George’s father, Richard Henry Ricketts, was born in Thetford, Norfolk in 1859. Soon after his birth the family moved to Scotland. Richard appears to have married a woman called Sarah, according to a transcript of the 1881 census for Scotland. He was 21 and his occupation was listed as an Assistant Registrar, Sarah was 22 years old. However by the time of the 1891 census Richard was back in England and had married for a second time (Sarah has most likely died) this time to Elizabeth Case, the elder sister of George Henry Case (HMS Aboukir).
Richard and Elizabeth were married in the 3rd quarter of 1890. Richard was 32 and Elizabeth was 18. The 1891 census shows their address as 7 Williams Place, Bellegrove Welling. Richard’s occupation is a County Court Clerk. Their first child, Sarah Ann was born on 5th August 1891 and her birth was registered in Welling. George was the next oldest. His birth was registered as being in Plumstead on 1st April 1893. Following George was Elizabeth (junior), born in the first quarter of 1897. After Elizabeth, Emily Rose was born in the first quarter of 1899.
Some time in between the 1891 census and 1898 the family moved to 5 Albert Grove, Welling. This is the address given on the Admissions Register when both Sarah Ann and George started at Foster’s School in Upper Wickham Lane, Welling on 30th August 1898. Sarah Ann was 7 years old and George was 5.
At the time of the 1901 census the Ricketts’ were still living at 5 Albert Grove. This census shows that Richard was 41 and still employed as a County Court Clerk. His wife Elizabeth was 28, Sarah Ann was 9, George was 7, Elizabeth (junior) was 4 and Emily Rose was 2.
Tragedy struck the family in 1905 when Richard died on 5th December that year. George would have been 12 years old at that time
At the time of the 1911 census the family were living at 4 Albert Place, Bellegrove Welling. Elizabeth is registered as the head of the family and is 38 years old. She does washing and cleaning to support her family. Sarah Ann has moved out and is employed as a Housemaid Domestic at the House of Rest at 10 Finchley Road, St John’s Wood. This looks to be an old people’s home. George is 18 years old and is employed as a messenger at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich.
Elizabeth also has two more children. Edward is 5 years old and Percy is 3. It is not clear who is the father. The census also shows that one child has died; again it is not clear whether it is Elizabeth or Emily Rose.
There are no service records for George apart from his Medal Index Card which states that he was a private in the Royal Army Medical Corps and that he had the Regimental Number of 1189. He was also entitled to the Victory Medal and British War Medal.
The death of George Ricketts is reported in an article in the local newspaper, the Bexley Observer.
EAST WICKHAM AND WELLING
A Soldier’s Funeral. – On Monday the funeral of Corpl. G. Ricketts took place in East Wickham Churchyard. Corpl. Ricketts, who was only 24, joined the Territorials about five years ago, and afterwards enlisted in the R.F.A. He went to France, but returned last October, suffering from shell shock. For a time he worked in the Royal Arsenal, but increased weakness compelled him to go to Rotherhithe Sanatorium, where he gradually grew worse and died. He was a bright, intelligent young man, and was for some years a member of the Debating Society connected with Welling Iron Church. The officiating Clergy were the Rev. E. Skrimshire, and the Rev. E. Raynor.
Welling Iron Church was situated at the south side of Welling Corner on the junction with Hook Lane and Bellegrove Road opposite what was Woolworths.
George’s Death Certificate shows that he died at the Bermondsey Infirmary, St Olave Rotherhithe on 17th April 1917 from (1) Tubular Nephritis, (2) Uraemia. (Kidney failure- possibly due to medication). It also shows that he had been a Corporal in the Royal Army Medical Corps and had been discharged. His sister, Sarah Ann, now living at 31 Springfield Road, Welling registered his death the following day on the 18th April 1917. He is buried in the grounds of St Michael’s Church, East Wickham.
As George had been discharged from the army before his death he does not appear on the Commonwealth War Graves register of World War 1 casualties.
Commemorated
This story has been researched by volunteers. We have taken every effort to ensure its accuracy. If you are related to George William Ricketts, or if you have any further information, please do get in touch.