Oswald Gee (buried 1920)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Gee
First name: 
Oswald
Other Christian names: 
Arnold
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
No
Burial number: 
978
Born: 
0/12/1870
Died: 
14/01/1920
Buried: 
21/01/1920
Occupation: 
Physician, Army Captain.
Distinction: 
Born in Gloucestershire
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
SES
Cemetery row: 
6
Cemetery plot: 
7
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/issued.today.punchy
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Headstone description: 
Oswald Gee is buried under the headstone for Rowland Moore
Headstone inscription: 
In devoted memory of Rowland Moore died 31st Dec 1941 aged 67 Lena his wife 5th Dec 1952

Life story

Life story

Oswald Arnold Gee was baptised on 21st December 1870 at Hardwicke, Gloucestershire. He was the youngest son of Thomas Gee, 44yrs, Governor of the Reformatory School, Hardwicke, and Mary, 42yrs, Matron. Oswald had 6 siblings, Harriett b.1855, Frank b.1857, Thomas b.1862, Albert b.1865, Margaret b.1867, and Harold b.1869.

In 1891, aged 21yrs, Oswald was a schoolmaster at the reformatory school, but he continued his studies and was awarded a place to study medicine at Edinburgh University, he graduated in 1900 and became a House Surgeon at Dover Hospital, Kent.

By 1901 Oswald had returned to Gloucestershire and set up a medical practice as physician/surgeon.

At the outbreak of war in 1914, Oswald enlisted as Lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry, he was promoted to Captain in December 1915.

On 14th January 1920, Oswald died at the Linford Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Ringwood, Hampshire, he was 49yrs of age. His address was given as Kelso, Northfield Road, Tarring, Worthing, Sussex. Administration was granted to Margaret Mary Delves Gee, effects £182 0s 5d. Value 2022 - £8,600.

Burial researcher: 
Maggi Martin

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
00/12/1870

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
14/01/1920
Age (at time of death): 
49
Cause of death: 
Tuberculosis
Address at time of death: 
Kelso, Northfield Road, Tarring, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
Margaret Mary Delves Gee status: Sister
Probate pounds: 
£182

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1871 census: 

Living at Governors House, Reformatory School, Hardwicke, Gloucestershire. Thomas Gee, 45yrs, Governor of Reformatory School, wife, Mary, 43yrs, Matron, 7 children, Harriett, 15yrs, Frank, 13yrs, Thomas, 8yrs, Albert, 6yrs, Margaret, 4yrs, Harold, 2yrs, Oswald, 4months, plus 2 domestic servants

1881 census: 

Living at Governors House, Reformatory School, Hardwicke, Gloucestershire. Thomas Gee, 55yrs, Governor of Reformatory School, wife, Mary, 53yrs, Matron, Thomas, 17yrs, Margaret, 14yrs, Harold, 12yrs, Oswald, 10yrs, plus 2 domestic servants.

1891 census: 

Living at Governors House, Reformatory School, Hardwicke, Gloucestershire. Thomas Gee, 65yrs, Governor of Reformatory School, wife, Mary, 63yrs, Matron, Margaret, 22yrs, Oswald, 21yrs, Reformatory Schoolmaster, plus 2 domestic servants.

1901 census: 

Living at Superintendents House, Reformatory School, Hardwicke, Gloucestershire. Thomas Gee, 75yrs, Superintendent of Reformatory School, wife, Mary, 73yrs, Matron, Oswald Arnold Gee, 30yrs, Medical Practitioner, plus 2 domestic servants.

1911 census: 

Living at 2, Montpellier House, Spa, Gloucestershire. Thomas Gee, 84yrs, private means, wife, Mary, 83yrs, Oswald Gee, 40yrs, Physician/Surgeon, Margaret, 44yrs, plus 1 domestic servant.

Miscellaneous information

Reformatory schools

Reformatory schools were opened from the mid-nineteenth century as an alternative to the general practice of treating children found guilty of crimes in the same way as adults in prison.

Reformatories were for children only and children were sentenced to time in them by the courts.

Initially, they would also be sentenced to a time in prison before going to the school although this practice was stopped in 1899. It was usual for children to spend up to five years in the reformatory.

In the reformatory, the regime would be very strict with children afforded few, if any, freedoms. Children would be educated and taught a trade useful for their return to their outside lives - perhaps farming, tailoring etc.