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Archibald (Jock) Humphries, my maternal Grand Uncle, was born on 16th June 1880 at Piershill Barracks, South Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland, the son of my maternal Great Grandparents Alfred James and Hannah Mary (nee Kaley).
At that time his father, Alfred, was a Private in the 21st Hussars and moving around the country with the regiment. After Edinburgh, the regiment moved to Dublin, where Alfred was discharged in 1882, on completion of his term of service. Alfred returned to England, with his family, and at the 1891 Census they were resident at 3 Rickett Street, Fulham, London. Archibald, however, was not recorded at Rickett Street with the rest of his family. He was living with his uncle and aunt, Stephen and Sarah (nee Kaley) Symons, at 6 Lawes Cottages, Creeks Mouth, Barking, Essex, and recorded as their son. With Stephen and Sarah apparently otherwise childless and Archibald with 8 siblings at home in Fulham , this seems to be a hard-headed family solution to economic reality and also perhaps to the heartbreak of childlessness.
By the time of the next census in 1901, Archibald was married to Charlotte Lomax, living in Westminster, London and working as a Carman (a driver of horse-drawn vehicles for transporting goods).Westminster & Pimlico News - Friday August 27th, 1954
DIED EVE OF HOLIDAY
A devoted Darby and Joan couple, 54 years married, have been parted by the death of Mr. Archibald Humphries - 74 of no. 20 Wilkie Buildings, Millbank Estate, Westminster - on the eve of their annual holiday. Mrs. Humphries had just finished packing her husband's clothes - he had been blind for 20 years - ready for the journey next day when he collapsed and died within half an hour. Mr. Humphries had been ill but had partly recovered and it was hoped that the change would make the recovery complete.
Lovable Figure
Mr. Humphries, who used to enjoy taking little walks round the gardens in the area, aided by his white stick, was a lovable and familiar figure having lived most of his life in Westminster. On his longer journeys he was guided by his 13 year-old grandson - his daughter Florrie's child. They enjoyed each other's company.
Mr. Humphries worked as a carman for a local firm and for 20 years he had his own greengrocer's shop at no. 6 Rampayne Street, Pimlico where he widened his circle of friends.
To comfort her in her loss, Mrs. Humphries has four daughters, two sons and a host of friends.
The principal mourners at the funeral were Mrs. Davis (daughter), Albert Davis (grandson), Mr. & Mrs. Steve Humphries, Mr. & Mrs. Tom Humphries (sons & daughters-in-law), Mr. & Mrs. S. Walker (son-in-law & daughter), Mrs. Betty Merryfield (daughter), Mrs. Maud Ward (daughter).
Among the beautiful wreaths and other floral emblems were tributes from Mr. J. Connors greengrocer of no. 6 Rampayne Street and the neighbours and friends. Mrs. Humphries bought a floral cross which covered the length of the coffin.
Anecdote from Marc Humphries (2012), Jock's Great Grandson: "A few years before my mother (Greta Cabassi) and father (Derek Humphries) met, my mother used to walk home from school each day through Embankment Gardens and chat with a blind man (Archibald "Jock" Humphries, Derek's Grandfather), who would be sitting on a bench whilst out for his afternoon walk, this of course turned out to be Jock, and I always loved this story".
