Help finding my Grandad

[CaroleW]

From freebmd    www.freebmd.org.uk

Deaths June qtr 1916 
Frederick F Spear aged  46    Newport Monmouthshire    11a   258

Deaths June qtr 1916 
Emma L Spear aged    42    Newport  Monmouthshire    11a   227

[daisylazy]

Very curious as to why they both died together

[Christine53]

Western Mail 26 May 1916 :

Mrs Spear , Newport

The death has taken place at Batchelor Road , Newport, of Mrs Emma Spear , whose husband ( Mr Fred Spear , managing clerk to Messrs Hornby and Baker Jones , died a week previously .) One of their sons is in hospital wounded.


It may just be coincidence that their deaths were so close together. The only way to find out is to order the certificates.

[malteaser14]

Wow! This information is intriguing!

Sorry Doreen, I tried to focus on my Grandad and his life at sea as that was my dad's request.

I will however, start looking into this. Not that I have a clue where to start!

Btw, my relationship to our great great grandfather, is blood relation on down the male side. I was born a Spear 😊

[malteaser14]

Doreen! I'm being an idiot! Ada and Tom were my dad's Great Auntie and Uncle.

Fred and Emma were my dad's grandparents. (in terrible with names so forget whose who!)

My dad told me Fred was found at his home, sat in his chair, presumed heart attack. And that Emma was a case of dying with a broken heart shortly after. They were high school sweethearts and spent very little time apart. I will ask about the injured son though. And also about photos. X

[CaroleW]

What is intriguing is the reference to the son being wounded and in hospital at the same time.  I know it was during WW1 and he may have been wounded during active service but my curiosity would get the better of me and I would want the parents death certs

[daisylazy]

Yes I agree, death certificates would solve mystery. Unless there is someone out there with connections to the family who could tell us. The children I have for Frederick and Emma Lena Dorrett are:- Reginald Arthur 1898-1962 who married Cora Furzer in 1920
Olive Dora 1903-1991
Gwendoline Maud 1905
Harry Frederick 1907-1952 who married Edna Margaret Chambers
Laura Winifred 1909-1950 (she was a spinster and left £300.2s.8p to Reginald Arthur Spear, local government officer.
My great grandmother Ada Annie Swift was living as a housekeeper for Liberty Camfield in the 1911 Census (no sign of husband Thos.....who later died in Abercarn in 1916). She later married Liberty in 1925. A few skeletons in the Spear family I think.
I have one photo of Arthur James Spear, its a group one of council members. I can send you any info I have if you give me your email address. Are we allowed to do that on here?

[Christine53]

Hi daisylazy,

We're not allowed to give email addresses in our posts , but you can exchange email addresses by PM (  personal message ). Just click on My Messages at the top of the page and  select Send a Message .

[malteaser14]

The names you have mentioned are my dads aunties and uncles. I will see how much he and his sister remember and get back to you.