Rand Family

The Rand Family

This post is about the Rand Family, the maternal family of my Granny (her mother was a Rand).  This is based on records available online (including research by my father), along with family photographs and stories that have been passed down through the family.

I’d never really known much about the Rand family growing up; Granny had talked about various Rand Uncles and Aunts when showing me photographs but I don’t remember meeting them.  My Granny, Phyllis Mary Lamb (nee Milton) also spoke of a Royal connection with early members of the Rand Family – over the years, the facts behind this have been lost, though she remembers visiting the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace as a little girl to collect a pension with her mother and other family members, but I cannot corroborate this story or see how it can be true given that all the Rand’s who worked for the Royals were dead by 1916.

The family also passed down a story that the pension was for services rendered by a Rand in saving Royal children from a runaway horse or carriage.  I have found no evidence for this, but there is clear evidence that James Rand was involved in an accident when acting as postillion on one of two carriages in a party including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, at Virginia Water in Surrey, so this is perhaps the source of the story?

It has been possible to trace an extensive royal connection between the Rands and the British Royal family over a number of generations through the Royal Archives and newspapers of the periods.

It is also of interest as a recent DNA test has show that my mother’s family have approximately 10% German DNA, which is intriguing and probably comes from the Rand side of the family.

Early Rand’s and a possible German connection (Rand/Randt)

WILLIAM (WILLEM) RAND (I) (1690-?)

There is some conjecture, that William (or Willem) Rand was born in Celle in Hannover, Lower  Saxony, Germany in 1690.  This may provide the link between the Rand family and its German ancestors, but I’ve not been able to prove this one way or another.

The arrival in England of the Rand family may tie in with the arrival of George, Duke of Brunswick-Luneberg who’s seat was around Celle in Hanover, to be heir apparent to the throne of England to ensure a protestant succession.  George succeeded his distant cousin, Queen Anne, on the 1st August 1714, and became King George I.  George was a native German speaker and brought his German household with him as he adapted to English customs; there is evidence that Germans anglicised their names during this period.  There is however no direct evidence to support the date of any Rand’s arrival in England.

The first recorded evidence of William Rand was his marriage to one Elizabeth Payne (baptised 7/8/1695) on the 1st October 1716; recorded as a London ‘Clandestine Marriage’.  William is noted as a batchelor and she a spinster, but unlike other records, his origin is not noted.  Could this perhaps confirm that he was not an Englishman by birth?

A so called ‘Clandestine Marriage’ was a marriage outside the parish of the bride or groom, that was nominally done by a clergy but without banns or a marriage license.  The fact that the marriage is recorded in the ‘Registers of Clandestine Marriages and of Baptisms in the Fleet Prison, King’s Bench Prison, the Mint and the May Fair Chapel’ and a ‘Fleet Marriage’ on the Fleet Prison marriage register.  Fleet prison was a prison for debtors and bankrupts, the fact the marriage was held here doesn’t mean that William was in prison, in fact it is almost certain he wasn’t.

“As a prison, the Fleet was claimed to be outside the jurisdiction of the church. The prison warders took a share of the profit, even though a statute of 1711 imposed fines upon them for doing so: it only moved the clandestine marriage trade outside the prison. There were, in fact, so many debtors that many lived in the area outside the prison (itself a lawless area which operated under the “rules of the Fleet”). Disgraced clergymen (and many who pretended to be clergymen) lived there, and marriage houses or taverns carried on the trade,^[7] encouraged by local tavern-keepers in the neighbourhood who employed touts to solicit custom for them. There were also many clerks who made money recording the ceremonies.” (wikipedia)

They had a son called William Rand (II) [because of the prevalence of ‘William’s’ in the Rand line I have given a number to help with identification] who was baptised 30th January 1720 at St Margaret Lothbury, City of London.  This was a church a short distance from the location of the Fleet river area of London.

WILLIAM RAND (II) (1720-)

This second William Rand married Alice (or possibly Elizabeth).

Their son William (III) was born in 1st September 1754, and was Christened on 10th October 1754 at St. Sepulchre, London, which is  within the Fleet area of London, and so matches the area that his family lived in.

WILLIAM RAND (III) (1754-1829)

William Rand (III) born 1754, also (rather confusingly) married an Elizabeth (Elisabeth).

From this marriage were two sons: John Rand (born c1780) and William (IV) (born in 1780).

William (III) died in 1829.

WILLIAM RAND (IV) (1780-1836)

This fourth William (b. 1780) also had a wife named Elizabeth (b.1781) – they had at least three children: Frederick Rand, born about 1806 and who died in 1865, Mary Ann Rand, born about 1817, and James Rand, born 3rd July 1819 who died in 1889.

