Worked for Railway

[matron54]

I've got a James Smith born 1894 in Bishton, Staffs.  I've found him on the 1911 census aged 17 (States he was born Abbots Bromley) living with a family in Abertillery, Wales his occupation Railway Clerk. How can I found out if he was still working for the railway after 1911, I do know he married and enlisted in the South Staffs Regt and was KIA in October 1914.
Any help please would be appreciated.

[carol8353]

What is his occupation on the marriage cert,or on his joining up papers.

[matron54]

Unfortunately, can't find either - too many James Smith's getting married and although I have is army number 8004 can only find his medal card and listing on CWGC.

[Daisypetal]

Hi,

The CWGC site says he was the husband of A B SHELDON formerly SMITH so it looks like his wife remarried,

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/446304/SMITH,%20J


I found this marriage,

John G SHELDON    Sep Q 1915    West Bromwich    6b  2016
Alice B SMITH

It's also on the West Midlands BMD site without her middle initial, but sending for the certificate, hopefully it's the right one  , should give her maiden name.


Regards,
Daisy

[jorose]

A possible marriage with her first names swapped could be Beatrice A Hill to James Smith, Dec Q 1912, Vol 6b 1796 in West Bromwich.

There are some Sheldon/Hill births in West Bromwich that could lead you to descendants of James Smith's wife.

[Daisypetal]

That looks interesting,

Possible birth and death,


Alice Beatrice HILL    Dec Q 1893    West Bromwich    6b  808


Alice Beatrice SHELDON    Mar 1973    West Bromwich    9b  2398
DOB:  14 Sep 1893

[carol8353]

There are a few West Brom births with the surname Sheldon and mmn of Hill after 1915.

[matron54]

Hi thanks for your info, I have got Alice's 2nd marriage cert + waiting for her 1st marriage
cert.   We are really interested in his Railway career and know he worked for The Great Western
in 1911 in Abertillery, we can't trace him after that until he enlists in Burton upon Trent.

[KGarrad]

Ancestry has Railway Records - including GWR!

There is this entry:
James Smith, born 14th September 1893
Entered service (with GWR) 9th March 1908, Telegraph dept., Cardiff
16th July 1908, Transferred to Clerks dept.
10th January 1908, Passenger dept., Abertillery (Seems to be out of date sync?!)

Previously employed from 14th October 1907
Ill no salary, 16th January 1911 to 19th January 1911

Register folio 2625

Reference to Testimonials: 13306