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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Monmouthshire => Wales => Monmouthshire Lookup Requests => Topic started by: cromwell on Monday 30 May 11 07:59 BST (UK)

Title: William John Ranger
Post by: cromwell on Monday 30 May 11 07:59 BST (UK)
Looking for any info on William Ranger Born Cardiff 1881, Great War.. Welsh Regiment. Battalion Boxer, is he on any census record ?
Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: kmart66 on Monday 30 May 11 09:16 BST (UK)
Hi

Just been looking at WW1 medals index card for William John Ranger 5233. Shows him as:

Welsh Regiment - Sergeant
A Gym Staff - Staff Sergeant
Somerset Light Infantry (att'd specialist) - Captain

(gym staff could be the boxing connection)

Addresses given

15 Widcombe Parade, Bath, Somerset (deleted then updated with the following)

Officer in charge, 64 Group Settlement, Busselton, Western Australia

If this is your W J Ranger, then he is on a memorial plaque at.
www.publicartaroundtheworld.com/Group_Settlement_64_Memorial.html



Kevin
Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: kmart66 on Monday 30 May 11 09:40 BST (UK)
Hi

William John Ranger m Victoria Olive Cheesley Q3 Newport, Monmouthshire
William John Ranger d 1935 Fremantle, Western Australia

Kevin
Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: cromwell on Monday 30 May 11 10:18 BST (UK)
Kevin, Thats great info and a step nearer to returning photo's of W.J.Ranger to the family...................I have a pic of him in his Gym Staff uniform, Welsh Regt. boxing photo's and with the Welsh at the Roodee Chester  but all efforts to trace him or his family in the country have failed on census records. Thanks again
Graham
Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: Ladyhawk on Monday 30 May 11 10:26 BST (UK)
This is the only William born around 1882 Cardiff that I can find on the census but surname is STRANGE  ???

Obtaining details from his marriage certificate would give you his father's name

1891 RG12 Piece:4377 Folio:36 Page:27     
3, Private House, Argyll Street, St Woollos, Newport

Abner STRANGE 1856 Signal fitter Aston Tirrold Berkshire
Margaret 1858 Chepstow Monmouth
WILLIAM 1882 Cardiff Glamorgan
Flevy (Florence) 1885 Cardiff
Kate 188 Newport
Frederick brother 1858 Stricker Aston Tirrold

1901 RG13 Piece:4960 Folio:116 Page:29     
STRANGE family living 22 Rigsley Street Newport, two extra children
Abner F 1895 Newport Monmouth
Margaret A 1899 Newport
Father Abner Railway Engine Fireman son William (1882) Clerk in Railway Office

Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: cromwell on Monday 30 May 11 17:52 BST (UK)
Thanks Ladyhawk,
Seems no on knows where he was born only in Wales, Cardiff it seems was hearsay ...........but on the right track in Australia
Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: Ladyhawk on Tuesday 31 May 11 14:57 BST (UK)
Is this the same William, perhaps you have seen this?

William John Ranger b. 1881 or 1878 (can't find birth) in Cardiff, Wales. father:William Ranger mother: Bessie Ring (on his marriage cert.)

http://genforum.genealogy.com/ranger/messages/39.html

we could be looking for William on the censuses with  parents named
William & Bessie it’s a shame there's no occupation for William Snr.

Can't see a marriage for
William RANGER / Bessie (ELizabeth) RING
Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: kmart66 on Tuesday 31 May 11 16:34 BST (UK)
Hi Graham

I know your first posting was for the return of the photos, but it has intrigued me as to his birth. This is a suggestion with Bessie Ring as his mother.

1861 census Taunton, Somerset .Bessy Ring 16 b Devizes, she has an elder sister called Mary Ring on 1851 census.

1877 Q3 Bristol, Bessy Ring m William John Cox

1879 Q2 Bristol, Bessie Louisa Cox

1881 census Cardiff
Bessie Cox 32 Head Married Tailoress Devizes
Bessie L Cox 2 Daug Bristol

1882 Q4 Cardiff, William John Cox

1891 census Bristol
Bessie Cox 41 Head Widow Tailoress Devizes
William Cox 9 Son Cardiff

1891 census Christchurh Monmouthshire
Edward Tilling Head
Mary Tilling Wife
Bessie L Cox Neice Bristol

1866 Q1 Bristol Mary Ring m Edward Tilling

I think that his mother may have married again to a Ranger (can't find it) and William adopted his name, other than that i can't find any connections.

Kevin
Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: cromwell on Tuesday 14 June 11 14:31 BST (UK)
Just thought you might like an update on William John Ranger
Got in touch with the family through Genes Reunited and am now in touch with his Grandchildren
William John Cox was his father and Bessie Louisa Ring was his mother
He changed his name to Ranger after going to live with his uncle and aunt
he joined the Welsh Regiment at the age of 15
So you were right Kevin
Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: kmart66 on Saturday 18 June 11 10:36 BST (UK)
Thanks for the update.

Kevin
Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: Lynn007 on Saturday 07 July 12 15:34 BST (UK)
Hi,
Just been reading the messages about my Grandfather, William John Ranger b.1881, and wondering if the photo's were originals or the one's I sent via the internet a few years ago?
My brother and myself live in Australia, he is named after his Grandfather and is also William John Ranger and I am Cheryl Fletcher nee' Ranger, could you please let me know who the photos were given to, thanks.
Cheryl
Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: cromwell on Monday 20 May 13 22:16 BST (UK)
Cheryl
I have you in my address book send me a PM
And I have been sent a photo of all his medals from a relative in OZ

Crossed wires is the term
Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: Ladyhawk on Wednesday 22 May 13 13:33 BST (UK)
Cheryl
I have you in my address book send me a PM

And I have been sent a photo of all his medals from a relative in OZ

Crossed wires is the term

Lynn007 has not been back to Rootschat since Sept. 2012 hopefully she'll receive notification of these messages if she's still active.

New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility. Please note: If you are sending PMs to new members who have less than three posts you will receive an error message........ see link for full details http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php
Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: cromwell on Wednesday 22 May 13 14:07 BST (UK)
Cheryl last year whilst writing a book I corresponded with a gentleman who also sent me a few photographs of J.W.Ranger's Boxing and other medals but since then I have changed my internet address which started with gkbg16536xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx in my address book I have a Cheryl Fletcher and a internet address but address has very likely been changed and contact is lost
I do remember John William Ranger was on of the First to settle in a part of Australia after the Great War with the help of a government grant and his name was also put on a plaque or carved in stone
Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: cromwell on Wednesday 22 May 13 15:18 BST (UK)
William John Ranger
1897 - 18 May Posted to the Depot
   1897 - 26 July Posted to the 1st Battalion
1897 - 9 Oct. - Awarded 3rd Class Army Certificate of Education
   1898 - 9 Nov. Shipped to India
   1899 - 9 Nov. Posted to the 2nd Battalion
1900 - 12 Oct. - Awarded 2nd Class Army Certificate of Education.
Undated (1900 ?)(Medallion) Pte. W. Ranger, Welsh Rgt.: BAYONET vs BAYONET  Royal Military Tournament - ?
   1901 - 26 Sep. Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal.
1901 - (Medallion) L.Corporal W. Ranger, Welsh Regt.: BAYONET vs SWORD - Poona
1901 - (Medallion) L.Corporal W.Ranger, Welsh Regt.: BAYONET vs BAYONET - Poona
   1902 - 7 Feb - Awarded 1st Class Certificate of Gymnastics
   1902 - 12 May - Appointed paid Lance Corporal.
   1904 - 20 July - Promoted to Corporal.
1904 - (Medallion) Cpl. W. Ranger, Welsh Regt.: BEST MAN AT ARMS  Royal Military Tournament - Quetta
   1906 - 2 June - Appointed paid Lance Sergeant.   
1906 - (Medallion) Sgt. W. Ranger: BAYONET vs BAYONET - Quetta
1906 - (Medallion) Sgt. W. Ranger: BAYONET vs SWORD - Quetta
1906 - (Medallion) Sgt. W. Ranger: BEST MAN AT ARMS  Royal Naval and Military Tournament - Quetta
1906 - (Medallion) Sgt. W. Ranger: RANGER - HALL FIGHT - Belgaum (Presented by Sergeants, 1st Leics. Regt.)
1906 (Small cup) S.Sgt. W. Ranger: MIDDLE-WEIGHT (boxing) India
1906 (Large cup) S.Sgt. W. Ranger, Welsh Regt.: MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF INDIA
1906 - 5 Oct. - 2nd Battalion Welsh Regt. transferred from Quetta, India to South Africa.
190? - (Medallion) Sgt. W. Ranger,Welsh Regt.: BAYONET vs LANCE - Umballa
1906 - (Gold Medallion) Sgt. W. Ranger: BEST MAN AT ARMS  Bloemfontein S.D. Military Tournament (Presented by General R.B. Allason)
   1907 - 19 Mar. - Promoted to Sergeant
1908 - 2 velvet Rugby Caps - one with Welsh Regt. insignia, the other marked  “O.R.C. 1908”
1910 - 21 March - 2nd Battalion Welsh Regt. returns to the UK.
1911 - 30 April - Awarded 1st Class Physical Training Certificate.
1911 - Photograph shows the 2nd Battalion on “The Roodee” in Chester. Thought to be on R & R from strike duty in Pembroke Dock, Wales. (Wife, Olive Victoria was born in Pembroke Dock. They could have met there.   1912 - 1 Feb. - Awarded 1st Class Army Certificate of Education.
1912 - (Medallion) Sgt. W. Ranger, Welsh Regt.: SWORD vs SWORD, Western Command Tournament - No location given - probably UK.
   1912 - 6 Dec. - Qualified as Instructor in Physical Training.
   1913 - Based at Maindy Barracks, Newport, north of Cardiff
1913 - 28 April - Appointed Sergeant Instructor, Army Gymnastic Staff, Naas, Ireland.
1913 - 14 May - First child, Sylvia Victoria Mabel born -given up for adoption - further history unknown.
1913 - 8 August - Married at St Matthew’s parish church, Newport, Monmouthshire.
1914 - 11 February - Appointed to the Indian Unattached List and shipped to India.
1915 - 6 February - Second child, William Charles Walter, born in Poona. (From Register of Baptism)
1915 - 14 June - Discharged, having been appointed to a commission.
1915 - 15 June - Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant, Somerset Light Infantry.
   1915 - 15 June - Posted to the 2nd Battalion.
   Unrecorded Date - Posted to 1st Battalion   
   1917 - 1 July - Promoted to Lieutenant.
   1917 - 11 Nov. - Third child, Mabel Victoria, born.
   1917 - 5 Dec. - Appointed temporary Captain.
1918 Serving as Commandant, School of Physical and Bayonet  Training, Poona, India. (Source: Army List 1918)
   1919 - 6 May - Afghanistan Campaign till 30 Sept. 1919
1919 - 30 Sept. - Returned to UK. (1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry posted to Hollywood Barracks, Belfast, Ireland 27 Sept. 1919 - Nov. 1923)
1920 Listed as Lieutenant, Somerset Light Infantry in Army List 1920.
1920 - (Medallion) Lieut. W. Ranger, 1st Som. L.I.: WINNER, OFFICERS MIDDLEWEIGHT  Irish Command Boxing Tournament - ?
1920 - (Medallion) WINNING TEAM  Irish Command Boxing Tournament
1921 - 12 March - Retired and granted honorary rank of Captain.  Living in Bristol.

RANKS HELD:   Welsh Regiment
   Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant.
   Somerset Light Infantry
    Lieutenant, Captain    

MEDALS:   
Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
   1914-1915 Star
   British War Medal
   Victory Medal

Civillian History:   
1921 - 1923 - Lived in Bristol (41 Witchell Road, Redfield, BRISTOL) before moving to Bath (15 Widcombe Parade, BATH) where he ran a fish & chip or grocers shop before coming to WA.1923 - 23 June - Arrives as immigrant to Western Australia on the ship “Diogenes” from London, 3rd class., via Albany.
1924 - 7 March Wife, Olive Victoria and children, William Charles Walter and Mabel Victoria arrive in Western Australia.
1924 - WA Group Land Settlement Scheme - Busselton District Office. Post Office records show location as “Group 64, Rail to Margaret River and thence 15 mile by motor” . Postal Address: Margaret River (West side of Margaret Road) Local Identification: Arumvale
   1928 Living at 100 Queen Victoria St. Fremantle.
   1928 Fourth child, Leslie Bernard, born.
   1930 - 27 March - Fifth child, Freda Kathleen Margaret, born.
   1933 - 16 March - Sixth child, Jacqueline, born.
   1934 - 27 November - Sixth child, Jacqueline, dies.
   1935 Address recorded as 36 Barnett Street Fremantle
   1935 - 1 October - Dies of heart failure in Fremantle Hospital         
1935 - 3 October - Buried in Fremantle Cemetery at 4.00 pm. (Prosser Scott) Aged 54 years.

Title: Re: William John Ranger
Post by: J0hnnyW1nter on Sunday 09 July 17 21:57 BST (UK)
Hi,
My father has recollection of a William John Ranger who was once a Boxer, have you a photo of him?
CJ