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.

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.

Katherine Dora Collins nee Ivall (1877-1963)

Katherine Dora Ivall was a grand-daughter of Robert Thomas Ivall (1812-65), who was a brother of my ancestor David Ivall (1816-67). Her first name was registered at birth (and baptism) as Katherine, although it is spelt variously as Katharine, Catherine and Catharine in other records made during her life. She was known as Dora.

Katherine was born on September 28th 1877 in Chalvey (a village which is now a district of Slough), the sixth of fifteen children (ten boys and five girls) born to Thomas Ivall (1837 - 1908) and his wife Lucy Ivall nee Hobden (1845 - 1929). Thomas was a baker and ran the Chalvey village bakery. In 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.

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.

Katherine Dora Ivall, date unknown

By 1901, Thomas, aged 63, a retired baker, was living at 39 The Crescent, Chalvey, Slough with his wife Lucy (52) and their children (Katherine) Dora (23, a milliner), Charles (18, a baker), Margaret (18), Gilbert (15), Jane (14), David (10) and Gerald (8). The house is still there. The 1911 census shows Katherine living as a boarder at 94 Tottenham Court Road, London. She was aged 32 and a milliner.

Katherine married Edwin Alexander Collins on August 2^nd 1913 in Chalvey Parish Church. He was aged 32, a joiner, she was aged 35. Edwin came from an old Chalvey family, his father was Robert Gibson Collins, also a joiner. Edwin had been apprenticed to the building trade and quickly became a skilled craftsman.

Soon after their marriage, Edwin and Katherine moved into Tavistock Villa, Ledgers Road, Slough. As far as I know, they had no children. Edwin served in the Army and then the Air Force during World War One. 

The 1921 census shows Edwin (aged 40, a carpenter working for The Slough Trading Company, Salt Hill, Slough) and Katherine (43) at Tavistock Villa. Listed as a visitor was Alice Cumber (36, an unemployed bank clerk), who was a friend of Katherine's and became the second wife of Walter George Ivall (Katherine's eldest brother) 6 days after the census date (19 June 1921).

In about 1925, Edwin decided to set up his own business and received many good contracts. By 1936 he employed 20 men on average.

The following item appeared in the Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer dated April 24^th 1936.

Local Builder’s Tragic Death

Mr E A Collins

Found “Gassed” in Car – Inquest

Deep regret is felt at the death of a well-known Slough master builder and contractor, Mr Edwin Alexander Collins, who was found dead from gas poisoning in his 16 hp Austin saloon motor car on Greenham Common, near Newbury, on Friday evening. He resided at Tavistock Villa, Ledgers Road and was 55 years of age. A piece of rubber hose was fixed from the exhaust pipe through the floor boards of the car, and a pair of overalls had been wound round the two pipes to give a gas-tight joint.

The item went on to quote Katherine at the inquest saying that Greenham Common had been a favourite spot where they had gone for picnics. Her husband had been recently “worried and depressed. I have seen him holding his head. He loved his business and took a pride in it.” There was no suicide note. The coroner concluded that Edwin had committed suicide whilst of unsound mind by inhaling carbon monoxide gas from the exhaust of his car.

The article said that Edwin was “universally liked for his cheery disposition and his kind heartedness. He enjoyed the esteem of all his acquaintances, not only as a conscientious tradesman but as a very good friend.”

Edwin’s funeral was held at St Mary’s Church, Slough and he was interred in the churchyard with his father and mother.

Edwin’s wife and family had no doubts that his suicide was entirely due to financial difficulties, resulting from a number of clients not paying their bills. Within a month or two after his death most had paid the money they owed to his widow and she was able to clear any debts of her husband. Probate on his estate (£880) was granted to Katherine.

In the 1939 register, Katherine is shown as living at 4 Hogarth Gardens, Heston, Hounslow with Elizabeth M Loyd, a 78 year old of independent means. Katherine's occupation is described as "domestic duties paid". 

Katherine later lived with her unmarried sisters Margaret Olive Ivall (1883-1976) and Jane Evelyn Ivall (1886-1971, known as Aunt Gin or Ginny) at 2 Hillside, Ledgers Road, Slough, a house that was owned by Margaret.

Katherine died on 14th August 1963 aged 85 in Slough. The probate index gives her address as 2 Hillside, Ledgers Road, Slough. Probate on her estate (£469) was issued in 1965 to her sister, Margaret Olive Ivall, a spinster.

Ivall Ancestor Charts

If you would like me to send you (for free) a scan of a chart showing the names, dates and occupations of your Ivall ancestors, please send an email to me on PhilT42LQS@Yahoo.co.uk.

