James MILLS

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1841, Winton, Barton Upon Irwell, Lancashire; : 3
• Census: 1851, Worsley Road, Winton, Barton On Irwell; James Mills and Joseph Mills & families
• Census: 1861, 6, Fitzroy Terrace, Plumstead, Kent; James recorded as an Engine Fitter. Living in lodgings. Also lodging in the same house is a Joseph Warburton, nephew of the head of the household and born in Worsley (close by Winton where James was born). It is likely then that personal connections were behind James' move away from home.
• Address: 1905, 202, Victoria Road, Old Charlton.

Notes:

Census:
Recorded as a Power Loom Silk Weaver

Died:
Diabetes Mellitus & Senile Decay

Informant was his wife Sarah, present at the death.
She gave his age as being 82 years old. This must have been a mistake as he was actually 80.

Buried:
Recorded in the Burial Registers of St. Margaret's Church, Plumstead

His age at burial makes his birth date 1836 yet all other documents point to 1838.

London Metropolitan Archives - Microfilm No. XO99 161 - frame 00433

James married Sarah (Kate?) IRELAND on 1 Mar 1863 in Upper Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, London. Sarah (daughter of James MICKLEBURGH and Frances Sarah IRELAND) was born on 12 Jan 1842 in Lowestoft, Suffolk; was christened on 3 Nov 1850 in Lowestoft, Suffolk; died on 26 Apr 1920 in 110, Ancona Road, Plumstead; was buried on 30 Apr 1920. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Address: Addresses for Edward shown on James Jesse Mills service record:- Somerset Villa, High Road, Mottingham, Kent. Kingswood, Polding St, Fairfield, Sydney 33, Hannam St, Arncliffe, Sydney.
• Census: 1871, 3, Mead Terrace, Willesborough, Kent; Living with his parents James & Sarah.
• Census: 1881, 95, Newtown, Willesborough, Kent; Living with his parents James and Sarah. Recorded as an Eng. Turner's Apprentice.
• Military Service Entered: 20 Dec 1888, Woolwich; Corps of Ordnance Artificers.For 12 years. Machinery Artificer Section, Army Ordnance Corps. Royal Artillery. 13th July 1898 to complete 21 years. Discharged 19th Dec 1909
• Stationed: 1901, Malta
• Military: 1909; Discharged with Pension
• Military Service Entered: 28 Sep 1914, Woolwich; As Armourer, Q.M.Sjt. in the Army Ordnance Corps. Home Service. Demobilised 30 Jul 1919
• Emigration: 2 Dec 1920, Sydney, Australia; There is no evidence that Jessie went with him. Arrived in Sydney 27th January 1921

Notes:

Birth:
1863 Dec Quarter in BARTON UPON IRWELL Volume 08C Page 444

Died:
Description: myocarditis and senility

Recorded as a Widower

Buried:
No headstone.

Edward married Jessie (Davidson) STEVENSON on 28 Dec 1889 (Certificate) in Bible Christian Church, Plumstead. Jessie (daughter of James STEVENSON and Jessie DAVIDSON) was born in 1867 in Plumstead; died on 12 Sep 1934 in 22, Lewisham Hill, Lewisham; was buried on 18 Sep 1934 in Plumstead Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: 1881, 33, Victoria Crescent, Barton Upon Irwell, Lanc. for Mrs Mary Plowright.; Nurse Domestic Servant. In 1881 Mary Plowright, who lived at 33, Victoria Crescent, Eccles was a 30 year old widow who had three children, Florence 5 yrs old, Charles 3 yrs old and Harry 3 yrs old. Ellen, 16 years old was presumably the children's nanny. As her father James Mills had left the area for Ashford it is presumed that he maintained contact with people he knew back home.
• Address: 1891; Address:
  98, Robert St, Plumstead, Kent
• Occupation: 1891; dressmaker
• 1939 Register: 1939, 28, Grasdene Road, Plumstead.; Living with William and Florence Gill
• Address: Aug 1951; Address:
  Plumstead Lodge
  82 Plumstead Common Road, London SE18 3RD

Notes:

Died:
Description: Broncho-pneumonia and myocardial degeneration.

Her death followed a fractured femur from a fall.

