Auxiliary fireman from Banstead killed in an air raid on Poplar.
Christopher Edward Seymour Hartwell was born on 21 July 1898 in Chapel Brampton, Northamptonshire, the son of Elizabeth Annie Hartwell (b.1876). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1898 in the Brixworth Registration District, Northamptonshire.
On 4 September 1898 he was baptised in All Saints Parish Church, Middleton Cheney, Northamptonshire, where in the baptismal register his mother is shown as a single woman. The register also records that 'he was adopted by a Mrs Bull (his aunt) and that he would bear that surname forward'.
However, when the 1901 census was undertaken he is shown as Christopher Hartwell, aged 2 years and an adopted son living in a two roomed property in Eydon, Northamptonshire, with Harry James Bull (1861-1951), who was described as a waggoner on a farm and Martha Bull née Smith (1859-1930).
He was shown on the 1911 census return form as Christopher Hartwell, aged 12 years, a nephew and a scholar, living with his aunt and uncle, Martha Bull and Harry James Bull, in a four roomed property in Eydon, Byfield, Northamptonshire. His uncle described himself as a farm labourer.
During World War One he served as a Driver in the Royal Field Artillery, service number 211515 and was awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
In the 2nd quarter of 1919 he married Gwendoline Georgina Gertrude Bradley (1898-1986) in the Brackley Registration District, Northamptonshire and their daughter Heather Joan Mabel Hartwell was born 19 February 1920. Her birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1920 in the Woolwich Registration District, London. When she was baptised on 21 March 1920 in the Royal Garrison Church of St George, Woolwich, the baptismal register shows the family residing at 27 Brookhill Road, Woolwich and he was recorded as a Gunner in Royal Field Artillery.
Electoral registers in 1936 and 1937 show him and his wife listed at The Garage, Walton Lodge, Brighton Road, Banstead, Surrey and in 1938 and 1939 at 5 Breech Lane, Walton-on-the-Hill, Tadworth, Surrey.
When the 1939 England and Wales Register was compiled he was shown as chauffeur mechanic living at 5 Breech Lane, Walton-on-the-Hill, with his wife and their daughter who was listed as a civil servant (telephonist).
He was an Auxiliary Fireman in the Auxiliary Fire Service attached to Banstead Fire Station, Brighton Road, Banstead, Surrey and from the WW2 Talk website we learn that he died as a result of enemy action in a bombing raid, aged 42 years on 9 September 1940 at Pekin Street, Poplar, London. His body was buried on 12 September 1940 in the churchyard of St Peter's Church, Walton-on-the-Hill and his death was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1940 in the Poplar Registration District, London.
He is shown as 'Fm. Christopher Edward Hartwell (Banstead') on the Poplar fireman memorial at Poplar Fire Station, 168 East India Dock Road, London, E14. He is also commemorated on the National Firefighters Memorial at Sermon Lane, London, EC4, on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website and in the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour 1939-1945 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.
