By George Solly
By George SollyWe welcome back Colin Solly and Sandra Fitzgibbon and also Jeremy Andrews and David Solley. David wrote:
Thanks to the good offices of Bob Solly, Christine Gilmore made contact with me a few years ago with details of her family who are descended from my great-grandfather, Alfred John Solley. Unbeknown to my side of the family, Alfred John had married in Guernsey, and had three children. One of the three, Alfred John George, was the Stoker 1st Class killed (On HMS Good Hope) in the Battle of Coronel and mentioned in John Slaughter’s article ‘The Great War at Sea Part 1’ published in Sole Search in 2015.
On a different note I have just sent off a DNA sample to see what gems the result might or might not reveal. It will be interesting to discover whether or not it is half as interesting as George’s.
Two non members have contacted me via the Sole Society website in recent weeks, both regarding the illustrious Isaac Solly (versions I and II):
One lady asked if she could have my permission to tend the grave of Isaac Solly I (1724-1802) who is buried in a very elaborate grave in Walthamstow which is of architectural importance. This Isaac is my 5 x great uncle – and I was quite happy to give my permission!
Germander Speedwell (person, not flower) also contacted me regarding Isaac’s son, Isaac II (1769-1852) who operated the Solly Docks at Rotherhithe importing timber – now the site of Surrey Docks Farm. I visited the place yesterday and will report on it in a future issue.