Alfred Oswin Kirk 1861 & Charlotte Ann Mason 1867 

ALFRED OSWIN KIRK  born 1861 in Sileby, Leicestershire &

CHARLOTTE ANN MASON born 1867 in Eastney, Portsmouth.

Alfred was born in Sileby on the 2nd of April 1861.  He is my great great grandfather. His father John Kirk worked as a boat builder in Sileby, as did his grandfather. Alfred's mother was called Catherine Oswin.  In the 1861 Census he has just been born, his name is noted as Alexander by the enumerator taking the Census, but obviously John and Catherine had a change of heart and changed his name to Alfred.  He wasn't actually baptised until 1865,  just before his father's death.  In 1871 he is aged 9 and living with his mother Catherine and his step father Josiah Hull,  who is employed as a sinker maker making lead weights that were used with hosiery knitting machines.

 In 1881 he was living at the 27th Brigade Depot Barracks at Glen Parva, where he was learning the trade of shoe making.  Boys from the age of 15 were encouraged to join the Army, each regiment was allowed up to 2 per cent per establishment where they served an apprenticeship until they reached the normal age of enlistment. Nearly 75 per cent of the boys recruited underwent training as musicians such as drummers and buglers, the remainder as tailors and shoemakers. You can see young recruits listed in the 1881 Census.

At the time of his marriage in 1883 he was based at Anglesea Barracks, Portsmouth, he was now listed as a drummer with the 17th Army Regiment. Drummers formed part of the rank and file but were paid better than privates, reflecting the skilled nature of their job. Drummers in the army had to be able to play music and also many different drum signals, these were used  for summoning specific groups such as sergeants or officers or assembling an entire command, for example one stroke with a flam, made by striking both sticks almost simultaneously on the drumhead meant turn or face right and two strokes and a flam meant left about.

The Royal Leicestershire Regiment (17th Regiment of Foot) was raised by Colonel Solomon Richards in 1688 and for more than 250 years it served the British Crown and was involved in every major conflict. Prior to 1881, the 17th Regiment of Foot did not have a depot in Leicestershire but with the army reforms of that year the 17th became the Leicestershire Regiment and the 27th Brigade depot was abolished. The army was reorganised along territorial lines and each county regiment was to have its own depot, the Leicestershire Regiment occupying  the newly built Glen Parva barracks near South Wigston. The Magazine on Oxford Street in Leicester became the Regimental Headquarters. Over the years the 17th has been known unofficially as the Bengal Tigers, Royal Bengal Tigers or just The Tigers.

His wife Charlotte Ann Mason was born on the 13th March 1867  in Eastney  in the district of Portsmouth.  Her father was called Samuel John Mason who was a seaman in the Royal Navy,  her mother was called Eliza Trask.  In her early years Charlotte lived with her family  in the Portsmouth area around Eastney and Portsea.  Alfred would have met Charlotte while he was based with the Army  on the south coast.  Alfred and Charlotte married on the 12th April 1883 in the register office at Portsea Island.  

They moved up to Leicester shortly after being married, Alfred and Charlotte's first son was called John, born in 1886,  John was born in Leicestershire but went to live with Charlotte's mother Eliza who still lived in Portsea on the south coast.  In 1888 John and Charlotte had a second son called Frederick Alfred Kirk,  my great grandfather  who was born in Cranbourne Street, Leicester.  In 1891 Alfred is working in the shoe trade as did many in Leicester,  he is lodging at 128 Cranbourne Street, Leicester along  with his wife and two young children, Frederick and a newly born Albert who was born that year.

There is a local newspaper article in the Leicester Chronicle on Saturday 26th August 1893 regarding the sudden death of their daughter Emma Mary Kirk who is just 4 Months old. The child was weak from birth it seems and caught a cough, she subsequently died of the complications.  They were living at 4 Foundry Square at that time and Alfred is noted as a shoe riveter.

By 1901 Alfred is living at 6 Foundry Square, Leicester with his enlarged family, they have now been joined by Catherine, Charles and Goodman, there are two families listed on the census living at  Foundry square. This area is near the old St Marks Church and you can see photos of the area in the images link below.

