Tabanus: Weakest perhaps, but not so obscure any more. Tim Harding has him as "Thomas Bolton Girdlestone" (https://books.google.no/books?id=Qd...). Some more evidence:1851 census Id, Shelton, Stoke upon Trent: Horatio Girdlestone, 31, Ellen Girdlestone, 33, George, 4, <Bolton, 3>, Fenella, 1.
1881 census Hornsey, Middlesex: Henry J Girdlestone, 56, Civil Engineer, Mary Girdlestone, 56, <Thomas B. Girdlestone, unmarried visitor, 33>, Admiralty Clerk.
1883: marriage 14 July between <Thomas Bolton Girdlestone>, Clerk, father's name Horatio, and Jane Sophie Hibbs (orig. doc., Church of England Marriages and Banns)
1891 census Hornsey, Middlesex: Henry J Girdlestone, 66, Chief Engineer, Mary Girdlestone, 66, Manageress, <Thomas B. Girdlestone>, 43, Widower, Clerk Admiralty. No children mentioned.
1892: "Girdlestone" is playing for the Ludgate Circus Chess Club (London Daily News. 19 Oct 1892, p. 6)
1901 census Clapham London: Thomas Girdlestone, 53, Retired Civil Servant, Louisa, 48, Wife, Fenella M 16, Gertrude B 14, Irene F 10 (children from 1st marriage)
1902: T. B. Girdlestone is playing in the 7th Anglo-American Cable Match (board 10).
1911: <Mr. T. B. Girdlestone gave a successful exhibition of simultaneous play at the Torquay Y.M.C.A. Chess Club, and won 10 out of 11 games, and losing the other.> (Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 7 Feb 1911, p. 7)
1913: <Girdlestone Thomas Bolton of 21 Lessar-avenue Clapham Surrey died 3 May 1913 Probate London 21 August to Samuel Joseph Hibbs oilman. Effects L990 19s. 3d.> (England & Wales National Probate Calendar)
<With deep regret we announce the death, at the age of 65, of Mr. T. B. Girdlestone, widely known as a first-class amateur and prominent member of the Lud-Eagle C.C., of which he was for some time hon. secretary and treasurer. For many years he rendered valuable services to his club in the London League competitions, "A" Division, and on one occasion he had the distinction of playing in the cable match v. America, but his strongest point, probably owing to his disposition and his powers of quick perception, was lightning chess, in which delighted and excelled.> (The Globe, 17 May 1913, p. 6)
<Western devotees of the Royal game, particularly in the Torquay district, were intimately acquainted with the late Mr. T. B. Girdlestone. Thus a brief resume his career will not be amiss. Born at 1848, he was educated at King's School, Gloucester, and commenced his official career at the Admiralty in 1866, retiring in 1898. His chess career is divided into two sharply-defined sections by the date of his retirement from official life. While at work he was known as a "skittle" player of infinite resource and unrivalled rapidity. In 1891 he joined the Ludgate Circus C.C., and from 1902 to 1906 he acted as Secretary of the Club, of which he was champion in 1903-4 and 1908-9. In 1902 he took part in the cable match v. America, losing to Mr. H. Helms at board 10. From 1889 to 1906 Mr. Girdlestone was a member the City of London C.C., and took part in several tourneys for the Club championship.> (Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 10 June 1913, p. 8)
Kibitzing
