The following information has been found by Thomas Stevenson, great grandson of the above.

Other information can be found at http://www.martinfamilyhistory.co.uk/Wm20.htm This is a Martin Family History page but his information has shed light on Thomas!

In 1877, Thomas was working as a Clerk in General Post Office London. This would mean he was in the civil service and was probably around Hackney as the first child was born in that area. He then became a Prison Warder in Gillingham. This was also a civil service posting for which he would have had to sit an examination.

Millbank Prison was in the area and featured on the 'Time Team' television programme.

In March 1883, "the Straights Settlements Government applied through the Colonial Office for nine experienced Convict Prison Officers, for service in that Colony, subject to the terms of an agreement, covering Home Service, pay, furloughs, pensions etc." Thomas applied for one of the posts and was accepted on the 29th May 1883.

As Thomas' fifth child Charles, was born at Wick on 3rd June 1883, it suggests that Martha had gone home to her parents. This fits wonderfully with an Italian ship called the Amedeo leaving Cardiff Docks on 29th May 1883 and was the only vessel leaving Great Britain at the time, for Singapore. This ship had seven prison officers on board one of which was Thomas James Stevenson! He arrived in Singapore on 7th July 1883.

I have been sitting on this photograph for ages. It was sent to me by Thomas Stevenson (Great grandson of the above Thomas). Piecing together the above facts about nine men applying for the post, the fact that this photo was in family possession and there is what looks suspiciously like a palm tree in the background, the conclusion is that one of these men is indeed Thomas. It has only just occurred to me to count the men in this photograph!

In 1885, the sixth child, Margaret was born in Straits Settlements. Martha had obviously gone there. Perhaps Thomas had leave and may have returned with his wife and children. I don't think it would be the case that Martha went there on her own. Their final child was born in Pershore in 1888, therefore Margaret had returned home prior to this. Whether Thomas remained in the prison service in Singapore for a time after this is uncertain but he is also buried in Wick cemetery but not with his wife. Anecdotal stories reveal that Thomas had lost both legs 'due to frostbite' whilst going 'bush' in Singapore. He used to trundle around on a home made cart. His wife was buried in her sister's plot and has a lovely marble stone whilst Thomas is in an unmarked grave in a far flung corner of the cemetery.

More information has been received from Ann Griffiths, great grand daughter of Thomas. She was of the belief that Thomas was in India or Nepal, where he had frostbite. His legs were amputated in the Far East and he was returned to Portsmouth then back home to Wick where his wife looked after him until his death.

This information makes more sense of the 'frostbite' story. He did not necessarily remain in Singapore and being in Nepal would account for the climate change where he could actually get frostbite. It was thought that he might have been in hospital in Salisbury but Portsmouth is more likely as it is a port and has the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar. Portsmouth being none too far from Salisbury, the 'word of mouth' stories have just lost something on the way down the history. This seems to fit the stories and piece it together a bit more.

(Photograph, c.1888/9, with kind permission of Thomas Stevenson)

Martha Edgington/Stevenson holding baby, James Douglas. Working Clockwise from the baby:- Margaret May; Thomas Farquahar or Glennie; Edith; George; either Thomas Farquahar or Glennie; Charles Stewart.

 

Thomas and Martha had the following children:-

Edith Stevenson was born about December 1878 at Bethnal Green.

George Stevenson was born about December 1879 at Gillingham, Kent. He was a Lt. Corporal during the WW1.

Glennie Stevenson was born about 1880 at Gillingham, Kent. He was a 2nd Lieutenant 2/4th Leicestershire during WW1 but then emigrated to Canada. He married a widow, Mabel Kind Knight. He died 11 April 1964 at Alberni, British Columbia , Canada.

Thomas Farquhar Stevenson was born about 1882 at Gillingham, Kent. In 1891 he was at the Post Office, Wick Pershore. He served as a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy during the First World War.

Charles Stewart Stevenson was born about 1884 at Gillingham, Kent. He was at the Post Office, Wick Pershore in 1891. He was a Sergeant 7807 with the 2nd Battalion Essex during WW1. He was killed in action on the 31 October 1914 in the trenches at Ration Farm. He is buried at VII. A. 20., Ration Farm Military Cemetery, La Chapelle-D'Armentieres, France.

Margaret May Stevenson was born about 1886 at Straits Settlements, Singapore. She was with her mother at The Post Office, Wick Pershore in 1891.

James Douglas Stevenson was born about 1889 at Wick, Pershore. He must have emigrated to Canada prior to 1914 as he was another brother who served during WW1 but with the 15th Canadians.