Henry Edward Hensby
Born Malthouse Row, Heacham, Norfolk, 1874 - Died 1935According to information I have discovered so far, my great grandfather, Henry Edward Hensby was born in 1874 in Heacham, Norfolk. Henry was known as Harry and worked for Sir Walter Gilbey as a coachman and then presumably chauffeur as the picture below shows him at the wheel of a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost. An expert has kindly sent me some details about the car after seeing it here. Apparently it was a 1913 (19.3.1913) Limousine by Barker, with nickel fittings. Chassis number 2375, engine number 66.R, reg F-4418, only known owner, Sir Walter Gilbey.
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In the 1901 census, Henry is listed as Harry Hensby living with his wife Emma at 1 Park Village West Mews, St Pancras, London with a son Edward age 2, born in Elsenham, Essex (family home of the Gilbey's). Also listed living at this address in 1901 was Knowles White, 23, a boarder with occupation listed as groom, born Elsenham, Essex; John Freeman, 34, a boarder with occupation listed as groom, born East Wadling, Hants and George Willacy, 20, a boarder with occupation listed as groom, born Litham, Lancashire. This address appears to be a flat above the Gilbey stables as Gilbey's Distillery was just up the road. This address is also opposite Regents Park and my grandfather's brother Walter, has a birth record listing his father as Henry Edward Hensby and mother Emma Lord and he apparently remembered hearing the lions of London Zoo at night when very small. Below is a map and an aerial photo of the address.
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Click on the picture for larger sizeMy great, great grandfather also appears to have been called Henry. The 1901 census lists a Henry Hensby living at No.1 Malthouse Cottages, Heacham, Norfolk, as a widower age 58 with occupation listed as general labourer. Living at the same address is Emma Hensby, daughter age 30, single and her occupation is shown as laundress working from home; Alice Hensby, daughter age 19, single, also a laundress working from home. Below is an aerial photo of Heacham Norfolk with Malthouse Crescent circled which may have included the Malthouse Cottages and Malthouse Row at some point.
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