Person Page - 1251

     John Alfred Cotton was born on 3 November 1946 in Ealing, London, England, His parents were Claude Alfred Francis Cotton and Winifred Ruth Thompson.¹ He married Margaret Greathead, daughter of William Henry Greathead and Elizabeth Gibbon, in 1973 in Richmond upon Thames, Surrey, England.² John died on 14 March 2005 in Church Crookham, Hampshire, England, aged 58.³

     John Oliver Wilkinson was born in 1844 in Sunderland, Durham, England.¹ He was the son of Oliver Wilkinson and Mary Armstrong. He was baptised on 1 December 1844 in Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England, he was the son of Oliver and Mary Wilkinson.² In the census of 30 March 1851 in 16 Howick Street, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England, he was listed as the son of Mary Wilkinson.³ He married Mary F Hall in 1866 in Sunderland, Durham, England.^4,5 John was listed as the head of the family on the census of 2 April 1871 in 20 Lower Street West, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England, John was a mariner living with his wife and young son.⁶ John was listed as the head of the family on the census of 5 April 1891 in Forgemans Arms, 87 Barrow Lane, Bristol, Somerset, England, John was listed as a Master Mariner and Beer Retailer, living with his Frances who is listed as his wife and his children.⁷ John was listed as head of household in the census of 31 March 1901 in 19 Stanhope Road, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales, John was a retired seaman living with his wife and family.⁸ His wife Mary died on 1908 in Sunderland, Durham, England.⁹ He married Frances Ellen Greathead, daughter of John Greathead and Jane Bailes, in 1908 in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, John's first wife died thus allowing him to marry Frances with whom he had been living and having children.¹⁰ John was listed as head of household in the census of 2 April 1911 in 445 Cowlridge Road, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales, John was a master mariner living with his wife Frances Ellen with whom he said he had been married 22 years, had nine children four of which had died. The family lived in six rooms.¹¹ John died in 1933 in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales.¹²

     Ernest Wilkinson was born about 1884 in Sunderland, Durham, England.¹ He was the son of John Oliver Wilkinson and Frances Ellen Greathead.¹ In the census of 5 April 1891 in Forgemans Arms, 87 Barrow Lane, Bristol, Somerset, England, he was listed as the son of John Oliver Wilkinson.²

     John Oliver Wilkinson was born in 1890 in Bristol, Somerset, England.^1,2 He was the son of John Oliver Wilkinson and Frances Ellen Greathead.¹ In the census of 5 April 1891 in Forgemans Arms, 87 Barrow Lane, Bristol, Somerset, England, he was listed as the son of John Oliver Wilkinson.³ In the census of 31 March 1901 in 19 Stanhope Road, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales, he was listed as the son of John Oliver Wilkinson.⁴

     Mary F Hall was born about 1844 in Edington, Durham, England.¹ She married John Oliver Wilkinson, son of Oliver Wilkinson and Mary Armstrong, in 1866 in Sunderland, Durham, England.^1,2 In the census of 2 April 1871 in 20 Lower Street West, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England, she was listed as the wife of John Oliver Wilkinson.³ Mary died in 1908 in Sunderland, Durham, England.⁴

     John O Wilkinson was born in 1868 in Sunderland, Durham, England.^1,2 He was the son of John Oliver Wilkinson and Mary F Hall.¹ In the census of 2 April 1871 in 20 Lower Street West, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England, he was listed as the son of John Oliver Wilkinson.³ In the census of 3 April 1881 in 8 Livingstone Road, Sunderland, Durham, England, John and Mary were staying with their grandmother Mary Jordan who was born in Sunderland in 1817 and the wife of a bottle maker.⁴

     Oliver Wilkinson married Mary Armstrong in 1843 in Sunderland, Durham, England.^1,2 Oliver died in 1854 in Sunderland, Durham, England.^1,3

