William Edward Fitch

1876-1932

William Edward was born in Bow, Middlesex, the son of William and Maria Elizabeth Fitch (nee Parker), who were married on the 20^th February 1870 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Ilford, Essex.

William’s father William was born c1848 in Ilford, Essex, the son of David and Sarah Fitch (formerly Bird, nee Linsell) who were married on the 27^th July 1845, in Bow, Middlesex.

His mother Maria Elizabeth was born on the 15^th March 1846, she was baptised on the 3^rd May 1846, at Holy Trinity, Barkingside, Essex, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Parker (nee Winter), who were married on the 28^th November 1841, in Bow, Middlesex.

William’s mother Maria Elizabeth died aged 33 in 1879. His father William remarried on the 16^th February 1881, his 2^nd wife was Kate Parker, aged 18. Kate was the sister of his late wife.

In 1881 William (5) was living with his father William (33), a Pawnbroker’s Salesman, and his step-mother Kate (18) in St Leonard, Bromley.

William and Kate had the following children:

Kate Maria 1882

Alfred Charles 1883 (died 1884)

Ernest Alfred 1884

Grace Elizabeth 1886

Frank Charles 1888

Walter Winter 1889 (died 1890)

Marie 1893

Charles Winter c1897

The 1891 census records Willliam (15) as a Grocer’s Assistant, living 79 King’s Road, Reading, with his father William (43), a Manager (Musical Instrument Depot), his stepmother Kate (28) and his half siblings, Kate (8), Ernest (6), Grace (4) and Frank (2)

William married in 1897

Marriage details:

Place: St Laurence, Reading, Berkshire

Date: 25^th December 1897

Groom: William Edward Fitch, aged 22, bachelor, occupation, Music Dealer, abode, Duke Street

Bride: Agnes Emma Ford, aged 22, spinster, abode, Duke Street

Fathers: William Fitch, a Music Dealer and Alfred Albert Ford, an Engine Driver

(Agnes Emma was born on the 7^th January 1876, she was baptised on the 6^th February 1876, at St John, Weymouth, Dorset, the daughter of Alfred Albert and Elizabeth Ann Ford (nee Clark) who were married in 1871 in Dorset).

William Edward and Agnes Emma had the following two children:

William Alfred, born 1899, in Newbury

Ernest Frank, born 1903, in Newbury

The 1901 census records William (26) as a Musical Instrument Agent/Salesman, living at 38 Bartholomew Street, Newbury with Agnes (26) and their son William Alfred aged 21 months.

In 1911 William (35), Agnes (35) and their sons, William Alfred (11) and Ernest Frank (7), were recorded living at 64 York Road, Newbury. William was recorded as a Pianist, working at the Newbury Picture Palace Ltd.

(The Newbury Picture Palace was situated on the west side of Northbrook Street, Newbury (number 58, now (2025) Hamptons Estate Agents).

The 1921 census again records the family living at 64 York Road, Newbury. William (45) was recorded as a Musical Director (Pianist), at Newbury Picture Palace Co. Ltd, Agnes (45) was recorded as a Housewife, William Alfred (21) was recorded as an Out of Work Cinematograph Operator, at Newbury Picture Palace Co. Ltd and Ernest Frank (17), was recorded as a Lorry Lad, working for Anglo American Oil Co.

William died aged 56 in 1932. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th September.

Agnes Emma continued to live in York Road until 1936. She then moved to 34 Stanley Road, Newbury.

Agnes died aged 75 on the 30^th September 1950. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 4^th October

Sources: