Edwin Horace Fradd 1856

Edwin Horace Fradd was born in 1856 in Durban, Natal, South Africa; the only child of Joseph Ede Fradd (a Woolen Draper) and Susan nee Norway who had emigrated from Egloshayle, Cornwall England.

In 1870 Edwin was orphaned when both of his parents died. It is presumed that he returned to England to be raised by relatives. Temple Lodge (Freemason) records state that he was living in 21 Albion Road, Dalston, London; where he was initiated into the Freemasons at aged 14! Edwin was also associated with the Lodge of Albany, in Newport on the Isle Of Wight. Usually the most basic requirement under most Grand Lodge (the center of authority for Freemason groups) jurisdictions is that men are accepted aged 21 years and over. Some jurisdictions accept men who are 18 and over, and in other cases exceptions are made for the sons of members, or for university students. This seems to be the case for Edwin.

England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, London

He married Martha (Mattie) Southwell on the 7th of January 1880 in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, England and  the 1881 England and Wales Census shows Edwin, Martha and their  6 months old daughter Beatrice living in Newport, Isle Of Wight, Hampshire with his Brother-in-Law, Thomas Lee. Edwins "Rank, Profession, Occupation" was listed as "Income derived from interest of moneys." One assumes he was bequeathed quite a substantial amount of money/assets from his parents, being an only child.

Newport, Isle Of Wight, Hampshire, England

At some stage, Edwin has joined the Isle of Wight Rifles, also known as the 8th Territorial Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment or Princess Beatrice’s Isle of Wight Rifles. Perhaps that is why he named his daughter Beatrice.
The Isle of Wight Rifles were an artillery and infantry volunteer corps, raised in response to a threat from the French, during the Napoleonic Wars. In April 1882 the London Gazette published Edwins promotions to Lieutenant in the 1st Rifles. Edwin and Martha had two more children while living on the Isle of Wight; Julia Constance Mary and Charles Cecil Norman Fradd.

The London Gazette, Promotions, April 4th 1882

Edwin travelled to Australia around 1884 where it is known that he took up residence in Norwood, South Australia. It's suspected that he travelled to the Broken Hill region to take advantage of the discovery of the large silver ore-body.

¹Initial discovery and testing by prospectors was followed by small-scale mining through partnerships and syndicates, involving local frontier entrepreneurs who had some capital and initiative to develop the mines. Syndicates commonly formed a stepping stone to companies, which could then attract more investors to provide the capital necessary to develop the larger and more complex deposits.

Gold Find Article - Terowie, South Australia 1888

H. J. Southwell, a director of "The Broken Hill South Australian Company" of which Edwin was secretary (mentioned in a newspaper article in April 1888 in relation to gold finds), died on the 13th June 1888  of Typhoid Fever and was buried in the Broken Hill Cemetery. Henry James Southwell was Martha's brother. Martha's daughter Beatrice also died of Typhoid, aged 9.

Lorraine & Fradd share brokers was formed, before Edwin formed the company "The Broken Hill Proprietary Silver Mining Company" in June 1888.

The South Australian Register, Adelaide, SA; Monday 25 June 1888, Page 8

 Martha and Edwins 3 children were mentioned in shipping records as travelling from Sydney to Adelaide in 1887. Martha Fradd nee Southwell died in Sydney on the 22nd of February 1889 aged 30. Edwin had residence in Darlington and Balmain - inner city suburbs of Sydney in 1890 where his occupation was listed as a clerk.

The Inquirer and Commercial News, Perth, WA; Friday 17 November 1893

Edwin remarried Emma Harriett Holthouse of Semaphore, Port Adelaide, South Australia in 1891 where they had two children together; Horace Lyle, and Annie Richbelle Fradd. 
Emma was mentioned in a newspaper article in 1893 with her step son and two children travelling to South Africa where their third sibling Edwin Nevill Norway was born in 1895.
Edwin Horaces' mother's maiden name was Norway.

When the Second Anglo Boer War broke out in 1899, Edwin volunteered as part of the "1st Active Service Section of the Isle of Wight Rifles"(Regimental Number 737).  He had served as a Sergeant with the Bethune's Mounted Infantry (a colonial unit) during the Ladysmith relief operations before transferring as a Lieutenant to the Menne's Scouts, on the15th of December 1900.

