Camden History

Meet the Robinsons Jummy belonged to Mark Heaton Robinson and his wife Emma. Mark was born in Kent in 1844, and Emma Louisa Webb Richmond in 1847 in Hampshire. They married in Richmond in 1864, when both were under-age, and went on to have 16 children, incredibly all of whom were living at the time of the 1911 census.  Their marriage certificate reveals Mark’s father was a commander in the Royal Navy while Emma’s was a surgeon. Mark’s career evolved over the years. At the time of their marriage and the 1871 census, he was working as a clerk in the Admiralty, which isn’t surprising given his father’s profession. Ten years later he was a manager for the brewers Watney & Co, and in subsequent census returns he appears as an engineer and company owner.  About 1880, Mark became the partner of talented engineer, Peter William Willans, who started Willans and Co to manufacture engines. As Willans and Robinson, Peter and Mark expanded the original business at the Ferry Works, Thames Ditton

Although this sounds like a melodrama it is a true story, which surprisingly, has not appeared in any books.  Walter Meredyth Thomas was a 28 year old Army officer, and 17 year old Carmen de Fleury came from an old noble French family. They were both living with their families when they married on 13 June 1895 at the Kensington Register Office.  The marriage certificate shows the full details: Walter Meredyth Thomas (28) Lieutenant, late East Yorkshire Regiment. His father was James Lewis Thomas, late Chief Surveyor to the War Department. 26 Gloucester Street Pimlico. Mathilde Elsie Clementina Carmen St Anthoine de Fleury (17). 15 Colherne Mansions Earls Court. Her father, the Viscount Clifford de Fleury, had died in Jersey when she was just three. Her brother Gaston had inherited the title.  Walter and Carmen had a daughter who was born in 1898, but it was not a happy marriage and they parted in October 1902. In November 1903 Carmen was living at No.3 St Stephen’s Mansions in Smith Sq