Rupert Henry and Anne Edmunds nee Evans
Rupert Henry Edmunds - usually known as Harry - was born to parents Benjamin and Matilda nee Goode on 18 July 1897. He was christened at Stoneleigh on 29 August, and was one of seven children.
Harry's family story is well-documented in his autobiography, "Harry Edmunds' Diary" written in his declining years. In it he wrote vividly of life in Stoneleigh in the early years of the twentieth century. His father Ben was a shepherd and worker on the estate, and he himself was to work for the estate as did his brothers. Living at first on The Bank, the family moved to Birmingham Road where Matilda (Tilly) served teas on the lawn. Harry spent a short time in a Reserve Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment during the Great War, before being invalided out in August 1916. In late 1920 he married Annie Evans, who was the cook for the vicar, the Reverend Herbert Cooke. He and Annie went on to have four children. Their first children were twins, and they were born in June 1921 in the Almshouses, where Annie and Harry had been found accommodation by Lord Leigh.
Anne Evans (known as Annie) was born on 6 March 1895 in Welshpool, Montgomeryshire. Her parents were Thomas, a wood cutter and sawyer, and Sarah; like her future husband, she was one of seven children. When the Reverend Herbert Cooke and his wife, who was from Welshpool, came to Stoneleigh, Annie, as cook, came too.
Annie and Harry later lived on Coventry Road, where Harry's prize chrysanthemums were admired by all who crossed Stoneleigh Bridge. Annie died on Christmas Day 1975, and Harry on 15 October 1978. He was buried on 19 October.