William Ridgway (buried 1921)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Ridgway
First name: 
William
Other Christian names: 
Henry
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
Unknown
Burial number: 
1052
Born: 
0/0/1859
Died: 
22/09/1921
Buried: 
26/09/1921
Occupation: 
Second Mate R.N.; First Mate R.N.; Captain;
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
William Ridgway (buried 1921) 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 62years. 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 6th April 1857 died November 19th 1942. 'In Thy presence is fulness and joy'.

Life story

Life story

William's Father died 4 months after he was born. He was a professor of music. Eliza was left to bring up the family and in 1861 she was bringing up her children on her own at Crown Road Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Then by 1871 the family had moved to 39 Regent Road Great Yarmouth, William is attending school. Eliza is living on proceeds of a property. 

William married Prothesa Florence Beer on 17th April 1886 at South Stoneham Hampshire. They had 3 children- Henry Nelsen Ridgway born 1888 South Stoneham Hants, Kathleen born 1890 Birkenhead Cheshire, Harold Edwin born 1896 Birkenhead Cheshire. 

In 1901 Florence 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 Eliza is living with her children at 59 West Bank Road Birkenhead. 

William Ridgway 2nd Mate certificate Merchant Service
William Ridgway 2nd Mate certificate Merchant Service

William became 2nd mate in the Merchant Service on 5th June 1880. 

William Ridgway 1st Mate certificate Merchant Service
William Ridgway 1st Mate certificate Merchant Service
William Ridgway Master certificate Merchant Service
William Ridgway Master certificate Merchant Service

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 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 

William died on 22nd September 1921 at Delota, Shakespeare Road Worthing of heart failure he left an estate of £4960 (approx £144,000 in 2020) to Prothesa Florence his Wife 

The Herald, 19th November 1921 - Captain William Helen Ridgway, of  Daltota, Shakespeare Road, Worthing, late of the Clan Line and of Birkenhead, Cheshire, left £4960

Burial researcher: 
Jackie Rooney

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
00/00/1859
Parents
Mother
Mother's name: 
Eliza
Mother's maiden name: 
Nelsey
Father
Father's name: 
John Charles Ridgway
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Prothesa Florence
Spouse one last name: 
Beer
Marriage one date: 
17/04/1886
Marriage one address: 
South Stoneham, Hampshire, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
22/09/1921
Age (at time of death): 
62
Cause of death: 
Heart Failure
Address at time of death: 
Delota, Shakespeare Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Obituary

Worthing Gazette - October 5th 1921

Many will learn with regret of the death of Captain William Henry Ridgway, who died suddenly recently, at his residence in Worthing, at the age of 62, as the result of heart failure. The deceased from the year 1891 to the time of his death, was a staunch supporter of the Mercantile Marine Service Association. A sailor of no mean repute, Captain Ridgway has served with Messrs. Cayner Irvine and Co. Limited (Clan Line of Steamers) for many years, and during the War was engaged in transporting troops, etc., receiving in return for such services special recognition at the hands of the government. The heartfelt sympathy of his former colleagues and friends is extended to his sorrowing relatives in their great loss.

Personal effects
Executors: 
Prothesa Florence Ridgway status: Widow
Probate pounds: 
£4,960

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1861 census: 

Crown Road Great Yarmouth Eliza Ridgeway (Head) age 34, Charles J (Son) age 9, William H (Son) age 1

1871 census: 

39 Regent Road Great Yarmouth Norfolk Eliza Ridgeway (Head) age 43, Charles (Son) age 19, Edward (Son) age 17, William H (Son) age 11, Robert (Nephew) age 7, plus 1 servant

1891 census: 

16 Hollybank Road Tranmere Birkenhead Cheshire Prothesa F Ridgway (Head) age 33, Henry (Son) age 2, Kathleen (Daughter) age 11 months, Emma Beer (Sister in Law) age 45, plus 1 servant

1901 census: 

16 Hollybank Road Birkenhead Cheshire Florence Ridgway (Head) age 41, Henry (Son) age 10, Kathleen (Daughter) age 10, Harold (Son) age 4, plus 1 servant

1911 census: 

59 West Bank Road Birkenhead Cheshire Florence (Wife) age 50, Henry (Son) age 22, Harold (Son) age 14, Plus 1 servant