How do I find out Great Grandfathers details?

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How do I find out Great Grandfathers details?

Postby Nita » Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:04 pm

The only information I have on my Great Grandfather is from my Grandfathers Wedding Certificate dated Oct 1929. It is:

Harry Handley (Deceased) Sergeant Worcestershire Regiment

My Grandfather was brought up in an orphanage as his mother died and Harry was a full time soldier who could not look after him.

Am I on a hiding to nothing with so little to go on?
Nita
 
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Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 4:48 pm
Location: England

Postby scully » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:10 pm

Hi Nita,

You are in luck as his Service Records have survived:

Private Harry Handley (army number 2374) enlisted in to the 7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment at Kidderminster on the 2nd September 1914. He was 22 years 5 months old when he enlisted.

His mother was Annie Handley living at 6 Albert Road, Kidderminster. He also had a brother called Ernest.

Private Harry Handley married Dorothy Pain on the 11th October 1917 at the Parish Church, St. John the Baptist, Kidderminster.

Harry was 5 feet 8.5 inches tall with brown eyes and black hair.

His service record shows he was:
Home (i.e in the U.K.) from 2.9.1914 to 30.3.1915
B.E.F. (France) from 31.3.1915 to 18.1.1919
Home from 19.1.1919 to 18.2.1919.

His Medal Index Card show he had two army number. The first one was 2374 but this later changed to 200550.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Louis
scully
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Location: Surrey

Postby scully » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:27 pm

Hi Nita,

Checked the 1901 Census and found the following on Harry (Harry was 9 years old at the time):

The family was living at 40 Dudley Street, Kidderminster.

John Handley - Head - age 48 - occupation, Carpet Designer - born at Kidderminster
Ann - Wife - age 43 - born at Worcester.
John - son - age 22 - Carpet Designer - born at Kidderminster.
Annie - daughter - age 16 - Carpet Threader - born at Kidderminster.
Minnie - daughter - age 14 - Yarn Winder - born Kidderminster.
Gladdys - daughter - age 9 - born Kidderminster.
Harry - son - age 7 - born at Kidderminster.
Ernest - son - age 3 - born at Kidderminster.

The Census stated that the family were working at their home.

1901 Census refference details:
RG13/2765 folio 11 page 14

Hope this helps your family history research.

Regards,

Louis
scully
Site Admin
 
Posts: 656
Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 3:24 pm
Location: Surrey

Postby Nita » Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:01 pm

Hi Louis,

Thanks very much for the information.

I am not sure this is him though as he is a little young. My Grandfather - his son- was born about 1905 so this Harry would have been about 13!

I have trawled the Census and Birth and Death Records and cannot find my Grandfather - Henry Charles Handley. There is one born in 1905 in dover but that child is in the 1906 Death Register.

Is it possible that Harry was posted abroad and Henry was born overseas? Literally the only information I have on Harry is what his son put on his marriage certificate! And I know that he was not very truthful on that document as he added years to make himself the same age as his bride.

we think that Henry was an only child and that his mother died in childbirth or when he was very small.

Sorry this is a bit long winded, but I know small bits of information make a better picture.

Thanks again.
Nita
Nita
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 4:48 pm
Location: England


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