Mabel Rosetta Bringloe

Born 1895, died 1984
Nurse at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse, 1926-1929
Researched by Elizabeth Steele

Mabel  was born Mabel Rosetta Elizabeth Blake in Congham, Norfolk, on 26th November 1895 and baptised on the 5th January 1896. Her parents were Samuel and Hannah Maria Blake (nee Barlow), who had married on 14th September 1889 at Grimston, Norfolk. At the time of the marriage Samuel, is aged 21 and described as a labourer and Hannah Maria is aged 16. Records show that Mabel had an older brother, William Bertie Blake born third quarter of 1890 and a younger sister Gladys Blake born 6 April 1907.

Mabel, aged 5, is recorded on the 1901 census as being at Brereton’s Cottage, West Newton, Norfolk, she is recorded as granddaughter to the Head of Household, William Fenn, aged 47, an agricultural labourer (ordinary worker). Also present are his wife, Mary Ann, aged 47 and their  daughters, Annie Fenn, aged 15, Ellen Fenn, aged 14, Hannah Blake (Mabel’s mother), aged 27 and William Blake, grandson, aged 10. Mabel’s father, Samuel is recorded on the 1901 census as head of the household at a property in Congham. Nobody else is listed as present at that property at the time the census was taken, so perhaps one can assume that his wife and children were visiting William Fenn at the time of the census. 

The 1911 census records Mabel, then aged 15, as living with her parents and siblings in Congham, King’s Lynn, Norfolk. Her brother William, aged 20, is a horseman on farm and Mabel is a general domestic servant.

Sometime after 1911 Mabel has left the family home. Still single, she appears on the 1921 census records at the age of 24 years and 7 months, as working as a Mental Nurse at Hellesdon Mental Hospital, Norwich, Norfolk. Also listed on the census entry and working as a mental nurse is Bertie Bringloe, aged 26 years 5 months, who later becomes her husband. 

Hellesdon Mental Hospital, formerly an asylum, was built on a 51 acre site in the late 1800’s, opening in 1880. Extensions took place at the turn of the century with the expansion of the 3-storey male block, with a corresponding female block being added in the 1920s. Originally built as an asylum it became the Norwich Mental Hospital during the 1920’s in an attempt to rid the institution of negative associations. Today it remains open as a psychiatric hospital.

Mabel marries Bertie Bringloe in Islington, London in July 1923. In 1926 we find Bertie and Mabel  being appointed porter and Nurse at The Poor Law Institution, Gressenhall, Norfolk.  Mentioned in the minutes at that time is that they both previously worked at the Poor Law Institution, Ledbury. Unfortunately, we are unable to verify exactly when and in what capacity.

Bertie and Mabel were employed at the Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse until 1929. They resigned from and left their posts on 30th April 1929. The reason for their resignations is not recorded in the minutes but they willingly forfeited a month’s salary in order to leave without working their notice period, perhaps,  suggesting  some urgency and need. Also, whilst employed at the workhouse, they would have both benefited from making pension contributions. under the Poor Law Officer’ Superannuation Act 1896. Records of  the contributions made by both Bertie and Mabel exist.

No record is held of where Mr. and Mrs Bringloe moved to after leaving Gressenhall, but records show that on  2 July 1930 their daughter Dagmar June was born at Leyton, Hackney, London.

The 1939 census records Bertie and Mabel  living at 1 Woodbury Close, Wanstead and Woodford. Bertie is recorded with the occupation of Porter, Hospital and Mabel unpaid domestic duties.

Nothing more is known of their lives but at some point, they must have returned to Norfolk as Bertie died at Depwade, Norfolk on 13th May 1980 and Mabel  also in Norfolk, on 14th May 1984.