Monday, 8 August 2011

Horace Claude Saddington (1884 - 1946) - Update No. 1

This is a short update on a post that I wrote back in March 2008 - link here.

Since then of course more resources have become available to the family history researcher, including the 1911 census.

Access to the Leicester Schools Register Index tells me that Horace was born on 16 July 1884 and that he left education in the Leicester area on 18 March 1898, shortly before his 14th birthday.

In the 1911 census, Horace is living at 4 Wilson Street, Leicester, aged 27, with his wife, Florence Emily, aged 25, and their two children, Beatrice aged 4 and Joseph Henry aged 1.  He describes himself as being a clerk employed by "Lester" Corporation - this means that he worked for what is (since 1974) now Leicester City Council.  Horace also states that he was born in Glenfield, Leicester, has been married for 6 years, that there have been two children of the marriage and that both are still alive at the time of the census.

Horace and Florence also went on to have three further children beyond those mentioned in his military pension papers.  Horace was born in the March quarter of 1920, Kenneth R was born in the September quarter of 1921 and Doris E was born in the June quarter of 1923, all in the Leicester Registration District.

Unfortunately not all of Horace and Florence's children lived to adulthood.  Thanks to the excellent index of burials at the Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester compiled by members of the Leicestershire and Rutland Family History Society, I can tell you that Horace was buried on 25 October 1924 aged 4 and Violet Ada was buried on 6 May 1931 aged 19, having been living at 14 Marston Avenue, South Wigston, Leicestershire at the time of her death.  Horace Claude himself was buried at Welford Road Cemetery on 23 March 1946 aged 61.  His abode at the time of his death was 7 Bartholomew Street, Leicester.  All three of them are buried in the same grave.

If this Saddington family is related to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thursday, 23 June 2011

William Leonard Saddington 1919 - 2011



Rest In Peace


Monday, 13 June 2011

Arthur Saddington 1909-1931



Arthur Saddington was born in Middlesbrough in the June quarter of 1909 (volume 9d, page 552), the eldest child of Penrith Saddington Taylor, commonly known as Penrith Saddington, and his wife, Emily May Roxby. Arthur was the eldest of thirteen children born over a period between 1909 and 1934.

In the 1911 census, Arthur, then nearly 2, and his parents were living at 17 Harewood Street, Middlesbrough, the home of Penrith’s parents, Arthur Charles Saddington and his wife, Hannah (nee Robinson). Also sharing the house were five of Penrith’s brothers and sisters ranging in age from 17 years to 1 year. Penrith was employed as a bricklayer while his father, Arthur, worked as a blast furnace man and the next eldest son at home, Nathan, aged 17, was a butcher.

As we must wait to see the 1921 census, I can only surmise what happened to Arthur over the next twenty years. He grew up in a large family, probably leaving school in his early teens in order to find a job and earn money to support the rest of the family. At some point he decided to become a sailor, a decision which eventually led to his tragic death.

I first learnt about Arthur’s death courtesy of the Gravestone Photographic Resource Project, an on-line international grave monument directory. When I was sent a photo of Arthur’s gravestone, I was intrigued by the inscription written on it. It said that the gravestone was:

“In Loving Memory of
Our Dear Son
Arthur Saddington
Who was accidentally killed
On the SS Dalwhinnie
Dec. 2nd 1931 aged 22 years
Someday we’ll understand.”


I googled the SS Dalwhinnie and discovered that it was a steamship built in Holland in 1919 to carry cargo up and down coastlines. It was originally called the SS Begonia, and was owned by a Norwegian. In 1922 it passed into the hands of T C Steven & Co of Leith and was renamed the SS Dalwhinnie. In 1938 it was sold to Comben Longstaff & Co – Williamstown Shipping of London, and renamed the SS Whintown. Unfortunately it was then sunk in a collision off Great Yarmouth on 7 December 1939.

Having got this far, I emailed my contact in this branch of the Saddington family, who knew about the gravestone but not what had happened to Arthur, and who agreed to do some further research for me.

A search of the local paper, the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette, produced the following sad story reported on 3 December 1931.

