William Edden (buried 1919)

William was born in Cork, Ireland, the son of John William and Anne. His father was a barrister. In 1869, William purchased the rank of "ensign" in the 100th Regiment of Foot which later became the Royal Leinster Regiment. He was posted to Burnley in Lancashire in 1871 and in 1873, was promoted to Lieutenant. On 26th June that year, William married Ada Susan Laura Hayes at St Thomas's Church, Bedhampton in Hampshire. In 1874, he resigned his commission and retired from the army. William's father John died in Cork on 20th May 1876. By then, the couple were living in Portsea with two daughters, Ada and Annie. Kathleen was born in 1877, followed by Harold in 1878, Ellen in 1879, John Courtenay in 1881 and Arthur Clarence in 1882. Another son, Henry was born in 1886. William's mother Anne died on 13th January 1892 and William inherited much of the estate. He spent his time hunting with the Hambledon Hounds and sailing as a member of the Royal Albert Yacht Club. On 30th June 1903, Ada petitioned for a formal separation on the grounds of William's adultery with Ethel Julia Fricker a young lady from Portsmouth. Ethel had already given birth to a son, Leslie Edden Fricker in 1902. The baby died the following year. William denied the claim and the case was dismissed in 1904. He and Ada separated and she moved to Paddington with her four daughters. At the time of the court case, William and Ada were living at "The Mount" in Petersfield. Also in 1904, William and Ada's son John Courtenay Edden was drowned at sea off New Zealand. He was on a whaler on surveying duties when the ship capsized. By 1911, William and Ethel were living at "Shelley Lodge" in Shelley Road, Worthing with their two children, John Kaye and Olive. Ethel is listed as a visitor and "single" on the census. She was using the surname Edden but there seems to be no trace of a marriage. William's son Henry was killed at Gallipoli in 1915 aged 29 and the following year, his son Arthur died of dysentery in the Persian Gulf. William died on 17th July 1919. Probate was granted to Harold William Edden son and Ada Beatrice Edden. Effects £102152 2s 2d. William's estranged wife died in 1941. The origins of the monolith on the Edden grave remain a mystery.