Although she was aunt to my grandfather A. H. Percy Simmonds, she was more his mother as she and her mother raised him. She lived with Percy for many years and was known as Granny Jewell to Percy’s children. She was instrumental in obtaining funds to build the community church (St. Mary’s) which was located on Percy’s land. Although her husband Albert Jewell was killed in Africa when Percy was only 7 months old and he would not have known him, Albert’s ‘presence’ in the family was still felt. Percy and Margaret’s “new house” built after Edith had died had a painting of Albert at the top of the stairs, his sword hung on the wall at the bottom of the stairs, his uniform was stored carefully in a antique chest and his military storage chest was in the basement. She was married for less than 6 years and a widow for almost 60. She is buried in the family plot at St. Mary’s church while her husband is buried in the Sudan about 3 miles from the Nile.

From notebook of Joseph Harry Lowe, courtesy of Gordon Slater.
Edith Patience born June 30th 1854. April 24th 1879 at St. Clements Church Leeds married Albert Charles Jewel of Emsworth Hants., served in the 20th Hussars and Army Service Corps

in the July to September 1854 birth index Edith Patience Lowe Tadcaster, Yorkshire West Riding volume 9c, page 485.

Parish Records All Saints, Harewood, Yorkshire
Baptism October 1, 1854 Edith Patience Lowe daughter of Henry and Sarah Lowe, East Keswick, father is a farmer by Peregrine S. Allen, Curate.

In the 1861 census listed as living at West End, East Keswick
Henry Lowe, age 31, born in Bramhope, a farrier.
His wife Sarah age 33, Born at East Keswick, farrier’s wife.
Children William S. Lowe, age 8,
Edith Lowe age 6,
Charles E. Lowe, age 2, and
Albert G? Lowe age 5 months. T
he children were all born in East Keswick.

In the 1871 census The Vicarage, Kirkgate, Shipley, Yorkshire.
Servant, Edith Lowe, unmarried, age 16, housemaid, born Keswick Yorkshire.
She is living with William Kelly, Vicar of Shipley near Leeds, his 8 children and another servant a cook.

The GRO marriage index for June 1879 in Leeds has Albert Charles Jewell listed in volume 9b page 615 the same page as Edith Patience Lowe.

Parish Records St. Clement, Sheepscar, Leeds, Yorkshire
April 14, 1879 Albert Charles Jewell, age 30, bachelor, Warrant Officer Army Service Corps, residence Aldershot, father Charles Bonnycastle Jewell deceased, mariner and
Edith Patience Lowe, age 24, spinster, residence Matlock Terrace, father Henry Lowe, farmer.
In the presence of C. E. Lowe [brother Charles Edward Lowe] and E. M. Lowe [sister Emily Margaret Lowe]

The 1881 census at address is 19 Conduit Rd, Plumstead, Kent, England. Registration district is Woolwich, sub district Plumstead West, Plumstead, London.
Albert C. Jewell, head, age 29, Conductor A.S. Corps. (A. Off), born Emsworth, Hants.
Edith Jewell, wife, age 26, born East Keswick Yorks.

UK Royal Hospital Chelsea Admission Books, Registers and Papers
Edith Patience Jewell, date of commencement January 20 1885 [one day after her husband Albert had died.], rate 20 pounds [per year?]
Army Rank: Conductor [Husband’s rank] , Regiment C & T Corps, regd.papers 25978/16

The 1891 census lists
Edith Jewell as the Institution Matron of a “Home for Friendless Girls”. Her age is 36, born at East Keswick, Yorkshire and marital status widow.
The home is Clarendon House (west) on Clarendon Street (possibly no 88), Kingston Upon Hull, Yorkshire. There is a sub matron and 5 girls ages 12 to 15 listed as inmates.
[Edith’s older sister Ada was also a matron of a home for friendless girls for many years]

quote from A History of Kingston on Hull from Bulmer's Gazetteer (1892)
. . .and a Home for Friendless Girls in Clarendon Street. This home was established in 1886 for the reception and training of friendless girls, and for providing them with outfits and situations.
(end of quote)

