Page 92 - ‘A Blaker Family History’ The family history of Joseph Blaker (1916-2007; ‘Joe’)

© The Blaker Society
© The Blaker Society

• Beadman Cottage, Beadman Street, West Norwood: 1939
• 18 Robson Road, West Norwood: 1945

18 Robson Road, West Norwood: Contemporary View

Whilst ‘Jack’ was away from home during WWII, Mary moved home
several times, with the help of her younger brother, ‘Joe’, who helped to
load a barrow with the family possessions, and push it to the next rented
accommodation. During WWII, ‘Jack’ was a ‘Sergeant’ in the Army ‘Pioneer

Corps’; Regimental Number: 10561340.

Pioneer Corps Cap Badge

After demobilisation, ‘Jack’ worked as a ‘Builders’ Labourer’ and was later
employed by the local Council undertaking road repairs. ‘Jack’ and ‘Mary’

were a hard-working couple.

‘Jack’ developed lung cancer and, after a period of nursing by his wife,
Mary, in 1964, he was admitted to Croydon Hospital, where he died,
leaving Mary as a widow. The cause of his death was certified as ‘COD

Heart Failure’ and ‘Carcinoma of the Lung’.

In January 1964, administration to the estate of ‘Jack’ Hart was granted to
his widow, Mary. His estate amounted to £715.00.

After ‘Jack’s’ death, Mary continued to live in Robson Road, close to the
boundary of West Norwood Cemetery. In order to make ends meet, Mary
had a variety of jobs, including cleaning and helping in a local hairdresser.
Following an accident on a bus that resulted in a wound to one of Mary’s
legs, she developed a severe leg infection, necessitating the amputation of
her leg, just below the knee. Whilst Mary returned to her home in Robson
Road, her age (in excess of 80 years), poor health and lack of local family,
resulted in her moving from West Norwood to Great Yarmouth, where
she lived at 56 Middle Market Road, close to her eldest son (‘Jack’),
daughters Mary and Joan, and sister Lily. Mary maintained her
independence until close to her death.

Mary died in Northgate Hospital, Great Yarmouth in 1990. The cause of
her death was certified as ‘Myocardial Infarction’.

6.25.2 Alfred John Blaker (1907-1978)
Born: 4 February 1907, 12 Dunbar Street, Norwood, London
Married: 18 June 1932, aged 25 years, married Ellen Grace Leslie; The
Register Office, Lambeth, London
Died: 21 March 1978, aged 71 years; Dulwich Hospital, East Dulwich