Alfred Hope Military record

[jo_46]

Hi
I am having real problems finding out about my grandfather Alfred Hope.  I dont know where he was born, except it was c.1894 or where he died.
All i know is that he was in the Royal army service corp as a driver/groom and was stationed at Aldershot  at the start of WW1.
He married my grandmother Ethel Soley in Hereford and the marriage certificate holds the only details I have.  after the war they lived in Bosbury Herefordshire and my dad was born 1924, but sometime after that Alfred (who had suffered shell shock) disappeared.
Do you think his service record would hold any keys?

[Beza]

Hi,
My daughter in Laws Great Grandfather was Alfred Hope. Her mother told her that he went missing and that her Great Grandmother never gave up and thought he would one day return. Have you got any near solving the mystery?

[jo_46]

Hi,
Thanks for getting in touch. I'm no further forward and its so frustrating.
My grandparents Ethel and Alfred had  3 children Alfred, Gwen and my dad Ronald Hope.
I was wondering who your daughter in laws grandparents were. 
Many cthanks,
Jo

[Ashtone]

All i know is that he was in the Royal army service corp as a driver/groom and was stationed at Aldershot  at the start of WW1.

Hi Jo - just wanted to ask the source for the above information. Do you have his WW1 service record?

Also, did he enlist before or after his 1915 marriage?
What is his occupation on the marriage record?
What his father's name and occupation on the marriage record?
Any witness names that could be his relations?

I take it that you have no sightings of him before his 1915 marriage?

[Beza]

Jo,
My daughter-in-laws Grandmother was Gwendoline May Hope born 18th April 1920. She married William Goring from Preston and lived in Preston. William called her Gwen. It was Gwen who told my daughter-in-laws mother that Ethel always thought that Alfred would return and lit a candle in the window. I have been researching my family tree for quite some time and she recently asked me to undertake some research for her. A transcript of the marriage certificate would be great as it would save her from purchasing a copy  and if you would be willing and could somehow forward a copy of the photo of Alfred that would be super. Are you on Ancestry? I will have a look to see what I can unearth and if I find anything let you know. Thanks Phil

[jo_46]

Hi Phil,
So your daughter in law would be Valerie's daughter. Is that right?
 So she would be Louise or Helen?
Auntie Gwen and uncle Bill were lovely. We went up to Preston at least once a year to stay with them as children.  Valerie was also lovely. It was so sad when she developed dementia.
 I only have one photo of Alfred but its quite faded.
I didn't know about the candle in the window.  Bless her.
I will see what I can send you. Would it be better sending it in an email?

Jo

 

[jo_46]

No I have nothing before 1915 and  the marriage certificate states he was a groom in the Royal army service Corps.   It states his father was John Hope and he was a general labourer.
I have spent a long time in my research on Alfred.
The closest I've got is a  Alfred Hope born in Ledbury to a Ellen Hope.
No mention of a father but what I do know is that she had a lodger called John Simmonds or Symonds.  She eventually married him. Alfred was the same age as my grandfather and had a brother called Harry.  My grandfather called his first son Alfred H Hope ( could H stand for Harry?)    Could John Hope be John Symonds?
I need to solve this mystery before I pop my clogs     The 1921 census might give me some clues.

[Ashtone]

Jo - you mentioned that Alfred was stationed at Aldershot. What is the source for this detail please?

[jo_46]

 The marriage certificate gives his address as;
Centre Square
North camp
Aldershot