There was a post Mortem and a verdict of accidental death was returned at the inquest, held 3rd September 1951

Hospital now demolished for housing

Ellen married William KEEN on 1 Sep 1900 in St John's Church, Plumstead. William (son of Stephen KEEN and Eliza WALLIS) was born about 1866 in Plumstead, Kent; died on 27 Jan 1936 in 24, Griffin Road, Plumstead; was buried on 30 Jan 1936 in Plumstead Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
1868 Sep Q Vol.2A Page649 East Ashford

Died:
1871 Mar Q Vol. 2A Page 439 East Ashford

Other Events and Attributes:

• School Attendance: 2 Jul 1883, Vicarage Road School, Plumstead; Living at 96, Robert Street. Previous school - Miss Smith's, Private School, Charlton. - for 5 ???
• Census: 1891, not recorded

Notes:

Census:
No trace of her or most of the Carter family in 1891

Died:
Description: Breast Cancer and secondary carcinomas

Probate granted - London - 10th April 1937 to Edward William Carter - Labourer.
Effects - £697 18s 4d

Louisa married William Charles CARTER on 13 Jan 1900 in St. John's Church, Plumstead. William (son of William Henry CARTER and Catherine ?) was born about 1869 in Montreal, Canada; died on 16 Jun 1934 in 110, Ancona Road, Plumstead; was buried on 20 Jun 1934 in Plumstead Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Stationed: ? and 11 Sep 1900, Port Royal, Jamaica
• School Attendance: Bef 1883, Wood Street School
• School Attendance: Between 3 Jul 1883 and 15 Jun 1888, Vicarage Road School, Plumstead
• Census: 1891, not recorded; Missing from 1891 Census - assumption was that he had been posted to Jamaica. There are no census records of people serving abroad. Research now proves that he didn't enlist until 1892 - so where was he in 1891? Was he with his sister Louisa and her future family, the Carters, who were also missing from the Census in 1891?
• Stationed: 1 Apr 1892, F Company Royal Engineers, Chatham
• Stationed: 1 Apr 1893, 30th Company Royal Engineers, Plymouth
• Stationed: 2 Oct 1893, 30th Company Royal Engineers, Plymouth
• Stationed: 2 Apr 1894, 35th Company Royal Engineers, Pembroke Dock
• Stationed: 1 Oct 1894, 35th Company Royal Engineers, Pembroke Dock; The company was stationed at Pennar Point and was involved with experimental torpedos and submarine mining. 2011 - the old buildings have been demolished, the only remains are of the jetty.
• Appointed: Aft Oct 1894
• Stationed: 1 Apr 1895, 35th Company Royal Engineers, Pembroke Dock
• Stationed: 1 Oct 1895, 35th Company Royal Engineers, Pembroke Dock
• Stationed: 1 Apr 1896, 35th Company Royal Engineers, Pembroke Dock
• Appointed: 1 Sep 1897; The Muster Rolls of the Royal Engineers (WO16 3031 3032) show a Lance Corporal T Mills No. 26372 stationed at Pembroke Dock on the 1st April 1897 with the 35th Company Royal Engineers. This ties up with the photo of Eva Annie taken in Haverfordwest.
• Appointed: Aft 1898
• Appointed: Abt 1901

Notes:

Lance Corporal - R.E when he was married.

Second Corporal - R.E - When his son was born

Mechanist Staff Sergeant - R.E - When he died

Possibly stationed in Jamaica, Pembroke, Chepstow & Gosport areas. Ron remembers seeing the places in his army pay book (now lost).


Birth:
1874 Mar Quarter in EAST ASHFORD Volume 02A Page 713

Stationed:
He sailed back to the UK on the Royal Mail Steam Packet Elbe(a compound engine ship of around 3100 tons) arriving at Southampton on 27th September 1900.




School Attendance:
Description: Admission number 589

London Metropolitan Archives - Microfilm No. XO95 334 - frame 00369/370

Stationed:
Sapper

WO16/2980, Muster Roll

Enlisted on 22nd February 1892 - Trade on enlistment - Fitter.
The likelihood is that since leaving school he had been an apprentice at the Royal Arsenal.

The Muster Rolls for the previous year - 1891 show clearly that his Army Number, 26372 hadn't yet been issued.

Stationed:
Sapper

Noted as being at Fort Picklecombe. WO16/2980-2991-2992

Fort Picklecombe was a Palmerston Fort on the Western (Cornish) side of the entrance to Plymouth Sound. Fort Bovisand protected the Eastern side.

