Born in India, Coorg (Mercara, Hermitage).1,2

From the British Civil Service Evidence of Age :-
Page 1 :-
"I Rosa Jane Newberry of number 74 High Street Banbury in the County of Oxford Spinster a Milliner
Do solemnly and sincerely declare That the Bible was produced and shewn to me purporting to confirm an entry of the Marriage of Elizabeth Ann Bidie and William Bidie at the Free Church Madras now the property of my late sister the said Elizabeth Ann Bidie formerly Elizabeth Ann Newbery. I know that my sister went to Madras in the year 1870 and I always understood that she was there married to the said William Bide and that Bessie Stuart Bidie was their daughter and I believe the entries in the said Bible as to the marriage of my said sister and the Birth of the said child and the death of my said sister and her said husband are correct. The statement now shewn to me is a correct copy of the entry in the said Bible and I have examined it with the original"

Pencil Note at top of page :-
"BIDIE Bessie Stuart (b 5 AUG 1871) Mercara, Coorg, India"

Page signed :-
Rosa Jane Newberry,
Banbury in the County of Oxford
14th February 1891

Page 2 :-
"Bessie Stuart Bidie born at 6.30 AM on the 5th August 1871 at the Hermitage Marcara
(Signed)
E Meynell
N J Petrie Hay
Ann McMahon"

Recorded in census in Banbury (Neithrop, Couch Street, Pt Day School 4).1

Head of household - Ann Deborah Newberry
Annotated as "grand daughter"

Occupation Telegraphist.3

Recorded in census in West Bromwich, Handsworth (Wilson Road, 60).3

Annotated as "Boarder"
Head of household - Elizabeth Goode - widow

Occupation Post Office Clerk.4

Recorded in census in Aston, Erdington (51 Post Office, High Street).4

Annotated as "Boarder"
Head of household - William J. Chegwidden - Postmaster of Erdington

Occupation Assistant Supervisor.5

Recorded in census in Aston, Erdington (Avenue Road, 11).5

Annotated as "Boarder"
Head of household - William John Chegwidden - Sub Postmaster

Died in Harrow.6