James Hutchins was born on 1 August 1886, the eldest of the three children of James Hutchins (b. circa 1856) and Catherine Hutchins née Cane (b. circa 1850). His birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1886 in the Chelsea Registration District, Middlesex (now Greater London). On 5 September 1886 he was baptised at St Luke's Church, Sydney Street, Chelsea, where in the baptismal register his date of birth is recorded, that his family were residing at 336 King's Road, Chelsea and that his father was a caretaker.
He was shown as aged 4 years on the census that was undertaken on 5 April 1891. He was living in a four roomed property at 12 Britannia Road, Fulham, London, with his parents and his two siblings: George Hutchins (1888-1970) and Elizabeth Sophia Hutchins (1890-1897). His father was described as a warehouseman.
In the census that was compiled on 31 March 1901 he was shown as aged 14 years and a clerk in a newspaper office. He was still residing at 12 Britannia Road, Fulham, with his parents and his surviving sibling, George Hutchins. His father was now described as a horsekeeper.
When the National Census was taken on 2 April 1911 his parents were listed at "Tochi". Elmhurst Road, Langley, Berkshire, but he was shown as aged 24 years and a coach painter, visiting the home of Harry Adams and his widowed mother Mary Adams at 40 Oxberry Avenue, Fulham.
He was described as aged 34 years and 10 months, single and a motor body painter employed by M. T. Blanch, motor & van builders, at 57 Church Street, Chelsea, London, in the census that was taken on 19 June 1921. He was boarding at the home of Mary Adams and her daughter, Alice Mary Adams, within four rooms at 6 Burnfoot Avenue, Fulham, London, SW6.
He was shown in the England and Wales Register that was compiled on 29 September 1939 as a single male and a coach painter residing at The Royal Hospital, Chelsea and his date of birth was confirmed as 1 August 1886.
His death, aged 54 years, on 16 April 1941 was incorrectly registered as aged 51 years in the 2nd quarter of 1941 in the Chelsea Registration District, London and his on . Probate records confirm that he died at The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, but confusingly states that it was on 17 April 1941. Administration was granted on 16 July 1941 to his father who was shown as a retired stable foreman. His effects totalled £210-16s-8d.
He is shown as "JAMES HUTCHINS. WARDMASTER" on a memorial plaque in Middle Court, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3. He is also commemorated on the and on the the 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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