JOYCE CHAMBERS HOWITT 1900–1982

Sister of Philippa Constance Howitt

Before the War

Joyce was born on 11th July 1900 in West Bridgford, Nottingham. In 1901 she was living with her father Seward, fancy lace manufacturer, and mother Constance at 29 Fox Road, West Bridgford. The household included Elizabeth Darlington, cook, and Kate Johnson, mother’s help.

By 1911 Joyce, 10, was living at The Croft, Cropwell Butler with her father, mother sister Ida, 2, Elizabeth Widdowson, nurse, Lucy Kettle, general servant and Robert Shelton, groom gardener.

During the War

The following information about Joyce Chambers Howitt has been extracted from transcribed Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment records, available at www.redcross.org.uk

Joyce volunteered as a V.A.D. and served in the Notts 94 Division under the command of Claire Birkin as a Pantry Maid at Lamcote Auxiliary Hospital, working a total of 2184 hours from 11th April 1918 to 31st March 1919. Joyce’s home address was The Croft, Cropwell Butler.

1921 Census

Address: Cropwell Butler

Employment: home

Household: mother Constance, sister Ida, domestic, Ruby Widdowson

After the War

Joyce married Gordon Jack Sharland Wood in 1925. He had served during WW1 in the Royal Army Service Corps as a Lieutenant. Joyce and Gordon sailed to New York from Liverpool on 20th November 1926. Their address was given as 144, Thurlow Park Road, Dulwich, London. They returned to England and their son Jon was born in 1928 in Basford district followed by daughter Jennifer in 1929 in Basford district and son Julien in 1931 in Bingham district.

In 1939 Joyce, Gordon and family were living at The Croft, Cropwell Butler with their children and Joyce’s widowed mother Constance. Gordon’s occupation was recorded as ‘director, surgical appliances manufacturer’ and Joyce’s occupation as ‘domestic duties’. They had a live-in servant, Mary (Kathleen) Brown. Joyce and Gordon travelled to South Africa in 1955, returning from Durban to Southampton on 3rd June. At the time their address was West End, Beeston, Nottinghamshire. Gordon’s occupation was company director.

Joyce, 82, died on 23rd August 1982. She was living with Gordon at Orchard House, Oxton, Nottinghamshire. Gordon Wood, M.B.E., died on 11th November 1984. His address was Bridge Cottage, Water Lane, Oxton. Gordon was awarded an M.B.E. in June 1966 for his services as Commandant, Nottingham City Special Constabulary.