Richard Maclean, Gladys Gale, Marshall Hill fair

[richardfletcher]

Hi
Looking for information on my Grandfather, Richard Maclean, b. 1896, married to Gladys Gale in 1918 in Bristol, they both worked on fairgrounds before marriage. I have a photo of my Grandfather standing next to a Burrell Showmans Traction Engine, believed to be 3178 Dreadnought, taken in the early 1900’s. I was told by my grandmother that he used to drive this engine and that the engine powered Marshall Hill’s Electric Scenic Railway ride at various fairs throughout the west country.

Although i can find plenty of traces of him after marriage, i cannot find any details on his early life such as place of birth, census records etc. I belive that his father was called John and that he was a Gardener, possibly working in service somewhere.

Would be grateful for all and any information on Richard.
Thanks

[Milliepede]

Could he have originated from Scotland do you think? 

If you knew him at all did he have an accent?

[ciderdrinker]

Hello
He should have been born Mar qtr 1896 but no sign England and Wales and I've tried Scots people and no luck there.
There is a John R Maclean born Aldershot 1896 in the British Armed forces and overseas births 72nd foot which might be him.

Sorry it's the only thing I can see

Ciderdrinker

[Capetown]

Looking at the tree on Ancestry - Richard & Gladys MacLean do use family names for their children

Reuben Leslie John - 1918 - Swansea District  (Reuben after Gladys' father etc)
Gladys Joan Mary - 1920 - Swansea District
Hilda Eleanor  MCLEAN (mother's maiden name GALE) - 1923, Hereford, Shrops

Not sure about the other names.



Hopefully when the 1921 census is available this may yield more clues.

The copy marriage certificate of the family tree - gives Richard's address as 7 Merchant Street, Bristol (occupation: Electrician)  and witnesses John VOYLE and Herbert WHITLOCK (for those who don't have access to Ancestry).  Father: John MacLEAN, Gardener, (deceased)  The couple were married by (Licence at the Register Office) - Usually a Licence will give extra information.

[richardfletcher]

Thanks for the replies, the family tree on ancestry is actually mine so no new info there, family history is that he was born in Scotland, but as he died in 1953, I never actually met him, I have checked out the Richard Maclean born in Aldershot, but unfortunately that is not him, and I too have not been able to find him in the BMD index for 1896, so guess I will have to wait until 2022 when the 1921 census is released? Thanks for all help nonetheless, much appreciated!

[StintonLomas]

Hi
There are 2 engines ID'd as Dreadnought  3093 with a registration No of AY9682 and 3118 reg No  AH 5305. this link takes you to the Google search I used to find them. https://tinyurl.com/Burrell-Engines

3118 is so close to your 3178 that it could be a misreading of someones writing or what can be seen on your photo.  Is the registration visible on the photo?
The latest mention of 3118 at a show that I have found was at Pickering in 2007.
There is a good chance that it is still around possibly needing a repair (boiler etc) if you could trace the owner they might be interested in your photo.

[StintonLomas]

Hi
The 1939 register has the family in Ealing (Robert, Gladys, Reuben, another Gladys, Hilda and a possible lodger.
Easy to find as there is only 1 Robert Maclean Born 1896 in the register. if you use those search terms.

[Capetown]

If you don't have access to the 1939 Register:

From the 9 May until midnight of Sunday 13 May 2018 - Ancestry are giving "Free access to the 1939 Registry.

What I didn't realise is that the 1939 Register continued to be amended for marriages long into the 1950's Cold War - so the females marriage date/surname are entered onto the Register.

There is living with the Maclean's a Cutherbert NOLAN - and this tree is on Ancestry - Checked this tree for Maclean - and whether it's connected or not to Richard - it does have Mary McLean 1856 Scotland - who went to America

[richardfletcher]

Hi all,
Thanks for the extra information regarding Richard Maclean, I did notice Cuthbert Nolan on the 1939 register, but never thought of investigating this person, I have found the family tree on Ancestry as advised and it is possible that Mary Mclean (Maclean) could be related, possibly Richard's Mother? Further reseach needed I think!

Ref the 3178 Dreadnought, the info on this engine was provided by the National Fairground and Circus Archive, the engine pictured shares many similarities with the engine in my Grandfathers picture, in fact some of the peole in both pictures look very similar also! This is what makes me think that my Grandfather is pictured standing in front of the 3178 Dreadnought? I have realised that archive information for the Burrell Showmans Engine is not always accurate on the web, so this may still be a red herring!

Thanks again or all the help, much appreciated.