Stationed:
Sapper

WO16/2980/2991 Muster Roll

Stationed:
Sapper

WO16/3002 Muster Roll

Stationed:
Sapper

Noted as being on Guard Duty

Appointed:
Lance Corporal

Stationed:
Lance Corporal

WO16/3012 Muster Roll

Stationed:
Lance Corporal

WO16/3047 Muster Roll

Stationed:
Lance Corporal

WO16/3014 Muster Roll

Appointed:
2nd Corporal R.E

Appointed:
Corporal

Appointed:
Military Mechanist Staff Sergeant RE

Died:
Description: Typhlitis (9 days) & Peritonitis

His father James was present at the death.

Buried:
The ceremony was performed by a Presbyterian Mininster.
He was buried in unconsecrated ground - No. 9821
The Entry No. in the register was 2952

Thomas married Eva Annie WILLIAMS on 2 Mar 1897 in the Parish Church, Alverstoke. Eva (daughter of William George WILLIAMS and Amy Augusta NEWNHAM) was born on 18 May 1873 in Clayhall, Alverstoke; died on 8 Sep 1915 in 88, Clayhall Road, Clayhall.; was buried on 11 Sep 1915 in St. Mark's Church Cemetery, St Mark's Road, Alverstoke. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• School Attendance: 16 Jun 1884 to 2 Mar 1889, Vicarage Road School, Plumstead
• School Attendance: 25 Feb 1889, Bloomfield Road School, Plumstead
• Address: Between 1937 and 1938; Address:
  Bourneside, Gomshall, Surrey
• Retired: 29 Aug 1941
• Address: 1926 - 1945, 17, Arterberry Road, Wimbledon. SW 20; As an Inspector of Ordnance he had a flat in Wimbledon to be able to visit the local factories.
• Employment: After 1945, Wimbledon

Notes:

Original beliefs. Superceded by subsequent research.
He was thought (by William George Mills) to have been a Colonel in the R.E and based at the R.E School, Chatham. From the only known photograph that we had, he appeared to be fairly close in age to his brother Thomas William. Now that we have more pictures of James Jesse it is clear that the photograph was not of him but of his eldest brother Edward Mills.

It turned out that he was 4 years younger and eventually became a Colonel in the R.A.O.C

Ann Mills recalls that JJ's family were with him during his overseas postings.

In France they lived in a chateaux and Vivian (George) was attacked by an alsatian.
Vivian was sent home from Malta with another Army child to a school in Shropshire.

Most of their leave was taken in Ireland with Maud's family. Ann recalls going to a big house in Cashel called Longfield which had been the home of Charles Bianconi (an Italian emigre who was responsible for the beginnings of public transport in Ireland). She describes Bianconi as being Vivian's Uncle. John Bianconi was originally an O'Connell but had his name changed on the wishes of his Grandfather Charles Bianconi.

Whilst JJ was a competent horse rider (he played polo whilst in Gibraltar), Maud was very good, riding side saddle, hunting etc. She was also a keen tennis player.

Birth:
1878 Mar Quarter in WEST ASHFORD Volume 02A Page 718

School Attendance:
Description: Admission No. 3080

London Metropolitan Archives - Microfilm No. XO95 334

Address:
until 1937/8

e-mail from Ann Noyes - Shere & Gomshall Local History Society 19th Nov 2002

Because Shere and Gomshall have such a rich number of old houses most of our records are concerned with them! Bourneside still stands, it is on the main A25 road that runs through Gomshall, opposite the Post Office Stores and the United Reformed chapel. It looks as though it was built in the late 19th century and is now known as 'The Gallery' and sells wine and offers display space for artists in watercolours, ceramic, glass and wood. The site was part of the Gomshall Mill property. In 1965 a bungalow was built on part of the land for the residents of Bourneside, and they moved out of the 'big' house into the bungalow. There is a structure known as 'The Coach House (part of the original Bourneside) which is now the premises of an Antique Restorer who has extended at the back and has recently bought the bungalow. At Shere Museum (Elizabeth Rich. 01483 203245) there is a map of the property, prepared when planning permission was sought for the bungalow. I have so far found no reference to Col. James Jesse Mills OBE Copies of the Electoral Roll on microfiche can be consulted at Surrey History Centre, Woking, 01483 594594. This would confirm the years of his residence
There is a story that in World War 2, Bournside was used as a girls' school called Braemar High School for Girls, but I have not seen evidence of this, and I cannot think that it was big enough for that.
Best wishes Ann Noyes

e-mail to Ann Noyes - Nov 20th 2002

My father and I visited the Surrey History Centre today to view the
Electoral Registers. We found our relative James Jesse Mills at Bourneside
in 1937 together with his wife Maud Mary (up to today we didn't know he was
married).
Records for 1939 to 1944 don't exist but in March 1945 Bourneside was
occupied by the Braemar High School and by 1950 the school had moved to The
Croft.
In 1950 Bourneside was occupied by Richard and Prudence Jequier.

Ann recalls that after the War ended and George came back from Burma, the family were told that Bourneside was to be requisitioned and that the school refused to move.

Retired:
from Regular Army

Employment:
2nd WW Employed by War Office as Inspector of factories producing munitions.
He had a flat in Kensington

Died:
FreeFormatDate:witnessed by Ann Mills - daughter in law

Description: Cardio-renal failure, pneumonia and Parkinsonism

James married Maud Mary HAYES on 15 Mar 1910 (Licence) in Woolwich Register Office. Maud (daughter of Thomas Patrick HAYES, Junior and Helen Mary BURKE) was born on 14 Oct 1880 in 4, Proby Square, Blackrock, Dublin; died on 21 Jan 1969 in Park Prewett Hospital, Basingstoke; was buried in Broadstairs. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• School Attendance: 11 Jun 1888, Vicarage Road School, Plumstead; Noted that at seven years old she was known as Annie.
• School Attendance: Between 9 Jan 1893 and Jan 1895, Bloomfield Road School, Plumstead
• Address: 1901; Address:
  98, Robert Street, Plumstead, Kent
• Occupation: 1901; a dressmaker
• Cremated: 22 Dec 1955, Woronora Crematorium

Notes:

She witnessed Thomas William's marriage as Annie Mills. Later on she witnessed James Jesse's marriage as Annie Wynn.

Birth:
1881 Jun Quarter in EAST ASHFORD Volume 02A Page 764

School Attendance:
London Metropolitan Archives - Microfilm No. XO95 301

Address:
Census

Sarah married Harry Jarvis WYNN on 7 Aug 1905 in Sunfields Memorial Methodist Church, Banchory Road, Blackheath. Harry (son of John Jarvis WINN and Emma Susan CLARK) was born on 11 Feb 1880 in 35, Cranham Road, Rotherhithe, London; died on 31 Dec 1945 in House of Peace, Marrickville, NSW. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
1883 Dec Q 1D 1189 Woolwich

Died:
1889 Mar Q 1D 766 Woolwich

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military Service Entered: 8 Apr 1919; Joined the WRAF as a General Clerk.

Notes:

Name:
Also recorded as Jessica Isobel

Died:
Sep Q 1962 5g 208 Surrey (Mid Eastern) Aged 64

Jessie married Eric Joseph FINCH on 22 Dec 1928 in Register Office, 1, Spring Terrace, Richmond, Surrey. Eric (son of Joseph Tyler FINCH and Florence WILLIAMS) was born on 24 Apr 1897 in Camberwell; was christened on 20 Jun 1897 in St. Mary Magdalene, Peckham; died on 24 Mar 1976 in 38, Upper Mulgrave Road, Cheam, Sutton; was buried on 5 Apr 1976 in Sutton Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Electoral Register: 1930, 7, Catford Road, Catford SE6 ; Florence May Mills Jessie Mills Jessie; probably her mother, Edward's wife.
• Electoral Register: 1932, 25, Granville Park, Lewisham SE13; Jessie Mills - (This is probably Florence's mother) Florence Mills
• Electoral Register: 1936, "South Bank" Lloyd's Place, Blackheath SE3; Florence May Mills - with Eric Finch and Jessica Finch (her Sister)
• Address: 1937, 64a Eltham Road, Lee Green, London, SE12; At the time of her marriage. This address is only half a mile from High Road, Mottingham where the family were living in 1920.
• Address: 1981, 8, Holland Close, Wendover, Bucks

Notes:

Died:
Dec Q 1981 19 0891 Aylesbury
The record notes her date of birth as 4th May 1898.
That matches her birth certificate.

Winterton House was a care home established in an old Rectory in 1971.
2011 - Closed.
May 2014 - planning granted for 21 retirement flats.

Florence married Alec George STRATFORD on 5 Nov 1937 in Register Office, London City. Alec (son of Thomas STRATFORD and Louisa Gibbs BAKER) was born in 1901 in 100 St. Donatt's Road, New Cross, London; died on 5 May 1959 in Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Address: 1924; Address:
  24, Griffin Road, Plumstead
• Occupation: 1924; Civil Servant
• 1939 Register: 1939, 306, Woolwich Road, Erith, Kent; Permanent Civil Servant Attached To H Q War Office, Whitehall. Qualified member of St. John's Ambulance. First Aid A.R.P Detachment, St. Martins-Le-Grand, London, EC2

Notes:

Births searched from 1924 to 1931- no record of any other children

Address:
Description: at the time of his marriage

Died:
Mar Q 1972 7a 2699 Torbay, Devon

Of 58, Babbacombe Road, Babbacombe, Torquay.
Probate, Bristol 4th July 1972 - £4630

William married Frances May SMITH on 10 Jan 1924 in St. Mark's Church, Plumstead. Frances (daughter of Horace William SMITH) was born about 1894; died in 1966. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was photographed at Plumstead Baths on 30th March 1912 on the occasion of the LRA Children's Tea & Concert Party.

She became a nurse and never married.
She nursed a Jewish family in Worthing.

Died:
Name: CARTER, Florence Louise
Registration District: Richmond upon Thames
County: Surrey
Year of Registration: 1983
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
Date of Birth: 18 October 1900
Volume No: 14
Page No: 1454

Notes:

She didn't like the name Nellie. She called herself Ivy Ellen on her marriage certificate.

Died:
Name: LONGSTAFFE, Ivy Nellie
Registration District: Chatham
County: Kent
Year of Registration: 1993
Month of Registration: September
Date of Birth: 17 April 1905
District No: 5611C
Reg No: C22A
Ent No: 045
DOR: 0993

Ivy married Leslie Alfred Roger LONGSTAFFE on 15 Jan 1927. Leslie (son of Charles Thomas LONGSTAFFE) was born on 31 Jan 1904; died in Mar 1987. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Sep Q 1907 1d 1200 or 1260 Woolwich

Died:
Registration District: Worthing
County: West Sussex
Year of Registration: 1986
Month of Registration: February
Date of Birth: 9 June 1907
Volume No: 18
Page No: 2955
Reg No: 286

Edward married Grace Constance BAILES in 1938 in Woolwich. Grace (daughter of ? WEST) was born on 23 Oct 1913; died in 1983 in Worthing, West Sussex. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Alfred married Henrietta Alice FOAKES in 1928. Henrietta was born on 7 Dec 1908 in London, Middlesex; died on 18 Jun 1999 in Worthing, West Sussex. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 16 Jun 1898, St. Mary's Church, Alverstoke
• Census: 1901, 59, Coburg St. North Shields, Northumberland
• Census: 1911, 88, Clayhall Road, Alverstoke
• Military: 9 Jul 1943, Whitehall Cinema, East Grinstead ; The East Grinstead Incident. 9th July 1943 At the time he was the Military Assistance Officer at Great House Court, Fairfield Road, East Grinstead. Captain W.G. Mills was at a cinema in East Grinstead watching a film. An air raid started and the cinema took a direct hit. He organised the orderly evacuation of the cinema and was mentioned in despatches. See:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/sussex/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8829000/8829228.stm and:- http://spartacus-educational.com/2WWwhitehall.htm
• Cremated: 4 Feb 1971, Portsdown Crematorium

Notes:

According to Ron Mills, a relative, whom he thought may have been Jesse Mills, was prepared to pay the costs of sending William George Mills to Winchester College. George's mother Eva Annie insisted that he go straight into the Army instead.
He did so as a bugler.

Was this the reason behind a possible rift between the Mills and Williams families?.
It is clear that William George was prevented from knowing anything about his relatives apart from some very sketchy details.



Birth:
The copy of his birth certificate is dated 18th October 1901 and stamped
"Royal Commission Patriotic Fund". This is just five months after the death of Thomas William.
The assumption is that Eva Annie may have had a grant to pay for the burial of her husband.
Ron & I visited the offices of the Patriotic Fund in London during May 2003. They don't have any records of grants to individuals.

Baptism:
Page 312 No. 2490

Cremated:
Cremation Reference 34261

His ashes were scattered :-
North Border 13/14 posts, South of Chestnut

Died:
Description: Cerebral Thrombosis Ateriosclerosis Disseminated Sclerosis (MS)

Family/Spouse: Eileen Grace FRANCIS. Eileen (daughter of William John FRANCIS and Alice Maud Mary SAIT) was born on 10 Jan 1900 in 70, North Street, Gosport, Hants.; died on 28 Oct 1988 in Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• School Attendance: St. George's College, Weybridge; Private Roman Catholic School
• Name: to George when he went to school
• Occupation: 1941; Captain, Essex Regiment
• Occupation: 1959; Production Manager in the film industry. He worked on the 1959 film "Tiger Bay" starring John Mills & Hailey Mills (no relation)

Notes:

In Canada George contracted what they thought was flu, but later in Malta, while he was swimming they noticed that there was an oddity about his legs. On return to England JJ took George to a surgeon in Harley Street who diagnosed Polio. George was given two alternatives - surgery or leave things alone. George opted for the latter.
Later on George served as a Commando.

