Family of Arthur Calkin

Arthur Calkin At Work - "Slap That Bass !"	Phyllis Calkin With Son Rex.

Calkin, Arthur Charles Youngest of 8 children born to Pierre & Eliza In the 1901 census, Arthur (aged 8) was living with his parents at 26, Nunhead Grove, Peckham. His occupation was declared as "Schoolboy". The 1911 census does not include Arthur, but as we have service pictures of him dated 1909 and 1913 it could indicate he was out of the country Arthur served with the East Surrey Regiment and was sent to India in W.W.I For some very early pictures see Early Days - First World War Arthur Calkin was credited at one time as Britain's finest bass player, and as such we have created our own personal dedication to Arthur with data taken from his scrapbook. Click here to see The Life and Career of Arthur Calkin Here are some of the bands that he was a distinguished member of : 1926-1927 - Dave Caplan's New Prince's Toronto Band 1930 - Ray Starita Band (Ray and Rudy Starita) 1931 - Jack Hylton Band 1931-1938 - Harry Roy and his Band - Harry Roy and his RKOlians - Harry Roy and his Tiger-Ragamuffins 1939-1944 - E.N.S.A. and part of the "Musical Cocktails Company" 1944 - Paul Adam's Band 1944 - Geoff Watt's Band (The Little Man with the Big Voice) 1945 - Nat Allen and his Band 1945 - Jack Jackson and his Band 1946-1970 - Syd Millward and the Nitwits. Arthur had a heart attack in 1970 and had to leave The Nitwits. He came to live with us in Basildon that same year.
	Born:	08.04.1892	at 31, Pitt Street, Peckham
	Married:	07.01.1925	to Phyllis Kingham in Edinburgh.
	Died:	11.09.1974	in Basildon, Essex
Calkin (nee Kingham), Phyllis Daughter of Horace Kingham and Emily (nee Harris)
	Born:	28.07.1906	at Camberwell, Surrey
	Died:	28.05.1988	at Basildon, Essex

Three Children
Brenda Christine On 8th April 1954 Brenda and family emigrated to Australia under the assisted passage migration scheme. Brenda, Maurice and two young children left from Tilbury. Below the family listing is a picture of the boat they travelled on, the Strathaird.
	Born:	25.12.1925	registered in Camberwell
	Married:	09.08.1947	to Maurice Victor Michel (b. 17.05.1920), marriage registered at Lewes. Two Children (before leaving England) Lesley Jane Michel (b. 09.11.1948) registered in Hampstead. Richard Louis Michel (b. 04.03.1951) registered in Hampstead.
Rex Arthur
	Born:	1932	in Thornton Heath, Surrey
	Married:	1952	to Stella Maud Butler at All Saints Church, Squirrels Heath, Essex Although separated in October 1972, they were not divorced until 05.01.1983
	Married:	1984	to Pauline Elizabeth Mary Ullyatt, registered in Brentwood, Essex
Erica Phyllis
	Born:	1943	registered in Croydon

The Boat That Took Brenda Michel (nee Calkin) to Australia It was called The Strathaird and the picture was a postcard that Brenda sent to Arthur. It is postmarked 8th April 1954. On the back Brenda writes:     Sorry there wasn't time to write to you properly before we left.     I hope you received your birthday present all right.     This is a smashing boat. We have a cabin to ourselves.     Just had a smashing lunch. Will send you a list of agents later.                           Love Brenda,

On The English Throne

Arthur Calkin's 1914-1918 War Medals 3490 Private A. Calkin, Rifle Brigade

The three medals Arthur received were fairly common British Service Medals of the First World War.

They are from left to right:
     The 1914 Star
     British War Medal 1914-1920
     Victory Medal 1914-1919

British and Commonwealth servicemen and servicewomen were awarded a wide variety of orders, medals and decorations for their service in the First World War. These included medals for gallantry, distinguished service and those bestowed by Allied governments. General service during the First World War was recognised by the issue of the 1914 Star (or the 1914-15 Star), the British War Medal 1914-1920 and the Victory Medal 1914-1919. These medals were issued in unprecedented numbers. Virtually all service personnel, and those civilians who served in an officially recognised organisation qualified for one of more of these medals.

The usual trio of awards, the 1914 Star (or the 1914-15 Star if appropriate) together with the two service medals became popularly known as 'Pip, Squeak and Wilfred' after characters in a Daily Mirror cartoon of the period.

General Summary of each of the awards above and the number of awards:

• The 1914 Star was awarded to members of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces, serving in France or Belgium on the establishment of a unit between 5 August 1914 and midnight on 22/23 November 1914.
  
  • 1914 Stars 365,622
  • 1914 Star Clasps 145,000
• The 1914-15 Star was awarded to those who saw service in any theatre of war against the central powers between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 except those eligible for the 1914 Star.
  • 1914-15 Stars 2,078,183
• The British War Medal 1914-20 was issued to commemorate the successful conclusion of the war and awarded to those who had served in a theatre of war up to and including the official end of the war in 1920.
  
  • British War Medals (silver) 6,500,000
  • British War Medals (bronze) 110,000
• The Victory Medal 1914-19 was issued in commemoration of the Allied victory, mostly to those who served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 (with some exceptions for later service).
  • Victory Medal 5,725,000

1936 Abdication of King Edward VIII
1936-1952 George VI
1952 Accession of Queen Elizabeth II

Important Inventions or Moments In Time

Guglielmo Marconi sent the first radio communication through the air.

Boer War.

The Wright brothers invent the first manned airplane.

The Lumiere brothers invent colour photography.

National health insurance actcomes into operation.

The Great War (World War I)

Russian revolution. Tsar abdicates.

Franchise Act. Gives votes to women over 30.

First British Labour government.

The British Empire becomes the Commonwealth of Nations.

World War II

First earth satellite launched by Russia

Yuri Gagarin becomes first man in space.

The Beatles first hit the U.K. chart.

Assassination of President Kennedy in Dallas.