"Such Devoted Sisters"

Sarah was one of 8 children born to Henry Banks Rich and Sarah (nee Eilbeck) between 1891 and 1906. A brother, Henry and and sister,, Margaret had died in infancy and her mother died in 1910 at the age of 43. This  meant that at the age of 17 she was looking after her father, 4 sisters (the youngest aged 4) and a brother. In 1911 another sister, Alice Mabel died aged 16. (her elder brother was to die aged 23 at Gallipoli).

 

"In Loving Memory of Alice Mabel". Died aged 15 years

                                             "In Loving Memory of Henry" aged 8 months

                                                   Both buried in Kirkdale Cemetery 

 

 

Sarah had three sisters who survived into adulthood and whom she shared her family life with. 

 

Lilian May Rich 1900 - 1963 (standing, right)

Doris Ann Rich 1902 - 1987 (standing left)

Sarah is seated

 Sarah's other sister

Catherine Grace Rich

1906-2019

This is not a typo! "Gracie" lived to be 112!

 

Lillie ("Nin"), Gracie and Doris

 

I don't know a lot about Lillie and Doris; the mementoes and photos I have belonged to Sarah and her family and passed down to my mother in law. I think the other side of the family probably know a lot more. I do (of course!) have photos though. Of Gracie, I know a LOT more - because she became famous in 2019 when she became the oldest person in the UK - a "supercentenian" (someone who has lived past the age of 110.) She remembered the First World War, Sarah looking after the family and her father receiving the telegram to say her brother had been killed at Gallipoli. Hard to imagine!

I do know that Lillie and Doris worked in a "grocers and provisions store"; Lillie gave her occupation on the 1921 Census as "shop assistant" and the place of work as "S & J Wallace" - I have found them in a trade directory - Samuel and James. An uncle gave his occupation as "pork butcher" on the 1911 census - I have a photo! Of course!  I wonder if this is him.

 

 Doris left and Lillie

at their uncle's butcher shop

 

 

 

LILIAN MAY RICH 1900-1963

 

Lillie also worked as a nurse during the First World War

Lillie married Thomas Percy (Varnishmaker) in July 1923. Sarah's husband, Joe, was a varnishmaker and I wonder if they met through him. I have a stunning photograph of their wedding.

 

A lot of the people we have "met" or will soon meet are here!

Joe is holding his son Edgar. Sarah is next to him

Lilian and Sarah's father is back right

I'm sure Doris is there somewhere- maybe under a hat!

Catherine (Gracie) is seated next to Tom, who doesn't 

look to cheerful!

Lillian and Tom had one child, a son, Leonard Edgar.

 

 

Lillie and Tom lived at several addresses in the Bootle area, including Queen's Drive and Three Butt Lane. Tom died in 1958 aged just 60. Lillie died in September 1963 aged 63. Their son is still alive and has given me much information and confirmation of who is who on many photos!

DORIS ANN RICH 1902-1987

Doris was born on 12th November 1902. Her mother, Sarah  died when she was only 8. Her elder sister, Sarah, looked after her and her other three sisters and brother. Sarah was only 17. I do not know very much about Doris and don't have a wedding photo sadly! However I do have some photos that I can identify her in. 

 

This lovely photo shows the four sisters

and I think her brother, Tom, is driving. Catherine, the youngest

was born in 1906 so I am guessing she is around 8, 

so this could be 1914.

Left is Lillie, then Doris, Catherine and Sarah

 

 

I think that Doris is pictured left, am unsure which 

sister is on the right - Sarah or Lillie!

This photo shows all four sisters with family members

I think Sarah is holding her daughter, so it would be around 1925.

Left is Lillie and Tom, then Doris and Sam. 

I think Catherine Grace if far right seated next to Sarah is her father Henry 

The other elderly man might be Sarah's father in law 

This fantastic photo is of Doris's husband Sam 

(He looks like something out of Bonnie and Clyde!)

The 1921 census states that he is a cattle food salesman

I must say this car looks very swanky for that occupation!

But I have several photos of it!

 

And so to the celebrity in the family!

CATHERINE GRACE RICH

1906-2019

 

Catherine ("Gracie") Rich was only 4 when her mother died in 1910. The youngest surviving child and 13 years younger than Sarah. Sarah took over the care of the family aged 17. Quite a responsibility (I have written about this in a previous blog).

 

Page from Sarah's family bible detailing

Catherine's birth (as well as Sarah's  husband's and her sons')

 

I will be dedicating a whole page of my blog to "Gracie". She was in the national news in 2019 when she became the oldest person in the UK at 112 and 264 days! I have a lot of unpublished private phots, documents and information about her. 

I think this is Grace - it is almost certainly

outside of the Rich home in Cowley Road

I have more photos of this that I will share next time...