Dorothy Lucy Ivall (1895-1970)

Dorothy Lucy Ivall was a great grand-daughter of Robert Thomas Ivall (1812-65), who was a brother of my ancestor David Ivall (1816-67). This item about Dorothy’s life contains information kindly supplied by Richard, one of her sons.

Dorothy was born on 24 October 1895 in Chalvey, a village which is now a suburb of Slough in Berkshire. She was the eldest child of Walter George Ivall (1868-1953) and his wife Lily Mary Crabe Bartlett (1872-1915) who married on 1 January 1895 in St Mary’s, Slough. He was 26 and a school master. She was 23, the daughter of William Bartlett, a butler. They later had three other daughters Lily Victoria (1900-73), Margaret Olive (1902-59) and Katherine Mildred (1907-86). They also had two other children Mary (b1896) and Thomas (b1899) who died soon after birth. Electoral registers show that Walter lived at 6 Rose Cottages, Chalvey from 1897 to 1899.

The 1901 census shows Walter (aged 32, an assistant schoolmaster) living at 7 Castle View off Grove Road, Upton St Mary, Slough. Also listed at the address are his wife Lily Mary (22) and their daughters Dorothy (5) and Lily Victoria (5 months).

In 1911, Dorothy, aged 15, was living at 18 Robert Street, Grosvenor Square, London with three other single people. The census return shows them all as “Shop assistant, dairy”. Dorothy’s mother died of cancer in 1915, aged 43. Her father married Alice Cumber in 1921 and they had three children.

Dorothy married Frank de Betham Hart on 16 September 1918 in Hampstead. She was aged 22, he was 32. When Dorothy and Frank first met she was a cook in a wartime canteen and he was a chartered Electrical Engineer. She was an extremely good cook and a very lively personality.  She had a very good (and pure) soprano voice, Frank was an accomplished baritone.  Both were more or less dedicated to musicals popular in that period and particularly to the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. They had six children, four sons and two daughters.

Dorothy with one of her children

Lily, Dorothy’s sister, lived with the family. Lily was crippled – not badly and it transpired very late in life that her handicap was the result of a dislocated ankle during childhood. Medical advice was expensive in the Edwardian era and a schoolmaster’s salary did not run to a consultation. Lily became Dorothy’s helpmate and the children’s nursemaid. Dorothy did the housekeeping – i.e. shopping and cooking. Lily did everything else, for most of this employment at half a crown a week wages (plus ‘keep') !

Lily Victoria Ivall

Frank joined Tom Callenders Electrical and Cables Company, which later became B.I.C.C.  (British Insulated Callenders Cable Company).  Mostly he worked as a Field Engineer, particularly in Spain, France, Germany and Hungary, before becoming largely responsible for the construction of the National Grid System in the U.K.  He was promoted to the Board of B.I.C.C. and made Managing Director of BICC’s construction company, until his retirement in the mid-1950s.

The 1939 register lists Frank de Betham Hart, a chartered electrical engineer, living at 116 South Hill Park, Hampstead with Dorothy and their eldest son. 116 South Hill Park received a direct hit plus 2 incendiary bombs during the war, severely damaging part of the property. Dorothy endured a period of alcoholism, partly as a result of the London Blitz, but had by the late 1950s cured herself by strength of will.

Frank became ill with a bowel complaint in early 1963. After a period of treatment in the Middlesex Hospital he was taken to convalesce in Upholland, near Wigan, where his daughter lived with her husband, the vicar. Unfortunately Frank had a relapse and died shortly afterwards in Wigan hospital of pneumonia on 13 August 1963 aged 76.   

Dorothy suffered from diabetes. An unfortunate gift of a box of chocolates coincided with a temporary loss of will power. She scoffed the lot and suffered a stroke, from which she never recovered. She died a few weeks later in Hampstead Hospital on 10 March 1970 aged 74. Probate records give her home address as 116 South Hill Park, London NW3. Administration of  her estate (£332) was granted. 

Neil Ivall : "Paedophile Hunter"

A report on ITV news http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2015-11-04/parents-turn-paedophile-hunters-after-their-own-daughter-is-targeted/ begins 

"Two self-styled 'paedophile hunters' from Bedfordshire who've already played a part in sending two men to jail say that they will continue to try and protect children. Neil and Katie Ivall from Dunstable started doing stings on potential paedophiles after their daughter was targeted online."

The report contains video of an interview with Neil and Katie.

Another article about Neil and Katie Ivall was published on the Mail Online on January 4th 2016
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3383436/Paedophile-hunting-couple-capture-moment-caught-pervert-arriving-supermarket-meet-14-year-old-girl-luring-fake-Facebook-profile.html

I believe that Neil is in the branch of the Ivall family descended from Thomas Ivall (1837-1908), a baker who lived in Chalvey, which is now a suburb of Slough.

Robert Thomas Owen Ivall (1876-1953), fireman

Robert was a grandson of Robert Thomas Ivall (1812-65), the brother of my ancestor David Ivall (1816-67).  I have recently found paperwork (held by the London Metropolitan Archives) relating to Robert’s apprenticeship on the training ship Arethusa. It contains information about his early life, which I have added to this profile.

Robert was born on 6 September 1876 in Chalvey, a village which is now a suburb of Slough, Berkshire, and was baptised there on 15 October 1876. He was the fifth of six children born to Owen (b1846) and Emily Maria Ivall nee Moss (1845-83). They had 3 boys and 3 girls, although two of these children died before they reached adulthood.

The 1881 census shows Owen Ivall aged 35, a whitesmith (someone who makes or finishes items made of tin) living at 2 Sussex Place, Chalvey with his wife Emily Maria (34) and children Maria Emily(12), Eliza Ada (8) and Robert Thomas (4). There were several relations of Robert living in Chalvey at this time. Owen’s sister Marian was living at 6 Sussex Place with her husband Thomas Soen and their 5 children. Owen’s brother Thomas, his wife Lucy and their 6 children lived at 1 Jordan Place.

Robert’s mother died in 1883 when he was aged 6. His father married Sarah Smith nee Plumridge in 1885. Owen was arrested for public drunkness in 1886 and had frequent quarrels with his wife. They had separated by 1887.

Robert attended Chalvey National School for 5 years and Slough British School for 2 years, leaving in 1888 aged 12. He then did a series of menial jobs, cleaning knives and boots for 3 months, then working at a grocer’s for 4 months, a laundry for 12 months and a greengrocer’s for 3 months. I can’t find Robert or his family in the April 1891 census – they weren’t living at 2 Sussex Place then. Robert’s father deserted his children in June 1891, when Robert was aged 14. He tried to join the Royal Navy but was rejected for being just too short. By October 1891 Robert had been out of work for 3 months. However, he was then given the opportunity of an apprenticeship on board the training ship Arethusa, to learn the duties of a sailor.

