Should I believe the newspaper?

[DianaCanada]

Trying to track down an Ernest Henry Sweetman, b. 6 Sep 1895 (1939 register), who married Millie Bradford in 1918.  They are together in 1939, with two sons and a possible redacted third son born in 1928, in Heathfield, Sussex.

In 1941 the eldest son is married in Uckfield, Sussex (he died in 1949, but probably has living children, so will not name him).  The newspaper report of 5 Jun 1941 says he was the son of Mrs. Sweetman and the late Mr. Sweetman.  It also mentions a brother Percy, who I cannot find in births but perhaps this was a nickname for one of his brothers.  It dos not match any of their initials.

I cannot find a death for his father Ernest Henry Sweetman.  I did find one of the right age who died in Maidstone district, Kent in Mar Q 1969.  There is also a marriage for a man by the same name in Maidstone district in Mar 1948.  I found nothing in the papers or in the probate index for either of these individuals.

Ernest's wife Millie died in Dec Q 1941, the same year her son married, but at least 4 months later.

Should I assume the newspaper was incorrect and that he was still alive?  Would the family have written up the report, or a local reporter?  A local person would likely have known Ernest was still alive. 

[rosie99]

A newspaper article about Millie's accident followed by her death mentions evidence being given by her husband* - Eastbourne Gazette 26 November 1941

*Husband named as Ernest Henry Sweetman of Corner House, Three Cups, Punnetts Town

[Biggles50]

If in doubt the son ‘s Marriage Certificate will indicate if his Father is deceased.

[rosie99]

This death is probably the Maidstone marriage 
Deaths Mar 1969 
SWEETMAN    ERNEST H   age 73    MAIDSTONE    5F   696

[rosie99]

The Maidstone marriage is to a Kathleen E Lulham, there is a person of that name born 1889 living very close to Ernest and Millie in 1921

ADDED
Death Mar qtr 1973 
SWEETMAN    KATHLEEN ELIZABETH   
Birth 12 SEP 1889    UCKFIELD    5H   1867

[Tickettyboo]

If in doubt the son ‘s Marriage Certificate will indicate if his Father is deceased.

That isn't necessarily the case.
I have a good few marriage certificates for our tree with a date range starting in 1837 up to very recently, some correctly say the father was deceased, others, though the father was definitely deceased don't mention that fact.

Boo

[coombs]

If in doubt the son ‘s Marriage Certificate will indicate if his Father is deceased.

Not always. My ancestor's father died in 1831 and when that ancestor wed in 1856, he mentioned his name and occupation but no mention of whether he was alive or not, and the father had been dead 25 years by 1856.

[Jebber]

According to the report  of the eldest son’s marriage in 1941, he is described as son of late Mr Sweetman, so as he was alive for the 1939 Register his death should between 1939 and 1941.

There is another anomaly. If Diana has the marriage certificate for Ernest’s marriage to Millie BRADFORD it would be interesting to see what that shows, as the maiden name of the mother of the three sons  is BROOKS not BRADFORD. I can’t see an earlier marriage for Millie.

[rosie99]

Millie Bradford's birth appears to indicate she was illegitimate if I have the right record

BRADFORD, MILLIE       - 
GRO Reference: 1895  June Quarter in HAILSHAM  Volume 02B  Page 94

ADDED In 1901 she is with George and Grace Brook