Edwin's Queen's South Africa Medal.

Edwin settled in Durban when the war ended in 1901 and records show he was seeking employment at that time.Emma died  before 1921 and Edwin died on the 8th December,1922 in Northdene, Gauteng, South Africa.

¹ 'Tackaringa' First step to Broken Hill - by Ken McQueen.

Samuel Fradd 1872

Samuel Fradd was born in 1872 in St Merryn, Cornwall, England and christened on the 17th  of November of that year.

He was one of five children born to Samuel and Ann Fradd nee Bennett both of whom were Farm Servants until Samuel Jr's father died when he was 5 years of age. Samuel Jr was also listed as a Farm Servant in the 1890 England Census.

In 1898 Samuel who was listed as a 25 year old Able Seaman, sailed from London aboard the Orizaba to Sydney, Australia. From here he made his way to New Zealand where he settled.

Fig. 1 SS Orizaba

Samuel was a member of the Waterside Workers Union and lived at 36 Karori Road,Wellington, New Zealand where he was employed as a wharf labourer where in 1904, he broke his leg in a cargo hold on the SS Banffshire.

In 1916 he registered as a reservist for Expeditionary Force for World War 1.

Fig. 2 WW1 Recruitment Poster - New Zealand 1916

Enrolled reservists had the chance of their name being drawn from a ballot whereas men who were not enrolled were forbidden to be employed and were sent straight into camp. Those who failed to notify a change of their address were liable to be charged with desertion. There is no record of Samuel's name being drawn out in a ballot so it appears he did not fight during WW1.

On the 16th November 1922 Samuel was charged £2 for "Playing Hazards" (a game of chance) when a group of 14 were arrested playing on the Tug Wharf surrounded by a circle of fishing baskets. An undercover policeman dressed as a waterside worker was key in the arrest. Samuel was described in the magistrates record as 5 ' 9', ruddy complexion, grey hair, blue eyes, and with a big nose. He also had a Dancing-girl tattoo and an anchor on his left forearm.

Nicknamed Clagger, he died on the 4th of October 1944 in Wellington, New Zealand where he resided in 70 Vivian Street. He never married and had no known children.

William John Fradd 1874

William John Fradd was born in February 1874 in Newton Abbot, Devon, England  to Emma E. Unknown. Emma's name could be Fradd or she may have married a Fradd; records are not clear. William had three siblings; Eliza, Clara and Thomas.
William joined the army on the 11th May 1894.

The 1st Battalion The Devonshire Regiment 
William John Fradd as a private (3928) in the1st Battalion was sent out to India early in 1895 to assist in the relief of Chitral.
Tribesmen in Chitral (district in northernmost Pakistan) remained hostile to the British, who had entered the area and established an agency (1889). In 1895, a coup d'etat in Chitral cost the life of the ruling chief, and the victors attempted to drive out the British representative, which necessitated the dispatch of a 16,000-man British expedition to reduce the rebels. At the Malakand Pass, on April 3, 1895, the invading troops overwhelmed some 12,000 Chitralis, who lost more than 500 men before giving up control of the pass; on the other side about 70 were killed or wounded. A British garrison was later set up in Chitral, which was annexed to British India. Tribal rebellions occurred, but the British presence eventually brought peace in 1898.

William spent a total of 9 years and 3 months in India, then 2 years 4 months in South Africa before World War 2.

The 2nd Battalion The Devonshire Regiment 
William spent two tours on the Western Front in France with the 2nd Battalion with a 3 month reprieve in between.

04 November 1914 til 12 June 1915
01 October 1915 til 04 May 1916

¹ August 1914 found the 2nd Devons in Egypt, where their first task was to protect the Suez Canal.  Arriving at Southampton in October, they absorbed drafts of reservists before landing in France on 6th November.

By mid-November they were at Messines (close to the 1st Devons) where, in  two tours in the trenches near Neuve Chapelle, they suffered 20 casualties and lost another 70 men to sickness (mostly frostbite). 

In December they captured a German position known as the Moated Grange which cost a further 128 casualties.  They remained in this area until March 1915, when they lost heavily in an attack on the German lines on the 10th before next day repulsing a German counter-attack.  Their losses in March totalled 284 men.

An attack on Aubers Ridge in May 1915 cost another 250 casualties.  Remaining in this sector until April 1916, they moved to the Somme to prepare for the offensive. 
On 1st July, the 2nd Devons attacked between Ovillers and La Boiselle, losing 232 killed and 199 wounded, many of whom fell to German machine guns in what they called Mash Valley.On 18th and 29th July at Cuinchy they repulsed two German attacks before being withdrawn to rebuild their shattered Battalion.
Returning to the Somme, on 8th/9th November they captured and consolidated a ridge near Le Transloy before being rested at Vergies.

William spent time in Egypt, Malta and Crete before discharging on the 11th May 1916 on account of termination of engagement of active service; aged 42 years retiring to Upton, Newquay, Devon on a full pension. His record noted him as a good soldier with quiet an addiction to alcoholic liquors.
He received the Indian Medal, South African Medal, Victory Star and British War Medal for his service. He died in September 1924 in Newton Abbot, Devon, England.

¹https://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/history/first+world+war/the+devonshire+regiment/the+second+battalion

Eliza Fradd 1865

Eliza Fradd was born on the 19th November 1865 in Devon,Torquay, England to Emma E.Unknown. Emma's name could be Fradd or she may have married a Fradd; records are not clear. Eliza had three siblings; Clara,Thomas and William John Fradd.
Two went onto marry but Eliza and William John remained single their whole lives.

In 1881 Eliza was employed as a servant at age 14 in Torquay, Devon and census records show that she remained in this occupation for at least another 30 years.

Fig 1. 1881 England Census

Being a servant carried its own list of expectations, which the servant was required to meet.

Below are examples of some of the rules that the servants had to follow.¹

1 - When being spoken to, stand still, keeping your hands quiet, and always look at the person speaking.

2 - Never let your voice be heard by the ladies and gentlemen of the household, unless they have spoken directly to you a question or statement which requires a response, at which time, speak as little as possible.

3 - In the presence of your mistress, never speak to another servant or person of your own rank, or to a child, unless only for necessity, and then as little as possible and as quietly as possible.

4 - Never begin to talk to the ladies or gentlemen, unless to deliver a message or to ask a necessary question, and then, do it in as few words as possible.

5 - Whenever possible, items that have been dropped, such as spectacles or handkerchiefs, and other small items, should be returned to their owners on a salver.

6 - Always respond when you have received an order, and always use the proper address: “Sir”, “Ma’am”, “Miss” or “Mrs,” as the case may be.

7 - Never offer your opinion to your employer.

8 - Always “give room”: that is, if you encounter one of your betters in the house or on the stairs, you are to make yourself as invisible as possible, turning yourself toward the wall and averting your eyes.

9 - Except in reply to a salutation offered, never say “good morning” or “good night” to your employer.

10 - If you are required to walk with a lady or gentleman in order to carry packages, or for any other reason, always keep a few paces back.

11 - You are expected to be punctual to your place at mealtime.

12 - You shall not receive any Relative, Visitor or Friend into the house, nor shall you introduce any person into the Servant’s Hall, without the consent of the Butler or Housekeeper.

13 - Followers are strictly forbidden. Any member of the female staff who is found to be fraternizing shall be immediately dismissed.

14 - Expect that any breakages or damages in the house shall be deducted from your wages.

Fig. 2 Victorian Era Servant

Servants' Wages

In Victorian times, live-in servants, who had all their expenses (food, lodging, clothes etc) taken care of, earned as little as £10 a year, (which is only the equivalent of £77 in today's money).

This is a list of the average wages of servants (figures collected by the Board of Trade in the 1890s).

Between Maid               £10, 7s
Scullery Maid                 £13
Kitchen Maid                 £15
Housemaid                    £16, 2s
Parlour Maid                  £20, 6s
Cook                               £20, 2s
Lady's Maid                    £24, 7s
Cook / Housekeeper     £35, 6s
Housekeeper                 £52, 5s

After 1834, the institutions established by Poor Law Unions were always known as workhouses and always required the able-bodied inmates to perform work.
After the formal abolition of the workhouse system in 1930, many former workhouses were redesignated as Public Assistance Institutions (PAIs).

