I am not having much luck with discovering where Agnes was in 1939. Her birth date was 31st August 1876 (I have her birth certificate) and I have her in all the censuses from 1881 to 1911. Apart from 1881 when she was a 4-year-old living with her parents in Smarden, Kent, she appears as a domestic servant, working for various people. 1891: RG12, piece 698, folio 114, page 13 1901: RG13, piece 773, folio 9, page 5 1911: RG14, PN309, RG78, PN10, RD3, SD4, ED6, SN280 She met Janet SNEDDON whilst working in West Kensington in 1911 and they remained life-long friends. So much so, that Agnes is buried in the same grave in Middleton Tyas, North Yorkshire as Janet and her husband William (CORPS). She was staying with them when she died in 1945. I did wonder if she was with Janet and William in 1939, but nope. Agnes was my father's Godmother. Dad was born in 1927 (yes, he's celebrating his 90th birthday next weekend ) and can remember visiting her in London when he was a young boy where she was working for a sculptor. So, really, she could be anywhere in 1939....
Just to add: She was living in Chelsea in 1922 when she gave evidence at an inquest into her father's death.
I take it you've discounted the Agnes Hills with a DOB of 1876 (no day or month) working as a domestic at West Park Hospital, Epsom?
I've found her in the 1938 London electoral register where she was living with Ernest and Mary Gaskell (the sculptors) at 381 King's Road Chelsea. Still looking.....
I think you are right, but, at least we know where she was She certainly wasn't with the Gillicks in 1939.
I've found this but I'm not sure if any record about her can be accessed. I suspect admission and discharge dates may be accessible. The qualifying date for entry for the 1938 electoral register was 1st June that year which might narrow down her date of admission. http://www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk/SHC-WestParkHospital.pdf
Hmmmm... TNA Hospital Records database shows what is and is not available. However, this was a mental hospital and there is no history of mental illness associated with her. She was in North Yorkshire 6 years later - she died in Darlington Hospital of complications and shock following a colostomy operation. I will have to pump my father when I see him at the weekend!
As it's a wet and windy Sunday afternoon I thought this is worth a quick shufty. This is Ernest Gillick's wife (yes, and her middle name was Gaskell - knew I wasn't completely mad). http://blog.royalmint.com/mary-gillick-sculptor-of-a-royal-coin-portrait/
Wow! Fascinating! Thank you! My father also has a sculpture of his hand made by either Ernest or Mary, not sure which, that was made when he was a lad. Thank you to @Flook and @AnnB for your help.
Jan, isn't it possible that she was placed in a mental hospital for other than actual 'full mental' problems? If she just had a minor breakdown due to stress or other unknown illness at the time she may have been placed there until cause was found. A relly of mine was not found on 1901 census unless it was she in Coulsden first name initial widow correct age, all patients listed as 'lunatic' She died in Sept. 1901 at St. Olave union hospital of apoplexy.
