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The ladies at Rhino Research in South Africa are superb, since Aud died her daughter(s) have taken over and they are just as efficient as she always was. I have had South African records problems sorted out by them on a number of occasions.

A friend wanted information on an injury suffered by his late father in Ulster in the 1970's and requested copies of his service documents from the MOD specifically also requesting copies of any paperwork within the file which was pertinent to that injury (petrol bomb).  It was provided although the most of the remaining medical file was redacted.

I kept on going as you'd expect and I believe I have eventually found him on the 1901 Census in the period where he was missing.  There is a Henry Bird, stable lad, aged 22, born at Ashurst, Kent lodging with the village bootmaker at Alfriston, Sussex along with 3 other stable lads.  It appears that the village employment revolved around Wingrove Racing stables (until it closed in 1920) and there are so many equestrian folks around to service the stables and race course.  Thanks to all.

Catharine D Bird seems to have died 1899.

Albert (senior) had started out well from the looks of things as a licenced victualler running a Hemel Hempstead pub when they married in 1875.  They appear to have hit hard times.

Any help much appreciated in unravelling the birth and early years of Albert and the birth of Kate.

On 11th Nov 1918 at Ebenezer Chapel, Lyndhurst the Rev T Webb Scammell married Albert Hnry Bird (aged 37) and Caroline Kate Peckham (aged 38).  Albert was a local groom about to be discharged from the Army (no service papers survive) his bride, known to all as Kate was an established local logding house keeper at Oak Lodge, Ashurst.   Both stated their residences as Ashurst, Colbury.

Albert Henry has me stumped, he died in April 1962 in Lyndhurst Road less than a stones throw from where he'd lived with Kate all of their married life. The 1921 Census says he is 39 and was born in Ashurst. The 1939 Register records his DOB as 26 June 1881 but I can find no birth registration. The marriage certificate says his father was Alfred Henry Bird (deceased) a jockey.  I cant find Albert Henry or his father Alfred Henry at all, nothing prior to the marriage.

Kate was from a local family (George and Caroline Peckham) and had possibly romanced her age for the day (38 = birth 1879) because I believe she was baptised 4 years earlier 16th Sept 1875 in Southampton although I can find no appropriate birth registery. The 1921 Census says she was born in Southampton and gave her age as 40. On the 1939 Register she gave her DOB as 16th May 1879.  I do however have a solid track on her/family in Census returns etc right up to her marriage to Albert and consistently together afterwards, she died July Quarter 1954 and was aged 79 (born 1875).

Please can anybody help with Kate's birth registry and the 33 years pre-1914 of Albert's life ?