Phil Taylor

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”

Harold Victor Ivall (1900-85), engineer

Harold Victor Ivall was a great grandson of David Ivall (1795-1850), the highly successful coach maker who was a brother and business partner of my ancestor Thomas Ivall (1781-1835). David left £5,000 (a substantial sum of money then) to each of his six children when he died. The youngest was Albert Ivall (1839-97), who apparently lost most of his inheritance between 1861 to 1871, when he was a farmer. He was declared bankrupt in 1875 following a court case brought against him by the Mayor and Corporation of Hastings (see my item on Albert’s life for more details). His eldest son was Albert Ivall junior (1862-1905), the father of Harold. This profile of Harold’s life contains information and photos supplied by one of his daughters.

In 1891, Albert Ivall junior married Clara Amelia Stock in Poplar, East London. They had six children, namely Mabel Edith (1892-1963), Ethel Clara (1893-1959), Albert Clifford and David William (twins born in 1896 who both died in 1897), Harold Victor (born 7^th December 1900) and Albert Edward (1902-1987). Harold was born at 10 White Post Lane, Poplar, the address of a grocer’s shop run by his father. The site of this building (which no longer exists) was near Hackney Wick tube station, just to the west of the Olympic Park. Harold was baptised on January 6th 1901 at St Mark's Church, Victoria Park.

The 1901 census shows Albert Ivall (aged 39, a grocery and provision dealer), his wife Clara (33) and children Mabel (8), Ethel (7) and Harold (4 months) plus a domestic servant living at 10 White Post Lane.

Albert Ivall (Harold’s father) died in 1905 aged 43 of “phthisis”, another name for tuberculosis. His will left his entire estate (£608 net) to his wife, Clara. She managed to get Harold and Albert into an orphanage school at Wanstead, on the edge of Epping Forest. Entry was by election only. These were normally held in a tavern in Fleet Street or Ludgate Hill and at The London Tavern in Bishopsgate Street. The 1911 census shows Harold (aged 10) and Albert (8) at the school. It was renamed Royal Wanstead School in 1939 and closed in 1971. The school building is now Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Harold Victor Ivall in 1919 (aged 18)

Harold’s mother (Clara) moved to Sussex. Trade Directories for 1909, 1911 and 1913 list her under the heading “Apartments” and give her address as 29 Gensing Road, St Leonards, Hastings. In 1916 and 1920 she is listed as a dress maker at 100 Burford Road, Nottingham. 

The 1921 census shows Clara (aged 53), Harold (20), Albert (18) and a boarder living in 6 rooms at 56 Noel Street, Nottingham. The occupation of both Harold and Edward was "Engineer turner", their employment being "Government instructional" at Basford, Nottingham. Harold is shown as out of work, so presumably he had completed his training course but not yet found a job. Electoral registers for 1922 to 1924 show Harold and Clara living at 56 Noel Street.

Harold married Lily Elizabeth Richards at Hyson Green parish church, Nottingham on August 2^nd 1924. The marriage certificate says that he was aged 23, an engineer’s turner, living at 56 Noel Street, Nottingham. She was aged 22, a daughter of Arthur Richards, a miner. Harold and Lily set up home at 160 Vernon Road, Nottingham and their first daughter, Beryl was born in 1926. In 1927 they moved to 164 Vernon Road, where they lived until 1931, when they moved to 422 Perry Road, Nottingham.

Lily Elizabeth Ivall nee Richards

The depression in the 1930s meant that Harold was out of work.  He and his wife, Lily, moved to Leicester where they ran a fish & chip shop, which was very successful.

Later in the 1930s Harold & Lily returned to Nottingham, where Harold went back into engineering. Their second daughter was born in 1934. Lily opened a millinery business (she was a trained milliner). The business did well and she ran it until they both retired. A 1941 directory has an entry for Mrs Lily Ivall, milliner, 28 Alfreton Road, Nottingham.

The 1939 national register shows Harold (a lathe turner), Lily (a milliner) and Beryl (at school) living at 1 Avondale Road in Carlton, a district of Nottingham. 

Sadly Harold's eldest daughter Beryl died of toxaemia (blood poisoning caused by bacterial toxic substances) in 1942 aged 15. Harold's mother died in 1947 aged 79 in Nottingham.

Lily and Harold Ivall in 1955 at their second daughter's wedding

Harold was keen on sport. In his younger days he was very good at cricket. He also liked football, and on Saturdays went to Nottingham Forest one week and Notts County the next. His other hobby was fishing and he was a member of Nottingham Anglers, where he enjoyed the companionship and competition. According to his son-in-law, Harold had a very cheerful personality. He was a 'people person' with a good sense of humour. He enjoyed 'banter', especially with his brother Albert.

In 1963 Harold and Lily had a bungalow built in Fiskerton, Nottinghamshire in which they enjoyed their retirement. Harold’s wife Lily passed away in 1973 aged 71. After she died, Harold bought a flat at 114 Westdale Lane, Gedling (near Nottingham) to be nearer to his family He died on May 25^th 1985 aged 84 in Nottingham. Lily, Harold and their daughter Beryl are buried in a grave in Northern Cemetery (Bulwell), Nottingham.

Harold's grave 

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.