RootsChat.Com

England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Bedfordshire => Topic started by: rkive82 on Wednesday 25 July 18 17:45 BST (UK)

Title: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: rkive82 on Wednesday 25 July 18 17:45 BST (UK)
Louise Rankin married Charles Kenneth Turner in Bedfordshire in Leighton Buzzard, Beds. in Sept quarter of 1945.
I can't find much about her except -
"Wing Officer L.H.Turner O.B.E. to be Inspector of W.R.A.F. with the acting rank of Group Officer." "Wg/O Louise H Turner originally enlisted as an MT driver. Commissioned in 1940, she served as a W.A.A.F. Administrative Officer on various R.A.F. stations." from Article In Flight.
*
Mrs. Louise Hilliard Rankin is listed as an Assistant Section Officer from 18th April 1940.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Richard
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: Brentor boy on Wednesday 25 July 18 18:16 BST (UK)
Quote from: rkive82
*
Mrs. Louise Hilliard Rankin is listed as an Assistant Section Officer from 18th April 1940.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Richard
[/quote

Was she married previously?
Rankin - possible Scottish connection?
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: StanleysChesterton on Wednesday 25 July 18 18:27 BST (UK)
Looks like she enlisted in Glasgow in October 1939, as a motor transport driver
Source: Aberdeen Press and Journal 22 May 1950
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: rkive82 on Wednesday 25 July 18 18:35 BST (UK)
Thanks
Was Louise the "Wife of Baronet?"
Who was the Baronet?
R
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: StanleysChesterton on Wednesday 25 July 18 18:44 BST (UK)
Thanks
Was Louise the "Wife of Baronet?"
Who was the Baronet?
R
Dunno.  Just found it.

Sight of the whole page might show the title is not related to what follows...

I looked further, the title is not the person later listed.... the title of the article refers to Lady Seton.  I hate it when they do that :)


I've amended my first post to just the relevant bit.
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Wednesday 25 July 18 19:15 BST (UK)
In the Newcastle Journal 18 July 1958 there is an article about a new style of hats for the WRAF. Group Officer Louise H Turner, Deputy Director of The WRAF is quoted regarding the new hats.

JJ
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: Sc00p on Wednesday 25 July 18 19:16 BST (UK)
Extra info: Awarded OBE in 1945, CBE in 1960 and retired 23 Jun 1962.  Source London Gazette P 2949, 3981, 5503.
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: Sc00p on Wednesday 25 July 18 19:29 BST (UK)
Married Joseph Douglas Maynard on 20 Jan 1972 Marylebone. Vol 5D P 1594.
The Times 21 January 1972:
Mr J D Maynard and Mrs L H Turner
The marriage took pace on Thursday 20 January, in London of Mr J. Douglas Maynard, of Barnet, and Group Officer Louise H. Turner WRAF (ret'd), of London.
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Wednesday 25 July 18 19:41 BST (UK)
Married Joseph Douglas Maynard on 20 Jan 1972 Marylebone. Vol 5D P 1594.
The Times 21 January 1972:
Mr J D Maynard and Mrs L H Turner
The marriage took pace on Thursday 20 January, in London of Mr J. Douglas Maynard, of Barnet, and Group Officer Louise H. Turner WRAF (ret'd), of London.

Good find  :)
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: rkive82 on Wednesday 25 July 18 19:42 BST (UK)
Yes! That's the real SCOOP!
R
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: Sc00p on Wednesday 25 July 18 19:49 BST (UK)
Died 6 Sep 2009. Grant with Will.
https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Wills?Surname=maynard&SurnameGrants=maynard&FirstName=louise&FirstNameGrants=louise&YearOfDeath=2009&YearOfDeathGrants=2009&AdvancedSearch=True&IsGrantSearch=True&IsCalendarSearch=False#wills (https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Wills?Surname=maynard&SurnameGrants=maynard&FirstName=louise&FirstNameGrants=louise&YearOfDeath=2009&YearOfDeathGrants=2009&AdvancedSearch=True&IsGrantSearch=True&IsCalendarSearch=False#wills) and
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/L-59278-1003904 (https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/L-59278-1003904)
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Wednesday 25 July 18 19:53 BST (UK)
Address on death notice ties in with the Electoral Register -

MS Louise H Maynard
Birth Date - 1906-1908
Residence Date - 2003-2009
Address - East Ashling Lodge, East Ashling, PO18 9AS
Residence Place - Chichester, West Sussex