In 1866, Lord Shaftesbury, a philanthropist and campaigner for the rights of children, promoted the idea of a naval training ship for homeless boys in London. Shaftesbury persuaded the Admiralty to loan a redundant 50-gun frigate called the Chichester. The ship was moored on the Thames off Greenhithe in Kent. It was managed by a committee of the 'National Refuges for Homeless and Destitute Children'. In 1873, following a donation of £5,000 from Lady Burdett-Coutts, a second ship was established. For this role, the Navy contributed the Arethusa, a wooden frigate which could accommodate staff and 250 boys. The Arethusa, built in 1849 had seen action in Crimea and was the last British ship to go into battle under sail. She took up position at Greenhithe and was officially opened on 3rd August, 1874. The Chichester was disposed of in 1889.

Training Ship Arethusa (in 1900)

Training for the boys included how use a compass and lead (to measure the depth of water), knotting and splicing rope, sail-making, knowledge of all running gear and parts of ship, reefing and furling sails, rowing and steering, swimming, cooking, carpentry and tailoring. Discipline was firm, punishments included birching. Arethusa boys were known on board only by their number, not by their name.

When Robert joined the Arethusa on 10 October 1891, he was aged 15, 4 foot 11¾  inches tall, his weight was 94 lbs and waist 30½  inches. He seems to have done well during his time on board – he was awarded two good conduct badges, a swimming prize, the Fleming Prize and the Rawlings Jersey. He was confirmed by the Bishop of Southwark at Greenhithe Church in December 1891. When Robert left the Arethusa on 30 September 1892, he was aged 16, 5 foot 1 inch tall, his weight was 112 lbs and waist 32 inches. He then obtained a job as a merchant seaman on “The Canada of Windsor” starting in October 1892. He worked on this ship for four periods between 1892 and 1895, each time being given a “very good” rating on discharge.

Robert joined the London Fire Brigade on 2 April 1898 aged 21. I have a copy of his service record. He was based at New Cross until 1 August 1900 when he transferred to Blackheath, where he stayed until 3 October 1901.

On June 22nd 1901, Robert married Florence Sarah Durnford at St John The Evangelist, Blackheath. They were both aged 24 and went on to have three children namely Robert Daniel (1902-92), Florence Sarah (1903-89) and Daniel Durnford (1905-2000). Both the sons later followed their father into the London Fire Brigade.

Marriage register entry for Robert

Parish records for the baptism of Robert Daniel Ivall in 1902 at St Thomas’s, Charlton, give the family’s address as 12 Springfield Park Crescent, Catford. When Florence Sarah Ivall was baptised in 1904, the address was Fire Station, Lordship Lane, Dulwich.

Robert had spells at Rushey Green (1901-3), Dulwich (1903-7), Eltham (1907-8), Greenwich (1908-9), Charlton (1909-10) and Perry Vale (1910-14) fire stations. The 1911 census shows Robert (aged 35, a fireman) his wife Florence (35) and children Robert (8), Florence (7) and Daniel (5) living at 199 Perry Vale, Forest Hill in SE London.

Robert was appointed a drill instructor in 1914 and spent the rest of his service as a Training Officer at the London Fire Brigade Head Quarters (in Southwark Bridge Road). In 1916 Robert was cautioned for accepting refreshments from strangers at a fire. In February 1918 he was personally thanked by the Chief Officer for services rendered. Having completed 20 years satisfactory service he was allowed to occupy married quarters in the Brigade rent free as from April 1918.

The 1921 census shows Robert (aged 44, a fireman working for the London County Council in Southwark) and Florence (45) living in 3 rooms at Southwark Fire Station with their children Robert (19, a messenger's mailing clerk), Florence (17) and Daniel (15, an office boy). 

Robert was promoted to the rank of probationary sub officer in 1922 and became a permanent sub officer in 1923. He retired from the London Fire Brigade in 1924 aged 47 after 26 years service and was awarded a pension of 62 shillings (equivalent to £93 at current values) a week. His record sheet shows “VG” for character and ability.

Robert then joined the Hampton Court Fire Brigade and lived in the palace grounds while he was stationed there. Electoral registers show him and his family at Hampton Court Palace from 1925 to 1936. He later developed heart trouble and retired to Bexhill, but didn’t like it there and moved to Abbey Wood in SE London. The 1939 national register and 1946 electoral register show him and his wife living at 4 Chancelot Road, Abbey Wood.

Robert died of cancer on 11 July 1953 aged 76 at 4 Chancelot Road and was buried in Plumstead Cemetery in grave 455, section O. 

Memorial on Robert's grave

The probate index record reads

“Robert Thomas Owen Ivall of 4 Chancelot Rd, Abbey Wood died 11 Jul 1953. Probate to Robert Daniel Ivall, temporary civil servant. Estate £1,268.”

His wife Florence lived until 1974 when she died aged 98 and was buried in the same grave as Robert.

Robert Daniel Ivall (1902-1992), fireman

Robert Daniel Ivall was a great grandson of Robert Thomas Ivall (1812-1865), the elder brother of David Ivall (1816-1867), my great great grandfather. This profile of Robert’s life contains information from his son.

Robert was born on 19^th June 1902 in Catford, SE London, the eldest of three children born to Robert Thomas Owen Ivall (1876-1953) and Florence Sarah Ivall nee Durnford (1876-1974). Parish records for the baptism of Robert Daniel Ivall in 1902 at St Thomas’s, Charlton, give the family’s address as 12 Springfield Park Crescent, Catford. Robert’s father was a fireman who was based at Rushey Green (1901-3), Dulwich (1903-7), Eltham (1907-8), Greenwich (1908-9), Charlton (1909-10) and Perry Vale (1910-14) fire stations. The 1911 census shows Robert Ivall (aged 35, a fireman) his wife Florence (35) and children Robert (8), Florence (7) and Daniel (5) living at 199 Perry Vale, Forest Hill in SE London.

Robert joined the Merchant Navy when aged 16. His service record shows that he joined as a deck boy, was 5 foot 8 inches tall, with fair hair and green-grey eyes. He was in the Navy for 2 years, until 1920. 

Photo of Robert from his Merchant Navy record

Robert applied to join the London Fire Brigade in 1921, when aged 19. His father had followed the same career path, as would his brother Daniel. Robert started work as a probationary fireman on 24^th November 1921, on 68s 6d per week, based at 60 Waterloo Road, London.

In 1928, Robert married Cecilia Rosina Merriott in Lambeth. He was aged 26, she was 24. They had a daughter (Marie Cecilia) in 1930 and a son (Daniel Robert) in 1931. The 1932 electoral register shows Robert and Cecilia’s address as the Fire Station, Eltham High Street. Soon afterwards, they moved to 39 Montrose Avenue, Welling (where Robert was still living in 1984). 

Robert’s service record shows that he transferred to Shooter’s Hill fire station in 1935, then to Dockhead, Bermondsey (in 1936), Lewisham (in 1937), Plumstead (in 1938) and Deptford (later in 1938). In 1938 he was promoted to become a Sub Officer (on 95s per week) at Pageant’s Wharf fire station in Rotherhithe. Robert was transferred back to Dockhead in 1939 and during “The Blitz” he had a very tough time fighting the dockland fires. He was promoted to Company Officer (on £350 pa) in 1942. A Company Officer is in charge of a crew of firefighters and their apparatus. He was later in charge of a temporary fire station at Lombard Wall School in Charlton. After that Robert was in charge of another temporary station at Rangers House on Blackheath. In 1948 he was appointed as Station Officer in charge of Plumstead fire station. Robert left the fire brigade on 31^st January 1950 after serving for 28 years. He then worked as a Clerical Assistant in the Pay Office at Woolwich Barracks and subsequently at the Civil Service Pay Office in Foots Cray.

Robert and Cecilia Ivall

Robert was a well-liked, even tempered and hard-working family man.  He was an avid reader of non-fiction works and loved recounting stories of his own experiences in life. He took a keen interest in growing vegetables and tending his greenhouse. His main outside interest was walking which he did at every opportunity. In later life he gained many friendships with members of his local church.

Cecilia Ivall died in 1979 aged 75. Robert died on 13 February 1992 at St Vincent’s Orthopaedic Hospital, Hillingdon aged 89. He was buried in Plumstead Cemetery in the same grave as his wife. His parents are buried nearby.

Gravestone of Cecilia and Robert Ivall

Robert George Ivall DFM (1923-2011), RAF Pilot in WW2

Robert George Ivall (known as Bob) was a great grandson of Robert Thomas Ivall (1812-65), who was a brother of my ancestor David Ivall (1816-67). This profile contains information from Robert’s son, his niece and nephew.

Robert was born on 6^th January 1923, the eldest of three children born to Walter George Ivall (1868-1953) and his second wife Alice Ivall nee Cumber (1884-1959), who married in 1921. Walter previously had six children (of which two died soon after birth) with his first wife Lily, who passed away in 1915. When Robert was born, his father was aged 55 and his mother was 38. Walter was deputy headmaster of Slough National School in the 1920s. Robert was born and grew up in Chalvey, a suburb of Slough. He nearly died from a perforated appendix aged 9 and was sent to convalesce at a farm near Dallington, Sussex, the home of Jack Croft, a tenant farmer married to Kate Hobden, who was Walter's first cousin.

The 1939 Register shows Robert, a motor mechanic, living at 11 Whiteford Road, Slough with his parents. Robert joined the RAF during the Second World War. He was too young to take part in the Battle of Britain (in 1940) but underwent flight training near Liverpool in 1942. He was then shipped to Cape Town in South Africa. From there he traveled by train to East Africa and by flying boat from Lake Victoria to Egypt. He thought he would drown when the flying boat almost sunk on landing. Robert then saw action in Malta and Italy, flying Spitfires and Hurricanes. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, which was given to non-commissioned officers and men for acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active operations against the enemy. A total of 6,637 DFMs were awarded during the Second World War. Robert didn’t talk about his war time experiences much and his son doesn’t know the reason why he was given a DFM. Of the intake of pilots with whom he trained in the UK, Robert believed he was the only one to survive the war.

Robert in his RAF uniform

After the war, Robert got a job working for a business called Car Electricals in Slough. His role was to find and supply electrical components to customers, who included the nearby Pinewood Studios.

In 1951 he married Barbara Eileen Dunford at St Laurence’s Church, Upton (on the edge of Slough). He was aged 28, she was 25, a daughter of the manager of the Slough Co-op (the biggest shop in town). They had a son who was born in 1953 and moved into 50 Alpha Street in Slough, a house that was owned by Barbara’s parents. Robert lived here for the rest of his life. Robert and Barbara adopted many cats that found their way to their door. After their dog Candy died they had up to six cats at a time.

Sadly, Barbara died of cancer in 1981 aged 55. This was a loss that Robert never got over. In 1988, when he reached the age of 65, he retired from full time work at Car Electricals and then worked there part time for several years.

Robert was often kind and generous. In 1942, whilst he was stationed near Liverpool, he responded to an advert for a second hand Hornby train set on sale in Manchester. Robert travelled there, bought the train set and gave it to his two nephews as a Christmas present. This was a huge gift at that time. He was a good artist and drew pictures of Hurricanes or Spitfires in pencil. Robert’s son describes his father as a character, who would say things to get a reaction from other people. He was rather shy and had to be cajoled into taking part in social events, although once there, he would normally take part enthusiastically. Robert was a pipe smoker, like his father.

In 2011, Robert had a stroke in the night and was admitted to Wexham Park Hospital. He died there a few weeks later on 16^th September 2011 aged 88. A funeral service for him was held at St Laurence’s Church, which he had attended. After his cremation, his ashes were placed with those of his wife in the churchyard.

Fred Gregory Bampton (1891-1917), soldier who died in World War One

Fred Gregory Bampton was a great grandson of Robert Thomas Ivall (1812-65), the brother of my ancestor David Ivall (1816-67). Fred’s grandmother was Jane Ivall (1841-71), who married John Bampton (1839-1908).

Fred was born on 3 March 1891, the third of four children born to John Robert Bampton and his wife Jane Maria nee Gregory who married in 1884. The family appear in the 1891 census living at 1 York Place, Chalvey (which is now a suburb of Slough). Listed were John Bampton (aged 27, hammerman in iron works), his wife Jane (29) and their children Mary (6), Clarence (4) and an unnamed son 1month old (this was Fred). The children were all born in Chalvey.

In 1901 the family consisted of John Bampton (37, a smith), Jane (39), Mary (16), Clarence (14), Fred (10) and Corrie (a son, 8 months old). Their address is given as 5 York Place, Chalvey.

Fred enlisted for the Royal Navy at Chatham on 8 October 1907, giving his age as 18 years old (he was actually only 16 years old). His Naval Service number was 366329. He is listed as having small tattoos on his left arm and a burn mark on his right ankle. He had been employed previously as ‘Houseboy in Brewery’. His naval record showed that :

8 October 1907 – 18 September 1908 he served as ‘Boy Servant’ on HMS Wildfire (this was the name of a shore establishment at Sheerness).

19 September 1908 – 30 September 1909 he served as ‘Officers Boy Servant Third Class’ on HMS Pembroke (the name given to shore barracks at Chatham).

1 October 1909 – 21 September 1910 he served as ‘Officers Cook Third Class’ on HMS Berwick (an armoured cruiser completed in 1903, assigned to the North America and West Indies station in 1909).

The last entry on his record sheet on 21 September 1910 was ‘Shore O.R.’ (on reserve).

The 1911 census shows Jane (49), Clarence (24, a carter in a gravel pit), Fred (20, a naval servant) and Corrie (10) at 5 York Cottages, Church St, Chalvey. The words “husband away” are written on the census return. The family were living in 4 rooms.

When the first world was declared in August 1914, Fred was aged 23. He volunteered to join the army and was sent to France, arriving on 28 April 1915 as part of the 3^rd Reserve Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He was wounded twice but returned to active service with the 1^st/4^th Battalion.

