William was born in Saxlingham Nethergate on 21 June 1868. His parents were William and Susan Moore (nee Wilson). His father was a bailiff. When his mother married William in 1864 she was a widow and had four children from her marriage to Charles Brighton.
His siblings and half siblings were;
William Wilson born 1849
Clara Brighton born 1852
Isabella Brighton born 1853
Barnaby Brighton born 1856
Walter Moore born 1864
Frederick Moore born 1866
Helen Moore born 1870
By 1871 only Barnabas from Susan’s previous marriage was still living at home with the rest of the family.
In 1881 the family were living on Church Green, Saxlingham, and Barnabas and Walter were no longer there. Walter was working in London as a boot laster.
On 5 November 1890 William, aged 22, married Alice Wilson, born 28 May 1863, in St. Mary’s Church, Saxlingham Nethergate. He was working as bricklayer. Her family lived in the village.
In 1891 they were living on Pitts Hill, Saxlingham Nethergate. They had a child William Frederick born 1891. Alice had had a son John Frederick Wilson born in 1887, who was William’s stepson, (John was often known as John Moore), who was also living at the address.
His siblings were Albert George born 1893
Alice Ellen born 1895
Walter born 3 November 1896
Gertrude Lily born 1899
Arthur Charles born 1901
Edith Minnie born 1902 died 1903
Robert Edward born 1902
Ernest born 13 September 1903
The family were still living in Pitts Hill in 1901. His occupation is given as a horseman on a farm but by 1902 when his twins were christened at St. Mary’s Church he gave his occupation as bricklayer.
In 1911 he was living with his family at Tower Cottage, Saxlingham Thorpe.
Saxlingham Thorpe
During the First World War William served in a Territorial Force, transferring to the Royal Defence Corps, on its formation in March 1916, Service number 26611.
His service records have not survived but it is known he was serving in a Territorial Force on 20 July 1915. There is a photograph of William and his sons William, Albert, Walter and John Moore (Wilson) in the Eastern Daily Express newspaper on that date. The newspaper commented on the fact that so many of the same family were serving in the forces for their country.
After the war William continued to work as a bricklayer.
In 1939 he was living on the Low Road, Tasburgh with his wife Alice, and two of their sons, Ernest and Walter and another child. Walter was a widower and was a road worker. Ernest was working as a horseman on a farm. William was listed as being a retired bricklayer.
It is thought that he died in March 1958 but this is not confirmed.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriages, death index 1837-2005
British Army Medal Roll Index cards 1914-1920
1939 Register – www.findmypast.co.uk
UK Census collection
Norfolk Electoral Rolls, Saxlingham Nethergate
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan Records, Saxlingham Nethergate
St Mary’s Church Saxlingham Nethergate, Marriage records (transcribed by Mary Muir)
Eastern Daily Press, 20th July 1915
Tower Cottage photograph, courtesy of Michael Wilkinson, Newton Flotman
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk