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Oakes, John Frederick Lancaster

I found John Frederick Lancaster Oakes’s name on the CWGC website when I was looking for any Saltney men who were not on the Saltney War Memorial.   His name appeared on that as his wife Hilda gave her address as St. Mark’s House, Saltney, Chester.   I do not know for certain if he lived in Saltney.

Between 1913 when John & Hilda married and 1921 when the CWGC were compiling the lists and recording them, Hilda and possibly John Frederick Lancaster OAKES must have moved to Saltney for Hilda’s name and address to be shown on the Certificate, but I cannot say when, so any information would be gratefully received.

I believe his parents to be John Oakes and Bertha Lancaster Orrell, who were married on the 22nd December 1886 in St. Clement’s Chuch, Greenheys, Manchester.

John F. L. Oakes appeared for the first time on the 1891 census living with his family at 5, Raglan Street, Hulme, Manchester.   Head of the household was his father John,31 a Railway Clerk, all the family had been born in Manchester.   His wife Bertha was 30 years old.   John F.L., 3 and sister Ellen M. was 1.

The 1901 census sees the family living at 24, Crosscliffe Street, Hulme, Moss Side, Manchester.(St. James).   Father John & mother Bertha were both 41 and John was still a Clerk.  John F.L., 13, Hellen M., 11,were still the only children but Berth’a brothers, Alfred and Charles Orrell, 32 and 30 respectively were both Plumbers and had been born in Manchester.  A niece, Doris Heshelby, 3 had been born in Moss-side, Lancashire.

I also believe that John F.L.’s mother Bertha had died age 46, in the March Quarter of 1907 and her death was registered in Chorlton. (Chorlton  Vol.8c Page 60)

By 1911 John F.L., 23 and single was a Commercial Clerk (C.W.S.) and he had moved and was lodging at 13, Norfolk Avenue, Heaton Chapel, Manchester (8 Rooms) with the family of James Howes, a Station Master, and his wife Kate and their3 sons, Harold, 21* and Edgar 19, both Commercial Clerks, but in different companies. Son Leslie was in School, age 12.

* Harold Edward Howes was to be a witness at John F.L.’s marriage in St. Paul’s Church, Withington, Manchester, to Hilda Toft, on the 30th September 1913, he gave his address as Norfolk Avenue, his age as 25 and his occupation as a Clerk, his father was confirmed as John Oakes a Traveller.    Hilda was 23 and her address was 30, Burlington Road, Withington.  Her father was James Toft, deceased a Contractor.

John Frederick Lancaster Oakes in the UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 confirms the regimental details and tells us that he died in Palestine and he enlisted in Stockport, Cheshire.

There are 2 entries for John Frederick Lancaster Oakes in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929, one gives the sole Legatee was his widow Hilda, who received £9 14s 3d on the 3rd May 1918 and his War Gratuity of £7 10s on the 21st November 1919

(See also 398/670809 18/19), which gives the information – Sole Legatee was his widow Hilda, who received 10/- on the 2nd July 1918.  (See also 358/611302 17/18)   This source tells us that he died in Casualty Clearing Station 77 at Jaffa, Palestine.

John Frederick Lancaster Oakes in the England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 – OAKES, John Frederick Lancaster of 369 Manchester Road, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, Lancashire. Gunner 102 Heavy Artillery Group, Royal Garrison Artillery died 31st January 1918 at Jaffa.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission – additional Information: Son of John and Maud Oakes, of Moss Side, Manchester; husband of Hilda Oakes, St. Mark’s House, Saltney, Chester.


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