Kates parents were from Barkwith. She was left to bring up the family by herself and had a new man friend.

1921-1924. Electoral Register records George Henry Duckering and Kate Duckering living at Main Street, Weston, Nottinghamshire

1925-1926. Electoral Registers records George Henry Duckering and Kate Duckering living at Wheatley Grange, North Wheatley, Nottinghamshire.

1929 - Electoral Roll: 1929 Duckering, Kate, Lincoln Street, Tuxford, Notts

1930 - Electoral Roll: 1930 Duckering, Kate & Cook, Richard 10 George Inn Yard, Moorgate, East Retford, Notts

1939 - !939 Register records , Cook, Richard, born 22 Sept 1876, single, Builders Labourer, Heavy Duites, Duckering, Kate born 4 Aug 1889 married Unpaid Domestic Duties, Duckering, Ruth O born 30 June 1915 single Incapacitated and Duckering/Millband/Searson, Gwen J born 9 March 1920 single Bus Conductress Unemployed.

BIOPIC of George Henry Duckering & Kate Schofield, my grandparents (Robin)

I never knew my grandparents and I believe I never met my grandfather, who was still alive when I was born. I have a poor quality photograph of Kate, which I was given to me by my mother Joan and then after that, just a few words from my mum about them. The only other information is from the official records, which gives a skeleton outline and very little to flesh out any sense of who they were and what they enjoyed. So this biopic is limited, but does give a sense of the challenges and events they went through.

George Henry was born on the 15th October 1886 to Alfred Duckering and Emma Cade, probably at The Villa, East Barkwith, Lincolnshire. George was their twentieth and last child, and Alfred would have been aged 50 and Emma 46. Alfred was born and bred in East Barkwith and had been involved in gardening, seed and manure manufacturing all his life. This led to him establishing his own business. There are numerous articles that can be found that describe Alfred’s business. Emma was born in Skidbrooke and married Alfred 11th August 1854, he was aged 18 and she was not quite 14. They eloped to Hull, where they married at Holy Trinity Church.

Alfred died in December 1914, when George was 28. George had only recently married in the November 1914 to Kate Schofield at East Retftord in Nottinghamshire. Kate was already circa 6 months pregnant with their first child Ruth Olive.

On Alfred’s death George’s older brothers, Ezra and William inherited the house (The Villa), granaries, stables, greenhouses and premises, as well as the gardens, nurseries and 2.5 acres of orchards – so effectively the whole business. Alfred’s final version of his will was signed on the 9th July 1895 when George was aged 9.

The will provided 18 shares, of which 3 (one each) were give to Ezra, Nehemiah and William, who were the three executors of their father’s will. The remaining 15 shares were to be divided in halves between Alfred’s remaining children, which could not be paid out until his wife Emma died, as the will directed that the business must pay her an income for life. Nehemiah had taken his share of £600, sometime before 1895 to set up his greengrocery business in Nottingham and Emma replaced him as an Executor, hence the will being altered and finalised in 1895.

When Alfred died he was buried at St Mary’s Church East Barkwith, where he had been churchwarden for over forty years. Emma, as agreed, then moved out of The Villa to The Poplars, a house the family owned, to allow Ezra and William to run the business.

Emma died on the 31st October 1922 aged 82 when George was 36. Formal solicitors letters then began to be exchanged about paying out the half shares. I have a copy of a letter dated 5th July 1929 to three brothers in Canada, Herbert, Ernest and Percy Duckering that they were entitled to £296 11s 10d each and had been paid £100 already. This dispute eventually ended up in court. Just to give some context, when Ezra’s probate was completed the value declared 9th January 1945 was £23,182, noting that William had died in 1926, his wife Sarah in 1940 and her estate was valued at £270. William and Sarah had no children.

Alfred’s will may have seemed harsh, but we have to consider what happened to Alfred as a young man. His father was Richard and his mother was Rebecca. When Alfred was born on 26th January 1836, when he was a baby his mother died sometime early 1837. His father quickly remarried and for some reason his grandparents then took Alfred in to live with them. His grandfather was Christopher and his step grandmother was Ann Royle and Christopher was a gardener. Alfred clearly learned some or even much of his trade from his grandfather and then also began to work in his business. When Christopher died in 1861, Alfred was 25 and Christopher’s will instructed that everything was sold. Alfred received £19 and the 15 acres he had been working had been sold. I therefore suspect that this event was in Alfred’s mind when he wrote his own will.

George never seemed to settle into a career or trade. Three of his older brothers, Herbert, Ernest and Percy had gone to Canada in 1903 to make a break for themselves and a fourth, Richard followed later after separating from his wife and son. In the 1901 Census George is an apprentice plumber and painter residing at High Street, Navenby, Lincolnshire. Then in 1910 he sailed to Canada and his trade is described as a labourer. My mother Joan, said she had heard that George had threatened Ezra and William with a gun, hence he fled to Canada to link up with his brothers. Clearly not much came from this trip, as he returned back by the 1911 Census, which records him residing at The Villa, East Barkwith and his occupation is now given as a ‘sons working at home’ alongside his brother Sidney.

