WILLIAM BRIGHAM (b 1897 in Sunderland)

[Jim Webster]

Looking to find the whereabouts of my wife's grandfather William in 1939.
The information I have is :
1897 (Dec) - born in Sunderland to James Brigham and Mary Ann Goodwin.
1901 (census) living with parents and siblings at 2 Simpson Street, Sunderland (known family address).
1911 (census) same as 1901.
1921 (census) now living with Aunt (Hannah) and Uncle (James Goodwin) at 12 Palmer Street,
         Sunderland. after the death of both of his parents.
1923 (marriage) to Isabella Archer.
1939 (register) Wife Isabella and children living at 12 Plains Road, Sunderland but no sign of
         William. I know who the blacked out names on the register are.
1975 (known fact) William and Isabella are both living at 12 Plains Road, Sunderland.
1976 (known fact) We attended the funeral of my wife's other grandfather and recalls William
         saluting his coffin so we thought he may have been with the army at some point in his life.
Using FindMyPast I have searched Military records and Newspaper reports with no success.
As always any information would be welcomed
Jim

[CaroleW]

Sorry - Rootschat does not allow 1939 lookups - or info to be posted that can only be obtained via subscription

He could have been in the army at the time the 1939 register was compiled so will not be shown

2 of my own ancestors are not traceable on the 1939 for the same reason

[Jim Webster]

Sorry didn't realise I was breaching the rules. I'll try to be more careful in future.
Thank you
Jim

[Girl Guide]

There is a death for a William Brigham in Sunderland in 1978

Deaths Jun 1978   
BRIGHAM    WILLIAM    7DE1897    SUNDERLAND    2   1743

As you can see his birth date is 7 December 1897 which is what you have in your post.

[Jim Webster]

Good morning
You are correct this death is for William, my wife and myself were at his funeral.

[Girl Guide]

As Carole said it is quite possible that William was in the forces during the 2nd World War.  He would have been in his early forties by then.  A little on the old side but I believe older men did sign up.

He may also have been in the 1st World War although he would have been 17 in 1914.  Quite a few men lied about their age in order to enlist.

[Jim Webster]

Appreciate your and Carole's comments and given it was the period leading to WW2 I totally agree.
Can't quite get my head around a father aged about 40 leaving 6 children (aged between 18 months and 16 years) then returning to father another child born Q1/1942.
Think this will remain a mystery.

[CaroleW]

My father was born in 1904 and had 2 children aged 10 & 6 at the start of WW2.  He enlisted & survived the war - I was born in 1946😄

Don't forget - William would have had some leave whilst serving & the child b 1942 could have been the result

[MonicaL]

Maybe the 1942 birth cert would confirm occupation of father William at that time?

Monica