Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research. Thank you to Shirley Cook (great niece of Victor) for the photograph.
Victor Nathaniel Tickner was born on 31st March 1887 in Capel, Surrey to chimney sweeper George John Penfold Tickner and Ellen (nee Mills) Tickner. He was baptised on 8th May 1887 in Holmwood, Surrey.
Victor’s father George was born in the 3rd quarter of 1850 in Capel to gardener George David Mitchell Tickner, born about 1825 in Betchworth, Surrey and Mary, born about 1825 in Capel. His mother Ellen was born about 1856 in Leigh, Surrey to farmer James, born about 1825 in Dorking and Martha, born about 1834 in Ifield, Sussex. George and Ellen married on 1st August 1874 at the Holy Trinity Church in St Mary Newington. At the time of the marriage, the couple lived in Kent Street. George was working as a chimney sweeper.
Victor had nine siblings: George Augustus born in the 2nd quarter of 1876; John Frederick M. born in the 3rd quarter of 1877; Albert James P. born in the 1st quarter of 1882; Grace Ellen M. born in the 2nd quarter of 1883; Charles William born in the 4th quarter of 1884; Martha Elizabeth born in the 4th quarter of 1888; Thomas Henry born in the 4th quarter of 1890; Lily Jane born in the 4th quarter of 1893 and Emily Jessie born in the 1st quarter of 1896, all in Capel.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Holmwood Corner, Beare Green. George was working as a chimney sweeper and Ellen was looking after their children: George, John, Albert, Grace, Charles, Victor, Martha and Thomas.
The 1891 National School Admission register reads that Victor was admitted on 31st March 1891 to South Holmwood Church of England School. At this time the family lived at Brook Cottage in Holmwood. He left the school in April 1900.
The 1900 South Holmwood Church of England School log book reads that Victor obtained a Labour Certificate after an examination in Dorking on 26th March 1900.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family were still at Brook Cottage. George was still working as a chimney sweeper and Ellen was looking after their children: chimney sweeper George, mother’s help Grace, general labourer Charles and scholars Victor, Martha, Thomas, Lily and Emily. The family employed journeyman chimney sweeper William Sargent.
George Tickner died on 20th April 1901. Ellen and her oldest son, George received £812, 4s and 11d in Probate.
On 14th April 1905 Victor became a porter at Petworth station, Sussex. He was working for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company for 12s per week.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Victor was a boarder to bricklayer George Parsons at 43 Spencers Road, Ifield in Sussex. Victor was working as a bricklayer’s assistant.
At the time of the 1911 Census, widowed Ellen and her children lived at Brook House Cottage in Holmwood. Ellen was running a small general shop and her daughters Martha and Lily were her assistants. Thomas was working as a chimney sweeper and Emily was at home. The household also had a visiter, Ellen’s grandson, George. The house had 10 rooms.
Before joining the Navy, Victor lived with his family at Brook House in Holmwood and was working as a gardener for Mr John Lee of Minnickfold, South Holmwood.
Victor tried to obtain an exemption from navy service for family reasons. He claimed that he was the only son at home with a widowed mother. His two brothers were in the Army. On the 11th of March 1916 his case was heard by the Surrey Appeal Military Tribunal in Guildford. The outcome was not successful. The appeal was disallowed on the grounds that there were two sisters at home to look after his mother and the small general shop.
On the 4th of April 1916, Victor enlisted into the Royal Navy. He was a Stoker 2nd Class on the HMS Victory. His service number was K32062. Less than month later, on 27th April 1916, Victor was dead. He died at the Haslar Royal Naval Hospital of heart attack, following a self inflected wound to the throat.
Victor was buried on the 1st of May 1916 at the Dorking Municipal Cemetery. His grave reference number is: 17.9455.
A NAVAL RECRUIT’S DEATH – Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Tickner, Brook House, Holmwood, in the death of her fifth son, Victor Nathaniel Tickner, a stoker on one of His Majesty’s ships. Deceased only joined the Navy about a month ago, and though he died from the result of an accident he made the sacrifice for his country just as if he had fallen in battle. The funeral of deceased, who was 29 years of age, took place in the Dorking Cemetery on Monday. The relatives and other mourners present included Messrs. George, John, and Albert Tickner, brothers; Mrs. Parsons and Miss Lizzie and Miss Lily Tickner, sisters; Miss Voyce, Miss Humphrey, Mr. E. Bates, and Mr. and Miss Worsfold (Leatherhead), and Mr. G. Comber (representing Mr. J. Lees, Minnickfold, where deceased was employed before joining the Navy). Among the many beautiful wreaths was one from the Holmwood Fire Brigade, to which deceased belonged, and another from Mr. Lees of Minnickfold.
Victor Nathaniel Tickner Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
According to the 1916 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser he was believed to have died in an accident.
Victor had a dark complexion, brown hair and brown eyes. He was over 5ft tall.
In 2020 we discovered we had a postcard written by Victor Tickner.
| Born | Capel, Surrey | |
| Lived | Holmwood, Surrey | |
| Son of | George John Penfold and Ellen (nee Mills) Tickner | |
| Regiment | H. M. S. Victory. Royal Navy | |
| Number | K/32062 | |
| Date of Death | 24th April 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Gosport, Hampshire | |
| Cause of Death | Accident | |
| Age | 31 | |
| Cemetery | Dorking Cemetery |