from Hidden Lives Revealed https://www.hiddenlives.org.uk/
Clarendon House Home For Girls, Hull
Hull, East Riding, Yorkshire
(1892 - 1980s)
Clarendon House Home for Girls was run by Hull Ladies’ Association for the Care of Friendless Girls, before the Society took it over in 1892. The Home, situated off Spring Bank, accommodated only fourteen girls, who were all under the care of Miss Beecham, the matron.
The layout of Clarendon House was typical for a children's home, and all available space was utilised. Many of the rooms were located in the basement - including the kitchen, scullery, larder, laundry and ironing-room. The dining-room was situated on the ground floor, along with the matron's sitting-room and a wardrobe-room where the girls’ Sunday best clothes were stored. The girls all slept in three large dormitories on the upper floor, where there was also a smaller bedroom, which was occupied by the nurse and the Home's baby.
The younger girls went to school on weekdays, with the older girls staying at home to learn domestic skills. On Saturdays the children over ten years old helped with the housework, while the younger ones were taken for a walk. Tuesday evenings were set aside for Bible class and Wednesday night was recreation time, when the girls were allowed to sing or play. Friday evening was spent repairing clothes ready for church on Sunday.
(end of quote)

White’s Directory of Leeds & the Clothing District 1894
Mrs. Edith Patience Jewell, 32 Royal Park Grove.
[Her mother was at this address in the 1891 census.]

In the 1901 census 64 Royal Park Grove, Headingley cum Burley, Leeds, Yorkshire.
Head Edith Patience Jewell, widow, age 46, living on own means, born Harewood, Yorkshire.
Mother Sarah Lowe, widow, age 74, living on own means, born Horsforth, Yorkshire.
Brother John Thomas Lowe, single, age 30, commercial clark, born Harewood.
Nephew Henry Alfred Percy Simmonds [order of names incorrect], age 16, railway do????, born Leeds.

A probable listing in the Canadian Passenger lists arrived Montreal, June 23, 1905, on the Tunisian, Mrs. Jewell, age 45, widow, to nephew farmer, born Yorkshire, destination Brandon. [The age is not a match, but everything else does match. Her nephew Percy was working on a farm in the Brandon area, she was born in Yorkshire, and was a widow, as well the year of her arrival matches.]

Note: Her friend Jessie Jarman is listed in the Canadian Passenger lists as arriving March 17, 1913, on the Grampain arrived Halifax, departed Liverpool, Miss Jarman lived in Sask. for 2 1/2 years and was away 9 months, her destination is Keatley, her occupation is none (to Cousin). [Was she a cousin to Edith Jewell? or Percy Simmonds?] Previous to this Jessie Jarman arrived on the Tunisian October 30, 1909, at Quebec, departed Liverpool, age 43, to Fielding Sask, [nearest town in those days] poultry farming, to cousin farmer. [Jessie Jarman was born in Emsworth and lived on 12 King Street and was a school governess, mother Catherine Jarman, father Thomas Jarman, therefore it is probable she was Albert Jewell’s cousin and Edith’s by marriage]

She is not listed in the 1906 census for the farm in Keatley.

The 1911 Canadian census sub-district 30, Battleford, Saskatchewan.
Head Percy Simmonds, 44-11-42-3, single, born July 1884, England, age 26, immigrated 1904, Canadian nationality, Anglican, farmer.
Aunt Edith Jewell, widow, born June 1854 England, age 56, immigrated 1905, nationality Canadian, Anglican.
Friend Jessie Jarman, single, born October 1867 England, age 43, immigrated 1909, Canadian, Anglican.

The 1916 Canadian census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Township 44, Range 11, Meridian 3, Municipality Douglas
Percy Simmonds, military overseas, head, single age 32, born England, Anglican, immigrated 1904, Canadian, farmer.
Uncle Joseph Lowe, single age 57 born England, Canadian, farmer.
Aunt Edith Jewell, widow, age 61, born England, immigrated 1905, Canadian.
Lodger Jessie Jarman,?, single age 48, immigrated 1909, Canadian.

Listed as a passenger on the Corsican (Canadian Pacific Line) arrival date June 22, 1920, Liverpool, departure Montreal, Edith Jewell, age 65, address Emsworth Hants.
Jessie Jarman, address Emsworth, Hampshire, age 52,

Listed as a passenger on the Scandinavian, arrived Quebec May 7, 1921, Edith Patience Jewell, age 66, lived in Canada 1905 to 1920 in Keatley Sask., destination Keatley.

