Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Emily Frances Weatherill (259)

1875 –14/06/1958

Wife of civil servant Henry Weatherill

Relatives

Henry Weatherill (259) — husband

• Karen Evans

Plot 259

Henry Weatherill d. 9th June aged 74 (churchwarden of this parish 1923 – 1943)

Emily Frances Weatherill wife of Henty Weatherill d 14th June 1958 a, 83.

Emily Frances was born Frances Emily Turner the daughter of John William Turner and Emily Theresa (nee Ward). He was a wine and spirit merchant born and raised in Driffield in the East Riding of Yorkshire, whilst Emily Theresa was the daughter of a painter and decorator, who also ran his business in Driffield. Emily’s grandfather, William Turner, had also been a wine merchant and bookseller in the Marketplace at Driffield.

John William Turner appears to have taken over the family business when he reached 21 years old. His mother, Jane Elizabeth Turner (nee Witty) stated that she was a “Brick and Tile Manufacturer employing 15 men and 3 Boys” with her son John William being an “assistant in the business”. John William Turner and Emily Theresa Ward were married on 22^nd August 1871 at St Mary’s church, Little Driffield. The couple had six children born and baptised in Driffield:

William Henry born on 28^th April 1872 and baptised 9^th April 1875

Eliza Jane, born 11^th October and baptised 20^th November 1873

Emily Frances born 10^th March and baptised 9^th April 1875 at Great Driffield

Thomas Witty born in 1876 and baptised 4^th May 1877  

Theresa born 7^th January, baptised 18^th January 1878 and buried 26^th January 1878.

Emily Theresa died on 16^th January, aged just 30 years old and was buried 28^th January 1878. It is likely that Emily Theresa died as a result of giving birth to her daughter, who also failed to survive. In March 1872 The Scottish National Insurance Company appointed John William Turner, Market Place, Driffield, to be their agent for Driffield and district.

In 1881 John William and his family were living at 23 Marketplace, Driffield. He described himself as a Bookseller, Wine & Spirit Mt., Brewer, Brick and Tile Manufacturer. Being a widower with businesses to run it would have been essential for John William to employ a housekeeper/governess, Cook and nursemaid, as well as keeping his eye out for a new wife. The widowed John William married Emily Woodmansey on 15^th December 1881 at St George’s church, Doncaster. John William’s brother-in-law the Rev John Cheeseman B.A., assisted at the ceremony. John died at Ash Lea on 1^st February1888, aged only 37 and was buried at Great Driffield on 4^th February 1888. His widow appears to have taken over the business assisted by her eldest stepson, William Henry.

In 1901 Emily Frances was living in Lockwood Street, Great Driffield with her stepmother, Emily and brother, Thomas. The family income was sufficient to enable them to employ a domestic servant. The new century saw Emily Frances and her siblings marry in quick succession. The first to do so was Emily Frances’ eldest brother, William Henry Turner, who married Honor Weatherill on 31^st July 1900 at Great Driffield. Emily Frances’ sister, Eliza Jane married a farmer, Samuel Robinson on 20^th August 1902 at Pickhill, Yorkshire. The Robinson family lived at Swainby Grove Farm in Pickhill and Eliza Jane was their governess in 1901.

Emily Frances Turner married Henry Weatherill on the 12^th August 1903 at the parish church of Great Driffield in Yorkshire. Henry was 34 and Emily was aged 28. Henry gave his address as 14 Barcombe Avenue, Streatham and the witnesses to the marriage were his parents, Henry and Catherine. With Emily Frances’ brother, William Henry Turner, being Henry Weatherill’s brother-in-law, it was very much a family affair.

On 2^nd September 1905 Emily’s youngest brother died at Lockwood Street in Driffield and was buried in the same churchyard as his parents on 5^th September 1905, aged just 27.

Henry Weatherill appears to have taken his new bride back to his home at 14 Barcombe Avenue, Streatham, Surrey after their marriage. Whilst living in Surrey they had three sons all baptised at St Margaret the Queen church, Streatham Hill:

Henry Egbert Weatherill born on 21^st July 1905 in Streatham and baptized on 20^th August 1905.

John Derrick Weatherill born 28^th April 1908 and baptized on 24^th May 1908. At this time the family’s address was given as 101 Broxholm Road, West Norwood.

Richard Ford Weatherill born 3^rd July 1912 at 101 Broxholm Road, West Norwood and baptized on 4^th August 1912. Henry gave his occupation as that of actuary at this time.

The 1918 New Year Honours were appointments by King George V to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the British Empire. The appointments were published in The London Gazette and The Times in January, February and March 1918. Amongst those who were honoured was Henry Weatherill, Principal Clerk and Actuary to the National Debt Comm.s, who received an O.B.E. The following year has Emily and Henry living at a house called Colwyn in Greenway, Berkhamsted. We do not know exactly when or why the family moved to Berkhamsted from West Norwood, but we do know that it was between 1915 and 1919.

The Weatherill family made regular trips back up to Yorkshire for family occasions. In January 1915 Emily’s sister-in-law, Miss Catherine Annie Weatherill married the Rev. Cannon Sharrock, the Vicar of Driffield. The Driffield Times of 9^th January 1915 said that “The wedding was a quiet one, with no bridesmaids, but a guard of honour composed of N.C.O.’s and men of the R.A.M.C…The bride was given away by her brother, Mr Henry Weatherill, of London. The ceremony was performed by the Rev James A. Sharrock, rector of Hodnet and brother of the bridegroom.

Only members of the family and a few special friends were the invited guests, these including Miss Rachel Weatherall, Mr and Mrs Ford Weatherill, Mrs and Mrs Chas. Weatherill, Mr and Mrs W.H. Turner, Master H. and the Misses Turner”.

A few years later The Driffield Times of 29^th January 1921 reported upon another happy occasion that required minimal travel for Emily and Henry:

“The wedding was celebrated at St Peter’s Church, Berkhamsted, on Tuesday, of the Rev. Richard Foord, vicar of Yeddingham and late senior curate of Great with Little Driffield, and Miss Rachel Weatherill, formerly of Ash Lea, Driffield. The officiating clergy were the Rev Cannon Sharrock, vicar of Driffield, and brother-in-law of the bride, and the Rev W.C. Stainsby, rector of Berkhamsted. The bride, who was given away by Mr Henry Weatherill, her eldest brother, wore a pretty costume of meteor blue. The bridegroom was attended by the Rev A.P. Senior, Fellow of St Augustine’s College, Canterbury. The honeymoon is spent in London.”

By April 1921 Henry had attained the position of Principal clerk and actuary at the National Debt Office in Old Jewry. The family moved from Colwyn, Greenway to a house called Bayston (now number 86) Cross Oak Road, between 1930 and 1939. A number of factors could have caused this move, Henry’s promotion or the fact that in March 1934 Henry was elected on to the Berkhamsted Urban District Council and this large family house was more in keeping with his status in the community. As well as serving on the Urban District Council Henry was also the People’s warden at St Peter’s Church and school manager of Victoria School.

Emily’s step-mother, also Emily died on 23^rd June 1936 at Lockwood Street, Driffield, aged 86. Her funeral service was held at the parish church where Emily Weatherill was baptized, and would have meant another family visit to Yorkshire

In 1939 as the war started the family at Cross Oak Road consisted of Henry and Emily, their sons, John and Richard, and a 24-year-old domestic servant, Margaret Plunkett.

Although the family lived in Berkhamsted, visits back to the family home of Driffield in Yorkshire, were a common occurrence. March 1940 saw the death of Henry’s brother-in-law, the Canon Rev. William Robert Sharrock, M.A. The family mourners who attended his funeral at Driffield Church where he had served as the minister for 40 years. Family mourners (as reported by The Driffield Times) were:

Mrs Sharrock (widow); Mr Charles Weatherill, C.B.E (Edinburgh); Mr Henry Weatherill, C.B.E. (Birkhamstead); Mr G.F Weatherill (Knaresboro’) ….Capt Daubney, Mr Egbert Weatherill, Mr Eric Weatherill and Miss Veronica Sharraock were all prevented from being present through serving in the Forces at home or abroad.

Henry died on 9^th June 1943 at Bayston. His two sons were his executors when his will was proved on 9^th September 1943.

Two years later, Emily’s eldest brother, William Henry Turner, Wine and Spirit Merchant  of Driffield, died on 21^st January 1945, his funeral service being held at the parish church.

In 1855 Emily was living at 13 Castle Hill Avenue. She died on 14 June 1958 at the Grange Nursing Home in Berkhamsted. Probate was granted to her sons Henry Egbert and John Derrick.

Henry Weatherill (259)

1868 –09/06/1943

A civil servant , church warden and Berkhamsted U.D.C. councillor; awarded the OBE

Relatives

Emily Frances Weatherill (259) — wife

• Karen Evans

Plot 259

Henry Weatherill d. 9th June aged 74 (churchwarden of this parish 1923 – 1943)

Emily Frances Weatherill wife of Henty Weatherill d 14th June 1958 a, 83.

Henry Weatherill was born in Birdsall, in the North Riding of Yorkshire, in 1868, the son of Henry and Catherine Weatherill. His father, Henry senior, was a certificated schoolmaster (2^nd class) at Lord Middleton’s school in Birdsall, who had lived with his married mother in one of the school cottages. His parents’ marriage was announced in The Malton Gazette of 12^th December 1863 as follows:

MARRIAGES

On the 8^th inst., at Birdsall, by the Rev T. Walker, Mr Henry Weatherill, of Birdsall, to Catherine, second daughter of Mr G. Ford of Abercorn, in the county of Linlithgow.

Henry Weatherill, senior, appears to have already been established as the schoolmaster at Birdsall when he was married. Henry, senior, and Catherine had eight children baptised at St Mary’s church, Birdsall:

Matilda, baptised on 21^st May 1865

Honor baptised on 11^th November 1866

Henry baptised on 25^th October 1868

Rachel baptised on 10^th July 1870

George Ford born on 10^th May 1872 and baptised on 16^th June 1872

Charles baptised on 3^rd May 1874

Walter Scott born on 24^th August and baptised on 10^th October 1876

Catherine Annie baptised on 15th August 1880

The family lived at the schoolhouse in Birdsall throughout the 1870s and 80’s. On 30^th April 1885 Lord Middleton presented “a testimonial (consisting of a purse of gold, a handsome black marble timepiece, and illuminated address) to Mr Henry Weatherill, the village schoolmaster, in commemoration of his 28 years’ connection with the estate”. In April 1889 Henry Weatherill, senior, was appointed by the local magistrates as one of the overseers for the parish of Birdsall. Having a schoolmaster as a father meant that the boys were well educated. In January 1891 Henry’s brother, George Ford Weatherill, passed with distinction the Oxford University Examination in Geology. Later that year George was a land agent’s clerk working for Mr Gilson Martin, a land agent based in Edensor, Derbyshire.

THE Civil Service Commissioners hereby give notice that at an Open Competitive Examination for Boy Clerkships in the Lower Division of the Civil Service held on the 28th and 29th August 1885 notice of which Examination was given in the London Gazette of the 14th July 1885 the undermentioned Candidates obtained the First sixty one places. Young Henry Weatherill was one of those 61  successful candidates.

On 2^nd February 1886 Henry was appointed a job within the Civil Service as a Boy Clerk to the Post Office. Two years later, in August 1888, Henry was transferred to the National Debt Office, as a clerk. Working for the Civil Service meant that Henry had to live in or close to London. In 1891 Henry and his brother, Charles, were boarding at 26 Dorothy Road, Battersea. Henry was described as being a “Second Division Clerk, Civil Service”, whilst his 16-year-old brother was a “Boy Clerk Civil Service”.  In fact, Charles Weatherill had been “certified by the Civil Service Commissioners as qualified for the appointment” of Lower Division Boy Clerk on 24^th February 1890. Their youngest brother, Walter, whilst only 15 years old, was a clerk for a land agent. Ten years later the two brothers were still living together, but they had their own accommodation at 113 Narbonne Avenue, Clapham. They were both described as being Civil Servants “2^nd Division Clerk”. In that same year of 1901 Henry Weatherill of the National Debt Office became a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries.

Henry and Charles Weatherill both made good careers in the Civil Service with their promotions and honours recorded in the London Gazette.

3^rd June 1891 Charles Weatherill, Clerk of the Second Division appointed to the Fishery Board (Scotland)

2^nd May 1893 Charles Weatherill, Clerk of the Second Division appointed from the Fishery Board (Scotland) to the Secretary for Scotland

“Civil Service Commission, April 11, 1905

Notice is hereby given, that upon a special recommendation from the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, and with the assent of the Treasury, Mr Henry Weatherill, having served as a Clerk of the Lower (now Second) Division for upwards of eight years, has been promoted to an Assistant Principal Clerkship in the National Debt Office, with a special certificate granted exceptionally by the Civil Service Commissioners.”

