Robert James son of George Avis of Wadhurst, mason, and Eliza (baptismal record). Robert's second given name, James, appears only in the baptismal record.
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At the time of the 1881 England Census Robert Avis, age 19, born in Wadhurst Sussex, was lodging in Springfield Rd., Withyam Sussex.
At the time of the 1891 England Census Robert Avis, age 29, born in Wadhurst Sussex, engine driver, and wife Harriett, age 27, born in Mayfield Sussex, were living at 6 Climpson Cottages, Lower Drove, Eastbourne Sussex. With them were children (born in Eastbourne): Robert (5), scholar, Fritz (4), scholar, Florence (2) and John (1).
At the time of the 1901 England Census Robert Avis, age 39, born in Wadhurst Sussex, engine driver water works, and wife Harriett, age 37, born in Mayfield Sussex, were living at 6 Climpson Cottages, Chapel Drove, Eastbourne Sussex. With them were children (born in Eastbourne): Robert (15), engine cleaner water works, Fritz (14), tailor's errand boy, Florence (12), John (11), Percy (8), Evelyn (6).
At the time of the 1911 England Census Robert Avis, age 49, born in Wadhurst Sussex, stationery engine driver water works, and wife of 26 years Harriet, age 47, born in Mayfield Sussex (mother of 6 children), were living at 52 Firle Road, Eastbourne Sussex. Present were children (born in Eastbourne, single): John (21), locomotive cleaner, railway, Florence (22), dressmaker, Percy (18), printer's apprentice, and Evelyn (16), book binder's apprentice.
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AGED WORKMAN'S TRAGIC DEATH
THE INQUEST
An inquest was held at the Working Men's Club on Tuesday by Mr. G. Vere Benson (coroner for East Sussex) on the body of Mr. Robert Avis, aged 60 years, of 52, Firle-road, an employé of the Eastbourne Waterworks Company, who died in the Princess Alice Hospital on January 20th from injuries received through a fall from some scaffolding on which he was working at the Holywell Pumping Station on the day previous.
Mr. Albert Wilkins, general manager, represented the Waterworks Company, and Mr. Hill appeared on behalf of the deceased's family. Mr. R. A. Goddard, H. M. Inspector of Factories, was also present.
Harriet Avis, wife of the deceased, said he was 60 years of age and was always in good health. He had been an engine driver, but for some time had been caretaker at the Bedfordwell Station, and he also assisted at the Holywell Station. Witness saw him the night of the 19th, after the accident, but he was unable to speak. On the following day he told her that he thought it was all right and stepped back. He kept repeating, "A little further; a little further."
Henry Woodall, who was affirmed, said he was a son-in-law of the deceased. Witness saw him on the morning of January 20th, when deceased's mental condition was quite clear. Witness asked how he managed to come by the accident, and he replied, "We were shifting a plank and I stepped back and it was all up then." Deceased then became delirious and said, "We will have it a little further over," and kept repeating this to himself.
Amos Luck, 118, Victoria-drive, caretaker at the Holywell Pumping Station, said the deceased came up to the pumping station on Thursday to assist him. Immediately before the accident they were working on a platform 10-ft. 6-in. high. Witness was one side of the building and deceased was the other. Witness had just shouted "Wait a minute, Bob, I'm just coming over." They were going to shift some planks. Witness hurried to Avis, who said "Can't be helped old friend, it is quite an accident," and "Rub my arms, I can't move." Witness did so and he moved his arms and said "That's better," but afterwards he could not feel anything in his legs. Witness got assistance and then Avis was taken to hospital.
Maurice Emery, M.B., B.C.H., B.A.O., house surgeon at Princess Alice Hospital, said he examined Avis on admission. He was then conscious, but could not remember anything of the accident. The symptoms pointed to a fracture of the spine at the lower part of the neck. Avis had no power in his arms or legs, but lived to the next day. Death was due to pressure on the spinal cord through the fracture of the spine. Avis also had a fracture of the lower part of his left arm.
The Coroner said he had ascertained from H. M. Inspector of Factories that the arrangements at the Pumping Station were quite satisfactory and all the evidence pointed to accidental death.
The jury decided that the deceased's death was due to an accidental fall from scaffolding on which he was engaged in painting at the Holywell Pumping Station, and they considered there was no blame attaching to anyone. They also expressed their sympathy with the widow and family.
Mr. Albert Wilkins, expressing the sympathy of the directors of the Company and himself to Mrs. Avis, said not only had the Company lost a valued and faithful servant, but Mrs. Avis had lost an excellent husband.
Eastbourne Chronicle, 28 January 1922, p. 7
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