Royal Army Medical Corps
He was born in Ipswich Q2/Q3 1867 in Ipswich to George and Sophia, of 237 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich. Father was 29, worked as a Cellarman and originated from Grundisburgh, Suffolk; mother was 32 and was from Needham Market.
In 1871, recorded on the census he was aged 4 and had an elder sister aged 9 called Emily, also born in Needham Market.
By 1881, the family had moved to 20 Land Lane, Colchester. His mother, Sophia, is not recorded on the census and by April 1881 she had died, but Emily and Edgar are still living with father, George. Emily is unemployed, whilst Edgar was working as an Errand Boy.
He married Ellen Ada Q1/Q2 1888, and by the time of the 1891 census, three years later we see Edgar (24) living at 13 Shrubland Road, Colchester with wife (23) and son, Frederick George (1). Daughter Kathleen was born this year. In the same year or not long before this time he had joined the Medical Staff Corps (a pre-title of the RAMC used between 1855-57 and 1884-98).
In 1900, he was out in Jamaica and was noted to have been initiated into Moore Keys Lodge. He resigned by August 1903. By June 1903 and perhaps a little time before he is back in the United Kingdom, as Petitioner for Comrades Lodge.
No records can be found after 1901.
Family:
- Ellen Ada 1867 - 1948 (nee Richer) Born July 1867 and a Colchester girl from Ardleigh / Great Bromley. Married Edgar in Q1/Q2 1888 when she was resident at 70 Military Road, Colchester. Ellen died in late 1948
- Frederick George 1890 – 1934 Born 21st February 1890. Frederick had become a soldier too.
- Kathleen 1891 – 1919 They had a daughter in 1891, Kathleen, but she died aged 28 in 1919.
Military Milestones:
- 1891 Private, Medical Staff Corps
- 1900 Posted to Kingston Jamaica
- 1900 Staff Sergeant, Royal Army Medical Corps (Moore Keys Lodge)
- 1903 Posted to Military Hospital, Colchester, UK.
- 1903 Staff Sergeant, Royal Army Medical Corps (Comrades Lodge)
Masonic:
One of the 25 petitioners not named individually on the Warrant of Constitution. Took no office and was erased from the records having not paid dues by March 1905.
Masonic Milestones:
- L2519 E.C. Moore Keys Lodge Kingston, Jamaica 18th September 1900 - August 1903 (resigned)
- Initiated: 18th September 1900
- Passed: 16th October 1900
- Raised: 20th November 1900
- Grand Lodge Certificate 21st December 1900
- L2976 E.C. Comrades Lodge Joined 6th August 1903 - 31st March 1905 (erased)
There is a minor aberration in records over the date of death some recording 14th June 1939 and others 18th. He is buried at Colchester Cemetery, the gravestone stating the former date. “In loving memory of EDGAR GEORGE WOOLNOUGH passed on 14th June 1939, Aged 72”. It is a sad fact that both Edgar and Ellen outlived their children.
Probate records show: Woolnough, Edgar George of 216 Maldon Road, Colchester died 18th June 1939 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Colchester. Probate London 6th October to Ellen Ada Woolnough widow. Effect £763 5s 6d.