Edna's dad
Early Years What I know about JimEarly Years
What I know about Jim's early years is only gleaned from various census data. I have no idea where he went to school or what kind of a scholar he was. Did he have a happy childhood or was he miserable? Of these things I have no knowledge. I can relate some facts that is all. Jim was born in the Shipwrights Arms, Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth on January 3rd 1879. His dad Alfred Hitches Hunter was running the pub at the time. His Sister Nellie (Ellen Louise) was about 4 years old. He had a brother Ernest Edward who was born on June 1st 1879.This is an assumption I am making. Since both both dates are authentic I am supposing that Ernest Edward was an existing child of Alfred Hitches second wife the widow, Emma Green. Jim would not have met with his half brother untill they were 4 years old when his Mum, Mary Anne Charlo died (1883)and Alfred Hitches Hunter married for the second time in the same year. He had another sister Minnie Grace, she was 6 years old when Jim was born and I assume that she is the one who was the inspiration for Edna's second name whilst Ellen Louise gave rise to Edna's third name. On refelection, thinking about Ernest Edward, it is more likely that the authentic date that I have for his birth is not authentic at all. I have it from his naval record. It is quite possible that he lied about his age to get into the navy and in fact he is the genuine younger brother of Jim's being born on June 1st 1880. This could easily be checked from his birth certificate. I can only think that Jim being the first boy born into a family with two older sisters was doted on and hence this affection was transferred to the naming of his second daughter Edna later in life. In 1891 Jim's Dad had changed profession and was a house painter, Emma was a breadmaker. The family were still together but were no longer living above a pub. Their new residence was in 24 Gloucester Street, Portsmouth. Jim was still there aged 22 in 1901. All the others had left home. Ernest Edward had joined the navy as a boy on June 8th 1894. While Ellen Louise had married a Stevens and they had children Cyril and Ronnie. Ronnie had no children but Cyril had at least one son. Minnie Grace also married but to whom I have no idea, there was no issue.
What I know about Jim
My personal knowledge of Jim is hazy. He died on February 2nd 1958 of (cerebral haemorrage, hypertension and senility) when he was 79 and I was only 16. He never figured on our radar, living alone after he had locked Lotte Beatrice (nee Horton) out of his house for going out dancing once too often, he kept himself to himself and spent his retirement years playing bowls and drinking ale with his friends. He didn't ask for much and took care of himself. Just occasionally I'd pop in with Mum when she was passing and he would make us a cup of tea with condensed milk. He smoked a pipe and I remember we always bought grandad Hunter pipe cleaners for Christmas. His house 12 Ranelagh Road, had seen bettter days. It still had gaslighting and the loo was outside downstairs. The front bedroom ceiling had collapsed and you could see the sky through the slates. The downstairs front room floor boards were non existant having rotted away. The bare earth below had a dank graveyard smell. It was creepy visiting Jim. He lived in the middle room and kitchen and slept in the back bedroom. His voice was high pitched and he had the most bushy eyebrows.
When I was about 15 I suppose Jim had a stroke. This left him partially sited and he needed help to live each day. Mum visited regularly from Paulsgrove making the daily trek by bus. She persuaded my Dad Harry to buy number 12 for a pound a week, total price £200. She moved in and Dad repaired all the damage. Then we all gave up the council house in Paulsgrove and joined Grandad Jim in the new home. He survived us for a while but eventually he had a final stroke which carried him off, as they say. Jim had worked at the Portsmouth Dockyard as an electrical wireman and despite being 35 years old at the outbreak of WW1 and being of age for the Boer war, he didn't serve, as he was in a reserved occupation. He was in the Volunteers (I suppose a home guard of the time) and my Mum said he was an expert marksman. He also won prizes for his bowling prowess. He married Lotte Horton (10 years his junior) on ............. in St James Church, Milton. and they had two daughters. Alva Eunice and Edna Grace Louise. Alva went on to marry Arthur Brudenall and they had four children. Peter, Wendy, Janice and a child who died very young. Perhaps one of these grandchildren might have more information about Jim.
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