Following Ray’s observation that a H H Corley had been an Irish international rugby player, a sport dear to me, I spent more time looking him up than I might, have found out much, but have not been able to confirm that Edith Halpin’s husband was the rugby player! Much of what I found is not germane to this topic. In brief, Henry Hagarty Corley was born 1878 in North Dublin to Anthony Hagarty Corley and Eleanor Purdon. It is estimated that a Henry Cecil Corley was also born about 1878 and that he on some occasions referred to himself, or was referred to, as H H Corley. Why I don’t know. Which was the rugby player?
Anyway, Henry Hagarty Corley in 1907 first married Janet Agnes Violet Watson, daughter of Sir William Watson of 25 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin. I mention this address because it was occupied until 1947 by her brother Dr Edward Watson and thereafter by various medical practices but also for a long period by Henry Marvelle Read, malster and farmer of The Old Castle House, Roscrea, who was President of the Rugby Football Union in 1956.
Janet Corley died in 1921 and in the following year Henry Hagarty Corley married Edith Halpin, spinster, in the Dublin South district. Edith and Henry were of the same age when married, about 43. Henry died early 1936 at his (their?) home Willsfield, Mark Beech, Edenbridge, Kent. Edith and her sisters had all been born in Beckenham, Kent, and I am wondering if the captain had purchased this property near Edenbridge for his frequent visits to England.
Edith died eight years later, 1944. Her death was recorded in the Times: CORLEY. – On Jan. 16, 1944, after a brief illness, at Tinnakilly, Edith, wife of the late H.H. Corley, Willsfield, Mark Beech, Kent, youngest daughter of the late R.C. Halpin, D.L., Tinnakilly House, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow.
