William George Rebbeck Moody 1869 -1931 Eldest Son of George & Helen Eliza Rebbeck William George Rebbeck Moody was born while his father was at sea. The family story says that when George Rebbeck returned from sea he found Helen Eliza had set up home and was waiting for him with a 3-year old son. They married at that time; unfortunately, according to the law then in force the marriage of the natural parents did not confer legitimacy on children born out of wedlock. Judy Wattens information is as follows:-
But there is more to know of William George Rebbeck Moody... As a general point, the Rebbeck family
always spoke of him as George Moody Rebbeck, but his birth certificate
shows him to have three first names - William George Rebbeck. Helen
Eliza certainly had no doubts as to his paternity and she ought to know.
Of course he was George's son - there was great love in that family. His Obituary reads as follows:-
Uncle George, as the Brenton daughters knew him, was a regular visitor at the Brenton home before World War II. Kathleen (Kay) remembers that he too wore a beard. She understood that he had cancer of the spine, which caused his early death. He used to cycle all the way from Portsmouth to Ringwood which is a considerable distance. Margaret
Rebbeck Brown , Sydney Rebbecks daughter (then aged 84),
There are comments elsewhere on the fact that W. George Moody did not resemble his siblings. One thing cannot be doubted is the love he shared with his family. George carried his sickly brother up and down stairs; he cycled all the way to Ringwood to visit his family and named his daughter after his sister, Alice. Also his brother Sydney names his eldest son William George. Whether he was George's son or not has no bearing on the fact that he was certainly a loved member of the Rebbeck family. Comment from Susan Hale Leake
******* Memories are often exaggerations, The family always say he was over 6 feet tall but his records show he was 5' 9". The "bushy hair" though, seems to be correct although that may be a reference to strong hair. He did have dark eyes, unlike his father and his descendants all have wonderful dark eyes. Editors Note:- I was very grateful to receive the pictures of William George from Clifford Warwick, his grandson whom I never met. Sadly Clifford died in October 2000 just as I was about to send him his own copy of the History. His copy has now been sent to his daughter, Sarah. |
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last amended January 2004
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