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Hi all,
Just an update. A friend of mine sent me this information:

"In 1910 Imperial uniform was in transition. Some regts/corps wore elaborate dress uniforms, some only had a service dress with additional details. As far as I am aware most army units wore a variety of traditional headgears, stable caps, or helmets, but none had white top caps. The only people to wear white top caps and white shoes would be the navy. The outer jacket is in the right pattern for 1910 service type dress, which would be kahki. Naval personnel (esp petty officers and officers) on postings such as the med and far east often had service pattern uniform items made locally in material other than standard issue. Also gear for work duties might be canvas coats and overalls of a khaki material.

So if he is in the services and photographed in 1910 I would say this is a petty officer in a fleet auxiliary or other non line vessel, possibly serving in the mediteranean."

However, I've checked the National Archives and there's no record of him anywhere. Does anyone else know other avenues I could search to find out any information on who he could have served with or where? I'm beginning to think he just borrowed a uniform from a friend to make himself look good for the photo!

Thanks,
Helen

Thanks for all the hints from everyone. I'm pretty sure he must be a labourer though as all my family seem to have been fairly peasant - mostly agricultural labourers or working on the railways. I'll look into the hints from Gadget and see where they take me!

Thanks everyone!
Hx

Dear All,

I'm utterly flummoxed trying to find William George Watson who, according to the censuses was born c.1832 in either Wanborough, Wiltshire or Longbourghtown (Longborough?).

Other info I have is:

His father was Joseph Watson (a labourer)
He married Lydia Ballcomb in Clapham in 1866 (I have the certificate)
He lived in Bletchingly, Surrey in 1871 and 1881 and died there in 1891 acc. to censuses and GRO.

BUT! He doesn't seem to exist before 1866 - I can't find him or his father in the 1841-1861 censuses and I can't find his birth anywhere. It doesn't help that he sometimes goes under "William" and sometimes under "George" and has a very common surname (there's also another Wm Watson in Bletchingly which isn't him!)

I've searched the IGI records and looked in various places but he is impossible to find in the 3 censuses and his birth is too early for GRO...

If anyone can help I'd be extremely grateful as this has been driving me mad!
Many thanks,
Helen

Dear All,

I also have a question about publicans. My great grandfather (Frank Lewis Goodchild) is listed in the 1901 census as being the publican of the Wheelwright's Arms in Hurst, Berkshire.  Does anyone have any advice on what sort of records and where I could look for more detail on this?

Many thanks,
Helen

Dear Carole,

Thank you so much! I've just signed up for Ancestry so I can look up the censuses now so I will start with those! I'll definitely apply for the marriage certificate.

Thank you ever so much for your help,
Best wishes,
Helen