Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Maurice Powell was born on 4th May 1885 in Hampstead, London to stockbroker Thomas Edmund and Kate Millicent Powell (nee Overbury), and was baptised on 25th July 1885 at St Nicholas church in Guildford. At the time of the baptism the family lived at Priory End in Hampstead.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Tower Hill, Dorking. Thomas was a stock broker and Kate was looking after their children: Dorothea, Maurice and Helen Margaret. The family further comprised of a nurse, cook, parlourmaid, two housemaids and a visitor: clerk Frederick J. Dryhurst.
Thomas Powell died on 15th January 1901 at Oakridge. He was buried on 21st January 1901 at St Martin’s Church in Dorking.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Maurice was a boarder and student at High Street, Uppingham School, Rutland.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the widowed Kate and her children Dorothea, Maurice and Helen lived at 34 Hertford Street, Mayfair, London. The household further comprised of a cook, lady’s maid, parlourmaid, kitchen maid, two housemaids and a visitor: Captain of the Royal Field Artillery, Geoffrey Kirkes Gregson. The house had 17 rooms.
Maurice studied at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he took a 2nd class in the Honour Classical Schools (Honour Moderations) and a 2nd class in the Final Schools (Honour Greats). He was also keen Territorial, joining the O.T.G. while at Oxford. On leaving Oxford he was called to the Bar.
LIEUT. MAURICE POWELL
Lieut. Maurice Powell, R. F. A., who has fallen in action, was the only son of the late Mr. Edmund Powell, and of Mrs. Powell, of Goodwyns Place, Dorking. He was born in 1885, educated at Uppingham School and Magdalen College, Oxford. He took a scholarship of the former, and was also a demy or scholar of Magdalen College, Oxford. He took a 2nd Class in the Honour Classical Schools (Honour Mods.) and a 2nd Class in the Final Schools (Honour Greats). He was also a keen Territorial, joining the O. T. G while at Oxford. On leaving Oxford he was called to the Bar. About 1913 he took a commission in the Surrey Yeomanry, and was on manoeuvres with his regiment when war was declared. The General Commanding the then Home Counties’ Division appointed him his personal A. D. C., and he served with him the first year and a half of the war. He was, however, very keen to go abroad, and was never really satisfied with this position. At the end of 1915, when he became practically certain that his General was not likely to be sent abroad, he asked his permission to transfer to the Field Artillery, and after considerable difficulty he got transfer to the Regular Army, and went to Shoeburyness for the course a year ago. He passed out of Shoeburyness very high, with over 95 percent of marks, and was a short time at Codford before going to France. He was a very keen and efficient gunner and met his death commanding a section in action on July 5th.
Maurice Powell Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
He disembarked on 20th January 1916 to France.
At the time of his death Maurice was a Temporary Lieutenant of the Field Artillery. He was a very keen and efficient gunner and met his death commanding a section in action on 5th of July 1917 in France.
Maurice left to his mother, Kate, £4722, 12s and 1d in the Probate. She also received £125, 8s and 2d in Soldiers Effects.
Maurice Powell received the British War and Victory medals.
Powell Family History
Maurice’s father Thomas Edmund Powell was born on 16th May 1857 in Blackheath, Kent to Gentleman Thomas Wilde and Mary Elizabeth Powell. Thomas was baptised on the 28th of June 1857 at St Nicholas Church, Plumstead. At the time of the baptism the family lived at Blackheath Park. At the time of the 1871 Census, Thomas was a scholar and boarder at Highfield House on London Road, Uppingham. Maurice’s mother Kate Millicent Overbury was born in the 2nd quarter of 1861 at Mornington Road London to stockbroker Benjamin Fox and Mary Overbury, born about 1838 in Ireland. Thomas and Kate married in the 2nd quarter of 1881 in Steyning, Sussex.
Maurice had two sisters: Dorothea born about 1883 in Bedford Square, London and Helen Margaret born about 1888 in Hampstead.
Kate Powell died on 8th February 1935 at the Empire Nursing Home, Vincent Square, Westminster, London.
| Born | Hampstead, London | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Kate Millicent and the late Edmund Powell of Goodwyns Place, Dorking | |
| Regiment | 14th Brigade, Royal Fleet Auxiliary | |
| Date of Death | 5th July 1917 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 32 | |
| Cemetery | Fosse No. 10 Communal Cemetery Extension, Sains en Gohelle |
The following article appeared in the Dorking Advertiser on 6th July 2017.
