The Kingsmill family moved frequently. Katherine's parents were both British by parentage but were born in South Africa. Arthur McArthur Kingsmill, a barrister, was born in Port Elizabeth and his wife, Constance, nee Barry, was born in Moussel Bay.
Katherine, the oldest of their children, herself was born in Pretoria, South Africa in 1904. The next child, Constance Helen, however, was born two years later in Richmond, Surrey but Arthur James, a year later, was born in Pretoria and the next child, Gertrude Barbara two years after that was born in Port Elizabeth.
Katherine travelled from Liverpool to Capetown on the Ascanius' (the Blue Funnel line) on 12 October 1929 and returned on another Blue Funnel ship the Nestor which arrived in London on 21 April 1930. The passenger list gives her occupation as teacher.
She married Herbert Samuel George Mayell at Hemel Hempstead, an Army Major ( Royal Army Service Corps) in January 1934. She became ill in 1940 while living at 65, Marshall Avenue, Bognor Regis, and died on 25 August from cellulitis of the neck and thyrotoxicosis and streptococcal infection of the throat and sinus. The death certificate also gave the address of another home Bethany, Newlands Road, Perth, Scotland.
Probate MAYELL Katherine Elizabeth Caroline of 65, Marshall Avenue Bognor Regis Sussex
(wife of Herbert Samuel George Mayell) died 25 August 1940 Administration Lewes 25 November to the said Herbert Samuel George Mayell major in H.M. army. Effects £302 14s