A developer and a councillor. Presented a Roman relic to Clapham Library in or soon after 1912.
At that time Clapham was in the borough of Wandsworth and at we have found reference to Councillor Herbert Francis Golds (1876-1921) son of builder James Golds. H. F. was elected as a councillor in 1919, but died two years later, aged 44. Seems there was another member of the family, E. J.
Our colleague, Andrew Behan, found that an older brother of Herbert Francis Golds was an Ernest James Golds who was born on 6 August 1869, the fourth of the six children of James Golds (1830-1907) and Emma Golds née Winch (1832-1908). His birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1869 in the Bromley Registration District, Bromley, Kent (now Greater London) and he was baptised on 29 August 1869 in Bromley.
His five siblings were: Charles Edward Golds (1859-1935); Sophia Amelia Golds (1862-1948); Emily Catherine Golds (1867-1912); Anne Golds (1872-1921) and Herbert Francis Golds (1876-1921).
In the 1871 census he is shown as aged one year and living at 17 Simpson Road, Bromley, with his parents and his three elder siblings: Charles Edward Golds; Sophia Amelia Golds and Emily Catherine Golds. His father was described as a carpenter.
When the 1881 census was undertaken he was recorded as aged 11 years and a scholar, residing at 9 Hawkesworth Road, Bromley, with his parents and four of his siblings: Sophia Amelia Golds - a pupil teacher; Emily Catherine Golds - an apprentice teacher; Anne Golds and Herbert Francis Golds, who were both scholars. His father was enumerated as a builder.
The 1901 census describes him as aged 31 years and both a builder and an employer, living at 99 Geraldine Road, Wandsworth, London, with his parents and two of his sisters: Sophia Amelia Golds - a school mistress and Annie Golds. His father was listed as a builder (own account).
In July 1908 he married Edith Jessie Frost (1878-1953) in Tormoham, Torquay, Devon, giving his home address as 22 Rosehill Road, Wandsworth, whilst his wife's address was recorded as Clarence Villa, Avenue Road, Torre, Devon.
The shows him listed as a Wandsworth councillor in 1909.
When he completed his 1911 census return form he showed himself as aged 41 years and a speculating builder, living in an eight roomed property at 22 Rosehill Road, Wandsworth with his wife and his brother-in-law Douglas Greenhalgh Frost (1889-1919) - a civil engineering draughtsman.
In the 1921 census return form he described himself as aged 51 years, 10 months and a retired builder residing in a six roomed property at 'Elmsleigh' Avenue Road, Torre, Torquay, Devon, with his wife.
On 10 December 1927 he and his wife departed from the Port of Liverpool, Lancashire aboard the SS Argyllshire of the Scottish Shire Line. The ship's manifest shows they had contracted to make a round trip that took in: Cape Town, South Africa; Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand. He was described as aged 58 years, retired and living at 'Fontenay', Cleveland Road, Torquay, Devon.
On 12 August 1928 he and his wife are shown arriving in Plymouth, Devon, having travelled as 1st class passengers aboard the RMS Ascania of the Cunard Line, having embarked at Montreal, Canada. On the ship's manifest he is described as aged 58 years, of no occupation and both were still residing at 'Fontenay', Cleveland Road, Torquay.
The 1939 England and Wales Register confirms his date of birth as 6 August 1869 and shows him as a retired builder living with his wife at 98 Exeter Road, Exmouth, Devon.
His death was registered as aged 74 years in the 2nd quarter of 1944 in the Devon Central Registration District. Probate records state that his address had been 'Red Gables', Phillipps Avenue, Exmouth, Devon and that he died on 20 April 1944. Probate was granted to his widow on 29 August 1944 and his effects totalled £32,968-8s-4d.
He is shown as 'Councillor E. J. Golds' on the plaque attached to the Old Clapham Library at 1 Clapham Common Northside, London, SW4.
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