Ernest GOFTON’s father was a tailor so it isn’t a surprise to find the lad was an apprentice draper at the age of thirteen. Ten years later, recently married to Dora Annie CRAWFORD and with an infant son, he gave his occupation as “grocer”. In the first decade of the 20^th century, the family moved the short distance from Hope Street to Victoria Avenue. Two more children arrived and Ernest seemed happy with fruit and veg. In 1921, Ernest, Dora and sixteen-year-old Mabel were lodging in Norwood Street, Scarborough on census night – and Ernest was working at the Valley Bridge Garage as a “motor engineer”. Eighteen years passed before the next census so I have no idea how long he got his hands dirty in the motor trade. At the start of the Second World War, he was a tobacconist. He died in April 1945, as Soviet soldiers encircled Berlin and a week before Hitler is said to have committed suicide.

Correction: Emma Revell LIGHTFOOT 1880-1958

Jane CROSIER (sometimes CROSHER) was one of three girls born to Warcup and Ann née HALL. All three sisters worked as dressmakers and only the youngest married. Elizabeth Ann’s union with Robert Harvey STOCKDALE was somewhat fraught and in 1891 the sisters were enumerated in Alma Terrace with Elizabeth Ann’s two children and a Hall cousin also in residence. In 1911 Jane was at 29 Church Street with her father, aged 88. Warcup outlived her by two years.

Oswald COOPER grew up at Filey Vicarage, a stone’s throw from verger Warcup Crosier and Jane. He married Beatrice Mary KING at St Oswald’s shortly before the end of the Great War. They had one daughter and lived to celebrate their golden wedding. Their ashes are buried in Reverend Canon Cooper’s grave, a stone’s throw from the last resting place of the Crosiers. (For more on Oswald, Beatrice and their home in Scarborough, see Willersley House.) Joseph CRIMLISK was the first child of Irish coastguard Thomas and his wife Catherine McDEVITT to be born in England. His life ended prematurely aboard the SS Courier during the Crimean War and he was buried at sea.

In 1901, sisters Jane and Emma LIGHTFOOT were living at 39 Church Street, Filey. They were both dressmakers and perhaps they exchanged patterns and materials with near neighbours, the Crosiers. (Could they have made trousers for Oswald Cooper?) Emma is remembered in Filey churchyard as Emma Revele (sic) Lightfoot. The 1891 census says she is Emma NEILL, 10, a nurse child born in Ripon. The GRO Births Index registers her as Emma REVELL, mother’s maiden surname NAYLOR. Clearly, she was raised by a loving family.

Row 35 701 Lightfoot G562

In loving memory of SAMUEL LIGHTFOOT, died Sep 27th 1895, aged 75.

Also, ANN his wife, died Nov 5th 1900, aged 67.

And their daughters, JANE ELIZABETH died May 11th 1928, aged 76.

‘Peace perfect peace’

Also, EMMA REVELE, died Oct 19^th, 1938 aged 78.

‘Reunited’

Mark of Man 102 · Contrail