CFHS code : MG18
Parish : St Mary the Great
Inscription : In Memory of ARTHUR FRANK FORSDYKE 1874 – 1946 also ELLEN MARY FORSDYKE 1866 – 1951 and their daughter CISSIE age 7
Monument : Headstone
Above information from Cambridge Family History Society Survey
Lat Lon : 52.202259, 0.1373521 – click here for location
Monument
This headstone stands 2 rows east of the central path in the parish of parish area of Mary the Great. Ellen’s parent’s grave is one plot to the north and Arthur’s 1 row behind. The carved inscription is still legible. The whole is in good order but this area is subject to vigorous bramble and ivy growth.
Inscription
In Memory of ARTHUR FRANK FORSDYKE 1874 – 1946
Also ELLEN MARY FORSDYKE 1866 – 1951
And their daughter CISSIE age 7
Arthur Frank (Frank) Forsdyke (30 June 1873 – 28 March 1946)
Frank was the son of Arthur and Sarah (née Fisk) was was born in Saxmundham, Suffolk. He grew up at 7 Blossom Street and by the age of 17 was working as an apprentice plumber. He married Ellen Hunt in 1892 and they had six children: Arthur Ernest George Gladstone (1894-1968), Arthur Frank (1895-1968), Ellen Sarah May (Cissie) (1900-1906), Harry Ewart (1901-1993), Albert William (1901-1994) and George Stanley Seymour (1906-1994). Frank worked as a plumber and the family lived at 5 Blossom Street (1901) and then 3 Stone Terrace, Stone Street (at least 1906 onwards).
In March 1902 the Cambridge Independent Press reported that Frank had suffered a serious fall. He was working on the roof of a house on Tenison Avenue, when the ladder slipped and he was ‘thrown to the ground, a distance of 25 feet. It was considered necessary to take him to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where he was detained’. It is known that the family worshipped at the Zion Baptist Church and Frank died at home aged 72 years old. His funeral was held on 1 April at St. Columba’s Mission Hall and the mourners at the ceremony were reported in local newspapers – these perhaps give an indication of his passions and pastimes: The Friendly Sick Club, Court Pride of Cambridge Ancient Order of Foresters, New Street Mens’ Bible Class.
Ellen Mary Forsdyke (née Hunt) (22 November 1865 – 1951)
Ellen was baptised on 21 January 1866 and was the daughter of George and Maria Hunt. Her father was a painter and window cleaner and in 1891 Ellen was working as a launderess and living with her family on Newmarket Road. Ellen died aged 84 years old.
Ellen Sarah May (Cissie) Forsdyke (1900 – 14 June 1906)
Cissie was the only daughter of Frank and Ellen and died at Stone Terrace aged 6 years old. It is not known why her age is recorded as 7 years on the grave monument.
Sources:
Ancestry
Newspaper archives
by Claire Martinsen
[If you have any further information about this family, please contact us at Friendsofmillroadcemetery@gmail.com]