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In case anyone is interested, there's a listing currently on TradeMe for the birth cert. of Percy LLOYD, born Hokitika 6 Oct 1896. Father Edward James LLOYD (born Victoria), mother Annie Priscilla nee WELLS (born Hokitika). Parents married 23 Feb 1892 at Hoki.

Can be yours for $5.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/antiques-collectables/documents-maps/documents/auction-934376753.htm

Alan

During WW2 my late father (died 1986) joined the Royal New Zealand Navy but served on the British ships, HMS Mauritius and HMS Aster. When he died in 1986 we found a letter in his effects which read in part, "an award has been made to you for services rendered to S.S. Martaban by HMS Aster on the 16th/21st October, 1942." He was paid £17.4.9.

My sisters and I have often wondered what this was all about. Initial research some years ago found nothing but now I find National Archives UK held a record on this matter "ADM 1/13427, SS Martaban: torpedoing, abandonment and salvage" The title probably summarises what happened but I asked the Archives how I could obtain details of Aster's part in this event but the reply I received was simply unhelpful.

They told me how to obtain guidance on medals as well as their opening hours and closure dates. That is just nonsense to an enquirer living in New Zealand.

Does anyone know where more information might be available?

Thanks
Alan

Is anyone able to look up and hopefully send me a copy of the probate record of William Coombs, 1935?

http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23112950

Thanks, Alan

Annie E W Brown age 44 has her death registered in the Docking Dist during the third quarter 1921.  I am wondering if she is the Annie Emma Wallis BROWN born 4thqtr 1876 living with her parents in Cambridge in 1911. No other Brown of her christian names is registered as having been married or died in England or Wales. Her correct age and the similarity of her initials are compelling. Before splashing out on her death cert are there any electoral rolls, parish records or MIs available that might confirm her christian names?

Many thanks
Alan

After observing the action on the Coombs’ of North Cheriton (Ref Sommerset) I have been prodded to seek action on the Coombs’ of Bristol. Henry COOMBS joined the Royal Marines in Bristol on 18 May 1825. He said then that he was born in the parish of St Phillip & Jacob, Bristol and the Magistate recorded that he was twenty years of age. I have found a marriage for him on the B & A FHS CD on 28 May 1822 to Mary TUTTON (prob born 1801/2) at Bristol ST James.

Henry’s military record records his discharge around 10 November 1852 and a hand written notation on it indicates that he then returned to Bristol although I have found no record of them on any census after 1851 when they were still at Plymouth. The return to Bristol seems likely because their third son, Jesse COOMBS married Elizabeth MERCHANT there in Jan of 1866 before emigrating to New Zealand a few years later.

I know nothing more of Henry COOMBS and his wife Mary nee TUTTON. I can find no birth record for either of them and only a couple of possible death registrations. My attempts to track down their birth records in particular have come to nothing but frustration

Their family so far as I know it from FHS CDs, censuses and civil reg. is as follows.

Elizabeth bapt. 28 Dec 1823, Bedminster, prob marr William(?) GEORGE about 1830
William Henry bapt. 2 Jan 1831 Bedminster
Charles James born 3 Jul 1836 East Stonehouse
Emma Jane born 26 Jan 1838 East Stonehouse buried 14 May 1840
Jesse born mid 1840 but no bapt nor registration. Died in Christchurch New Zealand 25 March 1908
George born 8 Sept 1842 East Stonehouse marr Mary BLAKE 1866

Have also posted in Sommerset

I would be grateful for any help
Alan Coombs, Christchurch, New Zealand.