The Stapleton-Bretherton Family
Rainhill Hall, now known as Loyola Hall, was occupied by the Stapleton-Bretherton family between 1884 and 1919. In the first half of the 19th century their ancestor, Bartholomew Bretherton who was a successful coach proprietor, built ‘The Hall’ and acquired much land in the area. Bartholomew also established St Bartholomew’s Church and School in Rainhill. The family were staunch Roman Catholics.
Frederick Annesley Stapleton-Bretherton (1841-1919) inherited ‘The Hall’ and the Rainhill Estate from his father’s cousin, Mary Stapleton-Bretherton**. She was the daughter of Bartholomew Bretherton. Frederick was married to Hon Isabella Petre and they had 13 children. Rainhill was the family seat, but Frederick and Isabella also had a house at Fareham near Southampton.
During the Great War the whole family was caught up by the events happening in Europe. Many of the daughters married military or naval officers and the sons volunteered to fight for their country.
Two sons Edmund and Vincent fought in WW1 and survived. A daughter, Evelyn, married a Prussian prince and spent the years 1914-1918 interned in Berlin. Edith married a career soldier, Roland Feilding, who spent most of the war years fighting in France. Winifred married Edward Charlton and Ethel married John Anthony Throckmorton – both naval officers. The youngest daughter, Gertrude, married Kenneth Dewar who served in the navy during WW1. Another daughter, Monica, spent the war years doing canteen work and working as a VAD nurse.
Frederick Annesley and Isabella’s eldest son, Frederick Bartholomew
Stapleton-Bretherton fought in the South African War during 1901. His brother, Lt. Robert Stapleton-Bretherton was killed in the Boer War in 1902 aged 26. Major Frederick Stapleton-Bretherton was also on active service during the First World War. Sadly his son, Lt. Osmund Stapleton-Bretherton was killed in action in France, aged 19, and a younger brother, Capt. Wilfrid Stapleton-Bretherton, was also killed in action in Belgium aged 28.
** For a detailed description of Mary's life see The World of Mary Bretherton
Acknowledgement: Philena Bruce (descendant of Edith Stapleton-Bretherton) for valuable insights into the history of the family.
Monument in graveyard at St Bartholomew’s Church, Rainhill
Family Overview
Frederick Annesley Stapleton-Bretherton (1841-1919) married Hon. Isabella Petre (1845-1919) in 1869.
They had thirteen children – see below
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NAME
Frederick Bartholomew Joseph
1873-1938 Mary Isabella
1874-1901 Robert Charles Lucius
1875-1902 Agnes Mary
1877-c.1960 Edmund Joseph
1881-1946 Vincent
Francis 1889-1982 Gertrude Mary
1891-1969 |
MARRIED TO
Bertha Stourton
n/a
n/a
n/a
Col. Rowland Feilding
1871-1945 Betty Heron Maxwell
n/a
n/a
Captain Kenneth Dewar
1879-1963 |
MARR. DATE
1894
n/a
n/a
1907 London
n/a
1903
1910 at Rainhill
1918
1912
n/a
1924
n/a
1914 at Rainhill
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NOTES
Fought in WW1. Son Osmund killed in WW1 - 1918
Became a Nun
Killed in action during South African War at Rondedral
Exiled in Germany during WW1. Evelyn wrote a memoir 'An English Wife in Berlin'
Cared for her parents during WW1
Rowland fought in WW1. He wrote 'War Letters to a Wife'
Edward served in the Navy during WW1
Edmund fought in WW1
Herbert served in WW1
Killed in WW1
1914 James served in the RAMC during WW1. Monica served as a V.A.D. nurse
Fought in WW1
Kenneth served in the Navy during WW1. He wrote 'The Navy from Within'
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BURIED AT
St.Bart's Rainhill
St.Bart's Rainhill
St.Bart's Rainhill
St.Bart's Rainhill
not known
Fareham Cemetery Hampshire
St.Bart's Rainhill
Beccles, Suffolk
Commemorated on Menin Gate
St.Bart's Rainhill
St.Bart's Rainhill
St.Bart's Rainhill
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NB St.Bart's is St. Bartholomew's R.C. Church in Rainhill
Acknowledgement: John Atherton for information regarding the graves of the family in St Bartholomew's churchyard