Edward Willis (1866 – 1907)

                                    Phyllis Willis (1872 – 1950)

Edward Willis was born in 1866 in Newbury, the son of Edward and Harriet, nee Eggleton, Willis. He had a twin sister Elizabeth Annie. Edward’s father died in March 1869 when he was only two years old. In the 1871 census he was recorded with his mother Harriet along with siblings Kate aged 13, William aged 10, Mary aged 7, Elizabeth Annie aged 4 and Ellen aged 1 at Northcroft Lane in Newbury. Phyllis was a char woman.

Ten years later in the 1881 census Edward was still living in Northcroft Lane in Newbury with his mother and siblings Kate aged 23, Elizabeth Annie aged 14 and Ellen aged 11. Harriet was still a char woman, Kate a domestic servant, Edward an errand boy and Elizabeth a dressmaker.

On 26 January 1886 Edward signed up to the Royal Berkshire Regiment where he served until 14 April 1886. On the following day 15^th April, he transferred to the Kings Royal Rifles where he served until 13 April 1898. He served in the United Kingdom until 24 November 1890, then in India from 25 November 1890 until 5 February 1894 before returning to serve in the United Kingdom from 6 February 1894 until his departure from the Army on 13 April 1898.

Phyllis Wilkins was born on 26 November 1872 in Newbury, the daughter of Joseph James and Ann Maria, nee Palmer, Wilkins. Her father died in May 1876. In the 1881 census she was recorded with her grandmother Ann Palmer and her mother Ann Maria in The City in Newbury. Her grandmother was recorded as a needlewoman and her mother a charwoman. Ten years later in the 1891 census Phyllis was recorded with her grandmother Ann Palmer and sister Ann in Derby Road in Newbury and her occupation was a laundress.

Phyllis attended the National School in Newbury, leaving on 30 July 1885 although re-entering again on 12 October 1885. The date she finally left the school was not recorded.

Edward and Phyllis married on 7 July 1894 at St John in Newbury. A few years later on 22 March 1900 Edward signed up to the Royal Rifles reserve regiment but it appears he was not accepted as he left the service the same day.

In the 1901 census Edward and Phyllis along with children William Obed aged 9, Marion aged 5, twins Kate and Edward Kate aged 3 and Mildred aged 2 were living in Hampton Road in Newbury. Edward was a general labourer.

Edward died on 21 December 1907 at the National Hospital in Queens Square, Holborn in London from multiple causes. He was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 2 January 1908.

In the 1911 census Phyllis was recorded with her children Edward Joseph aged 13, Mildred aged 11, William aged 10, Arthur Henry aged 8 and Thomas James aged 2 at Hampton Road in Newbury. Phyllis was a charwoman.

In the September 1939 national register Phyllis was living at 9 Hampton Road with her sons William and Thomas. William was recorded as a laundry storeman and Thomas as a wood sawyer.

Phyllis died 1 January 1950 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 4 February 1950.

William Obed Willis, son of Edward and Phyllis was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 3 February 1968. Edward’s mother Harriet Willis was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 23 November 1912. Both of Phyllis’s parents were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, her father Joseph James Wilkins on 1 June 1876 and her mother Ann Maria on 31 January 1918.

Author: Gerald Soper
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                                    William Obed Willis (1900 – 1968)

                                    Mabel Willis (1902 – 1925)

William Obed Willis was born on 25 June 1900 in Newbury, the son of Edward and Phyllis, nee Wilkins, Willis. In the 1901 census he was recorded with his parents along with sisters Marion aged 5, Kate aged 3 and Mildred aged 2 and brother Edward aged 3 at Hampton Road in Newbury. Edward was a general labourer. William’s father Edward died on 21 December 1907 at the National Hospital in London.

William attended St John’s infant school and then on 1 April 1908 started at St Nicolas Church of England school. He left the school on 31 July 1915 and his intended occupation was recorded as errand boy.

In the 1911 census William was recorded with his mother along with sister Mildred aged 11 and brothers Edward Joseph aged 13, Arthur Henry aged 7 and Thomas James aged 2 at Hampton Road in Newbury. His mother Phyllis was recorded a charwoman.

Mabel Rawlings was born on 26 October 1902 in Newbury, the daughter of Brice and Mabel, nee Carter, Rawlings. In the 1911 census she was recorded with her parents along with sisters Bertha Matilda aged 10, Dorothy Hester aged 6 and Doris aged 4 and brother Edward Brice aged 1 at 2 Rosemary Terrace, Enborne Road in Newbury. Brice was a plasterer.

Mabel attended St John’s infant school and then on 4 April 1910 started at St Nicolas Church of England school. She left the school on 20 September 1916. She was allowed to leave in year 14 as she was wanted by her mother.

William and Mabel married in 1922 in Newbury. A daughter Hilda Kate was born on 18 December 1922 in Newbury.

Mabel Willis died March 1925 while living at 23 Derby Road and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 11 March 1925.

In September 1939 when the national register was taken William was living at 9 Hampton Road with his mother and brother Thomas. William was recorded as a laundry storeman and Thomas as a wood sawyer.

William Willis died 21 January 1968 while living at 9 Hampton Road and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 3 February 1968. He left a will and probate was granted on 15 March 1968 at Oxford. The value of the estate was £1,941.

William and Mabel’s daughter Hilda married Albert Tyler in 1955 in Newbury. She continued to live at 9 Hampton Road and was still living there on 15 February 1991 when she died.

The parents of both William and Mabel were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery. William’s father Edward Willis on 2 January 1908 and his mother Phyllis on 4 February 1950. Mabel’s father Brice Rawlings was buried on 25 March 1942 and her mother Mabel on 29 July 1974.

Author: Gerald Soper
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