Helen Harbottle (buried 1923)

Helen was born in Tulliallan, Fife, the daughter of William Millar Wilson and his wife Jane nee Baird. William was a retired master mariner. The family had moved south to London by 1871 and then to Brighton. In 1881 one of their visitors was Mary Harbottle, Helen's future mother-in-law. In 1891, the family were living in Woodchurch, Kent and it was here on 24th June, Helen married John Harbottle. Their first son, William Wilson was born on 31st May 1893 but sadly died two years later. John Jnr was born in 1896 and baptised at Woodchurch on 14th March 1897. By 1901, the family were living in Bexhill but later moved to Hampstead. John died on 3rd October 1909. Helen continued to live in Hampstead with her sister Euphemia. Her son John was a cadet at Sandhurst and was commissioned in 1914. He joined the 1st Battalion Leicester Regiment and by 1915 was in France. By 1918, he was acting captain with  D Company, Leicester Regiment near Bapaume. John was killed in battle on 21st March 1918. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Arras Memorial (Bay 5) and at RMC Sandhurst. Probate was granted to his mother Helen Baird Harbottle on 15th April 1919. He is remembered on his parents grave at Heene. Helen died in Hampstead General Hospital on 22nd July 1923. Probate was granted on 15th September to Robert Charles McCleery scenic artist and Robert William Charles solicitor. Effects £18851 4s 7d (£774K in 2021).