Dead end, brick wall, last ditch attempt

[cb1964]

Hi Rootschatters

I have posted a few requests on various regional, county and military boards on here in an attempt to find information on my grandfather. This is my last attempt and I will post all I know.

My grandfather, William James Selwood was born, I believe on 29 April 1887. This date was obtained from his railway pension records. He joined the Gloucestershire Regiment, again I believe between August and December 1906. This date was deduced from his regimental number which was 8279. By May 1914 he had left the army and was working for the Great Western Railway at Holt Junction, Wiltshire. At the outbreak of the Great War he was called back into the army as a reservist. His medal card indicates he went to war with the Gloucestershire Regiment on 13 August 1914. He was awarded the Victory, British and 1914 Star medals. He served as a Private with the 'Glosters' and was then transferred to the Suffolk Regiment where he served as a Corporal with a new regimental number, which was 25378. At the end of the war he was transferred back to the reserves. On 14 September 1918 he married Violet Lily Sharpe at Horfield Parish Church in Bristol. His age is shown as 29, which means he was born c.1889. He is shown as being on active service as a Corporal in the Suffolk Regiment. His father's details are shown as being: William James Selwood (deceased), Petty Officer R.N. My grandfather re-joined the railway after he left the army and worked until he retired and was pensioned on 3 May 1952. His death certificate shows he died on 18 December 1959, aged 72, which means he was born c.1887.

I have tried to locate him on the 1891 & 1901 censuses, without success. I have also tried to find his birth registration using the GRO index and on FreeBMD, again without success. His army records, which I hoped would show next of kin and an address are not held at the Army Personnel Centre and I have not been able to locate them at Kew, which leaves to to think his were one of those destroyed in the Second World War. Having spoken to a railway pensions expert, he would have had to produce proof of his age to claim his pension. I have also tried to find his father's naval records, yet again without success.

I really am at a loss with this one and would appreciate any help at all.  So , over to you lot 

Regards

CB1964

[claireandsi]

Piece: RG12/770 Place: Eastbourne -Sussex Enumeration District: 4
Civil Parish: Willingdon Ecclesiastical Parish: Willingdon
Folio: 56 Page: 6 Schedule: 37
Address: Station House
     
                      SELLWOOD   Stephen W H   Head   M   M   30   Railway Stationmaster (Em'ee)   Surrey - Clapham       
                      SELLWOOD   Emma J            Wife   M   F   32       Sussex - East Dean       
                      SELLWOOD   Herbert W G    Son   -   M   6       Sussex - Brighton       
                      SELLWOOD   Olive C            Dau   -   F   5       Sussex - Brighton       
                      SELLWOOD   Frank E           Son   -   M   6m       Sussex - Willingdon       
 Page: 57/7   SELLWOOD   Rose A            Niece   -   F   6       Kent - Greenwich       
                      SELLWOOD   William J         Nephew   -   M   5       Kent - Greenwich       
                      PIPER   Thomas                   Lodger   S   M   18   Railway Porter (Em'ee)    Sussex - Hailsham


I found this in the 1891 Census, William J Sellwood born Greenwich living with his uncle and aunt.  Struck because of Greenwich and the Royal Navy connection of his father.  Is it a possible?

[aghadowey]

The above entry already found on one of the other threads about William James Selwood:
www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,316232.15.html

[avm228]

               
 Page: 57/7   SELLWOOD   Rose A            Niece   -   F   6       Kent - Greenwich       
                 

Birth:

Rose Alice SELLWOOD Dec 1884 Greenwich 1d 1089


Anna

[cb1964]

Hi all

In my first post I only recorded the facts. His children, my mother and my uncle believe he lived in Gloucester at some point, hence why he joined the Gloucestershire Regiment. I suppose he could nave come from as far afield as Greenwich, but unfortunately it doesn't fit the facts or rumour.

It's just odd that his birth certificate or his father's naval records don't exist. I would have hoped to have found both of them on one of the census returns.

Thanks anyway.

Regards

CB1964

[CatOne]

William John Sel_lwood March 1886 Greenwich 1d Page 1119?

Looks like Sellwood, but unsure of page number, they've transcribed it as 11 4 9

[cb1964]

Hi Cat

Well I think you've confirmed the Greenwich William is not mine. He was definitely William James. Apparently his wife used to call him Jimmy!

Regards

CB1964

[cb1964]

Apologies, duplicate message.

[JeanneW]

Hi
I have just joined this site this evening to try and get more info on various aspects of my family.
I have a William Henry Selwood in my tree, born 1887 in Gloucestershire.
His parents were not those you mention, 'my' William was illegitimate and his mother was Sarah Jane Selwood (b. abt 1868 Hillesley, Hawkesbury, Gloucestershire).
Are you 100% sure you now have the correct William Selwood? If not, perhaps this one may be who you are looking for?