What happened to Tom Bentley?

[Davedrave]

I wonder if anyone might be able to throw some light on a mystery.
Tom Bentley was baptised in Thurmaston, Leicestershire, on 7 June 1868, the son of Edward and Eliza Bentley. In 1871 and 1881 he was in the parental home in Thurmaston. In 1883 a Tom Bentley of Thurmaston, aged 17, joined the Leicestershire Regiment. His religion was given as Wesleyan, which tallies with what is known of Edward and Eliza.

This is the last record I can seem to find for him. A Tom Bentley son of Edward did marry in Leicester in 1886 (and in Ratby as a widower, in 1928), but it cannot be him, because in 1886 his father was already deceased, whereas Edward Bentley of Thurmaston lived until 1917. So I wonder where Tom Bentley from Thurmaston disappeared to.

Dave

[iluleah]

I see a Tom Bentley in 1911 living in Ratby with wife Florence working as a Hosiery Factory manager, so this one married Catherine in 1928 in Ratby...if your only concern is his father is not recorded on the marriage a deceased, that would only be recorded IF he told them he was

I also see another in the 1911 married to Lydia a shoe consol operator and living in (North West) Leicester city

[Davedrave]

I see a Tom Bentley in 1911 living in Ratby with wife Florence working as a Hosiery Factory manager, so this one married Catherine in 1928 in Ratby...if your only concern is his father is not recorded on the marriage a deceased, that would only be recorded IF he told them he was

I also see another in the 1911 married to Lydia a shoe consol operator and living in (North West) Leicester city

I don’t think these Tom Bentley records are for Tom Bentley of Thurmaston. “My” Tom Bentley’s father did not die until 1917, so he couldn’t be the Tom Bentley who married in 1886 and again in 1928.

The Tom Bentley living in Marjorie Street in Leicester in 1911, married to Lydia, would seem to be the same individual who was living in Melton Street, Leicester in 1901, and is almost certainly the same Tom Bentley who was living in Wheat Street, Leicester in 1871. These streets are all close to each other and this Tom Bentley is recorded in the censuses as being born in Leicester. In an 1830’s poll book there are Bentleys in Leicester (including Wheat Street, if I remember right) at the same time as my non-resident Bentleys from Thurmaston also voted (as freemen) in the Leicester poll. (I think they may have been distantly related, and most were framework knitters.)

[Girl Guide]

Is this your Tom in 1891?

Living at Stamford Street, Ratby, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire

Thomas Bentley born 1868 Thurmaston, Leics.  Occ. Manager hosiery factory.

With wife Annie and three children.

Registration district: Market Bosworth
Archive reference: RG12
Piece number: 2507
Folio: 133
Page: 19

There is a transcript of his marriage which showed he married on 7 April 1890 at St Mary the Virgin and All Souls, Bulwell to an Annie Elizabeth Bloor.

The transcript does not give any father's names so no means of knowing who his father was.

Marriages Jun 1890
BENTLEY    Thomas        Basford    7b   218    
BLOOR    Annie Elizabeth        Basford    7b   218

[Girl Guide]

Living in the same place in 1901

Registration district: Market Bosworth
Archive reference: RG13
Piece number: 2967
Folio: 62
Page: 48

[Girl Guide]

Ok so Annie dies

Deaths Sep 1908   
BENTLEY    Annie    45    Mt. Bosworth    7a   51

Remarries much later than the 1911 suggests which is one year.

Marriages Dec 1918
Bentley    Thomas    Edwards    Mt. Drayton    6a   1635    
EDWARDS    Florence A    Bentley    Mt.Drayton    6a   1635   

[heywood]

“There is a transcript of his marriage which showed he married on 7 April 1890 at St Mary the Virgin and All Souls, Bulwell to an Annie Elizabeth Bloor.

The transcript does not give any father's names so no means of knowing who his father was.

Marriages Jun 1890
BENTLEY    Thomas        Basford    7b   218     
BLOOR    Annie Elizabeth        Basford    7b   218”

I don’t think this is the right marriage.

Annie Blower, 17 yrs b Hinckley is with parents in 1881 3169/96/31

Annie Bloor 2 yrs b Bulwell is with parents in 1881 3332/106/13

Both seem to have married/lived with Thomas Bentleys but one is born Thurmaston and one is born Alfreton.

[heywood]

There is only one Thomas Bentley b 1868 Thurmaston in all censuses 1871 - 1911.

[Girl Guide]

This looks like Thomas's death

Deaths Dec 1939 
Bentley    Thomas    71    Leicester    7a   661

Gives a birth year of 1868

I think this is Thomas's birth

BENTLEY, THOMAS       - 
GRO Reference: 1868  M Quarter in BARROW UPON SOAR  Volume 07A  Page 162

Suggests that he was illegitimate.  He is on the 1939 living in Leicester and his birth date is consistent with the birth quarter above.