MY MOTHER – Grace Edith Whitestone, (nee Rye, nee Dexter) born in 1911 to Ernest and Matilda Dexter.

When Grace Edith Dexter was born on 4 April 1911 with the birth being registered in Windsor Berkshire, her father Ernest, was 28 and her mother Matilda 27. She married George Whitestone in 1938 in Brentford, Middlesex.  At that time she was a Rye, having been married for a short time, to Edwin Rye who sadly passed away in 1932 at the age of 28.

The Women’s Voluntary Service

 Grace Edith lived in the United Kingdom during World War II and would have been aware of the Women’s Voluntary Service effort.

George and Grace  had one child, Terence, during their marriage. She died on 1 January 1983 at home in Egham, Surrey, at the age of 71.

Grace, although originally a Methodist, attended the Baptist Chapel in Bridge Street Staines.  As a young child I also attended the Chapel on Sunday mornings, in what was called ‘Sunday School’. I sang in the choir (although only 3 of us young lads). I recall baptisements taking place. I think perhaps I enjoyed the walking to and back from the Chapel along ‘The Causeway’, running up and down the sloping concrete side of the pathway. When allowed!

Grace often mentioned to me that she worked for a short while at Freeman, Hardy & Willis shoe shop in Staines. So I always had well fitting shoes.

Grace was a member of Staines Operatic Society. I have a couple of photographs of her and the group which I will include sometime in the future.

I remember, on what seems numerous occasions her mentioning Ted,  (Dexter I presume).

She was a great mother and apart from bringing me up, in later life looked after her Mother-in-Law Georgina (lived to 103) for many years, husband George when he became frail and her Father Ernest Walter Dexter. I also recall Uncle Dave Whitestone living with her and George at some time.

Thanks Mum x

MY GRANDFATHER – ERNEST WALTER DEXTER (1882-1968)

Ernest was born on the 28th April 1882 in Church Street Staines, to Joseph (a print cutter), and Emma Letitia. He was Baptised at St. Marys Church Staines 13th Aug 1882.  His marriage to Matilda Thorne (Born 1883 in Sparkford Somerset), took place on 14th January 1911. The 1911 Census shows them both living at No.55 New Road Egham.

Ernest was the third eldest of 7, with  Brothers, Edward J, Herbert Henry and Alfred, and 3 Sisters, Emily Victoria, Edith Annie and Charlotte E.

The view below was taken with Staines Bridge, (over the river Thames) behind the camera, and with the pub on the right behind the building that looks like a toilet/washroom block. The Gas Holder in the background could be seen from my own home in WOODHAW, the Egham end of ‘The Causeway’. New Road and indeed Claremont Road are about half a mile down the left hand side of the main road.

Even in the 1940’s and 50’s ,some homes still had Gas Lighting, which was the case with No.52 Claremont Road. The living room had the Gas Light above the dining table – making a ‘hissing’ noise from the mantle.  At this time, Ernest was employed by the Linoleum Factory of Staines, as a ‘Beltman’.

AN AMUSING STORY (even to the perpetrator, Ernest).

Ernest I recall, often wore a Trilby hat  whilst in the house. He kept his ‘spare’ on a nail behind the scullery (kitchen) door. Quite often during the week Ernest would pay a visit to the Ship Inn for a pint of beer before lunch.  On this particular occasion his arrival at the pub was, probably to accompanied  laughter, asked why he had two hats on?  Yes, he was wearing  one in the house and had simply also put on the one from behind the scullery door before he left. Luckily he had a sense of humour, otherwise we may not have heard about it from him.

Ernest passed away 22nd November 1968 at the home of his daughter Grace Edith, in Egham.

Hello and Hi everyone ….. so what is my connection to the Dexter family?

Although my father George was a Whitestone, my mother was a Dexter. Grace Edith Dexter 1911 -1983. She married my father as a Rye, having married Edwin Rye in 1938. Sadly he passed away that same year.

I have been researching my family tree for a number of years now but have focused mainly on my Whitestone background. My direct line goes back to Dublin Ireland.  The Whitestone’s  had various occupations, from farming, shop-keeping, religion, legal, medical and more. My direct descendant was a  Cabinet Maker/Carpenter who I believe came to Manchester/England around 1862 to provide his expertise into the building of the wooden railway carriages.  Perhaps the transport revolution of the era. Eventually the family moved south to London and then to South West London, where George met Grace. I do recall they often joked with each other, that, ‘it must have been a foggy night’! They married in Brentford in 1938.  So, five or so years later and well into WW2, on Valentines day 1943?  Yes you’ve guessed it … and here I am.

Roughly a year or so ago whilst searching Ancestry for Dexter’s, I ‘met’ Connie, which opened a whole new chapter of research. Thank you Connie for being so welcoming, helpful and patient. Although not closely related, there is I believe, a cousin link somewhere which has encouraged me to look more closely into the Staines and Egham Dexters.

My future plan is to create and post a number of, hopefully interesting and informative items, from the research (i.e. bits of paper/photographs and the like, I have to hand.

Best wishes to all, stay safe and summer is nigh!

Terry

Might take a while ….!