1911 census

[Kerrill]

Just got the will and it tells a sad story, seems like you reckoned correct, she was pregnant and he called to the house before going off to be slaughtered, but he could only speak to her mother who he informed all his belongings would be left to her as he was the reason for her condition 

[Tickettyboo]

Intrigued ( but saddened by the tale)

Was there a date on the will , Kerrill?

The possible birth/ death/burial records found were in 1913, and he was killed in Nov 1914 which is just over a year after the baby, Maria, died.


Boo

[Kerrill]

Could I paste the letter on here or is that not allowed?

[Tickettyboo]

Could I paste the letter on here or is that not allowed?

I am never sure about what is copyright and what isn't. 
If its not too long (and you have time)  you could transcribe it and that should be ok. Though if you don't have time then don't worry, I don't want to put you to any great bother just to satisfy my being nosey :-) I am just pleased that you have found more info on your family.

Boo

[Kerrill]

The two letters which are in his will seems to imply that she was expecting in august 1914 so I should imagine the birth would be 1914 or very early 1915. One letter is from her mother and the other is from someone called Mrs Ann Clarkson who I'm guessing was her employer.

[Tickettyboo]

Depending on how far her pregnancy was along, if she was pregnant in August 1914, then the baby would have been registered between Q3 1914 and, as you were allowed 6 weeks to register a birth, up to Q3 1915.

Within that period (anywhere in England & Wales)I can only see one possible male birth where the baby was registered and no MMN recorded (as she was likely to be single)
1915 Q2  Blackburn District William Edward Walmsley - mmn blank
and, using the same criteria,   possible female births
1915 Q3 Blackburn District, Annie Walmsley - mmn blank
1915 Q1 Kensington District, Renie Margaret Ogle Walmsley - mmn blank
Q1 1915 Chester le Street District,  Sarah Walmsley - mmn blank

Given the districts, none of these look likely, as Margaret's address on the pension index card was still that of her parents' in Preston, and there is no indication that she was claiming upkeep for a child.

Possible scenarios (pure conjecture)
1 She had a miscarriage  and lost the baby before it was full term.
2 She wasn't pregnant at that time (Aug 1914), but Matthew had been stationed abroad and this was the first time he'd had the opportunity to go to see her and make amends for the child he'd fathered who had died soon after birth in 1913. (if that little Maria 'was' Margaret's which looks quite possible).

This may be one of those things we will never know.

Boo