Photo is Bernard Astill (on the left) with sons-in-law Colin Spencer at Skegness.
Bernard was born at 27 Hartford Street The Meadows Nottingham uk. on the 2 Jan 1908.
7died of Broncho Pneumonia in the City Hospital Nottingham , 16 Dec 1977 cremated at Wilford hill Cemetary Nottingham uk, ashes went on his dad and mums grave. No 4S32
Was a works forman at Erricsons Beeston Nottt's, worked there for 45 years.
Moved two doors down to 31 Hartford Street when he got married, was exempt from fighting in the war his job at this time was building the very latest day and night bombsights,a very skilled job.
He was also a sergeant in the A.R.P.
Went to London during the Blitz, came back a very shaken man, was ill for months after with nightmares.
He was first on the scene at the N.C.S.bakery/milk depot on Meadow Lane, when it was bombed,
brought some of the servivers back to the shelter, where we were, for the women to look after them.
I was about 5 or 6 but can still see them to this day ,they had no body hair and the flour had been blasted into their skin.
Mum took the pyjama jackets off me and my sisters to make slings for the men,dad made a promise to one of men to let the mans wife know that he was all right,and had to walk six miles after the raid and it was all clear, to tell her, he was not to well himself, but he did it .Witness to his wedding was his brother James Lesly Astill and his sister Iris May Astill.
Ethel worked at home doing the same as her mother in law, also did cleaning at the local pubs.
She died in The Castle View Nursing Home, Rope Walk Nottingham. Her ashes were put with Bernards on his Mums and dads grave.
Jim was born13 Apr 1879 No 352 In the church register,at Plumtree Nottingham uk this is a small village just outside Nottingham.
Died 10 Feb 1950 at home 27 Hartford Street The Meadows Nottingham uk, Buried in grave No 4S32 Wilfordhill Cemetary Nottingham With his wife Floe.
He was a Osteler for the city council, his main job was cleaning out the filter of the local wash-house.
( we had many handkerchiefs from there; grandma would wash them and sell them for sixpence each,a good sum in these days.) He served in the Lincolnshire Calvary as a Infantry Osteler in the 1914/1918 war,also acted as batman to a colonel,serving in France and Italy.
At this time the writing on the post cards he sent to Flo from the war front changed from pencil to ink, showing a better standard of living and better accommodation. from the post-cards we also note that he was wounded,he tells Flo on one post-card that he had met an old chum who was in the next bed to him in hospital.
We also note the postal rate increased from 1d to 2 pence at this time.
He sent some 40 silk post-cards to Flo during his time away, showing the areas where he was at (How did they pass the censurs? perhaps with the colonels mail) I still have them in a book along with the family history.
He was age 24 when he married Florence Gilbert on the 26 Dec 1903 at St Saviours Church Arkwright Street Nottingham uk Witness to wedding was Thomas Gilbert and Rose Gilbert.
Flo was C.12 May 1879, D. 24 Aug 1958 at home 27 Hartford Street. Bur; with Jim in same grave.
They lived at 1 Agartho Cottages The Meadows Nottingham uk when they got married then moved to 43 Ryhill Cottages Nottingham at two shillings a week rent, moved to 27 Hartford Street The Meadows Nottingham uk.after the war ended.
at two and six pence a week.
Flo never went out to work, but did all sorts of homeworking, like Drawing lace,Carding hair nets, String tagging, Pull and Peg Rug makeing, knitting and taking in washing.1881 census 6 Radcliff Terrace Kirkwhite St Meadows Nottingham uk
James living with his parents age 21891 Census 43 Ryhill Cottages Nottingham
James Living with his parents age 12.1901census Labourer Hay & Corn Dealer
10 Bruce Grove Nottingham uk
When she got married. in 19031881 census 27 Stanley Terrace Kirkwhite St The Meadows Nottingham uk.
with her family
William Francis Cuthbert Carnell
1901census
living at 9 Chard Terrace Nottingham uk