Francis Blake (buried 1924)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Blake
First name: 
Francis
Other Christian names: 
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
Unknown
Burial number: 
1166
Born: 
5/11/1859
Died: 
14/06/1924
Buried: 
19/06/1924
Occupation: 
Teacher and headmaster
Distinction: 
Education Committee Clerk
Heene Hallmark: 
Yes
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Francis Blake (buried 1924) headstone
Cemetery area: 
SES
Cemetery row: 
8
Cemetery plot: 
19
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/taking.hello.lodge
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
Yes
Headstone description: 
EndowedGrave: Keep tidy. Supply spring and autumn flowering plants
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of my dear husband Francis Blake died 14th June 1924 aged 64 years. Late headmaster of Elm Grove School

Life story

Life story

Heene Hallmark

Francis was born in Hurst, Berkshire the son of Daniel and Rebecca. He trained as a teacher, firstly working in London. In 1888, Francis married Alma Ann Hampton at St Nicholas Church, Hurst on 16 July. The couple moved to Worthing where Francis had accepted a post at St George's School in Lyndhurst Road. Their son Frank Hampton Blake was born in 1890. In 1892, Francis was appointed Secretary and Treasurer of Worthing District Teacher's Association. A second son, Norman Arthur was born in 1898. In July 1905, Francis was appointed headmaster of the newly opened Elm Grove School, taking charge of 150 children. His salary was to be £130 per annum. In 1914, he was appointed Committee Clerk for the Borough Education Committee. In the same year, Alma died on 31 October. She was buried at Broadwater Cemetery. Francis married again, to Mary Ann Hatherell in September 1919. By 1924, Francis was suffering from ill-health and resigned as headmaster of Elm Grove School. The Education Committee reluctantly accepted his resignation in March and he died on 14 June at his home in Ripley Road. Probate was granted on 14 July to Mary Ann Worlock Blake widow and Harry Burt Piper solicitor. Effects £490 15s 4d (approx. £20K in 2020).

Burial researcher: 
Carol Sullivan

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
05/11/1859
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Alma Ann
Spouse one last name: 
Hampton
Marriage one date: 
16/07/1888
Marriage one address: 
Hurst, Berkshire, England
Marriage 2
Spouse two first names: 
Mary Ann Worlock
Spouse two last name: 
Hatherell
Marriage two date: 
00/00/1919
Marriage two address: 
Worthing, Sussex, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
14/06/1924
Age (at time of death): 
64
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Forbury, Ripley Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Obituary

Worthing Gazette 25 Jun 1924 The Late Mr Francis Blake. Funeral Service at Heene” Widespread sympathy and respect were shown by the large number of friends who attended the funeral on Thursday of the late Mr Francis Blake of Forbury, Ripley Road, and for many years, headmaster first of St George’s and afterwards Elm Grove School. Mr Blake, who had passed away the previous Saturday at the age of 64 years, had been a headteacher in Worthing for the long period of 36 years up till last March when ill health compelled him to resign the first Headmastership of Elm Grove Boy’s School which he held from 1905. During that time, he had endeared himself to all those that he been brought into contact with, and to whom the news of his death brought very real regret. The teaching profession and the Education Committee of the Town Council were represented at Heene Church, where the first part of the choral service was held. This was conducted by the Rev. E L Bull (Curate in Charge of St John’s Mission, Elm Grove) assisted by the Rector Rev. J P Fallowes. The hymns chosen were “On the Resurrection Morning” and “Abide With Me”, the choir afterwards chanting the “Nunc Dimittis” as the coffin was carried down the nave. The family mourners were: Mrs Blake, widow. Mr F H Blake, son. Miss Edith Blake, cousin. Mrs Chesterman, sister. Mr T W Hales, Mrs P Hales and Mrs Penman. Aldermen W Walter, chairman; J Farquharson Whyte and Councillor Barber represented the Education Committee, together with the Town Clerk Mr J Kennedy Allerton; and the teachers present were Messrs W B Stone (Trinity) and J Forbes (Elm Grove) representing the National Union of Teachers; Miss Grey (Sussex Road Girls), Mrs Holdstock (Heene), Miss Sandell (Davison), Miss Saunders (Holy Trinity Girls), Messrs W C Blaker (Broadwater), Danhill (St Georges), D R Hodson (Holy Trinity), J Holdstock (Southwick), Mortimer (Ham Road), R Parkinson (St Andrews), A W Woolgar (Sussex Road Boys) and Fitzhugh. A former headmistress of Broadwater, Miss A R Mayes and Mr W H Linfield (choirmaster at St Georges) were also among those who attended to pay the last tribute of respect and esteem. In addition to the numerous tributes from the family and personal friends, there were wreaths from the Worthing Branch of the National Union of Teachers, the Reverend Mother Superior and Sisters of St Josephs, the Elm Grove teachers and children, the Worthing Education Committee and several individual tributes from scholars and old boys.

Personal effects
Executors: 
Mary Ann Worlock Blake status: Widow
Probate pounds: 
£490

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1861 census: 

Cottage, Hurst, Berkshire Daniel aged 35, wood sawyer. Rebecca aged 36. Francis aged 1. Elizabeth Mattingly aged 71, mother in law.

1871 census: 

Haines Hill Cottages, Hurst Daniel aged 45, sawyer. Rebecca aged 46. Francis aged 11. Matilda aged 8. Dan aged 6.

1881 census: 

21 Lodden Road, St Pancras. Francis aged 21, certified schoolmaster/teacher. Dan aged 16, apprentice compositor

1891 census: 

School Apartments, Lyndhurst Road, Worthing. Francis aged 31, certified elementary school teacher. Alma Ann aged 29. Frank Hampton aged 10mos. Rebecca Blake aged 67, mother living with son.

1901 census: 

School House, Lyndhurst Road, Worthing. Francis aged 41, Schoolmaster Elementary. Alma Ann aged 39. Frank Hampton aged 10. Norman Arthur aged 2.

1911 census: 

Kenstoke Pavilion Road, Worthing. Francis aged 51, Schoolmaster Elementary. Alma Ann aged 49. Frank Hampton aged 20, clerk with the Education Committee of Worthing Town Council. Norman Arthur aged 12.

1921 census: 
First name(s) Francis
Address Fosbury The Drive, Worthing
Last name Blake
Full address as transcribed Fosbury, Ripley Rd
Miscellaneous information

Worthing Herald 8 Nov 1924

"Memorial Tablet to the Late Mr F Blake"

With the sanction of the Education Committee, the teachers at Elm Grove School have had erected in the Assembly Hall a small tablet to the memory of the late headmaster, Mr F Blake. On Wednesday afternoon, Alderman Walter accompanied by Canon Palmer visited the school, and in the presence of the teachers and children, unveiled the tablet. Both gentlemen addressed the children and referred to the high character of Mr Blake and paid testimony to the valuable work he had done. They also spoke of the esteem in which he was held by the Education Committee. The tablet is of brass, mounted on oak and bears the following inscription: "Erected to the memory of Mr Francis Blake, first headmaster of this school, September 1905 to March 1924. Honoured and greatly beloved.