Florence May Stillwell was born on 5 May 1911 in Bethnal Green, London, the eldest of the seven children of Henry Frederick William Stillwell (1891-1982) and Florence Stillwell née Stocker (1890-1988). Her birth was registered in the 2nd quarter of 1911 in the Bethnal Green Registration District. On 21 May 1911 she was baptised in St Paul's Church, Virginia Road, Bethnal Green, where in the baptismal register her date of birth is confirmed, that her family lived at 5 Chambord Street, Bethnal Green, and that her father was a chair maker.
Her six siblings were: Charles Alfred Stillwell (1912-1976); Henry Stillwell (1914-1917); William Albert Stillwell (1917-1945); Leslie Henry Stillwell (1924-1987); Irene Joyce Stillwell (1926-1997) and Stanley Henry Stillwell (1929-2009).
When her father completed his census return form on 19 June 1921, she was shown as aged 10 years, 1 month and in whole time education. She was living in three rooms at 9 Wellington Row, Bethnal Green, with her parents and two siblings: Charles Alfred Stillwell, aged 8 years, 6 months and William Alfred Stillwell, aged 3 years, 9 months, both of whom were also in whole time education. Her father described himself as aged 30 years, 1 month and a wooden chair frame riveter employed by E. Atkins at Church Row, Bethnal Green Road, London, E2, a toy chair manufacturer, whilst his wife was listed as aged 30 years, 6 months and on home duties.
Electoral registers in 1934 and 1936 show she was still residing with her family at 9 Wellington Row, Bethnal Green. She married William John Farmer (1910-1982) in the 3rd quarter of 1936 in the Bethnal Green Registration District.
The England and Wales Register that was compiled on 29 September 1939 lists her as a machinist of quilts, eiderdowns and cushions who was living at 75 Barnet Grove, Bethnal Green, with her husband who was described as a French polisher.
Her husband was serving in H.M. Forces when she was killed by a German bomb that fell on the Columbia Market air raid shelter on the night of 7th/8th September 1940 and her death was registered, as aged 29 years, in the 3rd quarter of 1940 in the Bethnal Green Registration District, London. Her on 18 September 1940 in , in the Manor Park Cemetery and Crematorium, Sebert Road, Forest Gate, London, E7 0NP.
She is shown as 'FLORENCE FARMER 29' on the Columbia Market air raid shelter memorial in the Rose Garden, Old Market Square, Ravenscroft Park, London, E2.
She is also commemorated on the , on the and in that is kept just outside the entrance to St George's Chapel at the west end of Westminster Abbey.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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