The Elusive William McRoskell

[Spidermonkey]

Forget it. Frederick & Rosa appear on 1911 census. Teach me to take my time.

John

Nooooooooooooo!

[Spidermonkey]

I don't think that it's Saward, if you look at the E of Elizabeth I think that it could be Edward.

[Spidermonkey]

This is starting to perhaps clutch at straws, but there is a William Clayson in the Cottage Home, Cheriton (also known as the Elham Union Cottage Home) and then there is a 15 year William Clayson in the Home Children immigration records https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/immigration-records/home-children-1869-1930/immigration-records/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=77240 which would tie in.


I wonder if there is anything else to be wrung from the army records - would there be a pension etc paid, and any record of spousal death there?  (I'm really not au fait with the full range of military records at all)

[Spidermonkey]

I realise that I am becoming slightly obsessed with the Clayson element, and that is deviating from the OP but I am enjoying untangling who he was!

Arthur John Clayson was baptised Oct 8th 1865 in the parish church of Elham, to William and Barbara Ann Clayson, labourer, Elham.

In 1871 Arthur J Clayson is living with his parents, William and Barbara, and his siblings William (18) and Mary A (13) and a lodger Susan E Baldrock (20).  They are living at Back Street, Elham.

In 1881 Arthur Clayson (15) is an apprentice blacksmith to Thomas Mercer, 3 Queen St, Folkestone.  Arthur is living with Thomas and his family.  Meanwhile, William Clayson senior is living at The Row, Elham with daughter Mary A (unm, 23) and two grandchildren Hector J Clayson (7) and Norman P Clayson (2).  Barbara A Clayson is shown as mother in law to William and Susan E Ambrose (presumably the Susan E Baldrock from 1871) in Leeds, Kent.

In 1884 Henry Clayson enlists in the Royal Artillery, at Chatham, aged 19.

1889 - Rose and Arthur John marry.  Arthur's father is given as William Clayson, labourer

1891 - Appears on census as Arthur

1896 - re-enlists in Royal Artillery as Henry.

1901 - appears on census as Henry

[softly softly]

Spidermonkey, whilst you have become obsessed with Arthur I have just started(sad man that I am) following the children and will post what I find later today. Well done with what you have found. One question, what site did you use to view the marriage image of Arthur and Rose Ellen and what is her fathers name and occupation and what date did they marry, is father deceased?

John

[Spidermonkey]

Arthur and Rose's marriage was on Ancestry - they married in Aldershot on June 8th 1889.  William Mc Roskell is a silversmith and not marked as deceased.

Violetta Mc Roskell was one of the witnesses as was a William Gludden (?)  his signature attached for deciphering!

[Spidermonkey]

More tangents - but I wonder if this story helps solve the Arthur/Henry mystery......

On the 1881 census, Arthur is an apprentice to Thomas Mercer, with a fellow apprentice Clement Long, who in 1880 ran away from Thomas Mercer due to being mistreated.  Magistrates ordered him to finish his apprenticeship and so he appears on the 1881 census. 

I wonder if Arthur saw which way the wind was blowing and did a runner too later on - changing his name and joining the army so that he couldn't get caught?

[Spidermonkey]

"a most improper man to have an apprentice"

[JP567]

Hi Anne, I may have info that helps you if you are still looking? I believe Violeta is my great, great grandmother. 😄