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)