At the time of the 1881 England Census William H Gard, age 26, born in Gillingham Kent, naval architect, and wife Alice, age 19, born in Chatham Kent, were visiting Charles J and Martha C Platt at 43 Pawsons Rd., Croydon Surrey.
At the time of the 1891 England Census William H Gard, age 36, born in Gillingham Kent, naval construction, and wife Alice, age 29, born in Chatham Kent, were living at 6 Laxon Rd., Croydon Surrey. With them were children Alice M E (9) of W Shields Northumberland, scholar, Reginald V (7) of S Norwood Surrey, scholar, and Daisy M (2) of S Norwood.
At the time of the 1911 England Census William Henry Gard, age 56, born in Gillingham Kent, assistant director naval construction - admiralty, and wife of 30 years Alice, age 49, born in Brompton Kent (mother of 4 children, 1 deceased), were living at 275 London Rd., Thornton Heath, Croydon, Surrey. With them were daughters Daisy May (22) of So. Norwood Surrey, single, Alice Maud Ethel Gordon (29) of Ws. Shields Northumberland, married for 9 years, and her sons Douglas Francis Hugh Gordon (7) of Brompton Kent, and Lewis Henry George Gordon (9 mo) of Barrow in Furness Lancs.
--------------------------
William Henry Gard, C.B., M.V.O., of Bearsden Dunheved-road-south Thornton Heath Surrey died 29 January 1936. Probate London 6 March to William Henry Stratton, solicitor, and Richard Moffett, solicitors' managing clerk. Effects £7805 2s. 11d. Resworn £6990 5s. 1d. 4
--------------------------
DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM H. GARD, C.B., M.V.O.
Decorated by King Edward VII.
The funeral of Mr. William Henry Gard, C.B., M.V.O., of Dunheved-road South, Thornton Heath, took place at the Mitcham-road Cemetery on Saturday.
Mr. Gard, who died on January 28th, was 81 years old. He was the son of Mr. William James Gard, of Southsea, and entered the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors in 1888.
SPECIAL SERVICE
In 1897 he was Chief Constructor at the Bermuda Dockyard, and a year later was stationed at Malta. From 1902 to 1904 he was at Portsmouth, and it was in 1903 that he rendered special service to H.M.S. Victory when she was in danger of sinking after being rammed in a collision in Portsmouth Harbour. It was through Mr. Gard's expert knowledge that the ship was safely docked. For this service he received the M.V.O. from King Edward VII, who personally decorated him with it.
From 1904-17 Mr. Gard was Assistant Director of Naval Construction at the Admiralty and from 1917-19 was Deputy Director of Naval Construction.
AWARDED THE C.B.
He received the C.B. in 1916 for his service during the war.
Mr. Gard was married to Miss Alice Jordan, daughter of Mr. James Jordan, of Brompton, Kent. His wife died before him. He leaves a family of three.
Mr. Gard was a resident of Thornton Heath for thirty years, and was a member of the West Thornton Ratepayers' Association.
The mourners at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Evans (daughter and son-in-law), Mr. R. V. Gard (son), Mr. D. F. H. Gordon and Mr. G. G. Evans (grandsons), Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Cole, Mr. Small, Mr. G. F. G. Evans, Nurse Mitchell, Nurse Deane, Miss A. Gale, Miss F. Gale, Mrs. Warren and Mr. Boyland, representing the Royal Naval Corps.
Croydon Times, 8 February 1936, p. 2
Research Notes: