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Tenth Generation
Family of Henry James BRIGDEN (B16) and Edith Georgina CHAPMAN (C7)
B17 Henry James BRIGDEN
Born on 3 August 1919 at 9 Beatrice Avenue, South Norwood, twin of Edward Thomas.
Henry James was baptized in St Peter's Croydon on 24 August 1919.
Harry died on Sunday 20 November 2005 at Caterham Dene Hospital, after a short illness. He was 86 and died of cancer. He was cremated on the 30 November 2005 at the Sussex and Surrey Crematorium
He is recorded as residing at 18 St Peters Street, South Croydon, Surrey in 1925; at 2b Selsdon Road, South Croydon, Surrey in 1950; at 56 Mount Park Avenue, South Croydon in 1970 and at Autumnwood House, Markfield Road, Caterham, Surrey in 1980.
Occupation: Master Shoe Retailer and Repairer. Religion: Baptist.
Education: Byres Road School, Croydon.
Although christened Henry James throughout his life has been known as Harry.
When he was very young, Harry had tuberculous. He was very ill and had two long periods at a seaside convalescent home. A new experimental treatment gave Harry serious boils on his back, but cured the illness.
However because of his illness, Harry did not start at school until the age of 12. He left for his first job, at the age of 14, in a workshop repairing car engines by the Red Deer pub in South Croydon.
At the start of the Second World War Harry with his twin brother Edward (Ted), both 17, he attended a medical for the armed services. They both passed. Harry was to go into the RAF and Ted into Royal Corp of Signals. However Harry's mother then wrote to the authorities about his history of TB. As a result, Harry was excused military service during the war.
Henry had a spell working for a shop owned by John Tidy, repairing and selling shoes.
This later led to Harry, with his brother Leslie, purchasing the shop from John Tidy, at 2 Selsdon Road, South Croydon.
Harry and Leslie took over the shop about 1946 and traded as H and L Brigden.
Picture 13 -The Shop at 2 Selsdon Road, Croydon
Harry met Pat at a dance competition in South Croydon. For many years the pair entered many ballroom completions and won several trophies. Their favourite dance was the Foxtrot.
On 10 July 1948 when Henry James was 28, he married Patricia Elizabeth Emily CROWHURST (E8), at the Holy Trinity Church, Wallington Surrey Parish Church.
Patricia was the daughter of Francis (Frank) CROWHURST (19 October 1893-20 October 1975) and Ellen (Nell) Mary Frances PLOWMAN (2 February 1894-26 November 1979), She was born on 20 March 1928 in 68 Sydenham Road, Croydon.
Patricia's first job was at the Midland Bank in Threadneedle Street, London then later in Sutton.
She joined SEGAS, the public utility Gas Company in 1961 and stayed until 1989. Although based in Croydon she worked all over the region, finishing in a senior position as Customer Accounting Planning Manager.
Since 1969 she has been breeding Red, and Red and White, Irish Setters. She has had a least three Champions Autumnwood Prince of Tides, Carrigkerry of Autumnwood, and Glennessa Matchmaker of Autumnwood.
In 1989 she published a book "The Irish Red and White Setter" and has since become an international dog show judge.
She will judge at the prestigious Crufts Dog Show in 2002.
Marriage certificate witnesses Ellen Mary Francis Crowhurst and Edith Brigden
They had the following children:
B22 Michael Charles (1951-)
B23 Susan Patricia (1953-)
Both Harry and his brother Leslie lived for a short while with their families in the flats above the shop in Selsdon Road, South Croydon.
About 1973 a fire almost destroyed the workshop in the basement below the
shop where Harry and Leslie repaired shoes. The fire started in a finishing
machine. However the businesses was not disrupted as Harry continued to repair
shoes at another location while the shop was repaired.
When Harry was 65, in 1984, he retired from the business. His brother, Leslie, continued operating until he too was 68 in 1990.
All his life, Harry was a keen cricket player. Originally he played for Pond Ramblers but later played for the Grants Department Store team. For many years he was the captain. He was a bowler often taking up to seven wickets in each game. On one occasion he bowled 23 successive overs.
When Harry was 75 years old, his grandson David bought him a cricket trophy with inscription "To Grand Dad, 75 not out". Five years later he had to buy another and it looks like he will have to do the same again in 2004!
Born on 3 August 1919, at 9 Beatrice Avenue, South Norwood, twin of Henry James.
Edward Thomas died in St Thomas Hospital, London on 2 April 1971, at the age of 51.
Cremated in April 1971 in Mitcham Road, Croydon. Cause of death: Lung Cancer.
Occupation: Fishmonger, Milk Depot Manager. Religion: C of E. Eye colour: Brown. Hair colour: Dark Brown. Height: 5' 7". Hobbies: Boxing and cricket.
During WW2 Edward (Ted) served in the 8th Army and saw service in Italy and Egypt.
