58. Ernest and Gertie Larard of Birmingham

Ernest Larard was born in 1871 in Bromley, Kent [now London]. His parents were Henry and Fanny Larard.

The Berlin

In September 1894, Ernest sailed on the Berlin, once the holder of the Blue Riband, from Southampton to New York. Apparently, he was determined to try and make his way in America, as his uncles and grandfather had before him. It didn't work out, we are told, so he returned to Britain.

Ernest Larard

Alice Gertrude [Gertie] Brittain was born in 1870 in Aston. Her parents were Charles and Eliza Brittain. She had been a school governess.

Alice Brittain

Ernest and Alice were married in 1907 at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Aston on 5 April 1900. He was living in Moseley, she at 38 Aston Lane, Aston. He had been listed in Kelly's the year before as being at Brendon, Leighton Road, Moseley.

Church of St Peter & St Paul, Aston (credit)

The Church, next to Aston Hall in open countryside
(British Library, thanks to the Wikipedia author who found it)

In 1901, they were living at 43 Leighton Road, Kings Norton [Moseley]. He was a commercial clerk. His mother was staying with them.

The couple had four children:

• 61.2.1 - Ernest Geoffrey [Geoff] Larard (Q1 1901)
• 61.2.2 - Francis James [Frank] Larard (Q1 1904)
• 61.2.3 - Mabel Helen Larard (12 Aug 1905)
• 61.2.4 - John Henry Larard (1 Apr 1907)

More on these individuals in Chapter 61.

In 1911, they were are 8 [Rectory?] Park Avenue, Sutton Coldfield. He was a furnishing warehouseman's clerk. Sadly, Ernest died in October of that year - running for a train, I'm told. As a result, Geoff and Frank were sent to a children's home.

In 1913, Alice married Charles Clifford Foulkes (1875-1931), and the family were reunited - Charles was 'Pa Foulkes'. In 1911, he was at home (age 36) in Selly Park, and a clerk at a carpet factors. His father was an architect, designing Eastbourne Town Hall, and a building preserved in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, designed for small manufacturers (including of Rolex watch cases) wishing to live close by their workshops. Charles and Alice lived, according to Kelly's in 1921, and an electoral register of 1927, at 186 Minstead Road, Erdington. He died in Tamworth district in 1931; she lived until 1943.

If you can help me add to this story, please let me know.

Next (Ernest's paternal cousins)