E. C. R. Christmas, 13 Jan 1886 ~ 7 Oct 1916

The Life of “Uncle Cecil” Christmas

born 13 Jan 1886 Edinburgh Hotel, Southampton (1st regd E Vincent R C)

extract of birth certificate:

He was the son of Edwin CHRISTMAS and Margaret Abigail, née RUSSELL. His father, Edwin, was ex-navy - a captain's steward on at least one posting - and the proprietor of the hotel. His mother, Margaret, was the daughter of the proprietor of the ‘pleasure ground’ in Portchester Castle.

6 Apr 1891: Edwin C R CHRISTMAS age 5; Edinburgh Commercial Hotel, 1 St Mary's Rd, Southampton (with his family) [census RG12/913 fo121 p1]

Jul 1899: W MACDONALD & C CHRISTMAS beat P KEENE & T PERSEE in the Doubles Fives Competition Final at Banister Court School [Hampshire Advertiser Aug 12, 1899 p6/8]

Dec 1900: C CHRISTMAS reported successes on various fields (also H CHRISTMAS) [Hampshire Advertiser Dec 29, 1900 p4/8]

1 Apr 1901: Cecil CHRISTMAS age 15; boarder, Banister Court School, Southampton [census RG13/1074 fo55 p10]

Dec 1901: more reports of C CHRISTMAS school successes (also H CHRISTMAS as a good gymnast) [Hampshire Advertiser Dec 28, 1901 p9/10]

3 Apr 1911: age 23, licensed victualler; with Margaret 29, Margery 11, Harold 20 (an older cousin, and two younger siblings); Edinburgh Hotel, Southampton [census RG14/5968 RG78/273 Ard99 sd1 ed34 sn30]

Will: 23 Jan 1913 [service record]

20 May 1915: "gave away" aunt, Jessie Mary RUSSELL, in marriage to RICHARD BENNETTS [Portsmouth Evening News 20 May 1915 p3/6] Jessie was organist of St Mary’s, Portchester.

5 Jul 1915 enlisted: Dukes Rd, Southampton

Temp 2nd Lt in 18th Bt Kings Royal Rifle Corps [War Diary would be: WO 95/2635/3 - 18 Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps]

2 May 1916 entrained Farnborough for Southampton, thence to Havre (arrived 3rd May) [service record]

Died of wounds 7 Oct 1916 Thiepval [service record] of Edinburgh Hotel, 1 St Mary's-road, Southampton; 2/Lt KRR [E&W National Probate Calendar]

Probate 1 Feb 1918: CHRISTMAS Edwin Cecil Russell of the Edinburgh hotel 1 St Mary's-road Southampton second-lieutenant King's Royal Rifles died 7 Oct 1916 at some place in France Admin (with Will) Winchester 1 Feb to Hilda Margaret CHRISTMAS, spinster. Effects £3,460 13s 11d [E&W National Probate Calendar]

1916-1919 Effects Record No.20636 (p8) Registry No.127685/3: 2nd Lt E C R CHRISTMAS, KRR, d 7 Oct 16, of wounds. CR: 2 Dec 16 £7/5/- (Cox & Co) + 6 Dec 16 £37/10/- (tfr 317) + Nov 16 £1/15/7 (C P Base). Charges: 3 Feb 17 £4/13/9 (Authy R P London) + 12 Mar 18 £41/16/10 (Admnx Miss Hilda Margaret CHRISTMAS) + 21 Oct 19 £5/-/- (Administratrix....). Stamped for War Gratuity. [image]