Rita Mary (Bennison) Gray (1901 - 1980)

Born 25 Apr 1901 in Loftus, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

Wife of Harry Gray — married 1935 in Halifax, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

Died 17 May 1980 at age 79 in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

• 25 Apr 1901 Birth: Rita Mary Bennison birth recorded with Guisborough, Yorkshire Registrar 2Q 1901. Mother maiden name Clapton. Exact DoB from father's WW#1 pension records. She was the daughter of Arthur Bennison and Selina Ann (Clapton) Lever
• 22 May 1901 Baptism: Arthur (miner) and Selina Ann Bennison of Loftus Yorkshire baptized their daughter Rita Mary (no DoB on record) in an anglican church, Loftus, Yorkshire on 22 May 1901.
• 1911 Census: Rita Mary Bennison (9, born in Loftus, at school) living in her grandparents house at 14 Primrose Hill, Skinningrove, Loftus, Yorkshire with her father Arthur Bennison (31, born in Danbry, Yorkshire, ironstone miner - face worker, married) and 2 siblings; Alfred Harold (11, born in Loftus, at school) and Walter William (8, born in Loftus, at school). Also on the record are Rita’s grandfather William Winspear (55, born in Heights, Yorkshire, ironstone miner - face worker) and his wife Elizabeth (55, born in Danby).
• 1916 WW#1 Pension: Rita Mary Bennison listed as beneficiary of a WW#1 pension after the death of her father Arthur Bennison on 4 Mar 1916, while in service as a gunner with the Royal Field Artillery (53rd Reserve). Rita’s guardian was recorded as Elizabeth Winspear of 14 Primrose Hill, Skinningrove, Yorkshire.

**** NLH Note: Her mother appears to have abandoned the family some time prior to the 1911 Census (moved to the Bradford area). She remarried 2 months after her first husband’s death.

• 1921 Census: Rita Bennison (20y 2m, born in Loftus, a winder at Victoria Mills in Brighouse) living at 15 Brookfoot Lane, Southowram, Yorkshire with her step-father John W Parratt (46y 5m, born in Lightcliffe, Yorkshire, a dyers laborer working for Bradford Dyers Assoication in Brookfoot mill), her mother Selina Ann Parratt (43y 8m, born in Loftus, home duties) and 1 sibling; Walter Bennison (18y 6m, born in Loftus, an out of work dyers laborer). Also on the record is a boarder.
• 2Q 1935 Marriage: Harry Gray marriage to Rita M Bennison recorded with Halifax Registrar 2Q 1935.

**** NLH Note: No records of children found for this marriage.

• 1939 Census: Rita M Gray (B. 25 Apr 1901, domestic duties) living at 1 Clog Sole Road, Brighouse, Yorkshire living with her husband Harry Gray (B. 20 Feb 1903, lorry driver).
• 1947 Residence: UK Electoral Registers record Rita M Gray living at 1 Clog Sole Road, Brighouse, Yorkshire from in 1947. Also on the record is her husband Harry H Gray.
• 17 May 1980 Death: Rita Mary Gray (DoB. 25 Apr 1901) death recorded with Halifax Registrar 2Q 1980. Exact DoD from Cremation.
• 22 May 1980 Cremation: Rita Mary Gray (79, housewife, married) of 1 Clog Sole Road, Brighouse died 17 May 1980. Cremated in Park Wood Crematorium, Elland on 22 May 1980 - arrangements by her husband Harry Henry Gray of the same address. Ashes spread in the Crematorium's Woodland Glade.

Sources

• Birth Registration: "England & Wales Births 1837-2006"
  Volume: 9D; Page: 494
  FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription
  
• Baptism: "Yorkshire Baptisms"
  Archive: Teesside Archives; Reference: PR/LO 1/5; Page: 15
  FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription
  
• 1911 Census: "1911 England Census"
  The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911; ED, institution, or vessel: 07; Registration District Number: 534; Piece: 29158
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2352 #31498389
  
• Military Pension: "UK, World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923"
  Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 021/0072/Ben-Ben
  Ancestry Record 61588 #126613411
  
• 1921 Census: "1921 Census Of England & Wales"
  Archive: The National Archives; Series: RG 15; Piece number: 21461; District reference: RD 496 RS 1 ED 12
  FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription
  
• Marriage Registration: "England & Wales Marriages 1837-2005"
  Volume: 9A; Page: 1176
  FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription
  
• 1939 Register: "1939 England and Wales Register"
  The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: Rg 101/3618f; Line Number: 2; Sub Schedule Number: 2; Schedule Number: 1
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61596 #22210234
  
• Residence: West Yorkshire Archive Services - Leeds, Electoral Rolls.
• Death Registration: "England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007"
  Volume: 4; Page: 0783
  FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription
  
• Cremation: https://www.deceasedonline.com/servlet/GSDOSearch?DetsView=Summary&src=ext&fileid=14042603