By 1907 his occupation had changed to a framework  knitter,  a common East Midlands trade at the time, many of my ancestors were framework knitters. They produced hosiery and textiles by the use of a mechanical stocking frame, this had been invented by William Lee from Calverton in Nottinghamshire in 1589. This played a huge part in the shift away from the cottage industries of the past and thrust the industrial revolution upon the East Midlands. 

Alfred was producing gloves on his frame, it would have been difficult to make ends meet and feed the entire family, frame work knitting provided a meagre wage and by 1911 they have had 4 more children - Nellie, Ann, Sam and Bill, Catherine is noted as Kate at the time. In fact at this point in time they have had 12 children altogether and 9 are still alive.

Charlotte died on the 9th May 1917 and Alfred  died on the 18th June 1929, they are buried together in the same plot at Gilroes Cemetery, Leicester. Some of their children are also in the same plot.

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ALFRED OSWIN KIRK  born 1861 in Sileby, Leicestershire

Born.      2nd April 1861 in Sileby, Leicestershire

               Informed by John Kirk (Father)

               Father - John Kirk.  Occ - Boatwright 

               Mother - Catherine Kirk formerly Oswin

Census 1861.  Alexander  1mnth. (later named Alfred)

                Born - Sileby, Leicestershire

                Address - 22 High Street, Sileby

                Living with Father John Kirk (30) - Head.  

                Profession - Boat Wright.

                Born - Mountsorrel

                Mother - Catherine Kirk (21) - Frame Work Knitter. Born Sileby

                Sister Emma Oswin (3) - Scholar. Born Sileby

                Also at 22 High Street :-

                Goodman Oswin (44) - Head. Profession - Hosier. Born Sileby

                His Wife Elizabeth Oswin (47) - Hosier Wife.  Born Sileby

                His Son's Thomas (18) - FWK, Goodman (14) - FWK.

                His Daughter's Lucy (16) - FWK, Betsy (12) - Scholar  

                & Rosa (6) - Scholar.

                All Born Sileby.   

Baptised. Alfred Kirk. 11th March 1865. 

               Son of John & Catherine.  Sileby. 

               Father's Occ - Boatwright.

Census 1871.  Alfred Kirk  Age 9.  Profession - Scholar

                Born -  Sileby, Leicestershire

                Address - 18 Church Street, Sileby, Leicestershire

                Parish - Sileby

                Living with Step Father Josiah Hull (39) - Sinker Maker. 

                - Born Wodehouse

                Josiah's Wife Catherine Hull (30) - Frame Work Knitter

                 *(Alfred's Mother)

                Josiah's Son's Josiah Hull (12) - Sinker Maker 

                & Marshall Hull (9) - Scholar

                Josiah's Step Daughter Emma Gill Oswin (13) - Scholar

                All others born Sileby.

Census 1881.  Alfred Kirk  Age 18.  Profession - Shoe Trade 

                Born -  St Marys,  Leicester

                Institution "27th Brigade Depot Barracks" Glen Parva 

                Lodging with  William Horner (40) - Head. - Labourer

                James Hudson (17) - Cotton Spinner

                George Langham (23) - Stone Setter

                George Moore (18) - Shoe Trade

                Martin Rohan (19) - Labourer

Marriage. 12 April 1883. Alfred Kirk Age 22 . Drummer 17th Regiment.

                 Residence - Anglesea Barracks

                 Father - John Kirk. Boatbuilder

                 to Charlotte Ann Mason Age 17

                 Residence -  Church Path

                 Father - Samuel John Mason (deceased). Seaman R.N.

                 at Register Office, Portsea Island, Hants. (By Certificate)      

                 Signed by A Kirk and C A Mason

                 Presence of  -  J Brendge? and E Mason 

Residence  April 1888 is 134/184 Cranbourne Street.

                 Son Frederick born 134 Cranbourne Street           

Census 1891.  Alfred Kirk  Age 30 - Head.  Profession - Shoe Maker

                 Born - Sileby, Leicestershire.

