John Radford

[Radfordda]

I have hit a brick wall with this one!

My ancestor John Radford was born abt1863 in Pilton, Barntaple. He can easily be found in the 1871 and 1881 Census.

First name(s)   Last name   Relationship   Marital status   Sex   Age   Birth year   Occupation   Birth place
James   Radford   Head   Married   Male   48   1833   Wood sawyer   Loxhore, Devon, England
Harriet   Radford   Wife   Married   Female   49   1832   Sawyers wife   Pilton, Devon, England
John   Radford   Son   Single   Male   19   1862   Gen lab   Pilton, Devon, England

There is a record of him enlisting to join the Royal Scots Greys 2nd Dragoons in 1883. I have recently found a Police Gazzete record on Ancestry which lists him in 1885 as a criminal (Military Desertion).

I have no idea what happened to him after this. There is a John Radford born 1863 that shows up married to a Sarah in the 1901 census in Wales with a birth place of Barnstaple. This is a possibility
however I can find no record in 1891 or 1911 census either.


First name(s)   Last name   Relationship   Marital status   Sex   Age   Birth year   Occupation   Birth place
John   Radford   Head   Married   Male   38   1863   Labourer above ground   Barnstaple, Devon, England
Sarah   Radford   Wife   Married   Female   41   1860   -   Devon, England
Frederick   Radford   Son   Single   Male   14   1887   Colliery coal hewer above ground   Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales
Annie   Radford   Daughter   Single   Female   11   1890   -   Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales

I really don't know if this is him at this stage.

[Radfordda]

Name John Radford
Event Type Criminal (Military Desertion)
Desertion Age23
Birth Date 1862
Birth Place Barnstaple, Devon
Desertion Date 27 Jan 1885
Desertion Place Edinburgh
Service Number2441
Regiment R. Scots Grey
Occupation Sawyer

I have emailed the regiment museum to see if they have any further info on this point. 

[CaroleW]

There are no Radford birth registrations matching Frederick & Annie

[Radfordda]

There are no Radford birth registrations matching Frederick & Annie

I know. Its a weird one.

[Comberton]

A lot of similarities in this family
1891 Newport
John Dommet 1853 Tiverton
Sarah Dommet 1860 Tiverton
Fred Dommet 1887 Newport
Florence 1889 Newport             baptised Florence Anne
Eva 1891 Newport        died 1891
4369/23/39
possibles for
1901 John without wife and child and 1911 with new wife of 10 years.

[Comberton]

1911 Llantrisant, Glamorganshire.
John Penhallcrick (as transcribed) 1846
Sarah J Penhallcrick 1860 Tiverton
Frederick Dunnit stepson 1887 Newport
Marriages
1882 Newport
John Dommet & Sarah Rookley
1903 Pontypridd
John Penhallurick & Sarah Jane Ruckley
Rookley is mmn for all children from Dommet marriage

[softly softly]

Comberton, I see where you are going with this but is this not the possible 1 of 2 births for John Dommet(t)

Births Mar 1863   
DOMMETT    John        Taunton    5c   448    
DOMMETT    John        Axminster    5b   16   

John

[Comberton]

John Dommett
Jun 1853
Tiverton
5B 402
mmn Bishop

[DOB7]

John RADFORD's service records indicate that he deserted again in 1888 and then on 28 Aug 1890, awaiting trial 15 Sep 1890, convicted of desertion 24 Sep 1890, sent to prison and discharged 'with ignominy'. He frequently went 'absent' during his service. His record also lists father James, mother Harriet, sisters Harriet & Annie and brothers Francis, Frederick, William, James, Edward, Charles & Richard. His conduct was described as very bad and his habits 'irregular'.
The dates here seem to contradict the 1901 census as he was still in the military at the time of the 2 children's births. (Although they could be Sarah's children and not his)