'Bonnie' Carter Birth (Egypt?)

[paulmh]

Once again I would like to thank everyone for there help, it is much appreciated by both myself and my father. He decided to send for the will and probate record of William Carter of 38 St. Keyna Avenue, Hove. The probate suggests he left behind with him the gross value of 374 pounds, 17 shillings and 5 pence.

He made his will whilst residing at 3 Royal Crescent, Brighton on 2 June 1932. It says that all his monies etc were left to his eldest son; William James Carter and it mentions a bank in India for 1500 rupees. Whilst it doesn't mention a name it does mention that he has separated from his wife for many years - this we already knew as she lived with her younger son Eric and his wife.

It would appear that William James was born circa 1905, all we need to know is when and where?

[jorose]

If William James moved away from the UK it might be hard to trace his later movements.  Since you earlier said he might have moved to SA I had a look to see what was available on the SA National Archives:

http://www.national.archives.gov.za/naairs_content.htm
There is a 1966 estate entry for a Winifred Russell Carter, nee Loft, born England, married to a William James Carter, who survived her.
Looking at freebmd, this woman appears to have been born 1913 (Winifred R Loft) and married in England in 1932.  There are a couple of possible children born England in the 1930s (at least one seems to be also registered with alternate surname Moyes-Carter, if that rings any bells).

There is an alternative listed as surviving spouse of a Margaret Fothergill Clegg who died in 1974 (previously married and divorced in 1951 with WJ Carter listed as co-respondent, so probably not the same man as married to Winifred).

If you could find the shipping list that takes the couple who married in England (+ kids) to SA sometime between the mid 1930s and 1966, that might help rule that one in or out.

[paulmh]

My father has all the details regarding the family tree but I do recall him mentioning the name Moyes along the way so that could prove very positive news. We shall take a look further into shipping lists etc. Your mention of Winifred also looks very interesting and worth looking into.

[paulmh]

My father decided to obtain the marriage certificate and below is a summery of said certificate;

The marriage took place on the 6th. January 1932 at the register office in the district of Potterspury, Northampton & Bucks.

The groom is William James Carter aged 26 years a bachelor and a Engineer oil production. His father is William Carter retired. William's residence is 3 Royal Crescent, Brighton (and this is the same address as noted on his father's will).

So, bearing in mind that he was 26 years old on the 6th January, we can safely assume that he was born during 1905. Did he return to England after his wife's death? If so then the death I found in Bromley, Kent during the 1st q 1979, date of birth  25th May 1905 could be him?

[jorose]

Possible but I will note there is a June quarter 1905 birth (Birkenhead) for a William James Carter as well.

If he came back it was probably too late for shipping records.

Winifred seems to have had at least one sibling, Alfred J(ames) B. Loft, 1916-1971
He married and had at least one son - who I believe is still living.  (Will PM details).  Perhaps if you get in touch he will know about what happened to his aunt Winifred, uncle William ("Bonnie"?) and cousins.