Florence Osmond

1891-1969

Florence, her parents, siblings and early life:

Florence was born on the 8^th February 1891, in Newbury, Berkshire, the daughter of Jesse and Mary Ann New (nee Girdler) who were married in 1885 (marriage registered in Newbury)

Her father Jesse was born in 1858 in Thatcham, Berkshire, the son of Henry and Elizabeth New (nee Randall) who were married in 1842 in Kintbury, Berkshire. Jesse died aged 56 on the 27^th August 1915, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 31^st August.

His mother Mary Ann was born in 1864 in Newbury, the daughter of Charles and Charlotte Girdler (nee Curtis) who were married on the 28^th July 1861 at St Nicolas Church, Newbury. Mary Ann died aged 61 on the 18^th February 1926, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery with her husband Jesse, on the 22^nd February.

Jesse and Mary Ann also had the following children:

Edwin 1886 (aka Edward)

William Henry c1888

Rosina 1889

Edith Mary 1893

Frank c1895

In 1891 Jesse (32) was recorded as a Brewer’s Drayman, living in Vine Court, (off Northbrook Street) Newbury, with Mary (26), Edwin (5), (recorded as Edward) William (3) and Rosina (1).

The 1901 census records Jesse (43), a Brewer’s Drayman, Mary (37), Edward (15), a Draper’s Errand Boy, William (13), a Boot Shopkeeper’s Erand Boy, Rosina (11), Florence (10), Edith (8) and Frank (6), living at 27 Jack Street, Newbury.

In 1911, the family were again recorded living at 27 Jack Street, as follows:

Jesse (52), a Brewer’s Drayman, Mary (47), (recorded as deaf, I year), Edward (25), Edward (25), a Gardener, Rosina (21), (recorded as Rose, an invalid (blind, 4 years) Florence (20), a Domestic Parlourmaid, and Frank (16), a Butcher’s Shop Assistant.

Florence in later life:

Florence married Charles Osmond (approximately 29 years her senior) in 1923 (marriage registered in Newbury).

(According to census records Charles was born c1862 in Slough, Berkshire. He joined the Army in c1880 and retired in 1907. He served in the Royal Berkshire Regiment, in 1891 he was recorded as an Infantry Corporal and in  1901, an Infantry Quarter Master Sergeant)

Charles and Florence had a daughter, born in 1925, in Newbury.

Florence was widowed in 1929, Charles died aged 67 on the 6^th July, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 9^th July. At the time of his death, they were living at 27 Victoria Street, Newbury.

Electoral Registers between 1924 and 1963 record Florence living at either 27 Jack Street or 27 Victoria Street, Newbury.

The 1939 Register records Florence living at 27 Jack Street, Newbury.

By 1964 she was living at 308 Benham Hill, Thatcham.

She died aged 78, on the 30^th March 1969 and was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery, with her husband Charles, on the 3^rd April.

Mrs P   Page 7    Code S11

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