Person Page - 661

     Majella Murphy was born on 18 November 1922 in Scotland.^1,3 She married Edward Robson, son of William Robson and Maria Hannah Greathead, in 1961 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England.^1,4 Majella died in 1983 in Hackney, London, England.⁵

     Shafto Robson was born on 27 January 1891 in Gateshead, Durham, England.² He married Myra Lilly Moore in 1915 in Hartlepool, Durham, England.³ Shafto served in the First World War in the trenches in Belgium, working with poison gas.¹ Shafto Robson was a qualified pharmacist and was manager in John Willy Frank's Chemist shop in the Market Place in Guisborough. In 1927 he bought a Chemist's shop in Hartlepool. The business was initially located in the High Street though later it was transferred to new premises in Middlegate. Working hours were long as the shop opened at eight each morning and remained open until 7:30 each week-day and 9:00 on Saturday evening. Outside the shop hours there was work to be done filling bottles, making up various medicines and potions and developing photographs.¹ On 29 September 1939 in the National Register Shafto was listed as living at Nuhome, Brougham Street, Hartlepool, Durham, England, with his wife Myra. Shafto was a dispensing chemist.⁴ His wife Myra died on 1963 in Hartlepool, Durham, England.⁵ Shafto died in 1966 in Cleveland, Yorkshire, England.⁶

     Myra Lilly Moore was born on 26 November 1890. She married Shafto Robson in 1915 in Hartlepool, Durham, England.² On 29 September 1939 in the National Register Myra was listed as living at Nuhome, Brougham Street, Hartlepool, Durham, England, with her husband Shafto. Shafto was a dispensing chemist.³ Myra died in 1963 in Hartlepool, Durham, England.⁴

     Dorothy Robson was born on 10 November 1919 in 14 Redcar Road, Guisborough, Yorkshire, England.¹ She was the daughter of Shafto Robson and Myra Lilly Moore.¹ Norma and Dorothy went to school at Westgate Private School, and later to Henry Smith School in Hartlepool.¹ In October 1937 Dorothy began her studies in Physics at Leeds University. It was still quite unusual for girls to study at university in those days and most unusual for them to study a subject such as Physics. She qualified with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1940.¹ On 29 September 1939 in the National Register Dorothy Robson was listed as living at Nuhome, Brougham Street, Hartlepool, Durham, England, with her parents Dorothy was a university science student.² Dorothy applied to join the RAF after she graduated, being determined to play her part in the defence of her country, but was rejected as she was two inches too short. She was however accepted to work for the Ministry of Aircraft Production and was based at Farnborough in Hampshire.¹ Her body was cremated according to her wishes and her ashes scattered from the air from a small trainer plane that Dorothy had sometimes flown under supervision.¹ She died on 3 November 1943 aged 23 in a flying accident while testing bomb sites. The plane crashed onto the moors at Enthorpe, near Market Weighton, while trying to fly under low cloud. All six members of the crew were killed and Dorothy was mortally wounded. She took the place of the usual navigator on this flight.^1,3 Dorothy was given the affectionate nicknames of "Bombsight Bertha" and "The girl with the sparkling Eyes" A wonderful book has been published as a tribute to her by her nephew. He kindly sent me a copy, extracts of which are included on this website.¹

     Ann Haynes was born about 1797 in Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England.¹ She married Jonathan Birks, son of Richard Birks and Mary Roberts, on 23 August 1821 in Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England.^1,2 In the census of 7 June 1841 in Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England, she was listed as the wife of Jonathan Birks.³ In the census of 30 March 1851 at Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England, she was listed as the wife of Jonathan Birks.⁴ In the census of 7 April 1861 in Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England, she was listed as the wife of Jonathan Birks.⁵ Her husband Jonathan died on 11 March 1863 in Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England, aged 71.^6,7,8 In the census of 2 April 1871 in Moorhouse Farm, Whiston, Yorkshire, England, she was listed as the sister of William Haynes a widower aged 64 and a farm bailiff. Ann was his housekeeper. They had two servants.⁹ Ann died in 1871 in Rotherham, Yorkshire, England.¹⁰

     Louisa Basgrave Smith was born on 21 December 1843 in Petone, Wellington, New Zealand.¹ She was the daughter of William Mein Smith and Louise Basgrave Wallace.¹ She married Francis William Knowles on 12 March 1860 in Wairarapa, New Zealand.¹ Her husband Francis died on 19 July 1887 in Wellington, New Zealand.¹ She married George Stephenson Crotty on 30 December 1887 in Christchurch Register Office, Christchurch, New Zealand.¹ Her husband George died on 8 January 1900 in Southampton, Christchurch, New Zealand, aged 58.¹ Louisa died on 13 May 1905 in Ihuraus Valley, Mauriceville, Wairarapa, New Zealand, aged 61.¹

     Mary Jane Tunley was born in 1865 in Woodchurch, Wirral, Cheshire, England.^1,2 She was the daughter of Elijah Tunley and Catherine Lloyd.¹

     Fanny Keating Tunley was born in 1894 in Chester, Cheshire, England.¹ She was the daughter of William Tunley and Mary Keating.¹ Fanny died in 1898.¹

     Thomas Lloyd was born about 1798 in Llanrhyar, Denbighshire, Wales.² He married Margaret ... Thomas was listed as the head of the family on the census of 7 April 1861 in 12 Brick Street, Liverpool, Lancashire, England, Thomas was a shoemaker.³

     Harry James Browne was the son of Harry Browne.¹ He married Sarah Greathead, daughter of Edward Greathead and Mary Owens, on 5 August 1901 in St Michael and All Angels, South Westoe, Durham, England, The ceremony took place after the banns had been read and was witnessed by Edward, Hannah and George Greathead. Edward signed with his mark. Both Harry and Sarah gave their address as 96 Elizabeth Street. Sarah also signed with her mark.^2,3,4

     Sarah Crofts was the daughter of Stephen Crofts and Mary Anne Turmaine.¹ She married William Henry Timms on 20 December 1815 in St Giles in the Fields, Camden, London, England, William and Sarah are mentioned in Sara's mothers will. They are married after a licence had been issued. The ceremony was witnessed by James Street Timms and Elizabeth Jane Mackay.^2,3

     William Henry Timms was baptised on 10 November 1791 in St Lawrence, Reading, Berkshire, England.² He married Sarah Crofts, daughter of Stephen Crofts and Mary Anne Turmaine, on 20 December 1815 in St Giles in the Fields, Camden, London, England, William and Sarah are mentioned in Sara's mothers will. They are married after a licence had been issued. The ceremony was witnessed by James Street Timms and Elizabeth Jane Mackay.^3,2 William died on 24 February 1858 in St George in the East, London, England, aged 66.^2,4