When her husband Edward died in September 1887 my great great grandmother Catherine Rock was left to raise their 6 young boys alone. Somehow she kept the family together and out of the workhouse. She most likely was in receipt of outdoor relief. Here are their stories.
James Rock 8 November 1875 – 29 August 1903
James was born at 7 Pine Street, Salford on the 8th November 1875 and baptised in the Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist in Salford on the 14th. He and his brother Edward moved to Ireland when their parents returned there circa 1878.
As the eldest James must have had to shoulder a lot of responsibilty when his father died. His education was poor and he was illiterate but he found employment as a painter’s labourer.
On 13th February 1898 James married Mary Harding in the Roman Catholic Church in Chapelizod. James and Mary had two children: James Joseph born 7th June 1898 and Catherine born 18th September 1900.
James appeared before the Petty Sessions Court three times for being drunk on the public road:
16th June 1896 – Fined 2/6 with costs of 1/- or 48 hours imprisonment in Kilmainham Gaol if default plus 6d for warrant.
14th July 1896 – Second offence in 12 months. Fined 5/- with costs 1/- or 7 days in Kilmainham Jail if default of payment and 6d extra if warrant issued.
20th March 1900 – First offence in 12 months. Fined 3/6 with costs 1/- or 48 hours in Kilmainham Gaol if default of payment and 6d extra if warrant issued.
In each case James went to jail for not paying the fine.
Early in 1902 James developed active Tuberculosis. Between January 31st 1903 and March 19th he was treated in South Dublin Union for phthesis (T.B.). James died from the disease at home on 29th August 1903. After his death Mary received outdoor relief from the South Dublin Union.
Edward Rock 7 November 1877 – 12 October 1907
Edward was born in 6 Sagar Street, Salford on the 7th November 1877 and baptised in the Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist in Salford on the 11th. He and his brother James moved to Ireland when their parents returned there circa 1878.
Edward attested into the Royal Artillery in Dublin on 5th November 1895 (Service Number 11910). He was serving with the local militia, The Royal Dublin Fusiliers, at the time. Edward was described as having a fresh complexion, brown hair and brown eyes. He was 5 feet 11 5/8 inches tall but he hadn’t finished growing. When he was discharged from the army his height was recorded as 6 foot 1 1/2 inches. A painter by trade Edward was able to sign his name on his attestation papers. He continued his education in the army gaining his 3rd class education certificate 12th October 1897 and second class in February 1904.
Edward married Georgina Adams on 1st June 1900. They had 4 children: Kathleen Georgina Maria born 19th August 1900; Edward James Henry born 18th December 1901; Catherine born 1903; Catherine born 6th November 1904.
When the census was taken on 31st March 1901 Edward, Georgina and Kathleen were living at the cottage at Fort Redoubt on the Isle of Wight. The cottage was the married quarters accommodation for the master gunner. Edward was an acting Bombadier.
On 25th June 1901, just a few weeks after the census was taken, one of Fort Redoubt’s 12-pounder quick-firing guns exploded during exercises. Captain Arthur Le Mesurier Bray, 33, and Gunner Charles Dornan, 20, were killed outright; Gunner Charles Ricketts, 29, and Bombardier Murdoch Macdonald, 23, later died of their wounds. There were many injured. Among them were Gunner McGlocland who lost his right hand; Gunner Malone who lost an arm; and Colonel Nixon who was injured in the leg.
The dead were buried with full military honours at Freshwater’s All Saints Church. 1,500 troops took part in the funeral procession, and the route to the churchyard was lined with thousands of spectators.
Edward was promoted to Bombadier on 19th June 1902. By September 1906 he was a Bombadier in No. 67 Company, R.G.A.
Edward was discharged as medically unfit, with a pension, on 17th September 1906. After his discharge Edward lived in the High Street, Brading where he died of T.B. on 12th October 1907.
Michael John Rock 3 December 1879 – 3 October 1931
Christopher Rock 20 December 1881 – 5 June 1950
My great grandfather and, according to my grandmother, a “cruel man”. Leaving his write up to last in the apparently forlorn hope that I might find SOMETHING good to say about him!
Patrick Joseph Rock 28 February 1884 – 24 February 1931
Joseph Edward Rock 3 March 1888 – 2 September 1959
Remembering also their sister, Mary Rock, born 28 February 1886, died 16 July 1887 after suffering convulsions and vomiting for 3 days.