Birth:
Description: as his father was stationed at Haulbowline, Cork

Died:
Dec Q 1976 14 1283 Paddington

Vivian married Anne Deidre FORBES-ROBERTSON on 9 Sep 1939 in Gretna Green. Anne (daughter of Frank FORBES-ROBERTSON and Honoria Ellen MCDERMOTT) was born on 28 Dec 1920 in 174, Lloyd Street, Mosside, Manchester; died on 14 Nov 2009. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Printer's Assistant

Margaret married Robert Bloomfield MCKIMM on 29 May 1926 in St. Stephens Church, Newtown, NSW. Robert (son of James Robert MCKIMM and Rachel Alice BLOOMFIELD) was born on 16 Feb 1907 in Parkes, NSW; died on 12 Jul 1975. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Address: Address:
  63, Greenacre Road, Hurstville, NSW
• Cremated: 19 Aug 1978, Palmdale Crematorium, NSW

Notes:

Trixie and George met on board ship whilst returning from a visit to England when they were four years old.

Address:
Wendy seems to think the number should be 81

Christine married George Thomas SHERWOOD on 4 Jun 1938 in St. George's Church, Hurstville, NSW. George (son of George SHERWOOD and Maggie Elizabeth FOSTER) was born on 3 Oct 1914 in Paddington, NSW; died on 6 May 1998 in Wyong Hospital, Kanwal, NSW. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Donald married Sylvia J M OXLADE in 1954. Sylvia was born in 1928. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Name: LONGSTAFFE, Barbara I L
Registration district: Woolwich
County: London
Year of registration: 1928
Quarter of registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
Mother's maiden name: Carter
Volume no: 1D
Page no: 1519

Died:
Name: WILSON, Barbara Ivy L
Registration district: Bishops Stortford
County: Hertfordshire
Year of registration: 1985
Month of registration: October
Date of Birth: 23 October 1928
Volume no: 10
Page no: 7
Reg no: 1085

Barbara married Donald WILSON in 1954. Donald was born on 9 Sep 1925; died in 1988. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Model Maker

David married Valerie A LEECH in 1957. Valerie was born on 23 Apr 1939; died in Dec 2006. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Emigrated to Australia approx 30 years ago.
Chief at The Pioneers Club in Sydney

Birth:
Dec Q 1941 2A 2081 Tonbridge

Notes:

Birth:
Mar Q 1945 1D 685 Woolwich

Family/Spouse: Doug PANTING. Doug and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Mar Q 1948 5B 1359 Tonbridge

Family/Spouse: Robert GOODRICK. Robert and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Sep Q 1939 1D 1337 Woolwich

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Telephonist/Receptionist
• Cremated: Oct 1988, Portsdown Crematorium

Notes:

Suffered with terrible leg ulcers throughout later life.
After she retired she toured Europe on package tours with Bill Francis and her friends, Doddy and Topsy.

Birth:
Description: She did not marry and lived with her parents until her death.

Cremated:
FreeFormatDate:Cremation Reference 99986

Her ashes were scattered :-

North Border 13/14 posts, South of Chestnut

Died:
Description: a Cerebro Vascular Accident

Other Events and Attributes:

• Cremated: 24 Jan 2007 ; Portchester Crematorium. The Service was conducted by Lance Blake, a Franciscan Friar from The Rowans Hospice. Celia read the following poem:- The words of this poem reflect how the family believes Daddy would be thinking now Death is nothing at all I have only slipped away into the next room I am I and you are you Whatever we were to each other That we are still Call me by my old familiar name Speak to me in the easy way you always used Put no difference into your tone Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow Laugh as we always laughed At the little jokes we always enjoyed together Play, smile, think of me, and talk to me Let my name be ever the household word that it always was Let it be spoken without effort Without the ghost of a shadow in it Life means all that it ever meant It is the same as it ever was There is absolute unbroken continuity What is death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind Because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you for an interval Somewhere very near Just around the corner All is well. Nothing is past; nothing is lost One brief moment and all will be as it was before How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again! by Canon Henry Scott Holland. Lance concluded with this:- Death is only an old door Set in a garden wall. On gentle hinges it gives at dusk, When the thrushes call. Along the lintel's green leaves beyond, The light lies still. Very willing and weary feet Go over that sill. There is nothing to trouble any heart, Nothing to hurt at all Death is only a quiet door In an old wall. Author Unknown