It is unclear what William (IV) did in his early years, but we can assume he worked extensively with horses and coaches.  Given that he later walked into a job with the Royal Household as a coachman driving senior royalty around, then he must have built up experience of working with horses and driving coaches during his early years and 20’s.

In 1806, the family were living in Kew in Surrey when Frederick was born; is it possible that William was working at Kew Palace for one of the more extended Royal Family?  This is not recorded in the Royal Archive, but this seems mainly to focus on the senior Royal Family and their households.

In 1812 (at the age of 43) he joined joined the Royal Mews (Royal Archive: Royal Household Staff 1526-1924: Royal Mews Establishment Book) as a coachman.  This is the earliest record of a Rand working for the British Royal Family; he was one of eight coachmen and earned the sum of £150 per annum.  The record details all the other staff of the Mews required to keep a stable running, including Pages, Clerks, Coachmen (who rode on the coach) and Postilions (who controlled the horses pulling the coach), Grooms etc.).

This is confirmed in a roundabout way by a newspaper article (later in this post) which when discussing an ‘Alfred Rand’, states “His grandfather was coachman to King George in the year 1812“.

In 1812, the ‘Royal Mews’ was based at Charing Cross, at the site of what is now Trafalgar Square; the Mews itself was the official stabling for all the royal horses and carriages and the staff that were needed to look after the horses and work the carriages, moving the Royal Family around their many engagements.

At the time of their son, James’ christening on 8th August 1819, the family were living at Carlton House (presumably the servants quarters), where William (IV) was recorded as a ‘Coachman’.  [James was my G-G-Great-Grandfather].

Carlton House was a mansion in London, best known as the town residence of the Prince Regent for several decades from 1783.  It was a spacious and opulent structure that would have been designated a palace in many countries; however, when the Prince Regent became George IV in 1820, he deemed St James’s Palace and George III’s Buckingham House were inadequate for his needs.  Consideration was given to rebuilding Carlton House on a far bigger scale, but in the end Buckingham House was rebuilt as Buckingham Palace instead. Carlton House was demolished in 1825 – it’s Paintings and many of its fittings and fixtures being put in the new Buckingham Palace and also put in Windsor Castle.  Carlton House was replaced by two grand terraces of expensive houses known as Carlton House Terrace, just north of ‘The Mall’ in St. James.

It is unclear whether William (IV) worked directly for the Prince Regent, but I think it is highly likely given he lived in his household at Carlton House.  The Prince Regent (1811-1820) became King George IV on 29th January 1820, and it is likely that the family moved from Carlton House to Buckingham Palace Mews when it was completed in 1825 (The Royal Mews moved from Charing Cross in the same year).

It is certain that William would have worked for over 10 years in the Mews at Buckingham Palace serving both King George IV (including his coronation in 1820), and then also King William IV (including his coronation on 26th June 1830) up until his own death.

‘Salary lists for the Royal Mews established staff’ records during the 1820’s and 1830’s up to 1836 detail William as a ‘Body Coachman’ or ‘Other Coachman’ and the salary that he had earned for the period.  The last entry shows pay only for a 40 odd days which was presumably the period up to his death.

An example from 1833 is below and is typical of the many annual entries.

William (IV) died in August 1836, and this is reported in many newspapers around the country e.g. Oxford University and City Herald (Sat 20th August 1836) “DEATHS: At the Royal mews, Pimlico, Mr. Rand, coachman to his late and present Majesty”

Records show William’s (IV) wife Elizabeth, continued receiving a pension as a widow of ‘livery staff’ from 1836 until her own death.

Brothers’ James Rand b.1819 and Frederick Rand b.1806

JAMES RAND (1819-1889)

James Rand was born on the 3^rd July 1819 at Carlton House, St James, London, and was christened on 8^thAugust 1819 at St James, Westminster [James is my G-G-Great-Grandfather].

The Royal Household records show that James started working for the Royal family in September 1838, it is unclear at this stage what he did for them, but later records state he was a ‘Livery Helper’.

Rather bizarrely, a modern job advert for the current Queen (in Oct 2019) gives some insight into the role of a Royal Livery Helper, the role probably hasn’t changed that much.  They were required to give daily care to the horses of the Royal Mews, provide them with training for ceremonies and exercise them regularly, as well as maintain the stables, clean saddlery and harnesses and to keep the Royal Mews in the best condition.  They would also assist Coachmen with riding and driving horses on ceremonial days.

I would not be surprised if James helped his father as a boy, and it would be unsurprising that he knew horses from a very young age.  Having a Royal Coachman father undoubtedly helped James get a job in the Royal Mews.

