Sydney Waring Watkins & Ernest Arthur Watkins

 In March 1941, Captain S. W. Watkins was buried at Bethel.

Who is S. W. Watkins?

Sydney Waring Watkins was born in 1864, he was the son of Frederick and Mary A. Watkins

Frederick Watkins married at St. James Church in 1845 Mary Ann Roberts. 

The only census return that Sydney is recorded on is the 1871 one, where he is living with his mother, Mary at 22 Craddock Street.

1871 Census

Mary is 46. Her children are Sydney, 7, Ernest A., 3, and 1-year-old Winifred.

Also present is Frank Davenport, 28, who is a Circus Agent, and his wife, Eliza, 25, and their daughter Isabel B., 1 year and 3 months, are boarders.

Employed by Mary is 15 an old servant, Ester Thomas.

Six years later, in 1877, Sydney, aged 14, registered for a term of four years to serve with the Merchant Navy.  He bounded to the Swansea Merchant Ship & Co. His first voyage was on board the SS Beta, setting sail on 22^nd November.

UK, Apprentices Indentured in Merchant Navy, 1824 - 1910

Sydney was awarded his Master and Mates Certificate, and the following year, 1887, he married Elizabeth Ann Nicholas.

Master and Mates Certificate

Whilst Sydney was away at sea, the family lived at 2 Oaklands Terrace.

At the time of the 1901 Census, Elizabeth A. was 35.

1901 Census

Her children were Sydney N., 7; Fred W., 6; Elizabeth L., 4 and 1-year-old Dorothy G.

Employed by the family was a 19-year-old servant, Rouisa Richards.

The following decade, Sydney was still away at sea at the time of the 1911 Census, however, the rest of the family was still living at 2 Oaklands Terrace.

1911 Census

Elizabeth Ann, 45.  The children are Sydney Nicholas, 17; Frederick Waring, 16 who is employed as a Clerk (Shipbroker); Lillian Elizabeth, 14 and 11-year-old Dorothy Gladys.

What information is there regarding Sydney whilst served with the Merchant Navy?  Sydney was awarded the Mercantile Marine Ribbon, 1919; British Medal Ribbon, 1919; Mercantile Marine Medal, 1921 and the British Medal, 1921.

The only official record other than the 1871 Census, is the 1939 Register.

1939 Register

Sydney at this time is living at 2 Oaklands Terrace, with his son, Syndey, and his family, wife, Vida, and son, David S. W.

Also present is a servant, Mavis Bodycombe.

South Wales Evening Post

Sydney died in March 1941, with his death being reported in the South Wales Evening Post

There is a connection with the Mumbles Railway.

Ernest Arthur the brother of Sydney

At the time of the 1881 Census, was still at home with his mother Mary, at 22 Craddock Street.

1881 Census

Ernest was 13 and he was employed as an Office Boy.

Moving a decade later by the time of the 1891 Census, they were residing at 32 Walters Road.

1891 Census

Frederick had returned home from sea.

Ernest, now 23, is still employed as an Office Clerk.

In 1896, Ernest married Mary Ann P. Gwynne

By the time of the 1901 Census, the family was living at 26 Bryn Road.

1901 Census

Ernest, 33, is now a Secretary for a Railway Company.  Mary is also 33.

Their children are Winifred Mary, 3; Margaret Alaine, 2 and 10-month-old Norah Gwynn.

They have employed two servants, Catherine Evans, 20, and Emily Theld Radford, 15.

Ernest at the time of the 1911 Census, has moved to The Elms, Mumbles.

1911 Census

Ernest, 43, is still a Secretary for a Railway Company. Mary, 44.

Their children are Winifred M, 13; Margaret E. 12; Norah G., 10 and 6-year-old Clifford Ernest.  They all attend school.

Also present is the mother-in-law, Elizabeth Gwynne, 67, and employed by the family is a servant, Elizabeth Ann Evans, 17.

South Wales Evening Post

Ernest died during 1944, his death was reported in the South Wales Evening Post