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 includes Arthur in the "Overseas Military" section, based at The Citadel, Cairo. Listed as being 20 years old, a Rifleman in the Rifle Brigade with a trade of "Printers Mate". 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 The 1921 census includes Arthur (aged 29) boarding with the family of Richard Percy Vernall Taylor at 74, Bourne Street, Eastbourne. His occupation is listed as "Bass Player", working with Cap Amers Band in Eastbourne. A small insight into the life of a Special Military Constable during the Second World War Second World War M.P. 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) The 1921 census has Phyllis (aged 15) living with her family at 1, Chesterfield Grove, East Dulwich, Camberwell. Phyllis' occupation is given as "Assistant Confectioner Shop" at Lordship Lane, E. Dulwich. Her father Horace A. Kingham (b. 1865 in Haddenham, Bucks) is listed as a Mineral Water Traveller working for Batey & Co, 47 E. Dulwich Rd. Her mother Emilie (b. 1864 in Little Warby, Essex) is listed as housewife. Her brother Frank (b. 1901 in Fulham), works as a Dispatch Clerk for Catesley & Son, in Tottenham Road.
	Born:	28.07.1906	in Camberwell, Surrey
	Died:	28.05.1988	in Basildon, Essex

A Rare Family Photograph Taken at the Wedding of Brenda and Maurice in 1947 From left to right: Vicky (?), Arthur Calkin, Erica (the little girl), Brenda Calkin(now Michel), Maurice Michel, Bill (Best Man), Phyllis Calkin, Rex Calkin

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.         Married to Neil Craddock         Daughter Alexis is married to Toby, both are Biochemists (as is my own daughter !) Richard Louis Michel (b. 04.03.1951) registered in Hampstead.         I remember meeting Richard in the 70's.         Richard was a boilermaker, but is now retired.         Last time I heard he was hoping to join a girlfriend in the Phillipines.         Richard had one son, Jack (b. 1990) who was trying to break into acting.
	Died:	c. 01.2013	Aged 87, in Australia
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
	Died:	c. 06.2022	Aged 89, in Basildon, Essex
Erica Phyllis Ellis Erica is the daughter of Phyllis, but not Arthur. Erica's father was Eric Whan Mason listed as living at 21, Mead Way, Shirley, Croydon on Erica's birth certificate. Eric's occupation is given as "Wholesale Grocer". Erica was adopted by Percy and Peggy Perrin in Brighton (the Perrins had a daughter, Ann, born around 1938). Erica and elder sister Ann took over Peggy's wool shop around 1975 and ran it for about 15 years. Stan and Erica Ellis moved in 2010 to Tunbridge Wells.
A Young Erica A Wedding Picture of Erica on the cover of an Album Release Robin Foster - Where Do We Go From Here (on Last Exit Records)
	Born:	30.04.1943	at 39, Woodcroft Road and registered in Croydon West
	Married:	c. 03.1966	to Stan Ellis in Brighton Two Children Sean Ellis (b. 1970) Katie Ellis (b. 1973)
	Died:	c. 04.2012	Aged 69, in Kent

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.