Plymouth Military Query

[adelphi]

My Father was born in Plymouth in 1904. His Father (My Grandfather) had "Gunner R.G.A." as his occupation on the Birth Record.
I would like to know if this was a Naval or Military occupation?
I cannot find the family on the 1901 Census, but in 1904 when my father was born they were living at 6,Well Street Plymouth.
Can anyone please advise.

My Grandfather was  John James Best born in 1876 & my Father was  Frank Edward Best .

                             Linda Archer (Sheffield)

[Little Nell]

Hi Linda,

He was in the Royal Garrison Artillery, part of the Royal Artillery and responsible for the coastal defences.  Have a look at this page here:

http://www.army.mod.uk/royalartillery/history.htm

It gives a very brief history of the regiment.

Nell

[adelphi]

Many thanks for your reply.
I have looked at the site you suggested & it explains about the coastal defences.
I am surprised that we had coastal defences though when not at War.

                                           Linda

[deb usa]

Hi Linda

What was your grandmother's name  and did your dad have siblings? It may make it easier to search for them in 1901 if we have more details. Where were they born, etc. ?

deb

[adelphi]

Hi Debs,
     
            My Grandmother's name was Mabel Alice Kempshall born 1876/1877. She died in Sheffield in 1956.
I was only seven then & do not remember her at all, but my eldest sister says that she had a Cockney accent so presumably she came from the London area.
All my Grandparents children were born after 1901 so I cannot trace them through children on any Census.
Also I do not know where my Grandfather was born, so its a huge problem ,don't you think?

Any advise would be most appreciated.

                     Linda

[deb usa]

Hi Linda

I have been trying to find their marriage ... If we could find that then you would be able to order it and hopefully it will give us his father's name and occupation, which may help us narrow him down in the censuses.

I will look further

deb

[adelphi]

Many thanks for your offer of help.

I have been trying to find a Birth record for both of them to no avail.
I think that the name Kempshall is a London area name but cannot find a Mabel Alice . I have a copy of her Death certificate so I know the year of Birth to within a year.

There was a chinese whisper that my Grandfather's family was of Irish descent & I was wondering if he was maybe born in Ireland.

                          Kindest regards

                           Linda

[deb usa]

I can't find a thing on her 

I did find a Mabel Alice Best getting married in the 1890's LOL ...

Was she married prior to your grandad ? She has to be somewhere, so does he ....

deb

[adelphi]

Sorry I don't know anything about her.
You would think that she must be on a Census somewhere wouldn't you. She should in theory be on the 1881 Census as Mabel Alice  Kempshall  aged about four years old & even on the 1891 Census she would in theory be only fourteen years of age.

I suppose I shall have to wait untill the 1911 Census comes out to find the place of Birth for them.

                                              Linda