     Mary Armstrong was born about 1817 in Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England.¹ She married Oliver Wilkinson in 1843 in Sunderland, Durham, England.^1,2 Mary was listed as the head of the family on the census of 30 March 1851 in 16 Howick Street, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England, Mary was a Master Mariners wife living with her three children. Presumably Oliver was away at sea.³ Her husband Oliver died on 1854 in Sunderland, Durham, England.^1,4 Mary was listed as the head of the family on the census of 7 April 1861 in 7 Church Street, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England, Mary was now a widow and living with three of her children and working as a dressmaker.⁵

     James Wilkinson was born about 1849 in Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England.¹ He was the son of Oliver Wilkinson and Mary Armstrong.¹ In the census of 30 March 1851 in 16 Howick Street, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England, he was listed as the son of Mary Wilkinson.² In the census of 7 April 1861 in 7 Church Street, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England, he was listed as the son of Mary Wilkinson.³

     Isabella Wilkinson was born about 1847 in Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England.¹ She was the daughter of Oliver Wilkinson and Mary Armstrong.¹ In the census of 30 March 1851 in 16 Howick Street, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England, she was listed as the daughter of Mary Wilkinson.² In the census of 7 April 1861 in 7 Church Street, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England, she was listed as the daughter of Mary Wilkinson.³

     Mary Wilkinson was born about 1852 in Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England.¹ She was the daughter of Oliver Wilkinson and Mary Armstrong.¹ In the census of 7 April 1861 in 7 Church Street, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham, England, she was listed as the daughter of Mary Wilkinson.²

     Mary Frances Wilkinson was born in 1871 in Sunderland, Durham, England.^1,2 She was the daughter of John Oliver Wilkinson and Mary F Hall.¹ In the census of 3 April 1881 in 8 Livingstone Road, Sunderland, Durham, England, John and Mary were staying with their grandmother Mary Jordan who was born in Sunderland in 1817 and the wife of a bottle maker.³ In the census of 5 April 1891 in Forgemans Arms, 87 Barrow Lane, Bristol, Somerset, England, she was listed as the daughter of John Oliver Wilkinson Mary is listed as assisting her parents in the Inn.⁴

     Sydney Wilkinson was born in 1891 in Bristol, Somerset, England.^1,2 He was the son of John Oliver Wilkinson and Frances Ellen Greathead.¹ In the census of 31 March 1901 in 19 Stanhope Road, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales, he was listed as the son of John Oliver Wilkinson.³ In the census of 2 April 1911 in 445 Cowlridge Road, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales, he was listed as the son of John Oliver Wilkinson Sydney was a nursery gardener.⁴

     Gordon Riah Wilkinson was born in 1894 in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales.^1,2 He was the son of John Oliver Wilkinson and Frances Ellen Greathead.¹ In the census of 31 March 1901 in 19 Stanhope Road, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales, he was listed as the son of John Oliver Wilkinson.³ In the census of 2 April 1911 in 445 Cowlridge Road, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales, he was listed as the son of John Oliver Wilkinson Gordon was a sea apprentice.⁴

     Edgar Victor Wilkinson was born in 1897 in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales.^1,2 He was the son of John Oliver Wilkinson and Frances Ellen Greathead.¹ In the census of 31 March 1901 in 19 Stanhope Road, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales, he was listed as the son of John Oliver Wilkinson.³ In the census of 2 April 1911 in 445 Cowlridge Road, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales, he was listed as the son of John Oliver Wilkinson Edgar was a school boy.⁴

     Catherine Anne Brothers was born about 1854 in Marylebone, London, England.³ She married Hale Wortham about 1883.^1,3 In the census of 5 April 1891 in 37 Shakeapeare Road, Acton, London, England, she was listed as the wife of Hale Wortham.⁴ In the census of 2 April 1911 in 47 Rathbone Place W, Marylebone, London, England, she was listed as the wife of Hale Wortham.⁵ Catherine died in 1934 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England.⁶

