Baptism - 25 Nov 1906 - St Thomas, Colnbrook, Buckinghamshire
Census - Household of John Cornelius Edwards: Son aged 4 - 2 Apr 1911 - Colnbrook, Buckinghamshire
Census - 29 Sep 1939 - Colnbrook, Buckinghamshire
Marriage - 5 Nov 1939 - St Thomas, Colnbrook, Buckinghamshire
Death - Mar 1989 - Dorset
Pin Legend
Notes
Christened as Albert but known as Bert or Ted he was the son of Cornelius John Edwards . he had sisters Edith Florence Mary and Florence Violet Mary. his mother was Edith Fegen. his father had previuosly married Fanny E Green and they had two children Doris Elizabeth and Phillip John who were half brother and half sister to Albert. As a batchelor he had some good friends with whom he played tennis and went boating on the Norfolk Broads. He was badly let down by one of his friends to whom he lent money and who never repaid the debt which coloured his thinking for the rest of his life. He became a butcher in his fathers business at Colnbrook (a business finally taken over by his half-brother Phillip.) he met his future wife Isabella and they were married in 1939 at the start of the war. He set up a bicycle sales and repair business in the divided premises next to the butchers shop in the high street at Colnbrook. An arrangement to receive certain choice cuts of meat often caused controversy as he sometimes felt he was not getting the quality to which he was entitled. He set up house with Isabella (always known as Isa) in a bungalow jerry built and of dubious quality at 6 Springfield Road Brands Hill on the outskirts of the village. He took on war work as a reserve constable and guarded Coppins the home of the Duke and Duchess of Kent? and family. During the war they had two children Peter Jeffrey and Robert John. Immediately after the war in 1945 came a daughter Valerie Claire. His business prospered and in about 1955 the family was able to move to Derwent house a property he had built on land (cleared somewhat unwillingly by his sons) almost opposite his shop (which used to be a pub called the Royal Standard as the name is still preserved in the facia above the shop) this house was bought mortgaged to the Halifax Building society which was a huge commitment after the rented accomodation in Springfield Road. Difficult years followed in which Isa worked to suppliment the income as first a telephonist at Slough exchange and later as a solicitors clerk. Albert's health deteriated somewhat in this period due to an accident on his bicycle and a stomach ulcer brought on by the worry. However better years followed and the mortgage was repaid early and the house rose in value in the improved financial climate. This led to much improved health and the possibility of retirement to Highcliffe near Christchurch Dorset. With all sons and daughter married of this dream was realised and they settled down to some happy years on the coast. wise investment from the surplus from the house sale and well invested savings led to a contented period in which they enjoyed holidays together and the visits of children and grandchildren (there were seven by this time. Albert enjoyed his garden played snooker and generally prefered to be at home than be out visiting, In his latter years he was drawn to the church which had been a stength to Isa and they went to church together for some while before Albert developed dementia which sadly ended his life. He will be remembered for being firm but fair, if slightly stubborn, not given to expressing much emotion but generous loyal and loving in his own quiet way . He had no enemies and will be loved and missed by his surviving family. Written by his son Robert
1906 - 1989 (82 years)
Census Reference
John Cornelius Edwards, b. 30 Aug 1872, Colnbrook, Buckinghamshire 
