Taunton: Searching for info on Flight Lieutenant Edward Ross Thornton

[weberpa]

I am looking to find some information on a family that once lived (and died) in Taunton—they are not my family.  This is part of a Remembrance Day project I have been working on for several years. My goal has been to find any surviving family members of the crew on my uncle’s (Wilfred Weber) Lancaster plane, which crashed just before the end of the war. To date I have found 5 of the 6 families, but have been unable to locate any family members for one particular family, that of Edward Thornton.  You can see my project here: https://www.paulweber.ca/wilfred/

I do know that his father, Edward Charles Thornton, died in Taunton, aged 81 in December 1977. Mother, Doris May Thornton, died in Taunton, aged 72 in September 1964.  Edward (son)  enlisted in the RAF at Oxford in November of 1940. His original NCO number was 1314543. He was commissioned from Sgt. to Pilot Officer 1 November 1941.  He died on the same day as my uncle, March 5, 1945.   I have found online military sites that provide limited into on F/Lt Thornton, but not much more than that.

So in sum I'm looking for any family photos, info about the family like obits and any information on living family members.  thanks!

[CaroleW]

Welcome to Rootschat

What a wonderful project.  However - Rootschat has a very strict "no living persons" policy so we are unable to give you any specific info about living relatives.  We can try in other ways though.

To use the Personal Message system you have to make 3 posts (replies) and then more sensitive info can be sent direct to you.  Under your name on the left hand side you will see a little symbol that looks like a sheet of paper - that's what you use to send a pm

[CaroleW]

He was born 10.4.1922 but there is no birth registration nor is there a marriage for an Edward C Thornton to a Doris M

[arthurk]

I do know that his father, Edward Charles Thornton, died in Taunton, aged 81 in December 1977....

So in sum I'm looking for any family photos, info about the family like obits and any information on living family members.  thanks!

Edward Charles Thornton left a will, which was proved on 8 Feb 1978. Incidentally, the probate index gives his date of death as 23 Nov 1977.

The will is likely to be helpful in tracing his next of kin etc, though with the will ordering site going through a major "upgrade" (experienced by most as upheaval and chaos) it's uncertain whether you'd actually be able to order a copy at present, or how soon you might get it.

[glenclare]

The fathers date of birth, according to the death index is 24 April 1895.
Also Doris May’s probate entry says he was a retired petroleum engineer in 1964.

[glenclare]

I may have found a huge coincidence or be totally wrong.

There is a passenger list for April 1925, listing as follows.
Name:   Doris May Thornton
Arrival Age:   33
Birth Date:   abt 1892
Port of Departure:   Bombay, India
Arrival Date:   9 Apr 1925
Port of Arrival:   London, England
Ports of Voyage:   Singapore; Gibraltar; Shanghai; Colombo; Hong Kong; Kobe; Port Said Marseilles; Penang
Ship Name:   Malwa
Shipping Line:   Peninsula and Orient Steam Navigation Company Ltd

According to the full view she is travelling with Edward Thornton an engineer, and Edward Ross Thornton age 2 1/2.
They were resident in Sarawak, but intending to live in England. Address given, 24 Ellesmere road, Sheffield.

[glenclare]

Another passenger list. This time outward for the three of them.
July 31st 1925.
London to Singapore and then travelling to Borneo

[glenclare]

Another passenger list
9th October1937
All three travelling on the Orcades, from London to Sydney Australia (intending to remain there)
Previously at 116 whirlowdale road, Sheffield 

Added:
Quite a few voyages to and from Melbourne, and tourist trip to New York.

Still not totally convinced it is the right family but it would explain why no obvious birth or marriage record in uk.
And why do they keep returning to Sheffield, and then why Taunton 

[Ladyhawk]

Another passenger list
9th October1937
All three travelling on the Orcades, from London to Sydney Australia (intending to remain there)
Previously at 116 whirlowdale road, Sheffield 

Added:
Quite a few voyages to and from Melbourne, and tourist trip to New York.

Still not totally convinced it is the right family but it would explain why no obvious birth or marriage record in uk.

And why do they keep returning to Sheffield, and then why Taunton 

They may have married in Sarawak

On one the passenger lists I saw gives birth place of

Edward Charles born London,
Doris May born Sheffield &
Edward Ross born N(M?)iri, Sarawak
California, San Francisco Passenger Lists, 1893-1953

added for info. Sarawak births and deaths 1921 - 1923 are held The National Archives, Kew https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C6529734 this is available to download from The Genealogist. Partner websites are free to search but there may be a charge to view full transcriptions and download documents

On 1939 Register in Somerset Taunton there is
Edward C b1893, Doris M b1892  & Edward R Thornton b1922

Edit to add

The 1947 probate record Administration Wakefield for
Edward Ross Taunton died 5 Mar 1945, father Edward Charles Thornton,
Hotel Proprietor
address Winchester Hotel Castle Green Taunton matches address 1939 register