Lila Elizabeth ALSTON [81]

   Cause of her death was vaginal cancer and heart failure.

  General Notes:

Lila never married, she was a bit of an enigma and she had rather unusual views on many matters. After her mother died in 1918, she continued to live by herself, more often than not without a resident maid. Her mother left her East Cliffe House in Sandgate, in her will. Lila died after a long and painful illness, her death certificate records her as a spinster of independant means, living at 5 Wellesley Tce Sandwich Kent before her death at 11 Limes Rd Folkstone.
There is a story that Lila had one very unpleasant experience. One night about 10 o'clock the front door bell rang violently, but there was no one there. The same thing happened the next few nights. Lila, accustomed to living by herself, was not unduly alarmed, but she was certainly intrigued, and decided to consult the Police. A constable was sent to patrol the house, but the front door bell continued to ring each night. After further consultation the plumber who for years had done the house repairs offered to come and stay in the house for an evening. At last the mystery was solved. There was a row of bells along a passage leading to the kitchen and larder in the basement. The plumber noticed one or two holes in the wall just near and he found out that a rat was in the habit of walking along the bell wires leading to the larder. And there was the solution.

Alston Lila Elizabeth of East Cliffe House, Sandgate Kent spinster died 31 December 1934 at 11 Limes Road Folkstone. Administration London 29 March 1935 to William Evelyn Alston MD effects L21971 0s 9d. Resealed Sydney 19 December 1935.
National Probate Calendar.

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 2 Apr 1871, Waterton Lodge Milton Rd Woolston Ham. Lila is described as a daughter aged 3mths born Woolston

2. Census: England, 3 Apr 1881, Oadby Leicester. Lila is recorded as residing at Broxhill House Oadby, a daughter aged 10, scholar, born Woolston Hampshire. (Probably Woolton Hants)

3. Census: England, 5 Apr 1891, East End House, Sandgate, Kent. Lila is recorded as a daughter single aged 20 born Woolston Hampshire

4. Death Certificate, 31 Dec 1934, 11 Limes Rd Folkstone. Death certificate on file (S Perrett)