Charles James Langley (b. 1879, d. 06 December 1958)
The Langley Family. 1949
Charles James Langley (son of James Alfred Langley and Susan Essam) was born 1879 in Queen Charlottes Hospital, London, and died 06 December 1958 in Paddington General Hospital, London. He married Emily (Emma) Dukes on 11 June 1899 in St Johns Church, Kensal Green, London, daughter of Frederick George Dukes.
Notes for Charles James Langley: We believe he went to his grave keeping several family secrets, including his own childhood & the stories about his Father & Mother. It was reported that hampers arrived at the doorstep each Christmas from Castle Ashby, Northants, next door to Scaldwell the old family seat. He would not tell anyone anything when asked, not even his sons. He did however mention a certain 'White Handkerchief' he received from his father, James Alfred, & remarked, "Hold on to this, it will tell you who you are" Grandad mentioned that there was a black box from his father that mysteriously disappeared shortly before his death. It is believed that Aunt Kate, Grandad's sister, took it to America with her. When Sheila wrote to her asking about it she was told to drop it. He was a wonderful man. He lived in the house where I was born for 11 years before his death. He was kind & gentle to us grandchildren. He bought me a cub-scout uniform for 1 pound because Mum & Dad couldn't. He used to sit on the wall atop the stairs entering our house, with his old walking stick & flat cheesecutter cap. He was rarely seen without it, except in the house of course. He was a Greengrocer. His last job was with the Great Western Railway, at Paddington Station. He was a Railway Carman where he used to run 2 horses & cart, namely Cockup & BumBum. That's where he had the accident to his back which retired him. A crate fell on him. I remember sitting with him & my Grandmother Emma, in their small kitchen, at the table in front of the stove. I once cut my finger toasting bread at that stove. Had stitches at Paddington Gen. Hospital. He used to give me some tea, in a saucer, with whiskey in it. He drank from the saucer because it cooled the tea quicker. He kept chickens in the backyard. I believe he had horses at one time, probably from his father the farmer/butcher. On Sunday we, the kids, would often have to pluck the chicken for cooking. Oh how I wish I had talked more to him about his life & family. There are so many of them & I know so little. Lots of Q's. My childhood memories are great because of my family. Because my Grandparents were living with us it meant we saw all our Uncles & Aunts & Cousins. Their parties were memorable. His funeral was at the time, a grand affair. The wake attended by many people I did not know, probably some of his family, even at the ripe old age of 11. I remember seeing him lying in the back bedroom at Coomassie Road, as did my Nan some years before him. Then the drive to Mill Hill Cemetery. All very daunting for an 11 year old.
More About Charles James Langley: Burial: 1958, Mill Hill Cemetery, London.
50th. wedding Anniversary of Charles & Emily. 1949
More About Charles James Langley and Emily (Emma) Dukes: Marriage: 11 June 1899, St Johns Church, Kensal Green, London.
Marriage Notes for Charles James Langley and Emily (Emma) Dukes: Charles was listed as a greengrocer at the time of his marriage to Emily in 1899. His address was 3 Church Place, London. Emily's was also listed as the same address. Charles' father, James Alfred was listed as a butcher at the time of the marriage. Pictures of 50th. Anniversary 1949, show Nan & Grandad with the 8 brothers inside Coomassie Road.
Children of Charles James Langley and Emily (Emma) Dukes are:
Charles James Langley (b. 1879, d. 06 December 1958)
Notes for Charles James Langley:
