VAD John Housley
Transporting Wounded and Ambulance Duty
John Francis Housley was born on 5th May 1883 near Preston in Lancashire. He was the son of Valentine Housley from Bracken Hill near Wakefield, and Emma Housley nee Smart, from Old Shoreham in Sussex. He had three older sisters - Mabel Jane, Sarah Jane and Nellie Eliza, and two younger brothers, Charles Bertie and Arthur.
In 1891 the family lived at 5 Mornington Street in Little Harwood, Blackburn. For some reason, Valentine was not with the family and I haven't been able to locate his whereabouts on that night. Emma was described as the head of the household. Nellie was staying with an aunt and uncle in Old Shoreham, Mabel and Sarah were both working as cotton weavers.
The Hounsley family on the 1891 census. Father, Valentine, was not with the family on this night
In November 1895, Emma died at the age of 45, her death registered in Blackburn. The family appear to have separated by the time of the 1901 census. Nellie remained in Blackburn and was living in the same household as Mabel and Arthur, and Sarah lived with her husband and Bertie. John, who was by this time aged 17, was living with his father at 12 Goodley in Oakworth, Keighley. Both were working as tip forgers in iron.
John and Valentine Housley on the 1901 census
Sadly Valentine died shortly after, in July 1901 in Keighley. He is buried at Blackburn Cemetery where his wife was also buried six years before.
John married Mary Emma Smith during the second quarter of 1910 in Keighley. In 1911 they lived at 71 Lidget Hill in Oakworth. John was working as a shuttle tip forger in the textile machinery industry at his time. Sadly Mary die on 25th June 1913 aged just 29. She is buried in Oakworth Crematorium Cemetery.
From December 1916 until May 1919 John worked as a VAD, undertaking ambulance duty and transporting wounded soldiers at Spencer Street Auxiliary Hospital. He completed 1,162 hours of service.
John remarried on 24th November 1918 at Oakworth Parish Church, to Sarah Berry.
John Housley and Sarah Berry's marriage record
They lived at 18 Goodley in Oakworth and were still at this address at the time of the 1939 Register. John was working as a foreman in shuttle accessories. A 22 year old woman, Enid Housley, was also living with them. I don't think this was a daughter of John as I have not been able to find a birth record or any other record of her living with them at any other time, she may have been a niece.
The 1939 Register
John died on 28th October 1954 in Keighley. he is buried with his first wife Mary at Oakworth Crematorium. When his second wife Sarah died on 9th June 1961, she was also buried there.
Sources:
England and Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
1891 England Census
1891 England Census
1901 England Census
1911 England Census
1939 England and Wales Register
West Yorkshire, England, Electoral Registers, 1840-1962
England and Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915
England and Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2008
England and Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915
England and Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
www.deceasedonline.com
www.findagrave.com
