Edwin Hutchinson

Edwin was the son of James Hutchinson and his wife Fanny. Both his parents were born in Nottingham but it is possible that they were married in the Leicester registration district in 1881 (A/M/J) - James Hutchinson and Frances Hetty F Charlesworth. There is a record of the registration of the birth of a Fanny Charlesworth in 1860 (A/M/J Nottingham), the year of Fanny Hutchinson's birth as suggested on census returns. James and Fanny had at least four children: Edwin, Fanny, Harriet and Minnie. The 1891 and 1901 census record that Edwin, Fanny and Harriet were born in Leicester and this is where their births were registered: Edwin 1884 (J/F/M, b. 13 December 1883), Fanny 1885 (J/F/Mm Leicester) and Harriet 1886 (O/N/D Leicester). However, Edwin's service record gives his place of birth as Basford. The youngest child, Minnie, was born in Nottingham in 1891 (A/M/J Nottingham). In 1891 James (34), a fishmonger, and Fanny (30), were living at 4 Florence Place, Radford, with their three children, Edwin (7), Fanny (6) and Harriet (4). Also in the household was James' unmarried aunt, Eliza Hutchinson (48) who was a charwoman. By 1901 Fanny (40) was living at 2 Oxford Square, Radford, with her four children. She was still married but described as head of household. Edwin (17) was a collier/labourer below ground, Fanny (16) was a cotton minder, Harriet (14) a mill shop girl while Minnie (9) was still at school. Only Edwin and Minnie have so far been traced on the 1911 Census. Edwin joined the Royal Marine Artillery on 5 December 1903 and in 1911 at the age of 27 was a Gunner in the RMA, serving in HMS Bacchante, a First Class Cruiser, at Malta on the Mediterranean Station. Minnie (19), a steel presser, was living as a boarder in the household of Mary Spare at 4 Rob Roy Terrace, John Street, Basford. Edwin had married Louisa Stoppard in 1909 (O/N/D Nottingham) but his wife has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census. At the time of Edwin's death in 1918 his family was living at 48 High Church Street, New Basford. The notice of his death placed by his wife in the local paper includes the information that they had children; a record of a birth registration has been found which is probably that of one of their children: Mary Hutchinson (mother's maiden name Stoppard) 1913 (J/F/M Nottingham). There is an entry in the 1939 England & Wales Register of a Mary Hutchinson (later Gash) b. 6 December 1912, employed as a telephone operator, in the Nottingham home of a widow, Mary Annie Etherbridge. Edwin's widow later lived at Mount Place, Mount Street, Nottingham. Louisa may have married Joseph Walters in 1931 (A/M/J Nottingham). At the time of the 1939 England & Wales Register they were living at 38 Alma Street, Nottingham. Joseph (b. 2 August 1868) was a bricklayer. Louisa's date of birth was given as 11 January 1886 (birth possibly registered 1886 J/F/M Worksop, b. Harthill, Yorkshire).

He was a miner before enlisting in the Royal Marine Artillery on 5 December 1903. He was discharged on payment of £12 on 11 December 1912 and transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 12 December 1912. He was mobilised on 2 August 1914.

Edwin joined the Royal Marine Artillery on 5 December 1903 and was discharged on 11 December 1912 on payment of £12, transferring to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 12 December 1912 (RMR/B/1224). He was mobilised on 2 August 1914 and served with the RMA Battalion (Ostend 17-31 August 1914) and subsequently with the Royal Flying Corps (RNAS Armoured Cars) in France (11 September 1914-17 October 1914). He was then attached to the RMA Anti-Aircraft Brigade, BEF, from 22 April 1915 to 13 October 1916. He was transferred to HMS President III Defensively Armed Merchant Ships (DEMS) on 28 December 1916 and was attached to SS Northland (DEMS) at the time of his death. Edwin died of pneumonia on 31 October 1918 at the Milton Hospital, Liverpool, and was buried with full military honours in Nottingham (New Basford) Cemetery on 5 November 1918. He qualified for the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. The 1914 Star was issued to his widow on 29 August 1919.

His record on the 'RND Casualties of the Great War' notes the correction of his surname from 'Hutchinson' to 'Hutchison' (ref. ADM/242). CWGC record: Hutchinson. Notice of his death published on 4th November 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HUTCHINSON. – Died in hospital, October 30th, [sic] of pneumonia, Bombardier Edwin Hutchinson, the beloved husband of Louisa Hutchinson, Mount-place, Mount-street. Shattered hopes. Military funeral New Basford Cemetery, 2.30 Tuesday.” [5th November 1918] 'In memoriam' notices published 31st October 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HUTCHINSON. – In loving memory of Bmbdr. Edwin Hutchinson, who died in hospital, October 31st , 1918. – From loving wife and children." “HUTCHINSON. – In loving remembrance of Bdr. Edwin Hutchinson, who died October 31st, 1918, of pneumonia. To-day brings sad memories. – From sorrowing mother and sisters Fanny, Harriet, Minnie.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Probate: Hutchinson Edwin of 48 High Church-street Old Basford Nottingham bombardier HM Royal Marines died 31 October 1918 at Liverpool Administration Nottingham 11 July to Louisa Hutchinson widow. Effects £23 10s.