Mary Roscoe NEW (later SHARPE) (1895-1978)

Mary Roscoe New (1895-1978) was the daughter of Geoffrey and Margaret New who were friends of the Sladden family.

Mary was born at Evesham on 26th November 1895, the youngest of five children of Geoffrey New, a solicitor, and his wife, Margaret Henrietta (née Roscoe).  She grew up at Greenhill Park, Evesham.  At the time of the 1911 census, Mary was staying with her aunt, Elizabeth Mary Roscoe, at The Ferns, Tivoli Road, Cheltenham.

The News had a tennis court at their home Greenhill Park, Evesham.  Mary would often play there with May and Ethel Sladden or at Mrs Ashwin’s home in Badsey.

During the war, Mary helped at Abbey Manor Red Cross Hospital, serving from May 1915 until January 1917 as a volunteer and from then until the end of the war on a salary of £20 per annum.  Her duties were theatre and general duty and part-time assistant secretary.  She also gave freely her service as a violinist at concerts in the district for any good cause.  Following the death of her mother in 1919, Mary acted as Mayoress when her father was Mayor.

On 10th August 1921, Mary married Frank Sharpe.  They emigrated to South Africa.

Mary died in South Africa on 25th August 1978, aged 82.