Hello Duncan, good to hear from you.
My Fred Poole was born 1873 (to Walter Wm Poole 1836-1914, and brother to Albert and Rose), and died 1957.
Fred married Rosa at Xmas 1897, they had Amy Milicent 1901-2002! a Baptist missionary, between two boys who died in infancy. Rosa became insane and, after attempting to knife Amy in 1911, was committed to an asylum, d. 1964.
Fred formed an attachment to a woman Ethel Celia Lines who worked at the asylum, and although they could not divorce and marry, a child was born in August 1919, Reginald Clifford Poole, my father. They (rightly) appear as married in the 1939 census, but no cert. has come to light.
My grandparents were lovely gentle people, living in Rands Way, until Ethel died in 1952 and Fred moved to us in Chingford. Reg had married Betty Podd (who is still alive, at 96) in 1947, I (Geoffrey Richard Poole) was born in Ips '49 and my brother Christopher Laurence P in Chingford in '51.
A big puzzle is Walter William's father, William Poole (1815-70) not to be confused with fellow Ipswich shoemaker William Poole (1807-1840). They are surely cousins or half brothers. I think the Rattlesden Pools are the only likely source, but who and when I cant make out.
I wonder whats your connection? Great pleasure to be able to share findings with you,
regards, Geoff