Lilac Cottage

Lilac Cottage

The Howe Family, 1939-45

When my 2 x great grandfather William Howe died on 14 May 1933 the newspapers carried the following obituary: “We regret to report the death of Mr William Howe, aged 78, of Wood View, Cornelly, who passed away on Sunday. Mr Howe was senior deacon at Cornelly Calvinistic Methodist Chapel and superintendent for many years at the Sunday School in South Cornelly. A man of Godly character and exemplary life, he was held in respect by all whom he came into contact with, and his memory will be cherish, especially by those who first learned the path of rectitude and duty at Cornelly Sunday School. He was employed for a number of years as the foreman to Mr Gaen at the quarries, and his fellow workmen were given a half day off to attend the funeral.”

The report continued with a long list of notable people who attended the funeral.

William died at Wood View, a house that remained in the family. However, he’d spent many years of his life at Lilac Cottage, South Cornelly. 

For decades after William’s passing his descendants, my ancestors, continued to live at Lilac Cottage. I intend to take a snapshot of their lives, focusing on the war years, 1939-45, and tell the story of the Lilac Cottage Howes who served on the Home Front and the Frontline. It’s a tale of ordinary people, of village life, and great sacrifice. It’s a story personal to me, yet common to many people. During 1939-45, Britain was full of “Lilac Cottages” and the lives of my Howes mirrored the lives of many people who lived through this challenging time.

The Howes at Lilac Cottage, 1939

William David Howe – son of William Howe

Gwendolyne Thomas – wife of William David Howe

Joan Mary Howe – daughter of William David Howe

William Kenneth Howe – son of William David Howe 

Clifford Roy Howe – son of William David Howe

Evan Howe – brother of William David Howe

Mary Ann Howe – sister of William David Howe

Also, Priscilla Doreen Howe – daughter of William David Howe – who in 1937 married Handel Edwards.

Living in Wood View, next door to Priscilla and Handel Edwards:

Christiana Howe – sister of William David Howe – her husband David T David, and their two children.

The cottage was divided in two with William David Howe and his family living in one part of the building and Evan and Mary Ann living in the other part.

Consider this the prologue. I will tell you more in Chapter One, next time.

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