BIOGRAPHIES

 

Herbert Henry Folker was born on 16 July 1866 at Market Street, Hanley in Staffordshire.

His education was completed at Newcastle High School.

Herbert then continued his studies for the medical profession at Epsom Medical College and finally at Charing Cross Hospital. He registered with the Royal College of Surgeons on 2 August 1889 and the same year registered as a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians.

He returned to the family home at Bedford House, Havelock Place, Shelton where he took up practice. He succeeded his father as Factory Certifying Surgeon for the Hanley district.

In 1890, Herbert joined B company of the 5th Volunteer Batallion of the North Staffordshire Regiment as a Second Lieutenant. By 1892 he had been promoted to a full Lieutenant.

Around 1904, he was living at Clive Street in Shelton.

Herbert became a specialist in opthalmic surgery. In 1892 was appointed Honary Assistant Opthalmic Surgeon to the North Staffordshire Infirmary.

Herbert married Eliza Georgena Ashworth at Shelton Parish church on 5 July 1893. Georgena was the youngest daughter of Taylor Ashworth, a pottery manufacturer.

Herbert was appointed Honorary Opthalmic Surgeon in 1894. The same year he reached the rank of Captain in the 5th Volunteer Batallion and remained in that rank until he resigned from the regiment in 1902 to concentrate on his medical responsibilities.

Their daughter, Marion Fourdrinier Folker was born on 7 April 1896

At the outbreak of the First World War, Herbert became Honorary Consulting Opthalmic Surgeon, which position he held until his death. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and was appointed onto the medical boards of various districts in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

From about 1915, he lived at 1 Clarke Street, immediately round the corner from Bedford House.