Fred was killed in action on 15 February 1917 aged 25. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that he was a Private in the 1^st/4^th Battalion of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry at the time of his death. The War Diary of his unit is held in the National Archives at Kew. It says that the Battalion was providing brigade support 1500 yards East of Flaucourt on 15 February 1917. Flaucourt is a village about 4 miles West of the town of Peronne and was on ground gained by the French Army in 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. The war diary reads

“9.30am : Several hostile aeroplanes over, which were “strafed” by our Lewis Guns

10.15am : Shelling of neighbourhood of Battalion HQ commenced. This continued, without cessation till 1pm being particularly fierce for about the first ¾ of an hour. Several hundred shells were fired, principally 15cm Hows (Howitzers). Several direct hits scored on dugouts occupied by Bt HQ & C Coy (Company), also on a dump of French bombs on the road close by. Casualties killed 2Lt B.VOKES – from a shell which burst just outside entrance to C Coy’s HQ & 1 O.R.(Other Ranks) Wounded 5 O.R.”

In the margin it says

“2Lt B.VOKES C Coy killed

235012 Pte BAMPTON D Coy killed”

The names of the 5 wounded men are also given.

Fred is buried in the Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu, which is about 3 miles North of Flaucourt. The cemetery contains nearly 600 dead from the 1914-18 war. It was enlarged after the armistice by moving dead from small burial grounds nearby. One of these was the Achille British Cemetery, Flaucourt on a trench about 1 kilometres East of Flaucourt. This was in use in February 1917 and was probably where Fred was initially buried. Hem Farm Cemetery is in a peaceful position surrounded by fields, just outside the village of Hem-Monacu and near the River Somme. 

Fred’s gravestone says “235012 Private / F G Bampton / Oxford & Bucks Light Inf / 15^th February 1917 Age 24.”

Hem Farm Military Cemetery

The following item appeared in the Deaths section of the Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer dated 10 March 1917 :

“BAMPTON. – On February 15^th, Fred Gregory Bampton, late Private 2^nd Oxford and Bucks L.I., son of Mr and Mrs Bampton of 5 York Place, Chalvey, who was killed in action, aged 25 years.

No mother or father to see him die

No sister or brother to say “Goodbye”,

No friends or relations to grasp his hand,

But we all hope to meet in that better land.”

Fred's mother Jane was sent £5 1s 6d (his effects) by the Army in 1917 and a war gratuity of £9 10s in 1919. 

The medal card of Fred G Bampton records that he was awarded the Victory Medal, British Medal and 1915 Star. The first two of these medals were given to all British soldiers who fought in WW1. The 1915 Star was only awarded to those who fought in 1915 (those who joined when conscription was introduced in 1916 did not receive it).

Fred’s name is recorded on the war memorials at St Peter’s Church in Chalvey, St Mary’s Church in Slough and Kingsway United Reformed Church in Slough.

A further item was printed in Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer on the second anniversary of Fred’s death

“BAMPTON. – In ever loving memory of my dear son, Pte. Fred Gregory Bampton, late 2^nd Oxford and Bucks L.I., who was killed in action Feb 15^th, 1917.

It’s sweet to think we’ll meet again

Where troubles are no more

And that the one we loved so dear

Has just gone on before

Thy purpose, Lord, we cannot see,

But all is well that’s done by Thee.

Two years has passed, we miss his loving smile

Our hearts are aching, yet a little while

And we shall meet within the golden gate

God comfort us – God help us – while we wait

From his loving Mum, Dad, Sister and Brothers”

Thomas Edward Ivall (1926-97), electronic engineer

Thomas Edward Ivall was a great grandson of Robert Thomas Ivall (1812-65), the elder brother of David Ivall (1816-67), my great great grandfather.

On 17 March 1926, Thomas was born in the village of Chalvey near Slough, the only child of Percy Bertram Ivall (1879-1971) and his wife Mary Ann nee Foreman (1891-1970) who had married in 1917. Percy was 46 when Thomas was born and Mary was 34. Thomas grew up at their house, 1 Chalvey Road East, which still exists.

Thomas was fascinated by radio from when he was a boy. He went to Slough Grammar School. In 1939 (aged 13) he sat the entrance exam to the High Wycombe Technical Institute and was one of 20 boys awarded a special place there. At the age of only 17 he was working for the electronics department of the BBC. He was part of a four man team who in 1944 developed the first truly portable disc recorder for use by War Correspondents. It was first used on D-Day and later used extensively during the Liberation of Europe. Tom spent a short time in the RAF at the end of the second world war.

Thomas was a talented writer and wrote a play “Badger’s Bus Service” which was broadcast on BBC radio in 1947. One of the actors was Arthur Ridley, who later played Private Godfrey in the TV comedy series "Dad's Army".

In 1948 Thomas married Mildred May Hobden in Gourock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Mildred was related to Lucy Hobden, the mother of Thomas’s father. She had known Thomas when he was a child and met him again when Thomas visited her on a cycling holiday in Scotland. Mildred was awarded a degree in Art from Glasgow University. They lived at 185 Elms Crescent, Clapham, which was their address in 1951 when Mildred had a picture ("Urban Spring") accepted for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Thomas and Mildred had two sons. The family moved to 159 Ruskin Park House, Champion Hill, Dulwich in 1956 and then to Staines, Middlesex in 1959.

Thomas made some radio programmes for the BBC Home Service. The Radio Times contained the item below about an episode of "Science Survey" broadcast in 1953 :

"A weekly programme about work in the world of science
Information as a Commodity by T. E. Ivall
One of the main problems of the communications engineer is to make the best use of available means of communication, such as telephone cables and radio links. Tonight the speaker describes how this is done and also shows how in recent years information theory has become mixed up with many other branches of science."

“Electronic Computers, Principles and Applications” by T.E.Ivall was published in 1956. This was one of the first books to be written about computers. A revised and updated second edition was published in 1960. The preface (written by Thomas) states “This book is an introduction for those who are beginning to take an interest in electronic computers. It is not, therefore, a book for computer experts. Nor is it a text book.” The book was translated into Russian in 1961.

Thomas’s son describes his father as a bit of a loner, who took his responsibilities seriously. He wore a moustache and was always very polite. Thomas was a member of the Labour Party and of CND. He strongly opposed the use of electronics in weaponry.

In October 1959 Thomas was Assistant Editor of the monthly magazine “Wireless World”. He left during the sixties to work on another magazine called “Measurement and Control”. However, when this ceased publication he returned to Wireless World and by April 1971 the Technical Editor was listed as T.E.Ivall M.I.E.R.E. (Member of the Institute of Electronic and Radio Engineers). In June 1973 he became Editor, and continued in this role until January 1982 when he was 55. He left the magazine because the publishers (Illiffe Press) relocated from Blackfriars to Sutton in Surrey. The journey from Staines, where he lived, to Sutton was a difficult one and, having had a heart attack in 1970 aged 44, he decided to take early retirement. He worked from home for a further 12 years doing technical writing.

Thomas died suddenly on 12 October 1997 from a heart attack. He was aged 71. In January 1998 Electronics World (the new name for Wireless World) republished one of his editorials with the comment from Martin Eccles (the editor) that Tom Ivall was “One of the most polite, considerate and intelligent men I have had the pleasure to work with.” His wife, Mildred, passed away in 2012, aged 90.     

