Ellis John Edwards

He was born in 1846 in Ryme Intrinseca, Dorset, to Robert and Charlotte Edwards, and he was baptised on 15 March 1846. He grew up in Cerne Abbas where his father was a Coachman/Groom/Gardener. He married Elizabeth Dunning on 31August 1870 at the Parish Church in Sherborne, Dorset.  In the 1871 Census he is a Groom living at Green Hill, Dorset, and by 1881 together with his wife and 5 children, Thomas Robert (b.1871), James Dunning (b.1872), Annie (b.1875), Edith Charlotte (b.1879) and George (b.1880), they have moved to Winchester, his occupation shown as Butler. In 1891 the family are  living at Wash Common, Newbury, with children George, Emily (b.1885) and Ellis Russell (b. 1890). From the 1901 and 1911 Census he is the Sub-Postmaster at The Post Office, Wash Common. He died on 24 August 1934, aged 88 years, at The Haven, Finchampstead, Wokingham, and he was buried on 29 August 1934 alongside his wife Elizabeth and daughter Emily. Probate was granted to his son-in-law Frederick James Cates, bookseller, the husband of Edith Charlotte.

The grave is also a memorial to their two sons Private George Edwards, killed in action in France on 4 July 1917 aged 37, and Private Ellis Russell Edwards killed in action in France  on 2 December 1917, aged 26.

Sources: BMD 1Q 1846 Birth; Church of England Births & Baptisms 1813-1906; Church of England Marriages 1813-1921; 1851/1871-1911 Census; E. & W. Death Index Sep. 1934; National Probate/Wills

Mrs. P. Code LS (J) 55, page 157

Sources:BMD, National Probate and Mrs Pattison