Eldred & Mary Ann Tilbury
From Lacey Green History
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Research by Joan West
Eldred Tilbury born 1867, at Spring Coppice Farm, Piggotts Hill was the son of John & Mary Tilbury
Mary Ann Floyd was the daughter of Peter and Ann Floyd
Eldred and Mary Ann married in 1892.
Eldred and Mary Ann lived at Parslows Hillock in Hillock Cottages no 1.
Eldred was a flint contractor and had a small farm rented from Princes Risborough Charities.
Eldred and Mary Ann had four children as follows ---
Dorothy May Tilbury born 1894,died 1911 aged 17
Arthur Eldred Floyd Tilbury born 1897 died 28th October 1916 WW1.
He was a private in the Worcester Regiment 1st Battalion.
Memorials. Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, Pier & face SA & 6B. Also in Parish Church Lacey Green.
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See photograph of Arthur below on the right >>>>>>>>>>>
Reginald Tilbury born 1899 married Lucy R Evans in 1956. click Reg & Lucy Tilbury. Also mentioned in 1956 Life at 4 Hillock Cottages by Raymond Lea.
Gwendoline Alice Tilbury born 1901 married William Page in 1928. William Page tenant of Widmer Farm in Pink Road, Lacey Green. They moved to Hughenden.
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Reseacher's Note. The following letter, lent by Doug Tilbury, was received by Mrs. Mary Ann Tilbury. It was written by Horace Rixon who lived on Main Road, Lacey Green.
"Dear Mrs. Tilbury,
Perhaps you will think how very strange of me writing to you. But I feel bound to write you a few lines.
Back in the spring I was in the company with Arthur, and he was one of my chums down at Portsmouth. The reason I've written is because I was so interested in him. He took so much to heart the words of the Holy Scriptures. We went to the little Primitive Methodist Chapel at Perbrook, and had some lovely services. During that time he stayed with me to the after meeting. He prayed so beautifully, I remember the words now. "Dear Jesus hear my humble prayer. Help me O Lord to help others. To guide and bless the pals in the tents with me. And to live close to Thee wherever I may go".
These were three or four sentences I remember so well. When leaving England he gave me his hand and said that God was his leader. How grand for young fellows to accept Christ, and be able to witness him to others.
I waited till now, Mrs. Tilbury, because I know you will have to get more settled. I'm sorry to see the hundreds of young flowers cut down so soon. But God deems all best. May he be our whole forecast and if adversity comes, to leave it completely in his hands. It's very hard for us to visualise the power of God's working. But He is over all. He see-eth best.
In closing may I express my best wishes to you, and may your life be blest for the patient spirit you have through all this trouble.
May God bless your husband and Reg and daughter.
From Horace Rixon
Yours sincerely.
Researcher's Note. Doug Tilbury, the son of Reginald and Lucy, spoke of how his grandmother Mary Ann managed to save the money sent home for their two sons during the war, in order that it would be theirs when the war ended. With this Reg was able to start his own business. But Reg was greatly affected all the rest of his life by his experiences during the war, grief for losing his brother Arthur and maybe guilt that he had survived whilst Arthur had not.