Granddad a big mystery!

[crisane]

If you are absolutely certain that your grandfather served in WW11 you can order his record from the MoD. You will not find them anywhere online. You do not need his service number but you do need a copy of his death certificate and of course date of birth and 30 pounds. This money will not be refunded if they can't find a record
This is where you download the application forms
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

[maddys52]

There is an article about Harry COLE aged 21 (whose parents live at Bromley near Colchester - so probably your grandfather), charged with stealing a bicycle in 1912, and sentenced to 1 month in prison.
Essex Newsman, Saturday, May 11, 1912, Issue 2209, p.1.

I could transcribe it if you don't have access?

[Chooch]

Is this Granddad 1939 ?- 

Moderator comment: Full 1939 register details removed as this dataset is exclusive to FindMyPast by subscription, you may only post information from a free search

[maddys52]

He married my Nan in Gravesend in 1933, he apparently a bachelor and Chief Engineer for a bus company. They had nine children, all still living and my Granddad had two children from a previous relationship.

I'm assuming from this it says he was a bachelor on the marriage certificate? Do you know anything about the previous relationship? There is an article in the Chelmsford Chronicle in 1918 about the death of the wife of Harry COLE in the Flu epidemic and her sister. From the names in the article, it would seem Harry's wife was Kate GREEN and her sister May GREEN (who married Charles Edward LARGE). In the article it says that Harry is a discharged soldier now suffering from trench fever, and they had a 4 month old daughter.

Chelmsford Chronicle, Friday, November 8, 1918, Issue 8048, p.4.

Of course, it may be another Harry COLE - and the Harry COLE who married Kate GREEN had a middle initial "W", which doesn't seem to appear in any of your records.

[maddys52]

Is this Granddad 1939 ?- 

Moderator comment: Full 1939 register details removed as this dataset is exclusive to FindMyPast by subscription, you may only post information from a free search

I think his wife Grace (born 1907) is living in the Deben registration district, Suffolk. I don't have access, just the preview.

[Chooch]

You are right maddys52.
 
Moderator comment: Full 1939 register details removed as this dataset is exclusive to FindMyPast by subscription, you may only post information from a free search

[cath151]

Is it possible to give his eldest sons name (if deceased) with whom he possibly joined up with.

Cathy

[groom]

Unfortunately there are quite a few Harry Coles born in Essex around that time, including one with a W as a second initial. So it is a matter of sorting out the correct one.

You say in your first post that all his 9 children are alive, have you questioned them, especially the eldest ones to see what they know? Even the smallest clues can help.

[sherrbert]

Thanks everyone! Cooch, I think that is definitely him in 1939, looked all over for that! His eldest son was called Frank who was also a lorry driver, Frank's sister was called Olive not sure which was born first. All the info I have, seems to be all there is, a very secretive family ( blood out of a stone ).