Mary Elizabeth was a Major in the Salvation Army and this is verified with the census records of 1911 and 1939. She never married as it was forbiddden to marry an officer below rank. Family stories say she was married in secret in London to Mr. Parkings. This has not been verified, although she was in London in 1911. The following inscription is in a bible given to Bertha by Mary Elizabeth, this mentions M.E. Parkin, although the only M.E. Parkin I found in the census records in the Crewe area for 1901 were for a Mary E Parkin. It may be where the story originally originated and was further enhanced along the way.
Bertha was Mary Elizabeth's younger sister and the bible was given to her on her 12th birthday.
April 1881
Living at 21 Thomas Street, Monks Coppenhall, Cheshire
At home with parents (Abraham and Fanny) and 2 sisters (Sarah Hannah and Clara Ann)
April 1891
23 Walthall Street, Monks Coppenhall, Cheshire
At home with parents (Abraham and Fanny) and 4 sisters (Sarah Hannah, Clara Ann, Frances Alice and Bertha) and 2 lodgers (Richard and Albert Richards)
March 1901
Cheerbrook Road, Willaston, Cheshire
Working for the Wainwright family (Francis Joseph, Lucy Bradbury and Eric Francis) as a domestic servant
April 1911
128 The Avenue, Highams Park, Chingford, Essex
Matron and Salvation Army Officer of a residential home for ladies
1913
Death of father Abraham Hemmings - age 63
1932
Death of mother Fanny (Mason) Hemmings - age 81
September 1939
125 Wistaston Road, Crewe, Cheshire
Living with sister Bertha, her occupation is given as Salvation Army Officer
1945
Death of sister Sarah Hannah (Hemmings) Thompson - age 69
1955
Death of sister Bertha Hemmings - age 66
1958
Mary Elizabeth died on 4 January 1958, age 81 in The Barony Hospital, Nantwich, Cheshire. She was buried on 8 January in Crewe Cemetery.
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