Prothesa Ridgway (buried 1942)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Ridgway
First name: 
Prothesa
Other Christian names: 
Florence
Gender: 
Female
Children: 
Yes
Burial number: 
1755
Born: 
6/4/1857
Died: 
19/11/1942
Buried: 
23/11/1942
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Prothesa Ridgway (buried 1942) headstone
Cemetery area: 
NES
Cemetery row: 
3
Cemetery plot: 
17
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/modern.people.stack
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
No
Headstone inscription: 
In ever loving memory of Captain William Henry Ridgway who died at Worthing Sept. 22nd 1921 as a result of service at sea during the war aged 62 years. Also of Lieut. Harold Edwin Ridgway son of the above who fell in action at the battle of Messines June 7th 1917 aged 21 years. "Victor he rose victorious too shall rise, they who have drank his cup of sacrifice" And of Prothesa Florence Ridgway widow of the above born April 6th 1857 died November 19th 1942 "In Thy presence is fulness of joy"

Life story

Life story

Prothesa Florence was born on 6th April 1857 in Millbrook Hampshire, to Joseph Reep and Betsey Beer (nee Jetford).  Joseph worked as a Clerk for a Steam company, and later for a Gas Company. In 1861 the family are living at Millbrook Close, Millbrook, Southampton. In 1871 they have moved to 1 Clarendon Terrace Southampton. 

On 17th April 1886 Prothesa Florence married William Henry Ridgeway at Parish Church of St James church, Southampton. They had 3 children- Henry Nelsen or Kelsey Ridgway born 1888 South Stoneham Hants, Kathleen born 1890 Birkenhead Cheshire, Harold Edwin born 1896 Birkenhead Cheshire. William became 2nd mate in the Merchant Service on 5th June 1880. He became 1st mate on 21st May 1883 and was promoted to Master on 23rd February 1885.  

From the year 1891 to his death William Ridgeway was a staunch supporter of the Mercantile Marine Service Association, this was an organisation formed in 1857 to have a voice against the government.  He served with Messrs. Cayzer Irvine and Co Ltd (A cargo and passenger shipping company) and during WW1 war was engaged in transporting troops and supplies, and he received in return for such services special recognition from the government, being issued the Mercantile Marine Ribbon on 11th August 1919 and then the Mercantile Marine Medal. 

On the 24th March 1921 In 1901 Prothesa and her children are living at 16 Hollybank Road Birkenhead Cheshire. William is not currently at home and could be on duties abroad. In 1911 William is still not at home and Prothesa is living at 59 West Bank Road, Birkenhead Cheshire with 2 of her children Henry Nelson and Harold Edwin. In 1921 Prothesa and her Husband are living at Delota Shakespeare Road Worthing. William died on 22nd November 1921 of heart failure.  By 1939 Prothesa is living on private means at 30 Oakwood Avenue Beckenham Kent, with her daughter, Kathleen, who has married Heston Leak. 

Prothesa died on 19th November 1943 at 22 Overbury Avenue Beckenham Kent, and was buried with her husband William Henry Ridgeway at Heene Cemetery. She left £4664 15s 2d, probate to Henry Kelsey Ridgeway and Kathleen Leak.

Burial researcher: 
Jackie Rooney

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
06/04/1857
Marriage
Maiden name: 
Beer
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
William Henry
Spouse one last name: 
Ridgway
Marriage one date: 
00/00/1886

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
19/11/1942
Age (at time of death): 
85
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Home of St Barnabas, 22 Overbury Avenue, Beckenham, Kent, England
Usual address at death: 
22 Overbury Avenue, Beckenham, Sussex, England
Obituary

Worthing Gazette 3 Feb 1943

Mrs Prothesa Florence Ridgway of 32 Overbury Avenue, Beckenham, Kent who died on November 19th last aged 85 years, widow of Captain W H Ridgway, of Birkenhead and Worthing left £4664.15s.2d. gross, with net personalty £2945.15s.7d.

Personal effects
Executors: 
Henry Kelsey Ridgway status: Electrical Engineer: Kathleen Leek status: wife of Hector Leak
Probate pounds: 
£4,664

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1861 census: 

Millbrook Road, Millbrook

Joseph R Beer (Head) age 50, Betsey (Wife) age 49, Thomas (Son) age 21, Edwin (Son) age 17,  Emma (Daughter) age 15, Henry (Son) age 10, Mary C (Daughter) age 7, Prothesa F (Daughter) age 4, plus 1 servant

1871 census: 

1 Clarenden Terrace Southampton

Joseph Beer (Head) age 55, Emma (Daughter) age 25, Mary C (Daughter) age 17, Prothesa F (Daughter) age 13

1881 census: 

2 Warwick terrace, Freemantle, Christchurch

Emma Beer (Head) age 33, Mary C (Sister) age 27, Prothesa F (Sister) age 23

1891 census: 

Living at 16 Hollybank Road, Birkenhead Prothesa F 33yrs, Henry N 2yrs, Kathleen 11mths, Emma Beer 45yrs Sister in Law, Anastasia Doyle 17yrs General Domestic Servant

1901 census: 

Living at 16 Holly Bank Road, Birkenhead Florence 41yrs, Henry N 12yrs, Kathleen 10yrs, Harold E 4yrs, Ellen Williams 22yrs General Servant

1911 census: 

Living at 58 West Bank Road, Birkenhead Florence 50yrs, Henry Nelson 22yrs Electrician, Harold Edwin 14yrs, Stanley Slater BankClerk 26yrs Visitor, Elizabeth McIver 21yrs General Servant

1939 register: 

1939 census       30 Oakwood Avenue Beckenham Kent

Hector Leak age 52, Kathleen leak age 49, William H Leak age 21, Anthony Leak age 20, Dennis G Leak age 10, Prothesa F Ridgeway age 80