Nat Gould

Helen Margaret Anderson 1856-1953

Helen Margaret Anderson was born in 1856 at Barningham Winter in Norfolk, the daughter of the Reverend James Richard Anderson 1824-1872 Rector of Barningham Winter and his wife née Elizabeth Julia Pellew 1827-1890.

In 1884 she was married to William Forster Mills. He was born in 1855 at Brimington near Chesterfield in Derbyshire, the son of Mansfeldt Henry and Emily Frances Mills.

When the Census was taken in 1891 they were living with two of their children at Tapton Grove in Brimington in the household of her father-in-law, which also comprised a trained nurse, housekeeper, ladies' maid, parlour maid, housemaid, under housemaid, children's nurse, kitchen maid, and stable boy. By 1901 they were in their own house at Kirk Lane, Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, together with the more modest domestic establishment of children's nurse, cook and parlourmaid. In 1911 they resided at Ingleborough House, East Runton near Cromer in Norfolk. In none of these rutrns was any occupation given for William Forster Mills, who was living on his own private means.

They had the following children:

Humphrey Pellew Forster Mills. He was born in 1885 at Rantiki, New Zealand. He was twice married, first to Maud Amelia Philpott 1883-1913, and after she died on 13 February 1913 at Cromer in Norfolk he married Olivia Larisa Gayler. He died in 1960.

Alan William Fenwick Mills. He was born in 1887. He married Dorothy Spalding. He was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Infantry Branch of the Indian Army Reserve of Officers on 15 January 1915 (1) and promoted to Lieutenant on 14 January 1916 (2). While remaining attached to the Reserve he was appointed acting Lieutenant while Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion of the 7th Gurkha Rifles on 9 October 1916 (3).

Marion Helen Mills. She was born on 27 March 1889 at Chesterfield, and died unmarried in 1975 aged 86 years at Holsworthy in Devon.

Honor Winthrop Mills. She was born in 1899 at Ruddington, and died unmarried on 24 February 1965 aged 65 years at Exeter in Devon.

Their mother Helen Margaret Mills née Anderson died on 27 February 1953 at Cullompton in Devon aged 97 years.

Her Will was proved on 21 May 1953 (4).

Her husband had predeceased her on 1 January 1918 at Ruddington.

His Will was proved on 25 April 1918 (5).

(1) London Gazette 16 April 1915 page 3733.
(2) London Gazette 24 July 1917 page 7491.
(3) London Gazette 1 January 1918 page 176.
(4) "MILLS Helen Margaret Butcroft Craddock Cullompton Devonshire widow died 27 February 1953 Probate London 21 May to Marion Helen Mills and Honor Winthrop Mills spinsters. Effects £780 17s 7d." England and Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1858-1966 (1953) page 829.
(5) "MILLS William Forster of Ruddington House Ruddington Nottinghamshire died 1 January 1918 Probate London 25 April to Helen Margaret Mills widow. Effects £13923 17s 10d." England and Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1858-1966 (1918) page 262.