Percy Greenwood
Convoy Work and Air Raids
Early life:
Percy Greenwood was born on 2nd March 1866 and baptised on 12th April 1868 in Haworth. His parents were Thomas Greenwood, a worsted spinning overlooker and Maria Greenwood nee Preston. He was one of at least six children.
Percy Greenwood’s baptism record
In 1871 they lived in Sutton. His siblings were Mary Rebecca (11), Lilly (9) and Walter (2).
By 1881 they had moved to 60 Highfield Street in Keighley and had been joined by two more children, John Ambler (9) and Ira (6). Mary was by now working as a worsted drawer, Lilly a worsted reeler and Percy a worsted doffer. There were three visitors who I assume were family – Mrs E. Preston (29), Mr W. Preston (1) and Mary A Greenwood (9).
The 1881 census
The family had moved again by 1891, to Ellar Carr Hall in Bingley. Mary and Walter were no longer living with the family. Thomas was still working as a worsted spinner, as were John and Ira, and Percy was a worsted spinner assistant.
Percy married during the third quarter of 1892 in Keighley, to Alice Peel.
In 1901 they lived at 6 Keighley Road in Cullingworth, and Percy worked as a worsted manufacturer. Next door at number 4 lived John Greenwood, I assume his brother, with his wife Mary. He was also a worsted manufacturer.
They still lived there in 1911. Percy was described as a worsted spinner and an employer. They had a son, Walter who was eight years old. Alice’s father Benjamin lived with them.
War service:
In September 1915 Percy began working as a VAD, based from Morton Banks War Hospital undertaking convoy and air raid work. He completed 1,200 hours of volunteer work until April 1919.
Post War:
Percy (aged 55) and Alice (aged 53) were living at 6, Keighley Road in Cullingworth in the 1921 census. He was a retired worsted spinner on his own account.
Also living with them on that date was Alice’s cousin Mary Scholey Peel, aged 53, a retired bookkeeper.
At some point they moved to Sunnygarth in Cullingworth. This was Percy’s address at the time of his death on 20th June 1934. He was buried at St. John’s Church in Cullingworth.
Sources:
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1910
1871 England Census
1881 England Census
1891 England Census
1901 England Census
1911 England Census
1921 England Census
West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials, 1813-1985
England and Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
