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No help finding William James POWELL in other records, however just an observation - he is 11 years older than Edna Joan HOLT on their 1948 marriage certificate, so perhaps he fudged his age at marriage to lessen the age difference between them. (Certificate is on a Public Member Story on Ancestry). Their address is 7 Morna Rd, however they are not there in 1939.

I also note that Edna Joan HOLT's father was an Engineer Fitter at "Thomas Bradford's Laundry Engineers" on the 1921 census. Perhaps William James POWELL also worked there?

The Eliza POWELL who arrived from Durban in 1907 was 36 and her son was 10. Does this fit with what you know of the family?

Do you have the family in the 1911 or 1921 census?

Thanks Sue, yes it was quite common to see thank you letters like this. One of my ancestors was a ship's doctor in this era, and it is lovely to read the letters written to him. 

elliot - I'm not sure what process Ancestry uses in compiling their Australian Birth Index, but obviously an error has occurred in transcribing the Victorian Births Deaths and Marriages Index, which is itself merely a transcription. Whilst Ancestry may give useful hints, it is always best to look for the original documents. Here in Australia we are fortunate to have free access to the different States' indexes, though information available differs fro State to State. A useful guide to what can be found on certificates:
https://www.jaunay.com/bdm.html

Was just going to post same.  "Attorney Mr. Clark, Southampton Buildings"
Monday,  Aug. 7, 1815
Publication: Leeds Intelligencer

Not much help, I can see the Post Office London Directory for 1820 - at 35 Southampton Buildings there is a J.T. NIXON "Messenger of Bankrupts".