Daniel Durnford Ivall OBE (1905-2000) , senior fire officer

Daniel Durnford Ivall was a great grandson of Robert Thomas Ivall (1812-1865), the elder brother of David Ivall (1816-1867), my great great grandfather.

Daniel was born 19 December 1905 in Dulwich, SE London, the youngest of three children born to Robert Thomas Owen Ivall (1876-1953) and Florence Sarah Ivall nee Durnford (1876-1974). Daniel Durnford was the name of Florence’s father. The 1911 census shows Robert Ivall (aged 35, a fireman) his wife Florence (35) and children Robert (8), Florence (7) and Daniel (5) living at 199 Perry Vale, Forest Hill in SE London.

British Postal Service Appointment Books show that Daniel was appointed as a certified wireless watcher in August 1922. Soon after this he joined the Merchant Navy, as had his father and brother. The New York Passenger Lists record Daniel's arrival on 7 October 1922 aged 16 years and 9 months, as a seaman on board a ship called Cambridge. His height was 5 foot 8 inches and his weight 9 stones. Merchant Navy records show that he was discharged from this ship at Falmouth on 22 May 1923. His description was eyes brown, hair brown, complexion pale. 

Merchant Navy record card

In 1925, when aged 20, he left the Merchant Navy and joined the London Fire Brigade, as had his father (who was a fireman for 26 years and retired in 1924 as a Sub Officer) and elder brother Robert Daniel Ivall (1902-92). Daniel grew to a height of 6 foot 3 inches, became the British Fire Service and Police Heavyweight Boxing Champion and also won prizes for rowing and putting the shot.

On 16 June 1934 Daniel married Edith Thelma Wigzell at St Martin’s Church in Ruislip. He was aged 28, a fireman officer and she was 21, a clerk. After their marriage they lived in Shenley Avenue, Ruislip Manor (on the western edge of London). Daniel and Edith had a son and a daughter. Their son has written an autobiography (The Spirit Within published in 2006) in which he describes his father as being very strict.

The 1939 national register shows Daniel as a station officer at the London Fire Brigade Headquarters on Albert Embankment, Lambeth. His wife Edith was is shown at The Royal Oak, Andover, Hampshire in the household of Frederick R Welham, a licensed victualler. Presumably she had moved there to get away from the bombing of London that was expected. 

Daniel fought fires during the London blitz. The BBC WW2 People’s War archives contain memoirs of a fireman called Clarence Palmer. They include the following

On December 29th 1940, the fire services of Greater London went into battle against the German Luftwaffe and Won! On December 29th 1940, Reichsmarshall Goering tried to make good his threat to burn England into submission…and lost. For December 29th 1940, was the date of the great fire-blitz over London, the date of one of democracy’s greatest victories over the Axis tyrants. Three men at that fateful night were District Officer Chief Daniel Ivall, Auxiliary Fireman Rudolf Heybrook and Auxiliary Fireman Clarence Palmer. By the time they had reached the first fires they realized it was different. There was the noise of explosive bombs and fire engines in the background. They tried to get onto the roof, it was ablaze in ten different places, the sky was raining fire but more importantly the flames over the centre of the city. It was two hours before those first fires were bought under control; they received an urgent call to go to the Square Mile heart of the City of London. Two heavy falls of bombs had started conflagrations north and south of the Guildhall, every available piece of equipment in the area was fighting them. Flames and smoke billowed skyward, marking the target for explosive bombs.

In 1941 Daniel was sent to the USA and Canada with two auxiliary firemen : Rudolph Haybrook (a portrait artist) and Clarence Palmer (an interior designer and decorator) to give lectures to the N American fire services on what London fire-fighters had learned from the blitz. Pathe News reported their departure – a film clip can be viewed (for free) at http://www.britishpathe.com/video/london-firemen-to-tour-america/query/Ivall. The firemen arrived in New York on 19 May 1941 and did a 36,000 mile tour of the continent. Several American newspapers reported their visit. The photo below shows their reception at New Haven, Connecticut.

  The caption read Three British firemen, here to tell Americans how to extinguish incendiary bombs and other flaming tokens of total war, are shown as they were greeted this morning at City Hall by Mayor John W Murphy. Left to right: Mayor Murphy, Clarence Palmer, Rudolph Haybrook and Daniel Ivall.

They returned to Britain a year later, arriving back at Liverpool on 16 June 1942.

Daniel became Assistant Fire Force Commander of No 37 (London) Fire Force. He was awarded the King’s Police and Fire Services Medal for Distinguished Service in 1948

After the war, Daniel became assistant chief officer of the Middlesex Fire Brigade. He played a leading role in the rescue following the Harrow Train Crash on 8 October 1952. The Times printed the following story about the crash the next day.

Many die as three trains crash at Harrow

At least 85 people have been killed and more than 200 injured in the country's worst peacetime rail crash. The accident happened at 0820 GMT at Harrow, a north-west suburb of London. A London-bound express train from Perth ploughed into the back of the 0731 Tring-Euston commuter train as it was about to leave Harrow and Wealdstone station, on the London Midland region line. Seconds later, a third train coming from Euston crashed into the wreckage.

Survivors described hearing a deafening sound like an explosion and then broken glass and debris flying everywhere. John Bannister of Harrow was in the local train in a coach just under the footbridge at the time of the accident. He told The Times newspaper: "It all happened in a second. There was a terrible crash and glass and debris showered on me." He added: "I blacked out for a moment and when I came round I found I was lying on the line with debris on top of me. I managed to free myself and drag myself on to the platform."

There were about 1,000 passengers aboard all three trains, with most casaulities at the rear end of the Tring commuter train and the front coaches of the two express trains. Some of the victims were on the platform as carriages full of commuters were hurled onto them. Others were killed on a footbridge over the track that was punctured by a pile of coaches 30-foot (9 metres) high.

Residents help rescuers

Rescue workers are battling to free survivors still trapped in carriages at the bottom of the pile-up. Fire-fighters and police have been joined by railway workers and local residents. The middle section of the footbridge has been cut away to free up the front two coaches of the local train which seem relatively undamaged. Other coaches have been cut through to bring out survivors and the dead. Police officers occasionally shouted or blew their whistles for silence to listen for any signs of survivors in the wreckage.

The Queen and the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, have sent messages of sympathy to the victims and the bereaved.

  

A total of 108 passengers and four rail crew were killed and nearly 340 people injured. It later emerged that the driver of the sleeper train from Perth had passed two signals at danger when it ran into the Tring-Euston commuter train at about 60mph. Daniel was awarded an OBE in 1953 for his work at the crash and his contribution to the Fire Service.

Daniel and Edith moved to 30 Larne Road, Ruislip in about 1958 (they inherited the house from Edith’s mother, who lived there). Daniel retired from the Fire Brigade in 1959 aged 54 after 34 years service and then spent 10 years as an Assistant Inspector of Fire Services at the Home Office. The Imperial Calendar (an annual list of salaried Civil Servants), lists D.D. Ivall OBE at this post from 1960 to 1971. In 1988 Daniel and his wife, Edith, moved from Ruislip to Bridport in Dorset, where he died in 2000 aged 94. Edith died in 2008 aged 96.

