Biography:
Florence Mary Cooper
17/11/1871 –16/01/1969
Florence Mary Cooper
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Florence Mary Cooper
Florence Mary Cooper was born on 17th November 1871 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, the same day as her mother’s (Marian Cooper) 21st birthday. Her parents were William Farmer and his wife, Marian (Lane). William worked within a family business, William Cooper & Nephews (manufacturer of sheep dip), being one of the Nephews brought into the business by his childless uncle to ensure the continuation of the business in the long term.
In her early years Florence would have enjoyed a comfortable life, living in a large home, Sibdon House in Berkhamsted, in close proximity to the chemical factory at which William worked and shared this house with William’s unmarried brother, Herbert.
By the 1881 census Florence was an only child, with her younger brother, William Henry, having died in 1876 aged only 3 years old. Sadly, this was not the only tragedy in Florence’s young life, as aged 11, her father William died aged just 37.
It would appear that Florence’s uncle, Herbert, stepped in to look after the small family of Florence and her mother, Marian, with the 1891 census showing both living with unmarried Herbert in affluent Portland Place (number 80), with a staff contingent of 8. However, further tragedy struck as Herbert died in 1891. It is unclear what happened to Florence and her mother at this point but it seems unlikely that money was not a problem as when Florence married in 1895, her residence is given as Walsingham House, Piccadilly. This was a large and luxurious 8-storey apartment block built in 1888 that typically featured 6 bed apartments, many with ensuite bathrooms! The building was demolished in 1904, to be replaced by the Ritz Hotel.
Florence married Arthur Cecil Beck on 3rd December 1895. Arthur was a 21 year old South African, residing at Jesus College Cambridge and interestingly, Florence’s age is quoted as 22, when in fact she as 24. Reducing her age is something that Florence repeats on a regular basis in the future!
In the 1901 census Florence and Arthur are living as boarders in a large house in Mayfair, both living off their own means. Florence lists her age as 24, when she is actually 29. By 1911, Arthur is a Barrister at Law and they are living at Queens Anne Mansions, St James Park. Florence continues to reduce her age, now by 6 years. There are no children. By this time Arthur (known as Cecil) has become an MP and rises to the rank of Lord of The Treasury during WW1 and was later knighted in 1920.
However, it would seem that Florence’s marriage was not a happy one, as in 1918 Arthur filed for divorce – citing Florence’s adultery with David Spittal. Details of the divorce were covered extensively in the newspapers and state that Florence took golf lessons with Spittal at St Andrews , where he was a golf professional, some time before WW1. Subsequently, Spittal (born 1887) emigrated to Canada in 1913 and enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914 to join the fighting in WW1. After the end of the war Florence made contact with Spittal again whilst he was based in Witley Camp, Surrey and an affair started, that Beck uncovered by finding letters to Florence from Spittal. The divorce was granted in 1919.
After the divorce Florence and David went to America and were married in Indiana on 18th August 1920. For the next 5 years the couple travelled around America as David pursued his career as a professional golfer. Trips were made to England, presumably to visit Florence’s mother, Marian who lived at the address quoted on the shipping records – 23 Palmeria Court, Hove Brighton. The couple moved to Canada in 1925 but all was not well within the marriage as the couple were granted a divorce in 1934, after separating in 1930.
Florence returned to England and in 1936 filed a deed poll changing her name from Florence Mary Spittal, back to Florence Mary Cooper.
We next find Florence in the 1939 register living at the Dudley Hotel, Lansdown Place, Hove, still deducting 16 years from her age, and listing herself as a widow.
Thereafter, Florence does not appear conclusively within the records after this date until her death on 16th Janaury 1969, at the grand age of 97, when probate records her living at 61 Dyke Road, Brighton and leaving an estate valued at £20,461 (about £430,000 in 2025).
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Florence Mary Cooper
Florence Mary Cooper was born on 17th November 1871 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, the same day as her mother’s (Marian Cooper) 21st birthday. Her parents were William Farmer and his wife, Marian (Lane). William worked within a family business, William Cooper & Nephews (manufacturer of sheep dip), being one of the Nephews brought into the business by his childless uncle to ensure the continuation of the business in the long term.
In her early years Florence would have enjoyed a comfortable life, living in a large home, Sibdon House in Berkhamsted, in close proximity to the chemical factory at which William worked and shared this house with William’s unmarried brother, Herbert.
By the 1881 census Florence was an only child, with her younger brother, William Henry, having died in 1876 aged only 3 years old. Sadly, this was not the only tragedy in Florence’s young life, as aged 11, her father William died aged just 37.
It would appear that Florence’s uncle, Herbert, stepped in to look after the small family of Florence and her mother, Marian, with the 1891 census showing both living with unmarried Herbert in affluent Portland Place (number 80), with a staff contingent of 8. However, further tragedy struck as Herbert died in 1891. It is unclear what happened to Florence and her mother at this point but it seems unlikely that money was not a problem as when Florence married in 1895, her residence is given as Walsingham House, Piccadilly. This was a large and luxurious 8-storey apartment block built in 1888 that typically featured 6 bed apartments, many with ensuite bathrooms! The building was demolished in 1904, to be replaced by the Ritz Hotel.
Florence married Arthur Cecil Beck on 3rd December 1895. Arthur was a 21 year old South African, residing at Jesus College Cambridge and interestingly, Florence’s age is quoted as 22, when in fact she as 24. Reducing her age is something that Florence repeats on a regular basis in the future!
In the 1901 census Florence and Arthur are living as boarders in a large house in Mayfair, both living off their own means. Florence lists her age as 24, when she is actually 29. By 1911, Arthur is a Barrister at Law and they are living at Queens Anne Mansions, St James Park. Florence continues to reduce her age, now by 6 years. There are no children. By this time Arthur (known as Cecil) has become an MP and rises to the rank of Lord of The Treasury during WW1 and was later knighted in 1920.
However, it would seem that Florence’s marriage was not a happy one, as in 1918 Arthur filed for divorce – citing Florence’s adultery with David Spittal. Details of the divorce were covered extensively in the newspapers and state that Florence took golf lessons with Spittal at St Andrews , where he was a golf professional, some time before WW1. Subsequently, Spittal (born 1887) emigrated to Canada in 1913 and enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914 to join the fighting in WW1. After the end of the war Florence made contact with Spittal again whilst he was based in Witley Camp, Surrey and an affair started, that Beck uncovered by finding letters to Florence from Spittal. The divorce was granted in 1919.
After the divorce Florence and David went to America and were married in Indiana on 18th August 1920. For the next 5 years the couple travelled around America as David pursued his career as a professional golfer. Trips were made to England, presumably to visit Florence’s mother, Marian who lived at the address quoted on the shipping records – 23 Palmeria Court, Hove Brighton. The couple moved to Canada in 1925 but all was not well within the marriage as the couple were granted a divorce in 1934, after separating in 1930.
Florence returned to England and in 1936 filed a deed poll changing her name from Florence Mary Spittal, back to Florence Mary Cooper.
We next find Florence in the 1939 register living at the Dudley Hotel, Lansdown Place, Hove, still deducting 16 years from her age, and listing herself as a widow.
Thereafter, Florence does not appear conclusively within the records after this date until her death on 16th Janaury 1969, at the grand age of 97, when probate records her living at 61 Dyke Road, Brighton and leaving an estate valued at £20,461 (about £430,000 in 2025).
Relatives
Historical Connections
The following local places of interest are linked to Florence Mary Cooper:
Coopers Chemical Works
Berkhamsted Castle
Ashlyns Hall
Sunnyside Church
White Hill
Military graves