Francis Collinson visited Marjorie Wood Prosser of Bridge House, Hardwicke, Gloucestershire in 1943 when she sang him the Gloucester Wassailing Song.
Marjory Wood Blake was born 21st March 1882 in Thornford near Sherborne, Dorset. Her father was a gardener and moved around quite frequently In 1891 Marjorie, aged 8 born in Thornford, was living in Rose Villa, Hagley Road, Upper Swinford, Worcs with her parents Walter Blake aged 36, a gardener, domestic servant born in Eynsham, Oxfordshire and Sophia aged 36 born Frocester. They had four other children living with them: Leonard aged 10, a scholar born in Thornford, Lionel aged 6, a scholar, Walter aged 4, a scholar, William T., born Saul, Glos, and Frances L. Aged 5 months born in Pedmore, Worcs.
By 1901 Marjorie aged 19 was a domestic parlourmaid living in Gables, Newland St., Eynsham, Oxfordshire with her father Walter Blake aged 46 born Eynsham with his wife, Sophia aged 46 born Frocester, Glos., and nine other children: Leonora Eliz. aged 20 a Cook, domestic, born Thornford, Dorset, Lionel Vie aged 17 a baker’s assistant born Frocester, Walter aged 14 a telegraph messenger born Saul, Glos., William T. H. aged 13 born Saul, Glos., Frances L. aged 10, born Pedmore, Worcs., Lina L. Aged 8 born Oldswinford, Worcs., Percy and Herbert both aged 6 born Witney, Oxfordshire and Dorothy aged 3 born Witney, Oxfordshire.
Marjorie Wood Blake married William Prosser in1909 in the registration district of Witney, Oxfordshire.
Subsequent to Francis Collinson’s visit, Marjorie W. Prosser married William Thomas Veal in 1950 in the registration district of Gloucester Rural, Gloucestershire. William Veal was born in Gloucester where in 1891 as a scholar he was living in 2 Rose Villa, Bristol Road Quedgeley, Glos with his parents John Henry Charles Veal aged 31, a printer compositor, and Sarah aged 30 and three other children: Arthur Harry aged 6,a scholar, Hubert Maliphant aged 2 and Edgar Charles aged 1. All the family were born in Gloucester.
Marjorie Wood Veal’s death aged 94 was registered in 1976 in the registration district of Gloucester.
Note by Carol Davies December 2011