EHL312. R. BALCOMBE EASTBOURNE. c1905. Willowfield Road, Eastbourne, near the junction with Belmore Road. what3words location: weeded.butternut.door

 

1900 Gowland’s Directory - Gas Fitters & Hot Water Fitters: Balcombe R. 207 Seaside.

Richard died in 1904, but the business name was kept for the 1905 to 1914 Gowland’s as ‘Balcombe R. 207 Seaside, Works rear of 14 Seaside.’

 

Eastbourne Chronicle, July 29, 1916.  There is a report listing Richard’s son Frederick as a plumber, gas, and hot water fitter.  Frederick was given 4 months exemption from call-up to the army.

 

By 1920 the firm was listed as Balcombe F., 6 Romney Street.

 

Census, Marriage, and Death information: -

1851: September 14.  Baptism of Richard, son of Edward (a farmer) and Caroline Balcombe in the Parish of East Hoathly.

 

1877: December 29th.  Marriage at the Parish Church (St. Mary’s), Eastbourne, of Richard Balcombe, 26, Profession: White Smith, father Edward Balcombe (deceased), to Fanny Pelling, 24, father William Pelling (deceased).  

(Note: Whitesmithing developed as a speciality of blacksmithing in the 1700s, when extra time was given to filing and polishing certain products). 

 

1881 census: 81 Tideswell Road, Eastbourne.

Richard Balcombe, 29, Tinman and Zinc Worker, wife, Frances, 27, and 2 children, plus a lodger.

 

1891 census: 207 Seaside, Eastbourne.

Richard Balcombe, 39, Tinman, wife, Frances, 37, and 4 children.

 

1901 census: 207 Seaside, Eastbourne.

Richard Balcombe, 49, Plumber & Gasfitter, own account, at home, (self-employed working from home address), born Sussex, East Hoathly.

Frances Balcombe, Wife, 47, born Bristol.

Frances Balcombe, Daughter, Single, 22, Draper’s assistant, Worker, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

Frederick Balcombe, Son, Single, 19, Gasfitter, Worker, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

George A. Balcombe, Son, Single, 17, Carpenter, Worker, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

William H. Balcombe, Son, 15, Gasfitter, Worker, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

Albert G. Balcombe, Son, 9, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

 

1904 (third quarter): Death of Richard Balcombe aged 53 in Eastbourne.

Probate: Balcombe, Richard, of 207 Seaside Eastbourne, died 26 July 1904.  Administration Lewes, 7 November to Frances Balcombe, Widow.  Effects £488 19s 8d.

 

1911 census: 207 Seaside, Eastbourne.

Frances Balcombe, 58, Widow, born Somerset, Bristol.

Frederick Balcombe, Son, 29, Married, Plumber, Employer, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

William Balcombe, Son, 25, Single, Printer, Machinist, Worker, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

Albert Balcombe, Son, 19, Single, Plumber, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

Edith Balcombe, Daughter-in-law, 28, Married, born London, Vauxhall.

Edith Frances Balcombe, Grand Daughter, 4, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

Richard Frederick Balcombe, Grandson, 1, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

 

1916 (third quarter): Death of Frances Balcombe, aged 64, in Eastbourne.