Ralph Noel Heathcote

Grandparents

Ralph’s paternal grandparents were Ralph Heathcote and his wife, Amelia. Ralph was born about 1826 in Waltham, Leicestershire. Amelia was born about 1828 in Winterton, Lincolnshire. By 1861 they were living at 7 Chatham St, Manchester, where they lived for at least 30 years. Ralph was a surgeon (and an apothecary in 1881). They had 3 children, Ralph George (Ralph Noel’s father), Rosalea, born about 1860 (and baptised in the cathedral on 1 May 1860), Rowland, born about 1863 and later a law student, and Amelia, born about 1865. The family always had 2 servants.

The maternal grandparents were James Stanley Kipping and his wife Julia (nee Duval). James was born about 1822 in Southwark. His father, also James, was a sub agent for the Bank of England and in 1851 the family lived in Pall Mall, Manchester. Julia was born in Cork about 1837. James and Julia married on 22 August 1860 at Holy Trinity church, Hulme. They had 7 children, the oldest, Emily Victoria Julia, being Ralph Noel’s mother. Julia died in 1888.

Parents

Ralph George Heathcote was born in Manchester on 11 January 1859 and was baptised at the cathedral on 6 February 1859. In 1871 he was at school in South Shore, Blackpool and by 1881, aged 22, he was a medical student. In 1891 he was a general practitioner but the censuses of 1901 and 1911 describe him as a surgeon.

Emily Victoria Julia Kipping was born in Salford in 1861. By 1881 the family was living in Rusholme. She and Ralph George were married at St James’ church, Birch in Rusholme, on 30 October 1884. At that time, Emily’s residence was given as Platt Abbey. In 1891 they were living at 7 Chatham St (presumably Ralph George’s parents had moved elsewhere). They had 3 children, Ralph Noel, aged 5, Brian Maxsted, 2, and Violet, 9 months. Brian was born on 4 August 1888, was baptised at the cathedral on 10 October 1888, and died in 1891. Violet was born on 5 July 1890 and baptised at the cathedral on 15 August 1890. She died in 1970. In 1891 they had 3 servants. In 1901 they were living in Poulton-le-Sands but had returned to Manchester by 1911, when they lived at 143 Barlow Moor Rd.

Ralph George Heathcote died on 28 November 1936. His address was 19 Oak Rd, Withington. Probate was awarded on 21 January 1937 to Emily and Violet. He left £16214 19s 6d. Emily died in 1939.

Ralph Noel

Ralph Noel was born in Manchester in 1886. In 1911, aged 25, he was living with his parents and sister Violet at 143 Barlow Moor Rd. He was described as a shipper. At some point prior to December 1915 he enlisted and at the time of his marriage he was a second lieutenant in the 14th Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment. He married Eve Mary Reynolds on 18 December 1915 at Hornsea parish church, near Hull. Eve was the eldest daughter of Robert Reynolds, MA, principal of St Bede’s School, Hornsea. She was born in Jersey on 24 September 1893. The wedding received extensive coverage in the Hull Daily Mail. Three clergy officiated, the Rev Canon Granville Smith, rector of Little Fransham, Norfolk, the Rev J Harrington, MA, vicar of Hornsea, and the Rev A E Brown, curate.

By 1916 Ralph Noel was serving with the 12th Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment. In 1916 the battalion fought at the Battle of Albert and the Battle of the Ancre, on the Somme. Ralph died of wounds on 17 November 1916 at the Advanced Operating Centre, Authie, France, and is buried at the Couin British Cemetery, grave reference V. B. 5. He left £342 16s to his widow. Eve died on 10 March 1979 in Scarborough.