Edith Lavinia Coney was born on 10 December 1883 in Sutton, Surrey (now Greater London), the sixth child of Frederick Coney (1854-1912) and Elizabeth Susan Coney née Maspero (1854-1910). Her birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1884 in the Epsom registration district, Surrey.
On 1 February 1887 she was baptised at St Jude's Church, Egham, Surrey, together with two of her brothers: Frederick James Coney (1875-1952) and Herbert Henry Coney (1883-1917).
In the 1891 census she is shown as a scholar, living at 23 Albert Road, Egham, Surrey, with her parents and seven siblings: William Coney (1874-1942); Frederick James Coney; Elizabeth Susan Coney (1877-1958); Ernest Innozenzo Coney (1879-1928); Albert Victor Coney (1886-1918) and Alice Coney (1887-1941). Her father was described as a hot water fitter and her two eldest brothers as hot water fitter assistants.
Her other known siblings were: Emily Coney (1890-1891), Walter Coney (b.1891) and Mena Maspero Coney (1895-1970).
She married William Aldred (b.1882) in the 4th quarter of 1904 in the Farnham registration district, Surrey.
The 1911 census shows her living in three rooms at Holly Cottages, Ash Hill Road, Ash Vale, Surrey, with her husband who was described as a platelayer for the London & South Western Railway and their son, William Hamilton Aldred (1905-1983).
She was in 53 Belvedere Road, Upper Norwood, when she was killed, aged 60 years, at 17.57 hours on 10 July 1944 when a V1 flying bomb fell on Palace Square, Upper Norwood and caused severe damage in both Palace Square and Belvedere Road. Eight houses were demolished in the Square, two in Belvedere Road and 53 suffered severe damage in Belvedere Road. 175 houses and 4 shops suffered slight damage in Palace Square, Belvedere Road, Anerley Grove, Cintra Park, Waldergrave Road and Palace Road. A total of 14 people died in this incident. The area of damage in Belvedere Road can still be seen as the line of Victorian housing is interrupted by a small recreation ground/open space. Palace square was completely re-developed in the 1970's.
She is shown as E. L. Aldred on the Penge war memorial. She is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website and in the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour 1939-1945 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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