Nora Ethel Garward

NORA ETHEL BAKER was born at 45, Kensington Terrace, Kingston, Portsea on 1st August 1881, the eighth daughter of WILLIAM BAKER and his wife EMMA MARIA (nee MOORE). She died on 14th November 1940.

On 22nd December 1910, at St Simon's Church, Southsea, NORA ETHEL BAKER, of full age, a Spinster of no occupation, resident at 25, Saxe Weinar Road, Southsea, a daughter of WILLIAM BAKER, clerk, married by Banns ARTHUR JOHN GARWARD, aged 30, a Bachelor, occupation: Gas Engineer, of 81 Waverley Road, Southsea, son of ARTHUR JOHN GARWARD, also a Gas Engineer. The officiating minister was J W B MOORE, Curate, who was not a relative so far as we are aware. The Witnesses were: E M BAKER (bride's mother) M L BAKER (bride's sister) S GARWARD (groom's mother) G HOLBEN (groom's sister)

ARTHUR and NORA had issue two daughters: 1. SYBIL FRANCES GARWARD was born on 15 October 1911 at her parents' home at Pylewell, 166, Castle Street, Portchester, Hampshire. She died on 27 April 1958, aged 46. 2. PHYLLIS MABEL GARWARD was born on 13 August 1914 at her parents' home at Pylewell, Portchester. She died on 13 June 1987.

ARTHUR GARWARD worked with the Portsmouth Gas Company, and became Sales Manager, being based at the Regional Head Office in Edinburgh Road, alongside the Guildhall in Portsmouth. It cannot have been an easy task during the 1939-45 War years. On the night when the Guildhall was burnt down, he always said it could have been saved had Portsmouth City Council stationed men on the roof to kick the incendiary bombs down into the street, as he did with the Gas Office next door!

NORA suffered high blood pressure and heart problems, and died on 14th November 1940. She was buried at St Mary's, Portchester.