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b.1902-d.1918
Walter’s mother and grand-parents
Walter Gilbert Parker was born 25th May 1902, at 53 Buller Road, Fulham, the son of Ariel Elizabeth Parker. There is a blank in the space for his Father’s name but Ariel gives her occupation as a Dressmaker.
Ariel Elizabeth was registered in the December quarter of 1877 in St Saviours district as Elizabeth Parker, the eldest child of Joseph Lovell Parker, a Carpenter born during the December quarter of 1854, and Elizabeth Sarah Jane Rogers born 9th May 1856. Joseph and Elizabeth had married on 22nd November 1875 at St Martin in the Fields.
Ariel was baptised on 25th November 1877 at St Mary, Lambeth. She was admitted to St Martin in the Fields school on 23rd March 1885, where her date of birth was given as 18th March 1879 having previously been at a private school. She left St Martin’s on 6th June 1887.
To confuse things further, Ariel is Annie on the 1891 census.
In the 1901 census Ariel is 23 years old with no occupation given, at home in 53 Bullow Road with her parents and eight siblings.
Ariel dies
Sadly, Ariel dies on 7th April 1906 age 28 her cause of death being Acute pulmonary tuberculosis, pleurisy and heart failure. Her death was registered by her sister Cecilia.
Walter attends school
On 3rd June, the following year (1907) young Walter is enrolled at Ackmar Road School. His Father’s name is given as Joseph, a Carpenter, who is in fact his Grandfather. On the 1911 census the family are at 34 Novello Street (the same address as for Walter’s school admission). Walter now aged 9 years is recorded as ‘son’ to Joseph and Elizabeth.
Walter dies in Long Grove
It was through Walter’s death certificate that I was able to understand the family relationships.
He was 16 years old and his cause of death in Long Grove was Pulmonary tuberculosis of about 3 months duration. Under the heading ‘Rank or profession’ it gave his address as 8 Gilstead Road,Fulham the son of Elizabeth Parker a Dressmaker. The informant of Walter’s death was J.L.Parker, Grandfather also of 8 Gilstead Road.
There were several Walters and Elizabeth Parkers with the same years of birth but through researching the Grandfather it was more straightforward.
Joseph Lovell Parker and his wife had been married 36 years at the time of the 1911 Census and had had 12 children, 9 of whom survived. It appears that they counted Walter as one of their own.
Elizabeth Ariel 1877 – 1906
Beatrice 1879 – 1880
Charles Lovell 1882
Josephine 1884 – 1885
Cecilia Lovell 1885
Joseph Loen 1887
Henry Reuben 1889
Elsie 1891
Catherine 1892
Florence May 1893
Victor John 1895
[Walter Gilbert 1902 – 1918]
Despite extensive searching I have been unable to gain further information about Walter. It appears that he was cared for by his Grandparents after his Mother’s death, being recorded on the 1911 census as their own child. His Grandfather registered Walter’s death on 24th August 1918.
