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Family Background- Maternal

Florence Edith Watters nee Putwain and Caroline Ann Meadows

Cyril's mother was Florence Edith Watters, nee Putwain who was born on 18^th February 1881 at 1 St John’s Terrace, Asplins Road, Tottenham, London. She was the eleventh of fifteen children.

His mother’s family were rooted in Kent. Cyril’s maternal grandmother’s family lived in Dover and on the census of 1851 Cyril’s great grandfather, Henry Jas Meadows, was entered as a cabinet maker living at 1 ( ? ) Row, Dover. Henry and his wife Frances then had four children; James, Frances O, Henry W, and Julia E Meadows.

Carrie Watters and her children Caroline Ann Meadows (maternal grandmother known as Carrie) was born on 30^th September 1854 at Fancy St, Folkestone.

In the 1861 census the children are named James Pope Meadows, Frances Osbourn Meadows, Henry William Meadows, Julia Emily Meadows, Elizabeth Jane Meadows, Caroline Ann Meadows (aged 8) and George Osbourn Meadows. They were then living at 3 Military Road, Dover.

Caroline Ann Meadows married William Putwain on 14^th July 1887 at Russell St Chapel, Dover. Her father was then identified as a furniture broker.

The Putwains

William Putwain’s family (Cyril’s maternal grandfather), were also Kent people. He was born on 10^th October 1855 at Whitstable, Kent. His occupation was a bricklayer/builder, although when younger he was at sea. William’s father and forefathers have a consistent history of being Mariners and Oyster Dredgers in Whitstable back to William Putwain born in 1749. (See family tree)

In the 1851 census John Putwain, Cyril’s great grandfather, was living in Harbour St. Whitstable with his wife Mary and daughters Ann, Martha and Ellen. In 1871 He is a dredger living at 1 Norfolk St, Whitstable, 'Martha has become a school teacher and other children born since are John, William (Cyril’s grandfather), both sailors, Emma, Fanny, Amelia, Mary and Bessie.’ William Putwain married Mary at Russell St Chapel, Dover, on the 14^th July 1877 at Dover.

In 1901 the Putwain family was living at 40 Sumaha Road, Hampstead. Florence is not there. She would have been 20 and could possibly have been in service although her marriage certificate doesn’t indicate that.

Florence Edith Putwain married Henry James Watters on 21^st April 1906 at the Evangelical Mission Hall, Church Road, Willesden.

See The Family Tree

Family Background- Paternal

Henry James Watters and Annie Maria Parker

Cyril’s father was Henry James Watters, a paperhanger by trade. He was born on 14^th February 1880 at 16 Spring St, Marylebone, London. He always papered the rooms in our house at 49 Geary Road when it needed it throughout my childhood. He then lived at 25 Geary Road.

Cyril’s paternal grandmother was Annie Maria Parker born in 1854 and his paternal grandfather, Henry James Watters was born on 27^th October 1851 at 1b Barretts Court, Marylebone, London. He was a coach painter. He and Annie were married on 5^th February 1878 at St Mary’s Church, Marylebone. Their fathers were identified on their marriage certificate as being Robert Walter Watters, a Boot Cleaner, and James Henry Parker a Painter. Robert Walter Watters was born on 31^st December 1821 to Robert (a tailor) and Elizabeth Waters in Hendon.

Henry James Watters (Cyril’s paternal grandfather) died on 15^th March 1913 in the Workhouse Infirmary, Acton Lane, Willesden of ‘softening of brain syncope’ aged 61 when Cyril was 6.

I remember that Cyril’s parents always went to Folkstone for holidays which were a great puzzle to me in the 1950’s not realizing his grandmother was born there. I remember them both as being keen card players and on my weekly visit to them as a child we would always play whist or rummy. They let me win of course. My grandmother always made rock cakes and chocolate spread sandwiches for me. (Jill Coward’s note)

1907 Henry James Watters and Florence Watters with Cyril