Rose Lily Kebbell nee Ivall (1885-1965) and her children

Rose was a sister of my grandfather George William Ivall. She was born on 14^th September 1885 in Somers Town, an area of London west of St Pancras Station. Her parents were George Ivall and his wife Alice. They had five children, Rose was their fourth. She was born the year after their third child (called Rosa) had died aged 5 months.

The 1891 census shows George Ivall (aged 38, a cabinet maker), Alice (36), Alice (13), George (10), Rose (5) and Albert (2) living at 51 Freeling Street, Islington. Charles Booth did a poverty survey of London in 1891. He classified the inhabitants of Freeling Street as being in the category “Poor. 18s. to 21s. a week for a moderate family.”

By 1901 the family were living at 125a Holly St, Hackney and consisted of George (aged 49, still a cabinet maker), Alice (47), Alice (23, a theatre bar manageress), Rose (15) and Albert (12). The inhabitants of Holly St are classified in the 1898-9 Booth poverty survey as being “Fairly comfortable. Good ordinary earnings.”

The 1911 census shows Rose (25, a restaurant waitress) living at 76 Princess May Rd, Stoke Newington with her father George (57, a general cabinet maker), mother Alice (55) and brother Albert (22, a general cabinet maker). Later that year, Rose married Walter Edwin Kebbell in Edmonton. He was aged 27, a brewer’s clerk, born in Hackney, a son of Edward Rhodes Kebbell (1834-1915), a carpenter and joiner. She was 26.

Rose and Walter moved to Newport, Isle of Wight, where they had two daughters, Joyce (known as Joy) Lillian Kebbell, born on 18^th January 1914 and Winifred (known as Wynne) Rose Kebbell, born on 6^th May 1915.

 Rose, Wynne, Joy and Walter in 1918

The 1921 census shows the family living at 9 Medina Avenue, Newport. Google Street View shows this to be one of a terrace of Edwardian houses. Walter (aged 37), Rose (35), Joyce (7) and Winifred (6) are listed at the address. Walter's occupation is recorded as "Brewer's manager, bottling dept" working for Whitbread Co Ltd at the Wighthall Brewery, Quay St, Newport. This is about half a mile from 9 Medina Avenue. Also listed are Rose's parents George (aged 67, a retired cabinet maker) and Alice (65). The census was taken in June 1921, so presumably they were visiting their daughter for a summer holiday. 

Clockwise from bottom left : Rose, Charles Alexander Luxford (Rose’s nephew), George Ivall (Rose’s father), Walter, Alice Eliza Ivall (Rose’s mother) and Wynne, c 1929.

Rose’s daughter Joy went to university, which was quite unusual for women at this time. During World War Two, she was a children’s welfare officer, her role being to place evacuees into homes. Phyllis Luxford, the wife of her cousin Charles Luxford, and their two young children were evacuated to live with her in Yeovil.  

Joy in 1933

 Walter and Rose, c 1940

Wynne (aged 30) married Frederick Charles Edwards (aged 34) in February 1946 at St Andrew’s Church, Hove. I have a copy of an item in the Sussex Daily News about the wedding. It says that Fred was recently demobilised from the RAF after nearly four years’ service in the Middle East. Wynne was a school meals organiser for the Brighton Education Committee. The attendants were Wynne’s sister Joy and Gillian Luxford (aged 7), her cousin. The best man was Albert C Gunn, Fred’s brother-in-law. The reception was held at Hove Town Hall and the honeymoon was in Torquay. The article gives Rose and Walter’s address as 46 Langdale Road, Hove and says

“The bride, whose family formerly resided at the Isle of Wight before taking her appointment as school meals organiser for Brighton, established the Yeovil school canteens so satisfactorily that her work drew Ministerial commendation.”

Fred and Wynne on their wedding day

Fred was a wine merchant. Phone books show that he had a shop at 47 Reginald Road, Bexhill-on-Sea in 1950 and 1952. By 1959, his business was located at 6 Collington Mansions, Bexhill-on-Sea.

Rose and Walter had moved to 62 East Street, Brighton by 1950, where they lived until 1962. They then moved to 3 Thornbank, Collington Avenue, Bexhill-on-Sea. I have a vague memory of visiting them there with my parents and noticing that there were several grandfather clocks in the house. Walter died on 19^th January 1964 at St Helena Hospital, Hastings aged 79. Rose died on 15^th February 1965 at Bexhill Hospital, also aged 79. Probate on Rose’s estate (£1,748) was granted to Wynne.

Joy, Fred and Wynne in 1984

My parents kept in touch with Wynne and Fred. They had no children and lived above the off-licence that Fred ran in Bexhill-on-Sea. I remember being told off by Wynne for climbing on their sofa during a visit to them, when I was a young child ! In 1966 they moved to Heather Bank, Winchelsea Bank, Guestling, northeast of Hastings. The house had a largish garden on different levels, which they found difficult to maintain as they got older. Fred died in 1991 aged 80, Wynne on 29^th April 1997 aged 81.

Joy never married. I don’t know much about her life but am told that she was rather a serious person, difficult to relax with. My father commented that Joy was a misnomer for her ! Phone books and/or electoral registers show her living at 128 Wightman Road, South Hornsey, London in 1953. By 1961 she was living at 3 Heathville Road, Islington and by 1966 her address was 48 Barrington Court, Colney Hatch Lane, Muswell Hill. By 1975 she had moved to Bexhill-on-Sea and was living at Lamberley Court, Barnhorn Road. When she died on 21^st February 1998 aged 84, her address was Ledsham Court, 314 The Ridge, Hastings.

Alice Elizabeth Luxford nee Ivall (1877-1939)

Alice Elizabeth Ivall was the elder sister of my grandfather, George William Ivall. She was born on October 6th 1887 in Somers Town, an area of North London between Euston and St Pancras Stations. Her parents were George (1853-1932, a cabinet maker) and Alice Eliza Ivall (1856-1935, maiden name Newman). They married in 1875 and had five children: Alice Elizabeth (1877-1939), George William (1880-1934), Rosa (1884-1884), Rose Lily (1885-1965) and Albert David (1889-1960). Alice was baptised on 28^th October 1877 at Christ Church, Somerstown.

The 1881 census shows George (aged 27), Alice (25), Alice (3) and George (5 months) living at 5 Stebbington Street, St Pancras. The family had moved to 51 Freeling Street, Islington by 1889, when Alice Ivall (aged 11) was admitted to Gifford Street School. In 1891, the family was living at 51 Freeling St and consisted of George (aged 38), Alice (36), Alice (13), George (10), Rose (5) and Albert (2). School admission records for Albert show that the family was living at 33 Boleyn Road, Dalston in 1896 and 61 Spencer Road, Hackney in 1899.

By 1901 the family were living at 125a Holly St, Hackney and consisted of George (aged 49, still a cabinet maker), Alice (47), Alice (23, a theatre bar manageress), Rose (15) and Albert (12). Their son George is not listed as he was in the marines and overseas. The inhabitants of Holly St are classified as category 5 in the 1898-9 Booth poverty survey meaning “Fairly comfortable. Good ordinary earnings.”

Alice married Charles James Luxford on 21^st July 1901 at St Peter’s Church, West Hackney. She was aged 23, he was 22. The parish register gives his name as Charles Henry Luxford, but this seems to be an error, as all other records give his middle name as James. Charles was a builder living at 109 Hertford Street and his father was William Luxford, also a builder.

Alice and Charles’s only child was Charles Alexander Luxford, who was born on 21^st July 1903 (their second wedding anniversary) in Hackney.

Alice as a bridesmaid at the wedding of her brother George William Ivall to Emma Armitage in 1906.

The 1911 census shows Alice and her family living at 109 Hertford Rd, Kingsland, Hackney. Charles, her husband, was a house decorator aged 30, born in Stoke Newington. He is listed as an employer. Alice was aged 31, Charles was aged 7 and at school. The Post Office London Directory for 1915 lists “William Luxford & Son, builders” at 109 Hertford Road.

Electoral registers from 1920 to 1939 show Charles still listed at 109 Hertford Road (his business address), but say that his abode was 204 Selwyn Avenue, Higham Park, London E4 (near Chingford) from 1920 to 1926 and Collingwood House, St Margaret’s at Cliffe (on the Kent coast near Dover) from 1928 to 1939.

 Collingwood House

The house is still there (in Collingwood Road), but has been substantially altered. My mother, Grace Ivall (who was Alice’s niece) had fond childhood memories of holidays staying with Alice and Charles at Collingwood. Her photo album shows her there in 1932 (aged 10) and 1936 (aged 14).

 Grace Ivall at Collingwood in 1932

Alice and Charles built a bungalow, called Collingwood Close, in the grounds of Collingwood House. The photo below was taken in front of Collingwood Close in 1935.

