Updated 19 Jul 2007

WIRKSWORTH Parish Records 1600-1900

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Walter MASKREY in Wirksworth 1902

On Tuesday 14 Oct 1902, a Great Presentation was held in Market Place, Wirksworth, Derbyshire for 20 men from the town returning from the 2nd Boer War. Three men never returned. The man shown below is referred to as "Revd Maskrey". A newspaper of the time calls him: "Gunner Walter Maskrey, 76th Battery Royal Field Artillery"
After research by Susan Hatton and some by the author the conclusion is this Walter is the man described and his family is shown in the MASKREY tree. Also see Email from Earle Swanson.
Walter "Revd" Maskrey aged 33 in 1902
Walter "Revd" Maskrey aged 33 in 1902
The Presentation in the Market Place on 14 Oct 1902. In the front row (left to right) are: Private George H Walton, William Goodwin, Walter Maskrey, Trooper Corbett Bartlett, Private Ernest Pearson
The Presentation in the Market Place on 14 Oct 1902.

About Walter MASKREY in the photo

Born about Nov 1868

1.Description of Walter Maskery - 21 years 4 months. 5ft 6 1/2" tall, Fresh completion, grey eyes and a Methodist. He had no distinguishing marks. He was passed fit at Derby in March 1890

2.Short Service - attestation of Water Maskery of Wirksworth, a British citizen joined the Royal Artillery on 14 April 1890 at Sunderland.

3.Military History Sheet - he served at home in 1890, India for 7 years between 1890 and 1897, home for 2 years and South Africa for 278 days then home on 6 October 1900. His next of kin was his Mother, Ann, who lived at Wash Green, Wirksworth. Special instances of galant conduct. In S Africa in 1899, Johannesburgh and Kimberley (Roll 400).

Statement of the 1889 services: he was tried and imprisoned for periods ranging from 14 - 56 days. Charges not known. My (Susan Hatton's) mother-in-law was Violet Maskrey and she always said that her father joined the army because of his background.

He left the war with a War Gratuity of £5 paid in 1901 paid by the Distrct Paymaster at Woolwich.

"Believed Walter Maskrey never married. His nickname was Rev Maskrey - not because he was Reverend but the very reverse. As far as I can tell, he did not marry, although it is likely that he had two illegitimate daughters! There is a later daughter, Mary, who was the witness at my mother-in-law's wedding and she talked of 'Auntie Bertha'".

Death certificate. He died of cancer of the tongue aged 54 on 26 December 1922 at Bannisters Yard, Wirksworth. The death was reported by Mary H Huddlestone, his sister, who was present at the death. She lived at Tamworth Street Duffield.

MASKREY family

                                                             1784              1787   1791             1787
                                                             Benjamin  1811    Mary   Joshua   1817    Hannah
                                                             MASKREY=====v=====GOULD  WETTON=====v=====SMEDLEY
                                                             1854        |     1848   1873       |     1873
                                                                         |                       |    
 |---------|--------|--------|-------|----------|--------|------|----|---|--|------|        |----|---|-------|
 |         |        |        |       |          |        |      |    |      |      |        |        |       |
1812      1813     1814     1816    1818       1821     1823   1824 1826   1828   1831     1821     1824    1831
Benjamin  William  MaryAnn  Edward  Elizabeth  Anthony  Eliza  Ann  James  Eliza  Anthony  William  Thomas  Ann
                                               1827                                |                         |
                                                                                   |                         |
                                                                                  Anthony       1857        Ann
                                                                                  MASKREY=========v=========WETTON   
                                                                                  1886            |         1899
                                                                                                  |
                                                              |-----------|---------|---------|---|---|
                                                              |           |         |         |       |
                                                             1855        1864      1868      1869    1871
                                                             Ann         Bertha    Rosetta   Walter  Mary
                                                             Elizabeth   MASKREY             MASKREY Hannah
                                                             WETTON                          1922    MASKREY
                                                                                             


