I have drawn the conclusion that Lizzie is the mother of Thomas William Duckering, as on his birth certificate she is described as, ‘A parlour maid (domestic) of 2 Stafford Mansions, Westminster’, which fits with her career to date. I also suspect, that William Starns, if I am correct, listed in the 1911 Census at Victoria Hotel, Kings Cross, as ‘servant, barman’ and married, could well be the father. The societal attitude in the 1920’s to unmarried mother’s was tough. ’In 1920 an Anglican vicar refused a request to help illegitimate children on the grounds that it would be unforgivable to “approximate a human generation to the morals of the farmyard”. The children may be blameless – though arguably moral degeneracy was an inheritable characteristic – but assisting them would mean condoning the intemperance of their mothers.
These views are not surprising for their day but the great surprise in Jane Robinson’s new history of mid-century illegitimacy is how long these opinions persisted. The 1913 Mental Deficiency Act, enabling unmarried mothers to be categorised as “moral imbeciles” and sent to lunatic asylums, was only repealed in 1959.’ (Taken from a book by Jane Robinson - ‘In the Family Way:Illegitimacy between the Great War and the Swinging Sixties review - a shameful history’). In addition child adoption had no legal status in Britain until 1926, when the first Act was passed. We next find Thomas William Duckering in the 1921 Census with Richard & Florence Bond in Derbyshire aged 4 months and his parents are listed as ‘both alive’. We then find Lizzie working in a Confectionors in Derby in the 1921 Census, living with her father. The reading of Lizzie’s will, would suggest she had no further contact.


'This is the last Will and Testament of me LIZZIE DUCKERING of 34 Wolfa Street in the County of Derby Spinster.
1. I APPOINT my brother Thomas Clarke Duckering of 26 Mostyn Avenue, Littleover in the County of Derby, retired railway clerk and my niece Dorothy May Longdon of 10 Lawrence Street, Derby, aforesaid wife of John Longdon (hereinafter called "my trustees") to be the Executors and Trustees of this my Will.2. I DIRECT the payment of all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses by my Trustees as soon as conveniently maybe after may decease.3. I GIVE the following pecuniary legacies free of all duties:-(a) TO my niece the said Dorothy May Longdon fifteen pounds. (b) To my niece Margaret Mary Bates fifteen pounds. (c) TO my niece Winifred Duckering Fifteen pounds. (d) TO my nephew William Victor Duckering Fifteen pounds.4. I DEVISE AND BEQUEATH all my real and personal estate not here by otherwise disposed of and over which I may have any power of disposition at the time of my death (including my share of the estate of my late sister Catherine Mary Thorley divisible on my death) unto my brother the said Thomas Clarke Duckering for his own use and benefit absolutely but if my said brother shall die in my life time then I direct my Trustees to stand possessed of my residuary estate as to one half part thereof Upon trust for Annie Duckering the wife of the said Thomas Clarke Duckering absolutely and as to the remaining halfpart Upon trust for his two daughters the said Dorothy May Longdon and the said Margaret Mary Bates in equal shares absolutely or for the survivor of them absolutely if one of them shall predecease me.
5. I REVOKE all former wills and testamentary dispositions madeby me.

IN WITNESS whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament subscribed my name this tenth day of April One thousand nine hundred and fifty two.
SIGNED by the said Testatrix LIZZIE
DUCKERING as her last Will and -
Testament in the presence of us both
being present at the same time who 'Lizzie Duckering'at her request in her presence and
in the presence of each other have
here unto subcribed our names as -
witnesses.'
Wtnesses signatures.
See will on file. (MIchael 22.3.97)

Probate: ’Lizzie Duckering of 34 Wolfa Street, Derby, spinster, died 5 March 1962 at Manor Hospital, Derby. Probate to Thomas Clarke Duckering retired railway clerk and Dorothy May Langdon (wife of John William Langdon). Effects £469 2s.'