Wimbledon War time Marriage

On the 26^th February 1916 Frederick Lemon (my Great Grand Uncle) married Edith Annie Lambert at St. Andrew Church, South Wimbledon, Surrey.

Frederick Lemon was born in Wimbledon in 1885, the seventh of nine children, born to Joseph and Eliza Lemon (nee Walker). He had two brothers Edward Albert (born Wimbledon 1873) and Joseph (born Wimbledon 1881) and five sisters, Sarah Jane (born Wimbledon 1871) Emily Elizabeth (born Wimbledon 21^st May 1875), Rosey (born Wimbledon 1878), Olive (born Wimbledon 1889) and May (born Wimbledon 1890).

Fred Lemon

His sister Emily Elizabeth Lemon had married by Great Grandfather Albert Henry Bush on the 9^th July 1898.

In 1911 both families were living next door to each other The Lemon’s at 118 Graham Rd, Wimbledon and the Bush’s at number 120. Fred Lemon was working as a Carpenter, as was his father Joseph.

Fred had been serving as a Private with the 1^st Battalion East Surrey Regiment and had been in France since 16^th August 1914. At some point during the War he transferred to the Labour Corps and it may have been during this time that he married Edith.

From Painting to Fighting

As always new research uncover new facts and milestones which don't fit with the chronological order of this blog, but are nonetheless very valuable.

Victor Cyril Giles, who was my first cousin twice removed (the son of my Great Grand Aunt) arrived in France with the Army Service Corps on the 10^th April 1915.

Victor was born in 1896 in Wimbledon, Surrey to William and Elizabeth Clara Giles (Nee Bush), he was the 5^th of 9 children. He had 4 sisters; Caroline Elizabeth (born 1886), Lillie Jane (born 1888), Violet Emily (born 1899) and Ivy Elsie (born 1903) and 4 brothers; William (born 1886), Albert James (born 1893), Alfred Maurice (born 1902) and James Frederick (born 1902), all born in Wimbledon.

In 1911 the family were living in 77 Graham Road, Wimbledon. The father, William, was working as a house painter, both Victor (aged 14) and Albert (aged 17) were in domestic service. Elizabeth’s sister Jane Spice (nee Bush) was living at 57 Graham Road and her brother Albert Henry Bush (my Great Grandfather) was living at 120 Graham Road and his father in law, Joseph Lemon was living next door at 118 Graham Road.

Victor's uncle, William Alfred Bush had been out in France with the Army Service Corps since the start of the war. It is interesting to note William's occupation was the same as Victor's father - House Painter as was his 1st Cousin once removed William James Timothy Bush who was the brother of Charles Henry Bush and Alfred Charles Morris Bush who were both serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps.

One wonders if William Giles, William Alfred Bush and William J T Bush all worked together as house painters?