Anthony Leslie Wilson in South Africa

Anthony Wilson in South Africa

My paternal grandmother was Olive Lillian Wilson and her father was Anthony Leslie Wilson. Anthony was married twice first to Elizabeth Garrett and secondly to Caroline Elizabeth Elves my Great Grandmother (therefore I can claim that I am 1/8 elf).  Anthony had a total of seven children three with Elizabeth and four with Caroline.  

Anthony Wilson

Here is the story of my great grandfather, as told by Doris, one of his daughters.  It appears from the census records that she may have been wrong about him having only one son, although by the time she came along, it is possible that his other sons had died young.

Anthony Wilson was born in Lancashire (Barrow-in-Furness District), the only son of Anthony and Caroline Wilson (born Thackery). There were three daughters - Caroline (a spinster), Barbara (Guines) whose only daughter died when about 21 years, and Alice (Walker, later Price).

... My Father had the first brick house built at Primrose. Later it was added to and turned into a pair of semi's. All the other houses were wood and iron. My Dad sent for his sister, Alice, to come and care for his two little children, Harold and Doris when his wife died of pneumonia. Alice fell in love with the next door neighboour's son, and when she married, my Father remarried - Caroline (born Elves). Four children were born - 'Carrie' (Heaton), Hilda Mary (Manning), Olive (James Edward McCartney) and Anthony 'Tant'."

                                            Anthony and Elizabeth Garrett

                                                                 Caroline Elves

as recorded by Doris Alice Martin (nee Wilson)

                                                                             Carrie, Olive, Doris, Hilda Mary

Anthony was a miner, originally in Lancashire, where the British census of 1881 records him as a Mining Labourer at 14 years old in Dalton. Later he worked on the mines in Germiston South Africa as a Winding Engine Driver, and then in Dundee, Natal, where he worked on the Northfield and SA Collieries. The Winding Engine Driver operated the large static engine that raised the men to and from the workings in a lift cage.  Anthony's son was very proud of his prowess in this task ... he used to talk about how even when the men below had not seen a shift change occur at the winding engine, they could tell when 'old man Wilson' was at the controls because of the smooth ride he gave them.  Recent examples of working steam driven winding engines found at working collieries show that the machines were maintained with considerable care and attention - the miners took their responsibilities to the men below very seriously.

Anthony was also a cornet player in the Salvation Army Band.

Information obtained from Michelle Gilmore my second cousin