Robert Valentine Walker

[avm228]

The burial is unlikely to be at a church - much more likely (given the Battersea connection) that it was at the municipal cemetery:

www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/200032/deaths_funerals_and_cremations/86/cemeteries_and_crematorium/3

The indexed date of birth will simply have been calculated from the age at death (38) which we already knew from the death registration. If she was correctly recorded as aged 38 when she died on 7 February 1924, that would put her date of birth between 8 February 1885 and 7 February 1886.

[Dianeduvale]

As an experienced researcher, what are your thoughts on Edith Blanche Clements and why I can't find her Birth or on 1901/11 Census', or find her Daughters Birth record? Could it be that she wasnt using the name Clements? I don't know the way forward

[avm228]

At the moment I am stumped by Ethel too, I'm afraid.  Yes, it's entirely possible she's using a different name in 1901 and/or 1911. Without a birth registration and therefore a birthplace, it's very hard indeed to identify possible candidates.

It's also possible she wasn't English - perhaps Irish or Scottish or from further afield.  Are there any family memories of her being from elsewhere?

I'm wondering whether the "nuns' college" clue might help you make progress. Did you have any luck contacting the archivist for the convent? Do you know whether Winifred was of the Catholic faith - I'm wondering whether she might even have been baptised at Sacred Heart?

[Dianeduvale]

Yes, they are my last hope! I'm waiting for one of the Sisters who deals with the Training College Archives to get back to me. I think I'll email with My findings on Ethel, see if it helps. Thanks for your efforts. 

[avm228]

Great - do let us know when you hear from them

It may be worth asking specifically about baptisms at Sacred Heart while you are liaising with them if you've not done so already.

[Dianeduvale]

Yes, I will!
 Do you think a visit to Kew would help me? Perhaps not with Ethel but maybe trying to find out the whereabouts of Richard Gardener Down and ultimately, try to find Birth and Census record of my Grandfather, Robert Walker?

[avm228]

Kew is wonderful but in terms of relevant English birth and census records doesn't have anything more than can be found online. I'm not sure at the moment how a visit would help.

When I mentioned baptisms I should also have mentioned first communions and confirmations - really anything they can find would no doubt be invaluable for you. Bear in mind that Winifred does not seem to have an English birth registration in the name Winifred Ethel Clements, so you may have to keep an open mind as to names.  The birthdate of 26 Oct 1905 (from her death registration) may or may not help.

I did find a newspaper report dated 14 Dec 1906 saying that the "large school" at Trott St, Battersea attached to the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Battersea had been destroyed by fire "yesterday". I don't know whether this would have affected the "Training College" part or whether they were separate.

[Dianeduvale]

I've been thinking about my Grandfather Robert and pretty sure his Registered Birth name wasn't Walker ( given what I've found out) I'm thinking that in 1901 he may have been with Richard Gardner Down, his Wife Florence and Children,Florence Charlotte and Edward (wherever they were!) there don't seem to be any Birth records for any of the Children  strange

[Dianeduvale]

Unfortunately, there were no records for Winifred Ethel Clements in the Cavendish Square Training College from 1914-1924. The Archivist, a very kind Sister Helen searched the records for me and I also had help from The Archivist of The Sacred Heart College as per the earlier post  back to the drawing board again!