E. Leslie Badham (1873-1944)

From Historical Hastings


Edward Leslie Badham was a local artist and art teacher of some repute. Born in Clapham, Surrey with six siblings, he married Rebecca Cook in 1905, and had an illegitimate daughter with her; Dorothy who was aged 9 at the time of the wedding. Edward was Rebecca's second husband, she going by the surname of 'Gillett' prior to this marriage.

Moving first to Fordwich in Kent by 1905[1], then to Hastings by 1907 at the latest[2], he being president of the local arts' club in that year. According to the 1911 Census Badham was recorded as living at 3 St. Matthews Drive[3]; Badham claimed in that Census return to have been married for 16 years but in fact had married Rebecca only six years earlier (this possibly to give some legitimacy to his daughter)[4].

He was unfortunately killed in an air raid which hit his house at 22 Priory Road on the 12th of March 1944, also killing Dorothy May Badham, his only child.[5].

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References & Notes

  1. UK Census 1905
  2. 1907 Electoral Roll via H. Wotjczak
  3. UK Census 1911
  4. H. Wotjczak via email
  5. GOV.UK: Find a will | GOV.UK, accessdate: 26 January 2020