The 1841 census states James Rand was a ‘Queen’s Servant’ (Queen Victoria had been crowned on 20th June 1837), and living at the Royal Mews, Clarence Place in Windsor.  He is living with 15 other men, ranging in age from 15 to 45; these are almost certainly servants quarters for staff the Royal Mews at Windsor Castle, and it is clear that James would have looked after the horses at Windsor.

The following article from the Essex Standard of Friday 20th August 1841 is almost certainly about James Rand; we know this because his 35 year old brother Frederic was living in Hanover Square in 1841, so it makes it highly likely the ‘lad’ mentioned was a 22 year old James Rand who was in Windsor at the time.

It details an accident at Virginia Water in Surrey, where a phaeton being driven by James (Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were riding horses with the two cartridges) nearly ended up in the lake and a he was injured.

This is fascinating and almost certainly the source of the family ‘Royal Rescue’ story that has been passed down.  James was thrown by his horse, trampled by other horses, and then run over the the phaeton carriage, before being ‘bled’ with leeches by a surgeon.

 

James worked for the Royal Family for 11 years and his Royal pension started on 24th December 1849 which provided a regular income to the family; his wife continued to work for the Royal Family.

James married a Mary (Ann) Morris in the second quarter of 1857 at St George’s Church, in Hanover Square, London.  Hannover Square was the location of The Royal Mews Master Of The Horses Department; we know that James’ brother Frederick, lived here in 1841.

Mary had been born in South Wales in about 1819, and at the time of the marriage, was employed as a Cook.  Mary worked for the Royal Household as a Pastry Chief’s Assistant and is recorded as part of the ‘Privy Purse Establishment’ between 1836 and 1844, so she was paid directly from Queen Victoria’s own private income from the Duchy of Lancaster.  After this she moved over to being part of the Lord Steward’s Establishment (paid for by the state), and continued her role from 1844 to 1861 when she retired.

They had at least two children; James William Rand, born in September 1858 in Westminster, and Charles C Rand, born in 1862.  James William Rand was My Granny’s Grandfather.

I have not found James in the 1851 census, but by 1861 the family were living on 11 Lillington Street (destroyed during the blitz and now Lillington Gardens), a short distance from Buckingham Palace.  He is recorded as a servant, but he was no longer in Royal Service.

By 1871, James was with his wife and 12 and 9 year old sons, lodging at 32 Amphitheatre Row, Stangate in Lambeth.  He is recorded as a Watchman, and his sons are at school.

In October 1880, James recorded himself as “Civil Service Pensioner’ when his son James got married.

By 1881, James, Mary and Charles had moved to 17 College Street in Lambeth (sharing the house with another family), James was still a Watchman, and Charles was a bookbinder, his other son, James had presumably left to set up his own home after his marriage the year before.

Mary died in 1884 and James Rand died on 1st July 1889 in Lambeth, aged 72.

The following record of the Royal Mews establishment list for records James’ death date and records that his pension started on 24th December 1849, and that he was a ‘livery servant’ and living on College street/Belvedere Street in Lambeth.

Somewhat morosely, the July 1889 Royal Mews wage book states “1st July 1889 James Rand Pensioner died this day”.

Frederick Rand

Although not of my direct line, it is worth exploring Frederick Rand and his son Alfred, who continue the Royal connection through their employment with the Royal Family.

Frederick Rand, born around 1806 and who died in 1865 [my G-G-G-G-Great Uncle], in Kew in Surrey.

The Royal Household Staff list states that Frederick Rand joined the staff in 1819 at the age of 14 or 15 working at Carlton House, like his father.  It is interesting to see that Fred followed in his father’s footsteps.  It does not state what role he took, but it would probably have been a Groom or Livery Helper position.

Frederick married Jane Edmeads in Datchet in (next to Windsor) on 13th March 1828.

During the 1830’s the List of Salaries shows that Frederick was a Stable Livery Helper, and confirms that he worked with his father up to his death in 1836 – since they are both on opposite pages of the same record.

They had a number of children, Charles Rand (1830-1868), Emma Rand (1832-1909),  Alfred Rand (1835-1900),  Caroline Rand (1837-1854) and William George Rand (1840-1919).

In 1842, The List of Salaries for the Royal Mews shows that Frederick was made a Royal Coachman like his father had been before him.  He would have acted as coachman for Queen Victoria.

In the census of 1841 and 1851, Frederick is living at the The Royal Mews Master Of The Horses Department on Hannover Square with his wife and family.

Fred’s pension started in April 1855.

Jane died in 1859 in Twickenham.

By 1861, Frederick was living at 111 Keyzer Buildings, Twickenham as a retired Coachman.

Frederick died in Twickenham in April 1865.

