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Hi folks,

The attached photo was taken by my father during WW2.
Date 1942 to 1943, and it is in North Africa.
I would like to identify the approximate location.
The soldiers are NZ Provost Corp (Military Police).
The locals are ? 
They appear to be town dwellers given that one of them is wearing a jacket with tie.
So far I haven't found pictures of that particular dress code.

Thanks in advance ,Gary.

Hi Everyone, 
I have started to compile the history of my ‘Jones’ family’s migration from Wrexham to New Zealand. This is when one finds all the glaring gaps in one’s past research; my biggest failing is John Browne Jones and his siblings. I had hoped that his middle name would separate him from all the other Johns, but I’ve had no luck.
  Hopefully the listeners may be able to help again. Many of my early notes rely upon some brilliant work, done by you folks, on my gtx3 grandfather, Edward Jones _architect. http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=510907.0

 Edward’s brother was John Jones (1787-1826) a draper in High Street.  John married Sarah Browne (1788-1820) daughter of Rev. William Browne (1762-1826) [minister of the Chester Street congregation] and Sarah Evans (1765-1829).

John and Sarah had five children, all born in Wrexham_ ( Chester Street register)
Sarah Jones (1811-1893)
John Browne Jones (1812- )
Emily Jones (1813- )
William Jones (1814- )
Edward Jones (1814- )
Ann Jones (1819- )

I have a reasonable knowledge of Sarah’s life (1811-1893) but the other children have escaped me.
 Sarah Browne’s will below does not name the twins William and Edward Jones, but does say, in another context, “other children”.

The 1828 will of Sarah Browne nee Evans contains some clues. Like her son in law, John Jones, she was a draper “Linen & Woolen Drapers._Sarah Browne & Co, High Street” ( Pigots 1828-1829).

 Sarah mentions "…the joint trade carried on by me and my son in law William Bowker during our partnership term of seven years and the further term of five years if the partnership shall be continued either between me or my Grandson John Jones with the said William Bowker…"

Sarah Browne bequeathed sums of money to her daughter Caroline Bowker and granddaughters Sarah and Emily Jones and “my grandson William Snelson son of my late daughter Abigail Snelson” … “Whereas my Granddaughter Ann Jones the youngest daughter of my late daughter Sarah along with the other children of my late daughter Sarah will be entitled to her maintenance from the said partnership concern…”

From Palmer (1888): Nos. 36 & 37 High Street were occupied from 1763 by a succession of prominent dissenters, from 1763 to 1788 by John Evans, mercer, from 1789 to 1805 by John Burton , mercer, from 1805 to 1826 by John Jones draper who was followed by William Bowker.

William Bowker and Caroline moved to New Jersey, USA sometime between 1832 and 1835. ( USA census)

That’s all the clues I have, as always your contributions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Gary.

Hi Folks,
 During WW2, the New Zealand Provost Corps were attached to various battalions in the Middle East and Italy and were usually the group who went ahead, often secretly, marking , guarding and guiding troops through mine fields etc.
Surprisingly, their contribution to the war effort is not recorded in any significant way.
 I have my father's diary and a few photos from that time that I would like to use in a published paper. Does anyone have any information that could contribute to the record of these servicemen?
Cheers gary

I am currently retracing some earlier researcher’s footprints in an attempt to expand the history surrounding the family of Joseph Parker who came to New Zealand.

 Older family members used to say that they came from the ‘Parker Castle’ in Britain. This was apparently tongue-in-cheek referral to Welburn Hall in Yorkshire.

 While various online family trees and also early research commissioned by the Parker family indicate that four generations were born and or died at: Kirkdale, Kirkbymooreside, Wombleton, Welburn or Welburn Hall. The locations seem to have become interchangeable. However, I have not found evidence that they lived in or at ‘Welburn Hall’.

I am aware of the historical origins of Welburn Hall. However, it is difficult to judge what, in terms of land size and population, is attributable to the Hall. I would be grateful for some guidance on the local geography and relevant ownership.
 
Thomas Parker (1744-1817) m. Hannah Boyes (     -1841) both died at Kirkdale.
Thomas Parker ( 1785-1853) m. Jane Winspear (1786-1842) Jane died at Welburn Hall, Helmsley.
Thomas Parker (1811-1897) m. Jane Foxton (1810-1892) Jane died at Welburn, England
Joseph Parker (1840- 1918) m. Catherine Buchanan Crerar (c1841-1876). Joseph was born in Welburn and died in New Zealand.

Numerous census records are available.
 1861 Census , RG 9; , 3639; Folio: 41; Page: 2
 records Thomas Parker (1811-1897) age 50, residence Farm House, farmer of 54 acres of Canc??

 1851 census,  HO107; Piece: 2372; Folio: 319; Page: 2
records Thomas Parker ( 1785-1853) age 66, Farmer, residence Welburn.

Other Parker families were in the Welburn area. I note that grandchildren appear on two of ‘our’ censuses. This may indicate a relationship between these families.

Thanks for your time folks, Gary.