Is it possible, is there any point?

[Sandy_W]

I found my Great-Grandfather's army record on FindMyPast. He was in the army from 1885 to 1892. There were seven pages and it included his age at enlistment, place of birth, physical description etc. So it's well worth finding your ancestor's record if you can.

I know how difficult it can be though when you're dealing with a common name. One of my other Great-Grandfathers was called Joseph/John Wright and is being very elusive, so I do sympathise!

[Norfolk Nan]

Thanks for the encouragement, Sandy.  I've been trawling through likely military records and came across a likely John Lee, attesting in 1881, about the right age, claimed his father was John...I thought I might be onto a good thing...and then I discovered a statement that this man was actually Charles Mitchell but had signed up using the name John Lee.  So now I'm wondering did Mr Mitchell find himself back on civvy street but liking the name Lee???

[ShaunJ]

wasn't there an earlier war?

The first Boer War was in 1880-81.

[Norfolk Nan]

That would at least tie in with the first period of army service.  Thank you. 

Going back to the point about John being on the 1901 census therefore not involved in the Boer War, I've read elsewhere here that it was possible through a reservist system so I'll keep it in mind.

[Rosinish]

There are a number of possible births on BMD listings but none that tick the boxes I have.

"His late marriage was done away from their place of abode to cover the fact they'd been together unwed for a while, but he states his father is John Lee, plate layer on his marriage certificate."

Could he have mistaken where he was born as his father's occ. may have taken him quite a distance?

Annie

[Norfolk Nan]

Yes, Rosinish, very possible.  There are just too many ifs and buts with this chap.  I had hoped tracing his military service record might help but even that's proving almost impossible without one or two  concrete facts.

Thanks for the replies everyone.  I was mostly concerned with the military issue but every little helps...

[ShaunJ]

in 1939 he states dob as 18 April 1864

I just noticed a baptism in Islington (on 7 May 1865) - John Lee born 16 April 1865. Parents John (a labourer) and Emily. 3 Cherry Tree Court

[Norfolk Nan]

Thanks, Shaun - that at least hits a few nails on the head...I will take a closer look - which church?  And which site are you using?

[ShaunJ]

I found it on Ancestry. The church is St Thomas Charterhouse.