Notes:

Dec 1995 - Heart attack.
May 1996 - Incident 1
Jun 1996 - Ventricular aneurysm resected combined with bypass surgery.
May 1998 - Incident 2
Mar 2001 - Incident 3
Oct 2001 - Near Miss

17th Jun 2006 - Admitted with "community acquired pneumonia"
23rd Jun 2006 Discharged.
12th August 2006 - Readmitted with double pneumonia.
Whilst in hospital acquired C difficile infection.

* Incidents - Ambulance to A&E - Extreme shortness of breath and lungs filling with fluid inducing anxiety and panic.

Christened:
St. Matthews Church, Gosport

Cremated:
It was his wish that his ashes be scattered on the grave of his Grandmother Eva Annie in St.Mark's Church Cemetery, Alverstoke.

Died:
Cause of Death:-
Severe cardiac failure
Ischaemic heart disease

Ronald married Joyce Olive BILLSON on 24 Aug 1946 in the Parish Church, Rugby. Joyce (daughter of Leonard Sidney Henry BILLSON and Adelaide Victoria May WILSON) was born on 18 Nov 1924 in 227, Clifton Road, Rugby; died on 6 Aug 2018 in Gracewell Nursing Home, Fareham. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Address: Address:
  13, Spring Garden Lane, Gosport, Hants.
• Baptism: 28 Nov 1926, St. Matthews Church, Gosport
• Occupation: From 12 Nov 1951 to 28 Jul 1958, Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment at Portsdown; as scientific assistant
• Occupation: From 28 Jul 1958 to 15 Dec 1961, HMS Excellent, Experimental Department, Portsmouth; Scientific Assistant
• Stationed: Between 29 Sep 1958 and 15 Dec 1961, HMS Girdle Ness, Malta
• Occupation: 1 Jul 1961, HMS Excellent, Experimental Department, Malta; promoted to Senior Scientific Assistant
• Occupation: 1 Jan 1962, Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment at Portsdown; Senior Scientific Assistant
• Occupation: From 1 Jul 1966 to, Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment at Portsdown; Experimental Officer
• Occupation: From 1 Jan 1970 to, Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment at Portsdown; Senior Experimental Officer
• Occupation: From 1 Jan 1971 to, Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment at Portsdown; Senior Scientific Officer
• Retired: 5 Oct 1986
• Funeral: 9 Jun 2003, Portsdown Crematorium

Notes:

GORDON RAYMOND MILLS

Gordon Raymond Mills was a unique character, born the youngest of three, in Gosport on the October 5th 1926. He spent his childhood in various places around the world due to the fact that his father, William George was in the Royal Engineers.

In his younger days, Gordon was a keen and enthusiastic sportsman, involved in many sporting teams, notably football, hockey, swimming and tennis, both at school and college. He had great pride in showing the scar from an operation to pin his broken leg; the result of a footballing injury obtained when he was 12, which he maintained to his last days, was NOT an accident!

One thing he will always be remembered for was his love of taking things apart to see how they worked or, more importantly, how he could improve them! He was never very good at putting things back together however, hence lots of bits and pieces lying around which may come in handy for something else!

Gordon began his working life as an electronics engineer with the Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment. He worked his way up through the years and perhaps one of his happiest times, when on board HMS Girdleness, was his involvement in the development of new surface to air guided missile systems. He was very proud of his work, but never really talked about it in detail. We think he took his oath of secrecy very seriously!

He continued to work at A.S.W.E. until his early retirement having achieved the dizzy heights of Senior Scientific Officer, a position of which he and his family were justifiably proud.

Gordon was a loving and devoted son who cared for his parents and elder sister Eileen in their final years. He liked to keep himself to himself but always maintained a loving relationship with his older brother Ron and Sister in law, Joyce. As in all sibling relationships, the elder brother offered the younger much advice, most of which was duly ignored or forgotten!

Gordon was a generous and loving uncle to his nephews, Brian and Corin, and niece, Celia, and was always on hand to help out when financial crises occurred. This continued with his great nephews, Matthew and James and nieces, Emma, Elena and Zoe all of whom have experienced the kindness and generosity of the man.

