Died
12 November 1943
Age 38
Sources
Barrow News
CWGC
Cumbria BMD
Ancestry
Place
Walks
Themes
William Richard Powell 1483593
1483593 GUNNER
W.R. POWELL
ROYAL ARTILLERY
12TH NOVEMBER 1943 AGE 38
IN MEMORY
Death Notice from the Barrow News 20 November 1943
CWGC tells us: Son of Philip William and Charlotte Ann Powell; husband of Marjorie Powell, of Keswick, Cumberland.
William Richard Powell was born on 4 September 1905 at Fort William, Bengal, India.
The Barrow News 20 November 1943 had a brief note on his death:
CORPORAL W. R. POWELL, CONISTON
The death had occurred at Whitehaven Hospital of Corporal William Richard Powell (38), third son of the late Captain and Mrs. Powell, of Ulverston and Coniston. The late Corp. Powell joined the Forces at the outbreak of war and had seen much service in the Middle East, returning to this country with an escort of Italian prisoners some months ago. He developed a sudden illness three weeks ago, and was removed to hospital. He leaves a wife and three children.
1911 Census
The 1911 Census sees the Powells in Military Barracks in India. The 1st Battalion The Kings Own Regiment is at Havelock Barracks, Dilkusha, Lucknow, India, under the command of Major General H. I. B. Walker, C.B. Among the soldiers there is a William Powell (38) Sergeant, born Treherbert, Glamorgan, while Annie Charlotte Powell (34) born Westerton, Sussex, is one of only seven wives at the Barracks. The children are all there: Gwyneth Lucy Powell (11) born Lancaster; Philip Glyndde? Powell (10) born Lancaster; Ernest Henry Powell (7) born Malta; William Richard Powell (5) born Bengal, India; and Wilfred James Powell (4) born Burma.
1921 Census
In the 1921 Census the Powells ran the Crown Hotel, Coniston. The household was Philip Wm. Powell (50) Hotel Proprietor, born (unreadable); Annie Char. Powell (44) Wife, born Westerton, nr. Chichester; Philip Glyn Powell (20) Single, Apprentice Fitter & Turner, Vickers, Barrow, born Lancaster; Gwen Lucy Powell (21) Single, No occupation, born Lancaster; Ernest Henry Powell (17) Single, Apprentice Fitter & Turner, Vickers, Barrow, born Malta; William Richard Powell (15) School, born Calcutta; Wilfred James Powell (14) School, born Burma; Elizabeth Crone (18) Single, Servant, Crown Hotel, Coniston, born Barrow. Staying at the hotel are a married couple in their 20s, the Rays, from West Didsbury; and a pair of sisters in their 50s, the Hoyles, from Bury.
William R. Powell married Marjorie Bainbridge in the Cockermouth Registration District Q2 1933.
The 1939 Register
In the 1939 Register some of the Powell family are living at, or running, the Griffin Hotel in Ennerdale Rural District (Since found to be on Main Street, Frizington). Listed are Marjorie Powell (DoB 28 February 1914) Home Duties; a redacted record which is likely to be daughter Marjorie Powell, born 1933 (from a family tree of Miriam Powell on Ancestry); R. D. (Richard Dale) Powell (DoB 13 September 1935); Gordon A. L. Powell (DoB 23 October 1938); and Dora E. Bainbridge (DoB 3 Feb 1873) Home Duties, presumably Marjorie’s mother.
The National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1947
After Gunner Powell’s death, it took some time for his estate to be given probate. The National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1947, has:
POWELL William Richard of 9a Penrith-road Keswick Cumberland died 12 November 1943 on war service Probate Carlisle 26 September to Richard Jackson Bainbridge market gardener. Effects £300. Richard Bainbridge is presumably his brother-in-law.
