Hi, everyone!!
Gosh, I didn't expect to get any more information on my 'wonderful' Grandfather. Thank you all so much for your efforts. The reference in the London Gazette was interesting, but the other names aren't familiar to me. Harry/Hilary's occupation on my father's birth certificate was given as Motor Haulier, Dad was born in 1919 - so that fits well. I'll ask my Mother if she knows anything about the other names - everyone seemed to know everyone else in those days and she might have gleaned some information about this.
Heywood, yes Harry did morph into Hilary in 1918. His army number was given on my Grandmother's marriage certificate and this relates to Harry Belmont when he served in the RFA.
Tony* On Jessie's marriage certificate she gives her father as Harry Thompson, deceased - one way I would guess of getting round the problem of no father being present. The witnesses to that marriage were:- Edwin Pattinson, Lily Annie Pattinson and Harry Thompson. I presumed that this Harry was perhaps her brother and that maybe Edwin was a compatriot of Harry's from the army - or that maybe Lily was perhaps her sister.
I really do hope that Jessie did find a loving husband in the end, Poor girl didn't deserve all that happened to her.
My Grandmother never re-married, so to speak, but remained a very embittered woman and died at only 52.
I'm really amazed at the interest in this thread, and I thank you all very much, very sincerely for all the help you have been offering.
Thank you again, best regards,
Siouxie