JJ
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: rkive82 on Wednesday 25 July 18 19:59 BST (UK)
Great. Thanks very much.
Here is the deceased estate info from the Gazette:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/L-59278-1003904
Rkive
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: rkive82 on Wednesday 25 July 18 20:02 BST (UK)
So Louise lived to be 102 years old!?!
R
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Wednesday 25 July 18 20:34 BST (UK)
Looking at the 1940 RAF list, Louise is recorded as Mrs Louise Hilliard Rankin. Therefore it would appear her married name is Rankin and not her maiden name -

http://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/96107610

JJ

Added - Whoops, just read your original post again and saw that you already have the above info. Apologies
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: rkive82 on Wednesday 25 July 18 20:38 BST (UK)
Right. I have a spouse on my Anc***** tree with surname Rankin, but nothing cropped up and my searches on the FreeBMD index with different combinations of names was unsuccessful.
**
I shall wait for "something to turn up."
Rkive
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Wednesday 25 July 18 20:43 BST (UK)
I shall wait for "something to turn up."
Rkive

The easy option to find her origins would be to purchase one of Louise's marriage certs in the hope her father is recorded or a witnesses name may hold a clue.

JJ
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: Sc00p on Thursday 26 July 18 14:48 BST (UK)
Extra info: Joseph Douglas Maynard d. 8 Aug 1984 was the son of Charles Riley Maynard, Co-founder of Maynards confectionery.  There is a death notice in The Times 10 Aug 1984 naming some immediate family members.
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: Sc00p on Thursday 26 July 18 18:30 BST (UK)
LouisA Hilliard WILSON m. David Guthrie RANKIN 1936 Hillhead Ref 644/13 446.

David Guthrie Rankin died 20th Sep 1937 in a St. Andrews hotel following a round of golf.
Probate Calendar 1938:
RANKIN David Guthrie of 4 Hatfield drive Glasgow died 20 September 1937 at ST. Andrews Fife Confirmation of Frederick Powlett Rankin lead manufacturer Louise Hilliard Wilson or Rankin widow and John George Ferrier Robb solicitor. Sealed London 18 February.

If she did live to 102, there is a Louisa Hilliard Wilson b. 1907 Hillhead  Ref 644/12 130 that seems to fit nicely.  Maybe somebody with access to Scottish records could confirm.

Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Thursday 26 July 18 20:32 BST (UK)
What brilliant research Sc00p  :)

There is a death of a Louisa Hilliard Wilson, 10 Nelson Terrace, Hillhead, Glasgow on 27 Oct 1908.

Probate to James Montgomery Wilson and Louisa Hilliard Wilson wife of Thomas Nisbet Wilson.

Perhaps Louisa and Thomas Nisbet Wilson are the parents of Louisa/e Hilliard Wilson born 1907.

JJ
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: rkive82 on Thursday 26 July 18 23:06 BST (UK)
Wow! Thanks very much for that. I shall add this info to my Anc****** tree and see what I find.
*
It was the electoral register that suggested a birth of 1906-1908 wasn't it?
So Louise/Louisa would have been 30 when she married Mr. Rankin.
Rkive
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: rkive82 on Friday 27 July 18 05:11 BST (UK)
I found a travel document for 1927 on the S.S.Britannia. Miss Louise H Wilson, 20, is travelling with Mr James M Wilson, 58, a stationer and Mrs Mary Keith Wilson, 54 and Miss Eliza Maj (?), 27. The address for the family is 35 Kirsland Street, Glasgow.
So this could well be her family.
**
I also found an electoral register with David Guthrie Rankin and Mrs Eliza Rankin prior to 1936 when David married Louisa. So David was probably married before. He was born in 1888 in Kensington and was significantly older than Louise(a).
Rkive
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: johnP-bedford on Friday 27 July 18 13:48 BST (UK)
Marriage notice in Dundee Courier 8 March 1902,
At 9 Westminster Gardens, Hillhead, Glasgow on 6th inst. Thomas N Wilson to Louisa Hilliard Wilson, 3rd daughter of the late John Wilson
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Friday 27 July 18 15:40 BST (UK)
1891 -

John Wilson   52
Louisa Wilson   50
Lizzie Wilson   25
James Wilson   22
William Wilson   19
Louisa Wilson   18
Patrick Wilson   15
Linda Wilson   13
Eveline Wilson   12
Norah Wilson   10
Jane Halliday   26
Elisabeth Scott   34

17 Wilson St, Glasgow, Lanarkshire

1901 -

Louisa H Wilson   60
William B Wilson   29
Louisa H Wilson   dau 28
Linda G Wilson   24
Eveline Wilson   22
Thomas N Wilson visitor 34
Isabella Granger   17
Maggie Drummond   22

17 Wilson St, Glasgow, Lanarkshire

It would appear that Thomas N Wilson was living with Louisa's family before they married.

