Local Folk

From the private collection of Val Clark

From the private collection of Val Clark

Celia Wiles and family

By Val Clark

This photographs shows my mother Cecilia Wiles squatting in the front row between the older lady on her right and the girl in glasses on her left.

My mother was born in 1903 actually in Hastings, but she went to school at Lourdes Convent during her teen years. I therefore put her age as around 17-19 years, meaning the photo was probably taken about 1921-23.

My mother married Bruce Gordon Wade in 1932 son of Walter John Wade the owner of Wades department store in Western Road Brighton.

Julia Louisa Powell my maternal grandmother was born to Jane Ann Powell in 1878,and was living with her mother and grandparents in the 1881 census at 11 St Martins St, Brighton.

Jane Ann Powell later married a Henry Gaffney, and Julia took on his name. Edward Gaffney was born to Jane and Henry in 1889.

Henry worked for the railways as a boiler maker, they lived in Winchester St and Princes Rd respectively.

Julia Wiles married Harry Wiles ( living with his mother Emma Sophia Wiles 93 Upper North Street) in September 1902 at the parish church  of Preston.