William Henry Marsh aka Henry Marsh occupation 1901 & 1911

[nannyj]

Hi
I have William Henry Marsh who was also known just as Henry Marsh, in 1901 in Kensington at 105 southern street aged 15 with his parents George and elizabeth. I have hunk his occupation was Vanguard Arm/ army ... It's a bit difficult to read. What would that mean?

I can't find him on the 1911 census to find his occupation.

He married in 1913 and his occupation was given as labourer, so he obviously wasn't anything to with Vanguard then.

Thanks 😊

[Kay99]

In 1901 could his occupation be a vanguard arm(ed)

Kay

[nannyj]

Thanks. That's what I thought. What was this, do you think? Was it a sort of militia maybe as he isn't a soldier when he gets married?

[Bookbox]

Vanguard (Carman).

The second word is in a different hand and was added by the clerk who categorised the census occupations. It doubtless relates to transport and delivery of goods.

The address is 107 Southam Street (not 105 Southern). RG 13/30 f176 p24

[fiddlerslass]

Mercedes-Benz produced an early type of van in 1896


https://www.businessinsider.com/evolution-mercedes-benz-sprinter-van-2020-9?r=US&IR=T#in-the-1800s-mercedes-benz-invented-one-of-the-first-motorized-vans-1

  Horse drawn wagon type transport around 1900 were called Vans too. Vans containing valuable goods would have had guards, for example Royal Mail

"Because the Post Office paid so much to the railways for carrying mails, especially parcels, it started a brand-new form of road service in 1887. The Royal Mail Parcel Coaches were large and again operated by contractors, this time with a heavily armed Post Office guard accompanying the mails."

[AlanBoyd]

He was only 15. Traditionally carman was another term for carter. Maybe he was a driver’s assistant, and watched the vehicle (motorised or horsedrawn) while deliveries were being made.

added: the 1921 census has an occupation code, 723 which is Persons employed in transport & communication - road transport workers: Van boys & van guards

[AlanBoyd]

There are lots of adverts around that time for van boys. Two examples from a  Situations Vacant column of an issue of The Daily News, January 11th, 1901:

BOY WANTED, about 14, to act as VAN GUARD. Respectable and intelligent. – Apply Dakin Brothers, Druggists, 5, Cree Church-lane, Leadenhall-street.

VAN BOYS WANTED, respectable, and of good character. Apply Mr. Smith, Crocker, Sons, and Co., Limited, Friday-street, E.C.

[nannyj]

Wow. That's amazing. Thank you. Makes a change from labourer or agricultural labourer 🤣🤣

[nannyj]

Vanguard (Carman).

The second word is in a different hand and was added by the clerk who categorised the census occupations. It doubtless relates to transport and delivery of goods.

The address is 107 Southam Street (not 105 Southern). RG 13/30 f176 p24

Ah ... Thanks for the address and the info about the occupation.