idney James Willis (1921 – 1921)

His gd. Parents James Willis (-1913)

 and Fanny Willis (-1918)

Frank Willis was born 25 May 1884 in Wash Common. His parents were James and Fanny, nee Pearce, Willis who were both buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, James Willis on 10 September 1913 and Fanny Willis on 12 January 1918.

Frank married Getrude Amelia Penny in Newbury in 1916. Gertrude was born 28 March 1894 in Laycock in Wiltshire. In the 1911 census she was recorded as a general domestic servant in Portchester Road in Newbury.  

Frank and Gertrude had five children all born in Newbury area. The eldest was Frank born in 1916, followed by Gladys in 1920, Sidney in 1921, Norman in 1924 and then Dorothy in 1927.

Their son Sidney James was born circa January 1921 in Newbury. Sadly, Sidney died in March 1921 aged 2 months and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 12 March 1921.

The family remained in the Newbury area and in September 1939 Frank and Gertrude and daughter Gladys were living in Donnington. Frank was a gardener and Gladys a typist and bookkeeper.

There were other people in the house but at present (2021) the names have not been released.

Frank and Gertrude were both buried at Shaw Cemetery, Frank on 2 March 1956 and Gertrude on 27 January 1967.

Author: Gerald Soper
©

James Willis (1838 — 1913)  
Fanny Willis (1839 — 1918)  

James Willis was born in 1838 in Old Basing, the son of Charles and Charlotte, nee Haydon, Willis. He was baptized on 5 August 1838 at St Mary in Old Basing. He was recorded with his parents Charles and Charlotte and four siblings in Basing in the 1841 census. Charles was recorded an agricultural labourer. James was recorded living as a servant at Dean House Farm in Basing in the 1851 census, his occupation was a farm servant.

Fanny Pearce was born in 1839 in Dummer, the daughter of Stephen and Hannah, nee Haines, Pearce. She was recorded with her parents Stephen and Hannah, brother William aged 7 and sister Mary Ann aged 4 in Basing in the 1851 census. Stephen was recorded an agricultural labourer.

James and Fanny married on 30 April 1859 at St Mary in Old Basing.

In the 1861 census James and Fanny were living in Basing with daughter Charlotte aged 1 with James recorded as a maltster.

Ten years later in the 1871 census James and Fanny had moved to Abbey Street in Farnham in Surrey with children Charlotte aged 11, Alfred aged 6, Emma aged 5 and Mary Ann aged 3 with James recorded as an agricultural labourer.
They continued living in Farnham for a few years as Edith was born there in 1873 but then moved to Newbury where Alice Kate was born in 1875. In the 1881 census James and Fanny were living at The Wash in Newbury with children Mary Ann aged 13, Edith aged 7, Alice Kate aged 5 and Beatrice aged 2 with James recorded as an agricultural labourer.

James and Fanny were recorded at Wash Common in the 1891 census with children Elizabeth (Bessie) aged 9 and Frank aged 6 with James recorded as a labourer.

They were still living in Wash Common in the 1901 census with daughter Elizabeth Caroline aged 19, son Frank aged 16 and granddaughter Winifred aged 3. James and Frank were both market gardeners.

In the 1911 census James and Fanny with son Frank aged 16 and granddaughter Winifred aged 14 were living at 6 Roseberry Cottages in Wash Common. James had no occupation recorded, Frank was a jobbing gardener and Winifred an apprentice dressmaker.
James died in September 1913 aged 75 while still living at 6 Roseberry Cottages. He was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 10 September 1913.
Fanny died in January 1918 aged 79 while still residing at 6 Roseberry Cottages. She was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 12 January 1918. Two of the daughters of James and Fanny were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, Edith Willis on 22 April 1943 and Elizabeth Caroline on 16 October 1951. Their son Frank Willis was buried at Shaw Cemetery on 2 March 1956.

Author: soper
©