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