Alfred Rand

Frederick’s second son, Alfred Rand (1835- 6th March 1900), is also worth briefly covering because of a continuation of the connection with the Royal Family.  Alfred continued the Rand family connection with the Royal Mews specifically in Windsor, firstly as a Groom, Livery Helper and finally reaching the position of Postillion; the Postillion sat on the horses pulling a carriage and steered them, thus steering the carriage.

Like his father he served Queen Victoria.

The following newspaper article (Windsor and Eton Express, Saturday 9th February 1901) is an obituary to Alfred Rand, and mentions both his father and grandfather and his own feats of horsemanship, and gives a fascinating insight.

JAMES WILLIAM RAND (1858-1906)

James William Rand was born in Westminster in September 1858.  [My G-G-Grandfather].  There are not many sources to provide much information on James William Rand, he just seems an ordinary hard working man, seemingly a waiter for much of his life.

The 1861 Census shows that James William is aged 2, and the family are living at 11 Lillington Street, Pimlico (destroyed during the blitz and now Lillington Gardens).  By the 1871 census, James was 12 and at school.

When James was 22, he married Annie Jane Thomas on the 16^th October in 1880.  She had been born in Clifton, Bristol in 1861 and at the time of their marriage, she was employed as a Domestic Servant.  Their marriage certificate shows that James was then employed as a Waiter, and that the couple lived together with his parents are 17 College Street in Lambeth.

Annie Jane Thomas (my G-Great-Grandmother):

In the 1881 Census, James William and Annie are living at 10 Paris Street, Lambeth – he is employed as a Waiter.  In the 1891 Census, James is 33 years old and the family are now living at 168 York Road, North Marsh, Lambeth – his employment is given as Hotel Waiter (Inn).

James William Rand and Annie had six children – all born in the Borough of Lambeth.  They were; Annie Elizabeth Mary Rand (born on 6^th April 1881),   Sidney Herbert (born in September 1882), my Great-Grandmother Helen Ethel (born 24^th January 1886), May Dorothy (born 1^st May 1889), Alfred James (born 11^th December 1891), and Margaret Beatrice (born 15^th May 1894).

The 1901 Census records James William Rand as being 43 years of age.  The family are still at 168 York Road and his employment is given as Waiter in a Club.

James William Rand died in Lambeth in July 1906, at the comparatively young age of 47.

The 1911 Census shows widowed Annie Jane Rand working as a Housekeeper for a Mr Price – he is a 47 year old Accountant living at 46, Cowley Mansions.  Annie is shown to be 50 years old and with her, is her 21 year old daughter, May Dorothy Rand, as a Boarder.  Her son Alfred Rand, aged 20 – who works as a Hotel Servant, is down as a Visitor. Another Visitor is Margery Sawdon, Annie’s Granddaughter.

My G-Great Grandmother, Annie Jane Rand was knocked down and fatally injured by a motor car (the family story was that it was a taxi) on the Camberwell New Road in October 1916 (Globe, London 14th Nov 1916 and Boston Guardian 18th Nov 1916).  She was described as “Mrs. Annie Jane Rand, 56, widow, Englewood-road, Clapham“, and according the inquest held in Lambeth into the events of her death, “Evidence was given that Mrs. Rand hurried round the back of a stationary tramcar and was knocked down, and fatally injured“.  The driver was exonerated and a judgement of ‘Accidental Death’ was returned by the coroner.

 

The following information about the six children of James William Rand and Annie Jane Thomas is partly from Census records, some from official Birth, Marriage and Death records and some from a variety of sources, including members of the wider family, together with information, photographs and documentation from my Granny, Mary Lamb, and her late brother, my Great Uncle, John Milton.  Unfortunately, there are some considerable gaps in the information available on some of James and Annie’s children.

ANNIE ELIZABETH “Poppy” MARY RAND (1881 – 1954)

Annie was known affectionately as “Poppy.”  She was born on 6^th April 1881 at 20 Royal Street, Lambeth.  She appears first on the 1891 Census where she is described as a Scholar.  By the 1901 Census, Annie’s employment is given as Dressmaker.

She met Henry “Harry” Sawdon (born in Kirby Moorside, Yorkshire on 22^nd November 1874) who according to the Banns was also ‘of this parish’ (St. Michael’s Lambeth), and they married on 6^th July 1907 at St Michael’s Parish Church, Stockwell, London.  At the time of their marriage, Annie was aged 25 and 32 year old “Harry” was described as a Draper.

