Charles Reginald Enock c1908
Concha Enock (née Lavin) (1885-1984). |
Date of marriage: Friday, 26th May, 1899.
Place of marriage: Santillo, Mexico.
Date of UK marriage: Sunday, 14th July, 1901.
Place of UK marriage: Newton Abbot, Devon, England.
1868-1871 - 13, Balsall Heath Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, England.
Approximate location.
1872-1874 - 62 (now 121) "Florence Villa", Pershore Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, England.
1875-1877 - Middleton Villas, Middleton Hall Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham, England.
Demolished in the 1960s/1970s.
1877-1879 - 10, Noel Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, England.
1879-1883 - "1, Park Place" (now 104), Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham, England.
1883-1888 - "Hill Crest" (No. 28), Lickey Square, Lickey Rednal, Worcestershire, England.
1889-c1891 - Birmingham, England.
c1891-c1900 - 3 years in America, and 6 years in Mexico.
1900-1902 - "Inglewood" (No. 15), Totnes Road, Newton Abbot, Devon, England.
1908 - Dyke Villas, Northwood, London, England.
1911-November 1914 - Valley Croft (No. 46), Kewferry Road, Northwood, London, England.
November 1914-1916 - Wylde Green Cottage, Froxfield, Hants, England.
1916-1953 - Oak Tree Cottage, off Ivyhouse Lane, Froxfield, Hants, England.
1970 - Uplands, Hatch Lane, Kingsley Green, Haslemere, West Sussex, England.
Civil Engineering
1889-c1891 - "....in 1889 was articled as a pupil with Mr. William Hale, Civil Engineer of Birmingham." - The Society of Engineers - Journal - 1969
c1891-c1900 - "He then spent three years in America on railroad construction and six years in Mexico on water supplies, hydraulic works and mining." - The Society of Engineers - Journal - 1969
Charles spent many years abroad investigating natural resources, especially in North and South America, and of the British Empire, and also carried out scientific work for the Governments of Peru and Mexico.
Author
1907: The Andes and the Amazon: Life and Travel in Peru
1908: Peru: Its Former and Present Civilisation, History and Existing Conditions, Topography and Natural Resources, Commerce and General Development
1909: The Great Pacific Coast, Twelve Thousand Miles in the Golden West: Being an Account of Life and Travel in the Western States of North and South America, from California. British Columbia, and Alaska: to Mexico, Panama, Peru and Chile; and a Study of Their Physical and Political Conditions
1909: Mexico: Its Ancient and Modern Civilisation, History and Political Conditions, Topography and Natural Resources, Industries and General Development
1910: An Imperial Commonwealth: Being a Discussion of the Conditions and Possibilities Underlying the Unity of the British Empire; and a Plan for the Greater Conservation, Development, and Enjoyment of Its Resources in the Interests of the British People, and for the Advancement of Their Civilisation
1910: The promoter's pilgrimage; or, The engineer's revenge
1910: Farthest West: Life and Travel in the United States
1910: Pioneering and Map-making: For Boy Scouts and Others
1911: Imperial Pamphlets
1912: Branston Heath
1912: The Secret of the Pacific: A Discussion of the Origin of the Early Civilisations of America, the Toltecs, Aztecs, Mayas, Incas, and Their Predecessors; and of the Possibilities of Asiatic Influence Thereon
1913: The Republics Of Central And South America Their Resources, Industries, Sociology And Future
1914: Ecuador: Its Ancient and Modern History, Topography and Natural Resources, Industries and Social Development
1914: The Panama Canal: its past, present and future
1915: The Tropics; Their Resources, People and Future: A Description of the Tropical Lands of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Australasia and the Pacific; Their Natural Products, Scenery, Inhabitants and Industries, and the Possibilities of Their Future
1916: Can We Set The World In Order? The need for a constructive world-culture. An appeal for the development and practice of a science of corporate life, as contrasted with perennial economic strife, waste and warfare: a new science of human geography and industry-planning, or constructive economic biology
1920: Spanish America: Its Romance, Reality and Future, Volume 1
1920: Spanish America: Its Romance, Reality and Future, Volume 2
1921: America and England, a study of the United States; its relations with Britain: its part in the Great War; and its future influence
1925: The Remedy. The Logic of the Cosmos
1927: The Etymon: The Origin of Man, Language, Religion and Place Names : the River of Life : the Secret of the Waters
1931: The New Christianity and the Money-Delusion. The Present World-crisis and Its Remedy. the Science of Neighbourhood and Naturalization of Industry
1931: The New Industrial System, to cure our troubles and set the world in order
Lecturer
Charles was a lecturer before the Royal Society of Arts and Royal Geographical Society, and travelled the country to discuss various subjects including geography and economics.
In 1915, Charles offered his service to the church to go out with the ambulance to the front, but at that time, married men were not considered.
In May 1917, Charles volunteered for the 2nd Battalion of the City of London Regiment, but resigned in the July due to ill-health.
Postal Censorship
Earnings: £4. 19s. 0d. per week
"I am now at the war office, and have been there for two weeks (censoring trade letters from all parts of the world in Spanish, French, English, and what Portuguese I can do). The work is not without interest, but to be "penned up" and more "in harness" is naturally trying for me. But it might be worse, and indeed I am extremely glad to be doing something and "doing my bit" for the country.....I have a room at Imperial Chambers."
"How I have grown to dislike my daily work!"
"Have written my resignation for the censorship! I feel it to be a wise step. I must do more important things. I have devoted myself in spirit to them, not for my own advancement merely, but for good."
"One hesitates to call oneself a "prophet", but it is a divine mandate."
"Here am I, a reflection of Isaiah, bringing for the truth, and the economic complement of Christ. How I thank God for it, and I ever pray for the poor and that I may reform the economic world."
"I am like Elijah in his cause, but in no way arrogant."
"I am simply alone and fighting single-handed to bring about the truth about life: I can get no help: I have no associate or campaigner: mere principles I am starting to bring forward seem not be understood or supported by a single soul. My papers, pamphlets, letters meet no response."
In 1917, Charles began to dedicate a vast amount of time and money on "setting the world in order". Though in 'poverty', any money that did come into the Enock household was used to print leaflets and postcards, and to post letters/manuscripts/books to various people (including the monarch). This venture became known as the "Truth Campaign" in 1928.
On his 60th birthday, Charles opened a 'truth shop' at 10 Duke Street, Adelphi, London, but closed in July 1929 due to lack of funds.
 15 May 1914.jpg)
The following excerpts are from Charles' diaries which are held by the Imperial War Museum.
Arthur lived with Charles and family between 1911 and 1916.
"The dad made a most enchanting discussion and unkind argument, and said that we "had persuaded him to come to an unsuitable place.""
"It is a grief to me that at his age he is so tactless. He has so many splendid qualities otherwise."
"I am greatly sorry for this disagreement, but it was better to speak out about it to him than always to be feeling annoyance at his ways, and, also, I want him to do himself greater justice in this or any neighbourhood."
"The dear old dad is quite feeble. He comes in frequently to see us and had tea with us yesterday. It is sad for us that at the close of his life he has so comparatively few resources. If he were well off he would have plenty of friends! Well we are doing what we can to entertain him."
"Dear old dad with his peculiar temperament. Great sadness comes over me at times about him. In his old age, practically alone, dependent upon others, in a strange home. He ought to have been well off and independent, with his own establishment. Still he seems not unhappy, for which I am thankful."
In the two weeks leading up to his father's death, Charles visited him every day.
"Have been all day helping to arrange for the dear dad removal to a nursing home. Stayed with him from 4 to 7:30; read some favourite passages from his bible to him (103 psalm etc) and wiped away the tears he shed. But he loved to hear it."
"To think that an intelligent mind may, by the ills of the body, become debased is unspeakably painful to me, more so than the thought of any (?) ills.......I got the dads things here - the few poor "sticks" which were all of his personal property (his beautiful sketches of course).....I have been with him every day since his attack."
"He was a good man, one of the most kind-hearted of men."
"Have heard from Don, acknowledging my letters about the dear dad's death. He takes it "philosophically", perhaps he does not feel it as I do. Dear old dad! Donald very bitter against Guy over some old patent question I gather and intends to "show him up". I have written him tonight advising him to let it rest: that life is too short."
"Too sad - I heard the death of Donald, a letter came to Eric son Ronald & cable, and Guy wrote me about it, as did Eric: my heart has been very heavy since, poor Don, and how I prayed for him continually - perhaps it helped him, surely it did dear God. I can scarcely feel it true. Well, he is with the dear Dad and Mother, all at rest in paradise."
"I cannot forget that Guy was away "on business" when the dad died. How could he go out of town when he knew the end was at hand?"
"I shall never get over my surprise that Guy went away "on business" the day he died, out of town, and that I could not get hold of him."
"Heard from Guy during last week. He has not been able to complete the list of the dad's things! This being so "busy" is a peculiar trait of Guy's. We are all busy, but we ought to do these things."
"Eric came over to see me, dad, on his motor cycle. The first time he has been to see me dad here all this time! He came because his way from Dartmouth to London lay 3 1/2 miles away from Froxfield, otherwise, I am afraid, he would not have come."
"The Friday before last we all went to dinner at Eric's new home (New Southgate); and the dad was there and Guy later. A family gathering and very pleasant. Eric & his boys showed me large pieces of the Zeppelin framework they picked up 2 1/2 miles from where the zep fell......Eric motored me to the site and I saw the shattered oak across where it fell and the burned hillside."
"Jack and Olive are here, they motored over on Thursday. Today we motored to Winchester, Concha, jack, dad and myself."
"Just getting ready to start out with Jack in the motor on a two days trip to the New Forest."
"We had Olive and her bright little girlie here to stay for some time - she and Jack have a very unhappy time at home - Jack is self-centred: Olive is peculiar, but why cannot they try to live happily. She wanted a "rest-club" and some "human kindness". She wrote me asking if she could come."
"Poor uncle Fred. I went on Wednesday to his funeral. May God rest him. He had a difficult life, and the strain of living must have tended to shorten it. I do not know what his widow will do. She was (?) nice to me for coming. There was a "service" in the Friends Meeting Hall afterwards (I think I prefer the Church of E service), but it was very earnest. Saw most of the Enocks & Dells etc. Glad to meet them again, also dear dad."
"He had married the Mexican lady. My mom and dad and I used to go down and see them. My mom and I, rather wickedly, used to sit somewhere where we could just see through a slightly opened door, and see him brushing his beard. He was a dear, very kind, but a pompous ass." - Joan Enock
Date of Probate: 25th June 1970
Gross value of Estate: £304
Net value of Estate: £221. 9s. 0d.
"This is the last will of me Charles Reginald Enock of Oak Tree Cottage Froxfield Hants
1. I revoke all former testamentary dispositions made by me
2. I appoint my wife Concha Lavin Enock to be my Executrix
3. I give my share of the land at Stoner Crest and the proceeds of sale thereof to my wife and daughters in equal shares.
4. I give my household furniture and effects and books and all articles of personal use or ornament to my wife and I request her (but without creating any trust) that she will allow each of my daughters to select such articles as they would like to have.
5. I give all the residue of my estate to my wife absolutely.
Dated 25th May 1949
Arthur Guy Enock
"5. I BEQUEATH the following specific and pecuniary legacies vide licet :- To my brother Charles Reginald Enock the sum of TWO HUNDRED POUNDS."
Dorothea Amy Enock
"TO my brother Charles Reginald Enock of Oak Tree Cottage Froxfield Petersfield Hants or should he predecease me then to his daughter Enid the case of my Mother's old sewing machine which I use as a small letter cupboard."
Page updated 26th July, 2024.
