CFHS code : HT356a
Parish : Holy Trinity
Inscription : In Memory of SIDNEY JAMES MELTON d Oct 8 1925 age 60
Monument : Kerb stones
Above information amended from Cambridge Family History Society Survey
Monument
This set of kerbstone, located in the parish of Holy Trinity, lie a few metres north and about 70 metres along the south path from the central path. The inscription is undamaged. The kerbs have separated in 2 places and one corner post now lies within the grave set The monument is hidden in deep vegetation. The nearest visible monument in 2024 is the headstone of Frederick Tudor Hall HT360 which stands next to the path in the same row.
Inscription
In Memory of SIDNEY JAMES MELTON died October 8 1925 age 60 years
Sidney James Melton (1865 – 8 October 1925)
Sidney was born in Rougham, near Bury St Edmunds and was the son of William and Betsy. He grew up in Bury St. Edmunds where his father worked as a carpenter, joiner and undertaker. Sidney also worked as a carpenter and married Sarah Elizabeth Wye (also spelt Whye/Why) (1868-1950) in 1887. They had twelve children: a daughter (1887-1887), Mary Gertrude Mabel (1889-1969), Albert Sidney (1891-1966), Ada (1883-1883), Ernest (1895-1895), Elsie Kate (1896-1986), Ada Winifred (1898-1970), Doris Grace (1902-1996), Edward James (1905-1907), Sidney Leonard (1907-1914), Ernest Edward (1910-1978) and Roy (1913-1913). The family lived at 15 Ainsworth Street (1891), 4 Ainsworth Street (1901), Sleaford Street (1903-1906), 48 Gwydir Street (1907 -at least 1915) and then 115a Sturton Street (at least 1918 onwards). Sidney died at Sturton Street aged 60 years old.
From parish burial records it is known that Sidney and Sarah’s sons Leonard and Edward were also buried in the Holy Trinity section of Mill Road Cemetery and are thought to have been buried in the same grave.
Edward James Melton (1905-August 1907)
Edward died at 48 Gwydir Street aged 2 years old and was buried on 21 August 1907.
Sidney Leonard (Leonard) Melton (1907- 30 April 1914)
Leonard died of acute tenanus at 48 Gwydir Street aged 6 years old. He had been out playing in the garden on 17 April with a wooden sword when he fell over a drain covering. The point of the sword entered his knee, and his mother Sarah polticed the wound. Leonard was said to have been delirious all night and the next day the doctor was sent for. Dr Graham observed Leonard getting worse over several days and an operation was performed to drain the joint. A two inch long piece of wood was found under the kneecap. Everything was sterilised but the boys facial muscles began to tighten and he went in to spasm. At the inquest a verdict of ‘acute tetanus following a wound by a wooden plaything was returned’.
Sarah Elizabeth Melton continued to live at 115a Sturton Street. She died in December 1950 aged 82 years old. Her funeral and cremation took place on 22 December 1950.
Sources:
Ancestry
Newspaper archives
Parish burial records transcribed by CFHS
Deceased on line
by Claire Martinsen
With thanks to C.O. for providing additional information about the family – much appreciated.
[If you have any information about this family, please contact us at Friendsofmillroadcemetery@gmail.com]