Eliza was shown in residence as an inmate at Great Torrington, Devon, England according to the 1939 England and Wales Register.

Eliza Fradd died in October of 1943 in Bideford, Devon, England.

¹http://www.weddingtoncastle.co.uk/servants-lives.html 

William Fradd 1804

William Fradd was born about July in 1804 in St Kew, Cornwall, England (Christened 22 July 1804) one of seven children to William Fradd and Charity nee Pearce.

He lived in the village of Medrose in the parish of St Teath, Cornwall in 1851 through 1861 until his death in April 1865 where he was employed as a Quarry Labourer in the Delabole Slate Quarry. Delabole slate has been used as a building material for some 800 years, and has been quarried continuously since the early 17th century, when Carew in his survey of Cornwall wrote "in substance thin, in colour fair, in lasting long and generally carrieth good regard". Over 10 million tonnes of slate has been quarried since it was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Fig.1 Map of North West Cornwall showing Medrose, Delabole Quarry, Port Gaverne and Camelford.

In 1841 one of the Delabole proprietors, built a number of cottages for his quarry workers and the village of Medrose developed around them; thus there was an established pattern of workers living close to the quarry face. The long working hours of 7 am to 5.30pm included a half-hour break with their wages ranging from 4s to 10s per week, depending on age.

In 1859, in Murrays Handbook of Devon and Cornwall, the author wrote "the quarries present one of the most astonishing and animated scenes imaginable".

About 1,000 men were employed at this time, raising an average of 120 tonnes of slate per day. Long before the coming of the railway, the slate was cut and hauled six miles to Port Gaverne where it would be loaded onto vessels moored in the harbour area. It would take thirty wagons, pulled by over a hundred horses to load a sixty ton ship and as late as 1890, women still assisted with the stowing of slates.

Fig. 2 Delabole Quarry -note village top right.

In Cornwall, girls and women not only worked as packers but also in skilled roles as slate splitters in the early years. For many years women and girls were employed in the splitting of slate and some were expert at their work. Sometime in the 1850's it was necessary to reduce hands and in order to retain males the females were discharged and since then none have been employed. William Couch, William Fradds nephew was listed as a 15 year old Slate Culler living with William and Ann in Medrose in the 1861 Census.

Fig.3 1861 England Census ( St. Teath Parish)

Although women and girls did not work at Delabole Slate Quarry beyond about 1855, they continued to be employed at Port Gaverne, packing slates into ships for export (employed by the ship captain rather than by the quarry), until about 1890.Today Pengelly and Medrose are collectively called Delabole.

William Fradd died in April 1865 in Camelford, Cornwall, England. Ann was shown to still be living in Medrose in the 1871 England Census. They had no children that I can find. 

Typhus Fever and Cornwall

A major typhus epidemic occurred during the Great Irish Famine between 1846 and 1849. The Irish typhus spread to England, where it was sometimes called "Irish Fever" and was noted for its virulence. It killed people of all social classes, as lice were endemic and inescapable, but it hit particularly hard in the lower or "unwashed" social strata.

Elizabeth Fradd nee Oliver was born in about 1769 in Little Petherick  \ St Petroc Minor, Cornwall, England and christened on the 12^th July 1772.  She married William Fradd on 20^th April 1795 in Little Petherick \ St Petroc Minor, Cornwall, and they raised 9 children.

Elizabeth died aged 86 on the 25^th November 1845 in Padstow, Cornwall, England of Typhus Fever after only 8 days of being infected; by her side was her sister Mary Oliver.

Fig. 1 Elizabeth Fradd Death Certificate

In 1840 W.J. Gilbert Esq Assistant Poor Law Commissioner reported on the sanitary state of the counties of Devon and Cornwall where Mr Hugoe, medical officer of the Padstow district St Columb Major union stated:

“During the period within which I am required to report there has not occurred a single case of contagious disease within this district the absence of which I attribute principally to the cold wet weather we have had.

Some years since typhus was always prevalent during the summer months when the heat was greatest induced in my opinion by the filth allowed to accumulate in the streets and bye places of the towns and villages. (see Table reference above)

The streets are constantly covered with refuse animal and vegetable matter and I doubt not should the coming summer prove hot we shall have a return of that form of fever above alluded to.

