Martha Anderton's husband, John Archibald Norwell was born on 15th September 1897 at 270 Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, London. He was the 7th child (out of 10 offspring) and first son of John Norwell (1862-1936) and Isabella Ramsay (1863-1947); one of his sisters, Charlotte, had died two years previously at the age of 3. The family were originally from Perth, Scotland, but had moved to London sometime between 1893 and 1895, where John senior worked as a dyer. The family were Roman Catholic; it seems that John Archibald's grandfather (yet another John Norwell, c.1829-1900) converted to Catholicism on his marriage in 1858 in Perth.
John Archibald was lame. A newspaper account in the Daily Express (London) of 22nd July 1911 reported that John Norwell, aged 12, and another local boy, Philip Ross, aged 13, were being recommended to the Royal Humane Society for conspicuous bravery. A schoolfellow fell into the Grand Junction Canal, and John dived in to save him; he succeeded in bringing his friend to the canal bank, but was exhausted by the effort. Philip saw both boys in difficulty and went into the canal to their rescue. The Daily Express further reported the boys’ receipt of their award (testimonial on vellum, awarded ‘where someone has put themselves in considerable danger to save, or attempt to save, someone else’) from the Royal Humane Society, in early December 1911.
Probably because of his disability, it appears that John did not see active service in World War I, although he would have turned 18 in 1915, and therefore have been eligible for conscription after the enactment of the Military Service Act in March 1916.
As indicated above, John's older sisters emigrated to Canada from 1911 onwards, with his parents and younger siblings following in 1916 and 1917. John and his younger brother Thomas then followed their parents and siblings to Canada in 1919. Thomas (by then aged 20) was the first to travel, departing Liverpool (sailing 3rd class) on 5th July on the Sicilian, bound for Quebec. On the outgoing passenger manifest, Thomas, in common with many of the male passengers, was recorded as being a farmer, perhaps to avail of assisted passage. On arrival at Quebec on 16th July, however, Thomas gave his occupation in England as motor engineer and indicated that this was the trade he intended following in Canada. He stated that he was travelling to join his parents at 65 (West) Jarvis Street Toronto. Brother John Archibald (then aged 22) followed, without wife Martha and daughter Joyce, on 17th October 1919, sailing from Liverpool to Quebec on the Melita. He gave his trade as mechanic and indicated his intention to settle in Canada.
Elaine
