Pauline Priano has submitted the following:
Charles Norman Gover was the youngest of 8 children, offspring of John Cockram Gover and Mary Jane Maxwell.
John Cockram Gover was born in 1843 in the town of Crediton, near Exeter, Devon. He was the son of tin plate maker, Samuel Gover and his wife Mary Ann. At the age of 17 John was living as a lodger at 9, Alma Terrace, Chester, serving an apprenticeship as a currier in the leather industry. Fully qualified, ten years later he was a boarder at 3, Southville Place, in the district of Bedminster, Bristol, Somerset. Between 1871 and when he was married to Mary Jane Maxwell in 1876, he had moved to Newcastle upon Tyne. Mary Jane was a native of Newcastle upon Tyne, born in 1849, the daughter of butter and bacon factor/merchant, John Maxwell and his wife Ann, both of whom originated from Cumberland.
John Maxwell Gover was born, February 23rd 1877, Samuel Leslie Liddell Gover 1878, Alfred Ernest 1879, and William Cyril in 1881 whilst they were living at 205, Portland Road, Newcastle. John was supporting his family as a leather merchant, to assist his wife and children he employed a domestic servant and a nurse. Their eldest son John Maxwell was living with his widowed maternal grandmother, Ann Maxwell, at 3, Windsor Crescent, Jesmond.
Over the next 10 years they had a further 4 children, daughter Annie Maxwell 1882, Florence Mary 1883, Constance Buttress 1886 and a son Charles Norman 1890. Ten years later they had left the city for the quieter suburb of Jesmond and occupied Priorsdale, Fernwood Road, but transferred to Springfield, Coxlodge, Gosforth by 1901.
Samuel (22) was employed as a merchant’s clerk, as were his younger brothers Alfred (21) and William (20), their sisters Anne (18) and Constance, as yet unmarried, were still living at home Charles (10) although of school age is not listed as a scholar. The house was run with the help of a cook, a housemaid and a nursemaid. John Maxwell, who had studied in Edinburgh and qualified as a Bachelor of Medicine was an assistant medical practitioner in Alnwick. Alfred Ernest Gover died in 1908, aged 28 years.
In the census of 1911 Charles Norman is listed as a student. He had followed the example of his eldest brother John Maxwell Gover and was studying medicine. He attended Durham University taking a bachelor’s degree with a qualification of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Science in 1914.
When war was declared on August 4th 1914, all regiments were ordered to raise new battalions and men from all walks of life volunteered to serve their County. Charles Norman Gover enlisted in 1914 and was offered a commission as Captain assigned to the Royal Army Medical Corps. During 1915 he rose to the rank of Acting Lieutenant Colonel prior to his departure to the front and was confirmed as Lieutenant Colonel by the end of the conflict, which he relinquished and reverted to Captain, June 12th 1919. Awards;1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Military Cross, awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces for gallantry during active operations against the enemy
Charles Norman Gover was married at St. George, Hanover Square, London in 1918 to Elizabeth Aileen Milling, who was born, April 7th 1896, Castlebar Street, Westport, County Mayo, Ireland. Her father Henry Milling, who was born in Scotland, was a Dental Surgeon, her mother Maria Theresa Gill hailed from London, England.
All of Charles Norman’s surviving brothers served during WW1, William Cyril Gover as a Private with the Royal Fusiliers and as Captain with the Royal Garrison Artillery, John Maxwell Gover with the Royal Army Medical Corps. Tragically Samuel Leslie Liddell Gover took his own life soon after arriving overseas. This was yet another severe blow to a family already grieving the loss of their father John Cockram Gover who had died, October 11th 1915 as had his widow Mary Jane Gover nee Maxwell, less than 6 months later, April 1st 1916.
Charles Norman Gover was listed in 1925 as a physician and surgeon at 1, Barretts Buildings, Burnley Road, Calder Grange, Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire. Their son Douglas was born during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1925 but sadly died within 3 months.
Charles Norman Gover died, October 1st 1930, at the time of his demise he was Medical Officer of Health at Mytholmroyd. He also had premises at Harley Street, London.
Elizabeth Aileen remarried in Hammersmith, London in 1933 to physician and surgeon Leonard Harold Lerman who was born December 25th 1905, Stockton, County Durham. Their son David J. Lerman was born during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1934, Kensington, London registered as mother’s maiden name Milling.
An announcement appeared in the newspapers, September 21st 1952 to the effect that Clayton and Gibson Solicitors, 7, Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, were seeking information as to the whereabouts of Elizabeth Aileen Lerman or Lawton, widow of Charles Norman Gover. No explanation is given as to why they were searching for her.
Leonard Harold Lerman resident at Quinneys, Everton Road, Hordle, Leamington, Hants, died, August 16th 1976. Effects in the sum of £7059 were assigned November 4th, to person or persons unspecified.
His widow Elizabeth Aileen Lerman-Gover nee Milling, a resident of Ashley Lodge Nursing Home, Ashley, New Milton, Hants, died July 30th 1979. Her assets in the sum of £37399 were assigned September 11th to person or persons unspecified. Details as regards their only son David J. Lerman as yet unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