1921 Canadian Census
Rural Municipality of Douglas, Saskatchewan Canada, 34-44-11 W3
Head Percy Simmonds, born England, immigrated 1904, age 36 Canadian, Church of England, farmer.
Aunt, Edith Patience Jewell, immigrated 1905, age 66, born England, Canadian, Church of England.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists
Departed Montreal, Quebec arrived May 29, 1923 on the Megantic at Liverpool, England Edith Jewell, second class, no occupation, age 68, permanent resident of Canada. [She was a witness to her brother Joseph Jewell marriage in Leeds on January 17, 1924.]

UK Outward Passenger Lists
Departed May 22, 1925 from Liverpool on the Montclair bound for Montreal Edith Jewell, age 70, farmer, last address c/o W. S. Lowe [brother William Scatchard Lowe], Earby, Yorkshire.

Canadian passenger Lists
Departed May 22, 1925 Liverpool, England arrived May 27, 1925 on the Montclare at Quebec, Quebec Edith Jewell, age 70, widow, born East Keswick, England, in Canada before from 1906 to 1923, Keatley, Saskatchewan, occupation intended to follow, farming, destination to relative Mr. A. P. Simmonds, Keatley Post Office, Sask., nearest relative from where you came Mr. W. Scatchard Lowe, Earby, Yorkshire, money in possession 20 pounds. Passport issued March 13, 1924

In the 1926 Census of Manitoba, Saskathcewan and Alberta
West 1/2 34-44-11 W3, Rural Municipality of Douglas, Battleford Electorial district, Saskatchewan
Head Percy Simmonds, married, age 41, born England, parents born England, immigrated 1904, Canadian citizenship
Wife Margaret P. Simmonds, married, age 38, born England, parents born England, immigrated 1912, Canadian citizenship
Son John Percy Simmonds, age 3, born Saskatchewan, parents born England
Daughter Patience M. Simmonds, age 2, born Saskatchewan, parents born England
Son Robert Henry Simmonds, age 1 month, born Saskatchewan, parents born England
Aunt Edith P. Jewell, widow, age 71, born England, parents born England, immigrated 1905
hiredman Edward Stogard, single, age 34, born Denmark, parents born Denmark, Danish citizen, mother tongue Danish

In the 1931 Canadian Census taken June 1, 1931
Saskatchewan, North Battleford district, subdistrict 19
home owner, home valued at $600, single floor, wood, 5 rooms, family has a radio,
Section 34-44-11 W3 Rural Municipality of Douglas
Head Percy Simmonds, male, married, age 44 [actually 47], born England, parents born England, immigrated 1904, nationality Canada, racial origin English, can speak English, can speak French, Church of England, farmer, general farm, total earnings in the last 12 months $960.
Wife Margaret Simmonds, female, married, age 43, born England, parents born England, immigrated 1909 [actually 1912], nationality Canada, racial origin English, speaks English, speaks French, Church of England,
Son John Simmonds, age 8, born Saskatchewan, speaks English, doesn’t speak French, 7 months in school since September 1
Daughter Patience Simmonds, age 7, born Saskatchewan, speaks English, doesn’t speak French, 7 months in school since September 1
Son Robert Simmonds, age 5, born Saskatchewan, speaks English, no time in school
Son Thomas Simmonds, age 3, born Saskatchewan
Servant Antony Salamon, single, age 50, born Russia, parents born Russia, immigrated 1925, nationality Russia, racial origin Russia, speaks English, Greek Catholic, farm labourer
Lodger [Independent was crossed out, but actually Percy’s Aunt.] Edith Jewell, widow, age 76, born England, parents born England, immigrated 1904, Nationality English, racial origin English, speaks English, doesn’t speak French, occupation Income (Independent crossed out)

Mark A. Reid supplied copies of awards sheets dealing with a military pension.
Excerpts
Soldier’s name Jewell A. C. Conductor of Supplies
Killed in action, Soudan, January 19, 1885
Widow Mrs. Edith Patience Jewell, Keatley P.O. Sask., Canada
Total Award Pre-War Warrant of April 17, 1918 20 pounds
Re-assessment from September 3, 1919
69 pounds 6 shillings 8 pence a year.

She was instrumental in establishing St. Mary’s Church at Keatley, which was built in 1909. After her death, a stained glass window, located above and behind the alter, was dedicated in her honour by the Women’s Auxiliary of the church.

Church Records St. Mary’s, Keatley, Saskatchewan, Canada
Buried January 12, 1945 Edith Patience Jewell, age 90, born Yorkshire, England, location SW 34-44-11 W3, died January 9, 1945 of Chronic Myocarditis, buried at St Mary’s Church, ceremony performed by Robert Douglas.

Buried in the family plot at St. Mary’s Church, near Keatley. My father ashes are buried beside her grave.

In the January to March 1849 birth index Albert Charles Jewell, Havant district, Hampshire volume 7 page 107.

There is an Albert Charles Jewell listed as birth being registered March 1849 in Havant Volume VII page 107. Havant is the same location Florence Jewell has her birth registered. Havant is about 2 miles from Emsworth.

Birth certificate
Havant District, County of Southampton
Thirteenth of January 1849, Albert Charles Jewell, boy, Father Charles Bonnycastle Jewell, Mariner, mother Jane Ann Jewell formerly King, registered Sixth February 1849. [Courtesy of Mark A. Reid.]

Parish Records St James, Emsworth, Warblington, Hampshire
Baptism July 19 1849 Albert Charles Jewell, father Charles Bonneycastle Jewell, mother Jane Anne Jewell, residence London, father is a master mariner, ceremony by A. Bradley, officiating minister

In the 1851 Census Warblington.
Jane King, head, widow, age 55, Timber and Coal merchant, born Sidlesham Sussex.
Daughter in law Jane Ann Jewell, married, age 25, mariner’s wife, born Emsworth.
Grandson Albert Charles Jewell, age 2 born Emsworth.
Granddaughter Victoria Jane Jewell age 3 months, born Emsworth. 2 servants.

In the 1861 census Protestant Grammar School, Shoreham, New Shoreham, Sussex
Pupil Albert Jewell, age 12, scholar, born Emsworth, Hampshire
The schoolmaster is William H. Harper. The entry includes the schoolmaster’s wife, a governess, a cook, a housemaid, a nurse, a kitchenmaid, a porter and his wife, 6 assistant teachers, and 72 pupils ages 7 to 15.

In the 1871 census civil parish of Liss, Hampshire, registration district Petersfield.
Alb. Chas. Jewell, lodger, unmarried, age 22, commercial clerk, born Emsworth Hants.
There are a number of other Jewells at this address.
Eliza Susan Jewell, married, age 60, Insurance Broker’s wife, born Greenwich, Kent.
Edwd. Wm. Jewell, lodger married, age 33, brewer, born Portsea, Hants.
Lodger Sarah Jane Jewell, married, age 33, born Peckham, London.
Edwd. Ch. Jewell, lodger age 9, scholar, born Portsea.
Wm. Fred Jewell age 7 born Clapham, London.
Alb. Edwd. Jewell age 5, born Portsea.
Edith Mary Jewell age 1, born Portsea.
[Eliza Susannah Jewell would be Charles Bonneycastle Jewell’s sister in law and wife of Charles Bonneycastle Jewell’s brother William Henry Jewell. Edward William Jewell would be Charles Bonneycastle Jewell’s nephew and son of Charles Bonneycastle Jewell’s brother Dormer. The remaining persons would be Edward William Jewell’s family.]

1879 was a pivotal year for Albert Jewel. At the beginning of the year he was the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant with the 20th Hussars, a cavalry regiment.
1) February 15. He accepted a promotion to Conductor of Supplies with the Commissariat & Transport Corps.
2) April 14. He married Edith Patience Lowe. The additional income he received from his promotion may have made this more financially feasible.
3) He served in Natal in the Anglo-Zulu War. The war began January 11 and ended July 4, 1879. Thus presumably he would have been sent to Natal, shortly after his marriage. After the initial difficulties the British army faced at the beginning of the war a significant number of additional troops were sent to Natal along with the required supplies needed for the initial troops and the reinforcements. Albert was most likely a part of this second group. It is very likely he continued to serve in Natal for some time after the war as when the war is over the army doesn’t pack up the next day and come home. There would still be a need to conduct further operations. [Note: The Natal Colony was the base for the invasion into Zululand.]

