Born Ann Mary Burgess on 16 March 1874 in Bethnal Green, she was the daughter of John Burgess and Susan Martha Burgess née Harvey, the fourth of their nine children. Her father was a leather dealer. She was baptised on 5 April 1874 at St James the Great Church, Bethnal Green and the family were living at 56 Ravenscroft Street, Bethnal Green. The 1881 census shows the family living at Caroline Cottage, Hill Street, Bethnal Green and the 1891 census records them all living together at 46 Dove Row, Shoreditch. Her occupation was given as a laundress. On 31 July 1898 she married George Frederick Richards at St John's Parish Church, Hackney and they were living at 28 Pembury Grove, Hackney. The 1901 census shows them residing at 8 Shrublands Road, Shoreditch and his occupation is listed as Salesman India Rubber Surgical. Their first son, Frederick William Richards was born on 19 April 1903 and when he was baptised on 10 May 1903 the records show they were living at 8 Marborogh Road, Dalston. (Probably an error by the curate. There was no Marborogh Road. Possibly he meant Marlborough Avenue, Dalston). The 1911 census shows them living at 28 Hanover Street, Islington and his occupation is given as a Clerk in India Rubber Works. Their second child, Henry Charles Richards was born on 6 September 1914. Both she and her husband were killed as a result of enemy action on 22 September 1940 at 419 Old Ford Road, Poplar, where he was the caretaker of John Kidd and Co Ltd.'s printing ink and varnish works.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
