VICTOR ALPHONSO DELONNETTE (or ALPHONSO) was born circa
1892 in Brighton (source : 1901 census). On the 1901 census, aged 9, he is living with his parents at 13 Queens Road,
Hastings, Sussex.
He served in the First World War as Gunner Delonnette, and appears in the Roll of Honour in the Hastings
and St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser and Visitors List of May 25th 1916. His photo (see below) was sent in by
Miss Eleanor Rackliff, 91a Hughenden Road, Hastings and the caption reads : " Gunner Delonnette,
now at the Base, having been slightly gassed and shellshocked" (source : Roll of Honour).
He received a medal for his service in world war one, his name being recorded as Alfonso Delonnett
(source : War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index, First World War,
on the National Archives database at
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?queryType=1&resultcount=1&Edoc_Id=2307585)
. He served in the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner
and his regiment number was 135581 (source : medal roll).
He married BESSIE ANNIE WOOD on 28th November 1920 at Christchurch, Ore,
Hastings, Sussex (source : parish register 434/1/3/3 page 95 entry 190). He was aged 27, his occupation
was skin dresser and at the time of the marriage, his residence was recorded as 45 Victoria Avenue, Hastings,
his parents’ home (source : marriage register). On her marriage record, BESSIE ANNIE WOOD’s age was recorded as 18,
crossed through and 17 written underneath and initialled by the vicar. No occupation was listed and her residence
was also recorded as 45 Victoria Avenue, her in-law’s home. Her father, ALBERT FREDERICK WOOD, was a railwayman
(source : marriage register).
In 1927, he shows up (as Alphonso Delonnette) on a record for voters at 1st Flat, 63 Hughenden Road,
Hastings. In the Hastings Directory for 1948, he is listed (as Victor A. Delonnette) at 40 Elphinstone Road.
He lived here until his death in 1969 (source : obituary).
His obituary states that : "Throughout most of his working life, until a very few years ago,
he was on the staff of Messrs. F. Strickland and Sons Ltd. Since his retirement, Mr Delonnette had been very active in
membership of the West Hill and District Old Age Pensioners Association until quite recently".
Stricklands was the local coal merchants, where Victor lost his arm in an accident on the crusher
(source : family knowledge).
Bessie died in 1967 (source : Victor's obituary).
Victor Alphonso Delonnette died, aged 77, on Friday 24th October 1969 in St Helen's Hospital, Hastings, Sussex
(source : obituary in Hastings Observer, Sat 1st Nov 1969, page 2). His obituary states : "The funeral took place
at the Borough Crematorium on Wednesday (29th October 1969), when the Rev. J. Frame officiated in the presence of
immediate members of the family and representatives of Messrs. F. Stricklands and Sons Ltd., of the
West Hill and District Old Age Pensioners Association, and of the Pentecostal Church".
The obituary also states that his daughter "desires to express sincere thanks to the doctors and nursing staff
of St Helen's Hospital; to the many friends for their kindnesses and numerous tokens of sympathy received in
her bereavement, including those who have so kindly made donations to the Bible and Medical Missionary Fellowship
of London, S.E.11, in lieu of flowers", so he appears to have been linked to this religion. The funeral arrangements
were made by Hinkley Funeral Service, 52 Mount Pleasant Road, Hastings (source : obituary).
The child of VICTOR ALPHONSO DELONNETTE and BESSIE ANNIE WOOD:
MAISIE EDITH DELONNETTE was born in September quarter 1921 in Hastings, Sussex (source : Free BMD, district
Hastings volume 2b page 14 ).
She married EDWARD GEORGE BERNARD OLSEN
on Saturday 16th May 1942 at Robertson Street Congregational Church, Hastings, Sussex.
Census returns for VICTOR ALPHONSO DELONNETTE
1901 census:
address : 13 Queens Road, Hastings (later known as Victoria Avenue), Sussex
Alphonso DELONNETTE age 65 born France
Emily DELONNETTE wife age 33 born Chichester
Alphonso DELONNETTE son age 9 born Brighton
Josephine DELONNETTE dau age 7 born Brighton
Geogina DELONNETTE dau age 4 born Brighton
Augustus DELONNETTE son age 2 born Hastings
Wichelmina DELONNETTE dau age 2 months born Hastings
