The Large Family

Back row from left: Eleanor, Charles, Alice, William and George
Second row: Jack, William, Matilda and Robert
Third row: Doris and Esther

William and Matilda Large and their family of four or five children moved from  Fulham to Grove Cottages, Manor Street, Chelsea a few years before  the First World War.

The family had no affiliation to a church of  any denomination, but on the first Sunday after their arrival Matilda told the children to go to the church [Chelsea Methodist] at the end of the road and join the Sunday School. Several minutes later the  children returned and said ‘We can’t find the church’. Not to be outwitted Matilda donned her hat and coat and took
them. As a result  the children joined the Sunday School and their mother was invited to attend the church. Matilda responded to the invitation and brought her  husband.

As the years  passed the family increased to nine children, all of whom, together with their parents became ardent Methodists.

The family moved from the district about 1930 after being initiated  to a wide sphere of Christian service which they continued elsewhere.

MATILDA died in 1928 after many years of work with women and children at  Chelsea.

The children undertook Christian work elsewhere.

WILLIAM emigrated to New Zealand (details not available).

CHARLES moved  to Coventry and joined the C of E.

GEORGE moved to New Malden. He became very active in the life of the church. He was a member of the choir and a church trustee. On his death a memorial was placed on  the wall of the church.

JACK moved to Todmorden, Lancs where  he became a Local Preacher and Secretary of the District Preachers Mutual Aid Fund. Later he joined the C of E and became a  Lay Reader.

ROBERT  moved to Harrow and joined the C of E.

ALICE moved to New  Malden. She was active with women’s work and the Guide movement. She was appointed a District and then a Division Commissioner.

ELEANOR moved to New Malden. She was also active in the Guide movement and was appointed County Secretary for Surrey.

ESTHER moved to New Malden. She was also active in the Guide movement. She became Brown Owl for a group of mentally retarded children.

DORIS moved to New Malden, then Lewisham when she married a Lay Reader and joined the C of E. She was also active in the Guide movement. She was a Brown Owl for two Brownie packs. Doris also led a Darby and Joan Club with 100 members.

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Although a C of E Lay Reader Alfred, and Doris Wood, would often attend Bromley Methodist Church where Alfred preached and was a regular judge at the District Festival. Editor