Cecil Francis Wells M.C. (1883 - 1960)

Born 29 Jun 1883 in Brightwell cum Sotwell, by Wallingford, Berkshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Durant (Pritchard) Wells — married 1904 in Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales, United Kingdom

Husband of Dorothy Maud (Lucas) Wells — married 1912 in Newton Abbot, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Died 1 Nov 1960 at age 77 in Battle Hospital, Oxford Road, Reading, Berkshire, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Gerald Wells [send private message]

Biography

Cecil was born on 29 June 1883^[1] at (Brightwell cum) Sotwell, by Wallingford, Berkshire. He was the fifth child of Alfred Wells and Mary Wells who married in 1875. (One brother, Alfred, twin of Reginald, died on the day of his birth). His parents lived in "Sinodun", a house they had commissioned on Sotwell Hill. His birth was registered at Wallingford in the third quarter of 1883. His parents were second cousins once removed. (Rudkin gives his birth date as 9 June 1883, this slightly at odds with the 1939 England Wales Register referenced above. The latter is considered more likely as this is 3 months to the day different from a date of 29 September 1883 in different family records^[2]).

The 1891 census records the family at Sotwell Hill. Present are Cecil's parents Alfred D Wells (43, farmer) and Mary J Wells (41) together with sister Isabella W Wells (13, scholar), brother Edward Wells (9, scholar) and Cecil F Wells (7, scholar). It is assumed another brother, Reginald Wells (11), is away at boarding school during the census. Three servants are recorded as resident - cook, housemaid and lady's maid.

In 1901 the census confirms Cecil's father is farming at "Sinodun", Sotwell Hill, Wallingford Road. Present are his parents Alfred and Mary Wells, now aged 63 and 61, sister Isabella Wells (23), brother Reginald Wells (21, farmer's son") and Cecil Wells (17, student). His other brother, Edward Wells (19) is understood to be away at Pembrooke College, Cambridge. Cecil's cousin from his father's side, Margaret (Merry) Earl (aged 15 at the time, and a scholar) is with them during the census. There are three servants recorded as resident - parlour maid, house maid and kitchen maid.

In 1904 Cecil Francis Wells married Sarah Durant Pritchard. The marriage was registered at Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales, in the third quarter of the year. Sarah was the daughter brewer David Francis Pritchard, of Western Valleys Brewery, Crumlin, Monmouthshsire. Cecil's family was closely associated with the Wells Brewery of Wallingford.

Son Alfred Francis Wells was born in 1906.

The 1911 census records the family home as "Highland", Peppard Common, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire. Present are Cecil Francis Wells (27), wife Sarah Durant Wells (30, born Rhymney, Monmouthshire), son Alfred Francis Wells (4, born Caversham, Oxfordshire) and brother in law Francis Durant Pritchard (19, brewery secretary). Also in the household is Priscilla Harvey (49, hospital nurse) whose relationship to the family is not defined. There are three resident servants - nurse, house maid and cook. Cecil's occupation is noted as hop merchant. This census confirms the couple have been married for 6 years and had had one child.

Soon after the 1911 census, on 27 April, Cecil's wife died, aged 30.

Cecil Francis Wells remarried in 1912, his marriage to Dorothy Maud Lucas being registered at Newton Abbot, Devon, in the third quarter of the year.

Cecil served with the Lancashire Fuseliers in France and North Africa during WW1. (Letters in possession of great nephew). He became Captain and for a period was acting Major. He was awarded the Military Cross^[3] ... For conspicuous gallantry and evotion to duty in action. Though wounded early in the action he remained at his post for six hours until compelled by weakness to go back. He set a fine example to his men. ^[4]

There was a son of his second marriage in 1925, birth registered at Wandsworth.

In an obituary of his uncle, Alfred Charles (Wells) Arding (1858-1930), in 1930, Cecil is recorded as involved with him in the manufacture of mineral waters.

Kelly's Directory of 1939 puts Captain Cecil Francis Wells, M.C. at Cherrytree Cottage, Kingwood, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.

The 1939 England and Wales Register also lists Cecil's address at "Cherry Tree Cottage", (Kingwood) Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire. This records Cecil F Wells (date of birth given as 29 June 1883 - exactly 3 months earlier than a family record) and his second wife Dorothy M Wells (date of birth 26 April 1888). Cecil is 56 years of age at this time and is noted to be mineral water manufacture. He is also noted to be a retired Captain.

Cecil Francis Wells "of Little Gable, Peppard Common, Oxfordshire, died 1 November 1960 at Battle Hospital, Oxford Road, Reading. Probate .... to Dorothy Maud Wells, widow, and John Francis Hedges (1917-), solicitor." (National Probate Calendar).

His death was registered at Reading, Berkshire, in the fourth quarter of 1960. He was aged 77.

Sources

1. ↑ Exact date of birth from 1939 England and Wales Register
2. ↑ Pedigree of Wells of Wallingford, Major H. R. E. Rudkin, January 1933
3. ↑ The National Archives' reference WO 372/21/77490
4. ↑ Supplement to The London Gazette, 28 September 1916

• England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 for Cecil Francis Wells, 1883, Q3-Jul-Aug-Sep

• 1891 England Census for Cecil F Wells, Berkshire, Brightwell, District 9

• 1901 England Census for Cecil F Wells, Berkshire, Sotwell, District 8

• England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 for Cecil Francis Wells, 1904, Q3-Jul-Aug-Sep

• 1911 England Census for Cecil Francis Wells, Oxfordshire, Shiplake, 06

• England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 for Sarah Durant Wells, 1911

• England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 for Cecil F Wells, 1912, Q3-Jul-Aug-Sep

• UK, City and County Directories, 1766 - 1946 for Capt Cecil Francis Wells M.C. Cherrytree, Oxfordshire, England, 1939 Kelly´s Directory

• 1939 England and Wales Register for Cecil F Wells, Oxfordshire, Henley RD, DZGD

• England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 for Cecil F Wells, 1960, Q4-Oct-Nov-Dec

• England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 for Cecil Francis Wells, 1961

• Will of Alfred Dodd Wells