Biography of Maud Rose Lee (Maud Rose Joyce)

Born 1 December 1892 at home at 65 Cleves Road, East Ham, Essex. In the 1901 census age 8 she's living with her parents William & Emma at 13 Florence Road, East Ham, London, sister Caroline (17) & brother William (12).

She left school at 14 and became a housemaid in the employ of Mrs May West, a wealthy person living at 105 Goldhurst Terrace, Hampstead. Shortly after became an assistant cook, then cook, and finally companion to this lady. In the 1911 census age 18 she's a domestic servant for Thomas & Sarah May Clemens & their daughter Mabel (2) at 150 Hampton Road, Forest Gate, East Ham.

Maud married James William Lee on 9 January 1916 while he was home on leave. They lived in accomodation in Mrs May West's house until they moved to a flat in Chadwell Heath, Essex, from 1920 to 1922. Then they moved to a local authority house at 12 Burnell Rise, Letchworth, Herts, in what was then a new Garden City. Maud & Jim had two children, Joan Spurgeon in 1920 & Leslie Lee in 1923. In 1936 they bought their own new house at 14 Cowdrey Close, Enfield, Middlesex.

Maud died on 14 January 1953.

Her daughter Joan Spurgeon writes in her Grandparents Book:

What was your Mother's name and date of birth and where was she born? Maud Rose Joyce 1st December 1892 East Ham. Describe her appearance. What were her special interests and talents? My Mother was not very tall, petite would describe her best, she was in my opinion very beautiful, always neatly dressed, with wavy hair short as I remember. Of a very loving and generous disposition. A good cook & housewife, she sewed all our clothes and her own, could knit & crochet. What was her occupation before her marriage? Ladies companion to Mrs Mae West. What are your fondest memories of her? Always at home when we returned from school, welcomed our friends also. I do have good memories of new dresses for special occassions and of her coming to school to warm milk in the winter for us at playtime.