Lily Binks

Lily, (her registered birth name), was born on January 14, 1899 at 14 Woodbridge Street, Holborn. She was also known as 'Vivian Lilian Binks'.

Lily married (Jewish) Edward Emanuel Sinclair (born Bet. 1902 - 1903) on June 3, 1927 at the Register Office, St. Marylebone, London. 'Eddie' was a travelling salesman at the time of his marriage but later started his own business manufacturing silver cutlery (bearing the 'St Clair' trademark), and became quite wealthy as a result. 'Eddie' and Lily made numerous foreign excursions and lived very comfortably. They were together on holiday in Dinan, Brittany, France in 1926.

We know that Eddie was in Durban, South Africa on 21st November 1923 when he was evidently playing piano in a charity show at the 'Seamen's Institute'. He may well have been in the Merchant Navy at this time travelling with the ship, 'R.M.S. Windsor Castle'. He was also aboard the ship 'R.M.S. Narkunda' between Dec 26th 1927 - January 7th 1928, maybe with Lily, and maybe on a trip to Australia. (See photo gallery below). We know from writing on the back of a photograph that at sometime in 1928 they were in Sydney, N.S.W., Australia together.

It is also clear from a letter from Lily that they lived in Sheffield for 20 years shortly after returning from Australia.

It is believed that Edward died while on a business trip to Australia on May 19, 1974, and Lily died on October 5, 1974 at a hotel in London.

 

'Eddie' Sinclair

 

Photo Album

(Click on the thumbnails to view the pictures)

Eddie & Lily

(1923) Eddie in Durban, South Africa

(1923) Eddie in Durban, South Africa

Lily

Lily

Lily & Eddie

Letter from Lily to my father, Wilfred Huskisson soon after the death of May (her sister & his mother)

Click on the image to open a .PDF document displaying a complete transcription.

Eddie later in life

Lily later in life