Records from this website

    -------------------MASKREY--------------------------------------- C 1813sep12 MASKREY Benjamin=(son)Benjamin/Mary(Wirksworth)[Stonemason],dob=1812sep26 C 1813sep12 MASKREY William=(son)Benjamin/Mary(Gorseybank)[Stonemason],dob=1813mar03 C 1815sep10 MASKREY Mary Ann=(dau)Benjamin/Mary(Gorseybank)[Stonemason],dob=1814oct19 C 1816dec01 MASKREY Edward=(son)Benjamin/Mary(Wirksworth)[Stonemason],dob=1816nov06 C 1818dec06 MASKREY Elizabeth=(dau)Benjamin/Mary(Gorseybank)[Stonemason],dob=1818nov12 C 1823jun01 MASKREY Anthony=(son)Benjamin/Mary(Gorseybank)[Stonemason],dob=1821dec02 C 1823jun01 MASKREY Eliza=(dau)Benjamin/Mary(Gorseybank)[Stonemason],dob=1823jan02 C 1824dec19 MASKREY Ann=(dau)Benjamin/Mary(Gorseybank)[Stonemason],dob=1824nov21 C 1826nov05 MASKREY James=(son)Benjamin/Mary(Gorseybank)[Stonemason],dob=1826oct04 C 1828oct12 MASKREY Eliza=(dau)Benjamin/Mary(Gorseybank)[Stonemason] M 1829oct01 MASKREY Benjamin(Wirksworth)/HALL Elizabeth Witnesses: Samuel HALL,Mary MASKEY M 1830nov25 MASKREY William(Gorseybank)/ANDREW Grace Witnesses: John BUNTING,Lydia HALL C 1831apr24 MASKERY Anthony=(son)Benjamin/Mary(Gorseybank)[Mason] M 1836apr07 MASKREY Mary Ann(Wirksworth)/HANSON Charles Witnesses: William MASKREY,Richard POYSER M 1851apr07 MASKREY Eliza(Wirksworth)/THOMPSON Job(Wirksworth),Labourer,#127 Fathers: Benjamin MASKREY,Stonemason/William THOMPSON,Labourer Witnesses: Phebe MASKREY,Emmanuel MARSON Status: s,f/b,f M 1853feb21 MASKREY Edward(Wirksworth),Stonemason/SEEDS Ann(Wirksworth),#210 Fathers: Benjamin MASKREY,Stonemason/William SEEDS,Weaver Witnesses: William MASKREY,Rebecca SEEDS Status: b,f/s,f B 1854jun18 MASKREY Benjamin(Wirksworth)[70],#1056 M 1857oct26 MASKREY Anthony(Gorseybank),Stonemason/WETTON Ann(Gorseybank),#365 Fathers: Benjamin MASKREY,Stonemason/Joshua WETTON,Sawyer Witnesses: Isaac BRENTNALL,Ann MASKREY Status: b,f/s,f M 1867apr03 MASKREY Edward(Wirksworth),Mason/STEEPLES Sarah(Wirksworth),#143 Fathers: Benjamin MASKREY,Mason/Stephen STEEPLES,Labourer Witnesses: John HALL,Sarah HALL Status: w,f/s,f B 1882sep27 MASKREY William(Gorsey Bank)[68],#778 B 1886sep27 MASKREY Rosetta(Gorsey bank)[19],#998 M 1888may21 MASKREY Bertha(Wirksworth),-/ELSE Thomas(Wirksworth),Stone mason,#96 Fathers: Anthony MASKREY,Stone mason/William ELSE,Stone mason Witnesses: Walter MASKREY,Mary H MASKREY Status: S,24/B,23 M 1895apr10 MASKREY Mary Hannah(Wirksworth),-/HUDDLESTONE William Henry(Wirksworth),Railway Porter,#233 Fathers: Anthony MASKREY,Stone mason/John HUDDLESTONE,Labourer Witnesses: John H HUDDLESTONE,Ann Eliz WETHERE Status: S,23/B,31 -------------------------WETTON---------------------------------------- C 1823mar30 WETTON Thomas=(son)Joshua/Hannah(Shottle)[Calico weaver],dob=1823feb08 B 1826dec06 WETTON Edward(dau)Joshua/Hannah(Gorseybank)[5] C 1827dec25 WETTON Isaac=(son)Joshua/Hannah(Gorseybank)[Calico weaver],dob=1827dec05 C 1830jan16 WETTON Job=(son)Joshua/Hannah(Gorseybank)[Sawyer] C 1831feb13 WETTON Anne=(dau)Joshua/Hannah(Gorseybank)[Weaver] C 1835jun14 WETTON Elisha=(son)Joshua/Hannah(Milners Green)[Weaver] M 1857oct26 WETTON Ann(Gorseybank)/MASKREY Anthony(Gorseybank),Stonemason,#365 Fathers: Joshua WETTON,Sawyer/Benjamin MASKREY,Stonemason Witnesses: Ann MASKREY,Isaac BRENTNALL Status: s,f/b,f B 1873jan25 WETTON Joshua(Wirksworth)[82],#182 M 1898oct08 WETTON Joshua(Gorsey Bank),Millhand/MARPLES Elizabeth(Gorsey Bank),-,#318 Fathers: Thomas WETTON,Tapeweaver/Edward MARPLES,Miner Witnesses: Charles HANSON,Edith TRAVIS Status: W,50/S,51 =============1841======================================== ---Gorseybank---[Wirksworth]------------ W405a Benjamin MASKREY 50 m Y Stone mason W405b Mary MASKREY 50 f Y W405c John MASKREY 25 m Y Mason W405d Edward MASKREY 20 m Y Mason W405e Elizabeth MASKREY 18 f Y W405f Ann MASKREY 15 f Y W405g James MASKREY 12 m Y W405h Eliza MASKREY 10 f Y W405i Anthony MASKREY 8 m Y W405j Sarah MASKREY 2 f Y ---Warm Brook---[Wirksworth]------------ W097a Benjamin MASKERY 40 m Y Mason W097b Elizabeth MASKERY 40 f Y W097c Martha MASKERY 10 f Y W097d Mary MASKERY 5 f Y W097e William MASKERY 2 m Y ===============1851================================== #051------[Wirksworth]--- W529a Benjamin MASKREY Head M 65 M Stone mason Wirksworth W529b Mary MASKREY Wife M 63 F Wirksworth W529c Edward MASKREY Son U 29 M Stone mason Wirksworth W529d Eliza MASKREY Dau U 25 F Lace runner Wirksworth W529e James MASKREY Son U 23 M Mason Wirksworth W529f Ann MASKREY Dau U 21 F Cripple Wirksworth W529g Anthony MASKREY Son U 19 M Mason Wirksworth W529h Sarah MASKREY Gdau 10 F At home Wirksworth ==============Tradesmen========================= 1846 MASKREY Benjamin (Wirks.Causeway) Stone mason 184646 MASKREY Wm (Wirks.Wash Green) Stone mason ==============Wills============================= MASKREY Edward 1882 Gorsey Bank, Wirksworth MASKREY William 1869 Gorsey Bank, Wirksworth ================================================

Emails on the subject

    Susan Hatton writes:
    Walter Maskrey was born in about 1886, the only son of Anthony Maskrey and Ann Whetton who were married in 1886. Children born to them, Ann Elizabeth Wetton in 1855, Bertha 1865, Rosetta 1886, Walter 1869 and Mary 1871.

    Walter's life, from the census forms, began when he was described as "a scholar", then an errand boy but on his death certificate he is described as a stonemason - as were so many men who lived in Wirksworth at that time. On the 1901 census he was described as a lodger living in the house of Annie Maskrey whose husband Joseph had been a distant cousin of Walter Maskrey.

    The story (I thought apocryphal) was that Walter had joined the Boer War because he had been involved in a fight and had left a man for dead. Now I am not so sure. I have obtained details of Walter Maskrey's military history from Kew and find that:

    He was 21 years 4 months of age when he joined the army.5ft 6 1/2" tall, He had fresh completion, grey eyes and was a Methodist. He had no distinguishing marks. He was passed fit at Derby in March 1890

    There are two. Short Service - attestations of Water Maskery of Wirksworth, a British citizen joined the Royal Artillery on 14 April 1890 at Sunderland.

    Military History Sheet - he served at home in 1890, India for 7 years between 1890 and 1897, home for 2 years and South Africa for 278 days then home on 6 October 1900. His next of kin was his Mother, Ann, who lived at Wash Green, Wirksworth. Special instances of galant conduct. In S Africa in 1899, Johannesburgh and Kimberley (Roll 400). I have obtained copies of his medals from the internet and I believe that he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps for the various battles in which he fought. He also transferred to the horse artillery and so learned to ride in the army. A Statement of the 1889 services: he was tried and imprisoned for periods ranging from 14 - 56 days. Charges not known. He left the war with a War Gratuity of £5 paid in 1901 paid by the Distrct Paymaster at Woolwich and appears in full uniform - as do all the returning soldiers -

    My search for Walter Maskrey began when I read an article about men returning from the Boer War on the wonderful and comprehensive Wirksworth website where there is a photograph of the jubilation on the return of these men.. He was known as "Rev. Maskrey" because, I believe, and the above confirms, that he was anything but reverend. In fact, he lived perhaps a brave or possibly foolhardy existence. In the photograph he looks a small, rather bemused man and so he must have been, having come from a military prison and to being feted by people of the town as a returning hero. The soldiers rode into the main square of the town with bands, flags flying, patriotic songs being sung and all the local dignitaries standing on a dais with the rest of the population enjoying a day off work!

    But my research has raised as many questions as it has answered and I shall go on searching. What became of Walter's medals and what has become of the splendid silver and gilt cups presented by public subscription to each of the men returning from the Boer War? Is there one in a museum? Does anyone in the town have such a cup or have any leads which I could follow? Does any one remember any of the stories handed down about these men? There is, I know, a memorial to the dead of the war and I have received much of this information from the High Peak news dated 18 October 1902 kindly provided by Derbyshire County Council. It is the personal questions which remain unanswered.

    Walter Maskrey died of cancer of the tongue aged 54 on 26 December 1922 at Bannisters Yard, Wirksworth. The death was reported by Mary H Huddlestone, his sister, who was present at the death. She lived at Tamworth Street Duffield.

    The principal reason for my interest - it is possible that Walter Maskrey is my husband's maternal grandfather!!!
    -----------------
    I have just read again Walter's military history sheet -not easy as it is very dark - and he was actually awarded three medals South Africa 99, ? Johannesburgh and Kimberley (Roll 400). I imagine these were standard Boer War medals but I don't know. Ron's Mother (Violet Maskrey) remembered seeing them as a child.
    -----------------
    I'm sorry I can't simply e mail all the information I have on the above from Kew but it is necessary to sign a form to say I will not copy to anyone.
    I have four pages and I summarise them.
    1.Description of Walter Maskery - 21 years 4 months. 5ft 6 1/2" tall, Fresh completion, grey eyes and a Methodist. He had no distinguishing marks. He was passed fit at Derby in March 1890
    2.Short Service - attestation of Water Maskery of Wirksworth, a British citizen joined the Royal Artillery on 14 April 1890 at Sunderland.
    3.Military History Sheet - he served at home in 1890, India for 7 years between 1890 and 1897, home for 2 years and South Africa for 278 days then home on 6 October 1900. His next of kin was his Mother, Ann, who lived at Wash Green, Wirksworth. Special instances of galant conduct. In S Africa in 1899, Johannesburgh and Kimberley (Roll 400).
    His statement of the 1889 services makesinteresting reading since he was tried and imprisoned for periods ranging from 14 - 56 days. I do not know what the charges were. He left the war with a War Gratuity of £5 paid in 1901 paid by the Distrct Paymaster at Woolwich.
    Obviously a complex man who could show gallantry but probably had a hot temper from which he appears to derive his name of "Revd". He looks rather bemused in the photograph which appeared in the High Peak Times. He must have thought he had come along way from military imprisonment to medals, flags, patriotic songs and a welcome for heroes!
    As far as I can tell you, Walter Maskrey never married. He died of cancer of the tongue and I have a copy of his death certificate.
    It has been a most interesting exercise and one which I have enjoyed.
    -------------------------------------
    John - no it is Anthony, Ann - that group. Ann was his Mother and he gave her as his next of kin on his army papers. I am resonably certain this is the right family. My mother-in-law was Violet Maskrey and she always said that her father joined the army because of his background. From the papers at Kew this fits!
    ----------------------------------
    John - your question is easily answered. He was called Rev. because he was anything but. In fact, he was detained during HM (Queen Victoria's) pleasure on a number of occasions and may well have joined the army to avoid prison! It was the other Walter Maskrey - not Walter Theodore and he was a lodger in the house of Mary (Annie) Maskrey when the 1901 census was taken! An interesting man who would probably have found being received as a hero a bit - shall we say - strange! Let me know if you need any more help in pinpointing him but I am pretty certain that, yes he was, the Walter Maskrey given below. There is a later daughter, Mary, who was the witness at my mother-in-law's wedding and she talked of "Auntie Bertha".
    ----------------------------------
    From information obtain at Kew re Walter Maskrey, I have gleaned that his next of kin was his mother, Mary. This must, I think, be Mary Whetton. His death, from cancer of the tongue at an early age, was notified by his sister Mary Huddlestone nee Maskrey. Maskrey is variously spelt on the official documents. His nickname was Rev Maskrey - not because he was reverend but the very reverse.
    I hope this clears up the mystery.
    Please let me know if I can give you any more information.
    -----------------------------------------
    John - Carol - I have the relevant information from Kew (I hope). Walter Maskrey gives his next of kin as his Mother, Ann Maskrey. This must be Ann Maskrey who was born Ann Whetton, so - yes - I am pretty sure he is "my" Walter Maskrey.
    He led a fairly, shall we say, interesting life and saw service in both India and South Africa.
    As far as I can tell, he did not marry, although it is likely that he had two illegitimate daughters!
    I have a copy of his death certificate. He died of cancer of the tongue aged 54 on 26 December 1922 at Bannisters Yard, Wirksworth. The death was reported by Mary H Huddlestone, his sister, who was present at the death. She lived at Tamworth Street Duffield.
    Any subsequent information will be forwarded to you both.
    --------------------------
    Carol Beadle [richardbeadle@btconnect.com] writes:
    Perhaps you would like to put my e mail and address on file. I am the editor of the Maskrey magazine and organiser of the annual get togethers - therefore I have contact with many hundreds of Maskrey descendants throughout the world - some of whom you have recently been in touch with.
    CAROL BEADLE
    HIGH HOLBORN
    FOLLY HALL LANE
    HICKLING PASTURES
    NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
    LE14 3QB
    TEL 0115 9599 555 WORK
    FAX 0115 9411 414

    Earle Swanson writes:
    Sorry, I have no photos of Walter Theodore Maskrey. Following is the info I have in my Maskrey Kinships file regarding Walter, his parents and children. I have more info on his siblings and ancestors but since his only son (Frederick James) died in infancy, he left no descendants carrying the Maskrey surname. Hope this info is of interest to you.
    Bye, Earle Swanson

    JOHN- B: 14 Sep 1822 Greenhill, Wirksworth, Dbys.; C: 11 Sep 1825 St. Mary;s Anglican Church, Wirksworth, Dbys.; D: 22 Nov 1873 Wirksworth, Dbys. Age 52; Bd. 30 Nov 1873 In Wirksworth North End Cemetery marble headstone inscription: "In loving memory of John Maskrey who died 22 Nov 1873 Aged 52yrs. Also Hannah his wife who died September 24, 1898 Aged 72 yrs."; In 2005 headstone no longer in cemetery; P: Charles and Rebecca (Gratton) Maskrey; M: Hannah Greatorex (B: 19 May 1826) from Callow on 30 Sep 1848 Wirksworth, Dbys. Witnesses: Henry Maskrey (brother) and Mary Greatorex.; Executor of his brother William's will; Ch: Henry, Frederick, Ellen, Ann, Mary Rebecca, John, Sarah Elizabeth, James, Walter Theodore and Francis; 0: Stonemason; Siblings: Mary, Charles, William, Sarah, Henry, Hannah, Francis, James, Thomas; In 1851census age 28 living on Greenhill, Wirksworth in the household of his mother Rebecca along with his brothers: Charles, Francis, Henry, James, Thomas plus John's wife Hannah and his sons: John Jr. and Henry; In 1861 and 1871 census living on St. John Street, Wirksworth;

