These writings look at the Storer family, after a relative, Owen Storer, a mathematician, knowing of my genealogical interests, wondered if it could be found if he had any connection with a Dr John Storer living in 18th century Nottingham, who had written books on mathematics. Unfortunately, the question was posed late in Owen’s life and he was not to hear of the results of his enquiry. However, this has lead to the discovery of a broad cross section of his ancestors spread across the length and breadth of the country.
Critical to progressing the exploration of this family history are a number of 19th century documents relating to property in Coventry; an 18th century family bible, then in the possession of Michael Owen Storer, and computerised records accessible on the 21st century web.
Owing to the multiple use of certain first names (i.e., a ‘George’ in every generation), second Christian names are also used in an attempt at clarity.
Privacy of present day descendents is respected, maybe shown where already within the public realm.
David A Reay, Lancaster, UK.
v 3.1
© July 2025
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The initial instigator of this enquiry, Walter Owen Storer, known as Owen, was the fourth child of Walter Charles Storer and his wife Alice Mary Owen, at the time of his birth in 1914, living at 4 Stoney Road, Coventry.
Children of the family were:-
Francis Mary Storer, born in 1903, sadly, died in infancy.
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Alice Marjorie Storer, born 22nd November 1904. Alice attended Barr’s Hill Secondary School where she won a scholarship enabling her to attend a teachers training college. (FMP: Coventry Herald 1 Sept 1922, P4 Col 4.) She later became a teacher at Coventry Preparatory School. Sadly, Alice, with her father, died at their home, 34 Catherine Street, during the bombing of Coventry during the night of 14th November 1940. She lies at rest in London Road Cemetery, Coventry.
———-
Annie Evelyn Storer was born in 1912 at Coventry. She also attended Barr’s Hill School in Coventry. In July 1926, at the school sports day, A E won a camera. (FMP: Coventry Herald, 24 July 1926, P5, Col 6.) and later took part in the League of Youth Amateur Dramatics. (Midland Daily Telegraph, 12 Feb 1930, P5.) . She married Lancelot Ernest Wells in 1936. Lancelot, born in 1907 in Willesden, London, an electrical engineer, patented relay devices for use in the ‘Express Lift Company’ where he became Director of the development laboratory at their Northampton factory. They lived in Northampton. Lancelot died in 1980, and Annie in 1981.
They are survived by sons, J David Wells, b 1942, living in Bristol, and Roger N Wells, b 1946, living in Somerset.
Walter Owen Storer, born in February 1914, attended Bablake School, Coventry, where he obtained distinctions in mathematics and physics, which led to a Bablake Governors Scholarship, a Coventry Education Committee scholarship and an open scholarship to St John’s College, Cambridge. (Midland Daily Telegraph, 21 Jun 1935, P7.) where he developed a career in mathematics. Owen worked for a while at Southampton University. After a war time period in meteorology forecasting for the RAF based in Norfolk as Flight Lieutenant 140263, Meteorological Branch, (Supp to London Gazette, 8 June 1943. P 2620.) he progressed to the teaching of mathematics, becoming a Mathematics Master at Highgate School, London, where he also sang in the school choir. In 1950, Owen was present at the inaugural meeting of the International Commission for the study and improvement of Mathematics, and was involved with Gattegno and Collins of the Association for Teaching Aids in Mathematics (ATM), and a member of the Mathematics Association. Owen went on to be Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at Aston University, Birmingham. He retired in 1979 having lectured at a number of institutions both in the UK and Europe. He married Nellie (Helen) Mary Passmore b 24th September 1908, a teacher, on 26th July 1939 at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. There was no particular connection to Ashby, it was just ‘somewhere handy’ they could get married at short notice, due to the upcoming hostilities, even though, in ‘The 1939 Register’, Owen was listed as living in Gordon Street, St Pancras, London. They lived together variously in Aylesbury, Norfolk, Muswell Hill – London, Moseley – Birmingham, retiring to “Strawberry Hill”, Welland, set against the Malvern Hills. In later years, in his spare time Owen supported The Samaritans, and sang with the Three Choirs Festival. Helen died in 1972 in Birmingham. Owen passed away 4th February 1999 in Huntingdon where he had been lately living to be close to his daughter Susan living in Cambridge. Their remains both lie at Little Malvern Priory, on the edge of the Malvern Hills.
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Their children were Michael Owen Storer b. 1942 at Aylesbury, and Susan Storer b. 1944 at Norwich.
Michael Storer qualified in Aeronautical engineering in Birmingham, but took up the life of an artist and musician. He played the saxophone, and for some time was active on the Birmingham jazz scene, and exhibited his paintings in and around the Malvern area. In later life, he lived alone near Hollybush in the Malvern Hills. In 1999, ‘Mike’ wrote up a summary of his father’s life, from which some of these notes are taken, and encouraged me in an early version of these writings. He died in February 2010 in Ledbury after a protracted illness.
It is believed that this painting did hang in St Michael’s Hospice, Ledbury, where Michael spent his final days.
The passing of Michael marked the end of the male line of this branch of the Storer family, though it does continue elsewhere.
Susan Storer graduated in Natural Sciences at Newnham College, Cambridge, and, after being awarded the Tyson Medal in Part 3 Mathematics, undertook post graduate work in theoretical Astrophysics in the department of Applied Mathematics. In 1968, she married William Michael Stobbs, b. 1944, a fellow academic, and materials scientist. Susan was admitted to her Fellowship in 1995 as an undergraduate tutor, admissions tutor and supervisor in Physics. Sadly, Michael died unexpectedly in 1996. Upon her retirement in 2008, Susan was elected as an Emeritus Fellow. She continues to live in Cambridge.
Son’s, Piers Stobbs b. 1972, a data analyst, Artificial Intelligence developer, and member of the Royal Statistics Society; and Julius Stobbs b. 1975, a Intellectual Property Lawyer, and founder of ‘Stobbs IP Ltd’, thrive in their respective fields.
———-
Elsie Margaret Storer was born in 17th December 1916 in Coventry. ‘The 1939 Register’ has Elsie listed as a ‘Comptometer Operator’ at an Aero Engine works, possibly that of ‘Armstrong Siddley’. Later, post war, Elsie worked for many years in the accounts department of the Vauxhall Motor works. (SHS) In later life, she lived in Milford Close, Allesley Park, Coventry. She remained a spinster, and died in August 1971 and lies in London Road Cemetery in Coventry. (FMP: Cemetery Records, Coventry Family History Society.)
———-
Ralph Noel Storer was born on Christmas Day 1917 at Stoney Road, Coventry. Ralph’s examination success at Bablake School was listed in the Birmingham Gazette of the 26th August 1933, P11. Sadly, Ralph died in November 1933 aged 15yrs, of Meningitis in the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital. (FMP: Coventry FHS.)
———-
Parents of Owen and his siblings were Walter Charles Storer and his wife Alice Mary Owen, here looked at in their birth order.
Back Row, L to R. Annie Edwards Storer. Emily Storer, William Arthur Storer, Unidentified, Walter Owen Storer, Annie Catherine Embling nee Owen, Walter Charles Storer, Laura Maria Storer.
Front Row, L to R. Elsie Margaret Storer, Agnes Rollason (Housekeeper), Maud Marion Storer nee Flinn, Alice Marjorie Storer, Ralph Noel Storer, Annie Evelyn Storer.
(The lady originally marked by Michael Storer as ‘Unidentified’, I believe to be Lizzy Louisa Brown nee Storer. Ed.)
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Siblings of Walter Charles, all born in Coventry, were:
William Arthur Storer, born in 1859.
Laura Maria Storer, known as Laurie, born 1861.
Herbert George Storer, born in 1863.
Emily Storer, born in 1866.
Lizzie Louisa Storer, born 1868.
Sidney Storer, born 1870.
Walter Charles Storer born 1871. ibid,
Annie Edwards Storer, born 1875.
William Arthur Storer was born on 19th September 1859. The census of 1871 shows him living at 4 Byron Street, Coventry and running his own business as a Printer and Stationer. In April of 1881 he was sworn in as a Freeman of the City of Coventry. (FMP: Coventry Times, 27 Apr 1881, P5.) In 1893, at the Warwick Road Church, Coventry, William married Maud Marion Flinn, daughter of Edwin Flinn, a watchmaker, and his wife Emily, of Elmdon Villa, College Street, Coventry. (FMP: Announcements, Coventry Herald. 15 Sep 1893, P8.) Maud had been educated at Bloomfield House School in Kew, where sister Alice Gertrude Flinn was later a teacher. In 1901, the couple were living at 39 Gasford Terrace in the town, and in 1903, William served on the Grand Jury at Coventry Quarter Sessions. By 1911, William, Maud and children, Kenneth George Storer, Harold Edwin Storer, and servant Lily Smith were living comfortably at 30 Park Road, Coventry. William Arthur died 17th March 1940. His wife Maud Marion survived him until early 1951.
———-
Kenneth George Storer born 1899 at Coventry. Kenneth trained as a draughtsman. In June 1916 at age 19 years, he joined up as Gunner 273131 in the Royal Regiment of Artillery. He did his basic training at Boyton Camp, Wiltshire, and was posted to 127 Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Kenneth was posted to France, and eventually ended up at the wars end at Westhofen, near Cologne. In April 1919 his father wrote to the War Office requesting that his son be released from service to continue his training as a draughtsman in the Explosives Department of White & Poppe, Engineers in Coventry. His father was informed that he was not eligible! Kenneth was eventually discharged to the ‘Z’ list (the Reserve) in November 1919. (Ancestry: British Army WW1 Service Records. TNA) The 1921 Census shows him as an apprentice to the Armstrong Siddley Company at their Park Side works, Coventry, as was his brother Harold Edwin.
In 1927, Kenneth married May Hill, (b. 1901) daughter of Thomas, a Master Tailor, and Jessie Hill of Broadway, Coventry, although Thomas hailed from Kilpatrick, Dumfriesshire. May died at their Park Road home in November 1936, (Midland Daily Telegraph, 27 Nov 1936, P8.) of a brain haemorrhage. (GRO: Q4 1936 Coventry 6D 799)
In September 1939 at Coventry, Kenneth then married May’s sister, Janet Hill, (b. 1909) In April 1947, Janet had a mention in the local newspapers, when she gave evidence in court in the prosecution of a man committing burglary at a neighbours house on Humphrey Burton Road. Janet saw the offender climb up step-ladders into the neighbours side window and called the police. (FMP: Coventry Evening Telegraph, 10 May 1947, P1.) Kenneth died in 1964 in Coventry.
“Mr. Kenneth George Storer (65), of 32, Humphrey Burton Road, Coventry, who died on Tuesday, accomplished a good deal of work for Warwick Road Congregational Church. He was senior deacon at the church, as well as church secretary. He had been a deacon for about 30 years, and the junior church and youth sections owe him much for his work on their behalf. Mr. Storer is survived by his widow, and son and daughter.” (Coventry Standard, 4 Sep 1964, P6.)
Janet died in November 2000 at Blackburn, Lancashire, where she had been living with her step daughter Janet May Hutchinson nee Storer, at Meins Croft, Blackburn.
———-
Children of Kenneth George Storer and May Hill were;
Thomas William Storer, born 1929 at Coventry, and Janet May Storer, born 1933 in Coventry.
Thomas played the cello; an early mention being as a player with the Coventry Music Club, “a young cellist who recently completed his training..” (Coventry Evening Telegraph, 4 Oct 1954, P3, Col3.) to being Principal Cellist with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra circa 1956, and played in the London Symphony Orchestra for most of his career. (Hilary Storer) [Owen, knowing of my interest in classical music, mentioned this, his cousin to me many years ago, although I have only recently re-discovered him. Ed.] In October 1958, Thomas married J E Anne Slimmon born 1933 in Surrey, daughter of William John Slimmon, a Senior Tax Officer and wife Doris Ada Close, of Surbiton, Surrey. Thomas passed away in May 1979 in Hampton, Middlesex, and Anne, in 2021 in Richmond, Surrey.
Children of Thomas and Anne are, Andrew Storer b. 1959, and Hilary Anne Storer b. 1962.. Hilary in particular has inherited her father’s musical genes, becoming a classical oboist, and has played in the BBC Philharmonic and several London orchestra’s, as has her husband David Powell. They reside in the Welsh Marches.
Janet May Storer was born 2nd May 1933 in Coventry. In 1958 at Coventry, she married David Noel Hutchinson b. 1933 in Blackburn, Lancashire. David had just been registered that year as a Doctor, qualifying from Manchester University. (Ancestry: Medical Register for 1959, P 1090.) After living in the south Manchester / north east Cheshire area, they later made their home in Sheffield.
David died in 2012 in Sheffield.
“Peacefully on 26th January in Sheffield, Dr DAVID NOEL HUTCHINSON aged 78 years, formerly of Blackburn. Beloved husband of Janet, much loved father of Ian, Judith, Rachel and the late Duncan, also very dear father in law and grandfather. Private interment followed by A Service of Thanksgiving at St Luke’s Church, Lodgemoor, Sheffield on Friday 17th February at 12 noon. Family flowers only please.” (Ancestry: Daily Telegraph, 3 Feb 2012)
Janet died in April 2022 in Sheffield.
———-
Harold Edwin Storer b 1901 at Coventry. Harold also was a draughtsman, with motor company, Armstrong Siddley. (CR 1921) He married in July 1930, at Warwick Road Congregational Church, Mary Letitia Gilbert, daughter of Reginald and Edith Gilbert, of Middlesex Road, Coventry. Reginald worked for the Rover Car company. For a period during WW2 Harold lived in Cheltenham. letter, Harold to Owen, 1940. (MOS.)
Harold died in 1985, and Mary died in 1989 in Coventry.
———-
They had a son, Richard Eric Storer, born 1933 at Coventry. Richard was admitted as a Freeman of the City of Coventry in August 1955. (Coventry Evening Telegraph, 25 Aug 1955, P16.) He became a Charted Accountant with his own practice in Coventry, later becoming a partner in the firm of Rowley, Pemberton & Storer. (Coventry Evening Telegraph, 19 Jan 1966)
He married in 1956, Elizabeth Vera McGurk, however, they divorced in 1967.
Richard’s name occurs on several occasions in the local Coventry newspapers; several entries relate to the closure of businesses due to bankruptcy, but also with Richard’s position as financial spokesman for the Coventry Rate Action Group, and their endeavours to get the city’s rates reduced.
A daughter, Gillian Storer, born in 1936 appears to have died in infancy.
Laura Maria Storer was born in 1861. Her name appears in local newspapers on several occasions in reference to Wells Street Sunday School teachers. She remained a spinster all her life. She passed away in Coventry in January 1939.
Herbert George Storer, born 1863; by 1881, still at the family home, 4 Byron Street, he had joined the family building empire as an apprentice, no doubt to his father George. In June of 1884, Herbert won 1st prize for the design of a villa, at the Coventry and District Sunday School Union, Scholars Industrial Exhibition, representing the appropriately named Vicar Lane Sunday School. This was a well supported exhibition, held in the Coventry Corn Exchange, with entrants from as far as Stoke and Rugby, and supported by the great and good of the region. Several of Herbert’s siblings also had entries in this exhibition, as well of a couple of the Flinn family. (Coventry Times, 4 June 1884, Cols 3 + 4, P8.)
In October 1888 he married Alice Miriam Edwards, at Vicar Lane Chapel, Coventry. Alice was born 1867 in Aston, daughter of Henry Edwards, Provision Merchant, and Ann Edwards of Nechells Park Road, Aston, Birmingham. By 1891, Herbert, Alice, and their first children were living at 16 Regent St, Coventry. Herbert George by then described as a Builders Clerk & Insurance Agent. At the age of 47 at the time of the 1911 Census, still at 16 Regent Street, Herbert George, having been married for 22 years, is described as a Master Builder and an employer. In 1932, Herbert was sworn in as a Freeman of the City of Coventry. (Coventry Herald, 8 Jan 1832, P6.) ‘The 1939 Register’ has Herbert and Alice living at ‘Priory House’, 4 Belvedere Road, Coventry. Herbert George died in May 1943 at Coventry.
Death of Mr Herbert Storer.
“Mr Herbert F (sic) Storer, of 4 Belvedere Road, Coventry, died this morning, after a protracted illness, at the age of 79.
Mr Storer was one of the city’s best-known builders, and he achieved a reputation which lived many years after his retirement from the active part of the business for, in these days, houses he built in different parts of the city are still advertised as being “Storer-built.”
Mr Storer gave a lifetime of service to Warwick Road Congregational Church, where he served as treasurer for 34 years and deacon for 38 years. He was also a popular member of the Three Spires Bowling Club.
The funeral will take place at Warwick Road Church on Friday at 11 a.m., followed by the interment at Coventry Cemetery.” (Coventry Evening Telegraph, 4 May 1943, P4.)
Alice survived him until December 1948. (Obit, Coventry Evening Telegraph, 6 Dec 1948, P5.)
———-
Children of Herbert and Alice were:-
Herbert Edwards Storer,
Margaret Edwards Storer,
Florence Miriam Storer,
and Winifred Mary Storer.
Herbert Edwards Storer b. 1890 at Coventry. In his teens, Herbert joined 7th Btn, Royal Warwickshire’s, the local territorial force, after apparently shaving a year off his age. In 1908, as Private 2909, he transferred to the 3rd Hussars and served in South Africa, after which he bought his own discharge. (FMP: British Army Service Records, WO 97, Box 6008, R80 – TNA)
The 1911 Census notes Herbert back at the family home, 16 Regent Street, and as a Clerk in the Motor Trade. In 1916, Herbert, had re-joined the colours, then as a 2nd Lt, and later as Captain, in the Yorks & Lancaster Regiment. On the 18 Sept 1918, he was awarded the MC (Military Cross) for action west of Armentiers. The citation for the M.C. appears in the London Gazette:-
“In the attack west of Armentieres on 18th September, 1918, he commanded his company in an attack, with the result that fifty prisoners were taken and fifty five enemy killed. During the attack he made a reconnaissance under constant sniping and machine-gun fire, enabling him to avoid frontal wire. After taking his objective he controlled consolidation, and the complete success of the attack was due to his clever leadership and the fearless confidence which he imparted to his men.”
(London Gazette, 1 Feb 1919. Supp 31154 Page 1694.)
Note the seemingly ‘scribbled’ MC, (Military Cross) and ‘No record of M in D’ (Mentioned in Despatches), apparently considered at some point.
After the Great War, Herbert returned to business, spending time in West Africa. On the 7th October 1926 he married Edith Ann Quaif, a nursing sister of Camberwell, London, at the Colonial Church in Lagos, Nigeria. (Coventry Herald, 8 Oct 1926, P5.) Edith, born in Jul 1891, was the daughter of Arthur John Quaif, Registrar, and his wife Caroline, of Linden Grove, Camberwell, London.
Shipping records show Herbert, a Trader, made several journey’s to and from Lagos, Nigeria. At least one journey aboard the Elder Dempster Lines ship, ‘Accra’ to Liverpool. Edith Ann appears again in February 1929 returning from Lagos aboard the M.S. ‘Apapa’ from Lagos to Plymouth. (Ancestry: UK & Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists.) Edith’s U.K. address is noted as Larkspur Cottage, Milestone Rd, Carterton, Oxford. Herbert again appears in the shipping lists as returning from Lagos to Plymouth aboard the M.V. ‘Abosso’ in June 1939. On this occasion he gives an address in Sutton, Surrey.
In April 1941, Herbert was returning home from Freetown, West Africa, aboard the M.V. Swedru, in convoy SL69 when, west of Malin Head on the North West coast of Ireland, the ship was attacked and bombed by a Focker Wolf Condor aircraft. Seventeen crew and seven passengers, amongst them Herbert, were lost. (Midland Daily Telegraph 28 Apr 1941, P4.) (CWGC: Civilian Deaths WW2. Vol V11, Deaths at Sea and Abroad, P 2680.)
This appears to have been one of at least 12 allied ships lost on that one day, in various theatres of the war.
Edith died in 1988 in Redhill, Surrey.
Herbert and Edith had children, Eileen Storer, and David G Storer.
Eileen Storer, b 1927 in Camberwell, London, in 1952 emigrated, from Liverpool, to Sydney, Australia, giving her occupation as Child Welfare Instructor. (Ancestry: Shipping Records, MV Dorsetshire, Orient Line, 29 Jan 1952). She appears to have returned to the UK on a couple of occasions, as in March 1958, she again appear in shipping records, sailing from London, aboard the SS Iberia, this time to Melbourne, giving her occupation as a telephone operator, and travelling with a friend Joan Spilsbury, where they shared a house in Prince Charles St, Clayton, a suburb to the east of Melbourne. (FMP: Australia, Inward Coastal Passengers, Department of Health – Quarantine Service. Passenger List).
Again, in 1965, Eileen spent time in the UK, returning to Melbourne in October of that year to an address in Fuller St, Mitcham, another suburb to the east of Melbourne, giving her occupation as a ‘clerk’. She declared she was unmarried, and had Australian citizenship.(Camberwell, VIC, Australia, Incoming Shipping Records. G.A.Passmore) She has not so far been traced beyond this date.
David G Storer, born 1929 in Witney, Oxford, later of Redhill, Surrey. In 1960, David married Jean M I Jenkin in Surrey. They lived in Carlton Road, Reigate, Surrey. Newspaper clips suggest that David was involved as a church warden at Holy Trinity Church, Reigate, and Jean had been local chairman of the East Surrey Alzheimer’s Society. Further research of this branch required.
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Margaret Edwards Storer b 1891 at Coventry. The 1911 Census records Margaret as a Teacher, living at the family home, 16 Regent Street, Coventry.
In 1922, she married farmers son, Leonard William Huffadine, known as William, b. 1891, of Crackley Farm, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth. William’s name appears in several Kelly’s Directory’s of the 1930’s, and the couple appear at Brackley Farm in ‘The 1939 Register’. In 1925, a daughter Margaret W Huffadine was born. She attended Abbotsford School in Kenilworth.
Mother Margaret died in 1946 at Kenilworth.
At some point, William’s father, also William, had retired to live in Bournemouth with other members of his family. After Margaret’s death, Leonard William also appears to have moved down there, where in December 1952 he married widow Alice Mary Hawkins at the Emmanuel Congregational Church in Southbourne Road. (GRO: Q4 1952 Bournemouth 6B 357.) They made their home in Wentworth Avenue, Bournemouth. Leonard William died in July 1955 at Bournemouth. (Ancestry: Probate index.)
Florence Miriam Storer b. 1893 at Coventry. Florence married on 11th April 1918 in Coventry, Charles Augustus Anelay b. 1893 at Beeston, Nottinghamshire. Florence, known as Floss, was an accomplished artist, and her descendants still have some of her paintings. At the time, Charles, of 35 Meriden Street, Coventry, was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 52nd Battery, Royal Field Artillery in WW1 serving in Egypt. The 1921 Census shows the couple living at 27A Nicholas St, Coventry. During WW2, Charles served in the Home Guard, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and was awarded the OBE. Charles’s father, also Charles, was a Carpenter & Joiner (so no surprises there then!) of 18 Widdington Road, Coventry. Charles (Snr) and his wife Lizzie hailed from the Chesterfield / Nottingham area.
The Anelay Building concern appears to have expanded and grown in similar strengths to the Storer empire. Banner advertisements appeared in the Coventry Telephone Directories, with the address as King William Street from at least 1922 to 1933 when the address changes to 26 Woodland Ave, Coventry. From 1947 the advertisements appear over the works address of 34 Catherine Street which would indicate that Anelays had moved into Florence’s father’s property. The business was wound up in 1951.
A child, Florence, born in 1925, appears to have died in infancy.
Winifred Mary Storer b. 1903 at Coventry, and was living at 16 Regent St, Coventry in 1911. In April 1918, Winifred was successful in her ‘Pianoforte Examination of the Associated Board of the Royal Academy and Royal College of Music, (Lower Division), being taught by Miss Constance Flinn.’ (Coventry Herald, 19 Apr 1918, P6, Col 5.) In the 1920’s, she taught, at least part time, at the private school of Miss Laura Flinn, at Queens Drive, Coventry. [The Flinn’s being family of her uncle William Arthur Storer’s wife, Maud.] In 1939, Winifred was still with the family, then at 4 Belvedere Road in the town, and recorded as a School Teacher. She remained a spinster and died in Coventry in 1956.
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Emily Storer b. 1865 at Coventry. Like her sisters, Emily’s name appears in several references to teachers at Sunday Schools; in Emily’s case, to that of Vicar Lane. In adulthood, in census’s, she is described as of ‘independent’ or ‘private means’. Emily passed away in December 1938 and lies in London Road Cemetery.
Lizzie Louisa Storer b. 1868 at Coventry into the family at 4 Byron Street. In June 1884, Lizzie won a couple of 1st prizes for needlework in the Coventry & District Sunday School Union, Scholars Industrial Exhibition, mentioned earlier. In 1894, Lizzie married Frederick Brown at Coventry. (GRO: Q2 1894 6D 665.) son of Charles Brown, a ‘Watch Finisher’ and wife Maria. Lizzie and Frederick appear in the 1911 Census living at ‘Rose Bank’, Tile Hill Lane, Coventry. Frederick’s occupation is given as Watch Pallet Maker. (A third watch maker in the ‘greater family’.) Lizzie died in March 1933 in Coventry. (Midland Daily Telegraph, 8 Mar 1933, P6.) Frederick, latterly living in Canon Hill Road, survived her until May 1954.
Frederick and Lizzie had a son, Frederick Stanley Brown.
Frederick Stanley Brown was born in December 1898 in Coventry. In 1928, he married Muriel Evelyn Martin, born in 1898, daughter of Cornish-man, William Henry Martin, a railway inspector, and wife Margaret, then living in Llanelly, Glamorgan. The marriage took place at Hall Street Wesleyan Chapel, Llanelly. (Midland Daily Telegraph 13 Sep 1928. P2.) The couple made their home in Marriott Road, Coventry. Frederick, a Research Chemist, became Research Director of the Plastics Division of Courtaulds, and later, P. A. to the Chairman. In retirement the couple moved to Sidmouth, Devon. Frederick died in 1971 in Sidmouth. (Obit’, Coventry Evening Telegraph, 22 Jul 1971, P10.) Muriel died there in 1981. (Q1 1981 Exeter 21 1207.)
They do not appear to have had children.
Sidney Storer was born in 1870 at 4 Byron Street, Coventry. By 1891, the family were at 3 Moseley Terrace, Coventry, when he is shown as a Clerk and Designer. (RG12/2452 F42 P20) In 1895, Sidney married Kate Jackson, daughter of Edwin Jackson, a watch manufacturer living at 4 The Butts, centre of Coventry’s watch making business in the 18th and 19th centuries. Were Edwin Jackson’s and Edwin Flinn’s family’s known to each other prior to the respective weddings? After the birth of a son, George Patterson Storer in London, Sidney moved his family to Newport, Monmouthshire, where in 1901 they are living at West View, Crindau Road, Newport. (RG13/4956 F21 P33.) Sidney was then a Designer and Draughtsman of ornamental ironwork. By the time of the 1911 Census, the family had acquired a servant, Harriet Matilda Edwards, and Sidney was by then an accountant. In 1933, the couple were living in the village of Marshfield, near Newport. (Ancestry: Register of Electors.) Sidney died in 1943 at Caerleon, Monmouthshire aged 73 years.
This whole family seem to have evaded ‘The 1939 Register’, but it appears that after Sidney’s death, wife Kate moved to live with their son, George Patterson Storer in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. She died in nearby Chesterfield in May 1954. (Q2 1954 Chesterfield 3A 134, FMP: Probate Index.)
Son, George Patterson Storer, born, 1897 in Peckham, London. He gained his City & Guilds examination in Iron & Steel Manufacture at Newport Technical Institute in 1915. (South Wales Weekly Argus, 4 Sept 1915, P10 Col 4.) He appears in the 1921 census as a student of Analytical Chemistry at Cardiff University. He worked as a metallurgical chemist. Having lived in Quarry Hill Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, he passed away in February 1968 in Ilkeston. (Ancestry, Newspapers: Nottingham Guardian Journal, 18 May 1968.)
Walter Charles Storer, born in November 1871 into the family home at 4 Byron Street, Coventry. In November 1885, Walter Charles entered into a seven year apprenticeship with his father George, to learn the “Arts of a Carpenter, Joiner and Builder”. Like many in the family, his name appears in the lists of school prize winners; in Walter’s case, in 1889 for freehand drawing at Coventry School of Art.
(Coventry Times, 11 Dec 1889, P8, Col 6.) The family building concerns created a number of properties around Coventry, including houses in Newnham Road, Swan Lane, Catherine Street and Cambridge Street. Some of these properties remained in the Storer family up until the 1990’s. In 1892, he was admitted as a Freeman of the City of Coventry. (Midland Daily Telegraph. 29 Nov 1892, P4.)
On the 31st July 1902, Walter married Alice Mary Owen, daughter of Thomas Owen, Licensee of the Sydenham Palace public house, Ford Street, at Warwick Road Congregational Church, Coventry.
[Some history of the Owen family is written up elsewhere by this writer. Ed]
Sadly, Alice died of Leukaemia on the 10th August 1925 at Wrexham Infirmary.
(GRO: Q3 1925 Wrexham 11b 290.)
Walter died alongside his daughter in the November 1940 bombing of Coventry, and is interred in London Road Cemetery.
Walter and Alice’s children as related earlier.
Annie Edwards Storer born in 1875, lived firstly at 4 Byron Street, and by 1891, at 3 Moseley Terrace, Coventry. By 1901, She and her sisters have progressed to Melrose House, 34 Catherine St, Coventry, a property apparently built by her father George’s company. At the time of the 1911 Census, Laura, Emily and Annie were living at 32 Park Road, where all are shown as “Single” and of “Private Means”. (CR 1901: RG13/2911 F226 P9.) Annie Edwards lived on, latterly in a home, “Glendossill” in Henley in Arden, Warwickshire, where she died in November 1948, her death being dealt with by her nephew Kenneth George Storer. (Ancestry: Probate Index. GRO: Q4 1948, Stratford 9C 882.)
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Percy Storer was born in 1883 in Coventry, a half brother to the earlier family, by their father George’s second wife, Susannah Cave. It would appear that Percy spent only a short time in Coventry, before he and his mother moved to Norfolk, as Percy was baptised as Percy Reginald Haddow Storer at Hunstanton on the 30 November 1884. (Bishops Transcript’s, Archdeaconry of Norfolk 1884, P68, No. 541.) Susannah and Percy appear in the 1891 census at Newport Villa, Greevegate, Hunstanton, along with Susannah’s sister, Emma Cave. (RG12/1562 F121 P25.) By 1911, Percy and his mother had moved to Gladstone Road, Kings Lynn, with Percy working as an assistant in a musical workshop. After his mothers death in 1915, by 1921, Percy was in lodgings in Broad Street, Kings Lynn, and working as a Piano Tuner and Repairer in a Music Warehouse in High Street, Kings Lynn.
Having by then no relatives in the area, Percy moved back to Coventry, as he appears in ‘The 1939 Register’ at the Whitemore Park Hostel in Holbrook Lane, Coventry, and is shown to be working as a furniture salesman. He died in early 1950. (Q1 1950 Coventry 9C 864.) Percy does not appear to have married.
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Stepping back a generation, father to William Arthur Storer’s generation was –
George Storer born about 1832 at Foleshill, Coventry. He appears in the 1841 census with his parents on Lockhurst Lane, Foleshill. In the 1851 Census for Tinsleys Lane, Foleshill, George, living at home, aged 19 yrs is noted as Apprentice Carpenter. (HO 107/2066 F260 P26.)
In September 1855, George was advertising his business as builder, carpenter, joiner and coffin maker, from his Tinsleys Lane address in Foleshill. (Coventry Herald. 28 Sep 1855. P1.)
In November 1858, George married Ann Davies Edwards b. 1835, daughter of William Edwards, a brazier and tin man, and wife Sarah, at the Independent Chapel, Foleshill. (Coventry Standard, Fri Nov 26 1858. P4.) By 1871, George, Anne and their increasing family have moved out of the Tinsley Lane address to 4 Byron Street in Coventry.
Ann appears in the 1851 Census in Crab Mill Lane, Foleshill as plain Ann Edwards, with mother Sarah Edwards, b 1811, a widow, and brothers J Edwards b 1837, J Edwards b 1846, and sister S Edwards b 1850. Although a widow, Sarah would appear to have been reasonably comfortable as she had a House Servant in the shape of 21 yrs old Sophia Montgomery.
The 1851 census is in poor condition and some of the first names are unreadable. Ironically, and unusually, the earlier 1841 census assists us in revealing a little detail. The J Edwards b 1837 is revealed to be John Edwards. A christening of a John Edwards, born 22nd February 1837 took place at Foleshill Independent Chapel on 23rd July 1837. His parents were William Edwards, Brazier and Tin-man, and Sarah. Ann Davies Edwards was christened at the same chapel on 18th September 1836. Her birth was noted as 23rd August 1835.
A further reference reveals a marriage at St Lawrence Church, Foleshill of a William Edwards and Sarah Davies in 1833. Also shown on the 1841 census entry is William Edwards 65 yrs, i.e. b 1776, no doubt Sarah’s father-in-law.
Further children were indicated on this census, but their absence on following census’ would indicate early deaths. Perusal of the death indexes of the surrounding churches of the period reveal what to us now would be considered a shocking level of infant mortality, but at that time appeared ‘normal’.
Ann died in August 1880. (Coventry Times, Sat 21 Aug 1880, P8.) In September 1881, George then married Susannah Cave of Bedford, at the St John the Baptist church in Coventry. Susannah, daughter of Robert Cave, ‘Gentleman’, was working as a school mistress in Coventry; they having met no doubt via the family’s teaching association-ship. It is not known how long this relationship lasted, as as related elsewhere, Susannah moved within a very few years, with her son Percy Storer, born 1883, to Hunstanton in Norfolk. (ibid.)
In the mean time, George’s business expanded, the census of 1881 stating that he employed 20 men. (RG11 / 3075 F43 P26.) By 1891, he had moved to 3 Moseley Terrace, Coventry, thought to be one of his own build of houses, and by 1901, to Melrose House on Catherine Street, Coventry. George’s name appears many times in the local Coventry newspapers in respect of various aspects of his building business.
George Storer died in December 1903 at the age of 71 yrs after collapsing in the street, returning home after meeting some of his former work colleagues. He left £76,000, [£8 million in today’s value] with Probate to sons Herbert George and William Arthur. (FMP: Probate Index)
“Mr Storer carried on business as a master builder in Coventry for nearly half-a-century. He was a native of Foleshill, and was apprenticed to the loom-making, afterwards assisting his father in his brickyard. Subsequently he went to Birmingham, where he became connected with the building trade. He returned to Coventry when about twenty-five years of age and commenced business on his own account as a builder, and actively carried on til his death. One of the first buildings he erected was a factory in Lower Ford Street, which was built for dye works; it was afterwards occupied for art metal work, and at a later date by Messrs. Lea and Francis before that firm moved to their present works. He also built Edgewick Schools, and developed several estates in the city. The houses in Colchester Street, New Brook Street, and Spring Street were erected by him, and he also built most of the houses on the old football field estate near Gosford Green., including Catherine Street, King Richard Street and Wren Street. The last work he was involved in was the development of the Cranes Estate.
Mr Storer was probably the record builder of Coventry. His energies were principally directed to the erection of working men’s houses, and in the last fifteen or twenty years he developed a good deal of the unoccupied portion of Hill-fields. His work was of the highest character; his houses were not only substantially built, but he took considerable pains to make them attractive by fitting them up in a style worthy of more imposing residences.” (FMP: Coventry Herald, 1 Jan 1904, P5. Col4.)
