John Herbert Cutler - Groombridge area query

[Preece67]

First of all, apologies to readers of both Kent and Sussex lists as this has been cross-posted due to the proximity of the county border.

Looking for any clues to the likely home of John Herbert Cutler in 1912. He was from Birmingham, and married in Birmingham in 1912 (to Emily Winifred Ilsley), giving his occupation as "Motor Mechanic" and address as "Groombridge, East Grinstead, East Sussex".

It seems at that time the occupation would not be that of too many people, could he have worked at Groombridge Place for example.

Any suggestions gratefully received!

[Jane Masri]

You could have a look at Historical Directories http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/index.asp to see likely places of employment for a motor mechanic in Groombridge.  It's not working for me at the moment but maybe you'll have better luck.  I think Groombridge is a pretty small hamlet in East Grinstead so he might not have actually worked there maybe in a place nearby,

jane

[kerryb]

Oooh I got a touch of deja vue there! 

This topic is also in Kent http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,350851.msg2290670.html#msg2290670

Kerry

[Jane Masri]

Hi Kerry, it would seem that  John Cutler stayed in Birmingham after his marriage as I found one bith there in 1920 of a son unless he returned to Sussex after 1912 (no births reg on FreeBMD) & then went back to Birmingham later  so he was probably employed in Groombridge up to 1912 but perhaps Preece67 will put us straight on that 

jane

[Preece67]

Thanks for the replies - yes, I did post on both Kent and Sussex as Groombridge is so close to the county border.

I had taken a little while to find the Cutler-Ilsley marriage, as I initially looked just before the birth you identified in 1920. In fact there were only 2 children, the second in 1923, also in Birmingham. They were in Floyer Road, Small Heath, Birmingham at the time of the births, and are together on the voters roll there in 1925.

However, it had seemed strange to me that there was the 8 year gap between marriage and child, it may that the war was one reason (I have yet to investigate his possible army records). I wonder if they both went back to Groombridge after the marriage.

One final thing, John is said to have worked as a Royal chauffeur at some point, there is said to be a photo somewhere of him driving the King (George V) but I have yet to look into this!

Thanks again.