Luke was born in Edmonton, Middlesex on 9 May 1900. His parents were James and Georgina ( nee Fuller) Woor. His parents came from Norfolk, his father from Rockland St. Mary and Georgina from Claxton. The family had lived in Norfolk and their first three children had been born in Rockland St. Mary. James had been a brickmaker but at the time of Luke’s birth he was working as a builder’s labourer.
In 1901 the family were living at 13 Windmill Road, Upper Edmonton, Middlesex
Luke had four siblings
James born 1885
William born 1890
Winifred born 1893
Alice Georgina 4 May 1906
In 1911 his mother Georgina was in Henstead Workhouse in Swainsthorpe, Norfolk. Luke and his sister Alice were in a Children’s Home at Portland House, Framingham Pigot. This was the children’s home or school where the children of inmates of the Henstead Workhouse were sent. By the beginning of 20th century it had been decided that it was better for children to be placed in a school or home away from the Workhouse. They were away from their mothers even at a young age. Alice was only 4 years old.
It has not been possible to find the whereabouts of their father James. Georgina was listed as being married so it is presumed he was still alive.
Luke joined the Royal Navy in Bristol on 7 January 1918. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall with a 35 inch chest. He had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He had 4 vaccination marks on his left arm. He had been employed as groom. His service number was Z7158
He served as an ordinary seaman on Victory VI from 14 June -16 June 1918, on Pembroke 1 from 17 June-29 August 1918 and Bacchante 30 August 1918- 29 March 1919. He then went to shore to be demobbed.
He is on Saxlingham War memorial but it is not known what his connection with the village was. He is not on the Absent Voters list as he was not old enough to vote. It is presumed that he worked or lived in the village after he left the navy for his name to be on the memorial.
In March 1923 he married Selina Annie Holman in Wayland, Norfolk. She was born 10 March 1901 in Kenninghall. Her father had died the previous year and her mother was a miller and corn chandeller.
In 1931 Luke and Selina lived at Fiddlers Green, Attleborough
They had two children
Joan born 1928
Monica born 1933
In 1939 Luke was working as a cider factory worker and living in Wayland, Norfolk
In 1950 he was the landlord of the Chequers Inn, Great Ellingham.
His wife died in 1970 and he died in January 1978.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
Royal Navy Records, National Archives
British Phone Books 1880-1984
Electoral Roll, South Norfolk 1926- 1931
1939 Register- www.findmypast.co.uk
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person, please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk