AT their May meeting, members of Thurrock Local History Society were presented with a question by speaker Phil Lobley.

He asked: "Why was Geraldine Elizabeth Batt buried at North Ockendon? She neither lived nor died in the area. It is a double grave, as she was buried with her sister Margaret nearly 100 years ago. The elaborate headstone at St Mary Magdalene has images of the sun and moon etc and reads 'Our Lady to London Thieves'. So who were they?"

The answers quickly followed.

Geraldine was born in Purdysburn, Ireland in 1851, one of five children born to Robert Batt (1795-1864), a partner in the Belfast Bank. Her brother Robert inherited the house at Purdysburn and left it to Belfast General Hospital.

It was part of an extensive mental hospital which has now been demolished, although some gardens remain. He had married twice, his first wife dying in Madeira in 1833. His second wife, Charlotte Wood, with whom he had eight children, died of cholera in France whilst on holiday in 1857.

Robert lived in Donegal at Rathmullan House, now a hotel. Her father left £1,000 to each of his daughters, Geraldine and Margaret living with an uncle in Worcester. By 1869 Geraldine and her sister were having a whale of a time with dances, archery etc. Margaret married Col. Thomas Simpson in 1878 but they had no children.

Geraldine had moved to London by 1881. Her guardian had died and she bought a flat just off Southampton Row – still single, aged about 40. Maybe she knew Margaret Bateson who was involved in the suffragette movement.

From 1891 onwards, still in Bloomsbury, she made payments to St John the Evangelist Church etc., including nurseries, soup kitchens etc, until 1905. In 1899 she had lived in Red Lion Square for ten years.

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She was not short of money and could have afforded better accommodation but wanted to be near the church. Geraldine gave money to several churches, the Temperance Society and Band of Hope etc. Red Lion Square had a poor reputation which improved over the years, with gardens.

Charles Booth a British shipowner and philanthropist, was concerned about the poverty in London. He wrote several books, also creating maps showing various levels of the London poor.

He visited Red Lion Square, the poorest working class, but not criminal. Geraldine was known to him, described as a very masterful lady who ran the church. It was destroyed in 1941 when one thousand people died.

The two sisters lived near each other and moved to West Kensington where they died, Geraldine in 1931 and Margaret in 1932. In 1876 their sister Emily had married Commander John Way (a well-known artist), Geraldine being one of 18 bridesmaids.

This then was the North Ockendon connection – Stubbers. John Way's sister married Champion Russell and their son was born in North Ockendon 1860, a noted tennis player. In 1889 Champion Russell married Emily Charlotte Batt. Those present included Ellen Willmott of Warley Place, the service being conducted by Rev. Luard, vicar of Aveley and father of Kate.

Geraldine died in 1931, leaving £7,692 (worth £600,000 today), with various bequests. Her sister Margaret was left £500 and a trust fund. Margaret died 19 months later in 1932, leaving £9200.

Her executor was Champion Branfill Russell, who was left a trust fund. It is not known who paid for her burial, or why she and Geraldine were buried there.

The image of a swan on the grave means purity. Why 'Our Lady to London Thieves'?

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Nothing has been found as to why this inscription was used – there is no connection with North Ockendon, maybe a reference to the London poor. She was a benefactor, giving shelter and help. This was a very interesting lecture, showing a story behind a grave, well researched.

The society's next meeting is not until 17 September when, at St John's Church Hall, Victoria Avenue, Grays, starting at 8pm speaker Michelle Savage will be talking about the Training Ships on the Thames. Visitors are welcome. Meanwhile, why not visit the society's stall at Horndon for the Feast & Fayre on 27/28 June or at the Orsett Show on 5 September?