Harry Duncan (buried 1927)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Duncan
First name: 
Harry
Other Christian names: 
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
Yes
Burial number: 
1293
Born: 
0/0/1867
Died: 
08/05/1927
Buried: 
12/05/1927
Occupation: 
Builder
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
NWS
Cemetery row: 
8
Cemetery plot: 
8
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/dark.sling.label
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
No
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of Harry Duncan who passed away 8th May 1927 aged 60 years "Peace"

Warning: this record has been marked as potentially upsetting

The information published on this website will include research obtained from the public domain. It may sometimes include things you might find upsetting, such as the details of their death or any misdemeanours that might have happened in their life. We feel it is important however to tell their full story.

Life story

Life story

Harry Duncan was born in Frant, Sussex, in 1867 to John Elias Duncan, 31yrs, Railway Guard, and Eliza, 29yrs. His brother, Frank, was born in 1879. Harry's father later became a hotelkeeper, running the Arundel Arms at Tortington and the Globe Hotel, Southgate, Chichester. By 1892, Harry was living in Bristol where he married Alice Maud Kirby at St George's church on 1st October of that year. For a while the couple lived at 21 Alma Street, Taunton before moving to Midhurst, Sussex. Harry was in the building trade. They had two children, Edith and Alice. In 1911, a son John Harry Duncan was born on 18th October to Harry and another woman Beatrice Mary Lewis. On 9th September 1915, Harry's wife Alice committed suicide in Midhurst. She had been living apart from Harry and drank. Her body was found in the river (see newspaper report in West Sussex Gazette 16th September 1915). At the end of the year, Harry, now retired, married Beatrice Mary Lewis. By 1918, the family were living at "Fairdene" in Ripley Road, Worthing. At the time of his death, Harry and Beatrice were living at "Fairdene" in Hythe Road. Harry died at Groombridge Nursing Home, Chaucer Road, Worthing on 8th May 1927. Probate was granted on 23rd June to Beatrice Mary Duncan widow and Edith Maud Duncan spinster. Effects £5513 11s 4d.

Burial researcher: 
Maggi Martin

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
00/00/1867
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Alice Maud
Spouse one last name: 
Kirby
Marriage one date: 
01/10/1892
Marriage one address: 
Bristol, Somerset, England
Marriage 2
Spouse two first names: 
Beatrice Mary
Spouse two last name: 
Lewis
Marriage two date: 
00/00/1915
Marriage two address: 
Sussex, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
08/05/1927
Age (at time of death): 
60
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Groombridge Nursing Home, Chaucer Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Usual address at death: 
Fairdene, Hythe Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Obituary

Worthing Gazette 25th May 1927

Mention of Midhurst recalls the death the other day of Mr H Duncan, who years ago was a well-known Midhurst builder responsible for the erection of many houses in that quaint old place. Latterly he had resided at Worthing and it was here that his death occurred suddenly, just as he had finished building a new house in which to live.

Personal effects
Probate pounds: 
£5,513

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1871 census: 

9, South Coast Cottages, Frant, Sussex.

John Duncan, 35yrs, Railway Guard, wife, Eliza, 33yrs, son, Harry, 4yrs.

1881 census: 

Arundel Arms, Ford Road, Tortington, Sussex

John E aged 43, inn keeper. Eliza aged 43. Harry aged 15, carpenter. Frank aged 2. Plus 1 servant.

1891 census: 

No trace but living at 15 College Street, Bristol in 1892.

 

1901 census: 

South Street, Midhurst, Sussex.

Harry aged 34, builder. Alice M aged 32. Edith aged 7. Alice aged 6. Kate Kirby aged 23, sister-in-law.

1911 census: 

South Street, Midhurst, Sussex.

Harry aged 44, builder. Alice M aged 42. Alice Gertrude aged 16, dressmaker.

 

1921 census: 

Living at Fairdene, Ripley Road, Worthing, Sussex.

Harry Duncan Head Male 1866 55 Builder Retired -
Beatrice Mary Duncan Wife Female 1885 Home Duties -
John Harry Duncan Son Male 1911 9
Miscellaneous information

cluster of pink ceramic roses
cluster of pink ceramic roses

Ceramic Flower Posy

Whilst clearing an area of bramble to reach some sycamore saplings, this wonderful ceramic posy of flowers was spotted buried in the soil of the grave for Harry Duncan.