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Messages are welcome on any subject relating to Troopers Hill Local Nature Reserve; the surrounding area of St George and Crews Hole or any of Bristol's Parks and Green Spaces.


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Viewing Page 1 of 1 (Total Posts: 2)


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Liz

BS5


Jun 3, 07 - 5:58 PM
Albert Ayland of the Lord Raglan

I had a long walk through the cemetery today and eventually found Albert Ayland. My mistake was to target war graves and it was only at the end just as I was about to leave that a large white marble anchor caught my eye. It's in the topmost part of the cemetery on the first lawn in from the road.

It says:
In Loving Memory of Albert Edward the beloved husband of Matilda Ayland Late Chief Petty Officer HM Navy Who died on Active Service Nov 20th 1915 Aged 50 years. "Peace Perfect Peace".

So there we are, it does look like I had the right bloke

Now just a couple of things are bothering me. I didn't find any births (or deaths) of children for Albert and Matilda and none are mentioned on the grave. I'm wondering if they'd travelled before settling back in Bristol at the Raglan. Maybe he was a seaman and had just retired to a pub when war broke out. The other thing is what Roger meant about Matilda! She's clearly not buried with Albert (though you have to check burial records to be sure). Hmm...

I only wish I could say it was nice walking round the cemetery but it's in a dreadful state. I was quite shocked at how bad it's got. The policy of laying unsafe graves flat has not worked out for the best and combined with subsidence makes it pretty scarey to stray from the path.
Roger

Greece


Jun 5th, 2007 - 1:25 PM
Re: Albert Ayland of the Lord Raglan

great work Liz, I must take a look.

Matilda, you would like to meet her, let's say she's a forcefull lady. Still VERY interested in finding out more about her. Clearly Albert was a long serving naval officer (to make that rank) and she was used to him being away for long periods. Was it possble that he had finished 'active service' prior to WW1 but had been recalled? I seem to remember that taking part (at least in the early years of WW1) was not compulsory, but 'expected'.

Getting involved in FOTH has got me so fired up about local history, there is much to learn.

I will let you have some more details when I see you


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