I believe that the people in this photo are (left to right) Emma Ivall (my grandmother), Charles and Alice Luxford

The national register compiled in September 1939 shows Charles (a master builder and decorator) and Alice at Collingwood Close.

Alice died at Collingwood Close on November 28^th 1939 aged 62. The following item appeared in a local newspaper

Mr A Ivall was Alice’s brother Albert. Miss A Gay was Ada Constance Gay, Alice’s housekeeper, who married Charles in 1941. My mother was amongst those who sent a floral tribute to the funeral.

Charles James Luxford in 1949

Charles James Luxford died (from a cerebral haemorrhage) at Collingwood Close on 23^rd November 1949 aged 70. He is buried in Westcliffe Churchyard in the same grave as Alice. The Dover Express reported

The Church lost a regular member and a sidesman through the passing, after a brief illness, of Mr. Charles James Luxford, of Collingwood Close, Nelson Park. Mr. Luxford, aged 70, came to St. Margaret’s from London about 23 years ago.

Albert David Ivall (1889-1960), furniture maker and shop fitter

Albert David Ivall was the younger brother of my grandfather George William Ivall (1880 – 1934).

Albert was born on 10 January 1889 in Somerstown (an area of London near St Pancras), the fifth of the five children of George Ivall (1853 - 1932) and Alice Ivall nee Newman (1855 - 1935). He was baptized in St Pancras Church on 4 February 1889. The baptism record mistakenly gives his name as Alfred David Ivall. The family’s address was 16 Clarendon Place, Seymour Street. The 1891 census shows George Ivall (aged 38, a cabinet maker), Alice (36), Alice (13), George (10), Rose (5) and Albert (2) living at 51 Freeling Street*, Islington. Charles Booth did a poverty survey of London in 1891. He classified the inhabitants of Freeling Street as being in the category “Poor. 18s. to 21s. a week for a moderate family.”

School admission records show that in 1896 Albert (aged 7) attended Tottenham Road Junior Mixed School, Kingsland. His family's address was 33 Boleyn Road, Kingsland. By 1899 he had moved to Shap Street School, Hackney and his address was 61 Spencer Road.

By 1901 the family were living at 125a Holly St*, Hackney and consisted of George (aged 49, still a cabinet maker), Alice (47), Alice (23, a theatre bar manageress), Rose (15) and Albert (12). The inhabitants of Holly St are classified in the 1898-9 Booth poverty survey as being “Fairly comfortable. Good ordinary earnings.”

The 1910 London Post Office Directory contains an entry for Albert David Ivall, Sign writer. He was part of Boynett & Ivall, Sign writers of Ruthven Street, Hackney. It seems to have been a short lived partnership as it is not listed in 1909 and in 1911, the entry is for Boynett & Co, Sign writers.

The 1911 census shows Albert (22, a general cabinet maker) living at 76 Princess May Rd, Stoke Newington with his father George (57, a general cabinet maker), mother Alice (55) and sister Rose (25, a restaurant waitress).

Albert married Florence Edith Armitage on 24 January 1914 in St Matthias Church, Stoke Newington, Hackney. The marriage certificate gives his age as 25 and hers as 26. His occupation is given as cabinet joiner. The witnesses were Florence’s eldest brother Robert (who died in World War 1) and my grandmother Emma Ivall nee Armitage. Florence was the younger sister of Emma Armitage (1883 - 1970), who had married George Ivall (Albert’s brother) in 1906. Albert and Florence had two children namely Kathleen Edith Ivall (1916 - 1999) and Marjorie Joan Ivall (1921 - 2013). My mother, Grace Evelyn Ivall (1922 - 2006) and Marjorie were similar ages and became close childhood friends.

During World War 1, Albert served as a Sapper (Regimental No 552789) in the Royal Engineers. His campaign medals (the British and Victory Medals) indicate that he was conscripted in 1916. Electoral registers show Albert living at 101 Farleigh Road, Hackney in 1919. Trade Union records show that Albert joined the Kingsland and Hackney branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters, Cabinetmakers & Joiners on January 20th 1919, having been in the trade for 14 years. However, they also show that he was excluded from the Union later that year. The reason is not given.

Albert and Florence moved to 8 Mapledene Rd*, Dalston (in Hackney) in 1920. The 1921 census shows Albert (aged 32), Florence (34), Kathleen (5) and Marjorie (2 months) living at 8 Mapledene Road. Albert's occupation was shop fitter and showcase maker, he was an employer and worked at Kingston Works, 12A Station Buildings, Station Street, Haggerston.

Alice (Albert’s mother), came to live with the family in 1932 after George Ivall (his father) died that year. She died at 8 Mapledene Rd on 12 May 1935.

Albert, his children Kathleen and Marjorie and wife Florence in 1933

The family moved to 75 Osidge Lane, Southgate, North London in 1937. My mother stayed with them for 6 months in 1939 to 40. While she was there a large bomb fell on a house nearby and lives were lost. Also an incendiary bomb resulted in a house opposite being badly damaged by fire. 75 Osidge Lane still exists – it is a 1930’s chalet style semi-detached house. Albert was a perfectionist by nature, who liked everything to be just right. My mother remembered that, when she was living in Osidge Lane, he used to tell her off for leaving the sink plug in the wrong place ! He believed that children should be well behaved.

Albert was part of the furniture making firm, Andrews, Scroggs and Ivall. He later worked as a shop fitter for Cooks of Finsbury. In 1938 his occupation was a given as “work manager” on his daughter Kathleen’s marriage certificate. It was listed as "shop fitting work manager" in the 1939 national register. In 1942 it was given as “shopfitter’s manager”. Albert “gave away” my mother at her wedding in 1944 (her father had died in 1934). His name is on the marriage certificate as a witness.

Florence Ivall (Albert’s wife) died on 2 February 1945 aged 57. Probate records show that administration of her estate was granted to “Albert David Ivall, inspector.” He inspected timber for the Government. The Imperial Calender (an annual publication giving the names of salaried Civil Servants) shows A D Ivall as a Senior Assistant in the Timber Control section of the Board of Trade between 1948 and 1952. The salary range for his grade in 1948 was £750 to £900 (equivalent to £17,100 to £20,500 now).

Albert and his second wife, Grace on their wedding day

Albert married Grace Nettleton (1903 - 1976) on 8 May 1946 in Edmonton. He was aged 57, she was 42. They both went to the same church, St Andrew’s, Chase Side, Southgate. Grace had been the Sunday school teacher to both Kathleen and Marjorie. They were living at 75 Osidge Lane in 1951. By 1952 their address was 51 The Drive, Potters Bar (where Albert ran an ironmonger’s shop) and by 1957 they were living at 45 Trent Gardens, Southgate.

Albert died on 24 February 1960 aged 71, at Highlands Hospital, Southgate. He was buried in Southgate Cemetery (grave HA 442) with his wife Florence. The gravestone says

AT REST

Father in thy gracious keeping

Leave we now our loved one sleeping

Treasured memories of

FLORENCE EDITH IVALL

Died 2^nd February 1945 Aged 57

Ever thoughtful, faithful loving and true

Selfishness she never knew

Her thoughts were for others to the last

We shall miss her sadly

Till our lives have passed

Also

ALBERT DAVID IVALL

Died 24^th February 1960 Aged 71

(There is a line below, which is illegible)

There are three stained glass windows in the baptistry at the West end of St Andrew’s Church, Southgate which are dedicated to Albert. A plaque reads “To the Glory of God and in memory of Albert David Ivall died 24^th February 1960, church warden of this parish 1939 – 1946”.

Albert’s second wife, Grace, died in 1976 aged 72.

* None of these houses exist now, their sites having been developed with new housing

George William Ivall (1880-1934), bus conductor and caretaker

George William Ivall was my grandfather. He was born on 8 November 1880 in Somers Town, an area of North London between Euston and St Pancras Stations. His parents were George (1853-1932, a cabinet maker) and Alice Ivall (1856-1935, maiden name Newman). They had five children : Alice Elizabeth (1877-1939), George William (1880-1934), Rosa (1884-1884), Rose Lily (1885-1965) and Albert David (1889-1960).

The 1881 census shows George (aged 27), Alice (25), Alice (3) and George (5 months) living at 5 Stebbington Street, St Pancras. School records show that in 1885 George (aged 4, address 47 Drummond Crescent) was admitted to St Matthew’s National School, St Pancras. The family had moved to 51 Freeling Street, Islington by 1889, when Alice Ivall (George’s sister) was admitted to Gifford Street School. In 1891, the family was living at 51 Freeling St and consisted of George (aged 38), Alice (36), Alice (13), George (10), Rose (5) and Albert (2). School admission records for Albert show that the family was living at 33 Boleyn Road, Dalston in 1896 and 61 Spencer Road, Hackney in 1899.

