Died
26th February 1945
Sources
Cumbria BMD
Ancestry
Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser
Place
Themes
William Edmondson
Police Sergeant
The gravestone is similar to, but not identical to, that which commemorates Private James Craig, K.O.R.L., who was killed in action in France, August 1916.
In
Loving Memory
of
CATHERINE
LOVING AND DEVOTED WIFE OF
WILLIAM EDMONDSON
DIED JULY 12TH 1937
AGED 71 YEARS
ALSO THE ABOVE
WILLIAM EDMONDSON
EX POLICE SERGEANT
DIED FEB 26TH 1945, AGED 80 YEARS
ALSO THEODORA
THEIR INFANT DAUGHTER
Theodora Edmondson died in 1902. (Cumbria BMD)
1881 Census
In the 1881 Census, William Edmondson is an Apprentice in the Grocery and Provisions Trade, aged 16, working for John Hartley (Senior Partner, Grocery and Provisions, employing 17 hands) at Mill Heads?, Warton with Lindeth, born Cark. One of the other Apprentices was James Swindlehurst (15). This may be a connection with William’s marriage to Catherine Pearson Swindlehurst in Q3 1884. She was the daughter of James Swindlehurst of Beetham, farmer of 20 acres, address “Flying Dutchman”, Beetham, so presumably a publican as well.
1891 Census
In the 1891 Census William, now a Grocer’s Traveller, Catherine, Margaret I. (4), Catherine (2) and Ambrose (6 months) are living at 1. Mount Terrace, Carnforth, Lancs. Although he was born in Cark, in the 1871 Census William (6) was living in Carnforth with parents John (34), Horse Driver, born Bolton; mother Jane (30), born Carnforth; siblings Ambrose (10); John (3) and Mary J. (1), and Uncle Ambrose Edmondson (31), a Bricklayer’s Labourer. Sarah J. Edmondson (6) was staying or living with the Swindlehursts at the Flying Dutchman on the Census night.
1901 Census
The 1901 Census sees the Edmondsons now living at 25 South Row, Roose. William (36), is a Police Constable; Catherine (35), has no recorded occupation; Sarah Jane (16), Upholsteress, born Warton; Margaret Isabel (14), Cash Clerk, Furniture Shop, born Preston; Catherine (12), born Preston; Ambrose (10), born Preston; Annie May (8), born Barrow; James William (7), born Barrow; John (4), born Barrow; Theodora (4 months), born Barrow, make up the family.
1911 Census
The 1911 Census has the Edmondson household living at 2 St. Luke’s Street, Barrow. Sharing the accommodation are: William Edmondson (46), Police Sergeant, Barrow Borough Police Force, born Cark-in-Cartmel; Catherine Edmondson (45), Wife, born Beetham, Westmorland; (they had produced 8 children, 7 still living); Sarah Jane Edmondson (26), single, no occupation recorded, born Warton, Carnforth, Lancs; Jas. Wm. Edmondson (17), Asst. Time Keeper, Shipyard, born Barrow, Lancs; John Edmondson (14), Junior Clerk, Paper Works, born Barrow, Lancs.
The 1939 Register
The 1939 Register has Edmondsons living at 200 Salthouse Road: William Edmondson (DoB 11 May 1864), Police Sergeant (Retired); Sarah J. Edmondson (DoB 21 December 1884), Shop Keeper (Grocer); Margaret Edmondson (DoB 3 June 1893), Married, Telephone Operator, A.R.P. Telephone (unreadable); Joan Edmondson (crossed out Edwards), (DoB 19 November 1927), School. One record is redacted, presumably Margaret’s husband/Joan’s father. According to Cumbria BMD, Margaret’s maiden name was Hammond, and she married John Edmondson at Abbey Methodist Church in 1918.
The National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1945 has:
EDMONDSON William of 200 Salthouse-road Barrow-in-Furness Lancashire died 26 February 1945 Probate Lancaster 7 July to Sarah Jane Edmondson spinster. Effects £714 19s. 9d.
P.S. Edmondson appeared in the columns of the local press on a number of occasions, as the arresting officer or to give evidence to the magistrates. One example is from the Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser 8 March 1913:
BEGGING AND LARCENY
BARROW WOMAN’S STRANGE CONDUCT
MOST EXTRAORDINARY CASEA respectably-attired young woman, named Jennie Higham (23), the wife of a joiner, employed at the Pulp Works, and living at 50, Devon-street, figured in the dock at the Barrow Police Court, on Friday morning, to answer a couple of charges, begging and larceny.
The Chief Constable (Mr. Berry) described the case as a most extraordinary one, and the justices heard a very unusual story. The accused, whose husband earns a good wage and keeps her well financed week by week, appears to have had no cause for committing either of the offences, yet, according to her statement, she had taken a “little drink” and could not remember anything. To the first-named charges she pleaded not guilty, but the evidence of three witnesses – James Anderson, 38, Davy-street; Helen Devine, 36, Davy-street; and Margaret Austin, 23, Davy-street – showed that the accused called at their houses on Saturday, February 22nd, and asked if they could spare either a copper or a piece of bread. Prisoner received nothing from the witnesses Anderson or Divine (sic), but from Austin, whom she told that she had five starving children crying for bread and that her husband was in the last stages of consumption, she received a loaf, two teacakes, and a quantity of vegetables. The accused was also seen by Anderson at his sister’s house.
The only explanation as to the woman’s conduct to be given by Mr. J. W. Murray, who appeared on her behalf, was that she was drinking on Saturday night last with some friends, became muddled and did not know what she was doing. Prior to this case the accused had borne a good character, and whilst in service at various hotels, before her marriage, no complaint was made against her.
The magistrates found the case of begging proved. Higham was then charged with having stolen between 7.0 p.m. and 9.45. p.m., on Saturday last, one sheet, a chemise, a nightdress, and other articles of baby’s clothing, the whole valued at 7s. 6d., the property of Hannah Oldfield, wife of a blacksmith’s striker, residing at 7, Davy-street.
It appears that part of the house in Davy-street is sub-let to a Mr. and Mrs. Kiddoo, the wife being an acquaintance of the accused, who, on Saturday night, went to the house and asked for Mrs. Kiddoo, but was told by Mr. Kiddoo that she was not at home, and the prisoner left the house. The man Anderson, who had been previously called, was, according to the Chief Constable, somewhat surprised at the conduct of the accused, watched her, and saw her at the house, 7, Davy-street. He (Anderson) had occasion to walk round the back of the house and noticed the yard door open, also the accused in the kitchen. He saw her open the cupboard, take out the articles mentioned and place them under her dress. She also took out two other sheets, but replaced them.
Corroborative evidence having been adduced, the accused, who was very distressed throughout the hearing, elected to be tried summarily and pleaded not guilty.
P.S. Edmondson spoke to having searched the prisoner’s house, where he was unable to find the articles alleged to have been stolen. In answer to the charges at the police office, accused said “I went to see the woman (Kiddoo) in the parlour, but did not take the things.” Cross-examined by her solicitor, she expressed the belief that she was not in the kitchen.
Wm. Frederick Higham, the husband of the accused, stated that previous to this case, he had had no trouble with his wife to speak of, and Mr. Murray asked for leniency on behalf of the woman on account of her respectability.
On the charge of begging, prisoner was fined 10s. and costs, or 14 days; but the justices found that the case of larceny was not proved and it was dismissed.
The statement by Mr. Higham that “he had had no trouble with his wife to speak of” seems to be damning with faint praise, while her solicitor asking “for leniency on behalf of the woman on account of her respectability” is also rather odd!