His last job was as a manager of the Express Dairy depot in Croydon. Throughout his life he smoked and drank a lot. He was known to drink a Brown Cow - a pint of milk with a pint of bitter!
Edward Thomas married
Doris GRANT.
Doris was born in 1923 in Glasgow, Scotland. Doris died in Skegness Hospital in May 1994. She was 71. Cremated in May 1994 in Boston Crematorium.
Occupation: Company secretary. Religion: C of E. Hair colour: Auburn. Eye colour: Blue. Height: 5' 8".
After Edward's death, Doris remarried Peter Pellatt.
Picture 15 - Twin brothers together - Ted and Harry
Picture 16 - Five Brothers together: Cecil, Harry, Leslie, Ted and Peter
Born in 1922 in Croydon.
Recorded residing at 49 Godric Crescent, Croydon in 1980.
Cecil Leonard (Cyril) died at 49 Godric Crescent, Croydon on his wedding anniversary, 16 September 2000, at the age of 78. He was cremated on 22 September 2000 at Mitcham Road, Croydon.
Occupation: Decorator.
Military: RAF (WW2). Religion: C of E.,Eye colour: Blue. Hair colour: Fair. Height: 6'. Hobbies: Gardening, Reading.
Although named Cecil, he preferred to be known as Cyril.
On 16 September 1942 when Cecil Leonard (Cyril) was 20, he married Vera PORTWIN, Croydon Register Office.
Vera was the daughter of Wilfred Lloyd PORTWIN (1895-1938) and Mary
Maud TISHALL (1890-1986). She was born on 3 November 1922 in Croydon.
Occupation: Accountants Clerk. Religion: C of E.
Eye colour: Green. Hair colour: Light brown. Height: 5' 5". Hobbies: Writing, gardening.
They had the following children:
B24 Valerie (1946 Croydon) Occupation: Receptionist On 16 September 1967 when Valerie was 21, she married Alan Jones, at B25 Geoffrey (1949 New Addington) Occupation: Building surveyor. On 21 February 1970 when Geoffrey was 20, he married Joanne Tolfrey, at St Edwards, New Addington
Vera and Cyril on their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1991
B20 Leslie George William BRIGDEN
Born in May 1926 at 18 St Peters Street, South Croydon. Recorded residing at 2 Selsdon Road, South Croydon in 1950; at 15 Keston Road, Thornton Heath in 1960; and at 23 The Ruffetts, South Croydon in 1977.
Occupation: Bespoke Shoe Maker, Repairer and Retailer.
Education: Purley Oaks School. Religion: C of E. Eye colour: Brown. Hair colour: Dark Brown. Height: 5' 9". Hobbies: Reading, gardening, travel, sports events.
In 1943, during WW2 Leslie was conscripted as a "Bevin Boy" to work in the coalmines.
On 7 August 1950 when Leslie George William was 24, he married Doreen HALL, at St Peters Church, South Croydon. His brother, Harry, was the Best Man.
Doreen was the daughter of Ernest HALL and Winifred Clara HALL. She was born on 7 September 1930 in 15 Chelsham Road, South Croydon and christened in October 1930 at Emanuel Church, South Croydon.
Occupation: Hairdresser. Education: Duppas Hill, Croydon; Chequers Mead, East Grinstead. Religion: C of E. Hair colour: Brown. Hair colour: Fair. Height: 5' 7". Hobbies: Music, piano, singing, reading. She was a member of the East Surrey Choral Society for many years.
They had the following children:
B26 Audrey (1955-)
B27 Derek (1958-)
Leslie served in the Croydon Auxiliary Fire Service as a voluntary fireman for 15 years rising to the rank of leading fireman. He received a long service medal. he was also a voluntary driving instructor for fire engines. In retirement Leslie became a member of the Bevin Boys association.
Picture 17 - Outside the shoe shop from left Ann Jackman (who worked at the shop for 18 years), Harry, Doreen and Leslie Brigden.
Leslie continued operating the shoe shop after his brother retired, until he was 68 in 1994. A total of 48 years in the same shop!
B21 Peter Ernest BRIGDEN
Born 1927 at 18 St Peters Street, South Croydon. Christened 9 October 1927.
Resided at Wydehurst Road, Croydon.
Occupation: Decorator; Religion C of E
Cecil and Peter operated together as Decorators for many years. Their sign board was often seen outside houses in Croydon.
About 1952 when Peter Ernest was 24, he married Sylvia, at the Parish Church in Croydon. He was later divorced.
They had the following children:
B28 Susan Dawn
B29 Peter.
B30 Gary
B31 David
My Family Tree is a 60 minute documentary that I have made with my digital camcorder and edited into a video production.
This documentary is the story of four families. It is the story of my father's parents, Brigden and Chapman, and my mother's parents, Crowhurst and Plowman.
The video can be purchased for £5 plus £2 postage and packaging. To order a copy click here