Albert Edward Harden

[dwarfcollie]

     I wonder whether any one can help me with the life history of this very close relative.He was born 16/8/1886 in Shepherds Bush, London to George & Mary Harden.Until mid 1920s he was associated with 2 families in Reading(Berks) and Hull and then disappears. Up to this time he is a professional soldier serving in England, France & Ireland. He reappears in mid 1930s and marries Mary Imrie(now deceased) in Norwich. Firstly its this 1925ish - 1935ish period I'm interested in.
     Secondly he disappears again in around 1942/1944 after living in Blackpool and running a shop in Whyteleaf(Surrey). He is reported as being dead and alive in 1942 and 1951 respectively. Interestingly he states a different year of birth from 1930s and possibly permanently, of 1897.
     It is only these 2 periods I'm interested in(I think I've discovered the rest) I'm acting on behalf of many families in the Uk, Australia, Canada and USA. Where did he finish up? He had links with Cambridgeshire,London, Gloucester, Wolverhampton, Dublin,Reading,Hull, Whyteleaf, South London,
Blackpool, possibly USA. He didn't go to Australia.
     I've been looking into this for nearly 20 years, any information would be welcome.    Thankyou

[Girl Guide]

Welcome to Rootschat dwarf 

Well you've certainly got a tough nut to crack here!

First of all, when did Mary die?  I see from the 1939 Register that she was born in 1901.  I don't seem to be able to find her death.  If you can find it have you considered obtaining her death certificate to see who registered the death?

Could Albert have remarried after her death?

On the 1939 I see that Albert has upped his year of birth to 1896, month the same but lopped 8 days off the day of birth.

Have you tried to find Albert on any trade directories?  It might be interesting to see when he stopped appearing on them, that's assuming that he is in any trade directories 

You could also check electoral rolls to see if he appears on any and over what period of time.  This could be helpful for the period you are particularly interested in - 1925 to 1935.

Did either of his children marry?  If so how does Albert appear on them?  Is he down as being deceased?

[aghadowey]

He is reported as being dead and alive in 1942 and 1951 respectively. Interestingly he states a different year of birth from 1930s and possibly permanently, of 1897.

Reported where? information is only as good as informant's knowledge if you are looking something such as a death certificate or other document. If, for example, his wife remarried or died in 1942 as a 'widow' it could be that they were separated and she called herself a widow.

[glenclare]

On the 1939 register Alberts date of birth was changed. Pencil note above original.

“ 16 Aug 86 RF  23.2.44”

Any significance to the date it was changed?

[Girl Guide]

Could be.  I didn't look at the original which I should have done as sometimes there is more info on the original.  I wonder what the RF means?

It would suggest that he was still alive then perhaps. 

[heywood]

Could it be RFI?

[jonwarrn]

There should be a district code there, where he was when the change was made
RFI with the I hidden? Which would be Market Harborough U.D.

Has the Albert Harden died Fulham March qtr 1956 age 69 been eliminated?
There's an Albert E Harden on the electoral registers in Fulham till then.

[jonwarrn]

I mean could it be RFI, as already suggested by heywood

[glenclare]

Do you think Albert was in danger of being called up, especially if he had previously been a soldier.? Declaring his real age would have made him too old