Lena Rowell

1891-1953

Lena, her parents, siblings and early life:

Lena was born on the 8^th November 1891, she was baptised on the 19^th January 1892, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the daughter of William (a Dyer) and Harriet Keep (nee Wherrell) who were married on the 22^nd June 1879, at St Nicolas, Newbury.

Her father Wiliam was born in 1858, in Newbury, Berkshire, the son of Luke and Elizabeth Keep (nee Haines) who were married in 1856, at St Mary, Speenhamland, Berkshire.

Her mother Harriett was born in 1858, in Newbury, Berkshire, the daughter of John and Hannah Wherrell (nee Bailey) who were married in 1845 (marriage registered in Newbury)

William and Harriett also had the following children:

William, 1879

Alice Annie, 1881

Muriel Gladys 1895

In 1881 William (22), a Dyer, Harriet (22), and William (1), were living in Bolton Place, Newbury.

The 1891 census records William (32) as an Agent, living at 38 Bartholomew Street, Newbury, with Harriet (32) and their children, William (11) and Alice (9).

Lena’s father William died aged 40, on the 3^rd September 1899, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 8^th September.

The 1901 census records Harriett (42), living at 75 Bartholomew Street, Newbury, with her children, William (21), a Commission Agent, Alice (19), a Dressmaker, Lena (9) and Muriel (6).

In 1911 Lena (19) was working as a Cashier at a Chemist Shop. She was still living at 75 Bartholomew Street, with her mother Harriett (52) who was living on her own means, her sister Alice (29), a Manageress of a Dyer’s Shop and her sister Muriel (16).

Lena in later life:

Lena married Frank Horace Rowell in 1916 (marriage registered in Newbury)

(Frank was born on the 9^th October 1892, in Newbury, Berkshire, the son of Henry Robert and Lydia Rowell (nee Cox) who were married on the 29^th December 1875, at St Nicolas Church Newbury. (Henry Robert was from Greenham)

The 1921 census records Frank Horace (28) as a General Foreman (Marine Engineering) at Plenty & Son Ltd. A Marine Engineers and Iron Founders. His was living at Brooklyn Villa, Priory Road, Newbury, Berkshire, with Lena (29), their son, Douglas Wyndard (0) and a general domestic servant.

Frank Horace died aged 40, on the 24^th February 1933, at 3 Priory Road, Newbury. He was laid to rest int the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 28^th February. (Frank has been mistakenly recorded as Francis Horace on the burial register)

The 1939 Register records Lena and Douglas living at 3 Priory Road, Newbury. Douglas was recorded as a Clerk at the Central Office, Western Electricity Co.

Lena died aged 61, on the 8^th April 1953. She was laid to rest with her husband Frank, in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 8^th April.

Probate: ROWELL Lena of 3 Priory-road Newbury Berkshire widow died 8^th April 1953 Probate Oxford 10^th August to Sidney George Povey building society official and Arthur Smith accountant.  Effects: £6079 5s 5d

Mrs P’s    Page 107      Code LN5

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