George Mercer born about 1880

[MarMnkly]

Please can anyone help
George Mercer marries Elizabeth Atkins on 4th June 1911 in the parish church of St John the Baptist, Hoxton. He says he is aged 30, a bachelor, occupation porter, current address 17 Canton Terrace, and father Charles Mercer, deceased. The witnesses names haven't prompted anything (Lily and Harry Smith)
As I know his children's names (Alfred, May, William, Harry, Emma), I am fairly certain that I have him in 1939 with his wife and some children, but with a birthdate of 15th August 1878?
I am now stuck, as I cannot confirm an accurate birthdate, and can't find him in any census prior to his marriage, and with a 'soldier father' named Charles.
Any pointers greatly appreciated

Mar
 

[louisa maud]

Have you found him on 1911

Louisa Maud

[MarMnkly]

Hi Louisa Maud
I haven't, and thought that would be easy given that it was a month before his marriage. I have also tried the address he gives on his marriage certificate, and the actual number doesn't exist as far as I can see (goes up to 16 Canton Terrace). I have also tried his occupation without success.
Thanks for replying
Mar

[rosie99]

Hi Louisa Maud
I haven't, and thought that would be easy given that it was a month before his marriage. I have also tried the address he gives on his marriage certificate, and the actual number doesn't exist as far as I can see (goes up to 16 Canton Terrace). I have also tried his occupation without success.
Thanks for replying
Mar

17 is there in 1901 but I can't see any sign of it later on

[tazzie]

Hi think I have a trail......
I can see
George Mercer in 1911age 36  born St Luke

In 1908
Edith Mercer marries giving same address in Hoxton as George in 1911 census.
A George Mercer was her witness.
Tazzie

[tazzie]

As to father Charles being a soldier maybe at sometime . Edith and sister Florence Rosetta both say warehouseman.
The family fits but it throws his age out but he might have shaved a few years off.

Tazzie

[tazzie]

1891 census

Charles Mercer hd m 45 warehouseman b London city
Maria.              Wi m 43.                       b London city
Florence        daughter u 24                    Hoxton
George.         Son u 18 carpenter            stLuke
Edith.            Daughter u 5                    st Luke
      Rg12/232 f22
Tazzie

[MarMnkly]

Thanks rosie99 and tazzie
I've just looked at the images for Edith's marriage (1908) and George's marriage (1911) and the signatures look very similar.
It seems like he's a lot older than he claimed 

Mar

[louisa maud]

Marriage
12/04/1868
Charles James Mercer, father Robert Shoemaker
to
Maria Hibbitt (varies on child's birth registrations) father William Clerk

Parish Church Hoxton

Louisa Maud