Emma, George’s mother writes in a letter to Herbert, her son in Canada 11th June 1913, “George is a long time getting settled, he has gone to a post in Doncaster, so far he seems all right.”

In the last quarter of 1914 he married Kate Schofield who was 25, the third youngest of 10 children having grown up in East Markham, Nottinghamshire. Her father Charles was born and bred in East Markham and largely worked all his life as a labourer in woods and plantations. Her mother was Sarah Whittington. Kate already had a child, Grace Annie Schofield born on 31st August 1910 at Sibthorpe, East Markham, where her parents lived. George was clearly fond of Grace, as he names her in his will as his adopted step daughter.

Emma, George’s mother writes in a letter to Herbert, her son in Canada January 1915, “..George is on the railway signal box, don’t think his hand will let him follow his trade.”

George and Kate’s first child Ruth Olive was born on 30th January 1915, East Retford, Nottinghamshire.

Beatrice Eileen or ‘Beatie’ was born in November 1916, East Retford, Nottinghamshire and sadly died in a car crash on 15th September 1962 near Bakewell, Derbyshire. My mum Joan, said Beatie had searched for her father and had found him living in bed & breakfast in Nottingham.

George joined the National Union of Railwaymen on 5th February 1917 as a ‘porter grade’. This did not last long, as he was then called up as a soldier in the First World War on 7th July 1917 as a part of the 3rd Reserve Battalion. His home address was given as Station Street, Tuxford, Nr Newark, Nottinghamshire. He had been on the reserve list since 25th May 1916. He joined his unit in late 1917 and on either 13th or 18th March 1918 was gassed with mustard gas. By the end of March he was back in England, initially in Lewisham, then Aldershot. He was given 10 days ‘furlough’ from 8th to 18th May 1918. He clearly went home to Kate, as this is when their son, my father Herbert was conceived. By August 1918 he was back on the front line and on 21st August 1918 he was shot in the right shoulder. In September 1918 he returned to England and his disability from the gunshot wound is estimated at 30%. He was discharged as an invalid on 10th April 1919. His pension commenced on 11th April 1919 and he received a £10 war gratuity on 18th March 1921.

George and Kate’s third child, Herbert Edward was born on 4th January 1919, Tuxford, Nottinghamshire.

George returned home injured, a partial invalid, pensioned off, probably suffering from PTSD and little prospect of employment with a wife, three of his own children and Grace Annie, Kate’s child and his stepdaughter to support.

Gwen Isabel their fourth child is then born February 1920, Southwell, Nottinghamshire.

George and Kate can be found in the Electoral Roll in 1921-1924 residing at Main Street, Weston, Newark, Nottinghamshire. Then in 1929 the Electoral Roll records that Kate is no longer with George and she is residing at Lincoln Street, Tuxford. Then in 1929 she is on the Electoral Roll at the same address with Richard Cook at 10 George Inn Yard, Moorgate, East Retford.

In 1929 and 1931 two stillbirths are registered under the name of Duckering with the mother’s maiden name of Schofield at East Retford. I suspect that these are not George’s children, but Richard Cook.

On the 29th September 1939 a register is taken, just after the 2nd World War started. Kate is still at the same address, 10 George Inn Yard with Richard Cook. His occupation is given as ‘builders labourer’ and Kate as ‘Unpaid Domestic Duties’. Also Ruth and Gwen are living at the same address. Ruth is described as being ‘incapacitated’ and Gwen as ‘unemployed bus conductress’.

Sadly Kate then dies in early 1940 aged 50 from cancer of the cervix East Retford.

George cannot be found in the 1939 Register and the next record that can be found for him is his death 2nd May 1963 in Nottingham aged 76. In his will dated 1952, his address is Joyce Cottage, Golf Road, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire and he is a retired NAAFI Assistant. Probate declares his estate as £398 7s 6d to be divided equally between Grace his stepdaughter, Ruth (who died 1942, my mum Joan said from TB), Beatrice (who died 1962), Herbert and Gwen. His last address was 11 Osman Terrace, Meadows, Nottingham. It is clear that he had lost complete touch with his family back in the 1930’s, as it seems he was not aware of either Ruth or Beatie’s deaths.

Passenger lists: Geo H Duckering single labourer sailed 1st April 1910 from Liverpool to Halifax, Canada on the Virginian, Allan Line Steamship Co Ltd.,

George and Kate lived in Retford. (Joan Tel. Oct. '97)

George worked on the railways as an engine drive until the First World War, when he joined up. (Joan L. Dec. '95)

National Union of Railwaymen, General Register of Members: Duckering, George Henry, age 30, admission date 25.2.1917, grade porter, railway G.N. branch Tuxford, excluded 30.6.1919 due to arrears..

Royal Naval Division Service Records: George Henry Duckering. R/4898. Rank or rating; O.S. A.A., date 22.10.17. Next of kin Kate Duckering, wife address Station Street, Tuxford, Nr Newark, Notts. Date of entry - Army reserve 25.5.16. RNVR for RND: 7.7.17. Date of birth 15.10.1886. Religion CoE. Where serving:
7.7.17 Mobilised
10.7.17 3rd Reserve Battalion
12.11.17 Hood Battn. RND., B.E.F.
9.7.18 Hood Battalion, B.E.F.
12. 7.17. D.O/193, 3rd Res. Battn.: Taken on strength 10..17. E/6352
12.11.17. Drafted to Hood Battn. B.E.F. from 3rd Res. Bn. Blandford. (RB).
3.11.17. DO/307.3rd Res.Bn:Rated A.B. 22.10.17. (3/6352)
27.11.17. BEF.D.O.60. Left base Depot 18.11.17 to join Unit.
7.1.217 BEF.LO.63 Joined Bn. 24.11.17.
25.1.18 BEF.DO.8. Detchd to 189th S.T.M.B. 14.1.18
20.3.18. HA/20609 (I) Adm 2 Can. GM. Le Treport.13.3.18. Gassed “W’Must.
20.3.18. NCK.inf.RND.List No. 1144.
27.3.18. HB/10652.Adm. MH.Lewisham 20.3.18. Gassed.
3.4.18. SMO.Inf.
25.3.18. BEF.DO.26. Wounded Gas 18.3.18.
1.4.18 Rep..recd from Base R?7C/1513/I)”W”(Gas) 12.3.18.
31.3.18. Hood.28.Inv.to U.K. 20.3.18.W.Gas Shell
8.4.18 Recd. AFB/198, 18.11.17, smb. Folkes.disemb.Boul;14.11.17, jd.BD. Cal; 20.4.18, form forw. to SCO.Aldershot.
13.5.18 AF.3016 recd. Furlough. 8/18.5.18. Class I.
19.5.18. DO/139.2nd Res.Battn, Reported and T. on S. p.m.18.5 .18. ex.Hood.
9.7.18 Drafted from 2nd Res.Battn. Aldershot, to Hood Battn. B.E.F.1.271 and occ.
9.8.18. Hood 64. Joined Battn., 26.7.18
30.8.18. HA/27945(2) Adm 56 GH.Etaples 22.8.18.GSW.Shldr.R.NOKKIndfd.RND.ListNo.
2.9.18. Hood.71.Wounded 21.8.18
3.9.18. Hood. 72. Inv.to UK25.8.18 GSW.Chest.”W”,
7.9.18.C1674. Wounded 21.8.18.
10.9.18. Recd. AFB/103, 9.7.18, emb. Folkes.disemb.Boul;10.7.18, jd.”L”IBD. Cal; 21.7.18, to Divl.Wing; 26.8.18, jd.Bn;
17.9.18. Form forw. to SCO.A’shot.
19.3.19. Form D/145 recd. Passed to M.O.P. Surveyed at Haslar 13.3.19. GSW.R.Shoulder. Degree of disability 30%. Atttributable to service. Recommended for discharge.
9.3.19. DO/145. Reg.Dep. (D.Com) Discharged Invalided.10.4.19.ex Hood Bn. Disability:GSW. Right Shoulder.
2.12.19. Will sent to cating.
6.9.20 King’s Certificate om Discharge issued.
18.3.21. War Gratuity Docket to A.G.9B. Paid £10.
31.12.17 ? List 18p19

First World War records - see copy: Form No. S.B. 36.(N), Duckering, George Henry, service RND, last ship Victory IV, no. R/4898, rating AB. Date of discharge 10/4/19, born 15/10/1886, address Weston, Newark, Notts. Date of commencement of Pension 11/4/19. Disabilities: 1) G(un) S(hot) wound, Rt shoulder, attrib (attritubale to service). 2) Injury muscles, Spinal nerve and Inner cord of Bronchial Flexes. (I am presuming this means he was gassed!)

He returned from the First War with shell shock. This was at the same time that his fathers estate (Glebe farm), was being fought over in the court and George gained nothing from the estate and little support from the family. It is alleged that George threatened either Ezra or William with a gun. Supposedly after this incident he then went to Canada to link up with the family already out there, to try and make his fortune. Things did not work out and at some stage he returned to Nottingham, where he was found by his daughter Beatie in a bed and breakfast. I am led to believe that after George returned from the First War, he had little contact with his wife or children, if any at all. This view is supported by the fact that no one seems to know a great deal about George, as he effectively went to ground. (Joan L. Dec. '95)

Electoral Roll: 1921/23/24 Duckering, George Henry & Duckering, Kate, Main Street, Parish of Weston, Newark, Notts.
Electoral Roll: 1925/26 Duckering, George Henry & Duckering, Kate, Wheatley Grange, Parish of North Wheatley, Notts

Sometime between 1926 and 1929 George and Kate split. In 1929, Kate can be found on the electoral roll Lincoln Street, Tuxford by herself. Then in 1929 living with Richard Cook at 10 Georgian Yard, Moorgate, East Retford and still with him in 1939 register.

It is alleged that George affectively left his wife and family to fend for themselves. (Letter Gwen Searson, 20.2.96)

'This is the last Will of me GEORGE HENRY DUCKERING of Joyce Cottage, Golf Road, Mablethorpe in the County of Lincoln retired NAAFI assistant.
1. I REVOKE all former wills and testamentary dispositions made by me.
2. I APPOINT John Humphrey Hart of 70 Victoria Road, Louth in the said County of Lincoln solicitors clerk (hereinafter called "my trustee") to be the sole executor and trustee of this my Will.
3. I DEVISE AND BEQUEATH all my estate both real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever unto my trustee upon trust to sell call in and convert the same into money with power to postpone the sale calling in and conversion thereof so long as he shall in his absolute discretion think fit without being liable for loss. 4. MY TRUSTEE shall hold the net proceeds of the said sale and conversion and my ready money after payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses IN TRUST for such of the following as shall survive me and if more than one in equal shares absolutely namely my step child Grace Annie Schofield and my children Ruth Olive Duckering, Beatrice Eileen Duckering, Herbert Edward Duckering and Gwen Isabel Duckering.
5. I DESIRE to be cremated and that my ashes shall be scattered in the Garden of Remembrance.
IN WITNESS whereof I have here unto set my hand this Twenty second day of May One Thousand nine hundred and fifty eight.
SIGNED by the said GEORGE
HENRY DUCKERING as his G.H. Duckering
last Will in the presence
of us who in his presence
and the presence of each
other have here unto set
our names as witneses.
M Rolfe, Sherwood, Alford Road, Mablethorpe
Clerk, J H Hart, 70 Victoria Rd, Louth, Solicitors Cerk.' (See file for copy)

Probate: ’Duckering, George Henry of 11 Osman Terrace, Meadows, Nottingham, died 2nd May 1963. Probate Nottingham to John Humphrey Hart clerk to Justices. Effects £398 7s 6d.'

Richard is the gentleman friend that helped Kate after George left her. (Joan D. conversation 3/96)

1878 Richard Cook born 22 Sept 1876 was baptised 12 Dec 1878 at Sta Saviour Church, Retford, Nottinghamshire. Father George Cook and mother Mary Jane, residence Moorgate.

1891 Census records Richard Cook at home Levick Yard, Moorgate, East Retford, with his father George and mother Mary, aged 14. Occupation ‘iron fitter’ born Retford.

1901 Census records Richard Cook at home 78 Moorgate, Retford, Nottinghamshire, with his father George Cook and mother Mary Jane, aged 24, single. His occupation is ‘Iron Pipe Moulder’, the same as his father. Born Retford.

1915. Richard Cook was enlisted for the 1st World War. The record records he was born Retford, age 40 years, he was examined on the 11 Dec 1915, occupation ‘labourer’, height 5’ 1 3/4”, weight 133LBS. Physical development given as ‘good’. The medical says, he is fit for general service.

1919. Richard’s Statement of Services, records that he was signed up on the 11 December 1915, he was mobilised on the 8th April 1916 and posted 11th April 1916. His engagement started from 11 December 1915. It also records he was a driver. He was demobilised on May 7th 1919 due to disability.

March 1919. Richard’s Military Statement of Disability records that he was sent to Salonica 24th July 1916 serving as a driver. In July 1917 he caught Malaria and was treated in camp. He was examined on the 7th March 1919 and it is recorded that he was suffering from recurring Malaria. His disability was recorded as 100%.

1921. The 1921 Census records Richard Cook, at 9 George Inn Yard, Retford, as head, aged 45 years and 6 months and single. Born Retford, Nottinghamshire, occupation a general labourer on own account.

1929. Electoral Registers records Richard Cook living at 10 George Inn Yard, East Retford by himself.

1930 - Electoral Roll: 1930 Duckering, Kate & Cook, Richard 10 George Inn Yard, Moorgate, East Retford, Notts

1939 Register records Richard Cook, born 22 Sept 1876, Builder’s Labourer, Heavy Labour, single at 10 Georgian Wood, Moorgate, East Retford, Nottinghamshire. Also present are Kate Duckering, Ruth O Duckering and Gwen Duckering