The population of the parish of Padstow is 1822.  In the year 1833 cholera prevailed in that year 70 deaths took place. In the preceding year typhus fever produced the same rate of mortality and in 1831, 43 deaths from typhus and Scarlatina (Scarlet Fever).

The year after the cholera prevailed viz 1834, only 31 deaths are recorded.

There were 31 deaths in 1835 and 35 in 1836.  During these years immediately after the prevalence of cholera, much greater attention was paid to cleaning the streets and the removal of various nuisances but there still exist many causes likely to produce disease should we have a return of very warm weather favouring the production of miasma (a noxious form of stale air).

The local advantages for draining and cleaning the town are great from the excellent supply of fresh water which might easily be made to pass through every street and there is a gradual descent towards the sea. All obnoxious matters might by that means be washed away instead of being allowed to accumulate as at present rendering the streets alike disgusting to the senses of smell and vision”.

An excerpt from a Letter to the editor of the Manchester Guardian...

It is truly a heart-rending thing to witness the devastation which this fever is daily committing in families of all ranks. I am told by a medical friend, who enjoys particular opportunities of being acquainted with the subject, that the fever which is now prevailing is particularly virulent in its character; very insidious in its attack; remarkably deceitful in its progress; and unusually fatal in its event.

Florence Annie Fradd 1875

Florence Annie Fradd 1875

Florence Annie Fradd was born on the 6^th September 1875 in Homerton; a metropolitan suburb and a chapelry, in Hackney parish, Middlesex, England to Edwin and Maria Fradd nee Horton; and was 1 of 7 siblings.

1. Birth Registration October Quarter of 1875

 Baptisms in the 1800's

Whilst it was common for a baptism to be carried out relatively close to birth, perhaps within a few days or a couple of weeks, there are plenty of instances where this was not the case. Sometimes parents waited several years and then baptised several children at once and occasionally people were not baptised until adulthood.

Some were baptised at the same time as a later sibling, some just before marriage, and some just after the death of a parent or sibling, or in Florence’s case, one day before her death, indicating that she was not expected to live.

Florence died on 30^th June 1887 in Homerton, London, England aged 20 months.

 

2.Baptismal Record 1877

After the introduction of the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834, some Workhouses had the children in their care baptised en masse; apparently following the principle that it was better to be done twice than not at all.

Whether a person was baptised in the past was often dependent on where they lived. It was more likely you would baptise your child if you lived in a small village where everyone knew everyone. It could be very different if you lived in a large town or city.

Another reason was how poor they may have been; it was a custom in many places to offer refreshments on baptism day. Some parishes had a few days each year where the Vicar would put on refreshments and had mass baptisms! There are also instances of a baby being baptised over its mother's coffin (so mother was held to be present).

3.Death Notice Royal Cornwall Gazette Friday 06 July 1887

Marriage was a sacrament, and therefore (making the person a member of the church community) …baptism was required before a marriage was conducted.

Samuel Fradd 1809

Samuel Fradd was christened on the 5th January 1809 in Padstow, Cornwall, England and was one of 9 siblings born to William and Elizabeth Fradd (nee Oliver).

The 1841 England Census shows Samuel, a 30 year old single man, employed as an Agricultural Labourer on St. Cadoc Farm about 2.5 miles from Padstow. Samuel remained employed on the farm up until at least 1871 and records show him as a Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant and a Farm Servant Indoors across those years.

St. Cadoc Farm 1840 Tithe Map and Farm Apportionment.

Anne Bennett was also recorded on St. Cadoc Farm in the 1861 England Census as a 16 years old House Servant; it was here she met her future husband Samuel who was 36 years her senior. 

1861 England Census Record.

Anne was born on the 4th May 1846 in Treyarnon, Cornwall, England near St. Merryn which was just 1.4 miles from the farm and the nearest hamlet to Padstow.

 

Farm Workers near St Merryn, Cornwall 19th Century.

Samuel married Anne Bennett on the 7th October 1876 in St Merryn, Cornwall, England. 

