We are grateful to Maureen Lownes (family tree on Ancestry.co.uk) for personal information concerning her grandmother Virginia Elizabeth Horton.
Virginia Elizabeth Horton was the eleventh child of Samuel Horton & Ann Maria Oakley born at Barr St, Lower Gornall, Sedgley, Staffs on December 31st, 1895 & christened January 22nd, 1896 at St James, Lower Gornall, Staffs.
In 1901 Virginia was living with her parents & 6 older brothers at 33 Barr St, Lower Gornall.
Virginia was still at home in 1911, now 33 Oak Lane, Kingswinford. She had 3 brothers still with her.
Virginia married Alfred Lownes on August 6th, 1917 at St Mary’s, Kingswinford, Staffs. Alfred was born February 5th, 1893 at Kingswinford & christened June 5th, 1893 at St Mary’s, Kingswinford. He was the son of Eliza Firmstone & Richard Joseph Lownes, a coal miner.
The 1939 register shows Virginia & Alfred living at 27 High St, Kingswinford & Alfred was a colliery horse keeper at the coal mine. With them were twin daughters Joan & Jean, both at school.
Alfred of 27 High St, Kingswinford died on January 8th, 1947, aged 53 at The Corbett Hospital, Amblecote, Stourbridge. Administration of his estate was granted to widow Virginia & his effects were £605.
Daughter Sheila married Lewis Gould in 1953 at Kingswinford.
Daughter Sylvia married John Henry Bache in 1954 in Rowley Regis.
Daughter Freda married Raymond Harry Slater in 1955 in Rowley Regis.
Virginia died February 27th, 1977, aged 81, at 512 High St, Kingswinford, Staffs. Her effects were £7,050.
The children of Virginia Elizabeth Horton & Alfred Lownes were:
h.1.4.10.11.1 John Wallace Lownes born June 6th, 1918 at 33 The Oak, Gornall,
Staffs, died November 20th, 2005 at Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, Staffs
h.1.4.10.11.2 Freda Virginia Lownes born February 17th, 1922 at Gornall, Staffs; died November 24th, 2016 at Russell Hall Hospital, Dudley
h.1.4.10.11.3 Sheila Joan Lownes born September 15th, 1927 at the Oak, Gornall; died March 11th, 2003 at Kingswinford, Staffs
h.1.4.10.11.4 Sylvia Jean Lownes born September 15th, 1927 at the Oak, Gornall; died March 23rd, 1973 at Pensnett, Staffs