William Edward Sargent was born in 1880, son of Walter and Emily (nee Hicks) in 1878, and his sister Lizzie M was born the following year. The family lived in Duck Street, where Walter had established himself as a boot and shoe manufacturer in 1870.

The firm continued to flourish and William Edward was working in the business. His father died aged just 44 in 1896, and his mother Emily married Charles Luther Bradfield, who may already have been involved in the business with Walter, and William.

Charles built a villa residence in Newton Road, and called it 'Elmham' after his father's birth place. Here Charles, Emily, William and Lizzie moved into the house, and these photographs were in an album by William. He had probably taken the photographs as much of the album is filled with a mixture of family, town and tourist photos. Although no captions are added, he seems to have travelled in Scotland, Isle of Man, France, and other places. [the photos are probably not in the order taken but a very random mix]

Lizzie M Sargent married Joseph Catlow, in London in 1905. They eventually lived at St Annes on Sea.

Photos of Elmham during construction c1897/8 from an album belonging to W E Sargent

As a young man	Name inside his photo album

In 1913 William Edward married Florence Mary (nee Corby) in London, and they lived at "Pightles Cottage" (9 Pightles Terrace) and here they had two sons, Robert Edward Butler Sargent born 1916 and William Philip Sargent born 1920. Later both sons worked in the company.

In WWII the boys both joined up. In 1944 William Philip Sargent, joined the R.A.M.C., and was killed during the D Day invasion.

The Air Force Cross was awarded to Flight-Lieut. Robert Edward Butler Sargent in 1945. He returned to help run the business in 1946.

These pictures were not from the album.
BD-310 - captioned 'Sargent, Pightles Cottage'	... and outside Elmham, 114 Newton Road

Pightles Cottage in 2024