The Orchardson family was living at Half Acre Terrace, Hibbert Lane, Marple, Cheshire on the 1891 census. Head of the household was George Orchardson, 31, a Domestic Gardener, who had been born in Didsbury, Lancashire. His wife Mary Jane, 37 had been born in Ireland. Their family consisted of Thomas, 8, Clara, 7, who had both been born in Sale, Cheshire. Alfred, 5 had been born in Disley, Cheshire. Charles, 4 had been born in Longsight, Lancashire. Mary Alice, 2 had been born in Didsbury, Lancashire and Elsie, 1 month old had been born in Heaton Norris, Lancashire.
By the 1901 census the family had moved again, this time to live at 20, Poplar Street, Heaton Norris (Lancashire), Cheshire. George, 41 was still a Domestic Gardener, Mary Jane was 46. Their listed children were Thomas, 18 a Pupil Teacher, Clara was 17. Alfred, 15 and Charles 14 were both Commercial Clerks. Mary A. was 12 Elsie, 10 and Ada was 4.
The 1911 census records the family living at 34 Ventnor Road Heaton Norris Stockport, Cheshire. George, 51, still a Gardener (Domestic) had in the years since the last census become a widower and had remarried to Mary Esther, 37. They had been married 2 years and no children had been born to them. The only children left in the household were Alfred, 25 a Clerk at a Bakery Establishment and Ada, 14, an Apprentice at a Drapery.
The 1911 census records Charles Orchardson living at Quorn Hall Lodge, Quorn, Nr. Loughborough, Leicestershire, as a Boarder in the household of Henry & Elizabeth Judd. Henry Judd was a Gardener and Charles, 24 was single and also a Domestic Gardener.
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms his regimental information as above left and tells us that he was born in Manchester. His residence at the time of enlistment was Chester ( Hawarden is near Chester.) and he enlisted in Liverpool. His medal card also on ‘Ancestry’ details his medals and tells us that he entered his first Theatre of War in France on the 11th March 1915. (He was to die 3 months later).
Charles Orchardson’s Army Service Records have survived and are accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk The records tell us that…
He attested on the 23rd November 1914 at Liverpool. The address he gave was ‘The Gardens, Hawarden Castle, Chester. His trade or calling was ‘Gardener’. He was medically examined on the same day and the report described him as being 28 years old, 5feet 7inches tall, with a chest measurement of 36 and a half inches with an expansion capacity of 3 inches. His vision was good and his physical development was deemed to be good. He was considered to be fit for service in the Territorial Force. He was allocated to the 2/10th Scottish King’s Liverpool Regiment with the regimental number 4178
He named his father as his next of kin – George Orchardson, 59 Vicarage Road, Adswood, Stockport.
He served ‘at home from 23rd November 1914 until the 10th March 1915. He embarked for France as part of the Expeditionary Force on the 11th March 1915 and was killed in action just 3 months later.
There is correspondence between the army and Charles’s father regarding the receipt of his possessions, medals and commemorative scroll and plaque.
The records contained a list of living relatives that was completed in 1917 by the father George Orchardson. The list included..
Father:- George Orchardson, Poplar Bank, Cheshire.
Brothers of the Soldier – Full Blood.:- Thomas Orchardson, age 37, 65, Moorside Road, Heaton Moor. Alfred Orchardson, age 34, H.M.Forces, Poona, India.
Sisters of the Soldier – Full Blood:- Clara? Pedroza age 36 , 27, Dale? Road, Middleton. Mary Orchardson age 30, Ford Bank, Didsbury. Elsie Orchardson age 28 Ford Bank, Didsbury. Ada Orchardson, age 22, 27, Dale? Road, Middleton.
