Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Gertrude Annie Rawlins

1884 –21/07/1905

Daughter of George and Elizabeth Rawlins; died age 21 years

Relatives

Elizabeth Rawlins — mother

George Edward Rawlins — father

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 671 Gertrude Annie Rawlins (1884-1905)

Gertrude was born in Berkhamsted in 1884 to Elizabeth (née Norris) and George Edward Rawlins. Her father was an ironmonger and the family lived at 161/3 High Street.

She died aged only 21 in July 1905.

Her parents are also buried in this plot.

Elizabeth Rawlins

1844 –07/10/1917

A Sunday school teacher who married copper smith and ironmonger George Rawlins

Relatives

George Edward Rawlins — husband

Gertrude Annie Rawlins — daughter

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 671 Elizabeth Rawlins (née Norris) 

Elizabeth was born in 1844 in Berkhamsted.

She married George Edward Rawlins, a brazier, on 26 June 1867 Berkhamsted. “The bride and groom both being teachers in the Congregational Sunday School, were presented by their fellow teachers with a beautiful Bible.” (Herts Advertiser 6 July 1867)

Son Frank C was born in 1870.

In 1871 the family were living in the High Street and George was a brazier with an apprentice.

Eleanor R was born in 1872 followed by Jessie (1875), Marion O (1878) and Herbert George (1880). The 1881 census records the family living and working in the High Street. George was a copper smith and brazier, employing two boys. They were sufficiently well off to be able to employ a live-in domestic servant.

The couple’s youngest child, Gertrude Annie, was born in 1884.

In 1897 their son, Herbert George, received a scholarship of £60 for four years at Berkhamsted School following a year lost through a dangerous illness; he became a civil servant in South Africa.

In 1901 George was at 161, High Street and was an ironmonger. Son Frank was working with him.

In July 1905 their daughter Gertrude Annie died aged 21. She is buried in this plot

George died 25 April 1906 at 163, High Street, aged 62.

Elizabeth continued to run the business and is recorded in the 1911 census at 161-3, High Street. as an ironmonger. Marion, a teacher, was living at home.

Elizabeth died 7 October 1917 at 163, High Street, aged 73.

George Edward Rawlins

1844 –25/04/1906

A metal brazier and later an ironmonger

Relatives

Gertrude Annie Rawlins — daughter

Elizabeth Rawlins — wife

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 671 George Edward Rawlins (1844-1906) 

George was born in about 1844 in Tring and married Elizabeth Norris in 1867 in Berkhamsted. They seem to have met as teachers at the Congregation Church Sunday School.

Son Frank C was born in 1870.

In 1871 the family were living in the High Street and George was a brazier with an apprentice.

Eleanor R was born in 1872 followed by Jessie (1875), Marion O (1878) and Herbert George (1880). The 1881 census records the family living and working in the High Street. George was a copper smith and brazier, employing two boys. They were sufficiently well off to be able to employ a live-in domestic servant.

The couple’s youngest child, Gertrude, was born in 1884.

“Lord Brownlow opened the fifth Great Berkhampstead Industrial and Art Exhibition which formed a splendid display in the Town Hall on a rainy day. It was promoted by the Mechanics’ Institute. Local gentry contributed art and other unusual items and a prize fund of £50.” Various local businessmen exhibited their products, including, “George Rawlins, tin wares including “lobster head cowls” (for chimneys?)” (Bucks Herald, May 1886).

In January 1891 newspapers reported that a boy, James Sharp, stole 5s from the till in George’s shop. He was sentenced to twelve stokes of the birch.

In 1897 George’s youngest son, Herbert George, received a scholarship of £60 for four years at Berkhamsted School following a year lost through a dangerous illness; he became a civil servant in South Africa.

In 1901 George was at 161, High Street and was an ironmonger. Son Frank was working with him.

In July 1905 their daughter Gertrude Annie died aged 21. She is buried in this plot.

George died 25 April 1906 at 163, High Street, aged 62. Elizabeth took over the business and died in 1917.

George Edward Rawlins’ ironmonger’s shop was demolished in 1960 to make way for the Barclays Bank extension.