                 Address - Lodging at 128 Cranbourne Street, Leicester 

                 with Charlotte's Uncle 'Goodwin Oswin'

                 Civil Parish - St Margarets

                 Ecclesiastical Parish - St Marks

                 Living With Wife - Charlotte (25)

                 Sons Frederick (3) - Scholar, Albert (3 Months)

Newspaper Article - Leicester Chronicle - Saturday 26 August 1893

                Death of daughter Emma Mary Kirk - 4 Months old.

Census 1901.  Alfred Kirk  Age 39 - Head.  

                Profession - Boot & Shoe Maker

                Born - Sileby, Leicestershire.

                Address - 6 Foundry Square, Leicester

                Civil Parish - Leicester Formerly St Margarets

                Ecclesiastical Parish - St Marks

                Living With Wife - Charlotte (36) - Nullworking at home

                Sons Frederick (13), Albert (10), Charles (4) & Goodman (1) 

                Daughter Catherine (6)

Baptism (Daughter) Catherine Kirk 9 May 1907 St Marks, Leicester.

                Father Alfred - Occupation Framework Knitter.  

                Mother Charlotte Ann

                Obode 19 Navigation street

Baptism (Son) Francis William Kirk  6 Nov 1907  St Marks, Leicester.

                Father Alfred - Occupation Framework Knitter.  

                Mother Charlotte Ann

                Obode 19 Navigation street

Alfred Kirk named on Marriage Certificate of Frederick Alfred Kirk 1908

                Occupation Framework Knitter.

Census 1911.  Alfred Kirk Age 50 - Head.  

                Profession - Glove Hand F W K

                Born -  Leicester

                Address - 19 Navigation Street, Leicester

                Parish - North West Leicester, Leicester

                Living with  Wife Ann Kirk (45) . Born Portsmouth, Hants

                Daughter's Kate Kirk (16) - Shoe Hand Puncher, 

                Nellie Kirk (9) - School & Ann Kirk (0)

                Son's Charles Kirk (14) - Shoe Hand Posting,  

                Sam Kirk (6) - School & Bill Kirk (4)

                All Children born Leicester.

                Married :30 yrs  Children :12   Alive :9

Alfred Kirk Died 18th June 1929

               Registration District : Billesdon

               Sub-District : Billesdon

               Where : Infirmary, Gwendolen Road, Evington

               Occupation : Framework Knitter of 19 Navigation Street, Leic.

               Cause :   Valvular Disease of the Heart (Heart Valve). 

               Certified by Ernest. C. Hadley

               Informant : A E Kirk Son, 49 Navigation Street

               Registered : 19th June 1929.    

Buried 22 June 1929 Gilroes Cemetery, Leicester. Age 68.

Buried in plot MM497. Obode 19 Navigation Street, Leicester.

(Location - MM 13 Up / 12 South)

Children of ALFRED KIRK and CHARLOTTE ANN MASON  are

    i.       JOHN KIRK

             b 15 Feb 1886 Leicester

             m 1908 to Kate Amelia Elvina Collins

             Portsmouth, Hampshire

             d 14 Jan 1976 North End, Portsmouth

    ii.      FREDERICK ALFRED KIRK

             b 03 Mar 1888, Leicester

             m 26 Sep 1908 to Harriet Elizabeth Blissett, Leicester Registry Office

             d 18 Nov 1970,  Leicester

    iii.     ALBERT EDWARD KIRK

             b 12 Dec 1890, Leicester

             m 24 Dec 1910 to Kate Mary Higgins. Leicester

             d Oct-Dec 1962, Leicester

    iv.    EMMA MARY KIRK

             b bet Apr-Jun 1893, Leicester

             d Aug 1893, 4 Foundry Square, Leicester

    v.     CATHERINE KIRK (KATE)

             b 1 Jun 1894, Leicester

             bap 9 May 1907 St Marks, Leicester

             m 26 Jul 1913 to Frank Allen Logan. St Peters, Leicester

             d 11 Jun 1976,  Leicester

    vi.    CHARLES KIRK

             b Apr-Jun 1897, Leicester

             d 11 Aug 1931, 19 Navigation Street, Leicester

             bur 12 Aug 1931 Gilroes Cemetery with parents  in plot MM497

    vii.   GOODMAN KIRK

             b Oct-Dec 1899, Leicester

             d Jul-Sep 1902, Leicester

    viii.   FLORENCE NELLIE KIRK

             b 21 Jan 1902, Leicester

             m 1 Aug 1925 to John William Lokes. St Marks, Leicester

             d Jan-Mar 1979,  Leicester

    ix.    SAMUEL KIRK

             b 19 Aug 1904, Leicester

             m 1937  to Ida Battle. Leicester

             d Aug 1988, Leicester

             bur St Peter's Churchyard, Braunstone

    x.     FRANCIS WILLIAM KIRK (BILL)

