The Gilderson branch of our family begins with John Sankey Gilderson (1892-1972) and Elizabeth Rose Chapple (1904-1994)

John S. Gilderson was born in Ilford, Essex, England on November 12, 1892, to Robert and Emily Gilderson.

John entered the Royal Navy training installation HMS Ganges in November, 1909, at the age of sixteen. In 25 years of service, John worked as a diver, an officer of gunnery, was in the submarine service, and was “loaned” to the Australian Navy for a time.

Elizabeth Rose Chappel, who was known as Rose, was born January 15, 1904, in Barking, Essex, England. Her parents were William and Eliza Chappel.

John and Rose were married in 1927. Soon after, they went to Australia, where they had opportunities to travel to such places as Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart.

Back in England, the family lived in Gillingham, Kent, where son David John (1933-2008) was born. When son Peter William (1934- ) came along, the family was living in Lancing, Sussex. Later, they lived for many years in Hove, Kent, near Brighton.

In 1972, John suffered a stroke while on holiday on the Isle of Wight, and died soon afterwards. Rose lived to the age of 90, passing away on 25 August 1994 in Worthing, Sussex.