Well we know that HDM's Father, Malcolm, was an Army Officer and there is an unproven, but likely link, that HDM in 1841 was at St Martin in the Fields as a Fusilier Guard. So a move to a Policeman wasn't that far fetched an idea...
But it's interesting you have a newspaper article which lists him as a Policeman - the prison records I can see (through the census) list him as Ships Carpenter! Which newspaper was it?
The whole family certainly lived an 'interesting' life so any story is possible as to where they went and what they did!
I think I have the right Margaret Winifred - baptised at Our Lady of Reconciliation de la Salette 6 Jun 1860. Born 27 May 1860. In 1861 she's on the Census at 55 Hedley Street. In 1871 at 78a Robsart St. Her Sister Sarah is a cap maker which I can trace throughout and it lists HDM the Father, a Ships Carpenter and Margaret from Ireland... Margaret Winifred marries a James Maher at St Augustines in Aug 1882.
I know what you mean about head spinning! It's so very frustrating as it always seems to be my 'true' blood line is the most difficult to prove but all the aunts, uncles and cousins etc are much easier!
Thank you again for taking a look - very much appreciated!
M