Ernest BLACHFORD (b 1888 S Stoneham RD)

[Connie Sparrow]

The 1891 and 1901 census show that Ernest was born in Freemantle, Hampshire. I think if you look up Ernest BLACKFORD in the 1911 census you might find him boarding in Southampton, Hilda is also living at the same address

At this time he was a Registrar's Clerk (College Office), working here,

http://www.southampton.ac.uk/about/reputation/history.page

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Southampton

I think his mother Ann could have died just before the 1911 census,

Ann BLACHFORD    Mar Q 1911    Southampton    2c  55   
Age:  55

Hope this helps,

Thank you very much and apologies for the slow response.

The pieces are coming together now and it's revealing a very sad story too.

[Connie Sparrow]

I've just found this, which ties in with the birthdate of the Merchant seaman, a ships steward record 

National School Admission Registers & Log-books 1870-1914

Ernest BLACHFORD
Birth date:  02 Aug 1888
1895
Freemantle National School
Southampton
Parent name(s):  Alfred

Thank you /very/ much   That's excellent