Reference
X498/51
Title
Bland family photographs
Admin/biog history
Mrs Rutland, with whom the X498 collection is associated, was born Minnie Bland, daughter of Alf Bland (d 1937). Alf and his wife, Elizabeth Cuttler were married in 1878. When first married they lived in Ampthill Road, Shefford, near Campton turn. Alf Bland was a self employed jobbing builder. They had children:
- Florence 'Florrie' bc 1879 , went into service in Manchester and married Henry Finch of Ireland in Southill in 1901. They then lived in Church Gresley, Staffs and had at least one son, Albert Harry Finch b 1907. She emigrated to America c. 1912 and is believed to have had 2 more boys when there.
- Minnie b 1881(married William Rutland).
- Maud bc 1883 (m 1918 Albert Prime m2 Andrew Ashby). She went into service in London. Just after 1914-18 war, she married but when left a widow a few years later and she went to live with her parents. After her mother's death she married again - to Andrew Ashby of Clifton Road, Shefford. No children.
- Laura b 1886 (married Bert Price).
- Ethel b 1889 It is not known what Ethel did after leaving school - possibly some dressmaking. Married Albert Crowsley of Shefford, in 1908. 1 son, Sidney C born 1914, 2 daughters (Gladys b 1908 + Bessie A b 1912). Albert died of wounds received in action at Damascas. She married to Bert Walker of Shefford in 1923. 1 daughter. She lived in Shefford all her life.
- Alfred Charles b 1891. Alfred, lived at home most of his life, and later with his sister, Maud. In early years did odd jobs for his father, as he had very bad eyesight. Later was a postman. never married.
- Ernest bc. 1893 (m Laura Millard). Ernest Bland worked as a shop assistant as Shefford. Before 1914 he was a member o f the Beds. Yeomanry. He was called up at the beginning of the 1914 war, and transferred to machine - gun. Served in France. After the war he returned to live in Shefford. Later worked at Henlow R.A.F. camp. He married Laura Millard in 1914.
- Sidney (bc. 1895-d. 1918) He worked as a shop assistant in Shefford at Dunton and Hepher, grocers. He died in India from smallpox some time after 3 April 1918, while still in the army. Very keen on fishing.
- Lillian bc. 1897 Stayed at home to help her mother until she married Fred Sabey of Henlow in 1922. Lived at Shefford when first married, and later at Campton. 1 son.
- [Leslie] Victor b. 1900 Worked as bricklayer with his father. Towards the end of the 1914 - 18 war, went into the army and served in Ireland. Returned to work for his father, then on the railways, building section. Married in 1922 the daughter of the Station Master at Shefford - Mr S. Sugars, 1 son, 1 daughter.
- Freda b 1905 (m George Bowskill).
This large family explains some of the other photographs within the X498 collection.
Level of description
sub-fonds