"The old man in a tub"

[Beryl Reynolds]

I am writing my autobiography for my grand-children. I remember seeing the "old man in a tub" when we used to visit Hastings when I was a child, and I would be very grateful if anyone could supply me with pics.and/ or info. about him.
Thankyou
Beryl Reynolds

[Andrew Hay]

The old man in the tub was named Alfred Mills Stonham, nick-named Biddy. He was born in1879. He was my Gran's uncle. There's a little booklet that you can buy from the fishermen's museum in Hastings.
Biddy The Tubman by Geoff Hutchinson ISBN 0 95 19 93 67 4
I am very sorry that I never knew this wonderful old man as he sadly died in 1964. He received a bravery medal from the RNLI and was given it at Buckingham palace by King Edward VII. He fought in the first world war as a sailor and in the second, helped evacuate the soldiers fron Dunkirk during the second.
I will try and find some old photos that are floating around the family, if it's possible.
I would also be grateful if you would pass any info on to me as I'm trying to trace all our family.
With regards
ANDREW HAY

[Norma Mechaly]

My Name is Norma Mechaly, my maiden name was Norma Gower. My Father was Norman Gower, My Mother Dorothy Gower. My Father took over the family Buisness, a florist in 1946 named Gower's, which was on the corner of Queens rd and Waterworks rd, my father was also born there.I came to Hastings when I was 2yrs old, and left when I was 10yrs old to live in London.Does anyone know of my childhood friend Patsy Woodcock and her brother Derick. I had cousins Reggie Gower from Bexhill, and cousinsRolley Maslin, and Rodney and Douglas Pickard. Also Barry and Pat Jenner who owned a small grocery store on Queens rd.I went to Elphinstone school. I have lived in the states for the past 38yrs Boca Raton Florida for 14yrs. I would love it if someone around my age Knows any information.
(Hopefull} Norma

[heather_williamson]

[quoted]
At 10:48:21 PM 10/05/05, Andrew Hay wrote:
The old man in the tub was named Alfred Mills Stonham, nick-named Biddy. He was born in1879. He was my Gran's uncle. There's a little booklet that you can buy from the fishermen's museum in Hastings.
Biddy The Tubman by Geoff Hutchinson ISBN 0 95 19 93 67 4
I am very sorry that I never knew this wonderful old man as he sadly died in 1964. He received a bravery medal from the RNLI and was given it at Buckingham palace by King Edward VII. He fought in the first world war as a sailor and in the second, helped evacuate the soldiers fron Dunkirk during the second.
I will try and find some old photos that are floating around the family, if it's possible.
I would also be grateful if you would pass any info on to me as I'm trying to trace all our family.
With regards
ANDREW HAY

[/quoted]


I remeber seeing the old man_ _ _.he was wonderful.
I left England when i was 16 but go back to see my family.

[Holly Howard]

Hi Mrs. Mechaly! This is Holly, Giselle's old friend. Can you please tell me how to get in touch with Giselle? I hope you are doing well.

[quoted]
At 01:30:34 AM 13/05/05, Norma Mechaly wrote:
My Name is Norma Mechaly, my maiden name was Norma Gower. My Father was Norman Gower, My Mother Dorothy Gower. My Father took over the family Buisness, a florist in 1946 named Gower's, which was on the corner of Queens rd and Waterworks rd, my father was also born there.I came to Hastings when I was 2yrs old, and left when I was 10yrs old to live in London.Does anyone know of my childhood friend Patsy Woodcock and her brother Derick. I had cousins Reggie Gower from Bexhill, and cousinsRolley Maslin, and Rodney and Douglas Pickard. Also Barry and Pat Jenner who owned a small grocery store on Queens rd.I went to Elphinstone school. I have lived in the states for the past 38yrs Boca Raton Florida for 14yrs. I would love it if someone around my age Knows any information.
(Hopefull} Norma
[/quoted]

[David Duffield]

My Grandmother was a Stonham who was releated to Biddy, although I not 100% sure where he fits in the the family tree. So I would be interested in any information, photo's of Biddy.
My father and uncle both remember him from there regular visit's to Hastings when visting there Aunts before the war.

David Duffield

[Robert D. Stonham]

_ _ _Hello everyone_ _ _.if you will go into the Summer issue 2006 of This England,page 24, you will find a fascinating and moving article on Alfred Mills Stonham_ _ _"the man in the tub"_ _ _..he was much more than that, larger than life_ _ _.he was 9 years younger than my grandfather James Mahlon Stonham who happens to remind me so much of Biddy_ _ _also there is a picture of Biddy that could pass for my grandpa James_ _ _.I cannot prove for certain that they were related, but I'd find a bit difficult for them not to be related_ _ _.
Anyway, this is for your information, and I hope it helps someone to fill in some of the blanks about "the man in the tub"_ _ __ _ _sincerely, Robert Stonham, Boca Raton, Florida and Costa Rica_ _ _..

[Robert D. Stonham]

_ _ _I made a mathematical error_ _ _my granpa James Mahlon Stonham was born in 1880, making him one year younger than Biddy_ _ __ _ _Robert_ _ _

[Sara]

[quoted]
heather williamson wrote:
[quoted]
At 10:48:21 PM 10/05/05, Andrew Hay wrote:
The old man in the tub was named Alfred Mills Stonham, nick-named Biddy. He was born in1879. He was my Gran's uncle. There's a little booklet that you can buy from the fishermen's museum in Hastings.
Biddy The Tubman by Geoff Hutchinson ISBN 0 95 19 93 67 4
I am very sorry that I never knew this wonderful old man as he sadly died in 1964. He received a bravery medal from the RNLI and was given it at Buckingham palace by King Edward VII. He fought in the first world war as a sailor and in the second, helped evacuate the soldiers fron Dunkirk during the second.
I will try and find some old photos that are floating around the family, if it's possible.
I would also be grateful if you would pass any info on to me as I'm trying to trace all our family.
With regards
ANDREW HAY

[/quoted]
Biddy is also my fathers uncle. My father is Victor Albert Trafford-Jones although I think he was originally just Jones. He is now 86 years old and actually met Biddy on his boat when he was a little boy. He remembers Biddy as being introduced as an uncle and so I think he assumed that it was his mothers (Florence Stonham maybe spelt Stoneham) brother. My father remembers quite abit about him including some funny stories so please reply if you would like to learn more

Sara Trafford-Jones

[/quoted]

[Sara]

[quoted]
David Duffield wrote:
My Grandmother was a Stonham who was releated to Biddy, although I not 100% sure where he fits in the the family tree. So I would be interested in any information, photo's of Biddy.
My father and uncle both remember him from there regular visit's to Hastings when visting there Aunts before the war.

David Duffield
[/quoted] My grandmother too was a Stonham and related to Biddy. Her name was Florence and her last son- my father is my dad - Victor Trafford-Jones (although I think he was orginally Trafford). He was the youngest of a large family and didnt know his brothers and sisters too well. Do you know of Florence. I would be very interested in hearing as Dad lost contact with his family after WW2 (he's now 86). He met Biddy when he was very young and was very excited when I googled him and found pictures on a website. He actually bears some similarity. Would love to hear if theres a connection here