Gwendolen Tremayne Simmons 1909-2012

All about Gwendolen Tremayne Simmons

Gwendolen Tremayne Simmons

Birth

Gwendolin Tremayne Simmons was born in Twickenham, England on the 4th of April 1909 to her Father Robert Arthur Simmons (1898-1939) & her mother Violet Mary Gwilliam (1887-1985).

Where did Gwendolen live?

• 1909 - Born in Twickenham, Middlesex, England

• 1911 - 11 Claverdale Road, Upper Tulse Hill, S.W. London, with her Mother Violet Maty Gwilliam and her brother Hugh, the family seem to have a Servant called Sarah Bambridge and a visitor Henrietta Bambridge, presumably a relative of Sarah'

Gwen's acting and Dancing career 1919 - 1936

1917 - My Lady's Dress - Gwen appeared alongside her sister Muriel Tremayne Simmons, with Star Gladys Cooper, in this silent film, directed by Alexander Butler, Film Director/Actor (Alexander butler was Violet Gwilliams (Gwens mother) partner and Gwen would call him Dad although Violet & Alexander never actually married).

1920 - An Old English Nativity Play - Gwen played the 2nd Angel in this Stage performance of An old English Nativity Play by E.K. Chambers.

1920 - Fate's Plaything - Gwen played the role of Dolores as a girl. You can see this short silent film on the 'eye film institute Netherlands' film in Nederland website. >here<

1922 - Gwen played Peasblossom Fairy in a stage performance of 'A Midsummers night dream' at the old Vic in London Waterloo.

1925 - Gwen Played 'The Other Girl' in 'Wonders' a play by A. de Courville & J. Alexandra

1930 - Gwen played Cinderella in Blackpool in December of 1930 (this may be part of the same show of 1930-1935 whilst perhaps touring the country)

1930-1935 - Gwen Tremayne was part of the 1934 /1935 Tiller Girls appearing in Cinderella at Drury lane. Gwen had also appeared in the 1930 / 1931 cast of the same show.

1936 - Gwen Gave up her acting / Dancing carrer when she married her Husband Albert James Betts in 1936.

When did Gwendolen Tremayne Simmons Marry?

Gwen Married Albert James Betts in april/May/June of 1936.

Names Gwen has gone by throughout her life.

• Gwendolen Tremayne Simmons
• Gwen Tremayne - her stage name.
• Gwendolen Tremayne Betts
• 
  

When did Gwen pass away?

Gwen passed away peacefully at Portcullis house, a care home in Somerset where she had lived for some time on  Saturday the 15th September 2012 aged 103.

Many thanks for stopping by!

Violet Mary Gwilliam 1887-1985

Violet Mary Gwilliam

Birth

Violet Mary Gwilliam was born on the 23rd of February 1887 in Huntingdon, Huntingdonshire, England, to Father William Gwilliam (b. 1858 – 1895) and Mother Alice Marion Tremayne (b.1863)

Where did Violet live?

Born in Huntingdon, England Violet is first found in the 1891 census age 4, living with her Mother and Father along with her sibblings Arthur Tremayne Gwilliam (1885-1933) & Dorothy Alice Tremayne Gwilliam ( b. 1889) living at 2 ?Merrills? Street, Huntingdon, England
In 1901 She is found in Friern Barnet, Middlesex, England along with her sister Dorothy visiting her Mother (who at the time is listed as a Widow)
Violet is found again in the 1911 census living at 11 Claverdale Road, Upper Tulse Hill, S.W. London, with her children Gwendolen and Hugh, a Servant called Sarah Bambridge and a visitor Henrietta Bambridge, presumably a relative of Sarah’s.
She is using the name Violet Marion Simmons at this time and claiming that she is wife of the head of the household, who I presume to be Robert Arthur Simmons at the time.

Violets Carrier as an Actress.

Violet was an actress appearing in the silent film Little Women in 1917 playing the role of Belle Moffatt (notice the little blue cross in the image above).

Violet played Bell Moffatt in a silent film "Little Women" 1917 directed by Alexander Butler

Violet played as Belle Moffatt in Little Women a silent film made in 1917, directed by Alexander Butler (one of her partners). 

You can find Violet on IMDB going by the name Vivien Tremayne, which she used as her stage name.

Also pictured below is Violet in the film Angel of Mons. I am not sure what year this film is made and I am unable to find mention of her in IMDB. This image comes from my Families records.

Violet in Angel of Mons

Did Violet Marry?

Although Violet is found as Violet Marion Simmons in the 1911 Census as far as my family are aware and due to not finding any evidence of any marriages in registers during my research it is believed there were never any marriages between Violet and any of her male partners.

When did Violet die?

Violet Mary Gwilliam died on the 19th of November 1985 in Linden House, New Street, Lymington, New forest, England and is calling herself Vivienne Tremayne Butler by this time and is said to be the widow of Alexander Butler, Film director (retired). 

Again as far as the family is concerned there was never a time when Violet actually married any of her partners.

Her Daughter Gwendolin Tremayne Betts (Nee Simmons) was the informant of her death.

Names Violet is known by

Violet Mary Gwilliam has used a number of different names in her life time so here is a list.

• Violet Mary Gwilliam - Birth Name
• Violet Marion Simmons - used at the time she was seeing Robert Arthur Simmons
• Vivien Tremayne - her stage name
• Violet Mary Butler - Used when she was seeing Alexander Butler up until her death.

Children of Violet Mary Gwilliam & Robert Simmons

• Gwendolen Tremayne Simmons (1909 - 2012)
• Hugh Tremayne Simmons (1910-1988)
• Muriel Tremayne Simmons (1912-2008)
• Vivien Tremayne Simmons (1914-2002)

Children of Violet Mary Gwilliam & Alexander Charles Butler

• Alexander Andre Tremayne Butler (b.1922)

Hello and Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my blog, thank you for stopping by!


My name is Leoh and I have decided that after 15+ years of researching my family tree and all the many interesting people in it that I would like to start sharing some of that information with you.

Over the coming months and probably years I will try my best to add all the members of my tree and fill in as many details as I can about each of my ancestors in order to help as many others researching their roots as possible and as a tribute to my wonderful family!

please feel free to leave comments or to contact me about an ancestor you may be interested in, as I would love to hear from you or help you in your own research to if I can!

Likewise if you have information about any of my ancestors that you believe I may be interested in or which you would like shared on the blog please get in touch, any help is always appreciated!

You can contact me here: >Click to email<