Private Victor George Houghton, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, was killed in action on 14th July 1916, serving with the 1st/7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was born in Hockley Heath in 1897, and was the third of the four children (three sons, one daughter) of John (a shoemaker) and Ruth Elizabeth (née Waters) who had married in 1892.
John Houghton died in 1904, leaving his widow with four children aged between two and 11. The death of a breadwinner could often plunge a family into destitution, and it seems that life became very difficult for his widow, Ruth, who was admitted to Solihull workhouse where she gave birth to a fourth son, Reuben, in 1907. She and her four-year-old son were still there in 1911, whilst her older sons Victor and Edwin (known as Ted), aged 13 and 11, were boarding with a family in Hockley Heath.
In 1911, her 16-year-old daughter, Sarah Ann, was in service at the Manse, Umberslade, working for the Baptist Minister. Sarah emigrated to Canada in 1912 and married George Frederick Shepherd in Montreal in 1916. Their son, born in 1917, was named Sydney George Frederick Victor Shepherd, presumably in memory of his late uncle.
The eldest son, John Edgar (known as Jack), also emigrated to Canada in 1913/4 and died in Vancouver in 1975.
It’s not known when Victor enlisted in the Army, but he first entered a Theatre of War on 22nd March 1915. His mother, Ruth, had moved to Station Road, Knowle by the 1920s. Victor has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He is commemorated locally at Knowle, Hockley Heath and Umberslade Baptist Church. He was also commemorated at a service at St Patrick’s, Salter Street, held on 3rd September 1916.
His brother Reuben enlisted as a regular soldier in the Royal Artillery in January 1927, having spent six months with the Territorials. He served in the Second World War with 61 Anti-tank regiment Royal Artillery and was awarded the Military Medal, as well as being mentioned in despatches. Reuben married Marjorie Harding in 1930, and the couple named their only son, Victor.
If you have any more information about the Houghton family from Hockley Heath, please let us know.
Tracey
Heritage & Local Studies Librarian
tel.; 0121 704 6977
email: heritage@solihull.gov.uk
Solihull Life 
Hi,
it was really interesting to read this. Reuben was my Grandad (Mother’s Father).
Hello there I believe I am a 3rd generation to Ivan Houghton he would have been my great grandfather, brother to Victor Houghton. Please feel free to contact me.
Hi James, good to hear form you but I’m unsure of an Ivan Houghton, was he known by a different name?
Hi Mick have just realised my mistake was ment to write Edwin Ivan Houghton nicknamed ted rebuens brother I am Edwin’s great grandson
Hi James,
great to hear from you, Reuben died when I was young but I can remember him and am very proud of his bravery in World War II.
Regards, Mick.
Hi mick, thank you for responding to my message, did you ever meet Edwin, Reubens brother? And also was just wondering if you know if Reuben was a half brother to his older siblings as he was born after John Houghton passed away. Something I have wondered.
Hi James, no, I wasn’t born until 1968 so Ted would have already left for Canada. There is some other family in Canada too.
Hi Mick, I was just wondering if you have Facebook? as I have tried to contact a profile (Mick pegg) but haven’t had a response I wasn’t sure if it’s yours or not or if you had a problem.
* had a profile. Pardon my phone and it’s auto spelling.
Hi James, No I’m not on Facebook, a lot of the family are though. My brothers Dave and Rob and sister, Susan Webb are all on there as is my wife Tracy Pegg.
Ah okay i see, just incase you didn’t know Edwin never stayed in Canada only visited his brother John. He lived in rendham Suffolk, until he passed in 73 Before that he lived in Ricmondworth.
Hi Mick, just thought I’d ask if you know whether Reubens son Victor had any children? Only ask because if Victor had a son the Houghton name would have continued a another generation. So that would mean they would have been inline with my dad, and yourself if I’m correct that is. If there isn’t anymore males that descend from Reubens son Victor, then that makes me the last male Houghton.
Hi James, Victor had 2 sons, Robin and Barry, and Barry has a son, also named James!, and a daughter.
Hi mick, wow really… This is amazing new. Do you have much contact with them, What’s the daughters name?
Hi James, sorry it’s taken so long to reply. No I don’t have much contact, I think it is Ellie.
Hi Mick,
That’s okay not to worry thanks for your help so far🙂
Many thanks for leaving a comment – I’m glad the information is of interest. If you have any photos of the family, or any further information, please let us know. You can email us at heritage@solihull.gov.uk.
Tracey
I was so pleased to read this article about my late uncle.I am Reubens daughter and never knew my Paternal grandmother.I lived in Hockey Heath all my life until I married then in Knowle.I am one of 4 children 1 boy and 3 girls.My brother was also called Victor,my second name is Ruth after my grandmother.Her father was a verger at Packwood church and he is buried in Packwood churchyard.
Many thanks for the information, and for taking the time to leave a comment. It’s great to know that Victor’s nephew was named in his memory, and I’m pleased that our research has been of interest to family members.
Tracey
Hello from Canada! John “Jack” Houghton was my great grandfather. Pegg “cousins”, I’d love to chat if you’re interested. Kaeli
Fascinating! Thank you so much. I am Roxanne Cernos. John (Jack) Houghtons Granddaughter. Develda (Del) Edwina Houghtons Daughter. Kaeli is my Daughter. I was very close to my Grandparents. My Grandfather and his first wife named their oldest son after Victor as well. Kaeli & I will speak and post some more information soon.
Hello there I believe I am a 3rd generation to Ivan Houghton he would have been my great grandfather, brother to Victor Houghton. Please feel free to contact me.
Would love to receive notifications of any new posts or new information. Thank you again.
I would love you to pass my e.mail address to my cousins in Canada.thank you so much for the information.looking forward to hearing from Roxanne.
I’ve emailed contact details to Roxanne and Kaeli so that you can contact your Pegg cousins in England. Hope you manage to get in touch. If anyone does have any photos of Victor Houghton that we could add to this page, please let us know.
Tracey