Help - India

[mckenzieclan]

Hello,

Trying to trace a distant relative, who I believe ended up in India.

Here is the story, my Grandmother's uncle

Sidney (or Sydney) Edward Lawson
Born March 1892 - Mile End (Near London)

Joined the British Army and went to India.  That is all I knew to start out...

With the help of another board, I found his Medal Index Card, and have learned he served in WWI, then returned to India after, serving in some of the inter-war conflicts in that region (based on medals issued to him)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North-West_Frontier_(military_history)#1919.E2.80.931939_.28between_the_wars.29

Now, this is where the trail ends as of now.

I can find no marriage or death records in either England or Scotland, and have had not much luck navigating resources from India.  Ideally I would like to look at census data, but I believe there are no online transcripts?

Can anyone provide some guidance, any help is appreciated.

Many thanks,

Scott

[nigelp]

Hi Scott,

There is the following GRO birth record:
Sidney Edward LAWSON - 1c 477 Mile End Mar 1892 qtr

There is the following baptism at St Augustine, Stepney:
1 Jan 1892 (born 12 Dec 1891) - Sydney Edward LAWSON - son of Robert (warehouseman) and Louisa of 33 Myrtle Street

1901 Census:
RG13; Piece: 328; Folio: 47; Page: 3
10 Bermuda St, Mile End Old Town
Robert Lawson Head 40 Wood warehouseman Scotland
Louise Lawson Wife 39 London, Stepney
Rose Lawson Dau 13 London, Bromley by Bow
Harry Lawson Son 12 London, Stepney
Sydney Lawson Son 9 " "
Alice Lawson Dau 7 " "
Alfred Lawson Son 5 " "
Bertha Lawson Dau 3 " "
Clara Lawson Dau 1 " "

Possible marriage ? -
Sydney E. LAWSON & Audrey ARRAND
4a 1893 Southend on Sea Sep 1953 qtr

Death: -
Sydney Edward LAWSON - 9 3603 Southend on Sea Mar 1976 qtr (birth given as 12 Dec 1891)

Nigel

[mckenzieclan]

Well, maybe he didn't stay in India after all..

Thanks...  The census data is definitely the family, shortly before they all split apart.

After Louisa's death (that year), Robert gets remarried, looses his job, has to sell his house, slips into drunkeness, 4 of the kids are sent to Canada as home children, 2 go to Canada on their own (including Ada, the oldest (my ggrandmother) not listed, with only Harry remaining in England.

I wonder why I couldn't find the death and marriage in my search. 

Looking at the dates, wow he would have been 62 when he married???  Hmmm

Thanks again,

Scott

[Redroger]

Many records of the British in India are available at the British Library. Many service histories of soldiers serving in India between 1900 and 1947 are available there, and I believe the index is available on line; the surviving records may be purchased on line. I was there on Wednesday looking for two service histories, one was a complete failure; the other 100% success. There may be something there from the time he was in India.