     Barbara Alice Korle was born on 2 September 1885 in Calcutta, India, Barbara's father was German and worked as a diplomat which is why Barbara was born in India. He lived to be 95 and died in an accident riding a horse at a fast gallop Her mother was Scottish.^1,2 She married Herbert Stanley Billingsley Bullock, son of Charles Bullock and Marianna Jane Loughborough, on 28 May 1928 in Kalimpong, Bengal, India, Barbara was fluent in Hindi and somewhat in Bengali.^1,2 Herbert and Alice entered Canada on 22 June 1935 having arrived at Vancouver on 4 June 1935 on board Empress of Japan from Manilla in the Phillippines.¹ Herbert and Barbara were passengers on SS Mahanada they gave their intended future permanent residence as India and their last address as Shandon, St George's Hill, Weybridge, Surrey, England.³ Her husband Herbert died on 12 February 1963 in Bollard Down, 21 Harbour View Road, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, England.^4,5 Barbara died in December 1981 in Poole, Dorset, England, aged 96.^6,2

     Ada Mary Aylmer Wortham was born on 29 March 1886 in Acton, London, England.^1,2,3 She was the daughter of Hale Wortham and Catherine Anne Brothers.¹ She was baptised on 29 January 1888 in St Mary, Acton, London, England, with her siblings Ada and Katherine. The family were living in 37 Shakespeare Road in Action and their father was a Mercantile clerk.² In the census of 5 April 1891 in 37 Shakeapeare Road, Acton, London, England, she was listed as the daughter of Hale Wortham.⁴ In the census of 2 April 1911 in 47 Rathbone Place W, Marylebone, London, England, she was listed as the daughter of Hale Wortham Ada was a teacher of dancing.⁵ In his first year Michael ost his mother to the Spanish 'flu epidemic following the First World War. He was then brought up by her sister, his wonderful Auntie Aylmer, a most artistic and talented dancer, teacher, who had a great sense of integrity and enthusiasm. She nurtured Michael with sensitivity and abundant love with the help of ever-present grandparents in the earliest years. He was surrounded by books and art and was a fluent reader at the early age of three. Of reading he said. "I cannot remember how I learnt to read I just remember always being able to read".
His first school was reached by a walk from home, through a lane bounded by fields. Here he developed a love of learning and language. Before the age of eight he studied French and Latin which ignited his fascination of languages which was to last all his life. His early sketchbooks also show his talent and love of visual art.
At eight he boarded at St. Michael's Prep School, Uckfield, Sussex, where he prospered academically and then on to Stowe where he received excellent teaching and encouragement in languages, art, and in particular English from the distinguished writer T.S. White. It was here in the magnificent grounds of Stowe that his love of nature inspired him to write his first poems and other creative works, which were received with enthusiasm by T.S. White.
A trip to Germany when Michael was in his late teens, with his father who was on leave from India, brought him into contact with Ernst Feider a young writer who was to be an influence on Michael. At the same time, in the same town, his wife to be, Lotte Schneller, writer, artist and sociologist, was also staying. However they did not meet then.⁶ Ada died on 27 March 1951 in 27 Baycroft Avenue, Wembley, London, England, aged 64.^7,8 The will of Ada was proved on 26 May 1951 in London to Tom Philip Woodbridge and John Nicholas Woodbridge, solicitors. Her estate was valued at £1,076 9s 7d.⁷

     Winifred H Wortham was born about 1884 in Acton, London, England.¹ She was the daughter of Hale Wortham and Catherine Anne Brothers.¹ In the census of 5 April 1891 in 37 Shakeapeare Road, Acton, London, England, she was listed as the daughter of Hale Wortham.²

     Hale Wortham was born on 7 May 1887 in Acton, London, England.^1,2,3 He was the son of Hale Wortham and Catherine Anne Brothers.¹ He was baptised on 29 January 1888 in St Mary, Acton, London, England, with his siblings Ada and Katherine. The family were living in 37 Shakespeare Road in Action and their father was a Mercantile clerk.³ In the census of 5 April 1891 in 37 Shakeapeare Road, Acton, London, England, he was listed as the son of Hale Wortham.⁴ Hale sailed out on an assisted passage to Hobart, Australia departing on 11 December 1914 on board SS Corinthei. He was listed as having an occupation in farming. His Uncle Leslie Lyne signed the nomination form on 28 October 1914 stating his address was The Springs, Riversdale. Hale's address was given as 40 Bryngroyn Road, Newport in Monmouthshire in Wales.^5,6