When William Webb Dyke was born on August 16, 1872, in Crewe, Cheshire, England, his father, Edwin Henry Dyke (1845-1923), was 27 and his mother, Selina Charlotte (née Webb) (1848-1937), was 24. Like a number of his ancestors (including his father), William worked on the railroad like his father. He had five brothers and four sisters.
William married Blanche Evans on June 6, 1896, at Christ Church in Crewe, Cheshire, England.
When Blanche Evans was born on June 4, 1875, in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, her father, Thomas Evans (1838-1888) was 37, and her mother, Elizabeth (née Avery) (1836-1929), was 39.
The couple had four children over 14 years:
- Frank Arthur Dyke (1896-1932) married Eva Gallimore (1899-1933)
- Blanche Elizabeth Dyke (1900-1920) married Harry Hesketh (?-?)
- Horace William Dyke (1901-1970) married Mary Elizabeth Anne Titley (1899-1977)
- Bessie Avery Dyke (1909-1994) married Laurence Paul Tracy (1902-1980)
Blanche Elizabeth Dyke is born on April 10th and baptized on May 1, 1900, at Christ Church in Crewe. The family is living at 28 Brook Street, likely where they’d been living since at least 1888 when Blanche’s father died (the probate record lists Elizabeth Evans at this address). William’s occupation is “Fitter,” like his father. A railway engine fitter is someone who would maintain and overhaul engines, as well as prepare, assemble and fit together various engine parts.
Horace William Dyke was born on February 22, 1901, and baptized on March 19th at Christ Church. By this time, the family is living at 31 Stewart Street, which is also where we find the family on the 1901 Census.
Bessie Avery Dyke is born on August 17, 1909, and baptized on September 3rd at St. Paul Church in Crewe. Copies of the original record are not available digitally.
In 1939, William and Blanche are still living on Stewart Street, but now at 39. William had retired and he died later that year at the age of 67.
Blanche survived seven more years, and died in June 1946 in Hull, Yorkshire, England, at the age of 71.
Main Image: Erecting shop at the London and North-Western Railway engineering works, Crewe, Cheshire, England (Image via Wikimedia)