2^nd January 1914 Charles Weatherill was appointed as Assistant Secretary and Accountant for the Board of Agriculture for Scotland.

Henry’s brother Charles went on to do much greater things as announced by The Daily Mail on 5^th January 1918:

“Mr Charles Weatherill, the newly appointed Secretary to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, is a Yorkshireman, being a son of the late Mr Henry Weatherill of Driffield.”

In addition to having successful careers, the Weatherill family would have been looking at making successful marriages. Henry’s sister, Honor, married William Henry Turner, the son of John William Turner, wine merchant, on 31^st July 1900 at Great Driffield and three years later, on 16^th June 1903 Henry’s brother, George Ford Weatherill married Mabel Harrison at the same church. Their father, Henry Weatherill, senior was described as being a “gentleman”.

Henry Weatherill married Emily Frances Turner, the sister of his brother-in-law, William Henry Turner, on 12^th August 1903 at the parish church of Great Driffield in Yorkshire. Henry was 34 and Emily was aged 28. Henry gave his address as 14 Barcombe Avenue, Streatham and the witnesses to the marriage were his parents, Henry and Catherine.

On 16^th April 1904 the marriage took place “at St James’s, Clapham Park, London, by the Rev. Herbert Standidge, rector of Heather, Leicestershire” of “Charles Weatherill, A.I.A. of the Scottish Office Whitehall, third son of Henry Weatherill of Ash Lea, Driffield, to Ellen Maud, eldest daughter of Reginald Allen Fowles, of Oulton, Clapham Park and 20 Cheapside, E.C.”

Two years later Henry’s mother, Catherine, passed away, and she was buried on 22^nd August 1906 at Birdsall. At the time of her death, she was living at Ash Lea, Driffield. In 1911 Henry Weatherill, senior, retired schoolmaster and widower, was living with his two unmarried daughters, Matilda and Rachel at Ash Lea Mill Street Driffield, Yorkshire. Matilda and Rachel were described as the principals of a private school. Henry Weatherill, senior, was buried at Birdsall on 2^nd June 1913. The parish register states that he was “for upwards of 40 years Schoolmaster at Birdsall”. His funeral was described at length in The Daily Mail of 3^rd June 1913:

The funeral of the late Mr Henry Weatherill, of Ash Lea (whose death took place on Thursday last in the 84^th year of his age), took place at Birdsall, near Malton, on Monday afternoon on the parish churchyard. A number of the Right Hon. Lord Middleton’s chief servants acted as bearers to and from the church, the remains being conveyed from Driffield by road. The Rev L.S. Goodey (Vicar) and the Rev Canon Sharrock (Vicar of Driffield) conducted the service. The psalm was chanted by the male choir, and two hymns sung, “Jesu, Lover of my Soul” and “Let saints on earth in concert sing”. The Vicar also gave a short address in church. The chief mourners were the four sons and four daughter and Mr W.H. Turner, of Driffield (son-in-law) ….the schoolchildren lined the pathway to the church. A lovely wreath was sent by the Right Hon. Lord and Lady Middleton, and many other floral tributes were placed on the grave.

Young Henry appears to have stayed at 14 Barcombe Avenue, Streatham, Surrey after his marriage to Emily Frances. Whilst living in Surrey they had three sons all baptised at St Margaret the Queen church, Streatham Hill:

Henry Egbert Weatherill born on 21^st July 1905 in Streatham and baptized on 20^th August 1905.

John Derrick Weatherill born 28^th April 1908 and baptized on 24^th May 1908. At this time the family’s address was given as 101 Broxholm Road, West Norwood.

Richard Ford Weatherill born 3^rd July 1912 in West Norwood and baptized on 4^th August 1912. Henry gave his occupation as that of actuary at this time.

In 1911 Henry and Emily Frances were still living at 101 Broxholm Road, West Norwood. Henry’s job was now described as “Assistant Principal Clerk, National Debt Office” and his income was sufficient to allow him to employ a general domestic servant.