The marriage party is below: Harry Sawdon is central with a rather dapper looking boater-hat on and magnificent moustache, with Poppy to his left with the bouquet.  My Great-Grandmother, Helen (Nell) is to her left, and the youngest sister Margaret is to the far right of the photograph.  I think May is on the far left of the photograph and the portly gentleman in the top hat and lady are unknown but perhaps Harry’s parents (William Sawdon a farmer according to the marriage registry, but a draper according to census records and Mary Sawdon his wife)?  Or is this the sisters mother, Annie Rand?

In 1908, Harry and Poppy lived at 29 Hazelbourne Road, Balham, where they lived for a number of years.  By 1923, Harry and Poppy had moved in with her sister, May, and her husband Michael Williamson at 86 Englewood Road, SW 12.  On the 1911 Census, Harry is described as a Warehouseman.

They had five children – all born in Wandsworth; Margery Sawdon b. 1908 died in 1976, Richard “Dick” b. 1910 died in 1993 William “Bill” Alfred b. 1911 died in 2005, Dorothy “Dot” Margaret b. 1914 died 2000 John “Jack” Milton Sawdon b. 1915 died 1980.

Poppy with three of her children (unknown).

A record from 28th July 1920 states that Harry Sawdon joined the ‘City of London Special Police Reserve’ in 1914 and that he was now claiming ‘Freedom of the city of London in 1920.  He puts his address as 86 Englewood Road.

According to Margery’s son (Terry Nalden), Harry Sawdon left the family home in Englewood Road and no one now seems to know why or when (must be after 1920) this took place.  The 1939 Electoral Roll shows Poppy Sawdon and two of her children (Dorothy Margaret and John Milton Sawdon) are still living at Englewood Road, together with Poppy’s sister, May Dorothy Williamson (nee Rand).

Poppy subsequently lived in a house in Morden (Surrey), and her sister, May, lived with her in the family home after they had all left Clapham.

Harry Sawdon died in April 1932 at St James’ Hospital, 46 Ouseley Road, Balham.  Poppy died at 1 Central Gardens, Farm Road, Morden, Surrey in 1954.

SIDNEY HERBERT RAND (1882 – 1925)

Sidney Herbert Rand was baptized on 25^th November 1882 at Holy Trinity, Lambeth.  On the 1891 Census, Sidney is said to be 7 years old and is at school.  On the 1901 Census, Sidney is 19 years old and employed as a Page/Domestic Servant at 1 Grosvenor Place, Knightsbridge, London; this was a hotel/club.

Sidney joined the army, for by 1905, he was a Gunner in the 54th Company of the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) in Gibraltar.  From military records (Military Marriages in Gibraltar, 1869-1914), Sidney (aged 21) married 16 year old Maria Magdalena Chichuna on the 27th March 1905. Her father (Antonio) is recorded as being employed as a “boatman.”  The Marriage Ceremony took place at Gibraltar Cathedral. I have been unable to find any other official records about Maria or her family.

Apparently there were three children from this marriage – the first was James Anthony Rand, born in Gibraltar on 28th May 1908. Maria apparently gave birth to their second child, Ann, on the 1^st October 1910 at Hargraves Parade, Gibraltar.  On the 25^th  March 1915, their third child, Helena Rand was born at the same address.  Maria Magdalena died on 25^th December 1917 at Hargraves Parade, at the age of 32.  What happened to Sidney in the years following Maria’s death, remains a mystery.  There is, however, an official record of a Mr S. Rand getting on a boat in Gibraltar and disembarking in London on 31^st March 1920 – he gave his permanent address as being Gibraltar.  Nothing more is known of him until his death, (registered in St Pancras), in June 1925.

The children appear to have returned to England e.g. James Anthony Rand (same birthday) died in Gloucestershire in December 1995.

HELEN ETHEL “Nell” RAND (1886-1954)

Helen Ethel “Nell” Rand was born on 24^th January 1886 at 10 Paris Street, Lambeth, she was the second daughter of James William Rand and Annie Jane Thomas.  Helen Ethel Rand’s birth was registered as Ethel Helen Rand; she is my Great-Grandmother.

Because of the London smog, Helen suffered from problems with her chest and by the 1891 Census, she had been sent (aged 5) from London to Bristol to live with her Maternal Grandparents.  Her Grandfather, William Thomas (then aged 63) and his wife Elizabeth (nee Hinton) lived at 3 Nelson Buildings, Victoria Street, Clifton.  Also living there was Ellen Elizabeth Thomas (aged 21) and 19 years old, Herbert J. Thomas.

William Thomas (Helen’s maternal Grandfather, and my G-G-Great Grandfather) who effectively brought Helen up:

From photographic evidence, Helen attended school in Clifton during 1896, it’s unclear where but it would be “Christchurch School Clifton”; she is 3rd left, second row from the back.

Helen’s Grandmother Elizabeth died on the 21^st January 1900.  Nell was photographed in c.1900.

The 1901 Census shows that 15 year old Helen, her widowed 73 year old Grandfather William Thomas, and her 29 year old uncle Herbert John Thomas had moved to 28 Collingwood Road, Clifton.  The house was shared with Helen’s Uncle William and Aunt Charlotte and their three children; Catherine Vera Thomas, aged 8 (born 1893), Hilda Margaret Thomas, aged 7 (born 1894), and Arthur Herbert Thomas, aged 5 (born in 1896).

After Helen’s Grandfather died in 1909, she and her Uncle Herbert continued to live at 28 Collingwood Road.

By the time of the 1911 Census, Charlotte is described as the “Head” of the family.  There’s no trace of her husband, William; he may have been away from home working for the Ordnance Survey.  Helen is 25 years old with no stated employment but has been joined by Margaret Beatrdice Rand – her 16 year old sister from London.  Margaret’s employment is given as “Apprentice Milliner.”

Helen “Nell” Rand in 1911

At some unknown point (probably between 14th December and 1912 when he returned to England and 26th May 1913 when he left England again), Nell met Lewis Milton (my G-Grandfather) who was an African Trader working for the Bristol company R. & W. King in the German Cameroons.  The earliest communication (a postcard sent by Lewis to Nell) we have between them was dated the 23rd August 1913, but they must have known each other since at least Lewis’ last home leave; Lewis returned to the Cameroons on 26th May 1913.

At the age of 28, Helen travelled (with her Aunt Mary Edith Thomas) on an Elder & Fyffes Ltd. ‘banana boat’ called SS Motagua from Bristol (Avonmouth) on the 3^rd August 1914 for a round trip to the West Indies, landing at Bowden Harbour in the S/E of Jamaica and then travelling onto Port Limon in Costa Ricca in Central America and then finally visiting Colon in the Republic of Panama (the entrance to the Panama Canal).

https://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/eldersfyffes.shtml

Such banana boats catered for a small number of passengers, combining cargo (of banana’s) with passenger services.  She would have travelled in some luxury and and been well looked after onboard.

SS Motagua is pictured below; she was relatively new having been built in 1912, she was 5977 grt and had a max. speed of 15kts.  Interestingly in November 1914 she was converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser with 6 x 6 inch guns and commissioned HMS Motagua until 1919. (https://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-08-HMS_Motagua.htm).

I remember my Granny talking about how her mother went on a round trip to the West Indies on a banana boat, I can’t remember that she knew the reason for the trip.  I do wonder now whether she travelled to warmer tropical climes for health reasons, given her previous health problems(?).

One can only wonder why Nell chose to travel with her 60 year old Aunt, Mary Edith Thomas, who was Matron of Clifton College in Bristol (she is pictured below).  They make curious travelling companions, and I can only assume that she acted as chaperone to her niece.

 

Following the outbreak of War in August 1914, Lewis found himself in German territory and was taken prisoner and held captive on a German liner in Douala harbour, where he stayed for about six weeks until being rescued by the Royal Navy when the British arrived to capture the German colony.  Lewis returned to England on the 26th April 1915.

CLICK THE LINK FOR THE FULL HISTORY OF LEWIS MILTON

Lewis and Nell resumed their relationship and began marriage preparations; she was already three months pregnant with my Granny when they were married on 2^nd October 1915 at St Paul’s Church, Clifton.

Lewis joined the Army shortly after his marriage and “Nell” returned to London to be with the rest of her sisters, during the rest of her pregnancy. Phyllis Mary Milton was born at 5 Blandfields Street, Balham, on 10^th April 1916.

Her mother (my G-Great-Granny) was killed by a motor car in an accident in London during October 1916.

Lewis having been given a Commission in the Gloucester Regiment, was sent to France during November 1916.  He was seriously wounded by a Minenwerfer (German trench mortar) in the front-line trenches at Cuinchy in Northern France on the 30th January 1917 and evacuated to England on the 8th February 1917 for surgery and recuperation at “Londonderry House,” Park Lane, one of the most prestigious addresses in London.  Helen visited him there on many occasions, taking my Granny with her.

Nell and Granny in London 1917:

When Lewis was discharged, he, Helen and their daughter returned to Bristol.  They moved into a couple of rooms at St Ronan’s Avenue, Redland and it was here that their second child, John Charles was born on 30^thJanuary 1918.

Nell spent much of her summer with Lewis’ family at Downside in Somerset, with the family helping their relatives, the Merrick family at Downside Farm, Nell and John are pictured here in the summer of 1919.

In 1922, they moved to “Lansdown View,” 48, Charlton Park, Keynsham.  Lansdown View, Keynsham  c.1950 (with my mother playing on the pavement).

