Walter Harry Kent
There's currently only one known postcard of Brislington by the person who identified themselves simply as Kent. The address alongside their name is Chale, Isle of Wight. While concentrating on their native isle, this publisher also produced postcards of Bristol as well as other places in the south of England.
Walter Harry Kent was born to Ellen and George Kent in April 1882, and was baptised in the village of Chale on the south coast of the island. The 1891 census shows Ellen (aged 34) and George (40, working as a carrier) living with George's parents in Chale. The 1901 census shows the couple and two children at their own address in the village. While George still worked as a carrier, Walter worked as a carpenter's apprentice.
In 1903 his marriage to Charlotte Marsh was registered on the Isle of Wight. She was the daughter of Elizabeth and George Marsh who, at the time of her baptism in May that year, lived at Shanklin, on the east coast of the isle. The 1891 census lists Charlotte by her middle name - May - and her mother (aged 37) and father (31, working as a baker) at nearby Ventnor.
In 1911 the census records Walter, Charlotte and three children living in the Post Office in Chale. Walter gave his occupation as sub postmaster and builder. The 1939 register shows the family living at Ryde, Isle of Wight, and Walter's occupation is now shown as commercial photographer (master man). Their daughter June (born in 1904) worked as a photographic finisher.
Walter died while living at the same address in Ryde, in October 1948. Charlotte, still at the same address, died in December 1969.
Brislington postcard
West Town Lane - WESTTOWN LANE BRISLINGTON. See exhibit in this museum.
Ken Taylor