heavy scarring. George was described to me by my aunt as a small man - his army pension record stated he was only 5’ 4” and had blue eyes. Towards the end of the war he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, possibly as a mechanic.
Recorded on his army record, George’s first job after leaving school was as a cinema operator. He signed up for the army in 1916 - 17th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles. However, he only made it as far as the training camp at Ballykinler as he was discharged after 35 days for being underage – he had lied when joining up, saying he was over 18 when in fact he was not yet 17 (army service record).
After re-enlisting he joined the Royal Artillery and was sent to France where he was wounded while leading a mule train, carrying ammunition. A shell exploded close by causing one of the mules to fall upon him, pinning his legs to the ground. His account of the story to his daughter Clara was that he was trapped beneath the dead mule for several days before he was finally discovered and taken to a field hospital. He nearly lost his leg but his mother was concerned that an amputation would kill him off and wrote to the field hospital asking that he be sent to a ‘proper’ hospital in England – this request paid off because he kept the leg and was left only with heavy scarring. George was described to me by my aunt as a small man - his army pension record stated he was only 5’ 4” and had blue eyes. Towards the end of the war he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, possibly as a mechanic.
George Henderson c. 1920 (right)
After leaving the army, George married Clara McWilliams (my grandmother) who was from Ulsterville Gardens and the daughter of a builder Robert James McWilliams (see McWilliams). The couple married in April 1919 in St Stephen’s free church on Millfield and had five children:
1920 Norman
1922 Eileen
1925 George
1926 Maurice (my father)
1927 Clara
George later worked as a mechanic or tram driver[25] in the Belfast tram depot on Salisbury Avenue and, at the weekend, the Royal Flying Corps training establishment at Aldergrove. This would have been some time between 1918 and 1925[26]. George supplemented his income by selling encyclopaedia door to door. He was also a member of the Orange Order (right).
In 1930 George left the family home and took up with another woman named Gertrude Hayes - they lived at 20 Shore Street in the Hollywood district. Clara filed for divorce, following which George married Gertrude and had three children; two girls died within hours of birth before my uncle Brian was born in 1949.
In the same year, George obtained a loan for £30 from Henry Selig, on Belfast High Street, which he failed to repay. Things then went from bad to worse because Gertrude had forged his wife's signature (here) and given a false address . The moneylender’s clerk, Ida Neill, eventually tracked down George after meeting with his sister-in-law Amelia and my grandmother who had told her where to find him (witness statement). When confronted, George confessed[27]:
1920 Norman
1922 Eileen
1925 George
1926 Maurice (my father)
1927 Clara
George later worked as a mechanic or tram driver[25] in the Belfast tram depot on Salisbury Avenue and, at the weekend, the Royal Flying Corps training establishment at Aldergrove. This would have been some time between 1918 and 1925[26]. George supplemented his income by selling encyclopaedia door to door. He was also a member of the Orange Order (right).
In 1930 George left the family home and took up with another woman named Gertrude Hayes - they lived at 20 Shore Street in the Hollywood district. Clara filed for divorce, following which George married Gertrude and had three children; two girls died within hours of birth before my uncle Brian was born in 1949.
In the same year, George obtained a loan for £30 from Henry Selig, on Belfast High Street, which he failed to repay. Things then went from bad to worse because Gertrude had forged his wife's signature (here) and given a false address . The moneylender’s clerk, Ida Neill, eventually tracked down George after meeting with his sister-in-law Amelia and my grandmother who had told her where to find him (witness statement). When confronted, George confessed[27]:
“No that woman was not my wife and if her husband
got to know she had signed he would murder the both of us”
got to know she had signed he would murder the both of us”
The couple were arrested and appeared in court on 19 November 1931; George was convicted for fraud by forgery and sent to Belfast prison[28] for four months hard labour.
George died in August 1955 aged 56 and is buried at the Dundonald cemetery[29] together with Gertrude who died in 1961. They had been living at 5 Westminster Street.
Maurice Henderson 1926 – 1997 (my father)
My father was born in Belfast on 11th May 1926 at 17 Ilchester Street (certificate). He was one of five, named after his uncle Maurice McWilliams. After my grandfather left the family home in March 1930, and later imprisoned, my grandmother Clara was granted a divorce and, unable to raise a family of five on the income she had from running a small sweet shop, approached the Barnardo’s EOD (Ever Open Door) on Holywood Road to have Maurice and his siblings taken into care. Dad’s eldest brother Norman was 11 at the time and was too old to be accepted while his youngest sister Clara was 3 and too young. As a result, it was Daddy and his brother and sister George and Eileen that were accepted into EOD in December 1931, just a week before Christmas. Strict instructions were given that my grandfather would not be allowed access to the children and this was complied with the whole time Daddy was in Barnardo’s.
The intention was that the children would reside at EOD for six months by which time it was hoped that Clara’s circumstances would improve - they did not and the original admission was extended by a further six months. Dad corresponded with his mother and brothers up to her death in 1939 (Daddy was by then 13) with Barnardo’s recording numerous letters, photographs, postal orders and magazines. In 1937, his younger sister Clara started to write to him. With the exception of a Christmas card in 1939 (below), none of that correspondence has survived.
A decision was reached during the summer of 1932 that my grandmother would not have the children back - Daddy and George were moved to Bromborough in Cheshire while Eileen went to the ‘Girl’s Village’ in Barkingside before being fostered to a family in Australia. In 1933, Dad and George started boarding out during school holidays with the Horsley family in Newton’s Road, Sudbury. George later joined the Navy, stationed on the Isle of Man. From then on Dad never saw his mother and father or his two brothers ever again. He also lost contact with Eileen[30] until 1977.
The intention was that the children would reside at EOD for six months by which time it was hoped that Clara’s circumstances would improve - they did not and the original admission was extended by a further six months. Dad corresponded with his mother and brothers up to her death in 1939 (Daddy was by then 13) with Barnardo’s recording numerous letters, photographs, postal orders and magazines. In 1937, his younger sister Clara started to write to him. With the exception of a Christmas card in 1939 (below), none of that correspondence has survived.
A decision was reached during the summer of 1932 that my grandmother would not have the children back - Daddy and George were moved to Bromborough in Cheshire while Eileen went to the ‘Girl’s Village’ in Barkingside before being fostered to a family in Australia. In 1933, Dad and George started boarding out during school holidays with the Horsley family in Newton’s Road, Sudbury. George later joined the Navy, stationed on the Isle of Man. From then on Dad never saw his mother and father or his two brothers ever again. He also lost contact with Eileen[30] until 1977.
Daddy aged 13 after his mother died
Aged 13, Dad was contacted by his stepfather William Carse in September 1939 to inform him that his mother had died in the preceding month.
During October 1942, Dad’s eldest brother Norman was shot down during a bombing raid over Germany and then three weeks later George was killed when HMS Phoebe was torpedoed by the German U-161 off the Ivory Coast. Sadly, Daddy was declined leave to see his brother George before this on the grounds that it was ‘unprecedented’ – the home subsequently came under heavy criticism for this decision.
During October 1942, Dad’s eldest brother Norman was shot down during a bombing raid over Germany and then three weeks later George was killed when HMS Phoebe was torpedoed by the German U-161 off the Ivory Coast. Sadly, Daddy was declined leave to see his brother George before this on the grounds that it was ‘unprecedented’ – the home subsequently came under heavy criticism for this decision.
When he was 16, the Stepney branch of Barnardo’s arranged for Dad’s first ‘situation’, which was working as a market gardener at Chaplin’s of Waltham Cross for which he was paid 38 shillings a week. He boarded with the Smith family in York Road, Waltham Cross.
Dad joined the army in January 1945 - ironically he returned to Northern Ireland for training at the camp in Ballykinler where his father had trained 30 years earlier - he became a driver attached to the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) Transport Platoon between 1945 and 1948 (record). He was stationed in the Middle East - in 1948 he was in Baghdad and later on in Cairo[31]. He drove tank transporters and, on occasion, staff cars [32].
