Found a book of poetry and pencil sketches

[Jackey]

Hello
Im not sure where to post this  so I hope its in the right place .i am trying to do some research ona book I found  over 10yrs ago at a book fayre in Keswick(Lake District)
It a book that has been put together  by the Gt Grandoson of the person am trying to find out about .
The persons name is W G Biddle  and the book is full of poetry  and pencil sketches  a couple of the pencil sketches  include Lord Beaconsfield   (Benjamin Disraeli) the caption underneath reads  Enjoying a picture of perfect repose  date Sept 1878 also one on the 7/8/1878 which has Punch in brackets (im assuming this is punch magazine ) other sketches are of  Adolphe Thiers (French Politician) and others              some of a Teddy Bear  one is titled Lazy Boy
and poetry  written in 1924 and other dates the latest I have come across is 1937
some of the poems are in News paper cuttings  others are by hand .
there are also poems  by James Biddle   WG Biddles father  (it says in the book)
I was wondering if any of you have any knowledge of these men   there are photos of a house in the book  74 St Micheals Rd Headingley Leeds  which says home of the Biddles. 

Can any of you point me in the rightdirection to futher my research in to these 2 men
Thankyou

[gortonboy]

hi,,in the 1901 census there is a family living at 3 st michaels terrace,headingley,Leeds.

RG13      Piece: 4246      Folio:  112      Page:  41 

william g biddle b 1862
blanche biddle b 1877
plus children.

[gortonboy]

and william g biddle is with his father James here 

RG number: RG10      Piece: 2062      Folio:  43      Page:  26   

[Jackey]

Hello  me  again
Been having a route around (thaks Gorton boy )
Went back to 1841 and it looks like  they where all tailors    and orignated from Winchester
In the book there is  a poem by James Biddle    in the Devon  Evening  Express    dated 25/5/1880
called The Moor Land Stream  the poem above it is by Byron

There is also a news paper cutting dated 19/12/1874    for the prize giving  about James's son W G Biddle   he went to Hele's School  the prizes where for French, Drawing  and Drill   he got 3rd Prize 
 Maybe the poetry and sketchings where just hobbies    although the man who sold me the book said  WG Biddle  was an artist for punch magazine   maybe in his spare time    Cant find anything about this though. 

will Keep you posted
Jackey 

[Jackey]

Just found the will of  W G Biddle 
he died on 16 January  1939  was living at Garthowen Church Lane
he left  £30108 9s 8d
to his  son Vyvvian    and daughter Blanche   (who is now married to a James Tudor Temple)

I think I will do a tree on Ancestry and hope I connect with somone  and see if maybe they want teh book .

[Mr. MIGKY]

The son, Vyvian Biddle shows up on the 1918 absent voters list for Leeds.

Forename    Surname       Rank                   Unit Ref                                 No.
 Vyvian          Biddle          2nd lieut        Duke of Wellington                    4449ln
                                                               regiment

There is also a medal card for this man, it seem to sugeust he changed units/regiments at some point.

Click for medal index card

Migky 

[Jackey]

Hi Migky
Thanks very much  for your help
and the point in the right direction
I went on  Ancestry  and got the medal role from there  this afternoon I will see if I can get any more information about him.

The book I have has been put to gather by either him  or  his brother or sisters .
Ive worked back    (I have  put the tree on Ancestry   in the hope that someone else is researching this family ) I just need to find a way of working forward
I would love to reunite  the family with the book .

However am enjoying the challenge   and the joy of re reading some of the poems

Thanks again Migky

Jackey 

[Mr. MIGKY]

I know what you mean by enjoying the challenge. I had a book given to a child by her school teacher for regular attendance  in 1897, still no one has claimed it. I had the family tree for the family but must have lost it all on a hard drive that packed up on me a few years back.I might have another go at it soon?
By the way, what were the names of his brothers?

Migky 

[Mr. MIGKY]

Just found the will of  W G Biddle 
he died on 16 January  1939  was living at Garthowen Church Lane
he left  £30108 9s 8d

What a lot of dosh to leave  I am sure i can find a link to my own family in this case or make one up if need 

Click for today's money

Migky