Tragedy of the Tees
Boro’ Man Falls Into River

An unfortunate drowning tragedy occurred in the River Tees, off Messrs Gjers, Mills and Company’s wharf, about nine o’clock last night. The victim is Arthur Saddington, aged 22, of Palmer-street, Middlesbrough, an able seaman of the crew of the s.s. Dalwhinnie, which was berthed at the wharf.

It appears that Saddington was fixing the gangway from the vessel to the wharf when he overbalanced and fell into the river in the short space between the ship and the wharf. One of his mates on the crew immediately dived to his rescue, but Saddington had completely disappeared from view.

Grappling operations were carried on by members of the crew with the assistance of River Police officers, and after about 20 minutes, his body was recovered. Artificial respiration was tried for some time, but Dr. Hepplethwaite, who had been called to the scene, pronounced life extinct.

The body was conveyed by ambulance to the mortuary.

The member of the crew who showed so much gallantry in diving to his comrade’s rescue was Bo’sun Gatenby. After his futile efforts to trace Saddington he was hauled aboard by other members of the crew.

It is thought that Saddington may have struck his head on the boat or the wharf in his fall, and was rendered unconscious.

The Dalwhinnie have moved from Dent’s Wharf to Gjers’ Wharf at the time of the tragedy.


A tragic accident and a young life lost – no wonder Arthur’s parents had inscribed on his gravestone the words “Someday we’ll understand.”

If you are related to the Middlesbrough branch of the Saddingtons, or have any further information about the SS Dalwhinnie, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Friday, 31 December 2010

Potterspury Registration District Marriage Challenge

The last post of 2010 comes courtesy of Tracy Barrall's Potterspury Registration District Marriage Challenge.

Potterspury Registration District lies in the area between Milton Keynes, Buckingham, Towcester and Northampton to name the biggest towns in the immediate vicinity.

As there are just two marriages to report, I propose to give full details of them.

The first marriage also appears to be the first to be recorded in the parish of Passenham with Deanshanger under the new registration procedure commencing in late 1837.

Marriage solemnized at St Guthlac in the Parish of Passenham with Deanshanger in the County of Northamptonshire

No. 1
5th Oct 1837

James Saddington 21 Single Groom Passenham James Saddington Groom
Pheobe Ayres 26 Single Dairy Maid Passenham - -

Married in the Church of Passenham according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England after Banns by me, L ? Smith

This Marriage was solemnized between us, James Saddington, Phobe Ayres
in the presence of us, George Buckingham, Martha Buckingham


The second marriage took place just under 10 years later.

Marriage solemnized at St Guthlac in the Parish of Passenham with Deanshanger in the County of Northamptonshire

No. 77
5th Apr 1847

George Clarke 25 Bachelor Labourer Deanshanger Thos Clarke Labourer
Mary Ann Sadington 24 Spinster Servant Deanshanger George Sadington Labourer

Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England after Banns, by me ?

This Marriage was solemnized between us, George Clarke x his mark, Mary Ann Sadington x her mark
in the presence of us, William Clarke, Sarah Ann Foxley x her mark


Passenham and Deanshanger are slightly south of the A5 between Towcester and Milton Keynes. As yet I have no further information about the Saddingtons in this area, but would be delighted to hear from anyone who has these people in their family tree.

I send my best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year to everyone who reads this post.

Monday, 18 October 2010

Saddington Marriages in the Romford Registration District

Tonight's post comes courtesy of Peter Copsey and his Romford Marriage Challenge.

1) Parish Church of St Margaret, Barking, Essex

No.89
May 20th 1872
George Bacon, 20, Bachelor, Labourer, Barking, George Bacon, Labourer
Elizabeth Saddington, 20, Spinster, -, Barking, Obed Saddington, Labourer
After Banns by me, John Reginald Beckett
George Bacon
Elizabeth Saddington x her mark
Witnesses - Tom Lambert, Sarah Anne Bailey x her mark


This bride in this marriage is believed to be Sabina Elizabeth, born circa 1853 at Tilbrook, Bedfordshire, daughter of Obed Saddington and Eunice Marriott.