The war years seem to have passed the family quite quietly, with his sons too young to serve and Henry working in London as a civil servant, the only occasion of note appears to have occurred on 5^th January 1915 when Henry’s youngest sibling, Catherine Annie married Rev William Robert Sharrock at Great Driffield. This event was reported upon by The Daily Mail of 5^th January 1915 as follows:

The wedding was of a quiet character. There were no bridesmaids, but a guard of honour of the R.A.M.C., now under training in Driffield, lining the sides of a covered way up to the west door and inside the nave, gave a picturesque and timely touch to the scene. About 100 non-comms and men, principally from Wakefield and Halifax, under the command of Captain Hepple, were present. The choir met the bride at the doors and sang a processional bridal hymn, Miss Weatherill entering the church with one of her brothers, Mr Charles Weatherill of Edinburgh.

The bride wore a costume of ivory faced cloth, the smart pleated coat having a broad belted effect, and the skirt plainly tailored. This was worn with a small picture hat, with ostrich feather, en suite. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr Henry Weatherill of London.

The 1918 New Year Honours were appointments by King George V, giving various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the British Empire. The appointments were published in The London Gazette and The Times in January, February and March 1918. Amongst those who were honoured was Henry Weatherill, Principal Clerk and Actuary to the National Debt Comm.s, who received an O.B.E. The year also saw an advancement in the career of his brother, Charles, who was appointed Secretary to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland. At some time after 1915, the Weatherill family moved from West Norwood to Berkhamsted, as the electoral roll has of 1919 has Henry and Emily living at Colwyn, Greenway, Berkhamsted.

The Driffield Times of 29^th January 1921 reported up this happy occasion:

The wedding was celebrated at St Peter’s Church, Berkhamsted, on Tuesday, of the Rev. Richard Foord, vicar of Yeddingham and late senior curate of Great with Little Driffield, and Miss Rachel Weatherill, formerly of Ash Lea, Driffield. The officiating clergy were the Rev Cannon Sharrock, vicar of Driffield, and brother-in-law of the bride, and the Rev W.C. Stainsby, rector of Berkhamsted. The bride, who was given away by Mr Henry Weatherill, her eldest brother, wore a pretty costume of meteor blue. The bridegroom was attended by the Rev A.P. Senior, Fellow of St Augustine’s College, Canterbury. The honeymoon is spent in London.

By April 1921 Henry had been promoted to Principal Clerk and Actuary at the National Debt office in Old Jewry, London. However, this was not the end of the highlights in Henry’s career. In January 1924 Henry was appointed as Assistant Comptroller of the National Debt Office. Then fours years later in the 1928 Birthday Honours, made to celebrate the official birthday of The King, George V, Henry Weatherill OBE FIA Assistant Comptroller, National Debt Office, received a CBE. This news was published in The London Gazette on 4^th June 1928.

The family moved from Colwyn, Greenway to a house called Bayston (now number 86) Cross Oak Road, between 1930 and 1939. A number of factors could have caused this move, Henry’s promotion or the fact that in March 1934 Henry was elected on to the Berkhamsted Urban District Council and this large family house was more in keeping with his status in the community.

As well as serving on the Urban District Council Henry was also the People’s warden at St Peter’s Church and school manager of Victoria School.

In 1939 as the war started the family at Cross Oak Road consisted of Henry and Emily, their sons, John and Richard, and a 24-year-old domestic servant, Margaret Plunkett.

Although the family lived in Berkhamsted, visits back to the family home of Driffield in Yorkshire, were a common occurrence. March 1940 saw the death of Henry’s brother-in-law, the Canon Rev. William Robert Sharrock, M.A. The family mourners who attended his funeral at Driffield Church where he had served as the minister for 40 years. Family mourners (as reported by The Driffield Times) were:

Mrs Sharrock (widow); Mr Charles Weatherill, C.B.E (Edinburgh); Mr Henry Weatherill, C.B.E. (Birkhamstead); Mr G.F Weatherill (Knaresboro’) ….Capt Daubney, Mr Egbert Weatherill, Mr Eric Weatherill and Miss Veronica Sharraock were all prevented from being present through serving in the Forces at home or abroad.

Henry Weatherill died on 9^th June 1943 at his home, Bayston. His two sons were his executors when his will was proved on 9^th September 1943.