Walter George Ivall (1868 - 1953), schoolteacher

Walter George Ivall was a grandson of Robert Thomas Ivall (1812 - 1865), the elder brother of  David Ivall (1816 - 1867), my great, great grandfather. Walter was known as George or Bob Ivall.

Walter was born on 25 December 1868 in Chalvey (a village which is now a district of Slough), the eldest child of Thomas Ivall (1837 - 1908) and Lucy Ivall nee Hobden (1845 - 1929). Thomas and Lucy went to have a total of 15 children, the last one being born in 1892. Thomas was a baker and ran the Chalvey village bakery.

The 1871 census shows Thomas Ivall (aged 33, a master baker), his wife Lucy (24) and their children Walter George (2) and Robert Thomas (7 months) living at 6 Jordan Place, Upton Cum Chalvey.

The following item appeared in the Uxbridge & West Drayton Gazette dated 25 October 1879.

ASSAULT ON A BOY. Elizabeth Hissop was summoned for having assaulted Walter George Ivall, aged 11, son of a baker carrying on business at Chalvey. Defendant pleaded not guilty. The boy said that on the evening of the 15th Oct., while he was trolling his hoop, defendant came up to him and pulled his nose. He had not given her any provocation. Defendant said that she only spoke to the boy about his having assaulted her children, and she altogether denied having wrung his nose. The boy's evidence, however, was corroborated by another boy named David Painting, and the magistrates imposed a fine of 5s., including costs.

By 1881 the family consisted of Thomas (aged 44, a master baker), Lucy (34), Walter (12), Annie Lucy (7), Harry Alfred (5), Catherine Dora (3), Percy Bertram (1), Reginald Ivall (2 months) and Eliza Hobden (27, Lucy’s sister, a nurse). Their address was Jordan Place Bakers Shop, Chalvey, Buckinghamshire.

The Slough, Eton  and Windsor observer printed the following item on 3 Oct 1885 under the heading Chalvey Cricket Club

In the evening the members and their friends, numbering about forty, sat down to a capital repast at Mr Hobden’s. Mr W. S. Shelton presided and Mr T. Ivall (Walter’s father) occupied the vice chair. A very pleasant evening was spent by all. Mr T. Haverly obtained the presentation bat, given by the club for the highest average in batting, and a cap was presented to Mr George (Walter) Ivall for having performed the “Hat trick” in the match with Eton Wick on August 8^th.

In 1891 Thomas Ivall (aged 53, a baker), Lucy (43), Walter (22, an assistant schoolmaster), Annie (17), Harry (15, a baker), Catherine (13), Percy (11), Reginald (10), Charles (8), Margaret (8), Gilbert (6), Jane (4) and Philip (0.75) were living at 6 Jordan Place, Church Street, Chalvey.

Walter achieved another hat trick at cricket, as reported in the local paper dated 5^th August 1893.

The feature of the Eton Wick v Chalvey match, which was played on the ground of the former on Saturday, was the excellent bowling of George (Walter) Ivall. Not only did he perform the “hat trick” but an inspection of his bowling analysis shows that in all he took 12 wickets at a cost of just a run apiece. In this department of the game he was ably supported by Fred Spong, while the batting honours belong to E. Bubb. Chalvey won by an innings and five runs.

Edward Bubb was the husband of George’s sister Annie. Walter was later presented with a silver cup for captaining the Chalvey Cricket Club for 25 years. His son John remembers the cup being on the sideboard at their home.

On 1^st January 1895 Walter married Lily Mary Crabe Bartlett at St Mary’s Church, Slough. He was 26 and a school master. She was 23, the daughter of William Bartlett, a butler. They had four daughters Dorothy Lucy (1895-1970), Lily Victoria (1900-73), Margaret Olive (1902-59) and Katherine Mildred (1907-86). They also had two other children Mary (b1896) and Thomas (b1899) who died soon after birth. Electoral registers show that Walter lived at 6 Rose Cottages, Chalvey from 1897 to 1899.

 Walter (top left) and other teachers at Slough National Boys School

In 1897 Walter was the honorary secretary of the committee that made the arrangements in Chalvey to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne. In 1900, Walter was appointed as the secretary of the Chalvey Club, for which we has paid £4 a year.

The 1901 census shows Walter (aged 32, an assistant schoolmaster) living at 7 Castle View off Grove Road, Upton St Mary, Slough. Also listed at the address are his wife Lily Mary (22) and their daughters Dorothy (5) and Lily Victoria (5 months).

The 1903 and 1907 editions of Kelly's Directory of Buckinghamshire have entries for Chalvey Village Club and Library (George Ivall, hon sec), High St, Chalvey, Slough (listed under Public Libraries in 1903 and 1907, Working Men’s Clubs in 1907). The Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer of 28 January 1905 contains an item that begins “An entertainment, arranged by Mr W. G. Ivall, took place at the Club House on Wednesday evening.” There was “a large attendance” and the programme contained “phonograph selections”, songs and recitations.

In 1911 Walter (42, a schoolmaster at an elementary school), his wife Mary (39) and children Lily (10), Margaret (9) and Catherine (3) were living at 7 Castle View, off Chalvey Grove. Electoral registers show him still at this address in 1915.

During the First World War, Walter was a special constable. His grandson Colin Hewett has his truncheon and helmet badge.

Walter George Ivall and some of his pupils (from a school photo)

Lily Ivall, Walter’s wife, died of cancer in 1915 in Chalvey aged 43. 

The 1921 census shows Walter (aged 52, a schoolteacher) at 11 Ragstone Road, Slough with his mother Lucy (75), siblings Margaret (38), Jane (34) and Gerald (28) plus his daughter Catherine (13). 

Walter married again on 25 June 1921 to Alice Cumber at St Peter’s, Hampstead. The marriage certificate gives his age as 51 and hers as 37. Alice was a spinster, a daughter of William Cumber who was a bookbinder. She was a friend of Walter’s sister Katherine Dora Ivall. They are both listed in the 1911 census as living at 94 Tottenham Court Road, London, which was a boarding house (Katherine aged 32 was a milliner, Alice aged 26 was a dressmaker). Walter and Alice later had 3 children, Robert George (b 1923), John Reginald (b 1924) and Barbara Mary (b 1929).

Walter was a schoolteacher for 45 years, starting as a pupil teacher at the age of 15 and continuing until he retired in 1928 at the age of 60. He was the deputy head master at Slough National School in the 1920s. The following item was printed in the Uxbridge & West  Drayton Gazette dated 28 December 1928 :

The Rev. A. G. P. Baines presided at a meeting on Thursday for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr. W. G. Ivall, who was retiring from his position as teacher at the Slough National School after forty-five years in that position. Mr. Ivall was presented with a cheque for £125 12s. 6d., and an album containing the signatures of subscribers. Altogether £127 13s. 6d. was given by 200 subscribers. A pipe in a case was also presented to him, the gift of Mr. C. Birtchnell, one of his old pupils. 

Walter (top right) at the wedding of his daughter Katherine in 1928

Alice and Walter Ivall are listed at 19 Carrington Rd in the 1929 to 1931 Electoral Registers for the Stoke Ward of Slough.