British Army Lists December 1882
Departmental
Conductors of Supplies
A. C. Jewell, date of Warrant February 15 1879, Station: 9 Company,
[There are over 60 Conductors of Supplies listed, the first 41 of them with the same date of warrant.]

He is listed on a web site to commemorate those who served in the Zulu wars 1878 to 1880.

A web site indicates he was appointed to the rank of conductor in 1880. [This is incorrect as he was appointed in 1879.]

UK Pension and Index Cards
Other Ranks Died
Widow’s Pension
A.C. Jewell, C & T Corps, Service Number 14940, widow Edith patience [Jewell]

From Mark A. Reid an explanation of the Commissariat
The British Army had relied on a series of ad-hoc organisations to provide logistic support to the fighting troops but after the disastrous experience of the Crimean War 1854-56, when troops literally starved to death and died of the cold because of a lack of food and shelter, the Army established the Army Service Corps (ASC.) This branch was responsible for providing all the non-warlike stores like food, forage, water, clothing, fuel, etc. to the soldiers who actually waged war. Officers from the Commissariat & Transport Staff commanded the ASC. During the 1870's it was realised that there was a severe shortage of trained junior officers and it was decided to create a new group within the C&T Staff who could be relied upon to get the job done properly. To this end, an appeal was made throughout the British Army for commanding officers of regiments to submit names of Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (Sergeants, Staff Sergeants, Quartermaster Sergts. etc.) who were under the age of 35 and who exhibited enhanced abilities in the logistic field. 47 of these Senior NCO's were selected and appointed to the new rank of Conductor; RQMS Jewell of the 20th Hussars was one of them. [RQMS is Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant.]

A Conductor was mid-way between an NCO and an Officer and ranked at the same level as a Regimental Sergeant Major and a Bandmaster. Because he was neither fish nor fowl, he wore an officers' pattern uniform but without any badges of rank (such as crowns and stars on the shoulder straps.) These men proved to be worth their weight in gold during the Zulu War 1879, in Egypt 1882 and during the fighting in the Sudan 1884-85. Conductor Jewell served during the Zulu War in South Africa but didn't actually serve in Zululand, he remained in Natal and organised the supply system that was vital to sustaining the fighting.

In 1884 he embarked for the Sudan and served with the Desert Column, which attempted to relieve General Gordon who was besieged in Khartoum, the capitol city. The Column endured enormous hardship and fought a savage battle at the wells of Abu Klea [Known as Abu Tulaih to the Sudanese] on 17 Jan 1885. Two days later they fought another action at Abu Kru, also known as Gubat, in their attempt to reach the Nile and head upstream to rescue Gordon. Unfortunately, after enduring great privation and severe heat, Conductor Jewell was shot and killed in this battle. His name is commemorated in the Garrison Church of St. Michael and St. George in Aldershot, England and he has been mentioned in a number of articles about the Nile expedition of 1884-85.

End of explanation
[Note: When I was young the actions of the Desert Column were described to me by family as the “Dash to Khartoum”]

The 1881 census lists him at 19 Conduit Rd, Plumstead, Kent, England as “A Off Conductor A T Corps”

From the Illustrated London News, February 14, 1885

Conductor of Supplies A. C. Jewell, who was killed near Metammeh on the 19th ult. [of January 1885], although a gentleman by birth, at the age of twenty, in June 1871, enlisted as a trooper in the 20th Hussars, and rose after four years’ service to the position of Quartermaster-Sergeant in that regiment. In February, 1879 he was made a Conductor of Supplies; and in the same year served with distinction in South Africa, obtaining a medal. His portrait was taken when serving in the Hussars, by Messrs. Hennah and Kent of Brighton.

From Portsmouth Evening News
Our Emsworth correspondent writes: - “The painful intelligence which was received here on Wednesday from the seat of war to the effect that A. C. Jewell had been killed at Metammeh plunged this town into a state of gloom. Mr. Jewell spent the greater part of his life in Emsworth, and was widely known and respected. His integrity of character and genial disposition won for him a large number of friends , by whom he will be greatly missed. The greatest sympathy is everywhere expressed for the wife, mother, and relatives of the deceased, and expressions of regret at the sad occurrence are universal”. Conductor Jewell joined the commissariat from the 20th Hussars, and has a medal for services in Natal. [Courtesy of Mark A. Reid.]