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George had siblings:-
Eliza Storer b 1826 at Foleshill,
John Storer, born about 1833 at Foleshill,
Hannah Storer, born about 1836 at Foleshill,
Eliza Storer appears in the census of 1841 in Lockhurst Lane, Foleshill. (HO 107 / 1154/4 P26.) She married James Howes, a silk weaver, of Bell Green, Foleshill, on 2nd March 1851 at Foleshill Parish Church. In 1861 they lived at Tinsley Lane. By 1871, Eliza and James, with 5 Howes children, and Eliza’s father George Storer (Snr) then aged 70, were still living at Tinsleys Lane, with all about them, ribbon and silk weavers. Eliza died in December 1873, * aged 44 years. She was buried at St Paul’s Church, Foleshill. (FMP: Warwickshire County Record Office. 1845-1915. DRO614/20. P93-738.) Husband, James later moved to Boston Place, Foleshill. He died in 1907, and was buried on the 2nd March at Foleshill.
[The Howes family sent wreathes, and attended the funeral of Jonathan Whitehall of Courthouse Green, Foleshill, one of four men killed in a colliery accident at Wyken Colliery, Foleshill in September 1889. The men were being lowered down the steep incline of a drift mine when the hook broke, and the ‘train’ ran away down the incline. (FMP: Coventry Herald, 29 Sep 1889, P8.) & http://www.dmm.org.uk/uknames/u1889-25.htm
So much for the ‘good old days.’
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John Storer, born about 1838. His name appears with the family in the 1841 census of Lockhurst Lane. In the following census, of 1851, it appears that ‘our’ John is listed as an apprentice to brick-making, to Joseph Makepeace of King Street, Foleshill. (HO 107 / 2068 F109 P16.) Possibly John decided he didn’t fancy following the family building trade, as he is noted in the 1861 census as a Gunner in the Royal Marine Artillery at Landport Barracks, Portsea, Hampshire. (RG9 / 644 F200. P22.) John disappears after this point. There is no further trace of his name in the records of the RMA held at the Imperial War Museum.
An article in the Coventry Herald of 6 June 1862, list a number of names, including ‘a’ John Storer, participating in a journey to Montreal, Canada, as a result of an assistance programme, set up by an ‘Emigration Committee’ in Coventry, to give the chance of a fresh start for certain ‘qualified’ folk, as a result of a severe downturn in the silk and ribbon trade in the town. (Correspondence with John Hewitson, CV Life, Coventry Archives, Oct 2024.)
I have not so far identified John further, either in the UK, or Canada.
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George Storer, (Snr), born about 1798; he from Belper, Derbyshire, in the 1841 Census of Lockhurst Lane, Foleshill, is noted as a ‘brick-maker’; no doubt the start of the building dynasty. His wife Hannah Warner, born about 1807, is noted as a ‘silk winder’. They were married 22 June 1828 at St Lawrence’s Church, Foleshill. (Parish Records for Foleshill 1564-1881) By 1861, The couple were living in Tinsleys Lane, Foleshill, next door to their daughter Eliza and the Howes family. (RG9 / 2197 F41 P23.) ibid.
Hannah died in October 1864, and was buried in St John’s churchyard. (Warwickshire Burial Index 1538-1900, St John’s Burials, by Coventry FHS.)
In the 1871 census, George is shown as ‘retired brick-maker’, and living with daughter Eliza, and son-in-law James Howes in Tinsleys Lane. (RG10 / 3171 F33 P14.)
George (Snr) died in November 1873 and is buried at St Johns Church, Foleshill.
* George (Snr) and daughter * Eliza died within days of each other, and were buried together on the same day. Examination of their respective death certificates reveals this to be coincidental. George’s death shown as ‘old age’, whilst Eliza’s death was due to ‘dropsy’.
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In trying to take George (Snr) family further back, a large number of Storer’s are noted in the Parish Records and Polling Lists of Belper and Crich in Derbyshire, but is has not so far been possible to identify ‘our’ George amongst them.
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The original enquiry by Walter Owen Storer was his relationship, if any, with a John Storer of Nottingham.
My enquiry identified a Dr John Storer, MD FRS (1747-1837) first President of the Nottingham Subscription Library, 1816 to 1819. Consulting Physician Extraordinary to the Nottingham General Hospital (a life appointment). He lived at Thurland Hall, Nottingham, and later at Lenton Firs.
He was born at Fossaway in Kinross, Scotland, son of the Rev John Storer and his wife Susan. He was educated at the Grammar School in Stirling (1760-1762) and later, at the University of Glasgow, he turned from the church to medicine and joined the Army Medical Service. His service in Holland was honoured when William, Prince of Orange, conferred on him “Chirurgien Storer of a Scottish Regiment,” the freedom of the cities of Holland for saving a person from drowning in a canal.
John Storer in turn had sons, Rev John Storer, Rector of Hawksworth 1837 to 1850, and of Coombe Court, Surrey; Charles Storer MD (1813-1891) of Lowdham Grange, Notts; and George Storer (1815-1888) of Thornton Hall, MP for South Notts.
It is therefore most unlikely that our Storer family is connected with this family.
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