Wimbledon Wartime Marriage

On the 4th August 1918 Alfred Ernest Bush (My first cousin three times removed) aged 23 married Ellen Elizabeth Rose Scott in Wimbledon, Surrey.

Alfred was the second oldest son of Edwin Ernest and Ada Bush (nee Searle). He was born in 1895 in Wimbledon, Surrey and in 1911 the family were living at 41a Cowper Road, Wimbledon. Alfred was working as an Errand boy, his mother Ada had passed away in 1910. His three younger brothers, Arthur (born 1900, Wimbledon), Albert (born 1903, Wimbledon) and George (born 1908, Mitcham) were all at school. Another younger brother Frederick (born 1896, Wimbledon) was attending Holme Court Industrial School for Boys, Twickenham Rd, Isleworth, which was a certified truant industrial school. His older brother Edwin Maurice Bush (born 1893, Wimbledon) also an errand boy in 1911 was lodging with the Turner family at 49 Cowper Road, Wimbledon.

In 1918, Alfred was serving as a Driver with the Royal Field Artillery whilst his brother Frederick, who had joined the Royal Navy in April 1915 and had been mainly serving on the vessels patrolling the Humber estuary, but had now transferred to HMS Latona on duty in the Mediterranean.

Alfred’s father Edwin Ernest Bush (passed away between 1911 and 1918) had served in the Royal Navy between 1884 and 1892 serving onboard many ships the last one being HMS Helca.

Alfred’s older brother Edwin had married Rosetta Turner in 1915

Ellen Elizabeth Rose Scott was born in 1893 at St. Saviours, Croyden, Surrey. The daughter of William Scott.

One can only assume the marriage took place during Alfred's leave from the front.

Grandad goes to War

On the 27^th November 1915 my Grandfather, Arthur Hollins, aged just 18, serving as a Driver in the Royal Field Artillery arrived in France.

Arthur Hollins RFA

Arthur Hollins was born on the 18^th February 1897 in Rugeley, Staffordshire the youngest child of Benjamin James and Ann Hollins (Nee Hodson). He had one sister, Mary Ann (born 1884 in Woodseaves) and three brothers Benjamin (Born 1887 in Rugeley), who had just died of wounds , just two weeks prior to Arthur arriving in France. Benjamin had also been badly gassed at the front, James (Jimmy Born 1891 in Rugeley), who had also been wounded in the attack on Hohenzollern Redoubt and Edward (Ted Born 16^th March 1895 in Rugeley) and was also serving in the army.

Arthur Hollins on Horseback WW1

In 1911, the family were living at 27 Bow Street, Rugeley. Arthur (aged 14) was still at school, his father, Benjamin, was a labourer above the ground at the colliery, James was a horse Driver in the local mine, Edward (aged 16 in 1911) also worked in the mines. His sister Mary-Ann was employed doing domestic duties and her daughter Ada Scott Hollins (aged 7) was also with the family..