Annie Elizabeth Dengate

Annie Elizabeth Dengate

KEY DATES:

Birth: 7 November 1893, Peasmarsh, East Sussex

Baptism: 5 April 1896, St Peter and St Paul's Church, Peasmarsh, East Sussex

Marriage: 2 June 1915, Rye Registry Office, East Sussex

Died: 9 July 1969, East Sussex

Cremated: Hastings Crematorium, East Sussex

BIOGRAPHY :

Annie Elizabeth Dengate was born to Charles and Annie Elizabeth Dengate on the 7 November 1893 in Peasmarsh, East Sussex. She was baptised on Easter Day, 5 April 1896 along with her sister Clara Isabel in St Peter and St Paul's Church, Peasmarsh. Her father Charles was working as a baker in Peasmarsh at the time of her baptism.

St Peter and St Paul's Church, Peasmarsh

Annie Elizabeth Dengate started at Peasmarsh school on the 9 of November 1896. At Peasmarsh school at the same time as Annie Elizabeth were her brothers Frederick Dengate, Charles Henry Dengate sisters Ada Frances Dengate, Clara Isabel Dengate and cousins Grace Dengate, Archie Dengate, Violet Winifred Dengate and Ivy May Dengate. She left school on the 8 November 1907.

Peasmarsh School, 2003

The 1901 census shows Annie Elizabeth as a seven-year old living at home with her parents, brothers and sister in Main Street, Peasmarsh. Her father Charles was working as a journeyman baker (paid by the day) - as did many of the Dengate family. In 1906 Annie Elizabeth attended her sister Winifred Margaret Dengate's wedding in Peasmarsh.

Winifred Margaret and Thomas Addy's wedding 9th July 1906, Peasmarsh

Annie Elizabeth Dengate (far left), Tom Addy, Winnie Dengate, Ada Frances (centre), Annie Elizabeth Dengate (senior), Charles Dengate and Clara Isabel Dengate

Annie Elizabeth Dengate married George Horace William Ditcher on the 2 June 1915 in Rye Register Office, East Sussex. Witnesses to the marriage were her sister Clara Isabel Dengate and John Hooper Mavety.

Annie Elizabeth Dengate and George Horace William Ditcher's wedding photo, 1915

Annie and George had 5 children; Constance, Gordon Eric, Ronald Charles, George Edward and Dennis Alfred. Around the 1930s the family lived at Lydd, close to her sister Winifred and family. George was working as a gardener and around 1936 got a job working at a school in New Romney where the family moved from Lydd. Around this time Ronald Charles Ditcher died, and was buried in Lydd Cemetery. After Annie, George and family moved away from Lydd, her sister Winifred Margaret tended the grave. Annie also cared for her elder brother Frederick Richard Dengate who had learning difficulties.

Gordon Eric Ditcher was killed on his mother's birthday 7 November 1943 and was buried in New Romney Cemetery on the 11 November 1943.

Gordon Eric Ditcher's grave, New Romney Cemetery, 2003

The grave inscription reads, '2038265 Bombardier G.E. Ditcher, 29th Searchlight Regt. R.A, Lately Royal Engineers. 7 November 1943, age 22. His sufferings were great but he murmured not.'

For some time Annie, George and family lived in Beckley before moving to Iden.

Annie Elizabeth Ditcher, c.1960

George Ditcher worked for a farmer named Ramus, on a farm called Barons Grange. He died on the 20 January 1960 in Iden, East Sussex of cerebral Thrombosis and was buried 28 January 1960 in Rye Cemetery, East Sussex. After George's death, Annie moved to Badger Gate at Rye where she lived for the rest of her life.

Badger Gate, Rye, East Sussex, 2003

Annie Elizabeth Ditcher died 9 July 1969 in Rye, East Sussex and was cremated in Hastings Crematorium.

CENSUS:

1901 Census

Grateful thanks to Gwen Gill, the late Christina Brown, Linda Vousden, Maurice Addy, Gordon Ditcher, Dennis Ditcher and Charles and Joyce Phillips for the above information, memories and photographs.