unmarried army officer takes his girlfriend and baby to India and marry 3 yrs la

[thebottos]

I am trying to find out about my grandparents. My grandmother was born in 1911 and had a baby aged 29. My grandfather was born in 1905, initially a coal minor in Pelton before he joined the army. 1929 they had a baby while unmarried and he was posted to India. We assume my grandmother somehow went with him as they were married in India in 1932. They had their next child out in India 1933. We know he was attained in 1926 and initially worked in Aldershot then was posted out to India. What we don't understand is, would he have been allowed to take his unmarried partner and child, or could she somehow have been paid for privately. Where would she be likely to live? Any ideas how we can find out. Their names are William Dobson Ridley and Elsie Ridley

[philipsearching]

Was Elsie's maiden name Ridley?  If we have her surname there is a possibility of tracking her on passenger lists.  This could establish if she travelled separately from William.

All the best
Philip

[thebottos]

No sorry her maiden name was Lumsden, in some cases this has been written incorrectly as Lumden. Thank you

[rosie99]

Was Elsie's maiden name Ridley?  If we have her surname there is a possibility of tracking her on passenger lists.  This could establish if she travelled separately from William.

All the best
Philip

The transcript of the 1932 marriage gives Elsie Lumsden father Ralph

(Ralph Lumsden married Meggie Stoker in 1910 Chester le Street)

[thebottos]

Yes that correct. Her father was Ralph and her mother Meggie (nee Stoker). They were married in Bombay I believe? He was in the army but we don't know anything about what she was doing, Their daughter would have been 3 years old.

[thebottos]

Does the marriage transcript give Williams Parents too? We haven't been able to see that information

[rosie99]

Just put William Dobson Ridley into search here
https://familysearch.org/search/

(2nd entry on list)

[Jebber]

Your grandmother would not have been allowed to accompany your grandfather as they were unmarried, she would have had to make her way to India at her own expense.Have you considered applying for your grandfather's service records?

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-uk

Jebber