In search of the Hornby family in Rochdale

Marjorie Cowper (née Hornby)

Martin Cowper of Johannesburg, South Africa has contacted Rochdale Online looking for relatives of his mother, Marjorie Cowper (née Hornby) who was born in Rochdale before emigrating to Africa.

Martin is searching for relatives to Marjorie's older brothers; Jack Hornby (born 11 July 1920), Charles Hornby (born 10 December 1921) and Harry Hornby (born 30 June 1926).

All four children were born at number 4 Woodland Street, Rochdale. Their parents were John and Elsie Mary Hornby (née Turner).

Further reference to the Hornby family has been obtained through The National Archives and especially the 1939 Register where at that point in time the Hornby family resided at 50 Newlands Avenue, Syke, Rochdale. Only three children were at home during this specific census count. Potentially Jack Hornby had already been called up to the front for WW2.

On 21 March 1955 Marjorie Hornby (Martin's mother) married John Cowper (Martin's father) in Surrey.

On 9 June 1955 Marjorie and John Cowper departed on the Braemar Castle from Southampton for destination Beira, Mozambique. On arrival in Beira, they departed for Southern Rhodesia (now part of Zimbabwe). After a relatively short stay in Southern Rhodesia, Marjorie and John Cowper departed for Johannesburg, South Africa.

John and Marjorie have resided in South Africa ever since. Unfortunately, Marjorie Cowper died on 2 October 1992. John Cowper is still alive but rather frail. He turned 91 on 22 May 2020.

Martin is searching for all living relatives to the Hornby family and has successfully created a comprehensive family tree including all members of the Hornby family up to 1939.

If you can help Martin with information regarding the Hornby family, please contact the Rochdale Online Newsdesk and we will put you in contact with Martin:

• news@rochdaleonline.co.uk