Mary M Lees (Whitehouse) born 1918

[AlanR83]

Hello,

I am looking to find any more information about a relative of mine - she was born Mary M Lees circa May 1918 in West Ham, Essex, daughter of Charles Alfred Lees & Margaret Drake,  I know for certain that she married in Birmingham, I have searched the records on family search org and found a match in August 1939 for a marriage to a man called Whitehouse in Birmingham, Warwickshire - his surname was Whitehouse, first name is quite possibly William. Any other information would be greatly appreciated!

[Kay99]

I have sent you a pm

[chempat]

There is a Mary M Whitehouse living with a William A and Amy E Whitehouse in Cherry Orchard Road in Birmingham in 1945, living in West Drive by 1955.

There is a death for a Mary Margaret Whitehouse in February 2005 in Birmingham, born 28th March 1918.
Grant and will on the probate registry.

[KGarrad]

FreeBMD is showing this marriage:

September qtr 1939
Birmingham Registration District     vol 6d, page 696

Lees, Mary M
Whitehouse, William A

[AlanR83]

Thanks for all your help - this is great information. Is there any chance a 1939 British marriage cert would give information on the Bride's father - Charles Albert Lees? I would love to learn what happened to him. It's a pretty tragic story that I have found, Mary Lees mother was my Great Aunt Margaret Drake from Co. Cork, Ireland. Margaret was introduced to her husband Charles by her brother Denis Drake who was his best friend and served with him in the Royal Garrison Artillery in World War 1. In June 1917 Denis Drake was killed at the Battle of Messines in Flanders, in November 1918 Margaret Lees (nee Drake) died of Spanish Flu in Westham 4 months after her daughter was born. Charles was released from the Army 1 week after his wife died, so he returned to Britain after losing his best friend and his wife, I only found out about the existence of their daughter Mary Lees today, I would love to know if she had any children!

[chempat]

Use this free site to look for Whitehouse/Lees births:

http://www.freebmd.org.uk/

Some information on bride's father (occupation) on marriage certificate.

https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/most_customers_want_to_know.asp#CertificateInformation

[chempat]

There are other Whitehouse/Lees marriages in the Midlands, but 2 Whitehouse/Lees births in Birmingham showing.

Apply for the will for more information?

Do you know how old Charles was (from his marriage certificate?) - same age as Denis?

[AlanR83]

I have a found a lot on Charles early life but nothing past 1918, he was born in 1885 in Aston, Birmingham. His mother was Julia Lees (present at Margaret's death), Charles was a Sergeant in Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1. He is on the 1901 census as Age 15 -Working as General Warehouse Boy. Recorded as at Uncle & Aunt's house with mother Julia Lees and Aunt Clara
LOZELLS ST SILAS, ASTON MANOR , Aston, Warwickshire. His grandparents were Benjamin Lees (born 1814) & Jane Lees (maiden name unknown), his mother's siblings were Jane Lees (1855) married John Grove, Ann Lees (1858), Clara (1864) & Amy Lees.

[chempat]

There is this death:

Charles A Lees
died June quarter 1958  aged 67  (so born about 1891)
at Birmingham  Warwickshire
Volume  9c   Page   102

Added:
OK, will look for 1885 birth/death.