John Parsons - Private, Border Regiment, formerly with The Buffs

[K8T]

John states he was born in Gravesend when signing up.  On the 1911 Census he is in the children's home in Gravesend aged 11 (place of birth unknown) together with his sisters Kate aged 14 born London and Dorothy born Northfleet.   
On his service record he states that his next of kin is his aunt, Susan/Susannah Radford who I have found in Gravesend on the 1911 Census.
I am trying to trace who his parents were.  I cannot find the births of John, Kate or Dorothy Parsons.  I also cannot find the marriage of Susan to Henry Radford (as they appear on the 1891 and 1901 Census), therefore cannot find the maiden name of Susan. 
Anyone have any ideas?
K8T

[gortonboy]

where are Henry and Susannah in 1891/1901 ?

EDIT-  Its ok,,i have them now....Islington in 1891....Hammersmith in 1901.

[keyboard86]

Hi as Dorothy was born in Northfleet, this could be her birth registration:-

Dorothy Laura Parsons Sept qtr 1902 Strood 2a 674

I do not know if relevant but in 1901 their was an Alice Parsons aged 72 Widow b Longfield, Kent living at 37, Perry Street, Northfleet
Census Ref RG13/716/68/25

Keyboard86

[ShaunJ]

Greenwich Workhouse admissions 18 November 1905 include:

Parsons, Kate aged 9 and
Dorothy aged 2

Father John, lab, 36 Giffin Street and mother Caroline. Charged at Woolwich with begging

[ShaunJ]

The two girls were admitted to the workhouse again on 5 December 1905. 36 Giffin Street. Father John and mother Caroline in prison.

[ShaunJ]

Greenwich workhouse admissions for John Parsons:

18 April 1905: brought in by PC 134R. Mother Caroline charged with felony (aged 4)
23 November 1905: brought by PC 444. Parents 3 months to prison (aged 4)
8 Jan 1906: 36 Giffin St. 2 sisters in house. Mother Caroline in prison (aged 4)
25 April 1906: Father out of house (aged 4)

[ShaunJ]

In the army papers it is recorded that the sisters Kate and Dorothy are c/o Mrs Grey, Proby Lodge, Dalkey, Co Dublin

[ShaunJ]

A possibility in 1901 at 25 Poplar Road, Camberwell:

John Parsons 36 Excavator Clapham
Carrie wife 25 Sittingbourne
Catherine daur 5 Rotherhithe

[ShaunJ]

There's a letter from Susannah Radford on the army file (after John Parsons' death from wounds) returning four forms unsigned. She said that she had acted as his foster mother for many years and did not know where his 2 sisters were.

So perhaps she wasn't a blood relative.

There's also a note on file "29642 J Parsons...medals to be returned to WD ... see letter retained in docs of 17909 E Shearer (dead)".