Henry Frank Ivall (1896-1962), wood machinist

Henry Frank Ivall was a descendant of Charles Ivall (1779-1832), who was a brother of my ancestor Thomas Ivall (1781-1835).

Henry was born on 29 January 1896 in Hackney, the fourth of the seven children born to Henry Charles Ivall (1867-1935) and his wife Annie nee Johnson (1866-1949). He was baptised on 12 April 1896 in St John's Church, Hackney. His father was a cook who lived at 98 Eleanor Road, Hackney

School records show that Henry was admitted to Eleanor Road Infants School on 14 May 1900. The 1901 census lists Henry Ivall (aged 33, a pastry cook), his wife Annie (34) and their children Margaret (9), Jessie (8), Dorothy (6), Henry Frank (5) and Nellie (Ellen, 3) living at 98 Eleanor Rd, Hackney. Electoral registers show that they were still living there in 1905.

In 1911, the family were living (in 6 rooms) at 11 Chesterfield Rd, Leyton in NE London. At this address were Henry Charles (43, a pastry cook) his wife Annie (43) plus their children Margaret (19, a sewing machinist), Jessie (18, a clerk), Dorothy (16), Henry (15 who worked in a cutting room making underclothing), Nellie (13), Lillian (9) and Sidney (7) also Henry Johnson (80), Annie’s father.

On September 5th 1914, soon after the outbreak of the First World War, Henry joined the 7th Battalion Essex Regiment, which was part of the Territorial Force. His service record is available in the British Army Pension Records section of the Ancestry website. Henry's attestation form gives his age as 18 years 9 months, his occupation as sawyer and home address as 5 Markhouse Avenue, Walthamstow (in NE London). He was 5 foot 7.5 inches tall, chest 34 inches, of average physical development and with good vision. He was examined by a medical officer on the day he enlisted and passed as fit. However, he was assessed by a medical board held at Norwich on November 13th 1914 and deemed medically unfit for further service. It is not stated why. Perhaps he had an illness or accident during his army training ? Henry was discharged from the army on 28 November 1914 after only 84 days of service, all in the UK. He was awarded the Silver War Badge, the medal given to those honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness during World War 1. The cause of his discharge is stated as "Med.Unfit. T.F.Regs 156(11)."

On 15 September 1923 Henry married Lillian Hewitt in West Ham. He was 27 and she was 21. They had one child, Mary Lilian, who was born in 1932. Henry’s father died in 1935.

 Henry Frank Ivall

The 1939 national register shows Henry (a wood machinist) and Lilian Ivall living at 64 Lindley Road, Leyton. Lillian became ill with a genetic disorder which meant that she could not keep her weight down. As a result, she became housebound.

After Henry's mother died in 1949, probate for her estate (£321) was issued to Henry, whose occupation is given as “wood machinist”.

Henry's daughter Mary Lilian Ivall married Kenneth George Coates in 1956.

Henry's daughter Mary (1932-2015) with Henry's sister Lilian Alice Roberts (1901-1984).

Henry died on 13 January 1962 aged 65 in the SW Essex registration district. There is no record of probate being granted on his estate, or that of his wife who died in 1965. They are buried in Walthamstow Cemetery in a double grave that includes plots IA 2905 (Henry) and IA 2906 (Lilian). The inscription reads

In loving memory of 
HENRY FRANK IVALL 
who died 13th January 1962 
aged 65 years. 
LILIAN IVALL 
who died 24th June 1965 
aged 63 years.

Henry Ivall's grave (photos supplied by Barry W)