RN Hospital, Haslar, Gosport/ RNAH Knowle, Fareham, Hampshire

[Tillyboo]

Hello, I am searching for information regarding my Gt Grandfather.

His name was Edward Ward or possibly Harry E Ward and my father is sure that he ended his days in an asylum in the fareham/ gosport area between 1945-1957. He was previously a RM and we think died of a drink related illness but their is a veil of secrecy surrounding this fact and my grandad never spoke about his father.

I'm wondering whether or not we'd be able to access any records for either/ both of these two establishments to ascertain whether or not Edward was there. I am having great difficulty in finding any other information out about him regarding his early and latter life. He married in 1904, Alverstoke to Elsie May Tilbury.
If I could find his death record I am sure we might be able to piece other bits of info we have together.

I will be contacting the RM museum but thought I'd pursue the asylum/ hospital route too.

Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ! 

[~Rachel~]

Hi Tilly,

I'm afraid I don't know anything about the hospitals so no help there - but do you know his birth date? Then I can try and help find a death cert. 

[bearkat]

There is likely to be a hundred year closure on medical/asylum records. 

[babygirl101]

Bearkat is quite right, the 100 year rule does apply. However I came across this website which might be worth contacting:-

http://wickham.parish.hants.gov.uk/new_page_64.htm

Wickham is literally just down the road from Knowle, which is now a large housing estate with many of the apartments being in the main part of the former hospital.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampshire_County_Lunatic_Asylum


Other than that you may have some luck if you contact Hampshire records office at Winchester.

BG 

[Tillyboo]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

I don't know his exact date of death only the date range I gave in my original post. On top of that, I am not convinced his first name was Edward either. his marriage certificate stated Edward but I have found a couple of earlier census records whereby a Harry E Ward might be him ?

I thought that there might be a closure clause on the records but thanks so much for the other suggestions, I will investigate those too. I'm planning to visit the RM museum soon so maybe that'll throw some info up.

I'll post again if I find anything. Many thanks

Laurie 

[Josee]

http://www.rootschat.com/links/058x/

Hi Tillyboo
The above is (hopefully) the link for RN Haslar at Gosport archives ,  taken from The NA. As Bearkat says there may be closure given your timeframe. However you may be able to receive confirmation of admission, available 1795-1957.
Good luck with your search. RM Eastney (the Museum) won't be able to give service history information you will need to access that from either Centurion in Gosport or the MOD in Hayes Middlesex.

  Jo

[Tillyboo]

Hi Jo,

Thanks very much for you post, I'll follow that up. Young Edward is a really tough cookie to crack, he's been very elusive but I'll find him in the end. When the 1911 census is available I am sure that'll help me too. His wife Elsie May Tilbury was living with her parents in 1901 so no clues there.

Many thanks

Laurie
 

[pete1789]

Hi Laurie
Just come across this thread.
I don't know how searchable they are, but the Hampshire Record office holds cemetery registers for Knowle Hospital from 1877 onwards. Might be worth getting in touch? Might at least establish a date.

Best wishes

Pete

[Tillyboo]

Thanks very much, that's brilliant !