Dad married his first wife Rosemary Cecil in 1948 in Epping and had one child in 1949; my half-brother Roy. Rosemary later left the family and took up with a serviceman.
Dad married my mother in 1954 and had five daughters and myself.
Dad married his first wife Rosemary Cecil in 1948 in Epping and had one child in 1949; my half-brother Roy. Rosemary later left the family and took up with a serviceman.
Dad married my mother in 1954 and had five daughters and myself.
Notes
[1] In 1610, the Crown developed an elaborate, detailed and rigidly controlled scheme for the settlement of County Cavan. Extensive areas were assigned to Scots for plantation. These baronies, or precincts, were then divided into lots of 1000, 1500, and 2000 acres, not including bogs and mountains. Those who received these lots were termed 'undertakers'. Over each barony was placed a Chief Undertaker, who was allowed to receive up to 3000 acres. Chief Undertakers were chosen by the King and included one Duke, one Earl, three Barons and four Knights. Fifty ordinary Undertakers were then chosen by the Chiefs. All Undertakers were expected to be on their land by September 30, 1610. On every 1000 acres received, there had to be 24 able bodied Scots or Englishmen over families (to minimize old clan allegiances). Two of the families were to be freeholders; three were to be leaseholders, and the remainder could be cottagers. Undertakers had to be prepared to muster their tenants twice a year and to provide them with weapons. They were to be called on to fight any insurrections of the Irish. Undertakers were given three and one half years to erect fortifications, the type determined by the size of the lot granted. Men of 2000 acres, for example, were required to build a small castle of stone or brick, with a stone wall surrounding it. All Undertakers had to post bonds, as a guarantee that they would comply with the conditions. Failure to comply resulted in forfeiture of the land. By 1622, there were between 3000 and 4000 Scottish adults on the land in these six counties.
[2] Ryan, James G. (1997) Irish records: sources for family and local history
[3] Hanna, C.A. (1902) The Scotch-Irish. Volume I. pp. 536-537. Sir Nicholas Pynnar’s visitation of Ireland in 1618 and mentions Alexander Henderson as a tenant of John Hamilton on a 1,000 acre estate in Kilcloghan, Cavan, and was described as being of “Brittish birth and descent”.
[4] Muster Roll for Cavan dated 1630 mentions William Henderson.
[5] Pronounced “Clankee”
[6] Information from baptism certificate for his son aassuming he was full age when Robert was born in 1798.
[7] Ireland Tithe Applotment Book 1824
[8] The church was new at that time since it was built in 1756, two years before Robert was baptised there.
[9] LDS
[10] Humphrey was a witness at the wedding of John and Mary and according to the 1857 Griffith’s Valuation owned a large number of properties in Castleterra, where John was living. Having Humphrey at the ceremony must have been quite a privilege at the time; the Anglo-Celt newspaper of the time indicates he was a justice of the peace, frequent prize winner at the Cavan Fair during the mid-1800’s and lived at Ballyhaise House.
[11] Townland west of Cavan now spelled Drummullan
[12] Baptism certificate for their son John (my ggf)
[13] The land is to the north of the road (N87) between Bawnboy and Ballyconnell.
[14] A check of the 1901 census confirms that there were a total of seven households in Moher and all, except the Henderson’s, were Roman Catholic.
[15] LDS
[16] 1857 Griffith’s Valuation
[17] Birth year confirmed in 1901 Bessbrook census and 1911 Belfast census however Belfast cemetery record indicates 1846.
[18] Baptism certificate for ___
[19] Aunt Clara
[20] Also recorded in much later 1911 census by which time they were retired and living in Belfast
[21] Name of head gardener and wages schedule was provided by Dr Jonathan Cherry. 1901 census of Farnham townland indicates Dallimore was born in England 1870. The English census of 1891 records his birthplace as Wigan, Lancashire.
[22] Confirmed by my Aunt Clara
[23] Belfast census of 1901 shows John and Bessie Courtney living in Longford Street
[24] John gave that address when he signed the Ulster Covenant in 1912 and was also the address given on his burial record.
[25] He could have been one or the other or both– both a newspaper cutting from the time of Norman and George’s deaths in 1942 and a Barnardo’s submission form stated he was a mechanic. However, Aunt Clara thought he was a tram driver.
[26] This would have been between George’s discharge from the RFC in 1918 and when the aerodrome was turned over to the RAF Ulster Squadron in 1925.
[27] Statement given to the police in ___
[28] In 1931 the Victorian prison on Crumlin Road was in use. During it’s time it also housed political prisoners and was used for executions. It closed in 1996
and is now a museum.
[29] Grave number F3 247
[30] Eileen was initially sent to the “Girl’s Village” in Barkingside, Essex. In November 1932 she went to live with foster parents, Mr and Mrs Thompson in Northampton, but ran away and was returned to Barkingside. In September 1934 she was sent to new foster parents in New South Wales, Australia
[31] Based on Dad’s photo albums
[32] I remembered this from a conversation I had with Daddy many years ago
[2] Ryan, James G. (1997) Irish records: sources for family and local history
[3] Hanna, C.A. (1902) The Scotch-Irish. Volume I. pp. 536-537. Sir Nicholas Pynnar’s visitation of Ireland in 1618 and mentions Alexander Henderson as a tenant of John Hamilton on a 1,000 acre estate in Kilcloghan, Cavan, and was described as being of “Brittish birth and descent”.
[4] Muster Roll for Cavan dated 1630 mentions William Henderson.
[5] Pronounced “Clankee”
[6] Information from baptism certificate for his son aassuming he was full age when Robert was born in 1798.
[7] Ireland Tithe Applotment Book 1824
[8] The church was new at that time since it was built in 1756, two years before Robert was baptised there.
[9] LDS
[10] Humphrey was a witness at the wedding of John and Mary and according to the 1857 Griffith’s Valuation owned a large number of properties in Castleterra, where John was living. Having Humphrey at the ceremony must have been quite a privilege at the time; the Anglo-Celt newspaper of the time indicates he was a justice of the peace, frequent prize winner at the Cavan Fair during the mid-1800’s and lived at Ballyhaise House.
[11] Townland west of Cavan now spelled Drummullan
[12] Baptism certificate for their son John (my ggf)
[13] The land is to the north of the road (N87) between Bawnboy and Ballyconnell.
[14] A check of the 1901 census confirms that there were a total of seven households in Moher and all, except the Henderson’s, were Roman Catholic.
[15] LDS
[16] 1857 Griffith’s Valuation
[17] Birth year confirmed in 1901 Bessbrook census and 1911 Belfast census however Belfast cemetery record indicates 1846.
[18] Baptism certificate for ___
[19] Aunt Clara
[20] Also recorded in much later 1911 census by which time they were retired and living in Belfast
[21] Name of head gardener and wages schedule was provided by Dr Jonathan Cherry. 1901 census of Farnham townland indicates Dallimore was born in England 1870. The English census of 1891 records his birthplace as Wigan, Lancashire.
[22] Confirmed by my Aunt Clara
[23] Belfast census of 1901 shows John and Bessie Courtney living in Longford Street
[24] John gave that address when he signed the Ulster Covenant in 1912 and was also the address given on his burial record.
[25] He could have been one or the other or both– both a newspaper cutting from the time of Norman and George’s deaths in 1942 and a Barnardo’s submission form stated he was a mechanic. However, Aunt Clara thought he was a tram driver.
[26] This would have been between George’s discharge from the RFC in 1918 and when the aerodrome was turned over to the RAF Ulster Squadron in 1925.
[27] Statement given to the police in ___
[28] In 1931 the Victorian prison on Crumlin Road was in use. During it’s time it also housed political prisoners and was used for executions. It closed in 1996
and is now a museum.
[29] Grave number F3 247
[30] Eileen was initially sent to the “Girl’s Village” in Barkingside, Essex. In November 1932 she went to live with foster parents, Mr and Mrs Thompson in Northampton, but ran away and was returned to Barkingside. In September 1934 she was sent to new foster parents in New South Wales, Australia
[31] Based on Dad’s photo albums
[32] I remembered this from a conversation I had with Daddy many years ago