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 features a swan and reads above Geraldine's grave are the words ''Our Lady' to London Thieves'. So who were the Batts?

Geraldine was born in Purdysburn, County Down, Ireland in 1851, one of eight children born to Robert Batt (1795-1864), of the Belfast Banking Company. 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.

Geraldine's only brother Robert Narcissus Batt 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.

Her father left £1,000 to each of his daughters. Geraldine and Margaret were brought up by their guardian, their uncle a canon of Worcester Cathedral. By 1869 Geraldine and her sister were having a whale of a time with dances, archery etc. in both Purdysburn and Worcester.

Margaret married Colonel, later Major Thomas Thompson Simpson in 1879 but they had no children.

Geraldine had moved to London by 1881, first living in Bloomsbury Gardens and then in a new apartment block just off Southampton Row. By 1891, still single and aged about 40, she may have known her near neighbour Margaret Bateson who was involved in the suffragette movement.

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

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

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, describing the population as the poorest working class, but not criminal. He mentions Geraldine in his notebooks, describing her as a very masterful lady who ran a Boys' Club in the square.

In their later years, the two sisters lived near each other in West Kensington where they died, Geraldine in 1931 and Margaret in 1932.

In 1876 their sister Emily Charlotte (an accomplished artist) had married Commander John Lewis Way, Geraldine being one of 18 bridesmaids. This then was the North Ockendon connection – Stubbers. John Way's sister, Emily Augusta married Champion Russell and their son Champion Branfill Russell was born in North Ockendon 1860. In 1889 Champion Branfill Russell's sister Mary married.

Those present included local figures Ellen Willmott and her sister of Warley Place, the Reverend Luard of Aveley and his daughters. Both Ellen Willmott and Kate Luard have been the subjects of talks at the Thurrock Local History Society.

Geraldine died in 1931, leaving £7692 (worth £680,000 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 swan on the grave means purity. Why 'Our Lady to London Thieves'? 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.

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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?