Tenth Generation

255. Charles William BLABER^118,695,2107 was born on 3 February 1847 in Bangalore, India.^{118,694,695,710,2108,2109,2110,2111,2112} He was baptized on 17 February 1847 in Bangalore, India.¹¹⁸ He lived at 2 Earl Street in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England in 1861.⁷²² From 20 November 1866 to 20 November 1879 Charles was a Private in the 3rd Battalion. Grenadier Guards.^{2113,2114,2115} At his attestation Charles is described as age 19, born Bangalore, East Indies.  His trade or calling was Servant. He was five feet eight inches, had fresh complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair.
He enlisted in Nottingham.
On discharge his character is described as very good.
Married without Leave! On 25 May 1870 he was a Blacksmith.²¹¹⁶ He lived at Lambeth Road in Lambeth, London, England in 1870.²¹¹⁶ Charles lived at Wellington Barracks (Old Wing) in Westminster, London, England in 1871.²¹¹⁷ On this Census, Charles was described as 'unmarried'! A second census entry also has him residing at the Barracks in St Martin in the Fields. In 1878 he was a Coachman.²¹¹⁸ Between 1881 and 1918 he was a Painter/Painter's Labourer.^{346,695,2112,2119,2120,2121,2122,2123,2124,2125,2126,2127} It is noted that on Charles' son's wedding in 1898 Charles was recorded as DECEASED. Clearly this was in error?
Charles lived at 2 Pulford Street in St George, Hanover Square, Westminster, London, England in 1881.^324,695,2128 He lived at 15 Monck Street in Westminster, London, England in 1891.^{2129,2130,2131} In the original copy of the 1891 Census Charles William's name is given as THOMAS. This is clearly an enumerator's error. He died on 13 December 1930 at the age of 83 in 49 Brooklands Street, Stockwell, Lambeth, London.^118,2132 His GP, a Dr T.J.Taunton of 102 Lansdowne Road, London SW8, wrote a letter on behalf of Charles' family to the Commanding Officer of the Grenadier Guards, reporting the death of Charles saying that as Charles was an ex-Private in the Grenadier Guards is it possible for him to have a military funeral?
Reply from Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Grenadier Guards.
Dear...
Your letter of the 13th instant reporting the death of ex-private Charles Blaber has been forwarded to these headquarters I am afraid it will not be possible to arrange a military funeral. However, I have arranged for two drummers of a battalion regiment to attend the funeral and to take a wreath from all ranks of the regiment.
They will take a Union Jack and will be prepared to sound 'Last Post' and 'Reveille'.
I am most grateful to you for having brought Mr Blaber's death to my notice, and shall be obliged if you will be so good as to inform the relatives of the arrangements outlined in this letter.

A note sent to Messrs Moyses Stevens, Florists, Victoria Street London SW1.
From The Regimental Adjutant Grenadier Guards.
Will you please deliver a wreath tied with Brigade of Guards ribbon, cost not exceed £1.0.0. to the orderly room, 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, H.M. Tower of London, E.C.3. by 8.30 a.m. on Friday, 19th December 1930.
A card is enclosed which should be attached to the wreath.

Charles William BLABER and Mary Ann WAKEHAM were married on 25 May 1870 in St Mary's Church, Lambeth, London, England.^{695,2114,2116,2133,2134,2135} IGI has marriage date as 27 March 1870.
In 1871 census, Charles was stated as unmarried! Obviously another enumerator error.
He had a double wedding with his brother Joseph. They^{695,2114,2116,2133,2134,2135} lived at 22 Castle Lane in Westminster, London, England in 1879.²¹²⁵ They²¹²⁵ lived at 122 Wandsworth Road in Lambeth, London, England in 1901.²¹²⁰ At the 1901 Census, their granddaughter, Laura Smith, was living with them. Charles and Mary²¹²⁰ lived at 31 Stockdale Road in Battersea, London, England in 1911.²¹¹² At the 1911 Census his widowed daughter, Emily Walters, was living with them. Mary Ann WAKEHAM^{695,2121,2133,2136}, daughter of William Walter WAKEHAM and Lydia MARTIN, was born on 16 March 1847 in Galmpton, Brixham, Devon, England.^{695,2137,2138} 1871 census gives birth place as "Gompton, Devon". 1881 census gives birth place as "Gamption, Devon". She lived at Churston Ferrers in Galmpton, Brixham, Devon, England on 16 March 1847.²¹³⁷ She was christened on 18 April 1847 in Churston Ferrers, Devon, England.¹¹⁸ Mary lived at Lambeth Road in Lambeth, London, England on 25 May 1870.²¹¹⁶ She lived at 1 Henry Place in Westminster, London, England in 1871.²¹³⁹ In 1871 she was a Dressmaker.²¹³⁹ Mary lived at 2 Pulford Street, St George's, Hanover Square in Westminster, London, England in 1881.⁶⁹⁵ She lived at 15 Monck Street in Westminster, London, England in 1891.^2129,2140 Mother's name on Lydia Eliza Blaber's birth certificate is given as Mary Ann Wakenham, and on Beatrice's birth certificate as Mary Ann Wakham.

Charles William BLABER-1400 and Mary Ann WAKEHAM-1401 had the following children: