Rupert John Hassall (1878-1942)

Rupert John Hassall was really the one that sparked my interest in genealogy. I had heard a few details about him, so decided to just have a quick look to see what I could find. Basically, once I got into the various documents, I just kept going and then "branched" out a little further.

It is perhaps fortunate that the ancestor I started with had quite a lot of information available. I found him on all the available census records and also found some of his army records as well. If there had not been so much information, I perhaps would not have carried on, who knows?

Rupert John Hassall, my great grandfather, born on 14 November 1878 in Fenton, Staffordshire to William and Sarah Ann (Alcock) Hassall. He was their 6th child of 8 .

1878 Rupert John was baptised on 29 November 1878 in Christ Church, Fenton, Staffordshire.

1880 Death of sister Frances Angelina Hassall – age 5

1881 The family are recorded as living at 10 Tramway, Fenton. There were 9 people listed in the household, William and Sarah Ann (Rupert John's parents), Sarah Ann, William J, Elizabeth and Florence (Rupert John's siblings) and Maria and Mary M Beardmore (Rupert John's aunt and cousin).

1881 Birth of brother Albert Hassall (1881-1904)

1885 Birth of sister Gertrude Lilian Hassall (1885-1949)

1891 The family had moved and were now living at 1 St. Matthew Street, Fenton.

1891 Census

• William Hassall – age 46, potters ovenman
• Sarah A Hassall – age 44
• William Hassall – age 20, engine tenter
• Florence Hassall – age 15
• John Hassall – age 12, scholar, (Rupert John)
• Albert Hassall – age 9, scholar
• Gertrude Hassall – age 5, scholar
• William H Plant – age 23, potters packer
• Sarah A Plant – age 22, potters paintress
• Francis Plant – age 3 months

1899 On 23 December 1899, Rupert John married Drucilla Hudson in Christ Church, Fenton.
The record states:

Rupert John Hassall, age 21, bachelor, blacksmith, residing at 29 Grove Road. Father – William Hassall (fireman)

Drucilla Hudson, age 22, spinster, residing at 7 High Street. Father – John Hudson (moulder)

Witnesses were John Hudson (Drucilla’s father) and Eliza Hudson (Drucilla’s sister)

1900 Birth of son Frank Hassall (1900-1968)

1901 Rupert John and Drucilla were living at 7 Warren Terrace, Fenton, Staffordshire, with their first son Frank.

1902 Birth of daughter Hilda Hassall (1902-1926)

1904 Death of brother Albert Hassall – age 22

1909  Birth of daughter Freda Hassall (1909-1974)

1911 The family were living at 14 Caroline Street, Longton, Staffordshire. The census was signed by Drucilla Hassall and shows that Rupert John and Drucilla had been married for 11 years.

• Rupert John Hassall – age 33, blacksmith, born in Fenton, Staffordshire
• Drucilla Hassall – age 33, born in Hanley, Staffordshire
• Frank Hassall – age 10, at school, born in Longton, Staffordshire
• Hilda Hassall – age 9, at school, born in Longton, Staffordshire
• Freda Hassall – age 1, born in Longton Staffordshire
• Emma Edwards – age 22, servant, born in Longton, Staffordshire

1912 Birth of son Jack Hassall (1912-1988)

1916 Rupert John was attested into the armed forces on 31 August 1916 and was posted to Salonika on 23 October 1916, he remained there until his discharge.

1917
Promoted to Corporal on 12 May 1917
Mentioned in despatches – 21 July 1917

1918
Mentioned in despatches – 27 November 1917
Promoted to Sergeant on 29 March 1918

1918 Death of father William Hassall – age 73

1919 Discharged from the army in February 1919 as being no longer fit for war service

1921 Death of mother Sarah Ann (Alcock) Hassall – age 75

1926 Death of daughter Hilda (Hassall) Riley – age 23

1936 Death of wife Drucilla (Hudson) Hassall – age 58

1939 The 1939 register shows that Rupert John is now widowed and living at Glencoe, Stone Road, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire. The date of birth for Rupert John is incorrect as it states 1879 and not 1878.

• Rupert J Hassall – 14 Nov 1879, master motor body builder and general smith and shoeing
• Emma Campbell – 22 Nov 1887, housekeeper
• Frank Hassall – 26 Nov 1900, works manager motor body builder

1942 Rupert John died of a ruptured thoracic aneurysm on 27 November 1942, aged 64 in Longton, Staffordshire.