Searching Military records around 1894 UK

[janjim]

Hi,
We are struggling to identify a certain person by the name of John Greenfield who married Ada New in 1894 at Newbury, Berkshire England.  At the time, the marriage certificate shows that he was based at Aldershot, was in the Army Corp, he was aged 22 years and his wife 19 years of age.  His Father was John Greenfield, a Bricklayer.   This would make John Greenfield Jnr. being born around 1872.
There were 3 children born from this marriage with the surname of Greenfield, but by 1901 census, his occupation was then a House Painter, still living in Newbury.

There is a gap of 5 years before more children were born, these children now having the surname of Greenfield/Broadbridge. 1911 census showed Ada living with William Broadbridge and living at Handsworth, Staffordshire, his occupation being Tram Driver.
One could assume that her marriage had failed with John Greenfield, and that Ada then became involved with this gentleman Broadbridge.

However there is a feeling that John Greenfield maybe then changed his name to William Broadbridge, due to some problems he may have had with the military, particularly in regard to being called up for service.   Another thought is that he was always William Broadbridge, changed his name to John Greenfield when he married Ada, and then in trouble with the military, reverted back to his original name of Broadbridge.     

So looking between the last child born in Newbury in 1898 and 1903, we have been searching for military records to confirm this John Greenfield, and have found one John being charged 18.12.1900 RFA Reg - Records WO86/51 which shows he was given 14 days detention apparently in regard to not wearing the correct uniform.  Have not found military record for William Broadbridge.

We now come to 1939 census, and we finally have a date of birth for this William Broadbridge, which is now 21.4.1869, a Retired Train Driver, 3 years older than John Greenfield. (we have photographs of him in train driver's uniform)

Wondering if anyone could assist me to ascertain any military records for enlistment in the Army at Aldershot from around 1891 through to 1894 with the names of William Broadbridge or John Greenfield.

It is all quite a strange scenario, but anything was possible in those days, to avoid the call up.

Jan

[rosie99]

You don't mention his birth place, both the census you mention have Ada's husband as born Fulham, Middlesex 

The 1939 was not a census but a registration for war purposes. 

[janjim]

Rosie,
All right then I used the wrong word, registration for war purposes in 1939.  John Greenfield was born in Fulham, also was William Broadbridge born in Fulham.
Jan

[rosie99]

Who were the wedding witnesses

[janjim]

Rosie, All Ada New's family, Father Charles New Snr.,  Brother Charles E New Jnr., Aunt Elizabeth New and Ada's younger sister Edith Nellie New.

[MaxD]

What was the exact wording of his regiment?  "Army Corp"  makes no sense but registrars often garbled army titles.

There was no call up until 1916 which does not seem to fit your suspected name change (or does it?).  He was too old for WW2 call up.

The court martial register will have no personal identifying detail but it is on Fold3 which I don't have access to (or you need to see it at the National Archives) so if his specific unit is there it may help.

MaxD

[majm]

Hi,
We are struggling to identify a certain person by the name of John Greenfield who married Ada New in 1894 at Newbury, Berkshire England.  At the time, the marriage certificate shows that he was based at Aldershot, was in the Army Corp, he was aged 22 years and his wife 19 years of age.  His Father was John Greenfield, a Bricklayer.   This would make John Greenfield Jnr. being born around 1872.
There were 3 children born from this marriage with the surname of Greenfield, but by 1901 census, his occupation was then a House Painter, still living in Newbury.

There is a gap of 5 years before more children were born, these children now having the surname of Greenfield/Broadbridge. 1911 census showed Ada living with William Broadbridge and living at Handsworth, Staffordshire, his occupation being Tram Driver.
One could assume that her marriage had failed with John Greenfield, and that Ada then became involved with this gentleman Broadbridge.

However there is a feeling that John Greenfield maybe then changed his name to William Broadbridge, due to some problems he may have had with the military, particularly in regard to being called up for service.   Another thought is that he was always William Broadbridge, changed his name to John Greenfield when he married Ada, and then in trouble with the military, reverted back to his original name of Broadbridge.     

So looking between the last child born in Newbury in 1898 and 1903, we have been searching for military records to confirm this John Greenfield, and have found one John being charged 18.12.1900 RFA Reg - Records WO86/51 which shows he was given 14 days detention apparently in regard to not wearing the correct uniform.  Have not found military record for William Broadbridge.

We now come to 1939 census, and we finally have a date of birth for this William Broadbridge, which is now 21.4.1869, a Retired Train Driver, 3 years older than John Greenfield. (we have photographs of him in train driver's uniform)

Wondering if anyone could assist me to ascertain any military records for enlistment in the Army at Aldershot from around 1891 through to 1894 with the names of William Broadbridge or John Greenfield.

It is all quite a strange scenario, but anything was possible in those days, to avoid the call up.

Jan

Hi, 

I am interested in learning about the possibility of men avoiding the call up in those days ...  I was  not aware of any compulsory  military call up in that era  ...   I had understood UK conscription into the army was introduced during  WWI ... I was not  aware of any in the 1890s or 1900s,  Boer War in Africa saw volunteers from throughout the Empire serve there. 

I am keen to learn more... 


JM in NSW, Australia.

[janjim]

What I am looking for is a register of persons enlisting around the late 1890's, which would have been the Boer War.

Jan

[majm]

I am somewhat confuddled ... if you have him on the UK 1901census as a house painter,  why would he have been in the Army 1899-1902 Boer War ... in Africa?

JM