             b Jul-Sep 1907, Leicester

             bap  6 Nov 1907,  St Marks, Leicester

             d May 1911, 19 Navigation Street, Leicester

             bur  20 May 1911 Gilroes Cemetery with parents  in plot MM497

   xi.    HILDA ANNIE KIRK

             b 25 Jan 1911, Leicester

             m 1937 to Frank Leonard Young. Leicester.

             d Mar 1980 Northampton

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CHARLOTTE ANN MASON born 1867 in Eastney, Portsmouth.

Birth :    Registration District : Portsea Island

              Sub-District : Landport  County of Southampton

              13 March 1867. Charlotte Ann. 15 Highland Street, Eastney.

              Father : Samuel Mason. Contracted Labourer.

              Mother : Eliza Mason formerly Trask.

              Informed : The Mark of Eliza Mason Mother 

              15 Highland Street Eastney.

              Registered : 23 April 1867.

Census 1871.  Charlotte Kirk  Age 4 

               Born - Portsmouth, Hants

               Address - Highland Street 

               Civil Parish - Portsea

               District of Portsmouth

               Living with Mother Eliza Mason (26)

               Sister Emma Mason (2)

Census 1881.  Charlotte Kirk  Age 15. Needleworker.

               Born - Portsea, Hants

               Address - 8 Pimlico Place, Upper Church Path

               Civil Parish - Portsea.

               District of Portsmouth.

               Living With Mother - Eliza Mason (26) - Charwoman. 

               Sister Emma (12)  & Brother Samuel (9) - Both Scholars.

               Grand-Mother Ann Trask (65) - widow.

Marriage: 12 April 1883. Alfred Kirk Age 22 . Drummer 17th Regiment.

                Residence - Anglesea Barracks

                Father - John Kirk. Boatbuilder

                to Charlotte Ann Mason Age 17 

                Residence -  Church Path

                Father - Samuel John Mason (deceased). Seaman R.N.

                at Register Office, Portsea Island, Hants. (By Certificate)       

                Signed by A Kirk and C A Mason

                Presence of  -  J Brendge? and E Mason  

Residence April 1888 is Cranbourne Street.

                Son Frederick born 134 Cranbourne Street

Census 1891.  Charlotte Kirk - Age 25  

                Born - Portsmouth, Hants

                Address - Lodging at 128 Cranbourne Street, Leicester

                Civil Parish - St Margarets

                Ecclesiastical Parish - St Marks

                Living With Husband - Alfred Kirk (30) 

                Profession - Shoe Maker

                Sons Frederick (3) - Scholar, Albert (3 Months)

Newspaper Article - Leicester Chronicle - Saturday 26 August 1893

                Death of daughter Emma Mary Kirk - 4 Months old.

Census 1901.  Charlotte Kirk - Age 36.  

                Profession - Nullworking at home

                Born - Portsmouth, Hants.

                Address - 6 Foundry Square, Leicester

                Civil Parish - Leicester Formerly St Margaret

                Ecclesiastical Parish - St Marks

                Living With Husband - Alfred Kirk (39) -  Boot & Shoe Maker

                Sons Frederick(13), Albert (10), Charles (4) & Goodman (1) 

                and Daughter Catherine (6)

Baptism (Daughter) Catherine Kirk 9 May 1907 St Marks, Leicester.

                Father Alfred - Occupation Framework Knitter.  

                Mother Charlotte Ann

                Obode 19 Navigation street

Baptism (Son) Francis William Kirk  6 Nov 1907  St Marks, Leicester.

                Father Alfred - Occupation Framework Knitter.  

                Mother Charlotte Ann

                Obode 19 Navigation street

Census 1911.  Ann Kirk Age 45. 

