Introduction

Little is known about Charles Allcock aside from his difficult childhood and early career as a railway labourer. Born around 1866 in Hardington, he faced significant hardships from a young age, including the loss of his mother.

Childhood

Charles Allcock, the son of Stephen and Mary Jane Allcock, was born at Hardington in late 1866/early 1867.[1] When he was five or six years old, his mother died due to complications related to childbirth. His maternal grandmother helped his father in caring for the children for two years, but after her death, the family lived in extremely poor conditions until the Poor Law Guardians intervened.

Occupation

After leaving school, Charles worked as a railway labourer, probably alongside his father. In April 1881, he was a fourteen-year-old railway labourer living at Eastfields, Hardington, with his father.

Marriage

On 18 June 1891, Charles married Sarah Ann Genge at West Coker. They both signed the register with a mark.

Wife

Sarah was the daughter of Edward and Maria Genge of West Coker. Her father, Edward, was a farm labourer. However, due to blindness, he became a pauper by the age of fifty and died in 1885.

In April 1881, Sarah was employed as a domestic servant by Samuel George Bartlett at the Portman Arms, East Chinnock. Ten years later, she was a cook in a private house at 26 Higher Kingston, Yeovil.

Later life

Charles and Sarah have not been found after their marriage.

References

[1] His birth was registered in the Yeovil district as Charles Alcock in Q1 1867, with his mother’s maiden name recorded as Caines.