In the 1939 national register Walter (a retired schoolmaster) and Alice (a fountain pen ink sac extractor) are listed at 11 Whiteford Road, Slough.

Walter died in 1953 in Maidenhead aged 84. His wife Alice died in 1959 in Slough aged 74.

Thomas Ivall (1837-1908), baker in Chalvey

Thomas Ivall was the eldest son of Robert Thomas Ivall (1812-65), who was the only brother of David Ivall (1816-67), my great great great grandfather. This profile contains information from research done by Dennis Endean Ivall.

Thomas was born on 6 August 1837 in High Wycombe and baptized in All Saints Church, High Wycombe on 3 September 1837. He was the eldest of eight children (4 boys and 4 girls) born to Robert Thomas Ivall and his wife Harriet nee Owen. Robert had a coach making business (which failed) and lived in High Wycombe until about 1849.

In October 1848, Thomas, then aged 11, was apprenticed to H Hunt for a term of 5 years to learn the trade of needle and fishing tackle maker. Robert, Thomas’s father, paid a premium of five pounds to Mr Hunt, who agreed to provide Thomas with necessary food, clothing, lodging and washing. Thomas moved to Redditch in Worcestershire for the apprenticeship.

The 1851 census shows Thomas (aged 13, an apprentice fishing tackle maker) living at Hill Street, Redditch at the house of Henry Hunt (33, a fishing tackle maker) with his wife Hannah (45), daughter Elizabeth (13) and another apprentice William Knight (15).

In 1861, Thomas, aged 23, was working as a baker at Hillingdon House, Middlesex. He was one of about 30 servants in the household headed by Richard Henry Cox, aged 81, an army agent.

By 1864, Thomas was working at Bretby Hall, Burton on Trent, the country seat of the Earl of Chesterfield. I have a copy of a letter written by a solicitor to Thomas at Bretby Hall, regarding the estate of his grandfather Thomas Ivall (1781-1835). The residue of the estate (£1800) had been invested to provide an income for his widow Jane, with instructions to divide it between his three children (or their offspring if dead) on her death. Jane died in 1866. Robert (Thomas’s father) had died in 1865. The letter says “in my opinion you are entitled to a share of his share notwithstanding that your father received and spent his share in his lifetime.” Thomas’s share was about £60 (about £2,700 in modern day terms). In 1866 he successfully brought a case against David Ivall (his uncle) at the Court of Chancery to get this share.

Thomas’s father was the Bucks and Middlesex District Secretary of the Ancient Order of Foresters. This was a Friendly Society whose members paid a few pence a week into a common fund from which sick pay and funeral grants could be drawn. The members of local branches (known as courts) also met and socialised. The newspaper extract below describes a dinner held in 1864 by the Slough branch. Thomas chaired the occasion and proposed various toasts.

From Windsor and Eton Express 23 July 1864

Thomas later became a trustee of the local branch of the Ancient Order of Foresters.

In 1867, Thomas married Lucy Hobden (born 1845 in Ashburnham, Sussex) in St George’s Church, Hanover Square, London. He was 30 and she 22. Thomas had met Lucy in London, where she was on the staff of Lord Ashburnham at his London residence (she was normally at Ashburnham House in Sussex). Lucy is distantly related to the Australian cricketer Sir Donald Bradman (1908-2001) via her mother Mary Furner (1816-1878).

Marriage record of Thomas Ivall

Clara Hobden Ivall was born during April 1867 in the registration district of Battle in Sussex and died aged 17 weeks in August that year. She was buried in St James, Ashburnham on 16 Aug 1867. She was a child of Thomas and Lucy Ivall, who married on 2 March 1867. It was not unusual at this time for women to be pregnant when they married. Thomas and Lucy went on to have 15 other children namely Walter George (1868-1953), Robert Thomas (1870-1), Ellen Maud (1872-81), Annie Lucy (1874-1949), Harry Alfred (1975-1901), Catherine Dora (1877-1963), Percy Bertram (1879-1971), Reginald John (1881-1966), Charles Oliver (1883-1954), Margaret Olive (1883-1976), Gilbert Edward (1884-1914), Jane Evelyn (1886-1971), Geoffrey Ernest (1888-88), David Philip Stanhope (1890-1950) and Gerald (1892-1983). The children were born in Chalvey, a village which is now a district of Slough in Buckinghamshire. Twelve of the children survived into adulthood. Lucy was aged 47 when her final child was born. Confusingly, many of the children were known by other names. For instance, Charles Oliver was known as Joseph !

Thomas ran a bakery in Chalvey. The 1871 census shows Thomas Ivall (aged 33, a master baker), his wife Lucy (24) and their children Walter George (2) and Robert Thomas (7 months) living at 6 Jordan Place, Upton Cum Chalvey. Jordan Place (which no longer exists) was a terrace of houses on Church Street, Chalvey about 150 yards NW of St Peter’s Church.

By 1881 Thomas Ivall aged 44, a master baker, was living at Jordan Place Baker’s Shop, Upton Cum Chalvey with his wife Lucy (34) and their children Walter George (12), Annie Lucy (7), Harry Alfred (5), Catherine Dora (3), Percy Bertram (1) and Reginald (2 months). Also living there was Eliza Hobden (27, a nurse), Lucy’s sister.

The 1883 and 1899 editions of Kelly’s Directory of Buckinghamshire have entries for Thomas Ivall, Baker, Church St, Chalvey. The Bucks Herald reported in 1886 that Thomas was one of four parish constables appointed for Chalvey. 

Thomas Ivall of Church St, Chalvey is listed in the 1890 Electoral Register for the Slough Parliamentary Polling District of the Southern or Wycombe Division of Buckinghamshire. The 1884 Reform Act extended the vote for those who lived outside urban boroughs. Men over the age of 21 who held property worth £10 a year or who paid £10 a year in rent were given the vote. It is thought that this extended the electorate from about 40% to about 60% of the adult male population.

The Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer records that Thomas was the foreman of the jury at local inquests in January and March 1890, both into the death of children.

In 1891, the family consisted of Thomas (53, a baker), Lucy (43), Walter (22, an assistant schoolmaster), Annie (17), Harry (15, a baker), Catherine (13), Percy (11), Reginald (10), Charles (8), Margaret (8), Gilbert (6), Jane (4) and David (0.75). Their address was 6 Jordan Place, Church St, Chalvey.

Thomas’s son, Harry Alfred Ivall joined the London police in 1899 and was based in Southwark. He died of blood poisoning at St Thomas’ Hospital, Lambeth in 1901, aged 25 and was buried in St Mary’s churchyard, Slough.

By 1901, Thomas, aged 63, a retired baker was living at 39 The Crescent, Chalvey, Slough. Also in the household were his wife Lucy (52) and their children (Catherine) Dora (23, a milliner), Charles (18, a baker), Margaret (18), Gilbert (15), Jane (14), David (10) and Gerald (8). The house is still there. Electoral registers for 1904 to 1907 show Thomas's address as 23 Chalvey Road, Slough.

