Robert DIVES [3664]

  General Notes:

Robert wrote to his grandson Percival William Alston Geils at his first birthday the date of the letter was 27 Jul 1909 his address was 124 St Georges St Durban SA.

The sudden death of Mr Robert Dives, which took place at 30 London Road, Far Cotton, on Monday, from bronchitis, has caused deep regret among his many friends ..... He was at one time with the firm of Messrs Allchin, engineers, when they occupied premises near the gasworks. He was also a Sunday School teacher at All Saints, and in 1889 went to South Africa, where, in addition to his ordinary engineering occupations, he started a press organ for the trade. He returned with his wife to this town in September, 1909, for the purpose of setting up a business here. He was understood to be establishing an industry which he considered had good prospects, when death claimed him, leaving a widow, one son, and 2 daughters, the children being in South Africa. The funeral took place on Thursday at the General Cemetery, the first part of the service being held at St Mary's Church.
Extract from the Northampton Independent.

Those who remember the Sunday School which was for many years conducted in the Mutual Hall, will be sorry to hear of the death of Mr Robert Dives. For some years he gave the parish valuable assistance as superintendent of the School. He left Durban some years ago, and was living in England at the time of his death. He took an active part in the church life in Durban and was rarely absent at the meetings of the Native Affairs Reform Association.
Extract from St Cyprian's church magazine Durban.

Memorial Card
In Loving Memory of
ROBERT DIVES
who entered into rest
May 18, 1914
aged 61 years
Interred at Northampton General Cemetery May 21.

  Research Notes:

Baptism Ref: Baptismal Register Lamberhurst Parish Church Page 56 No. 441 Baptised by Robert Hawkins Vicar.

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 8 Apr 1861, Stonecrouch Goudhurst KEN. Robert is recorded as a son aged 8 a scholar born Lamberhurst KEN

2. Census: England, 2 Apr 1871, All Saints Northampton NTH. Robert is recorded as a boarder unmarried aged 18 an engineers apprentice Lamberhurst KEN

3. Census: England, 3 Apr 1881, James St Northampton NTH. Robert is recorded as head of house married aged 28 a Commercial Clerk to an Engineer born Lamberhurst SSX

4. Census: England, 2 Apr 1911, 42 Hazelwood Rd Northampton NTH. Robert is recorded as a lodger occupying a sitting room and bed room married aged 58 a consulting engineer MIME and machinery agent on his own account born Lamberhurst KEN

Robert married Mary A POOL [1400] [MRIN: 112]. (Mary A POOL [1400] was born about 1853 in Northampton NTH.)