2) Parish Church of St Mary, Great Ilford, Essex

No. 389
July 30th 1882
George Saddington, 20, Bachelor, Labourer, Gt Ilford, Frances [sic] Saddington, Labourer
Mary Elizabeth Cummins, 20, Spinster, -, Gt Ilford, William Cummins, Labourer
After Banns by me H.B.Barnes
G.Saddington
X The mark of Mary Elizabeth Cummins
Witnesses - x the mark of William Boxall, x the mark of Mary Ann Boxall


3) Parish Church of St Mary, Great Ilford, Essex

No. 472
Decr 23rd 1883
William Saddington, 23, Bachelor, Labourer, Gt Ilford, William Saddington, Labourer
Margaret Ronan, 18, Spinster, -, Gt Ilford, Patrick Ronan, Labourer
After Banns by me H.B.Barnes
X The mark of William Saddington
X The mark of Margaret Ronan
Witnesses - William Fisher, x the mark of Rebecca Fisher


4) Parish Church of St Mary, Great Ilford, Essex

No. 267
Jany 27th 1901
George Ambrose Saddington, 19, Bachelor, Labourer, 25 Oaklands Park, Ilford, George Saddington, Labourer
Alice Maud Elizabeth Appleford, 18, Spinster, -, 25 Oaklands Road,Ilford, Charles Appleford, Labourer
After Banns by me Arthur G.Evans
George Ambrose Saddington
Alice Maud Elizabeth Appleford
Witnesses - x the mark of Edward Langstead, x the mark of Maria Elizabeth Saddington


5) Parish Church of St Margaret, Barking, Essex

No. 427
Tenth April 1909
George Cooper Saddington, 40, Bachelor, Solicitor's Clerk, 16 Cavendish Street, St Albans, George Saddington, Gentleman
Elizabeth Jane Beszant, 25, Spinster, -, 17 St Pauls Road, Frederick Beszant, Carriage Builder
G.C.Saddington
Elizabeth Jane Beszant
Witnesses - E.J.Saddington, Marguerite E.Harding


This marriage relates to an earlier post regarding Saddingtons in St Albans. The first witness is believed to be the groom's brother, Ernest John Saddington (1874-1958).

If any of these couples belong on your family tree, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Tuesday, 31 August 2010

Charles Joseph Saddington (1870 - 1916)

This post comes to you courtesy of Google, without which I may never have come across the Great Explosion at Faversham, Kent which took the life of the subject of this post.

Charles Joseph Saddington was born in Margate in the December quarter of 1870, the second son of Charles Saddington and Ann Long.

The family appears on the 1871 census at 2 Wheatleys Place, Margate, but under the name of Long. This is, I believe, because Charles and Ann are not yet legally married despite having registered their three existing children under the name Saddington.

In 1871, Charles Long (otherwise Saddington) is enumerated as a 36 year old bricklayer born in Oundle, Northants (where many Saddingtons can be found). Ann Long is enumerated as a 33 year old laundress born in Reading Street, Kent. The children were enumerated as Susannah and Louisa, aged 11 and 9, both scholars and born in Lambeth, London, [probably Ann Long's daughters by a previous relationship as they are registered as Long] and Mary A, age 4, John, age 2, and Charles, age 5 months, all born in Margate, Kent and the elder two being scholars.

A second daughter, Elizabeth Jane, was born in the December quarter of 1872 in Margate.

It may be that Charles and Ann were waiting for Ann's previous husband to die or otherwise disappear as they did not marry until the June quarter of 1873, possibly at St Laurence in Thanet, Margate.

The now legalised family was increased by the birth of Isaac Robert in the September quarter of 1875 and Ellen in the June quarter of 1878, both in the Thanet Registration District.

Then tragedy struck. Charles Saddington died in the March quarter of 1881, apparently aged 48. The date of death can be narrowed down to being before 3 April 1881 because Ann Saddington appears on the 1881 census held on that date as a widow.