Perhaps Samuel an older man, possibly with some savings, marries a spinster to gain a carer for his declining years. Anne loses the "spinster" tag and gains a home. They were much more pragmatic about age and relationships in the 19^th century Britain.

¹Women were expected to marry and have children. However, there was in fact a shortage of available men. Census figures for the period reveal there were far more women than men. There were three main reasons why women outnumbered men. The mortality rate for boys was far higher than for girls; a large number of males served in the armed forces abroad and men were more likely to emigrate than women. By 1861 there were 10,380,285 women living in England and Wales but only 9,825,246 men.

Marriage Record of Anne Bennett and Samuel Fradd 1876.

The laws in Britain were based on the idea that women would get married and that their husbands would take care of them. Before the passing of the 1882 Married Property Act, when a woman got married her wealth was passed to her husband. If a woman worked after marriage, her earnings also belonged to her husband.

The idea was that upper and middle class women had to stay dependent on a man: first as a daughter and later as a wife. Once married, it was extremely difficult for a woman to obtain a divorce. The Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857 gave men the right to divorce their wives on the grounds of adultery. However, married women were not able to obtain a divorce if they discovered that their husbands had been unfaithful. Once divorced, the children became the man's property and the mother could be prevented from seeing her children.

St Merryn Cottage Circa 1880

There are 5 children recorded in Census records attributed to Anne and Samuel Fradd. A few interesting facts are that Elizabeth Jane Fradd, Mary Josephine Fradd and Samuel Fradd were all born out of wedlock prior to 1876. William James Fradd was born in 1876 (the year of Samuel's death) and Emily Fradd (the only child that can be found with a specific birth/baptismal record) was baptized on the 3rd of November 1893; after Samuel had died .The 'fathers' name was not listed on the certificate.

Emily Fradd Baptism Record.

Samuel died on in the last quarter of 1877 in St Columb, Cornwall, England aged 68. Ann went on living a further 52 years in St. Merryn until her death in March 1929 and was aged 82. 

Her occupation was listed as a Charwoman in the 1891Census…or Chore woman / Cleaning woman (Domestic service) who usually worked for hourly wages, often on a part-time basis. They usually had several different employers and unlike maids or farm servants, did not 'live-in'.

References:

¹http://spartacus-educational.com 

Albert Thorne Fradd 1887

Albert Thorne Fradd was one of nine siblings and was born on the 10th August 1887 on Portsea Island, Hampshire, England to Samuel Fradd and Mary Jane Thorne.

Albert’s father Samuel was born in Padstow, Cornwall, England and it is suspected that he moved to Portsmouth in his trade as a Shipwright to work in the docks and it was here that he met and married Mary Jane Thorne who was born in Hampshire.

Albert’s middle name was taken from his mother’s maiden name.

The UK, Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 records that Albert as a schoolboy, began work at the Portsmouth Dockyard as a Boy Shipwright aged 12.

He was 4' 9" with dark brown hair, grey eyes and fresh complexion when he joined.

His Official Number was P345594.

Career Postings.

He spent his first 5 years there from 16 July 1902 until 15 July 1907 where he learnt his trade and was then posted to various RN ships and shore establishments up until 09 Aug 1927 when he paid off after 40 years’ service as a Chief Shipwright.

HMS Bellerophon.

It appears Albert served on many ships in a maintenance capacity as the length of tenure on these vessels was quite short, except for three ships; HMS Princess Royal, HMS Bellerophon and HMS Argus.

HMS Argus.

Albert’s record states that his character was VG (very good) throughout his naval career. He was awarded three good conduct badges, which I believe is the maximum one rating can receive.

He married Gwendoline Fradd his first cousin in March1917 in Portsmouth, Southampton where they had 1 issue, a daughter called Lenora Gwendoline.

 

HMS Princess Royal.

Albert died on the 25th April 1955 in Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England.  His wife Gwendoline passed away in 1957.

Catherine Thomas Moulsworth Oliver Fradd 1857

Catherine Thomas Moulsworth Oliver Fradd was born on 11 Feb 1857 in Penzance, Cornwall, England to John Oliver Fradd and Catherine Thomas Boall who married and raised 6 children in Penzance. Catherine was employed as a Laundress in 1881.  She died on 01 Dec 1895 in Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. She was also called Kate. 

