Florence Beatrice Critchley

1891-1928

Florence, her parents, siblings and early life:

Florence Beatrice was born in Newbury, Berkshire, the daughter of Charles and Martha Ann Rawlings (nee Willis) who were married in 1871, in Newbury.

Florence’s father Charles was a Plasterer. He was born on the 3^rd August 1852 and was baptised on the 31^st October 1852, at St Nicolas Church Newbury, the son of Charles (a Bricklayer) and Esther Rawlings (nee Blackwell) who were married on the 19^th October 1851, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury (Charles Rawlins, a Bricklayer, was a widower). Charles died aged 63, on the 23^rd December 1915. He was buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 28^th December.

Her mother Martha and her twin brother Michael were born on the 24^th June 1849, they were baptised on the 29^th July 1849, at St Nicolas Church Newbury, the children of Michael and Mary Ann Willis (nee Brindley) who were married on the 28^th May 1842, at St Nicolas Chuch, Newbury. Martha died aged 79, on the 16^th March 1929. She was buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 20^th March.

Charles and Martha Ann also had the following children born in Newbury:

Sarah Ann, 1872

Rebecca, 1874

Edith Ellen, 1876

Charles, c1878

Albert Edward, 1880

Frederick, 1882

Ada, c1885

Percy, 1886 (died aged 14 days, buried in the NRC on the 1^st March)

Emma Elsie Alice, 1887

Rose Lilian, 1889 (died aged 2yrs 2 months, buried in the NRC on the 26^th June 1892)

The 1901 census records Charles (48), Martha (51) Albert (20), a Plasterer, Ada (17), a Dressmaker, Elsie (13) (Emma Elsie) and Florence (10), living in Chesterfield Road, Newbury.

In 1911 Florence (19) was working as a Ticket Collector, at the Picture Palace, Newbury. She was recorded living at The Laurels, Enborne Place, Newbury, with her parents Charles (58) and Martha (60), her brother, Charles (32), a Carpenter, her nephew, Charles Rawlings (7) (son of her brother Charles and his wife Fanny, nee Spicer) and a visitor, Charles Critchley (25), a self-employed Tailor’s Traveller (Florence’s husband to be).

Florence in later life:

Florence married in 1914

Marriage details:

Place: Holy Trinity, Hounslow, Middlesex

Date: 11^th November 1914

Groom: Charles Frederick Critchley, aged 29, bachelor, occupation, Grocer’s Assistant abode, 4 Walnut Tree Cottages, Church Road, Wimbledon

Bride: Florence Beatrice Rawlings, aged 23, spinster, abode, 13 Lansdowne Road, Hounslow

Fathers: Charles Rawlings, a Builder and Frank Critchley, a Factory Foreman

Witnesses: Edwin Holder and T R Jarrett

(Charles Frederick was born on the 22^nd September 1885, in Reading, Berkshire, the son of Frank and Mary Ann Critchley (nee Fleming) who were married in 1875, in Reading)

The 1921 census records Charles Critchley (35), a Restaurant and Sweet Shop Proprietor and Florence (29), a Manageress, at 46 Cheap Street, Newbury.

Florence gave birth to a son Charles Morris, on the 9^th May 1922.

Florence died aged 37, on the 16^th December 1928. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 19^th December.

Probate: CRITCHLEY Florence Beatrice of 21 Enborne-grove Newbury Berkshire (wife of Charles Frederick Critchley) died 16^th December 1928 Administration Oxford 4^th August 1931 to the said Charles Frederick Critchley confectioner Effects: £128 6s 1d

Charles after Florence’s death:

By 1933 Charles was living at 125 Boundray Road, Newbury.

The 1939 Register records Charles as a Bacon Salesman, living at 125 Boundray Road, Newbury. His son, Charles Morris, a Plumber’s Apprentice, was recorded living with him.

Charles remarried in 1941. His 2^nd wife was Frances Eleanor Banham.

He continued to live at 125 Boundray Road, Newbury until his death in 1946. He died aged 61, on the 26^th December, in Newbury.

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