Introduction
Edward Reed was a Royal Marine pensioner who lived in the High Street at Hardington from the 1880s until he died in 1908. Originally from Essex, he married Eliza Purchase, the sister-in-law of a fellow Marine, at Hardington in 1870.
Childhood
Edward was born around 1841 in Rickling, near Saffron Walden, Essex. He was the son of a carpenter named Thomas and his wife, Sarah. Tragically, his mother passed away when he was just eight years old.
Enlistment
Edward enlisted in the Royal Marines at Chelmsford in 1863.[1]
Marriage
At the time of his marriage to Eliza Purchase of Hardington in 1870, Edward was a Royal Marine gunner. They likely met through Eliza’s sister, Kezia, who had married James Milton, another Royal Marine gunner, in 1869.
Later military career
In April 1871, Edward was a patient at the Royal Naval Hospital, Alverstoke, while his wife stayed with her sister at Portsea.
Their son, Albert Edward, was born at Portsea later that year and baptised at Hardington on 26 May 1872. Their second son, Charles, was born at Portsea in 1876 and was baptised at Hardington on Christmas Day 1877.
In April 1881, the family lived at Eastney Royal Marine Artillery barracks, where Edward served as a gunner in the Royal Marine Artillery.
He was discharged from the Royal Marines in 1884 after 21 years of service.[2]
Hardington
By April 1891, Edward and his family had moved to Hardington, living in the High Street, probably at No. 319. The census of 1901 described Edward as infirm and rheumatic.
Death
Edward died in 1908 at the age of 67.
Eliza’s later life
After Edward’s death, Eliza left the village and joined her son, Charles, and his family at West Ham, where she died in November 1912 at the age of 72.
Children
Albert became a police constable at Croydon between July 1892 and March 1895, while Charles joined the Metropolitan Police on 14 February 1898.
References
[1] ADM 157/3006/12, catalogue entry.
[i] ADM 157/3006/12, catalogue entry.