Compiled by Joseph Henry Lowe Nov 14 1905 (Sunday)
Copied at East Keswick? At the Church of St.Mary Magdalene by Joseph Henry Lowe Nov.15th 1905 (Wednesday)
In loving memory of Albert Charles Jewell killed at the battle Gubat Sudan Jan.19th 1885 aged 36yrs. R.I.P.

A. C. Jewell was killed in the battle of Abu Kru (also known as El Gubat), Sudan on January 19, 1885. He was a Conductor (a rank of Warrant Officer) in the Commissariat Department. (Supply and Transport). This matches a uniform jacket which has buttons labelled Commissary and Transport.

Snook, Colonel Mike. Beyond the Reach of Empire: Wolseley's Failed Campaign to save Gordon and Khartoum (Kindle Locations 9196-9209). Frontline Books. Kindle Edition.

Sergeant Charles Williams was tending to the wounded, under the supervision of Surgeon William Briggs. His unpublished account is once again of great interest, indicating as it does that at least one mercy killing took place at Briggs’s behest. Rather than litter the extract below with grammatical and factual corrections, it is rendered warts and all:

Another casualty that is worth relating occurred to an AS Corps WO well known to myself. He was in charge of ammunition well under cover, simply had to hand out boxes to troops on demand. Little or no danger had he not in the goodness of his heart gone out of way to assist. Stood up to help two weary Tommies to lift a box of ammunition and received a bullet in the abdomen. Our chief medical officer (Captain Briggs) in trouble some time later in India in connection with the Viceroy’s staff – said put him away, his case is hopeless. He poor chap, asked me what chance he had? Saying am not afraid to die – have made my peace with God – but if it is hopeless I should like to die in peace. Here again he received a ‘merciful drug’, covered with a blanket and found quite dead an hour or so later with a beautiful smile on his face.

Examination of the column’s casualty returns leave little room for doubt that Williams is referring to Conductor of Supplies A. C. Jewell of the Commissariat & Transport Corps. Even at this long remove and taking all due account of the limitations of field surgery at this period, the idea of army surgeons ‘putting away’ wounded soldiers makes for uncomfortable reading.
end of excerpt


Too Late for Gordon and Khartoum: The Testimony of an Independent Eye by Alexander Macdonald 1887
Before marching our dead were buried in two pits, one of which was filled with fourteen bodies, laid side by side, and another in line with it those of Quartermaster Lima of the 19th Hussars, Conductor Jewell of the Commissariat, St. Leger Herbert (Correspondent of the ‘Morning Post’) and [J. A.] Cameron of the ‘Standard’. . . . Sir Charles Wilson, Colonel Barrow, and several officers then gathered around the open graves of our dead, and stood uncovered while Lord Charles Beresford [Future Admiral in command of the Mediterranean and Channel Fleets] in feeling tones read the burial service over them. Stern as had been those warriors in the hour of battle yesterday, they know mourned as British soldiers always mourn over comrades whose lives have been part of the price paid for the victory they have achieved. [Thus his grave is about 3.5 miles from the Nile]

A Medal list found on the Internet states the following:
Approximately 50 Commissariat and Transport Staff and Corps were present at Abu Klea, including 5 officers and 7 conductors of supplies. Conductor Hyatt served with No. 9 Company, C. & T.C. at Abu Klea, comprising of 2 conductors and 23 other ranks.

National Probate Calendar
March 23 1885. The Will of Albert Charles Jewell late of Emsworth in the County of Southampton Conductor of Supplies No. 6 Company in Her Majesty’s Army Service Corps who died 19 January 1885 at Gubat in the Soudan was proved at the Principal Registry by Jane Anne Jewell of King-street Emsworth Widow the Mother the surviving Executor. Personal Estate 666 pounds 10 shillings.

see The Battle of Abu Klea - poem by William McGonagall with a historical notes.
https://www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk/poems/pgklea.htm