It came as shock to Gordon to have become ill, as he had always enjoyed good health. His last eight weeks spent in hospital was a considerable trial for him, but he managed to maintain a dignified and grateful demeanour with the hospital staff whose care was very much appreciated.

Over the last few weeks, Gordon was pleased and comforted to know that he had the love and support of his family in his hour of need. He will be missed by all of them.

Rest in peace, Gordon; no doubt you will be sitting in your comfy reclining chair and watching a state of the art wide screen TV! Say "Hello" to your Dad, Mum and Eileen for us. We love you.

Celia Walker - 9th June 2003 - read at Gordon's funeral.

Occupation:
The Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment originated in an Experimental Department set up in 1917 at HM Signal School, Portsmouth, to coordinate research work undertaken since 1896 on the Torpedo School ships HMS Defiance and HMS Vernon. In 1941 the Experimental Department became the Admiralty Signal Establishment which, like its predecessors, was largely concerned with communications. However, technological advances during the Second World War necessitated an increase in related fields of research, and in 1948 these were brought under one body, the Admiralty Signal and Radar Establishment at Portsmouth. In 1959 it was decided that missile technology justified an extension of its scope, and on being amalgamated with the Admiralty Gunnery Establishment (AGE) it received the title of Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment (ASWE). It is responsible for various aspects of research, development, design and trial of equipment, devices and techniques in the fields of communications, radar missile control, and electronic counter-measures and in related fields.
In 1971 the Admiralty Compass Observatory was absorbed into ASWE as its Navigation Division, and in 1984 the Establishment was amalgamated with Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment (AUWE) and Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment (AMTE) to form the Admiralty Research Establishment (ARE).

(National Archives ADM 220)

Occupation:
Posted to HMS Experimental Department, Malta, on 30th June 1959 aboard HMS Girdle Ness.

Stationed:
Description: Britain's first guided missile test ship for Sea Slug

Seaslug missile tests - Malta
WH876, in U.14 configuration, was used as a pilotless drone target by 728B Squadron. This was a Royal Navy squadron, at Hal Far, Malta, who flew these target drone Canberras on guided missile trials [Seacat and Seaslug]. WH876 was numbered "595" whilst with the RN. The Canberras, six of them, were painted all-over white with wide black bands around the outer part of the wings. The navy only managed to shoot down one of the six - WH921 ("590") - brought down by a missile fired by HMS Girdle Ness on 6 October 1961. Having survived the Navy(!), WH876 returned to the UK in December 1961 where it was put into store at Pershore. The cockpit section is kept at Boscombe Down.

Occupation:
Staff Number 117752H

Retired:
Description: having been employed in the Civil Service for 34 years and 11 months

Died:
Description: Heart failure

Other Events and Attributes:

• Address: From 1941 to; Address:
  Hatch Farm, New Milton, Hampshire
• Address: 1965; Address:
  110, Lauderdale Mansions, Maida Vale, W9

Sean married Barbara WHYMARK on 11 Sep 1964 in Teheran, and was divorced in May 1980. Barbara (daughter of Alfred Edward WHYMARK and Alice Maud KING) was born in 1939. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Address: From 1944 to; Address:
  Hatch Farm, New Milton, Hampshire
• Address: 1965; Address:
  110, Lauderdale Mansions, Maida Vale, W9

Notes:

Died:
Funeral service at Hereford Crematorium, 14th Jan 2012

Vivien married Peter Norman GRAVILLE in 1964. Peter (son of Norman Frederick GRAVILLE and Edna POINTON) was born in 1935 in Worthing; died on 7 May 2013. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Address: 1975; Address:
  110, Lauderdale Mansions, Maida Vale, W9

Notes:

Separated from Mayte

Family/Spouse: Mayté DE LA CUESTA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edna married Jack BALDWIN on 4 Nov 1950 in NSW. Jack was born on 23 Mar 1922 in Colne, Lancashire; died on 25 Oct 2008 in NSW Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Wendy married Donald Frank HOOPER on 30 Sep 1960. Donald was born on 17 Feb 1932; died on 26 Mar 2007. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Wendy married David Howe PROBERT on 8 May 1993. David was born on 28 Jan 1934; died on 19 Jul 2018. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Address: Address:
  2 West Street, Croydon, NSW

Diane married Philip Holford KEENAN on 11 Mar 1967. Philip was born on 24 Jan 1945. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]