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| Courtesy of Roger Brown, nephew |
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Louise Brown and Family
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John Charles Brown was born in 1881 in Kidderminster. In 1905 he married Louise Lawley of Bridgnorth, born in 1879. A daughter, Elsie May Brown was born on 6th October 1905, at Madely Shropshire, and her brother Reginald Harold Brown was born June 11th 1908, at Louth, Lincolnshire. John Charles Brown owned a hardware store in Louth which was bought by a man called Mr Curry. John also worked as a cycle repairer. The family moved to Kettering where John managed a hardware store called Fairey's. He was made manager of the Fairey's store in Rushden though the family was still living in Kettering. Tragically, John died in 1919 aged 38 of a brain haemorrhage after a racing cycle crash. Louise Brown then moved with her 2 children, to Roberts Street, Rushden, and she became a housekeeper to a friend who lived there, around 1920. Louise died aged 75 and was buried in Rushden Cemetery Grave F1814 on 26th October 1954:
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Reginald “Reg” joined St Mary’s Cub’s in Rushden in 1916. Reg worked at the CWS boot factory in Rectory Road, and was also studying at the Boot and Shoe School, where in 1931 he won a County Council prize for his ‘advanced practical bottom stock’ work.
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Reg and Winifred were living in East Grove when Reg was called for service in WWII, and he is listed in the Parish Roll kept by St Mary’s Church. They had two children, Roger in 1942 and Valerie in 1945. Reg belonged to the Scouts for 60 years, and was an enthusiastic member, and eventually became a dedicated leader. Winifred died in 1982 aged 70, and Reg died in 1993, aged 84. |
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A week later Elsie drew a picture of rose buds inside the book. |
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Doris R A Barrett must have been a close friend as she made several entries including this one, and she had given Elsie the book, in 1917. Doris was born in 1906, and the girls first met at Kettering when the family moved there from Louth about 1910.
Elsie continued to collect pictures and messages from her friends until at least 1944, although many have no date or signature.
I tried to think of something to write Elsie worked at Roberts Accountants who had offices in the 1960s over Birch's Bus Station. Elsie May Brown died 17th March 1993 aged 87 years. |
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