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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: LornaJane on Thursday 22 June 17 08:42 BST (UK)

Title: John James Edwards - guard at Fort William, India. Is he British?
Post by: LornaJane on Thursday 22 June 17 08:42 BST (UK)
Dear Researchers,
I am stuck! I am searching for John James Edwards. What I know so far...
- John was born in 1881 (don't know where)
- He married Angelina Mary Anne Roberts 24 April 1907 in Jhansi, India. His recorded occupation was 'Guard'. Possibly at Fort William.
- His first child was Arthur John Edwards who was born at Fort William, Bengal in 1909.
- John and Angelina had three further children. Another boy and two girls (all born in India).
- John had four brothers (names unknown). Three of his brothers died in the Boer War. 
- John's father was Charles.

What I am trying to establish:
- Where he was born
- His mother
- Where he died and when

Any help would be most appreciated. I am guessing that the missing records may be from India or the Military; however, I cannot find it via my Ancestry membership.

Thank you,
Lorna
Title: Re: John James Edwards - guard at Fort William, India. Is he British?
Post by: Jebber on Thursday 22 June 17 08:54 BST (UK)
There is something wrong with his birth date, somone marrying and having children 1907  and 1909 would  not have been born in 1818.
Title: Re: John James Edwards - guard at Fort William, India. Is he British?
Post by: LornaJane on Thursday 22 June 17 08:57 BST (UK)
Sorry, yes you are right. He was born in 1881 according to my late grandmother.
Title: Re: John James Edwards - guard at Fort William, India. Is he British?
Post by: hanes teulu on Thursday 22 June 17 09:00 BST (UK)
Year of birth is 1881 (not 1818!) - age on marriage cert given as 26.

Occupation looks like "Guard G I P Ry?"
Occupation on Arthur's birth reg is "Warden" and Abode of Parents "Presidency Jail"
Title: Re: John James Edwards - guard at Fort William, India. Is he British?
Post by: Jebber on Thursday 22 June 17 09:15 BST (UK)
Not having much luck at the moment, only the death of Arthur John of Infantile Jaundice age 8 days. 15 October 1909.

Unfortunately I have to go out shortly, so cannot look further, hopefully someone will come up with some help before I am able to check back.
Title: Re: John James Edwards - guard at Fort William, India. Is he British?
Post by: LornaJane on Thursday 22 June 17 11:08 BST (UK)
Thank you, Jebber. It is certainly proving to be a tricky search for me! Thank you for your help.
Title: Re: John James Edwards - guard at Fort William, India. Is he British?
Post by: Regorian on Thursday 22 June 17 11:26 BST (UK)
GIP Ry was/is Bombay/Mumbai. Victoria Railway Terminus, more like a palace. I presume he was a railway guard.
Title: Re: John James Edwards - guard at Fort William, India. Is he British?
Post by: LornaJane on Thursday 22 June 17 13:49 BST (UK)
Thank you, Regorian. This is new information that I am most grateful for.
Lorna
Title: Re: John James Edwards - guard at Fort William, India. Is he British?
Post by: hanes teulu on Thursday 22 June 17 18:03 BST (UK)
What's the source of your info. that John had 4 brothers, three of whom died in the Boer War?

What doesn't help, unfortunately, is that Indian marriage registrations don't record father's occupation/profession - name only.
Title: Re: John James Edwards - guard at Fort William, India. Is he British?
Post by: hanes teulu on Thursday 22 June 17 18:55 BST (UK)
On Ellen Elizabeth Winifred Edwards' baptism, 10 Oct 1910, John is a "Warder, Presidency jail"

On James Oswald Edwards' baptism, Sep 16 1912, abode Jhansi, John is a "Guard G I P Ry"
Title: Re: John James Edwards - guard at Fort William, India. Is he British?
Post by: hanes teulu on Friday 23 June 17 08:23 BST (UK)
"G I P Ry" - Great IndiaN Peninsula Railway

http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/findhelpregion/asia/india/indiaofficerecordsfamilyhistory/occupations/railwayemployment/railway.html

see "OTHER RAILWAY COMPANIES"
Title: Re: John James Edwards - guard at Fort William, India. Is he British?
Post by: hanes teulu on Friday 23 June 17 09:02 BST (UK)
The National Archives entry (docs. held at the British Library) has a bit more detail (eg "88 volumes"!)

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/3c34ea83-35f5-43fb-9ddf-65c1c7444819
Title: Re: John James Edwards - guard at Fort William, India. Is he British?
Post by: LornaJane on Saturday 24 June 17 20:11 BST (UK)
Hello hanes teulu,

Thank you for asking. The source comes from my late grandmother. Regrettably, when I wrote it down about ten years ago, I never asked anything more.

Thank you too for the National Archives links - I was not aware that you could search those records so freely online.

Lorna