West Middlesex Family History Society

Home
United Kingdom
Isleworth
West Middlesex Family History Society

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from West Middlesex Family History Society, Genealogist, St John's Centre, 80 St Johns Road, Isleworth.

The Society aims to encourage and assist those involved in the study of family history and genealogy in the western part of the ancient English county of Middlesex.

02/02/2026

📜 On This Day in West Middlesex 📜
2nd February 1904

On this day in 1904, a small incident on the streets of West Middlesex made the local paper. John FOUNTAIN was caught driving a horse and cart along Uxbridge Road in EALING without a light. He was later summoned to court, where he was ordered to pay a fine of 2 shillings and 6 pence. The offence was noticed by PC JOHNSTON, who stopped him.

John’s address was given as 25 Wood Street, Chiswick. It is not entirely clear whether the report referred to John Senior or his son, John Junior, but what we do know is that the Fountain family lived at this address for over forty years.

During that time, the house was home to a large blended family. John lived there with his wife Anne (formerly SMITH), who was stepmother to his only son John, alongside her children, Robert, Eliza, Selina and Mary Anne. The next generation also grew up under the same roof, with grandchildren Annie and George part of the household too.

A forgotten court report about an unlit cart gives us a fleeting glimpse of everyday life, and reminds us there is always a bigger local family story behind it. 🐴✨

26/01/2026

📜 On This Day in West Middlesex 📜

On the evening of Saturday 26th January 1918, a small but curious crime was reported in STANWELL. Nine fowl were stolen from the garden of Stanwell Lodge, leading the owners to place a notice in the Middlesex Chronicle offering a reward of two pounds for any information that would lead to the prosecution of those responsible.

Stanwell Lodge was home to George and Mary HORBURY. Their property was an impressive 16-room residence set in 1½ acres, complete with a kitchen garden, croquet and tennis lawns, and a stable block for two horses.
Originally from Birkenhead and Liverpool, the couple had lived much of their earlier life in India. George worked as a civil engineer, and all four of their children were born in Bombay during his service there. Sadly, their first child, Annie Beryl, died in 1883 at just 13 months old. By the time George purchased Stanwell Lodge around 1909, their three remaining children were grown.

The Horbury's were known locally for their kindness. In 1914, the local paper reported how they invited village children to their house at Christmas, giving gifts of toys and money.

But the years that followed brought great sorrow. In 1916, they lost their only son, George Squire Horbury, who was serving with the King’s Liverpool Regiment and was killed in action during the First World War. Tragedy struck again in 1921 with the death of their daughter Dorothy. The census from this year shows that their remaining child, Gladys, had come to live with them, along with Dorothy’s young son, four-year-old Daryl HUTCHINSON. Perhaps it was these shared losses that brought the remaining family back together under one roof.

It is not known whether anyone was ever caught for the theft from Stanwell Lodge, but this brief notice in the paper shows how a small local incident can open up a much richer story about one family and their place in the community.

21/01/2026

We will be taking part in the East Surrey Virtual Family History Show on Saturday. Sign up and visit us from the comfort of your own home 😁

We will be available to help with questions or queries about your West Middlesex ancestors

19/01/2026

📜 On This Day in West Middlesex 📜
19th January 1863 - Murder of PC William Davey

On the evening of 19th January, PC William DAVEY was patrolling his beat in Acton when he heard muffled voices coming from a building site and went to investigate. He recognised two men as local brothers Joseph and Isaac BROOKS, who were stealing timber but they fled before he could arrest them. After making his report to his sergeant on duty, Arthur BONNICK, he was allowed to go home for some supper before resuming his patrol for the evening.

William went home to Petherton Villa, Avenue Road where he resided with his wife Martha. At around 8:30pm, Martha answered a knock at the door.. a voice said, "Is Mr. Davey at home?", "Yes” she replied and called to her husband, "William, you are wanted”. He went to the door and as he passed the threshold of the door she turned to come in and heard the discharge of a gun.
William had been fatally shot on his doorstep. He was just 40 years old. The offender fled.

Officers rushed to the house and after speaking with witnesses, descended on where the brothers were residing at Chapel Place, Turnham Green, where Joseph Brooks was found in bed, and when the room was searched, a gun found under the mattress. Both were arrested and charged with the wilful murder of PC William John Davey.

The trial took place in April 1863.
The jury return a verdict after just 25 minutes, not guilty for Isaac Brooks, guilty for Joseph Brooks.

Mr Baron WILD addressed the convict ‘….with coolness and deliberation you went to the spot at which you knew the unfortunate deceased would be found; you called him from his home and then mercilessly and cruelly took his life. For this crime your own life is forfeited’. Brooks was executed at Newgate Prison on 27th April 1863.

William Davey was buried at St Mary’s ,Acton and is included on the Police Roll of Honour at the Police Remembrance Trust.

You can read more on the Old Bailey trial here: https://tinyurl.com/2nk7a2vw
Photo Credit 1: ©Police Remembrance Trust
Photo Credit 2: © Kent State University

16/01/2026

Last night, we listened to Kelly Cornwell speak about using Social Media for your family history. If you missed it, members can catch it on the playback feature of our website. It's available for a month and it's packed with info on how to begin your social media journey!

