Lenna May Lovell

1895-1980

Lenna May, her parents, siblings and early life:

Lenna May was born in Newbury, Berkshire, the daughter of John and Harriet Spracklen (nee Samuels) who were married in 1894 (marriage registered in Newbury)

Her father John was born c1873, in Islington, Middlesex, the illegitimate son of Mary Ann Spracklin. Mary Ann was born in 1851, she was baptised on the 6^th April 1851 in Winterbourne St Martin, Dorset, the daughter of John and Sarah Spracklin (nee Charles) who were married on the 28^th September 1835, in Osmington, Dorset.

Lenna May’s mother Harriet was born in 1873, in Greenham, Berkshire, the daughter of Thomas and Harriett Samuels (nee Tidbury) who were married in 1867 (marriage registered in Newbury)

John and Harriet also had the following two children:

William John, born c1902

Mabel Mildred, born c1909

In 1901 Lenna (6) was living with her mother Harriett (27) and her father John (28) at “The Pigeons,” Cheap Street, Newbury. John was the Publican.

(John ‘s uncle Anthony Charles was the previous Publican of “The Pigeons” the license as transferred to John in 1899)

The family were still living at “The Pigeons” in 1911 and were recorded as follows: John (38) the Publican, Harriet (37), Lenna May (16), William John (9) and Mabel Mildred (2).

Lenna’s mother died aged 47 on the 2^nd January 1921. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 5^th January.

The 1921 census records John, (48), a Publican, Lenna May (26), assisting in the business, William John (19), a Motor Mechanic, working for Martin and Chillingworth and Mabel Mildred (12), living at 5 Cheap Street (The Pigeons).

Lenna May’s father remarried in 1925, his 2^nd wife was Sarah Baker

Lenna May in later life:

Lenna May married in 1922

Marriage details:

Place: St John the Evangelist, Newbury, Berkshire

Date: 16^th October 1922

Groom: William Henry Lovell, aged 29, bachelor, occupation, Clerk, abode, Newbury

Bride: Lenna May Spracklen, aged 27, spinster, abode, Newbury

Fathers: Charles Lovell, a Stoker and John Spracklen, a Publican

Witnessses: William John Spracklen and Amy Lovell

(William Henry was born on the 22^nd June 1893, in the United States of America. He was the son of Charles and Amy Eliza Lovell (nee Tucker) who were married in 1888. Marriage registered in Newbury)

William and Lenna had a daughter, Audrey Lenna, born on the 23^rd March 1924, in Newbury.

Lenna and Willliam lived in Greenham Road, Newbury until 1935. By 1936 they were living at 16 Gloucester Road, Newbury.

The 1939 Register records William working as a Clerk to a Cardboard Box Manufacturer, living at 26 Gloucester Road, Newbury, with Lenna and their daughter Audrey Lenna.

Lenna May was widowed in 1970. William died aged 76, on the 23^rd January. He was cremated and his ashes were laid in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 30^th January 1970.

Lenna May died aged 85, in the Newbury District Hospital, on the 27^th November 1980. She was also cremated and her ashes were laid in the Newtown Road Cemetery (probably on the 11^th December).

Also recorded on the same Memorial Inscription as Lenna are her husband William Henry, her parents, John and Harriet (aka Dolly) Spracklen, her sister Mabel Mildred Spracklen and her brother William John Spracklen.

Probate: LOVELL Lenna May of 26 Gloucester Road Newbury Berks died 27^th November 1980 Probate Winchester 7^th April 1981    Effects: £26472

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