George Ernest PARROCK
The Long Grove records note George’s death or burial on 29th November 1917 at the age of 45 giving a birth date about 1872. The General Record Office has his birth in the December quarter of 1871, registered in Wandsworth and his mother’s maiden name as Lohmeyer. Seeing this, I thought I would trace his family back in the Census records starting with 1881 when he would be about 10. This is where Denmark is first mentioned as his mother, Annie’s, place of birth.
1860s
1861 census: Her claim to be born in Denmark went as far back as this census where she is 21, a dressmaker and her stated place of birth is Copenhagen. Naturally I wanted to trace his mother’s possible Danish roots. With the help of another researcher, I established that she was, indeed born or at least baptised in Copenhagen on 21st July 1839, parents John and Mary Lohmeyer. (The transcription says Lohmegor, but I have accepted that as a transcription error.) In 1861, John, Mary and 7 children are in Manchester Street, St Pancras.
Annie’s siblings then were, with age and approximate year of birth:
- George, 24 born 1837.
- Mary E, 19 born1842.
- Charles H, 18 born 1843.
- Amelia N, 14 born1847.
- Louise,12 – born 1849.
- Robert B, 9 – born 1852.
- Fred B, 1 – born 1860.
- Another sister, Rose, was born in 1864.
Frederick, George’s father, is a pawnbroker’s assistant working for Master Pawnbroker Thomas Robinson at 1, Mortimer Street, St Pancras. Frederick was a jeweller at the time of his marriage two years later.
Frederick John Parrock and Annie Jane Lohmeyer were married on July 14th 1863 at St Peter’s Church, Regent Square.
1871 census: 4 Hartford Terrace, Park Road, Battersea. Frederick is still a jeweller and Annie a dressmaker, George’s sister Agnes is 5 and a scholar.
George was not born till December this year so first appears in the 1881 census.
1880s
I have not recorded the whereabouts of the whole family, just concentrated on George for now.
1881 census: I was surprised to find the family now living in Norton in Yorkshire. His mother’s place of birth is still noted as ‘Denmark’ and his father is a licensed victualler who was born in St Pancras Middlesex. George’s parents seem to have moved around as his sister, Agnes Mary age 15 was born in St Pancras, Middlesex in 1866 and his young brother, John Henry just 5, was born in Totley, Derbyshire and George 9, as we know, was born in London.
1890s
The 1891 census records George, age 19 and an assistant in a leather warehouse, with his sister Agnes and her husband, Sidney Everton in Rotherhithe. He may have been living there or just staying the night.
The Lohmeyer family found in 1861 are now in Battersea.
1900s
I have not found him in the 1901 Census.
On 7th August 1905 33 year old George, a warehouseman, married 18 year old Emily Searle whose father, Edward James Searle, is a leather dresser. Frederick, George’s father , is now a shopkeeper. They were married at St Anne’s Church, Bermondsey.
In 1911 George, Emily and Margaret Parrock age 8 – ‘adopted daughter’ are living at 510 Hanover Buildings, Bermondsey. I have unsuccessfully searched for Margaret’s birth. George was employed as ‘warehouseman and occasional buyer for linen manufacturer’s warehouse’. Emily works for a tie manufacturer as a tie slipper. Margaret is at school.
In 1913, Emily Violet Parrock’s birth was registered in December quarter 1913 – found on an online family tree which has more suggested relations but I have not followed these up, concentrating on George Ernest.
21st July 1914 marked the outbreak of World War I– maybe this prompted George to offer his service. I imagine it must have been very hard and frightening for families at that time – especially those with tiny children, but George did volunteer – he enlisted in the 20th County of London Territorial Force on 15th October 1914. On his attestation papers it says he was a member of the National Reserve, having previously served in the 3rd Queen’s Battalion,.
Unfortunately, he soon became ill. In November 1914 he was admitted to the London General Hospital, Denmark Hill – when admitted he was ‘very miserable, restless and distressed’ and ‘transferred to ‘D block for further observation’.
On admission he was ‘emotional, restless and obstinate. incoherent in speech,and only weighed 7st 2lbs. He was incoherent in speech, turning his head from one side to another, wailing and calling for his wife and children. He is lost to his surroundings and will not answer any questions put to him’ This record suggests a tortured mind in a man of only 43. George was discharged as insane after only 62 days.
He was admitted to St Olave’s Workhouse, Parish Street, Bermondsey and from there to Long Grove where he died or was buried on 29th November 1917.
Emily must also have helped the war effort as on her later marriage to Thomas Walker in April 1919 she was a ‘munitions worker’.
AUTHOR’S NOTES
Yet another poor soul who tried to give war service but he was unable to do so because of mental illness. He still deserves to be remembered.