0
0
b.1893-d.1925
May’s parents
May Chaperlin was born at 3pm on 11th June 1893 at 44 Commercial Road, Lambeth, to William & Jane Chaperlin (née Seear). The time-stamp on the birth certificate indicates that May was a twin; her twin brother was named Ernest Randolph. On her birth certificate May’s father is recorded as a ‘hotel waiter’. Her father was born in London (probably Westminster) and her mother in Watford, Hertfordshire. Despite her parents claim on the 1911 Census to have been married c1883, I have not been able to locate a marriage entry.
Lambeth
May lived all her short life in Lambeth – the 1901 Census finds an 8 year old May living at 110 Cornwall Road, Lambeth with parents William and Jane and siblings Florrie, Alfred, Percy, Rose and twin-brother Ernest. May’s father is again described as a ‘hotel waiter’.
On the 1911 Census, May is living 2A Howley Place, Belvedere Road, Lambeth (near Waterloo station) with her parents William and Jane. Her parents state that they have been married for 28 years and had 7 children – all still living at home. Her father is working as a ‘waiter’.
May’s siblings
William Henry: born 22.3.1884; m. Dorothy Elliott 1913; d. 2.7.1958
Florence Earle: baptised 11.10.1885; m. Wm Henry Hedges 1915; d. 1940
Alfred Charles: born 5.8.1887; m. Elizabeth Dudley 1921; d. 1940
Percy: born 9.7.1889; never married; d. 1957
Rosie (Rosetta): born Lambeth 1891; m. Albert Walker 1921;
May: born Lambeth 1893
Ernest Randolph: born Lambeth 1893; m. Amy; killed in action on 6.3.1917
May’s Asylum Journey
When May was admitted to Manor Asylum on 29th July 1914, she was recorded as 4ft 11in tall and weighing 8st. 6lbs. Her occupation is given as ‘draper’s assistant’. The medical certificate dated two days earlier on 27th July says: “Throughout examination patient appeared to be amused without obvious cause. She could not be induced to be serious. She said she intended to give up work because people would not pay her enough. She said it was quite a natural thing for her to strip herself naked several times on 25th July – she could not remember what she was doing on the afternoon of 25 July.”
May’s mother, Jane, also provided information on her admittance and states that her daughter: “has been strange in manner for a long time. On afternoon of 25th July patient stripped herself naked several times. Later on the same day she went out on Westminster Bridge and said she was going to meet someone at Marshall & Snellgrove (which was untrue). Although patient was not accustomed to drink, patient obtained a quart bottle of port wine. Ever since 25th July until admission patient was very violent.”
Marshall & Snellgrove was a department store, specializing in garments and textiles, on Oxford Street – perhaps this is where May worked as a draper’s assistant.
source: https://feliciaelkholi.wixsite.com/lostwestend/marshall-snelgrove
It seems that May’s symptoms began on 26th July when she suddenly became restless and excited. There is no reason given as to what caused this change.
The case notes throughout May’s time in the asylum repeat the same symptoms and treatment. In August 1914 the notes say she’s “restless, noisy and excited. Troublesome with her food and has to have everyone does for her which she resists. Talks incoherently to herself and is quite unable to converse rationally, In moderate health.” As a result, May is frequently given Paraldehyde.
[Paraldehyde was a commonly used sedative and anti-convulsant designed to induce sleep or calm patients]
There is some indication that she’s epileptic – she had 3 fits in October 1914 but this is not mentioned again for several years.
In July 1916, May is transferred to Cane Hill Asylum. A special report dated 1916, details no improvement and the notes say her “Memory much impaired and cannot tell what day or month it is. Is noisy, spiteful, destructive and troublesome. Will not attend to herself. Has to be washed, dressed etc. Faulty habits. Fair health.” The notes also mention that she “destroys her clothes”.
In October 1919, May is transferred to Manor Asylum. Her health has not improved and she “seldom speaks”.
The following year on 19th October, May is transferred again, this time to the Horton Mental Hospital. Sadly, there are no further case notes after this date.
May’s death
May died on 11th July 1925 aged 32. Her death certificate reveals that her mother Jane registered the death which was from dementia praecox and epileptic convulsions (2 days). Today dementia praecox is usually referred to as schizophrenia.
May was buried at Horton on 16 July 1925 aged 32 in plot 45b.
