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Yes - I've also traced Thomas Harper back - see: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/116702037/person/390174665042/facts. Its the jump from being a shoemaker to innkeeper that was bothering me.

Thanks for the reply @heywood - I have found the records for Thomas Harper (innkeeper) and Fanny Siddons and that's why I am confused by Henry Harper's later marriage record listing his father as a "shoemaker".

On the regimental number of 7569 that was his earlier pre-war service record, which tallies with him returning to army as a "Wheeler Staff Sergeant" and previous army service.

Unfortunately his full service record does not survive. Already aware that only about a quarter of the WW1 service records survive due to records being bombed during WW2, so completely understand that I won't be able to piece everything together. I just really hope that I've linked Henry to the right family.

Thanks for the help so far. I am particularly keen to work out whether who I think is Henry's father is correct or not. If Thomas Harper was a cordwainer in 1851 maybe its the same person and he later worked as an innkeeper.

According to Henry's "UK, Soldiers Died in Great War entry" he IS recorded as "died at sea".
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/381343:1543?ssrc=pt&tid=116702037&pid=390174665042 - I am guessing that's an error.

Then in his record of personal effects he is listed as "accidentally drowned.

Henry was previously in the army before WW1. He was based at Christchurch Barracks and there is a record for him at Royal Hospital Chelsea dated 1912. I haven't seen the actual record only the index record.

Thanks for everyone's responses - much appreciated. As I said in my original post and the reason why I posted - I would like to SEE copies of the actual contents of the papers at the library ie the photos of Thomas, Ellen and Ada and the other biographical information.

I have already traced the family backwards and then downwards and I was already aware of the other articles on Trove detailing Thomas job at Brisbane Courier. But good to have confirmation from others in case I have missed anything.

Sadly Thomas has no living relatives as his daughter Ada died in 1920.

The executor his will, Theodore Campbell Amsden, who was his stepson, died in 1931. Theodore seems to have had two daughters who died in infancy and a third daughter also called Ada Grainger Amsden who survived to be an adult but died without children in 1970.

Someone questioned who his parents were - and they were definitely Richard and Jane Martha Wontner - and why look for this information when I should look elsewhere. That's just because I am keen to explore all available sources in case it tells me something new. And also I would like to know more about the social context.

As a separate fact, I have traced Thomas's sisters lives and thanks to my efforts I found a picture of them in the archives in Olney, England although sadly I can't identify which sister is which from the photo. To see a photo of Thomas and his family would be fantastic.

And really disappointed that someone is being sarcastic and tracking when I have logged on and commented about me not replying 😥 That's not  very friendly. I have a busy life apart from family history.

And separately I am still keen to determine the precise  ancestry of Richard Wontner and how he and Thomas connect with my direct family line. I've seen a Pallot baptism index record for Richard Wontner and so know his father was also Thomas Wontner (and mother Margaret).

I am curious if there is any mention of Leominster or Herefordshire in Thomas's biographical papers. Even a brief mention would confirm a connection to my family line.

I love family history and all the connections you can make. Thanks again and hope to one day see the pictures and correspondence.