St Mary's Church, Chalvey

Thomas died 11 March 1908 in Chalvey aged 71. He was buried in St Mary’s churchyard, Slough on 16 March 1908 in the same plot (row 18, sections A/D) as his son Harry. The parish burial record gives Thomas’s address as 37 Chalvey Rd. His wife Lucy lived until 1929 when she died aged 84. She was buried in the same grave. St Mary’s churchyard was tidied up in 1980 when many gravestones were removed. I have not been able to find the Ivall gravestone. Slough Local Studies Collection has a list of the monumental inscriptions for the graves (including the Ivall plot) that were in the churchyard.

Reginald John Ivall (1881-1966), Bucks Volunteer

Reginald John Ivall was a grandson of Robert Thomas Ivall (1812 - 1865), the elder brother of David Ivall (1816 - 1867), my great great grandfather. According to his nephew John Ivall, Reginald was known as “Darkie” (not very PC !) because of his tanned skin.

Reginald was born on January 9th 1881 in the village of Chalvey near Slough, in Buckinghamshire. He was the eighth child of Thomas Ivall (1837 - 1908) and Lucy Ivall nee Hobden (1845 - 1929). Thomas and Lucy had a total of 16 children, 13 of which survived into adulthood, the last child being born in 1892. Thomas ran the Chalvey village bakery.

The 1881 census shows Thomas Ivall (aged 44, a master baker), Lucy (34), Walter (12), Annie Lucy (7), Harry Alfred (5), Catherine Dora (3), Percy Bertram (1) and Reginald (2 months) living at 1 Jordan Place Bakers Shop, Chalvey, Buckinghamshire.

In 1891 there was Thomas Ivall (aged 53, a baker), Lucy (43), Walter (22, an assistant schoolmaster), Annie (17), Harry (15, a baker), Catherine (13), Percy (11), Reginald (10), Charles (8), Margaret (8), Gilbert (6), Jane (4) and Philip (9 months) living at Church Street, 6 Jordan Place, Chalvey.

The Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer in February and December 1892 lists Reginald as one of the children who took part in school concerts. In March 1896, the newspaper had the following item :

SUNDAY AFTERNOON’S AMUSEMENT – George Werrell, Harry Axsell, Reginald Ivall and Henry Higgins, youths, of Chalvey, were summoned for playing hockey on the highway at Chalvey on March 15^th. Defendants pleaded not guilty. Police constable Young said that on Sunday March 15^th he was on duty on the road leading from Ledger’s Lane to Salt Hill, when he saw the four defendants playing hockey. They were knocking a piece of wood with their sticks. There were six playing altogether, but the other two ran away and he did not know their names. He had had a complaint from Mr Giles of Slough, as to the defendants frightening the pony that he was driving. Defendants were a source of annoyance to passers-by. Defendants, who denied that they were playing, were fined 1s each.

1s in 1896 is equivalent to about £27 in 2023.

Reginald was in the Slough Company, 1^st Bucks Rifle Volunteers. The results of a shooting competition were published in June 1899. Private R Ivall came 8^th out of 9 participants.

The Boer War began in 1899. Reginald’s elder brother Percy, who was in the Scots Guards, was sent there in December 1899. The 1^st Bucks Rifle Volunteers were asked to provide approximately 60 men to join an active service volunteer company to be attached to the 1^st Battalion, Oxfordshire Light Infantry. Reginald volunteered. His attestation form was completed in January 1900. It gives his age as 20 (he was actually 19)and previous occupation as blacksmith. He was 5 foot 10 inches, weight 159 lbs. He was sent to South Africa in March 1900, served there until May 1901, when he returned to the UK and was discharged. 

By the time his unit arrived in South Africa, the main Boer field army had been defeated. However the war continued as a guerrilla conflict waged by Boer commandos until a peace treaty was signed in May 1902. Private R J Ivall’s Regimental number was 7237 and he was awarded the Queen’s South Africa medal with 3 clasps (Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal). The National Archives at Kew have the medal roll for the Volunteer Service Company that Reginald was in. It contained a Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 1 Colour Sergeant, 4 Sergeants, 5 Corporals, 2 Buglers and 103 Privates. Of the 117 total, 2 are listed as deceased and 9 as invalided home. Soldiers who fought in the Boer War received a gratuity of £5 (equivalent to about £2,500 in 2023) on their return. Reginald’s name appears on the Boer War Memorial, Market Square, Aylesbury, together with those of the other 1^st Bucks Volunteers who served. There was also a memorial unveiled in Slough (see below)

From Bucks Herald, 21 July 1900

Reginald played football for Slough FC. He was also selected to play for the Berks and Bucks team that played against Middlesex on 27 December 1905.

On 22^nd May 1907, Reginald (then aged 26 and an engineer) married Ellen Sophia Holdway (aged 27, a daughter of a publican) at St Mary’s, Chalvey. The witnesses were Reginald’s sister Margaret Olive Ivall and Edwin Alexander Collins (who married another of his sisters, Katherine Dora Ivall, in 1913). Reginald and Ellen had 8 children namely Lucy Margaret (1908-2006), Robert (1909-87), Harry (1912-83), Nellie (1913-2001), Winnie (b1916), George (1918-96), Ethel (b1920) and Reginald (1923-88).

The 1911 census shows Reginald aged 30, an engineer and fitter in a foundry (iron works), living at 8 Grove View, Chalvey Green, Slough with his wife Ellen (aged 31) and their children Lucy (3) and Robert (1). Electoral registers from 1910 to 1915 show him at this address.

According to his niece Katherine Hewett nee Ivall, Reginald had a  reputation for being the strongest man in Slough.

The census in 1921 records Reginald (aged 40), Ellen (41), Lucy (13), Robert (11), Harry (9), Nellie (7), Winnie (5), George (3) and Ethel (10 months) Ivall living in 5 rooms at 8 Grove View. Reginald worked as a riveter at G D Peters Ltd, Windsor Works, Slough. The company were manufacturers of braking systems for railway locomotives, carriages and trucks.

The marriage certificates of Reginald’s children describe his occupation in various ways. In 1930 he was a riveter, in 1936 an electrical engineer, in 1943 a fire watcher and in 1949, a labourer (retired).

The 1929 to 1931 electoral registers list Reginald and Ellen at “Rosemead”, Chalvey Grove. His children’s marriage certificates give the family address in 1936 to 1949 as 161 Chalvey Grove.

The 1939 national register lists Reginald (a watchman) and Ellen (a housewife) living at 161 Chalvey Grove with their children Robert (a bricklayer) and Harry (a labourer).

Ellen died in 1965 and Reginald in 1966, both aged 85, both in the Eton registration district (which includes Chalvey).  Reginald was buried in Slough Cemetery (plot 4930 in area C1). The grave seems to be unmarked. His probate record reads “Reginald John Ivall of 159 Chalvey Grove, Slough d 30 Jun 1966. Administration  to Lucy Margaret Garlick, married woman and Robert Ivall, bricklayer. Estate £6201.” (Lucy was Reginald’s eldest daughter, who married Charles Garlick, Robert was Reginald's eldest son)