When Horace was born 18 December 1894 his family were living in Saxlingham Nethergate. Three years previously his father had been farming Woodfield Farm, Saxlingham Nethergate. His parents were Charles Joseph and Agnes Lavinia Cudden.
Horace was baptised on 7 April 1895 in St. Mary’s Church, Saxlingham Nethergate along with his sister Sybil.
He had seven brothers and sisters.
Benjamin William born 6 March 1884
Agnes born 1886
Claudia born 1889
Sydney born 1891
Sybil born 1893
Olive born 1897
Elsie born 1900
In 1901 the family were living at The Folly, near Woodhouse Farm. His father was a farm steward.
By 1911 some of the family had moved to live Itteringham, near Aylsham, Norfolk and Horace was working as a milkman on a farm along with his father and brother Sydney. Benjamin had stayed in Saxlingham and was working as a groom. Benjamin married in 1913.
It is thought that Horace must have returned to Saxlingham at some point as he is on the Absent Voter List for 1918 and 1919. Perhaps he lived with his brother, we do not know.
During the First World War he served as a driver with the Royal Engineers, Service number 85476. Unfortunately none of his service records have survived.
On 12 may 1920 he married Violet Mary Richmond, born 22 December 1898 from East Tuddenham Norfolk. In July they emigrated to Canada arriving there on 30 July 1920. Their passage had been paid by the Overseas Settlement and they were arriving there to live.In 1919 the Overseas Settlement Act was passed to assist discharged soldiers. It offered free passage to Canada, Australia and New Zealand for ex-service men and their families. The scheme ended in 1922.
On his immigration form he was described as being 5 feet 10 inches tall with a fair complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. He was described as being a farm labourer. He had with him more than £25 and had been given tickets for the Canadian Pacific Railway.
On 1 June 1921 they were living in rented house in Oro Township, Simcoe North, Ontario and had an income of $800 a year.
They had two daughters
Joan Claudia born 1 November 1922 in Barrie, Ontario
Betty Pamela born 24 May 1924.
Violet died 24 May 1932 in Halton, Georgetown, Ontario
Between 1935 and 1945 Horace was living in the same town and worked as a gardener. From 1945 to 1953 he was listed as being a farmer.
He died 12 March 1960 in Georgetown, Ontario.
He is buried with his wife in Greenwood Cemetery, Halton, Ontario.
He does not appear to have come back to England at any time.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
British Army Medal Roll Index cards, 1914-19
Norfolk Electoral Rolls-Southern Division Saxlingham Nethergate and Thorpe, (Absent Voters Lists 1918-1920)
Norfolk, England Church of England Births and Baptisms 1813-1915
Canada Oceans Arrivals, (Form30A) 1919-1924
1921 Census of Canada
Canada Voters Lists 1935-1980
Canada, Find a grave index 1600s-present
Ford Family Tree www.ancestry.co.uk
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk