Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

When we arrive at the new forum, will we have to self isolate?

Well done.

Forces records,

No doubts and progress made from initial enquiry, we will have to wait and see if SuffolkSandry has any luck with the Holdsworth contacts.

John Johnson, Ship Officer still eludes us, dare I mention the number of Scandinavians bearing that name who are seafarers.

Martin-46 wrote: ↑

15 Jan 2021 19:04

I have a different certified copy of the marriage certificate. It is written in a different hand and it reads quite clearly " Rgt. at Aldershot". Make more sense ?

Yes, settle for that.

I done a bit of googling, I came across 129 Field Ambulance, also mentioned R A M C.

Initially I thought it was 129 or R9 at Aldershot, looking again, (at) could be ab, abbreviation of Ambulance.

Further reading which makes little sense to me, 38 Welsh Division which the 129 were attached I think.

I think I see 129..Aldershot, or is it R9?

Martin, Very interesting reading and pleased Winifred survived what appeared to be the Spanish Flu, it's unlikely Winifred is in the Chester photograph having nursed at Westminster during the suspected time period. I agree, seeing Ethel in her wedding attire, it has to be her in the Studio photo, ye...

Andy, Erudite as ever, after cogitation, perhaps the studio went to the camp. If they did the photograph would still have received the embossed stamp. It struck me on first sight of the photograph, the lack of studio props that so often accompany this type of photograph, a chair for the lady, vase o...

Martin, If the nurse is not Ethel with John, any idea why Winifred would be in Chester? Did Winifred start her nursing career as a Red Cross nurse? I'm no expert in nurses uniforms but Winifred's looks more like a regular nurses uniform, probably later as she looks a little older. Well done with the...

I can only think John was visiting, if it wasn't the long shot of being his mother, perhaps Ethel was doing her stint in the Red Cross in or around Chester and wanted to be photographed together to record their wartime service.

Had no luck here,

https://vad.redcross.org.uk/

Andy,

Bottom right hand corner on photo.

Is the young lady Ethel?

If so, prior to the marriage, no sign of a wedding ring.

Photo, Cathedral Studio, Chester.

Long shot, visiting mother perhaps, Lily Holdsworth died in Chester, 1921, worth looking in to.

Martin-46 wrote: ↑

13 Jan 2021 14:52

How did a 16 year old from Liscard get accepted on to the crew? .

He might have been of good character, well mannered and polite, if he did get a leg up from his father's past, I'm not sure how that can be proved from crew lists. Perhaps an Email to the Canadian Maritime, see where it goes.

Thomas Thornley Holdsworth, 14 Morpeth St.......Burial.

Anfield Cemetery

I don't know if this is the case, they have habits of giving Mental Hospitals, Workhouses, etc. numbers.

It looks better and kinder on official documentation.

He was recorded at 16, Charles Sidney Read, 1939 Electoral Register, the 1941 directory has none of the above numbers recorded, perhaps missed off or clearance has taken place.

Interesting that Springfield Mental Hospital was/is in Beechcroft Rd and John Johnson had a history of Mental illness.

Martin-46 wrote: ↑

12 Jan 2021 20:14

Bert, I think the port at which he was discharged is now called Sekondi which is in Ghana - previously Gold Coast as per customs stamp.

Nothing I can see to help.

Concerning 16 Beechcroft Rd London SW11, I'm wondering if a mistake has been made and it should SW17. On all searches I keep getting directed to Beechcroft Rd SW17 which is Tooting. 16 Beechcroft Rd is the home of Charles Sidney Read and wife Maud Matilda Read and wouldn't you just know it, next doo...

I haven't found his service papers, so perhaps destroyed in the blitz, he was in France 1917, likely joined up 1916 but not sure.

Medal Card,