Rye in East Sussex Town Guide

Family History of Foord


John Foord: Hi

I am one of the NZ branch of the Foords, originating from Ninfield/Hailsham area in Sussex and departing for NZ in 1863.

I have just started the searching process – Do you have any info from around that time that you would care to share with me?

Kindest regards,

Jason


3 responses to “Family History of Foord”

  1.  avatar

    Jason, I’ve only just joined this forum and your message was LOOOOONG ago … but since retiring to the country I now live in Ninfield and doing research on local War Memorials for various RBL Branches. I’m currently working on expanding that for Rye, hence joining the forum …

    I don’t know if you’ve developed your Family Tree in the last 6 years but you might not be aware that William Foord was one of 6 killed in 1916 when the trawler Margaret (Colebrook) struck a mine.

    FOORD William John Skipper, H.M. Trawler “Margaret” (Rye), Mercantile Marine Lost when the trawler struck a mine in Rye Bay 17 December 1916. Aged 40. Son of Mr & Mrs William John Foord Husband of Mrs Elizabeth Foord of 25, Mann Street, Hastings.

    Commemorated on Tower Hill Memorial, London.

    Trawler Margaret Colebrook, 54 grt, 17 December 1916, Between Hastings and Dungeness, mined and sunk, 6 lives lost including Skipper Foord, William John, Son of William John Foord; husband of Elizabeth S. Foord, of 25, Mann St., Hastings. On 17th December 1916 the steam trawler “Margaret Colebrooke” was blown up by a mine just off the Sussex coast. Six of the seven crew died in the sinking, they were J. Foord (Master), George Thomas Boreham, William Eldridge, John Hilder, James Hilder and Alfred Martin. Thomas Henry Apps, serving onboard as an apprentice, survived. A memorial cross at Rye Cemetery records this disaster, and was financed and erected by the masters and crew of Margaret’s fellow steam trawlers “Kent Colebrooke” and “Alfred Colebrooke”. All of the deceased from this tragedy are also remembered on the War Memorial at Rye Church. At the central entrance to the upper part of Rye cemetery, there is a memorial to the crew of the Margaret, it was erected to their memory by the masters and crew of the steam trawlers Kent Colebrook and Alfred Colebrook, the vessel was owned by Alderman William E Colebrooke.

    George Thomas (Sinbad) was a Master Mariner, the nickname obviously refers to “Sinbad” the sailor and sadly another to be claimed by the sea.
    1901 Census Master of the fishing Boat Daisy (O.N. 75407) RX90 with 3 crew. Richard Harvey, Mate 24, Henry Swaine, 3rd Hand, aged 35 and James F Buley, aged 54, 4th hand. George Thomas owned 32 shares of the Daisy RX90 and George William (his father) the other 32 shares. The boat was built by James Collins Hoad in 1881 and the registry closed in 1910 when the boat was broken up. 1901 living at 22 South Undercliff Rye Sussex. George married Edith and they had five children. In 1909 they were living at Bartletts Buildings Rye.

    On 17th December 1916, the steam trawler “Margaret Colebrooke” was blown up by a mine. Lost J. Foord (Master), George Thomas Boreham, William Eldridge, James Hilder, John Hilder and Alfred Martin. Thomas Apps serving as a boy survived. A memorial cross erected by the masters and crew of the steam trawlers “Kent Colebrooke” and “Alfred Colebrooke” now stands in Rye Cemetery. All the crew lost are remembered on the War memorial to all those who gave their lives in the Great War 1914 -1918 at Rye Church.
    The family gravestone in Rye Cemetery reads-
    “George Thomas Boreham, Beloved husband E.A. Boreham who died 17th.December 1916 aged 51, also Albert Charles, their son died 28th April 1916 aged 15 years, also Catherine Beatrice, their daughter and beloved wife of PC Betteridge, who died 15th. July 1945 aged 47 years. Also in loving memory of our dear mother Edith Annie Boreham who passed. away 22nd September 1954 aged 88 years”
    The Alfred Colebrook was lost in WW2. September 9 1940 – Drifter Alfred Colebrook (56t, 1912), sunk as blockship, Richborough Channel, SE England.

    Hope that fires up your enthusiasm again for Family History hunting.
    Should you want to ask about Ninfield, contact me at kevin.regan3ATsky.com (replacing the AT of course!)

  2.  avatar
    Anonymous

    Hi Jason. I am related to the Foords, by my Great Great Grandmother, Phoebe Foord. I live in Bexhill On Sea, East Sussex. I am 5 mins drive away from Ninfield. Phoebe Foord was born in Ashburnham, which is around the area of Ninfield. There are ‘Foords’ still living in Ninfield today. Lyn.

  3.  avatar

    Hello, My great, great, great grandfather was William Foord. He was the brother of James Samuel Foord that was in the battle of Sidley Green and was sent to Australia in 1829. Willam left with his family aboard the brig Socrates from Rye in July of 1836 and he settled in Wheatland, New York USA. williams brother Edward Foord also emigrated to Wheatland, NY.

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