In 1881, the Saddington family were living at 73 Dane Road, Margate. Ann was enumerated as a 46 year old widow, working as a laundress. Living with her was her son, William Long (presumably from the same relationship as Susannah and Louisa), aged 23 and a fisherman born in Lambeth. All six of the children from her relationship with Charles Saddington were also living with her from Mary, now aged 14 and a general servant, through to Ellen (enumerated as Nelly) age 2. Also lodging with the family was one Ellen L Raymond, a 47 year old single woman born in Gloucester who was living on the income from an allowance.

By the 1891 census, the family had moved on, back to Lambeth. Ann Saddington, now a 52 year old widow working as a 'washer', was sharing 3 rooms at 1 Neptune Cottages, Lambeth, with her three sons, John (a bus conductor, age 22), Charles (a waiter, age 20) and Isaac (enumerated as Robert, a van boy, age 16), and two of her daughters, Mary (an ironer, age 24) and Elizabeth (an ironer, age 19). What has happened to Ellen/Nelly, as yet I do not know.

I have been unable to locate Charles Joseph Saddington in the 1901 census as yet, and there is the possibility that he might be overseas, perhaps fighting in the Boer War in South Africa.

However, by the June quarter of 1906, he has reappeared and proceeds to marry Susan Gibbs in the Steyning Registration District. This is none too soon as their first child, Susan Annie E Saddington, is born in the December quarter of 1906, again in the Steyning Registration District. A son, Charles Joseph, follows in the September quarter of 1908, this time in the Brighton Registration District.

There was obviously something about Lambeth which attracted this branch of the Saddington family because the 1911 census finds Charles Joseph and his family living at 2a Wheatsheaf Lane, South Lambeth. Charles is enumerated as a 36 year old laundryman, married for 6 years with both children of the marriage still living. Susan is enumerated as aged 30 and born in Canterbury, Kent.

The evidence seems to show that Charles Joseph and Susan had two more children whilst living in Lambeth; Kathleen L, born in the March quarter of 1912, and William F, born in the September quarter of 1914.

At some point after the birth of William, the family moved back to Margate and Charles Joseph got a job at the Explosive Loading Company's factory at Uplees near Faversham, about 27 miles away.

At 2.20pm, on Sunday 2 April 1916, some empty sacks caught fire at the factory, resulting in the explosion of 15 tons of TNT and 150 tons of ammonium nitrate. The explosion was so huge that it shattered windows in Southend on the other side of the Thames and the tremor could be felt in Norwich. Details can be found on a number of websites including Faversham's own website, the Kent section of the Roll of Honour website, and Wikipedia amongst others.

The death toll totalled 109 men and boys, including the whole of the Works Fire Brigade and Charles Joseph Saddington. The female members of the factory's workforce was saved by the fact that it was Sunday and women were not permitted to work the Sunday shifts.

Charles Joseph Saddington's body could not be identified following the explosion and so he has no death certificate. Whatever was found of him was buried in a mass grave on 6 April 1916 at the Faversham Borough Cemetery. He is named on the grave as J. Saddington because, as stated in his obituary in the Isle of Thanet Gazette of 22 April 1916, he was generally known as 'Joe'.

According to John Breeze's "Faversham Explosives Personnel Register 1841 - 1934,Part 3: S-Z", he is however listed on the Margate War Memorial as "C.J. Saddington, killed in Faversham munitions explosion".

At the time of Charles Joseph's death, the family were living at 205 High Street, Margate. What happened to them after his death, I am not yet sure. But if you are descended from Charles Joseph Saddington or any of his siblings, I would be delighted to hear from you.

Saturday, 7 August 2010

Saddington Marriages in the Thrapston Registration District

Many thanks to David Barrall who has kindly provided me with a whole wodge of Saddington marriages courtesy of his Thrapston Registration District Marriage Challenge.

Thrapston itself is in Northamptonshire on the A14 between Kettering and Huntingdon, and the Registration District covers the area around it.

As there are 30 marriages to list, I will only give the place, date, names of bride and groom, and their fathers' names. If you would like further information, just get in touch

Parish Church of St James, Thrapston
22 December 1842
Samuel Manning, son of Henry Manning, and Ann Saddington, daughter of Robert Saddington

Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Woodford
6 May 1844
James Saddington, son of Joseph Saddington, and Mary Abbott, daughter of John Abbott

Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Denford
13 September 1847
Obed Saddington, son of John Saddington, and Eunice Marriott, daughter of Saml. Marriott

Parish Church of St Mary, Ringstead
19 August 1849
Jonathan Saddington, son of John Saddington, and Harriet Coward, daughter of William Coward

Parish Church of St Peter, Raunds
25 December 1849
William Saddington, son of John Saddington, and Hannah Harrison, daughter of Thomas Harrison

Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Denford
13 October 1851
Job Major, son of John Major, and Lois Saddington, daughter of John Saddington

Parish Church of St Peter, Raunds
10 August 1856
James Bars, son of William Bars, and Elizabeth Saddington, daughter of John Saddington

Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Denford
[no date given] 1857
John Saddington, son of John Saddington, and Elizabeth Hannah Wakefield, daughter of William Wakefield

Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Denford
27 January 1858
Stephen Fensom, son of John Fensom, and Charlotte Ann Saddington, daughter of John Saddington

Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Denford
13 July 1858
William Pearson, son of William Pearson, and Mary Ann Saddington, daughter of John Saddington

Parish Church of St Peter, Raunds
13 September 1858
Thomas Knight, son of John Knight, and Mary Saddington, daughter of Samuel Saddington

Parish Church of St Mary, Ringstead
15 November 1860
Henry Smith, son of William Smith, and Sarah Saddington, daughter of Samuel Saddington

Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Denford
28 July 1862
Henry Kettle, son of William Kettle, and Elizabeth Sadington, daughter of James Saddington

Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Denford
24 March 1864
Benjamin Starmore, son of John Starmore, and Elizabeth Ann Saddington, daughter of John Saddington

Parish Church of St Peter, Raunds
1 December 1867
Joseph Burton Saddington, son of Samuel Saddington, and Mary Emma Beeby, daughter of William Beeby

Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Denford
24 December 1879
John William Saddington, son of John Saddington, and Hepzibah Mayes, daughter of Williams Mayes

Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Denford
16 October 1882
George Saddington, son of John Saddington, and Harriet Smith, daughter of Henry Smith

Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Denford
12 October 1885
James Burton Oliver, son of Arthur Oliver, and Mary Jane Saddington, daughter of John Saddington

Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Titchmarsh
15 October 1891
John Saddington, son of John Saddington, and Sarah Ann Alderman, daughter of James Alderman

Parish Church of St Peter, Raunds
16 April 1892
Samuel Saddington, son of Joseph Saddington, and Naomi Lynes, daughter of Thomas Lynes

Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Denford
26 March 1894
Albert William Smith, son of Frederick Smith, and Elizabeth Annie Saddington, daughter of John Saddington

Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Denford
24 July 1894
Charles Robinson, son of George Robinson, and Annie Saddington, daughter of John Saddington

Parish Church of All Saints, Hargrave
5 August 1895
George Saddington, son of John Saddington, and Sarah Jane Pettit, daughter of (deceased)

Parish Church of St Peter, Raunds
23 May 1896
Joseph Saddington, son of Joseph Saddington, and Flora Smith, daughter of Alfred Smith

Parish Church of St Peter, Raunds
13 June 1896
Alfred Attley, son of George Attley, and Elizabeth Ann Saddington, daughter of Joseph Saddington

Parish Church of St Peter, Raunds
28 September 1896
Arthur Bugby, son of Lewis Bugby, and Mary Ann Saddington, daughter of James Saddington

Parish Church of St Peter, Raunds
24 December 1898
Francis Frank Tidbury, son of Samuel Mitchell (deceased), and Sarah Lucy Saddington, daughter of Joseph Saddington

Parish Church of St James, Thrapston
24 June 1900
Harry Saddington, son of Solomon Saddington, and Bertha Hodby, daughter of Joseph Hodby

Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Woodford
24 December 1900
John James Saddington, son of George Saddington, and Florence Elizabeth Hawkins, daughter of William Hawkins

Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Chelveston
14 December 1908
William Saddington, son of Joseph Saddington, and Amelia Hollyoak, daughter of George Sparks


If any of these happy couples belong in your family tree, please do get in touch.