Family of David Walter

Walters Road, Swansea, early 1900s

David Walter was the son of Walter Walter and Ann Leach Penny (see Walter Family of Babcary). Aged 18, he is listed in the 1861 census at Greenhill Farm, Foddington, Babcary, Somerset. In 1871 he was working as a general servant in the household of William John, clerk to the commissioner of taxes, at Bryn Teg House, Llantrisant, Glamorgan, South Wales. David married Catherine Roper (1845-1880) at the church of St Hilary, in the Vale of Glamorgan on 11th July 1877. They had two sons: Albert Edward (1879-1943; born Wales) and Alfred (Fred) born in Peterston Super Ely (near Cardiff) during the 1st quarter of 1880. Catherine died at Allt Ucha, Peterston Super Ely on 11th December 1880 having suffered from Phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis) for two years.

By 1881 David was lodging with Caroline Williams and her family in St Hilary and was working as a labourer. A two year old Albert Walters was a visitor in the household of John and Ann Thomas in the same village.

In 1891 the children were living with two of David's sisters. Albert was with Susanna and her husband George Philip Hayes (1858-1920 ; born Ashcott, Somerset, died New Forest) a draper and clothier whom she married in 1886. They lived in High Street, Glastonbury and had children William Hugh G. (1888-1954; died Islington), Ivy Marian (1889-1979; died West Somerset) and Walter Benson (b. 1890). Perhaps coincidentally one of the boarders and drapery assistants was Julia Richards (25) from Pontypridd. In 1891 Ivy was staying with her uncle Edward Jacob Walter, his wife Eliza (Gillett) (1840-1925) and their son Edward Ernest who lived at the 'Old Keinton Shop' in Keinton Mandeville, near Babcary, a village with a significant quarrying industry. Jacob was listed as a draper in the census. Fred was with Caroline and her husband William Whittle (1837-1903) born in Barton St. David, Somerset whom she married in 1885. They were living in Babcary next to the schoolmaster and William was described as a farmer.

In 1891 David was employed as a gardener at Waunarlwydd House, Waunarlwydd near Pontardulais, Swansea, the home of John Powell, J.P. (c.1835-1910) and his wife Ann Powell. In 1901 he is named as Daniel Walter at 27 Brunswick St., Swansea - ironically, near Walters Road. He was a boarder in the house of Rosa Jeffree (the widow of Thomas Jeffree who had died in June 1900) and employed as a domestic coachman - equivalent to a modern chauffeur but with responsibility for the horses and the coach itself - perhaps for John Powell as it was within easy walking distance to his then home in Brynmill Crescent, Swansea. The age is correct at 58, he is listed as a widower, born Babcary (there is no Daniel meeting these criteria). Albert's marriage certificate gives David's profession as 'Jobmaster' - a person who let out horses and carriages. David Walter, a domestic coachman of 50 St Helens Avenue, died of Uraemia and Bright's disease died in Swansea Hospital, August 1903 aged 60 in the presence of his sister Susanna Hayes.

Albert Edward married Jessie Sophia Pullum (1879-1960; died NW Surrey), the daughter of George Pullum (1834-1908) and his wife Frances (1840-1909), at the parish church of St Barnabas, Dulwich on 28th February 1906, witnessed by her brother (or father) George and brother Octavius Pullum. Albert was living in Beckenham Rd, Penge and was working as a draper at the time. They had children including: Albert Hugh (1906-1975; born Penge), Doris Frances (b.1909 in Lewisham), Cyril David George (1910-1941; born Brentford), Raymond P. (b. 1912 in Fulham) and Eileen Mabel (1915-1986; born Richmond, died Weston). In 1911 they were living at 72 Silver Crescent, Gunnersbury a few doors away from Albert's first cousin, Edward Ernest Walter (1878-1938) and Albert was working as a draper's assistant (buyer). Edward Ernest married Elizabeth Horne (1876-1952) in 1905 and had two sons: Edward Henry (1909-1982) and Kenneth Gillett (1911-1996). Edward Ernest joined the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War, his medals indicating that he served abroad (Ref: 111339). After the war he returned to the drapery trade in London.

Cyril served in the RAF 207 Squadron Volunteer Reserve and was killed in action over Belgium. Albert married in Ottowa and died in Vancouver. Doris married Stanley J. Jackson in West Ham in 1931 and had a son. Eileen married Cyril G. Purnell (1910-1990) in Weston in 1938 and had children.

Last updated July 2009.

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