On 26 January 1899, George (then aged 18) joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry as a Private. His enlistment papers give his trade as French polisher, his height as 5’7”, hair brown, eyes hazel. He was discharged on 20 November 1902 “having paid the regulated amount of £20” to leave early. He had spent 3 years 299 days in the Marines of which 2 years 149 days was service afloat. This included from 4 Sep 1900 to 30 Sep 1902 aboard HMS Nymphe. He was awarded a good conduct badge and his service record describes his character and ability as very good. He did not take part in any military engagements. My mother was told that he went to South America when a marine.

George may have participated in a football match in Brazil because on May 18, 1901 the "Sport Club Rio Grande" football team from the port town of Rio Grande played against the sailors of the British gunboat "Nymphe". The result was a draw of 2-2. A second match was held, this time with Brazilian victory by 2-1. It is likely that these were the first international friendlies of a Brazilian football club.

George married Emma Armitage (b 1883) on 26^th August 1906. He was 25, a bus conductor, and she 23. They married at St Matthias Church, Stoke Newington. George’s address on the marriage certificate was 5 Mall Road, Hammersmith. This is a road near Hammersmith Bridge. Their first daughter Florence Rose (known as Flossie) was born on 21 June 1908 in S Hammersmith.

Marriage of George William Ivall to Emma Armitage

George is listed in the 1911 census aged 29, a motor omnibus conductor living at 11 Mall Road, S Hammersmith. His wife and daughter are listed at her mother’s address in Stoke Newington – they must have been staying there on the day of the census.

George, working as a bus conductor

The 1921 census shows George (aged 40), his wife Emma (37) and daughter Florence (13) living at 9 Linkfield Road, Isleworth. George's occupation was omnibus conductor, working for the London General Bus Company. Also living with them was Emma's youngest brother George Henry Armitage (aged 23), who was an audit clerk working for the Railway Cleaning House, Euston Square, London. He was also a successful amateur footballer who later played for Charlton Athletic and England.

Flossie caught pneumonia when a child which resulted in damage to her heart. She became an invalid needing a wheelchair and she died on 20^th August 1922, aged 14. Their second daughter, Grace Evelyn, was born on 20^th January 1922 at 9 Linkfield Road, Isleworth. Electoral registers for 1919 to 1924 show Emma and George living at this address with George Henry Armitage.

George William Ivall

George served in the First World War as a Gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery. I have his campaign medals, which were the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was made deaf in one ear as a result of his war service. This made it difficult for him for to continue working as a bus conductor after the war, although the birth certificate of his daughter Grace shows that this was still his occupation in 1922. In 1926 he got a job as the caretaker of the Licensed Vehicle Workers’ Sick Benefit Club at 30 Brixton Rd, Kennington (near the Oval cricket ground). The family lived on the top floor of the premises. I have a letter dated 20^th January 1933 from the secretary of the club saying that the following resolution had been passed by the club committee :

“That a vote of thanks be accorded to Mr &Mrs Ivall for the care and conscientious manner in which they have carried out their duties, and the increased revenue from lettings is noted with great pleasure.”

His father passed on cabinet making skills to George who spent a lot of his spare time creating furniture and doll’s houses for various people. Our family has several items made by him.

George’s health was generally good, but in August 1934 he suddenly developed severe pain in his abdomen, having been well the previous day. The doctor diagnosed the problem as colic but it did not respond to treatment. That evening George was admitted to hospital but by then it was too late and George died soon afterwards on 16^th August 1934, aged 53, of acute peritonitis in St Giles Hospital, Camberwell. His funeral was held at St Mark’s Church, Kennington on 20^th August and he was buried in Isleworth Cemetery in the same grave as his daughter, Flossie.

George’s will (made in 1931) left everything to Emma, his wife, except his gold chain to William Armitage (Emma’s eldest surviving brother), his tools and the contents of his workshop to George Armitage (Emma’s youngest brother), his clothes to Albert Ivall (George’s brother) and £10 to each of his parents. George owned 5 Linkfield Rd, the tenants of which were Mr and Mrs Lewis, who my mother remembered as an elderly couple. The gross value of the estate was £497-19-1.

George was much liked and had a good sense of humour. His family were devastated by his early death. However, his wife continued as the caretaker at Brixton Rd until 1939 when she re-married and moved to Cambridge. She died in 1970.