Louisa was born in 1878; she was the daughter of William Gazey a wire drawer & Elizabeth Gazey nee Ames from Birmingham, Louisa was one of six children. Her father suffered from a Rheumatic musculoskeletal condition, which caused him great pain and deep depression. On the 5th March 1899 William left his home telling his young son he couldn’t live with the pain any more. He then walked down to Cherry Wood Road, put his head on the railway track and was decapitated by a train. Despite this tragedy Louisa managed to get on with life and married Enoch James Ames her cousin who was born in 1868 in Cromwell Street, Nechells but was brought up in Cato Street, Saltley. They had eight children Elizabeth, Albert, William, Thomas, Ernest, Leonard, Arthur & Edith.
In the early 1900’s the family moved to number 3 Devon Street, Duddeston.
Enoch was a gas fitter by trade, but served 21 years in the Royal navy as a bugler from 1886 until 1907. Serving on such ships as the HMS Warspite, Impregnable. Thunderer, San Pareil, Colossus, Blenheim & Wildfire. He also served time in the cells for being AWOL and received several lashings & 3 months in prison. Enoch was a very good pianist, and also wrote music.
Louisa was a good cook: at Christmas she would spend hours in the brew house cooking up puddings in the boiler. Every Monday she took in washing & ironing for the ‘Outdoor’ on the corner of Somerset Street & Devon Street and other pubs. Through necessity she raised at least four of her grandchildren.
When her son Ernest was reported missing in action at Dunkirk she remained optimistic for four years until he returned home, he had been captured and kept as a prisoner of war in Stalag 7a in Mooseburg, Bavaria, Germany.
Enoch died at home in 1944 age 76, he had bowel cancer. Louisa died age 71 in 1949 of ovarian & Stomach cancer. They are both buried at Yardley cemetery.
Louisa was a lovable kindly lady who had a hard life. She was dearly loved by her children and will be remembered with much affection by her 40 grandchildren, 50 plus great grandchildren and at least 150 great great grandchildren.
Enoch was a gas fitter by trade, but served 21 years in the Royal navy as a bugler from 1886 until 1907. Serving on such ships as the HMS Warspite, Impregnable. Thunderer, San Pareil, Colossus, Blenheim & Wildfire. He also served time in the cells for being AWOL and received several lashings & 3 months in prison. Enoch was a very good pianist, and also wrote music.
Louisa was a lovable kindly lady who had a hard life. She was dearly loved by her children and will be remembered with much affection by her 40 grandchildren, 50 plus great grandchildren and at least 150 great great grandchildren. 