1906 Kelly's Directory of IOW (page 662)
Eugene W[sic] Ticehurst, photographer, 43 Strand, Ryde

This photo is from my own family album of an unknown baby. The annotation on the back states 'Mrs Carley - 12 month old - 15 February 1907' - Mrs Carley was probably the person who commissioned the photo, but it's a pity the baby's name wasn't included!

Close-up of Ticehurst's embossed logo on front of above photo
'Eugene V. Ticehurst. Strand Studio. Ryde.'

In the 1891 census, Eugene and his brother Henry were recorded as being stationer's assistants, still living at 38 Simeon Street with their parents and aunt. The boys were no doubt helping their father run his bookshop and sub-post office at the junction of Simeon Street and Monkton Street.

At the time of the 1901 census, Eugene was recorded as being a photographer, still living at home in Simeon Street with his parents and aunt. His brother Henry had married and was living in Monkton Street, working as a shopkeeper.

Eugene married Charlotte Elizabeth Salisbury from Somerset in 1903 at Bristol, and their first daughter, Alice Georgetta Mary, was born in Ryde the following year. They had a second daughter, Dorothy Eugenie Anna, in 1910. Eugene's wife, Charlotte, died in 1928, and Eugene continued to live at Simeon Street with his widowed mother until her death in 1934. In 1937 Eugene married his second wife, Martha Annie Willoughby Powell, but she also pre-deceased him in 1943. Eugene died in 1950 aged 75, and was buried at Ryde Cemetery, sharing a grave with his two wives.

According to his obituary in the IW County Press, Eugene specialised in photographic illustrations for yachting publications and also had a studio in Newport. However, at a military tribunal in 1916 (see below), Eugene stated that he had to give up his photographic business to help his parents in their old age. He took over running the newsagent's shop and sub-post office when his father died in 1925 - a job he continued right up until his own death in 1950.

Further information about Eugene, his obituary and grave details can be found on the Ryde Social Heritage Group website at www.rydecemetery.org.uk/grave_record.asp?graveid=2633  However, research has shown that there are date errors in the obituary, and the monumental inscription also has date and name errors.

Military Tribunal – Eugene V. Ticehurst, 42, married, stated that he assisted his father, who was sub-postmaster at the Monkton-street Post Office. He had given up his photographing business to help his parents in their old age, and it would be a domestic hardship if he had to go; besides, he was over age.---In reply to the Tribunal, applicant said he was 42 last September.--- By Mr. Hayden: He was examined at the Drill-Hall and was told that he had passed.--- The Mayor: That cost you half-a-crown (laughter).---Applicant: Yes.--- Conditional exemption was given, the military representative concurring.
- IW County Press 11 November 1916

Two personal announcements appeared in the IW County Press in 1906 and 1907 by Mr Ticehurst advertising for a general servant aged under 35 to do cooking for a small family. It is assumed these were placed by Eugene's father Henry Ticehurst.

My thanks to Ann Barrett for supplying the above press cuttings.