Henry Gray

[Vicarcoggeshall]

Henry Gray (my Great Uncle) was born in Bath, Somerset on 16th December 1885. His parents were Edward and Catherine. He was a professional soldier first in the Royal  Devonshire Regiment but then the Royal Engineers where in the 1921 census his is listed as a lineman with Sagt rank. He is single in the 1921 census. Then I loose him completely. I can’t see him on the 1939 census but there is no death. I found a death in Lewisham in 1925 but having obtained the death certificate it’s not him. I have ancestry but not international. I have written to Royal Engineers museum and still awaiting a reply. Any thoughts about how I might proceed?

[bbart]

My understanding is that military folk are not in the 1939. 
Any chance you know his military number?

[KGarrad]

The 1939 National Register (it wasn't a census!) was originally intended for issuing Identity Cards and Ration Books.
Military personnel were accounted for differently - so they don't appear in the Register.

After WW2 the Register was used by the NHS until the 1990's.
That's why it isn't a census (which accounts for the population on a given night).

[Vicarcoggeshall]

Ah I didn’t realise military personal didn’t appear in it, so I had assumed Henry was either dead or living overseas his army number was 344543

[CaroleW]

So he was still single in 1921 at age 36.  By 1939 he was 54 so unless he was a career soldier he may not have been involved in WW2.

Have you considered whether he emigrated?

[Comberton]

Can I just ask, was his father Edward still alive in 1921 and if so have you found him on that census? Trying to see if a 1921 census entry and another record could be a link to Henry.

[Vicarcoggeshall]

He was a career solider joining at 18. I have considered emmegration but haven’t seen anything to clarify that

[Vicarcoggeshall]

Edward died in 1922 in London.

[Vicarcoggeshall]

Edward was living at 9 Hazelhurst Road Tooting when he died