Noah Page was born circa 1879 and Baptised on the 12th October 1879 in the Parish Church at Darlaston, Staffordshire. His name was Benjamin Noah and he was the son of John & Mary Ann Page, Old Gardens, this source tells us that John was an Iron Worker. Sadly I do not know for certain, the maiden name of his mother Mary Ann. Any help would be appreciated.
Noah’s first appeared on a census in 1881 aged 1. His name was recorded as Benjamin N. Page In the 1891 census, he was called Benjamin and then on the 1901 census he was listed as Noah B. Eventually on the 1911 census and all subsequent civil and military documents, he was referred to as Noah.
In 1881, Noah was living with his family at 3, Wilkes Row, Darlaston, Staffordshire. Father, John Page 41, was an Ironworker (Puddler) who had been born in Darlaston, Staffordshire. His wife Mary Ann 40, had been born in West Bromwich. Their 7 children were Sarah A 18, James 17, John 15, Joseph H. 8, Martha 6, son Samuel 4 and Benjamin N, just 1 year old.
The 1891 census sees the Page family living at 3, Alfred Street, Darlaston, Staffordshire. Father, John 50, was still an Ironworker. His wife Mary A. was also 50. Their daughter Sarah A., 28, was married and called ‘Edwards.’ James 26 and John 24 were both Ironworkers. They were both married, but along with Sarah A. their spouses were not on this census, in this household. Joseph 18 was a Labourer, Martha,16, was a ’Bolt Screwer’, Samuel 14 was a Labourer. Benjamin (Noah) was 12. Albert, born 1882, was age 10.
By 1901 the household had reduced drastically. They were living at H2, C1, House Court, High Street, Darlaston, Staffordshire. Father, John 61 was still working as an Iron Puddler. Mary was 60. Noah B. was their only child still living at home. He was age 20 and a Sheet Mill Worker. A Granddaughter Alice Whitehouse was 5.
The 1911 census shows John Page now 69 and a General Labourer in a Chemical Works , his wife Mary Ann Page was 70 years old and this source also tells us that they had been married for 50 years and 11 children had been born to them but sadly 3 had died. John’s brother George Page, age 76 was also in the household and he tells us that he had been married for 48 years, this had been crossed out by the Enumerator. He was a retired Puddler at the Iron Works and had been born in Darlaston.
Noah must have moved to Deeside, but I don’t know when, although it must have been shortly after the 1901 census, however, he was to meet Eliza Martin and then Noah Page married Eliza Martin on the 13th May 1905 at St. Ethelwold’s Church, Shotton. Noah was 24, a bachelor and Ironworker, his abode was Shotton, his father, John Page was a Puddler & Elisa* (sic) Martin was 25 a Spinster her abode was Shotton, her father, James MARTIN was deceased, but had been a Collier. They married after Banns. * Signed ELIZA. Their Witnesses were Joseph Percy Lloyd & Elizabeth Taylor.
On the 1911 census, Noah was living at 5 Brook Road Shotton, Flintshire. Noah was age 30 and an Ironworker, he tells us that they had been married for 6 years, Eliza, 31, tells us that 3 children had been born to them and they were still living, Norah,5, Harry, 3 and Horace,1.
UK soldiers who died in the Great War 1914 -19, accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental information above and adds that he was born in Darleston, Staffordshire and enlisted in Shotton. He was ‘killed in action’ in France & Flanders.
Noah’s medal card was accessible on Ancestry.co.uk*, records his medal details and also tells us that his first theatre of war was France and that he entered it on 19th July 1915
*Now you have to access FOLD3 via Ancestry, there is a charge.
Noah Page in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that sole Legatee was his Widow and Grantee, Eliza, she was paid £44. 12s 1d on the 16th August 1919 which included his War Gratuity of £ 24. 10s 0d.
Noah was named on 2 other memorials – the Hawarden War Memorial and the memorial screen at St Ethelwold’s Church. Somebody made an effort to ensure he was remembered.
On the Absent Voter’s List of 1919, Noah is entered there – ROWDEN VILLAS – 2702 PAGE, Noah, Opposite Rowden Villas 12945 Pte., 2nd Bn. R.W.F., B.E.F. (No. on the 1918 list – 5303)
Noah was to die 8 days before the end of the war, he had fought since 1915 in the Theatre of War, so this is more tragic, to be so near the end and then get killed.
I have more information on earlier censuses for Noah’s family, if you contact via the website.