Missing family on ionic ship 1897

[mckha489]

https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7949/images/m1412_6-0815?backlabel=ReturnSearchResults&queryId=1daad9363b55b2e533873ad640cfe720&pId=1704118

Interestingly there is a R O Mahon to Philadelphia. Can’t find anyone with the name Forrest

Have you looked at the two faint entries above R.O. Mahon? I know what I think I see.  .

His parents .. who as just going to take a good look through the digitised version. R O Mahon is 9 though.
If so. He was fully aware of his heritage

It could be 9mths.  That would just about work.

Added. I think Mr Mahon’s occupation is R.R. detective !

Corrected occupation (my version)

[Neale1961]

Added. I think Mr Mahon’s occupation is M.R.R. detective !

it is them alright.
The M is for Male. What looks like clerk is actually U.S.
Occupation is R. R. Selector? or Teacher? Trying to think what R R is short for.
Or yes, could be Detective

The fact that he is using the surname Mahon at this stage, and heading for Philadelphia, puts a whole different slant on the story. !

[Arnside98]

Added. I think Mr Mahon’s occupation is M.R.R. detective !

it is them alright.
The M is for Male. What looks like clerk is actually U.S.
Occupation is R. R. Selector? or Teacher? Trying to think what R R is short for.
Or yes, could be Detective

The fact that he is using the surname Mahon at this stage, puts a whole different slant on the story. !

How does he keep up with all the name changes and careers?!
Yes, using the surname Mahon is intriguing and makes sense that he knew of her considering he was headed to Philadelphia.  Also maybe explains why she didn’t put many articles in looking for them - she made contact before 1909?
Wonder what his wife thought?

[Neale1961]

How does he keep up with all the name changes and careers?!

He doesn't cope very well  ---- we know what happens in the future.

[mckha489]

Rail Road Detective?

https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Akmheh-thpc_2402

Although it seems a bit of an odd occupation for someone to have when arriving in the US from NZ.  Unless he had the job arranged?

[Neale1961]

He was employed by the railway in South Africa. Maybe that was his old job.
I'm not sure he had work in NZ.

[maddys52]

I feel like I remember reading somewhere that he worked for the Railways - was that in South Africa? Will have to go back and check.

Yes, "railway clerk" on his marriage to Ethelyn.

You beat me to it Neale, have typed this so will post anyway. 

[sparrett]

When he and Ethelyn had  their baby, he said in the news notice,
'Railway magazine please copy'

Sue

[Neale1961]

Owen quotes a letter regarding his parents coming to England for the Jubilee. “You were a brat of three or four …. But you three boys were born in Australia.”
This was the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria celebrated in June 1887. The son named Bertram Gordon Smith was born in England about April 1887 (baptised in June) and died the following year in England. At the same time “Dad went home” (to Australia) and “mother went to Texas.... ” for a year. The third son had not yet been born.


Owen’s letters mention the Major J H W Porter (twice), and Col. D. P. Driscoll, and “The Legion of Frontiersman”
This webpage has information that connects all three
https://frontiersmenhistorian.info/between-the-wars-and-world-war-ii/


Owen’s letter of 18 May 1927 is signed. Capt Gordon Forrest   16591    L.F.
I am uncertain what L.F. stands for (Legion of Frontiersmen or Lethal Fighter?), but that looks like a service number, which might be possible to trace – if it is for real.


On both the WW1 draft card (1918) and the WW2 draft card (1942), Owen writes his correct date and year of birth. He knew he was not born in 1884.