William Thomas and Annie Ralph (nee Corley)

My grandmother Reginald Thornton Ralph was one of 11 children - 5 of these died in infancy however - the children of William Thomas and Annie Ralph (nee Corley).

William Thomas Ralph was born in 1859 son of William and Charlotte Ralph (nee Hook).

He worked for Prudential Insurance and this work took him around the country as he moved from office to office.

William married Annie Corley daughter of William Thomas and Amelia Caroline Corley.  

They married on 19th January 1896 at the Registry Office in St. Albans (the Corley's were strict Salvationists).  The wedding witnesses were Thomas Corley (brother) and Amelia Caroline Corley (mother).

William is given as being 36, living on St Peters Street, St Albans, and the son of William Ralph a Head Park Keeper.

Annie is given as being 26, living on Albert Street, St Albans, and the daughter of William Thomas Corley a Straw Hat Manufacturer.

William and Annie lived at 21 Royal Rod, Teddington.

They were enthusiastic supporters of Gladstone - the three sons got their names from Gladstone - and he gave a commemorative plate of Gladstone to each of their surviving children.

William died on 14th January 1932 and was buried on Monday 18th January at Teddington Cemetery.  When Annie died on 6th October 1956 she was also placed in plot 447 in Teddington Cemetery where there is still an additional space for another person.

Annie Ralph was a really strong family person, loved family gatherings and often played cards with her grandchildren.  Her 80th Birthday party in 1951 was in fact a year late, by accident!

The picture to the right is taken on the 80th Birthday and is of the six children who survived to adulthood, left to right: Will, Frank, Bert, Reg, Eva, Mavis and Annie in the front.  You can click on the thumbnail to the left for a larger version of the same picture.

THE FAMILY TREE:

1. William Percival Ralph, born 22nd January 1897, St Albans, Hertfordshire, married Louisa Maud Porter (born 14th June 1906, died 19th December 1987)  on 12th October 1930 at Catford Weslyan Church, London, died 29th April 1974, South Ruislip, London.
2. Frank Ewart Gladstone Ralph, born 4th November 1898, St Albans, Hertfordshire, married Alice Evelyn Gladys Sheldrick White (born 12th February 1894, died 28th September 1984) on 26th August 1933 at Kingston Spiritualist Church, Middlesex, died 18th March 1982, Hampton, Middlesex.
3. Leonard Archibald Dewey Ralph, born 2nd October 1899, Sevenoaks, Kent, died 12th July 1900, Sevenoaks, Kent aged 9 months and 10 days.
4. Herbert Edward Ralph, born 1st February 1901 died c.1980.
5. Mabel Getrude Ralph, born 2nd June 1902, St Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex, died 15th June 1903 St Leonard-on-Sea, Sussex aged 1 year and 13 day.
6. Sidney Raymond Ralph, born 21st August, Harwell, Ealing, died 5.30am 26th March 1906, Ilford, Essex aged 2 years and 7 months.
7. Clara Lilian Ralph, born 24th September 1904, Ilford, Essex, died 28th September 1904 Ilford, Essex aged just 4 days
8. Stanley Hook Ralph, born 3rd January 1906 Ilford, Essex and died 1.30pm 28th May 1906, Ilford, Essex, aged 5 months
9. Evelyn Annie Ralph, born 31st March 1909, married Jack Hearne, died c. 1990
10. Reginald Thornton Ralph, born 1st December 1901, Teddington, Middlesex, married Barbara lee (born 18th April 1916, died 28th August 1986) on 18th April 193?, Ashford Registry Office, died 20th June 1987, Hampton, Middlesex.
11. Bertha Mavis Ralph, born 16th May 1912, Teddington, Middlesex, married Peter McCormick 2nd October 1972, died 27th July 1989

Pictured below is a visit of Will and LouLou with their daughters to Annie Ralph and Uncle frank and Aunt Non. Pictured left to right: friend of Daphne's, Aunt Non, Uncle Frank, Annie Ralph, Daphne Ralph, Will Ralph, LouLou Ralph (Louisa) and Irene Ralph.