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ALLY 11 - hope you enjoy your ancestor's Military Service history. Incidently, in your original post post you mention the Jabber Track and the date 4th October, 1917. My grandfather was shot by a German machine gun that very day at Broodseinde which was in the vicinity of Jabber Track. Luckily, my grandfather survived, recovered, saw out the war (though wounded a second time), and returned home to Australia.

MALCOLM 33 - thanks for your interesting reply - it was certainly a tough time for our ancestors back then.

Les

Thanks for your answers.
I understand your difficulties.
Do you know what Charles Belin was doing in Valognes ?

Don't know why he went to Valognes in 1828. His wife died there that year, and by 1830 re had remarried giving his residence as Valognes. However, by 1831 his son by second marriage was born in Paris. Charles committed suicide in Paris 1836 due to big gambling losses at the roulette table.

Les

Joger

Yes, I am presuming Charles Henry (de) BELIN was born in France or Channel Island mainly because of him being a French Master, and moving to France in 1828. Further, when he died in 1836 newspapers of the day indicated he was born on Guernsey. When one of his granddaughters died in 1887, her obituary indicated she was descended from  "Dr.de BELIN a French refugee of noble blood who escaped to England during the First French Revolution, and came to London and taught French".

My biggest probelm with all of this is, on his 2nd marriage record in 1830, it indicates he is "native of Dublin, and living in Valognes". Dublin was certainly a shock, but is it correct or a written mistake? The closest I can find to that birth is Carolus BELIN bpt.1764 St.Andrews, Dublin, to parents Georgii and Elizabeth BELIN married 1763. But that birth is too young and there is no middle name. My Charles Henry BELIN was "30 years and upwards" when married in 1789 (b.1759 or before), and when he died in 1836 newspapers said he was 87 years old (b.1749).

First wife Mary Bernard Corfe was b.1767 Salisbury. Father Englishman (composer and head organist/choir master Salisbury Cathedral). Mother also born in England.

You ask where Charles Joseph (de) BELIN married Sarah WATTS?  He married in the British Embassy in Paris 1825. He was a Protestant Reverend for the British Forces in France, and resided in Le Havre for nearly 10 years where he also ran an English Boarding School. This was his second marriage, his first was in London in 1815, this wife dying in Le Havre 1824.

I hope this is not too confusing for you?

Les

In the Tables decennales of Valognes I found the birth 19 january 1826 of a girl called Rosalie Sidonie BELIN but I can't find the "acte de naissance". Can't  understand why , because all the pages of the register are there. Must think about this.

Joger - I don't think this is related. From my research Charles (de) BELIN and his wife Mary did not move to France until 1828. Records indicate he was still teaching at Winchester College in 1827. He auctioned all his house hold goods in June 1828.

Les

Can you give the wives names?

Joger

1) Marriage 6/1/1789, St.Martins, Salisbury
Mary Bernard CORFE
b.6/1/1767 Salisbury
bpt.18/2/1767 St.Martins, Salisbury
d.29/12/1828 Valognes, France
bur.30/12/1828 Valognes, France

2) Marriage 28/6/1830, St.Helier, Jersey
Sarah SPRATT
b.abt.1807 Salisbury
bpt 29/3/1807, Salisbury
d.1840 Paris, France
bur.3/12/1840 Paris France.

There was about 50(!) years age difference for second marriage, which is confirmed by documentation and newspaper reports of the day. Husband was about 76(!) when he fathered second son.

Les