Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Alfred Evans Sunderland (838)

d.13/11/1926

A labourer who became assistant surveyor of roads

Relatives

Lillian Sunderland — wife

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 838 Alfred Evans Sunderland (1882-1926)

Alfred was born in 1882 to Henry Sunderland, coachman and cab proprietor, and his wife Elizabeth (née Evans). He had three sisters and two brothers. He was baptised at Holy Trinity, Haverstock Hill.

His father died when he was four and in 1891 the family was living in Carlton Street in the St Pancras area, the heart of the London pianoforte-making industry. His mother’s census record states that she was “supported by family.” Two of his sisters were dressmakers, one was a lady’s maid and one of his brothers was employed as a pianoforte maker.

By 1891 Alfred was still living with his family and was employed as a general labourer and this was still the case when the 1901 census was taken.

18 July 1915 he married Lilian Raven in St Andrew’s, Willesden by which time he was an assistant surveyor.

The couple moved to 91, Shrublands Avenue Berkhamsted, where Henry Raven was born in 1916 and Alfred G in 1918.

In June 1921 Lillian and the boys were staying in Margate, and Alfred was at home with his mother in Shrublands Avenue. His occupation was “Assistant to District [Council] main roads surveyor.”

Alfred died in West Herts hospital 13 November 1926 aged 44.

Lillian Sunderland

16/02/1884 –15/04/1948

A pupil at St Pancras Industrial School in Leavesden and later wife of Alfred Sunderland

Relatives

Alfred Evans Sunderland (838) — husband

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 838 Lillian Sunderland (née Raven) (1884-1948)

Lillian was born 16 February 1884, the second child of Margaret Constance (née Gillard) and Edward Harry Raven. Her father was a French polisher and the family lived at 156, Prince of Wales Road, Southwark. She was baptised into the Wesleyan Methodist congregation.

Her father died when she was only five and life must have been hard for Margaret and she had to approach the parish for relief. She was clearly successful as the 1891 census records Lillian at the St Pancras Industrial School in Leavesden, near Watford.

The school was set up in 1868 by the Overseers of the Poor of St Pancras to provide an education for pauper children. It was vast, built to accommodate almost 700 children.

The regime appears to have been enlightened and the children well cared for. Girls received religious education and were taught reading, writing, grammar and composition, recitation and needlework. There was a “drill-mistress” for exercise and swimming lessons and a hospital and dental treatment (www.workhouses.org.uk/StPancras/). Talking at mealtimes was encouraged and any child still feeling hungry after their meal was allowed to raise their hand and ask for more.

(The school became Abbots Langley hospital and closed in the 1990s.)

By 1901, aged 17, Lillian was back at home with her mother, a charwoman. She was employed as a cartridge maker, presumably for shotguns.

In 1911 Lillian was still living at home in Kentish Town with her mother and two of her brothers, one a cellar man for a wine merchant, the other a “tooth trimmer” in a “tooth factory” – presumably making false teeth. Lillian was working as a bar maid in a pub. They only had two rooms, including the kitchen.

On 18 July 1915 Lillian married Alfred Evans Sunderland in St Andrew’s, Willesden. He was an assistant surveyor.

The couple moved to 91, Shrublands Avenue Berkhamsted where Henry Raven was born in 1916 and Alfred G in 1918.

At the time of the 1921 census Lillian was in Margate with the boys. It is not clear whether they were visiting friends or were holiday-makers boarding with a local family. Alfred had remained at home in Berkhamsted with his mother.

Alfred died in 1926 aged 44 and is buried here.

In the 1939 Register Lillian and her two sons were still at Shrublands Road. She was employed as a “fur machinist” at the mantle factory in Lower King’s Road, Henry was a technical surveyor and Alfred an engineering drawing assistant for a motor company.

With the outbreak of the Second World War  Henry joined the RAF and became a sergeant. He was killed 12 May 1940, aged 23. He lies in Oostvorne Protestant cemetery, just west of Rotterdam.

Lillian died in 1948 and is buried here with Alfred.