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Name: EAKINS, Rebecca Ethel, Miss
Birth Date: 24 Dec 1880 Derry, Londonderry
Death Date: 23 May 1960 Strand, Cape Province, S. Africa
First Date: 1913
Profession: Postal clerk
Married: Alfred Ernest Hoey (see entry) (1876-1926) had a liaison with Rebecca Ethel Eakins, which produced their son Alfred
Children: Alfred (30 Nov 1914 Mengo-25 Apr 1967 Ashford hospital, Middlesex)
Book Reference: Gazette
General Information:
Gazette 1/9/1913 - Arrived on 1st Appointment - Postal Clerk and Telegraphist - 6/8/1913
Blue Book 1913-14 appt. 16 July 1913
1911 England Census at St Pancras
Cath Jeffries, née Hoey (granddaughter of Alfred Hoey, son): Rebecca, a post office worker from Londonderry, Ireland, returned from Mengo in 1915 with baby Alfred Hoey. There is one record of a solo return trip after the birth in 1916, but mysteriously no records of trips before 1915. In 1916 she trained to be a nurse/midwife. She eventually died in Maitland, S Africa in 1960. The records don't give us any clarity on how she came to be pregnant, or the nature or longevity of her relationship with AE. One can only assume that the baby was unplanned, but it is interesting that AE's name was on the birth certificate, which was unusual at the time for an illegitimate child. AE married Daisy (a wealthy family friend) shortly before my grandfather Alfred was born in 1914 (he had stayed with the Stowells in their 12 bedroom mansion as a visitor at the time of the 1911 census).
In her autobiography, Daisy indicates she went to East Africa and they married in June 1914, but they travelled back to England in October/November the same year, at the time of the birth (30.11.1914). Daisy's writings indicate no knowledge of her husband's child. The fact that Rebecca returned to S. Africa, and eventually died there in 1960 suggests an ongoing fascination and draw. I don’t know how much my grandfather knew about his origins, but he went on to work for the East Africa Company division of Unilever for many years. I can find no records of him visiting the region.
In her autobiography, Daisy indicates she went to East Africa and they married in June 1914, but they travelled back to England in October/November the same year, at the time of the birth (30.11.1914). Daisy's writings indicate no knowledge of her husband's child. The fact that Rebecca returned to S. Africa, and eventually died there in 1960 suggests an ongoing fascination and draw. I don’t know how much my grandfather knew about his origins, but he went on to work for the East Africa Company division of Unilever for many years. I can find no records of him visiting the region.