I have been unable to find George Southern or his family in the censuses for 1881, 1891 or 1901. In 1875 his family were in Westleigh, near Leigh, Lancashire. He was described on his son Arthur's birth certificate in 1875 as a soldier in the 96th Regiment of Foot. I understand that this was amalgamated into the Manchester Regiment in 1881 which served abroad in the 1870s, 80s and 90s.
George was born in 1851 to James Southern and Ellen (née Rigby) both silk handloom weavers of Westleigh.
By 1871 George was a collier living with his parents and 2 siblings in Tideswell Place, Wigan Rd, Westleigh.
In 1872 he married Elizabeth Naylor, daughter of Joseph and Alice who kept the Colliers' Rest pub in Firs Lane Westleigh. Their first son Joseph was born there on 29 Jan 1873, George was still a coal miner.
On 19 Dec 1875 their son Arthur was born at Westleigh Mill, Westleigh. George was now a soldier in the 96th Regiment of Foot.
Son Arthur re-appears in 1900 when he married Margaret Mary Unsworth (née James) a widow, at Abram, Lancs.
By 1901 Arthur had become a grocer/baker with a shop at 105 High St. Golborne where he died on 20th Jan 1922.
I presume the family will have been abroad between about 1881 and 1901 and would appreciate any help with military records. I have found a George Southern but with no details and don't know if he is the right one.