               Born - Portsmouth, Hants

               Address - 19 Navigation Street, Leicester

               Parish - North West Leicester, Leicester

               Living with Husband Alfred Kirk (50) - Head. 

                - Glove Hand F W K.

               Daughter's Kate Kirk (16) - Shoe Hand Puncher, 

               Nellie Kirk (9) - School & Ann Kirk (0)

               Son's Charles Kirk (14) - Shoe Hand Posting,  

               Sam Kirk (6) - School 

               & Bill Kirk (4)

               All Children born Leicester.

               Married :30 yrs  Children :12   Alive :9

Charlotte Ann Kirk Died 9th May 1917. Age 51

              Registration District : Leicester

              Sub-District : North East Leicester

              Where : Infirmary Buildings Sparkenhoe Street U.D.

              Occupation : of 19 Navigation Street, Leicester UD. 

              Wife of alfred Kirk a framework knitter

              Cause :  (1) carcinoma uteri. (2) Exhaustion. C

              Certified by E.a.Mallon. M.P.

              Informant : Alfred Kirk widower of deceased

              19 Navigation Street, Leic'

              Registered : 11th May 1917.    

Buried 14 May 1917 Gilroes Cemetery, Leicester. Age 51

Buried in plot MM497. Infirmary, Sparkenhoe Street, Leicester.

(Location - MM 13 Up / 12 South)

Children of ALFRED KIRK and CHARLOTTE ANN MASON  are

    i.       JOHN KIRK

             b 15 Feb 1886 Leicester

             m 1908 to Kate Amelia Elvina Collins

             Portsmouth, Hampshire

             d 14 Jan 1976 North End, Portsmouth

    ii.      FREDERICK ALFRED KIRK

             b 03 Mar 1888, Leicester

             m 26 Sep 1908 to Harriet Elizabeth Blissett

             Leicester Registry Office

             d 18 Nov 1970,  Leicester

    iii.     ALBERT EDWARD KIRK

             b 12 Dec 1890, Leicester

             m 24 Dec 1910 to Kate Mary Higgins. Leicester

             d Oct-Dec 1962, Leicester

    iv.    EMMA MARY KIRK

             b bet Apr-Jun 1893, Leicester

             d Aug 1893, 4 Foundry Square, Leicester

    v.     CATHERINE KIRK (KATE)

             b 1 Jun 1894, Leicester

             bap 9 May 1907 St Marks, Leicester

             m 26 Jul 1913 to Frank Allen Logan. St Peters, Leicester

             d 11 Jun 1976,  Leicester

    vi.    CHARLES KIRK

             b Apr-Jun 1897, Leicester

             d 11 Aug 1931, 19 Navigation Street, Leicester

             bur 12 Aug 1931 Gilroes Cemetery with parents

             in plot MM497

    vii.   GOODMAN KIRK

             b Oct-Dec 1899, Leicester

             d Jul-Sep 1902, Leicester

    viii.   FLORENCE NELLIE KIRK

             b 21 Jan 1902, Leicester

             m 1 Aug 1925 to John William Lokes. St Marks, Leicester

             d Jan-Mar 1979,  Leicester

    ix.    SAMUEL KIRK

             b 19 Aug 1904, Leicester

             m 1937  to Ida Battle. Leicester

             d Aug 1988, Leicester

             bur St Peter's Churchyard, Braunstone

    x.     FRANCIS WILLIAM KIRK (BILL)

             b Jul-Sep 1907, Leicester

             bap  6 Nov 1907,  St Marks, Leicester

             d May 1911, 19 Navigation Street, Leicester

             bur  20 May 1911 Gilroes Cemetery with parents

             in plot MM497

   xi.    HILDA ANNIE KIRK

             b 25 Jan 1911, Leicester

             m 1937 to Frank Leonard Young. Leicester.

             d Mar 1980 Northampton

Go to associated images - Alfred Oswin Kirk (1861)

Go to Alfred's Father - John Kirk (1830)

Go to Catherine's Parents - Samuel Mason (1847) & Eliza Trask (1844)

Go to Alfred & Charlotte's Son - Frederick Alfred Kirk (1888)

Go back to the Kirk Family Tree Page