    WALTER THEODORE-B: 1868-4 Wirksworth, Dbys.; P: John and Hannah (Greatorex) Maskrey; M: Jane Elizabeth Watson (B: 1871, D: 19 Mar 1960, Father: Richard Watson, Farmer) of Brassington 26 Dec 1889 Wirksworth, Witnesses: Edward Blount (brother-in-law) and Mary Rebecca Hind (sister); ; Ch: Frederick James1890, Eva 1891, Mary Ellen 1893, Maggie 1894; Res: Gables, Derby Road, Cromford, Matlock Dbys.; D: 25 Sep 1941 Age 73 at The Derby Royal Infirmary, Derby; Bd: at Cromford Cemetery, Headstone marking: "In loving memory of Walter Maskrey of The Gables, Cromford who died 25 Sept. 1941 73 years" ; Estate: 949 pounds; Probate at Nottingham 25 November 1941 to Jane Elizabeth Maskrey widow; Siblings: John, Henry, Frederick, Ellen, Ann, Mary Rebecca, Sarah Elizabeth, Francis, James; In 1871 census age 3 living with parents; In 1881 census Age 13 living at Derby Road, Wirksworth, Derbyshire with widowed mother; O: Errand boy; In 1891 census Age 23 living at The Cockpit, Warmbook, Wirksworth, Derbyshire with his wife Jane (age 20); Listed in 1900 Wirksworth Directory as Shopkeeper;

    JANE ELIZABETH Watson- B: 1865 Brattington, Derbyshire; P: Richard Watson, Farmer; D: 19 Mar 1960 Age 89; Bd. Cromford Cemetery; M: Walter Theodore Maskrey 1889-4 Belper Reg. Dist., England; In 1891 census age 25 managed a Sweet Shop living at Wirksworth, Derbyshire with husband Walter;

    MAGGIE-B: Jul-Sep 1894 Belper Reg. Dist., England; C: 25 Jul 1894 Wirksworth, Derbyshire; P: Walter Theodore and Jane Elizabeth (Watson) Maskrey; M: ( ) Simms at Belper Jul-Sep 1917;Siblings: Eva, Frederick James, Mary Ellen; In 1901 census age 6 living in her mother's household;

    MARY ELLEN (AKA NELLIE)- B: 1893-2 Belper Reg. Dist., England; C: 5 Mar 1893; P: Walter Theodore and Jane Elizabeth (Watson) Maskrey; D: 19 Aug 1909, Age 16 Wirksworth, Dbys., Belper Reg. Dist.; Bd: Wirksworth Cemetery 23 Aug 1909; In Wirksworth Cemetery Marble Scroll: "In loving memory of Nellie Maskrey who died 19 Aug 1909. Aged 16 years."; In 1901 census age 8 living with Mother; Siblings: Maggie, Eva, Frederick James;

    FREDERICK JAMES- B: 1890-2 Belper Reg. Dist.,, Derbyshire, England; C: 1 Apr 1890; D: 18 May 1890 Infant Death; P: Walter and Jane Elizabeth (Watson) Maskrey; Siblings: Eva, Mary Ellen, and Maggie;

    EVA- B: 30 Oct 1891 Reg. 1891-4 at Belper Reg. Dist., England; M:( ) Tompkins Jul-Sep 1917 Belper, Dbys.; P: Walter and Jane Elizabeth (Watson) Maskrey; Siblings: Frederick James, Mary Ellen, Maggie; .

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