No birth certificate

[polpringle]

I tried to find my grandad a while ago and ended up giving up because there was no birth certificate (I have previous posts on here but not sure how to link sorry)
I thought the 1921 census might throw up some clues but sadly not.
He was in the army (my aunt contacted them some years ago) and they've said his birth date is 21/08/1917 born Cardiff would he have had to show a birth certificate to join?
On the 1939 register he said it was 21/08/1915
His name is Alexander Truelove married to Edna potter 1941 father on his marriage cert Stephen Malcolm potter deceased.
Also on the 1939 register Edna has her name potter crossed out and changed to Truelove but there is also Jones next to it?
Any help appreciated thank you

[PaulineJ]

On 1939 register, women's surnames were updated as they married and remarried.

What names witnessed the marriage?

[KGarrad]

Previous thread:
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=693300.

[Gan Yam]

When Alexander married he gives his name as Alexander M Truelove. There is an Alexander M Hodgson born in 3rd quarter of 1917 in Cardiff that maybe a possibility, if there was any reason for a name change. Maybe his mother remarried?

Added: just read the previous post and see you've already looked at this birth!

[Andy J2022]

He was in the army (my aunt contacted them some years ago) and they've said his birth date is 21/08/1917 born Cardiff would he have had to show a birth certificate to join?

The simple answer is no. Prior to 1 January 1962 no proof of date of birth was required for adults enlisting in either the Regular or Reserve Army. However anyone who declared his age to be under 18 (later 17.5) was required to provide a birth certificate, although I can't say when this requirement was first instituted. Below is an extract from Annex A to Chapter 9 of Queen's Regulations 1975 on the matter:

Adult Soldiers
2.  Before 1 January 1962 the age declared by a recruit on first attestation for the Regular Army, Royal Marines, Army Reserve, Supplementary Reserve, Army Emergency Reserve, Territorial Army or TAVR is taken to be the official age for that or any subsequent enlistment into any of those forces, subject to:
    a.  The exceptions given in para 3. 
    b.  The age recorded having actually been declared by the recruit and not being merely a record of their apparent age.
3.  The following are the exceptions to the general rule stated in para 2:
    a.  In certain circumstances which are specified in the appropriate regulations and instructions, age is to be determined from the soldier's birth certificate.
    b.  Where a recruit on enlistment or re-enlistment into the Regular Army declares their age to be under the minimum age for adult service, their official age is to be determined from the particulars shown on their birth certificate and no account is to be taken of the age declared on any previous attestation.

[polpringle]

Thank you for all replies.
For Edna's marriage to Alexander the witnesses were relatives of Edna's. She always kept the name Truelove but I wondered why it also had Jones written.
Thank you for adding the link (I am not tech savvy in anyway)
Yes looked at Hodgson and was a dead end.
Damnit re the birth certificate for the army.
I think I'm chasing my tail, just every few years I try to find relatives on my paternal side that were fractured. With the help of this site I've managed to re unite my dad with 2 sisters that were adopted out, sadly I think his dad will remain a mystery 😔

[Gan Yam]

For Edna's marriage to Alexander the witnesses were relatives of Edna's. She always kept the name Truelove but I wondered why it also had Jones written.

It implies that at some point she was known as Jones.

[amondg]

Not much help.[ Amended]    Did he leave the family at some point?
 
Birmingham Weekly dated 25 April 1965
Listed under lost relatives
Alexander Malcolm Truelove, Seen in Birmingham the last two years thought to be working in the are.
Son enquires.

[amondg]

Alexander Malcolm Truelove died 15 July 1981 address 52 Tudor Street Cardiff
Probate was 25 September 1984.

Appears to be an Administration rather than a will. A copy would tell you who the administrator was.