Helen and Lewis lived there for the next twenty-nine years.

The following picture is undated, but probably during the mid 1920’s and shows Nell to the left, with her children Mary (my Granny) and John (my Great Uncle) along with her sisters May Williamson and Margaret Price (far right); the older lady next to Nell is Margarets mother in law.

 

The family took a holiday house in Portishead at Redcliffe Bay during the 1930’s and Nell is pictured here:

After Lewis died in 1951, Helen continued to live there for quite some time before moving in with her youngest sister, Margaret Beatrice and her husband, Reginald Ernest “Bob” Price, at 44 Redland Road.  Helen died in Bristol in March 1958, aged 72.

MAY DOROTHY RAND (1889-1977)

May Dorothy Rand was born on 1^st May 1889 at 168 York Road Lambeth.  She was baptised at Lower Marsh All Saints, Lambeth on 2^nd June 1889.

May Dorothy Rand in 1911

She married a Michael Williamson in Wandsworth, London in 1917 – he was aged 26, having been born on 24th January 1893 in Gibraltar.  

Prior to joining the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve he was a kitchen porter.  He was only 5’2.5″ in height!

He joined the Navy first on 20th October 1911, joining the Battleship HMS Prince of Wales, but was discharged in December 1911 as SNLR (Service No Longer Required), the reason is unclear.

However, he rejoined the Navy on 13th May 1913 and appears to have spent much of his time at a Naval shore establishment (e.g. Pembroke 2 = Chatham) or on depot ships such as HMS Blenheim in the Mediterranean or their attached Destroyers like HMS Racoon.  During the 1920’s he served for a couple of years on the Battle Cruiser HMS Repulse.

According to the 1918 Electoral Roll, May and Michael were living at 86 Englewood Road in Clapham, London SW12.  He was attached to HMS “Egmont” or HMS Egremont, which was the name the Chatman shore-establishment or base, was renamed in June 1916, it was returned to HMS Pembroke again in 1919.

In 1919 they were still living in Englewood Road, and Michael was still attached to HMS “Egmont (HMS Egremont)”  The Electoral Roll for 1923 and 1924 shows that “Harry” Sawdon and his wife Annie “Poppy” Mary Sawdon (nee Rand) had moved in to live with them.

Michael was discharged from the Royal Navy on 12th May 1925 and put on the ‘Reserve List’ and registered on the Unemployment Insurance.  He joined the Merchant Navy after his Royal Navy service, enrolling from the Unemployment Insurance on 2nd September 1925.  He was finally enrolled into the Merchant Navy on 26th August 1926 at Victoria Docks – interestingly these records show he had tattoos on both forearms e.g. woman’s head on his left forearm.

It is unclear what happened to him next since there appear to be two M or Michael Williamson’s who were Merchant Seamen during the same period and it’s not entirely clear which one is which.

One M. Williamson joined the SS Cairnmona and is recorded as drowned in the Humber Channel on 24th February 1926.  But I suspect that this is not my G-Great-Uncle because dates clash with his Royal Navy service.

The other records show a M. Williamson as a passenger travelling to Gibraltar on a Japanese ship, the ‘Hakusan Maru’, in October 1926 (he was living at what looks likes Janson Rd. E15, which would be Stratford just a few miles from the London Docks.  He was a Seaman by profession and his given age matches Michael’s record; because of his family connection with Gibraltar, it is possible that this is him.

The only other record for Michael Williamson is a death in July 1965 in Hillingdon, Greater London.  It is unclear if this is him, but this record has the same birth year.

I think all the clues suggest that May and Michael’s marriage failed, although I can find no record of any divorce.  It is possible that his frequent absences destroyed the marriage.

The 1939 Electoral Roll shows May living with Poppy Sawdon and two of her children (Dorothy Margaret and John Milton Sawdon) at Englewood Road with no sign of Michael.

Once Poppy Sawdon’s husband left her, she moved from Englewood Road to a house in Morden in Surrey with her sister May.  They lived in this address during and after the Second World War.

After “Poppy” died in 1954, May Dorothy Williamson (nee Rand) had a flat in the same building in Morden as her niece, Dorothy “Dot” Harris (nee Sawdon) and her husband Reg. Following a move by “Dot” and Reg to a cottage in the Wye Valley, May moved to Bristol to live with her youngest sister – Margaret Price (nee Rand) at 44 Lower Redland Road.

May died on the 7^th April 1977, aged 87 – her death was registered in Weston-super-Mare.

ALFRED JAMES RAND (1891-1918)

Alfred James Rand was born in Lambeth on 11^th December 1891 – the fifth of six children of James William Rand and Annie Jane Thomas.  Alfred shows on the 1901 Census (aged 10).

