Hello all, need a bit of help

Hi everyone, my name is Geoff, I’m on a bit of a quest as I guess many are on this site but I don’t know where to start. My father passed away just before Christmas this year at 83 and he never found out what happened to his dad William Glyn Rogers. My father was only 2 years of age when he had to leave Kilburn, London with his Mum in 1936 because of smog and came back to Swansea where he lived for most of his life. William Glyn Rogers is my Granddad, he never came back to Swansea, I never met him obviously but would love to find out what happened to him. Last know address around 1936 was 102 Iverson Rd, Kilburn, London. Even the slightest little bit of help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks - Geoff

 

Wow Owen, that was a quick reply, many thanks. My mum is still alive and I’ve just started on this mission to get to the bottom of it so I’m really hoping, and then hoping again. My father never found out what happened to his father so here’s hoping (again) - Thanks Geoff

 

Hi Geoff, this might be him passing in 1974. Was he born 1911?

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Have a look at findmypast to trace him on the 1939 Identification Register. If he was in the forces when the info was taken, he might not be on it.

Here are the British Army Casualties. These entries ranged from someone being hurt, taken POW etc etc.

findmypast.co.uk

Once you find his date of birth check Ancestry to see if there are any family trees there to contact.

If you do find date of birth, you could also apply to the MOD for any service records. £30 and a few weeks wait.

 

Thanks for the reply amberdog, I’ll try and find out his birth date today and post it but 1911 would sound about right. I’ll have a look at the link when I have more information as I didn’t have enough for it to look for me.

Thanks once again

Geoff

 

Hi Geoff, if you discover he went into the military or wish to apply regardless, here's a link Get a copy of military service records - GOV.UK

His date of birth should show up on the 1939 ID Register. Having said that my Gran lied about her year of birth for some reason and made herself 4 years younger! It's not always 100% accurate.

Always worth running the names through the online newspaper archives at findmypast, ancestry or britishnewspaper archive.

The National Archives should be searched also. You never know what might turn up there.
Discovery | The National Archives

 

Hi Geoff

Please provide all the details you can to help members search out the answers to your questions, any little bit of information may be the key

TD

 

Just to let you know I’m going to try and get his birth certificate this afternoon so will give as much info as possible -

Many thanks again

Geoff

 

These are the only Rogers on Iverson Road in 1939:

1939 REGISTER TRANSCRIPTION
156 Iverson Road, Hampstead, London
NAME DOB OCCUPATION
Robert H Rogers 09 Aug 1893 Carpenter (widowed)
Rose Rogers 20 Jun 1904 Drilling Machine Hand Precision Work (widowed)

 

Hi Geoff and welcome to the forum.
I see you are in very good hands already, but you really must get his records as mentioned from the MOD asap when you get the paperwork together.

Lesley

 

I thank you all for your help. Really heartening especially as my father passed away on Dec 8th last year. I’ve got the marriage certificate for my grandfather. I always thought his name was William Glyn Rogers but I’ve only just found out that it was William George Rogers, he was married to Betsy Dukes on March 16th 1919 and both their ages on marriage is 22. He was a bricklayer and his father is quoted as being Thomas Rogers who was a sailmaker. This all took place in the Parish of Cannock. Hope that helps a little! Many thanks - Geoff

 

PS I’m going to get his records from MOD as advised.

 

Marriage certificate shows residence at time of marriage March 16th 1919 Ruine Hill, Cannock, Stafford, Williams Rogers wife Betsy Dukes father’s name was Thomas Dukes and he was a miner.

 

Found Betsy Dukes original Birth Certificate and name clearly shows her as Betsy, I think she liked to be known as Betty. Her actual DOB is 15th December 1896 born in Cannock Stafford. Mothers name was fanny Dukes. Hope I’m making sense! It’s a quagmire I never dreamed of! Thanks Geoff

 

Three potentials on the '39 register, that's if he stuck around London. Any idea where William was born?

findmypast.co.uk

Just had a thought about his estimated year of birth 1897. He may have been to old for WW2 service, but WW1 perhaps. Home Guard may have been a WW2 option. WW1 records that survived can be found at Ancestry. Two thirds were lost in a fire. Home Guard requests are through a different link if I remember.

You might have to try find him living with father Thomas on the 1901 & 1911 Census if you don't know the area he was born in to narrow the birth search.

 

My mum is going to try and find out from relatives in Birmingham later, my father had a lot of family in the Walsall area so my guess would be in that area, not much to go on I’m sorry but I will report back later, once again, many thanks - Geoff

 

Sorry if I’m sending you guys on wild goose chases due to my inaccuracy but rest assured I am trying my best to give you correct information it’s just I’m leaning as I go here! Geoff

 

Geoff

Its one reason I am waiting to see what other info you come up with before chasing off after your relatives

TD

 

Geoff

We may need to see a scan of the marriage cert you have for William and Betsy

On Ancestry searching for Betsy Dukes marriage 1919 the result is:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005
Name: Betsy Dukes
Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1919
Registration district: Cannock
Inferred County: Staffordshire
Spouse: William Stacey
Volume Number: 6b
Page Number: 732

TD

 

Lol, I understand. Do you want me to put a scan up on the forum or email direct?