The Wales census of 5th April 1891 recorded Catherine's 3 children as inmates in the Poor Law Industrial School (Ely) for Orphaned Children. Catherine has no known husband and I have been unable to locate her marriage record.

At the time of the census, John Herbert Fradd was aged 13 born 26^th September 1877

Elizabeth was aged 11 born about 1882 and John Henry Fradd was aged 9 born 9^th April 1886.

From 1862 to 1903, the union operated an industrial school for pauper and orphaned children at Ely, a mile and a half to the west of the Cowbridge Road workhouse where they were given training that would help make them employable in later life.

For the girls this would include laundry work, housework and needlework, while the boys would learn trades such as carpentry, tailoring and shoemaking. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, there was a change in the policy and most children were accommodated in 'Scattered Homes', in different parts of the union, each under the care of a foster mother. It is also clear that the system was often corrupt and the records recount instances of family breakdown, poverty, greed, violence and neglect of the poor.

The schools were closed in 1903 and the buildings converted and extended to provide additional workhouse accommodation for adults, especially the aged, infirm and 'mental defectives’ until 1948. A row of children's cottage homes, known as the Ely Homes or the Headquarters Homes, was erected at the south of the site.

The next Wales census in 1901 recorded John Henry Fradd as a 14 year old Coal Hewer, boarding in Rhondda which at one time contained 53 working collieries, in an area only 16 miles long. It was the most intensely mined area in the world and probably one of the most densely populated.

A coal hewer is the actual coal-digger. Whether the seam be so thin that he can hardly creep into it on hands and knees, or whether it be thick enough for him to stand upright, he is the responsible workman who loosens the coal from the bed. The 1911 census shows John Henry as a Coal Miner. He married Elizabeth Ann Jones in 1914 and had at least one son. John Henry Fradd died in Hay, Breconshire, Wales on the 6^th May 1959 aged 73.

Elizabeth was recorded as a servant in 1901 and also lived to the age of 73 after marrying Albert Edward Early on the 9^th June in Neath, St Thomas, Glamorganshire, Wales. She died in Jun 1955 also in Neath, Glamorganshire, Wales

In 1903 John Herbert Fradd married Susannah May Morgan in Newport Monmouthshire, England and was recorded as an Ironworker with 2 sons in the 1911 Wales census; living in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. In 1923 Kelly’s Directory John Herbert was listed as a Baker. He died in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales on the 17^th December 1937 aged 60.

George Henry Fradd 1895

George Henry Fradd was born on 02 Mar 1895 in Bodmin, Cornwall, England. He was an only child to John Francis Fradd and Bessie nee Lobb.

In 1901 George was staying with his mother’s parents in the village of Tregonetha in the civil parish of St Wenn; 7 miles west of his birth place.
In 1911 George was living in Lanivet, a village situated approximately 2 ¹⁄₂ miles southwest of Bodmin. At age 16 his occupation was listed as a carpenter. 
George enlisted into the Royal Naval Air Service (R.N.A.S.) on the 30^th December 1915 and was listed as an Air Mechanic [Navy] on the Register of Seamen's Services; official number: F210280.

His civil occupation at the time of enlisting was a policeman and his height was recorded as 6 feet 0 and 3/4 inches. He also had identifying scars on his left leg and groin.

Presumably, George wanted to fly which saw him transferred to the Royal Air Force (R.A.F)

He was discharged on the 25^th January 1918 and joined the 'Army' the next day after 25 months in the Royal Naval Air Service. An interesting fact noted was that he stated his height as 5 feet 11 1/2 inches; maybe there was a height restriction for pilots over 6 feet tall.

He eventually transferred to R.A.F. as Private 2nd Class on the 1^st April 1918 and was appointed as Flight Cadet on the 17^th of June 1918 and was stationed at Stamford, Lincolnshire, England.

He married Elsie May Oliver on 29^th of November 1919 in The Parish Church of St Andrew, Stockwell, London. They has one issue, a daughter, Kathleen Joan Fradd who was born in 1923. 

George returned to policing upon leaving the R.A.F. at least up until 1949 where he was a Sergeant at Polzeath in North Cornwall.

He died in June 1974 in Penzance, Cornwall, England; 15 years after his wife Elsie.