My great-uncle Kenneth Noel Purkis had a very sad life.
He was born in 1892 in Portsea. He was a doctor.
I believe he married his first wife on 22 October 1925, according to family records.
However, his marriage isn't registered until 1926.
J/F/M 1926
Purkis Kenneth N.
Spouse: Brooker or Wharton
Hampstead 1 a 1090
I believe his spouse was Dorotheé or Dorothie Edith.
What was her surname? Was she previously married?
I can't find her birth at all.
Then tragedy:
The Times Monday 31 May 1926
Purkis - On the 29th May at 21 Bentinck-street W., suddenly, Dorotheé Edith, dearly-loved wife of Kenneth Noel Purkis F.R.C.S.
According to my mother (born 1919) she contracted meningitis and died. She was pregnant. The baby was born after the mother died.
I can't find a birth registration for the baby anywhere.
She was also called Dorotheé. She was mentally and physically handicapped, but very sweet and pretty. Everyone adored her.
Uncle Ken married again, in July 1932 in Wimbledon to Eileen Doris Moore, who was 16 years his junior. My grandfather writes in his diary "I hope she will bring Ken some better luck."
They had two little girls, one in 1933 and one in 1934. However, Ken died in 1935:
The Times 1 June 1935
Purkis - On May 30, 1935, at Guy's Hospital, Kennel Noel Purkis M.C. F.R.CS of Beckenham, beloved husband of Eileen Purkis, aged 42.
I believe he had kidney disease.
Then, in 1937:
Death:
On Oct. 18, 1937, at "Parklands", Sydenham (her home for eight years), Dorotheé, little invalid daughter of the late Dr. K. N. Purkis of Beckenham. The sweetest and most tenderly loved little charge. At rest.
Just so so sad.
If anyone can find a birth for either Dorotheé I would be grateful. I have just found the death, and the wife is entered as "Edith D".
He was born in 1892 in Portsea. He was a doctor.
I believe he married his first wife on 22 October 1925, according to family records.
However, his marriage isn't registered until 1926.
J/F/M 1926
Purkis Kenneth N.
Spouse: Brooker or Wharton
Hampstead 1 a 1090
I believe his spouse was Dorotheé or Dorothie Edith.
What was her surname? Was she previously married?
I can't find her birth at all.
Then tragedy:
The Times Monday 31 May 1926
Purkis - On the 29th May at 21 Bentinck-street W., suddenly, Dorotheé Edith, dearly-loved wife of Kenneth Noel Purkis F.R.C.S.
According to my mother (born 1919) she contracted meningitis and died. She was pregnant. The baby was born after the mother died.
I can't find a birth registration for the baby anywhere.
She was also called Dorotheé. She was mentally and physically handicapped, but very sweet and pretty. Everyone adored her.
Uncle Ken married again, in July 1932 in Wimbledon to Eileen Doris Moore, who was 16 years his junior. My grandfather writes in his diary "I hope she will bring Ken some better luck."
They had two little girls, one in 1933 and one in 1934. However, Ken died in 1935:
The Times 1 June 1935
Purkis - On May 30, 1935, at Guy's Hospital, Kennel Noel Purkis M.C. F.R.CS of Beckenham, beloved husband of Eileen Purkis, aged 42.
I believe he had kidney disease.
Then, in 1937:
Death:
On Oct. 18, 1937, at "Parklands", Sydenham (her home for eight years), Dorotheé, little invalid daughter of the late Dr. K. N. Purkis of Beckenham. The sweetest and most tenderly loved little charge. At rest.
Just so so sad.
If anyone can find a birth for either Dorotheé I would be grateful. I have just found the death, and the wife is entered as "Edith D".
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