Thomas Hendy Fluen

was the father of WILLIAM HENRY FLUEN. He was born out of wedlock to Eliza Fluen on 16. Feb. 1873 in Andover, Hampshire, England. In connection with his parents' marriage, his father, Thomas Hendy, acknowledged his paternity and his son received his double name, albeit mistakenly "Hendy Fluen" instead of, as would have been usual, "Fluen Hendy".

His family started to move up to the north of England 1880/81. Thomas was a general labourer at first and became a coal hawker for Thomas & Co. Coal Merchants, Middlesbrough last few years before his death. He must have started working for the firm after 1911, as Census Records of that year are still stating that he worked as a mason labourer, then. However Thomas' son, WILLIAM HENRY FLUEN, was used to tell that he started work age six delivering coal with his dad.

Thomas Hendy Fluen died 05. Feb. 1916 and was buried Linthorpe Cemetery (D3879), Middlesbrough on 13. February.

FELL DEAD IN HIS CART - COAL HAWKER'S SEIZURE WHEN ON HIS ROUNDS
An inquiry was held at the Royal Hotel, Middlesbrough, two-day into the death of Thomas Henry-Fluen (sic), a coal hawker, whose death occurred whilst he was engaged on his rounds. Eliza Ann Fluen, the widow, said her husband had complained of dizziness in August last, and was attended by Dr Scanlan. He had been better since September, however, until last Saturday, when he complained of cold. George Knott said he was in Southfield Road when he noticed a rolley driven by Fluen coming towards him. Deceased was standing driving the horse at a moderate pace. Witness was attracted by seeing deceased reel and fall to the side of the cart. There was nothing to cause the cart to jolt at all. Witness ran towards him, but Fluen appeared to be dead. He was taken to a house in the neighbourhood, and a doctor was summoned. Dr Hedley said the man was quite dead when he arrived. Together with Dr Lowe, witness made a post-mortem examination, which revealed the presence of an antemortem clot of blood, which during formation has produced a weakness of the heart, which in turn resulted in an attack of syncope. There were no fractured bones at all, and death was due to natural causes entirely. The man Knott had behaved very promptly, and had done everything possible. A verdict in accordance with medical evidence was returned. On behalf of the man's employers, Messrs W.H. Thomas & Co., Mr A.E. Forbes expressed sympathy with the relatives of deceased, and the coroner (Mr O.H. Cochrane) and the jury associated themselves with the expression of condolence. The coroner complimented Knott on his promptitude in rendering first aid.

[Source: North-Eastern Daily Gazette, Friday 11. Feb. 1916]

THOMAS HENDY FLUEN was the eldest son of THOMAS HENDY (1851-1912) and ELIZA FLUEN (1855-1932). He married ELIZABETH ANN JOHNSON in Middlesbrough, Oct-Dec 1896.

Both had children: 
*   Frederick Charles Fluen, 04. Oct 1897 and died Oct-Dec 1898
*   Florence Harriet Alice Fluen, born 15. Jun 1899 and died Oct-Dec 1901
*   Violet Fluen, born 05. Nov 1901 and died 10. Mar 1968, married to Thomas William Thompson (1898-1967)
*   Tom Fluen, born Oct-Dec 1903 and died Jul-Sept 1905
*   WILLIAM HENRY FLUEN, born 06. Feb 1906 and died 27. June 1969, married to Mable Walker (1908-1973)
*   Ivy May Fluen, born 08. May 1908 and died Jan-Mar 1965, married to Frederick Scurrah (1907-1965)
*   Dorothy Fluen, born Jul-Sept 1912 and died Oct-Dec 1912


(St Marys Parish Church, Andover, Hampshire, England)

Thomas hisself was born out of wedlock. It can be only speculated about reasons, why his parents did not marry until later; it was perhaps Eliza's father, who did not give his parental consent to an earlier marriage as she was under-age, then. But as much as it is only an assumption it is certain though that THOMAS HENDY was Thomas' biological father. His birth got registered at first under his mother's maiden name though. After the legal acknowledgement by his father Thomas' surname should have altered normally to 'Fluen Hendy', then passing the surname 'Hendy' to his own children some day. But it looks like as if his new surname got registered wrongly by mistake so that the surname 'Fluen' got handed down to his offspring instead of.
NOTE:   When his son, Billy, had a dispute with his wife, Mable was used to finish the argument by taking the wind out of his sails by saying, "Who the fuck are you? A 'Hendy' or a 'Fluen'? You even don't know, who the hell you are!"