William Henry Rogers, Willie as a young boy and with his wife Marion
Commonly known as Willie, he was born on May 5, 1877 while his parents lived at 85 Lancaster Gate, in London. Willie probably suffered the most at the loss of his parents since he was only 7. Little is known about his youth except that he became an apprentice in Glasgow for five years, learning to be a fitter on a ship. He then became a Second Class Engineer in the Merchant Service in 1902. Letters to his aunt reveal that he had served on a ship sailing to Canada, docking in Montreral.
In 1908, Willie married Marion Josephine Cleave and they settled in Liverpool. Willie eventually quit the merchant navy and ever after it seemed that finding employment was difficult.
Willie and Marion had five children: Victor Clarence, born in 1908, William Henry (Jr), born in 1910, MIldred born in 1911, Marion, born in 1913 and Eileen, born in 1918.
His wife died in 1921, leaving Willie with a large family to care for and feed. A young housekeeper from Ireland was hired to help him with the task. His daughter Mildred also became a sort of protector of her younger siblings, especially Eileen. Many letters were written to Willie by his older half-brother, Forster, and all those letters were kept. They indicate that Forster was a caring and helpful brother who was generous with financial support through many tough years.
Willie's last years were sad. Not only was World War II ravaging Liverpool, but his daughter Eileen suffered from tuberculosis and died at the age of 27. Their home was damaged by bombs and the family often resorted to the soup kitchen set up in their city for food. Willie died in 1944 at the age of 67.
In 1908, Willie married Marion Josephine Cleave and they settled in Liverpool. Willie eventually quit the merchant navy and ever after it seemed that finding employment was difficult.
Willie and Marion had five children: Victor Clarence, born in 1908, William Henry (Jr), born in 1910, MIldred born in 1911, Marion, born in 1913 and Eileen, born in 1918.
His wife died in 1921, leaving Willie with a large family to care for and feed. A young housekeeper from Ireland was hired to help him with the task. His daughter Mildred also became a sort of protector of her younger siblings, especially Eileen. Many letters were written to Willie by his older half-brother, Forster, and all those letters were kept. They indicate that Forster was a caring and helpful brother who was generous with financial support through many tough years.
Willie's last years were sad. Not only was World War II ravaging Liverpool, but his daughter Eileen suffered from tuberculosis and died at the age of 27. Their home was damaged by bombs and the family often resorted to the soup kitchen set up in their city for food. Willie died in 1944 at the age of 67.