JJ
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Friday 27 July 18 15:47 BST (UK)
Baptism -

Louisa Hilliard Wilson
Birth Date - 3 Nov 1872
Birth Place - Govan, Lanark, Scotland
Father - John Wilson
Mother - Louisa Hilliard

JJ
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Friday 27 July 18 18:40 BST (UK)
I found a travel document for 1927 on the S.S.Britannia. Miss Louise H Wilson, 20, is travelling with Mr James M Wilson, 58, a stationer and Mrs Mary Keith Wilson, 54 and Miss Eliza Maj (?), 27. The address for the family is 35 Kirsland Street, Glasgow.
So this could well be her family.

Looking at census previously posted I believe that Mr James M Wilson is Louise/a Hilliard Turner (b.1907) is her Uncle and Eliza May being her cousin.

1901 -

James M Wilson   31 Wholsale Stationers
Mary Keith Wilson   27
Charlotte W Henderson   16
Eliza May Wilson   Under 11 Mt
36 Kersland Street, Glasgow

JJ
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: rkive82 on Sunday 26 August 18 20:46 BST (UK)
I just received details of the marriage certificate for Charles Kenneth Turner and Louise Hilliard Rankin on Third (?) August 1945 at Leighton Buzzard.
Louise Hilliard Rankin, 37 years and a widow of Leighton Buzzard; a squadron leader. Her father was James Montgomery Wilson (decd.), paper manufacturer.
**
Richard
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Monday 27 August 18 11:35 BST (UK)
Hi Richard,

Thank you for the update, so at least we now know for sure who Louise's father was.

Death of James -

James Montgomery Wilson, Wholesale Stationer, 2 Lorraine Gardens, Kelvinside, Glasgow died 12 April 1933, Glasgow.

JJ
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: rkive82 on Monday 27 August 18 16:33 BST (UK)
Apparently, James Montgomery Wilson was born in Govan, Lanarkshire on 25th July 1868, the son of John Wilson and Louisa Hilliard.
His wife was Mary Keith Wilson (maiden name Keith or something else?) They probably married about 1898. If we could find that marriage and the birth and death of Mary Keith, I would be very happy.
Thanks
Richard
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Monday 27 August 18 19:13 BST (UK)
There is an article in The Scotsman 13 April 1933 regarding James M Wilson's death, he was survived by a widow and two daughter's. So at least Mary was still alive in 1933.

JJ
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Monday 27 August 18 19:24 BST (UK)
There is a death of a Mary Keith Wilson, age 83 1955, New or East Kilpatrick. You will need some credits for ScotlandsPeople to view the details.

JJ
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Monday 27 August 18 19:31 BST (UK)
Glasgow Herald 07 June 1899

Marriages
Wilson - Flett, At Maybole on the 6th inst. James Montgomery Wilson, wholesale stationer, Glasgow to Mary Keith eldest daughter of David Flett, Kingcraig, Maybole.

JJ
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Monday 27 August 18 19:37 BST (UK)
Birth record -

Mary Keith Flett
Birth Date - 23 Oct 1872
Father - David Flett
Mother - Eliza Gray

JJ
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: rkive82 on Monday 27 August 18 19:46 BST (UK)
Great! Thanks so much JJ.
I just found that too when I added your info to my Anc***** tree.
 ;D
I've added the 1955 death year too and I'll see what appears.
Richard
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: JJen on Monday 27 August 18 19:48 BST (UK)
Great! Thanks so much JJ.

Richard

You are very welcome  :)
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: rkive82 on Monday 27 August 18 19:54 BST (UK)
Looking at Censuses for 1881 and 1891, Mary K Flett and Jane C Flett look to be twins i.e. they are the same age in both.
Anyway, I now have everything I wanted.
Thank you to all who contributed.
Richard
Title: Re: Louise Hilliard Turner (Rankin) O.B.E. Who was she?
Post by: PR152 on Thursday 02 September 21 21:43 BST (UK)
Hello - I'm new to this website but came across this discussion. I'm quite certain this is my Great Aunt Louise you are discussing, my Granny's sister. You discuss her first and second marriage and later marriage to my Great Uncle Douglas. She was Group Officer in the WRAF. I have family tree information. Just updating this thread.  :)