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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: greenshed on Tuesday 15 October 13 08:02 BST (UK)

Title: Charles John Alexander and Family
Post by: greenshed on Tuesday 15 October 13 08:02 BST (UK)

I have a great uncle who was part of the Essex Regiment, named Charles John Alexander born 1891. His rank was private, number 40971, 11th battalion, D Company, and died in France 1 June 1918 of wounds. He was married to Florence M Alexander, and lived at 8 Adrian Road, Watford.

His sister was my grandmother.
 
I know he was buried in France but I have not been able to locate any of his army records or the reason for his death. He is listed on the Abbots Langley War Memorial and is in fact the first name on the list for the 1914-18 section, according to that website. Findmypast has only records of his death and burial at the Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, Nord, France but no other details

He was originally in the Royal Field Artillery as number 1919 before being transferred to the Northamptonshire Regiment as number 26797. I do not know his dates of transfer, but I suspect he came into the Essex Regiment in late 1917 or early 1918.

I have not been able to locate details of the full maiden name of his wife, whether they had any children and what happened to her after his death.

I would also appreciate any help with finding details of his army records with the RFA, when he joined, and the Northamptonshire Regiment and why he may have transferred to the Essex Regiment. He was originally in the Royal Field Artillery as number 1919 before being transferred to the Northamptonshire Regiment as number 26797. I do not know his dates of transfer.

Thanks
Ian

Title: Re: Charles John Alexander and Family
Post by: KGarrad on Tuesday 15 October 13 08:09 BST (UK)

WW1 records were mostly (66%?) destroyed in a WW2 bombing raid! :(

But this looks like the marriage (from FreeBMD)

September qtr 1916
Watford district    vol 3a, page 1555

Alexander, Charles J
Thatcher, Florence M

Title: Re: Charles John Alexander and Family
Post by: greenshed on Tuesday 15 October 13 08:22 BST (UK)

Thanks.

I have just looked on the same site and found that info. Also that Florence Matilda Thatcher was born in the Dec quarter 1893.

Some progress, but no sight of any children in the next two years on FreeBMD.

Cheers
Ian

Title: Re: Charles John Alexander and Family
Post by: CaroleW on Wednesday 16 October 13 16:33 BST (UK)

Florence M Alexander married in Watford Herts in September qtr 1946 to William C Parcell

Florence Matilda Parcell b 10.12.1893 died May 1986 Wakefield Yorkshire

William Charles Parcell b 22.10.1886 died December qtr 1977 Watford Herts

Births December qtr 1886
William Charles Parcell     Edmonton  3a 407

Title: Re: Charles John Alexander and Family
Post by: greenshed on Wednesday 16 October 13 19:12 BST (UK)

Thank you, CaroleW. This comes as a surprise.

This suggests Florence M Alexander was a widow from June 1918 to September 1946 when she remarried William. Does the Edmonton 3a 407 list suggest he was a Canadian?

I wonder why Florence moved up to Yorkshire presumably after William's death.

More questions.

Cheers
Ian

Title: Re: Charles John Alexander and Family
Post by: CaroleW on Wednesday 16 October 13 19:26 BST (UK)

Hi

Quote

Does the Edmonton 3a 407 list suggest he was a Canadian?

Not Edmonton in Canada - he was English and his birth reg was found on freebmd
www.freebmd.org.uk

Quote

The district Edmonton spans the boundaries of the counties of Essex, Hertfordshire and Middlesex

Given he was older than Florence - it's quite likely he was a widower or possibly divorcee

EDIT - no obvious marriage for him  1911-1930