Sir Ralph Oakden OBE (1871 - 1953)

Sir Ralph & Lady Rosa Oakden are the most renowned of the Oakdens and were parents to my Grandma Hooke, Elaine, married to Col Cyril Hooke (son of George Archer Hooke) in February 1926 in India, where he was in the British Army and Sir Ralph was high up in the Indian Civil Service.

Sir Ralph was one in a long line of Ralph Oakdens who date back to at least the 18th century  to a place called Waterfall Staffordshire. During the 19th century our branch of the Oakden family tree established themselves in Goudhurst, Kent.

Here are the most notable details of his life:

1871: Born in Helensburgh, Scotland, eldest of six (three sisters and three brothers) (13th July)

          Son of Rev. Roger Oakden, Rector of Bramshall, Staffordshire & Elizabeth (ne Knapp) Oakden

          Educated at Cranbrook School and Hertford College, Oxford.

1892: Second Class Honours degree in Classics Moderations, Oxford

1894: Third Clas Honours degree for Classics, Oxford

1894: Entered the I.C.S. (Indian Civil Service)

1895: Went to United Provinces, India

1899: Married Rosa Mary Eagles of Hollington, St Leonards on Sea, Sussex

          Daughter of Philip A. Eagles of Meophams Bank, St Leonards on Sea

1900: Ella Marian (Known as Elaine) born in Meerut (2nd June)

1902: Dorothy May born in Mirzapur (18th Oct)

1905: Gladys Rosa born in Ballia (7th Mar)

1904-08: In charge of District of Gorakhpur, Ballia

1910-13: In charge of District of Dehra Dun

1913-15: In charge of Shahjahanpur

1915: Father, Roger Oakden died

1915-20: In charge of Aligarh

1918: Mother, Elizabeth Oakden died

1919: Awarded OBE

1920-31: Commissioner successively of Lucknow, Jhansi, Fyzabad and Meerut.

1924: Daughter Dorothy May married Rev. Ernest William Herbert in Meerut, Bengal, India (10th Dec)

1925: First granddaughter born in Leeds, UK, Margaret Joyce Herbert (26th Sep)

1925: Awarded C.S.I.

NB. The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes (regardless of gender):. Knight Grand Commander (GCSI); Knight Commander (KCSI); Companion (CSI)

1926: Daughter Ella Marion (Elaine) married Captain Cyril George Hooke in Meerut, Bengal, India. (23rd Feb)

1926: First grandson born in Allahabad, George Ralph Hooke (9th Nov)

1928-30: Senior Member Board of Revenue, Lucknow

1928: Second grandaughter born in Landrake, UK, Dorothy Anne Herbert (23rd Nov)

1929: Second grandson born in Barnes, London, UK, John Oakden Hooke (17th Sep)

1930: Daughter Gladys Rosa married Thomas Schonberg Paterson in Lucknow, Bengal, India (22nd Feb)

1931: Knighthood

1931: Retired

1931: Third granddaughter born in Naimi Tal H.P. India, Catherine Elizabeth Paterson (9th June)

1931: Third grandson born in Bradford, UK, Ralph Oakden Herbert (2nd Dec)

1934: Appointed Financial Commissioner, Cyprus

1934: Report on finances.  etc. of Cyprus published

         Address: Stowford House, Pit Farm Road, Guildford, Surrey. Tel: 2534

1948: Wife, Lady Rosa Mary died, Guildford, Surrey (12th March)

1953: Died, Guildford, Surrey (17th February)

 

Going forward in Oakden history: Ralph & Rosa Oakden - Just Married  (1899-1914)

Also going backwards in Oakden history:  Roger Oakden (1846-1915)

Oakden Pages to be created 2019/20

I have boxes of photos, documents and memorabilia to go through so it could be a while!