By the 1911 Census, Alfred’s father (James) had died, and Alfred was living with his sister (May) and his Mother. The three of them were living in the home of George Dundas Price – a 47 year old Accountant, together with George’s 29 year old unmarried sister (Ada).  Their address is 46 Cowley Mansions.

On the 1911 Census, Annie Rand is said to be 50 years old and employed as a “General Servant.”  May Rand (aged 21) is described as a “Dressmaker,” and Alfred is described as a “General Servant.”  Also on the 1911 Census is a visitor – two year old Margery Sawdon – she’s Annie’s Grand-daughter.

From photographic evidence and conversations with Granny, we know that Alfred joined the British Army and served and died in India. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find his full service record to confirm much detail, it appears that his attestation papers may be in the batches destroyed by an accidental fire a number of years ago.  I have used what records do exist as well as information online and from forums to pull together the some limited information.

It seems likely that Alfred volunteered (and was not conscripted) to join one of the London Territorial Royal Field Artillery (RFA) Brigades sometime around the end of 1914 or early 1915; his military number was 1602.

Late in 1916 or early in 1917, Alfred was transferred to the 217th (renamed from 3rd Wessex) Brigade RFA TF.  This Territorial Force unit was sent to India with the whole Wessex Division in October 1914 to replace ‘Regular’ British and Indian Army units who had been transferred from India to the Western Front.  It is possible that his later transfer was related to the formation of the combined Wessex Brigades in early 1917.  Alfred was given a new military number, 861116.

In July 1917 the brigade was joined by 79 (Howitzer) Battery from 6 (Howitzer) Brigade, and it seems unlikely that he was in this battery.  In August 1917 the batteries were renamed as 1091, 1092 and 1093 Batteries. Two-gun sections of 1092 were then moved to bring 1091 and 1093 up to six guns each and 1092 Battery was then disbanded.  The 217th Brigade became the 1st Combined Wessex Brigade (217th Brigade RFA); there are no records to show which battery was Alfred’s.

Alfred in India (1916-1918):

From records, Alfred was only entitled to the ‘British War Medal’ which means he saw overseas service but not in a war zone; it is likely that he spent his time in India garrisoning the country.  Anecdotal evidence from a gunner called Henry Siddal, also with 217th Brigade in the Lahore Cantonment, Punjab, India describes “We are having a good time out here but soldiering in India is nothing as it was in England. We have nothing to do hardly & then we have natives to do anything we want. They even go as far as taking our boots & trousers off when we come in off a parade.“.

Photographs of 217 Brigade in India between 1916-1917 are available on the following link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/89154377@N02/albums/72157632157308761/

Alfred served in Lahore until his death on 12th November 1918, with the official reason of death described as “influenza” (the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918).  He is buried in the Lahore Cantonment South Cemetery.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission shows the following entry: “861116 Corporal A J Rand died 12^thNovember 1918.”  His name appears on the Karachi 1914/18 War Memorial.

Once his pay (and charges were deducted), he left the sum of £5 s.16 d.4 to each of his brother and four sisters.

MARGARET BEATRICE RAND (1894-1969)

Margaret Beatrice Rand was born on 15^th May 1894 – she was christened on 3^rd June 1894.  She married Reginald Ernest “Bob” Price in Bristol in September 1921 – she was 27 years old.

The following photograph is of Margaret and Bob Price, with Margaret’s niece-bridesmaids Mary and Dot Sawdon and their cousin my Granny, Mary Milton (as she was then).

Bob was a cashier at United Yeast (part of Distillers) in Bristol, he later helped my own Great Uncle John (his nephew by marriage) to gain a job at United Yeast.  And they were both keen amateur cricketers and played together (John from a young age) for United Yeast Company in Bristol.

Bob was born on 23rd November 1890 and died on 29th January 1954. The circumstances of his death are slightly ironic, for he died in a taxi in Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol – on his way to Temple Meads Station.  He was apparently on his way to catch a train so he could attend the funeral of his sister-in-law, Annie “Poppy” Sawdon.

Margaret and “Bob” had just one child: Jeanne Marie, born on 17^th July 1926 in Bristol.  In 1960, Jeanne married Harry Fox – their daughter, Sandra, was one of my parent’s bridesmaids at their wedding on 25^th March 1967.

Margaret died in March 1969 in Bristol – she was aged 74.  Jeanne died in Bristol in 2009, and Harry Fox died in Bristol in 2014.

From left to right: Margaret “May” Rand, Annie “Poppy” Mary Sawdon, Helen “Nell” Lewis.

 

From left to right:  “Nell,” “Poppy” and “May” in later years.