In tracing the family history, Neville Road has cropped up quite a number of times.

Alfred Layzell (1837-1900) and his wife Mary Ann née Rackham (1842-1925), who was known as Polly, moved from Brightlingsea between 1871 and 1881 and in the latter year were living with their family in Uxbridge Terrace. It would appear that Uxbridge Terrace was a row of houses within Argyle Street (which is now part of Queens Road West). Alfred was a master mariner and it is presumed that the move was made to be near the new docks in London.

In 1891, Alfred and Polly and their family were living at 72 Neville Road. In 1901 Polly, by then a widow, was still living there. Also living with them in 1891 was Alfred’s brother Richmond and his wife Lucy. Quite a number of their married children lived in the road as did some of Polly’s relations.

The eldest son, another Alfred and also a mariner, and his family were living at No. 81 in 1891 and No. 60 in 1901. At the time of his marriage in 1934, his son Maurice was living at No. 91.

A daughter Agnes Ellen, born 1863, married Albert Joseph Maple in 1888 and in 1891 they were living at No. 85

Another son, Frederick, was living at No. 93 at the time of his death in 1930.

Florence Layzell (1877-1954) married Harry Archibald Maple (1876-1917) in 1899 and in 1901 were living at No. 90 with daughter Dora. Also at this address were Henry Charles Lamb and his wife Lucy née Layzell. Florence and Lucy were both daughters of Alfred & Polly.

Polly’s sister Catherine (born 1840) married Benjamin Branch (born in Ipswich and another master mariner) in 1861 and was living at No. 93 in 1891. She was still living there in 1901 but had been widowed. Another Benjamin Branch born in Ipswich and possibly a cousin was living at No. 62 in 1891 but had moved away by 1901. Both Benjamins married in the first quarter of 1861.

Another sister, Alice, born around 1843 married Philip Gane (c1840-1892), another master mariner, in 1863. In 1891 they were living at No. 70. In 1901 Alice then a widow was living at No. 62 (previously the residence of her sister Catherine – see above) with her daughter Louisa who had married William Gill. In 1891 William had been living with his parents at No. 76 where they still lived in 1901. Other Gill families who may have been related lived at Nos. 74 & 56. Louisa’s siblings Alfred, Emma, Ethel & Arthur were living at No. 97 in 1901 together with her elder sister Alice Jane Bromley née Gane and Alice's husband & children.