Albert J Cairns Durham Light Infantry / RAF

[robP]

Hi All

I have recently been researching part of my family tree (Poole) who moved up to Durham in the mid to late 1800s.  The branch I have been following are that of James Poole (who would have been a great uncle), I have recently found a marriage between one of his daughters (Eugenie) and an Albert James Cairns. 

Looking for Albert in the WWI records I have come across a Medal Roll index card which shows him (at least I think this is the Albert I am looking for), as being in both the Durham Light Infantry and the RAF.

I am hoping someone can break down the following for me please:

RAF/101 B 9
RFC/19 c

I am assuming he transferred from the Durham Light Infantry to the RFC (Royal Flying Corps) which then became the RAF.

So my question at this time is, was this a common thing to do and if so where can I find out more information about him and his time in the RFC/RAF and also his time in the Durham Light Infantry?

His service No. for the DLI is Private 4/24023
RAF - 300920

Thanks

[MaxD]

Those are simply the reference numbers of the medal rolls (or registers if you like) in which his medal entitlement was recorded.
The Royal Flying Corps entry is for the 1914-1915 Star earned with the DLI (he seems to have served in 4th and 10th DLI), recorded on the RFC roll, having transferred at some time to that corps.  He would, like all RFC men, have become RAF on 1 Apr 1918 hence the remaining record for the British War and Victory Medals being on a RAF roll.

And yes, quite normal to transfer from, in his case, the infantry to the the RFC.  The later move to the RAF was automatic.

His detailed service record does not seem to have survived the WW2 bombing.

[Ladyhawk]

James Poole (who would have been a great uncle), I have recently found a marriage between one of his daughters (Eugenie) and an Albert James Cairns

Looking for Albert in the WWI records I have come across a Medal Roll index card which shows him (at least I think this is the Albert I am looking for), as being in both the Durham Light Infantry and the RAF.

I am hoping someone can break down the following for me please:

RAF/101 B 9
RFC/19 c

I am assuming he transferred from the Durham Light Infantry to the RFC (Royal Flying Corps) which then became the RAF.

So my question at this time is, was this a common thing to do and if so where can I find out more information about him and his time in the RFC/RAF and also his time in the Durham Light Infantry?

His service No. for the DLI is Private 4/24023
RAF - 300920

Did he marry twice?

There is a death entry Sep 1912 Newcastle T for a Eugenie Cairns age 33

FreeBMD shows Edith's maiden name as DONKIN

Albert James Cairns wife's name on his record is Edith Margaret they married April 1913 Gateshead, their first child named Isabella born Oct 1913 Gateshead

Albert James Cairns born 1879 Occupation   Blacking Maker
Attestation date   27 Mar 1915 Attestation age   36
Service number   300920
Archive reference   AIR 79/2619
Next of kin first name(s) wife Edith Margaret, 482 Sunderland Rd., Gateshead Co Durham
Record set   British Royal Air Force, Airmen's Service Records 1912-1939

[robP]

For Ladyhawk

I am not sure if he married twice.  At the beginning of this week I received a marriage certificate I had ordered, which surprised me when I received it, as I expected Eugenie (Poole) to be married to a Rose, as on her fathers death certificate, she was in attendance and her name was E Rose. 

Of course I was then assuming that for one reason or another that Eugenie had married twice.  It may be that they divorced, or that I have not got the correct medal roll card for Albert J Cairns.

I am not so sure now.  Will have to have a look if there is a divorce record when I get chance.

[MaxD]

robP

Mea culpa - I said his service record had not survived - true for his army record but his RAF record cited by Ladyhawk is your man.   It cross references his DLI Battalion and army number.  Marriage date given as April 1913 at Gateshead.  Child Isabella Oct 1913 Gateshead.  Left the service in Jan 1919.

maxD

[robP]

Hi

Thanks MaxD, I know the marriage certificate for Eugenie marrying an Albert J Cairns is correct, due to fathers name on it and witness name on it.

I can only presume then that either:

a) the military information I have found is for a different Albert J Cairns, or
b) they divorced before he married again in 1912.

Thanks again everyone.  Will delve deeper.

[Ladyhawk]

For info.

I think this is death of AJC wife – yob matches census for Eugenie Cairns/Poole and the only
marriage I can see for Eugenie Poole was in 1904 to Albert James Cairns

Details from FREE BMD

Deaths
Sep 1912 Newcastle T. 10b 16
Eugenie Cairns  age 33 (1881)

from GRO Indexes which gives mother's maiden name

Stanley James Cairns mmn POOLE     
1907  J Quarter in GATESHEAD  Vol 10A  P 1118

Sadly it looks as if their son Stanley James Cairns died in 1914 age 6 (1908)

Mar 1914 Gateshead vol. 10a Page 1128
Stanley J Cairns

they had another son

Birth
Mar 1912  Gateshead    10a   2035
William H Cairns mother's maiden name POOLE

looks as if he died in infancy
 
Death
Dec 1912 Gateshead 10a   1062
William H Cairns       

Marriage
Jun 1913 Gateshead 10a 1719
Albert J Cairns to E M Donkin

Isabella Donkin CAIRNS mmn DONKIN    
1913  D Quarter in GATESHEAD  Vol 10A  P 1963
sadly it looks as if she died age 15 in 1928 Gateshead

Albert James Cairns of Redroofs Wellbank Road New Washington Co Durham
died 6 Oct 1941
Probate 3 Dec 1941 to R Baglee town hall keeper

Edith Margaret Cairns widow of Redroofs 10 Wellbank Road New Washington Co Durham
died 5 Apr 1951 at 7 Bridge Street Haltwhistle Northumberland
Administration 29 May to E M Foster (wife of W Foster)

E M Foster born 1920 is dau. of Albert & Edith

[MaxD]

RAF record looks right.  In 1911, Albert J is with wife Eugenie with son Stanley, he is described as a boot polish manufacturer and year of birth given is 1879,  RAF record has blacking maker, yob 1879.

All of a piece with Ladyhawk's progression.

maxD

[Ladyhawk]

I expected Eugenie (Poole) to be married to a Rose, as on her fathers death certificate, she was in attendance and her name was E Rose. 

When did her father die?
Was she listed by her full name Eugenie Rose or just E Rose?