Anyone fancy a challenge?

[newburychap]

Doesn't seem to have served in Boer War as Start - but there are plenty of Smiths!

I see he was born in 1882 and his mother married Edmund Smith in 1885. I think I am persuaded that Chris has found my man!

Thanks Chris and all who looked into this little problem.

[Jool]

Yes, I think Chris has found your man.

I've just found William Henry in the Postal Service Appointment Books, listed as Wm. H. Starte, appointed at Newbury January 1908.

[newburychap]

Yes, I think Chris has found your man.

I've just found William Henry in the Postal Service Appointment Books, listed as Wm. H. Starte, appointed at Newbury January 1908.

Interesting, but not an ideal find - if the info in the photo caption is correct he would have started with the PO in 1902.

[Jool]

Yes, I think Chris has found your man.

I've just found William Henry in the Postal Service Appointment Books, listed as Wm. H. Starte, appointed at Newbury January 1908.

Interesting, but not an ideal find - if the info in the photo caption is correct he would have started with the PO in 1902.

Yes, that thought crossed my mind too, but he may have been a postman in another area prior to his appointment at Newbury in 1908.  Having said that, I haven't been able to find an earlier record for him  .

I'm not sure how complete or accurate the British Postal Appointment Books are.  I have an ancestor who I know was a postman from census records and a photo I have of him in uniform (my avatar), but I cannot find him in the Appointment Books.