Gertrude Wall [w.8.5.2]

Gertrude Wall was the second child of Paul Thomas Wall & Louisa Freeth born April 19th, 1883 at 48 Clifton St, Litchurch, Derby & christened May 13th, 1883 at St Andrews, Derby.

After attending St Andrew’s Infant School, Gertrude was admitted to St Andrew’s Girls School, Derby on September 17th, 1889.

At the time of the 1891 census Gertrude was living at home with her parents & younger brother Thomas at 44 Bloomfield St, Litchurch, Derby.

At the time of the 1901 census Gertrude (17) was visiting the Bailey family at 7 Bakers Lane in Derby. She was listed as a pupil teacher as was her fellow pupil teacher Evelyn Mary Hewitt (16) who was the Bailey’s adopted daughter.

Left: young Gertie Right: Louisa Wall, son Denys, Paul Wall, husband Denys Horton, mother-in-law Martha Horton, Gertie at Arthog

Gertrude married Denys Horton at St Philip, West Bromwich on August 7th, 1907. At the time of their marriage Denys was living at 2 Carters Green & Gertrude was at 43 Hope St, West Bromwich. Witnesses at the wedding were Richard Horton, Denys’ father, his sister Margaret Amelia Horton & Gertrude’s father Paul Thomas Wall. Denys was the first son of Richard Horton & Martha Elizabeth Stone born October 9th, 1879 at West Bromwich.

Denys became head teacher at West Bromwich Secondary School where he was also an organist.

In 1910 Gertrude (known as Gertie) & Denys were living at West Bromwich where their first child, Frances Mary (known as Molly), was born on May 2nd.

At the time of the 1911 census Denys, Gertrude & Molly were living at 74 Dagger Lane, West Bromwich & Denys was assistant master at the Municipal Secondary School.

Their second child, Denys (known as Peter), was born on April 4th, 1918 at 74 Dagger Lane, West Bromwich. They lived here until at least 1941 when son Denys was married. During WW2 father Denys' school was evacuated for a term & the 1939 register shows Denys & another school teacher boarding at Wigginton Rd, Tamworth. They & their pupils were temporarily based at Tamworth Girls High School. The register shows wife Gertie living in Troed-y-Bryn, Arthog, North Wales (see below). Living with Gertie in 1939 was her widowed mother, Louisa Wall (nee Freeth) who was described as incapacitated. Also at Troed-y-Bryn was Denys & Gerties’ daughter, Molly (then married to Charles Holt) & her daughter.

Denys & Gertie bought a house named Troed-y-Bryn, (meaning foot of the hill) in Arthog, North Wales which lies beneath the Cader Idris range & is set in the beautiful estuary of the River Mawdach. It seems likely that they bought Troed-y-Bryn in the 1930s since daughter Molly was married in Merionethshire in 1936. Denys & Gertie were to live out their retirement here. Troed-y-Bryn became a focus for family holidays for daughter Molly & son Denys & their families, & other family relatives.

Troed-y-bryn

Gertie died December 6th, 1952 at 1 Glasfrys Terrace, Arthog. Probate was granted at Bangor on May 4th, 1953 to widower Denys, retired schoolmaster. Her effects were £3,572.4s.1d.

Denys continued to live at Troed-y-Bryn after the death of Gertie & was lovingly cared for by housekeeper Ann Morgan, who lived in Arthog village.

Denys died, aged 86, on August 20th, 1966 at Troed-y-Bryn, Arthog & is buried at Arthog church. Probate was granted at Lincoln on October 24th, 1966 to son Denys, medical practitioner. His effects were £6,750.

Arthog church & graveyard

The children of Gertrude Wall & Denys Horton were:

h.1.7.3.1.1 Frances Mary Horton born May 2nd, 1910 at West Bromwich, died November 18th, 2005 at London
h.1.7.3.1.2 Denys Horton born April 4th, 1918 at West Bromwich, died March 26th, 2003 at Lincoln