Alfred Dimmock [d.4.1]

Alfred Dimmock was the first child of William Dimmock & Mary Ann Peacock born April 22nd, 1866 & christened May 27th, 1866 at the Abbey, St Albans, Herts.

In 1871 Alfred, his 2 younger sisters & parents were living in St Albans where his father was a gardener & his mother a hat maker.

Alfred was still at home with his parents in 1881& living at New England St, St Albans & both Alfred & his father William were gardeners. His sister Ellen was a dressmaker & sister Kate was also still at home. His grandfather, Thomas Peacock, was living with the family at the time of the census.

Alfred married Elizabeth Hopkins on March 23rd, 1891 at Christ Church, St Albans, Herts. Elizabeth was christened May 18th, 1862 at Redbourn, St Albans, the daughter of Sarah & Amos Hopkins, a straw hat presser.

At the time of the 1891 census Alfred & Elizabeth were living at New England St, St Albans & Alfred was now described as a florist.

In 1901 Elizabeth was described as head of the household & living at Celia Cottage, Camp Rd, St Peter, St Albans. The whereabouts of Alfred at the time of the census are unknown. With Elizabeth were daughters Doris M (5) & Stella E (11 months) & also a niece, Edith Michell (10). Edith was the daughter of Elizabeth’s sister, Annie, who had married Alfred Ernest Michell.

Alfred Dimmock

The Luton Times & Advertiser of March 2nd, 1906 published an article stating that Alfred had severed his connection from the firm of F. Sander & sons, St Albans, after 25 years service. During that time the firm had grown immensely, largely due to Alfred’s persistent efforts in the early days of orchid shipment to New York. Apparently Alfred had crossed the Atlantic more than 70 times during this time. Henry F C Sander, the founder of the firm, did a great deal to popularise orchids & bring them within reach of the public. During the 1880s he established an orchid nursery in Summit, New Jersey, USA, of which Alfred later became manager. However as it was so far from ‘home’ it was eventually disposed of.

Orchid named after Alfred - Paphiopedilum Alfred Dimmock

Alfred & Elizabeth were living at ‘Nakamura’, York Rd, St Albans, an 8-roomed house, in 1911. He was now described as a horticultural agent. There were 2 children at home – Doris Marie, a student & George Alfred (9), a scholar. It was noted on the census that Elizabeth & Alfred had had 4 children, only 2 of whom were still alive.

Daughter Doris Marie sadly died in November 1921, aged 26, at home at Nakamura, her will being administered by her father, Alfred who was described as an agent in the National Probate Calendar Index.

Elizabeth died on November 18th, 1925, at Nakamura, York Rd, aged 64. Probate was granted to widowed Alfred, horticulturist, on December 16th, 1925 & here effects were valued at £182.6s.11d.

Alfred married again in July-September 1928 in Hendon. His new wife was Ada Briggs, the widow of Arthur George Briggs, a millinery manufacturer. Ada was born May 23rd, 1873 in Middlesex, the daughter of Margaret Sophia Law & James Dean, a gold beater.

The 1939 register shows Alfred & Ada living at 2 York Rd, St Albans & Alfred was described as a horticultural agent. With Ada & Alfred in 1939 was Ada’s daughter, Doris Ada Allaway. Son George & his wife Edith Annie (nee Whittingham) were living at 6 Jennings Rd, St Albans at the time of the 1939 register & George was a horticultural clerk.

Ada died April 4th, 1949 at 2 York Rd, St Albans. Probate was granted to widowed Alfred, horticultural agent, & Charles Uriah Purkiss, retired manufacturer & her estate was £4,958.4s.2d.

Alfred, of 2 York Rd, died on November 14th, 1952, aged 86, at St Albans City Hospital, Normandy Rd, St Albans, Herts. Probate was granted to son George Alfred, a nursery manager, & Alfred’s effects were £11,150.16s.1d.

The children of Alfred Dimmock & Elizabeth Hopkins were:

d.4.1.1 Doris Marie Dimmock born July-September 1895 at St Albans; died November 13th, 1921 at Nakamura, St Albans
d.4.1.2 Alfred George Dimmock christened January 30th, 1899 at St Albans; died Jan-March 1899 at St Albans
d.4.1.3 Stella Emily Dimmock born April-June 1900 at St Albans; died Jan-March 1902 at Bromley, Kent
d.4.1.4 George Alfred Dimmock born March 20th, 1902 at St Albans; died April 9th, 1990 at Crawford Care Home, Bognor Regis, Chichester, Sussex