Stoker 2nd Class Victor Nathaniel Tickner

 

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 31^st March 1887 in Capel, Surrey to chimney sweeper George John Penfold Tickner and Ellen (nee Mills) Tickner. He was baptised on the 8^th of May 1887 in Holmwood, Surrey.

Victor’s father George was born in the 3^rd 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 1^st 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 2^nd quarter of 1876 ; John Frederick M. born in the 3^rd quarter of 1877; Albert James P. born in the 1^st quarter of 1882; Grace Ellen M. born in the 2^nd quarter of 1883; Charles William born in the 4^th quarter of 1884; Martha Elizabeth born in the 4^th quarter of 1888; Thomas Henry born in the 4^th quarter of 1890; Lily Jane born in the 4^th quarter of 1893 and Emily Jessie born in the 1^st 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 the 31^st of 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 26^th 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 20^th April 1901. Ellen and her oldest son, George received £812, 4s and 11d in Probate.

On 14^th 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 11^th 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 4^th of April 1916, Victor enlisted into the Royal Navy. He was a Stoker 2^nd Class on the HMS Victory. His service number was K32062. Less than month later, on the 27^th of 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 1^st of May 1916 at the Dorking Municipal Cemetery. His grave reference number is: 17.9455.

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.

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