14/01/2026

Join us tomorrow night, Thursday 15th January for our first meeting of the new year!
Our speaker will be Kelly Cornwell titled 'Using Social Media for Family History'.

Kelly will be speaking from Zoom. Members may be on Zoom or at St. John's, Isleworth. Doors open from 7:30pm with the meeting beginning at 7:45pm.

13/01/2026

Side Quest Alert! 👀

Set out to do one thing… ended up somewhere completely different (as always!).

Today’s rabbit hole: the baptism registers of St Peter and Paul, Harlington — where I discovered a hidden addition tucked away in the pages. I’ve spent the whole afternoon trying to transcribe it, and honestly, this is why I love research so much.

You never know what’s waiting to be found!

12/01/2026

📜 On This Day in West Middlesex 📜
12th January 1858 - A football match in Ashford

The North and South sides of Ashford village took each other on in a friendly football match which resulted in the south side triumphing with a goal and three rouges to a single goal. In early football, a rouge was scored when the attacking team kicked the ball over the opponent’s goal line but not through the goal itself—usually wide of the posts or over the crossbar—and then touched the ball down first behind that line. Rouges would often be used as tiebreakers.

The West Middlesex Herald later reported that during the match Mr R PLATTNAUER was injured but was expected to return for the next match. Among the wining team was Colonel John Studholme BROWNRIGG, a notable figure in the Ashford community.

07/01/2026

Spelthorne Archaeology & Local History Group presents ‘Staines Boat Club & Staines Regatta’ a talk by Martin Corless. 8pm on Thursday the 8th of January at Staines Methodist Church, Thames St, Staines.

07/01/2026

Have you ever wondered who your ancestors were… but didn’t know where to begin?

You don’t need experience.
You don’t need an expensive subscription.
You don’t even need more than a name.

Family history is something anyone can start — and no one has to do alone!

If you’re curious about your family, your past, or the stories waiting to be found, you’ll be very welcome.

📍 Local society
🧬 Friendly support
☕ Real people, real help

Follow us or get in touch to find out how to join.

05/01/2026

📜 On This Day in West Middlesex 📜
5th January 1968 - War Hero celebrates Golden Wedding Anniversary

The Middlesex Chronicle reported the golden wedding anniversary of respected local couple, Mr and Mrs C. RICHARDS of Whitton Dene, Isleworth.

Charles James Richards met Nellie Eliza Peck in 1917, and the couple married at St John’s Church, Isleworth, on 5th January 1918, while Charles was home on leave from France serving with the 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment.

During the First World War, Charles was twice wounded and awarded the Military Medal for bravery. He later served as an infantry training instructor, attached to the Machine Gun Corps, before ending his army service.

After the war, Charles returned to civilian life and restarted the family business as a house decorator, working in Kensington and Whitton under the name 'Richards and Oliver.' He also devoted many years to the 1st Whitton Scout Group and was well known for his charitable work in the local community.

Together, Charles and Nellie raised three children — Olive, John and Joyce — and in 1968 celebrated 50 years of marriage surrounded by family and friends.

💛

29/12/2025

📜 On This Day in West Middlesex 📜
29th December 1931 - Ealing Pioneer passes away

George Herbert ‘Bert’ SKINNER, manufacturer and pioneer passed away at his home in Ealing aged just 59.

Born into the Lilley & Skinner footwear family, Bert combined craftsmanship with curiosity. Though he began his career in the shoe trade, his fascination with mechanics led him far beyond the workshop. After learning to drive in 1896 and buying a motor car in 1898, he immediately began improving it. Working alongside his brothers Carl and Jack — with support from their father — Bert created early carburettor designs that paved the way for the famous Skinner’s Union (SU) carburettors used in countless British cars throughout the 20th century.

Between 1900 and 1926, he filed at least 29 patents, constantly refining and improving his designs. One of the earliest prototypes, featuring leather bellows lovingly hand-stitched by his wife Mabel, was later loaned to the Science Museum for preservation.

Bert and Mabel lived at 15 Woodville Road in Ealing, and raised two children, Herbert Wakefield Banks Skinner and Louise Elizabeth Skinner. Bert continued to serve as a director of Lilley & Skinner while pursuing his inventive work.

On top of all this Bert also became an Olympian, competing in the 1908 London Olympics as a Shooter in the Men's Team Trap and winning a bronze medal.

Bert died suddenly at his home and was laid to rest at Alperton Cemetery, Wembley.

Address

St John's Centre, 80 St Johns Road
Isleworth
TW76RU

Website

http://www.west-middlesex-fhs.org.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when West Middlesex Family History Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Isleworth?

West Middlesex Family History Society

02/02/2026

26/01/2026

21/01/2026

19/01/2026

16/01/2026

14/01/2026

13/01/2026

12/01/2026

07/01/2026

07/01/2026

05/01/2026

29/12/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category