Donald was born in High Wych, Hertfordshire on 11 October 1893. His parents were Charles and Amy (nee Goward) Wiseman. He was baptised in the local church on 17 December 1893.
His mother Amy came from Little Melton in South Norfolk. She married Charles Wiseman in 1891 in Kensington, London. Their first child Kate was born in August 1891 in Little Melton. Charles came from Wicklewood and had been in the Coldstream Guards. They had moved to High Wych before Donald was born.
They moved back to live in Norfolk. Charles died in 1899 aged 32 years old and was buried on 23 March in Melton Parva cemetery. He was a policeman
In 1901George and his sister Kate were living with their grandmother, Sarah Goward in Mill Road, Little Melton. Their mother was working as a domestic cook at Hoe Hall, Hoe, Norfolk for a farmer.
In the Autumn of 1901 she married George Ernest Ayers, a gardener from Hoe. Donald was living with them in 1911 at Low Street, North Tuddenham, Norfolk. He was working as a farm labourer. He had three half-brothers;
Edward born 18 March 1892
Reggie born 1905
Willie born 22 September 1908.
He enlisted in the Coldstream Guards on 12 August 1914. His service number was 9887 but his records have not survived.
His mother and stepfather moved to live in Foxhole, Saxlingham Thorpe, where George had a small holding. In 1921 Donald was living with them.
Donald married Maggie Charlish in February 1921 in St. Mary’s Church, Saxlingham Nethergate. She was 18 years old and lived in the West End, Saxlingham Thorpe where her father had a market garden and ran the public house. Donald gave his occupation as a gardener and his address as Foxhole Farm, Foxhole. His deceased father’s occupation was given as policeman.
They had six children;
Irene born 1921
Pauline Ruby born 1924
Barry Charlish born 1931
Geoffrey born 1931
June born 1935
Jill born 1938
In 1939 the family were living at the West End, Saxlingham Thorpe where Donald was working as a market gardener.
He died in the Norfolk and Norwich hospital on 7 January 1964. He was living at St. Quentin, Ipswich Road, Saxlingham Thorpe where he had a market garden. The house where he lived was built by his father in law, Joseph Charlish. It was named St. Quentin after the place where Donald’s brother- in- law Tom Charlish was killed in the First World War.
St Quentin
Donald is buried in the cemetery of Newton Flotman Church.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
British Army Medal Roll Index cards, 1914-1920
1939 Register- www.findmypast.co.uk
Norfolk Electoral Rolls-Southern Division Saxlingham Nethergate and Thorpe.
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan Records, Saxlingham Nethergate, Newton Flotman, Melton Parva.
Parish Records, High Wych
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar 1858-1995
St Mary’s Church Saxlingham Marriage records (transcribed by Mary Muir)
Photographs courtesy of Geoffrey Wiseman, his son.
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person, please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk