Ada Smith - singer at Chelsea Barracks

[dtcoulson]

hello experts,

Ada Smith born 1891 Thanet.
She is a sister to my grandmother.


I have been given only one clue as to what she did with her life:
She was said to be a singer at the Chelsea Barracks.
This would have to be sometime between 1910 and 1940.


I would be delighted if someone can find evidence that this is correct or at least enlighten me on what singing at a 'barracks' really means. A choir? Entertainment for the soldiers?


Looking through the UK newspapers I see frequent references to a Miss Ada Smith who sang at performances around the UK; this through the period 1912-1917. There is also a Miss Ada Smith in the 1940s, a headmistress who organised musical shows at her school; this in Cornwall I believe. And there are frequent mentions of a Miss Ada Smith doing work for the WEA (workers education association) in Cornwall and participating in fundraising activities. These could all be different people but it is a plausible life journey for this woman.


There is also an American Jazz singer by that name. Not my relative.


Thanks
David C

[Milliepede]

Have you looked her up on the 1939 register to see occupation/where she was living?

What were her parents names?

[dtcoulson]

I checked the 1939 register some time ago, without success. As I recall it was the multitude of people with that name that blocked progress, and the possibility that she married and gained a new surname.

At this stage I'm more curious about the singing clue, which would identify her more uniquely than her name. 'Smith' is a difficult name to work with.

-DC

[dtcoulson]

For what it's worth, her parents are Burton Gooch Smith and Phoebe Sarah (Purnell).

[avm228]

Smith is indeed a difficult name - but if you had her precise birthdate that would help identify the right Ada in the 1939 Register, which in turn would state her occupation at that date.  It is also annotated with subsequent married names, which is helpful in tracing people forward.

[avm228]

For what it's worth, her parents are Burton Gooch Smith and Phoebe Sarah (Purnell).

I see that she was baptised 22 March 1893 at St George, Ramsgate; parents Burton and Phoebe.

[Milliepede]

Quite a good fathers first name to search for - as father of any Ada Smith brides.

Ada not at home in 1911 but nor is Phoebe so maybe they were together somewhere.
I was wondering if it was a musical family but lots of siblings to check out.

[Milliepede]

Ada Smith born 1891
death Jun 1963 Thanet Kent

I know Smith is tricky so just a possible.  Might help if there was a probate record or something.

[StevieSteve]

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(Image taken from https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk )