Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Charlotte Dawking

10/05/1882 –1966

Housemaid and wife of Frederick Dawking

Relatives

Frederick Charles Dawking (1048) — husband

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 1048 Charlotte Dawking (née Franks) (1882-1966) 

Charlotte was born 10 May 1882 in Waddesden, Bucks. Her father John Franks was a farm labourer, her mother was Susan (née Saunders), and Charlotte was the tenth of their fourteen children.

The 1901 census records Charlotte (Lottie) employed as a housemaid in Palace Road Lambeth. This must have been how she met Frederick C Dawking, a coach painter from West Norwood, whom she married in Lambeth Register Office, 15 September 1902.

Their daughter Olive Susan was born in 1903 in West Norwood and baptised 31 May in Waddesden. Her father was then described as a coach builder.

Their second daughter, Rose Frances was born in late 1905.

In 1911 they were living at 42, Rothschild Street, West Norwood with Olive Susan, Rose Francis and 4 month old Alec John. All three children were born in West Norwood. (Strangely Olive was also recorded as a boarder in a children’s home at 48, Lebanon Road, Croyden, Perhaps she was there to relieve pressure on her mother who had recently given birth to Alec and had been listed automatically on her parents’ return.)

Frederick enlisted in the Army 10 December 1915. He gave his address as 31, Ernest Street, West Norwood, his age as 31 and his occupation, office porter.

In 1916 he was in France serving as a rifleman with the British Expeditionary Force. That year Olive died in London aged only 13. Frederick was invalided home in December with trench foot – Charlotte must have been desperately glad to see him.

Frederick returned to duty, was wounded in the hand in 1917 and was discharged in October that year, “unfit for service.”

The family appear to have moved to 31, Highfield Road Berkhamsted in 1919. James Frederick was born there that year.

In the 1921 census Frederick was not at home.

In 1926 Rose Frances married Arthur Meek in Berkhamsted. (They are buried here in Plot 741).

The 1939 Register shows  Charlotte and Frederick still at Highfield Road. Frederick was now a house painter.

James Frederick, who had married, joined the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment and was killed in India 17 August, 1944, aged 25. He is buried in the Madras War Cemetery.

Frederick died 29 November 1950 and is buried here.

Charlotte died in 1966 aged 84.

Frederick Charles Dawking (1048)

03/09/1884 –29/11/1950

An office porter and later a house painter; wounded in WWI

Relatives

Charlotte Dawking — wife

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 1048 Frederick Charles Webb Dawking (1884-1950) 

Frederick was born in Lambeth Workhouse infirmary 3 September 1884, the child of Rose Dawking, who was unmarried. His father was possibly James Sumner, a stone mason, whom his mother married in Hoxton in 1888.

He married Charlotte Franks, a housemaid, in Lambeth Register Office, 15 September 1902.

Their daughter Olive Susan was born in 1903 in West Norwood and baptised 31 May in Waddesden, her mother’s birthplace. Frederick was then described as a coach builder.

Their second daughter, Rose Frances was born in late 1905.

In 1911 they were living at 42, Rothschild Street, West Norwood with Olive Susan, Rose Francis and 4 month old Alec John. All three children were born in West Norwood.

Frederick enlisted in the Rifle Brigade 10 December 1915. He gave his address as 31, Ernest Street, West Norwood, his age as 31 and his occupation, office porter. He was 5 foot 7 inches tall with a florid complexion and blue eyes.

In 1916 he was in France serving as a rifleman with the British Expeditionary Force. That year Olive died in London aged only 13. Frederick was invalided home in December with trench foot – Charlotte must have been desperately glad to see him.

Frederick returned to duty, was wounded in 1917 at the Battle of Passchendaele, the 3^rd Battle of Ypres. He was hit by a machine gun bullet which passed through his right forearm and came out through his hand. In hospital he had six operations and was then transferred to Gravesend Military Hospital. His records also show scars from a gunshot wound in his thigh which are not accounted for. He was discharged as unfit for active service in June 1918 and assessed as permanently unfit with virtually no movement in that wrist or fingers.

His hair by that time was grey, not surprising considering what he had been through – 275,000 British soldiers died at Passchendaele. His character was described as “sober, honest and steady”.

The family appear to have moved to 31, Highfield Road Berkhamsted in 1919. Their second son James Frederick was born there that year.

In the 1921 census Frederick was not at home.

In 1926 Rose Frances married Arthur Meek in Berkhamsted. (They are buried here in Plot 741).

The 1939 Register shows Charlotte and Frederick still at Highfield Road. Frederick was now a house painter.

James Frederick, who had married, joined the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment and was killed in India 17 August, 1944, aged 25. He is buried in the Madras War Cemetery.

Frederick died 29 November 1950 at the Peace Memorial Hospital, Watford.

Charlotte survived him until 1966 and is buried here with him.