Allingham and Morton

[chappers]

Hello
I would appreciate any information about my great great uncle Robert  Allingham, born 1869 (in Sligo).  He joined the Royal Irish Rifles.  By 1911 he was a widower and living in Belfast.  He had four children and worked as a commissionaire.  Does anyone know what this job would entail?  He married his second wife Margaret Morton in 1915; I believe she was from Salford, Lancashire.
Thanks for any help
Carol

[aghadowey]

Here's a link to Robert Allingham in 1911 Census-
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Dock_Ward/Strathaden/138602/
Occupation listed as "Royal Irish Rifles. (Commissioners)" but not sure what that means- might be a query Armed Forces board can help with.
Children's birthplaces might also help pin down his movements.
1901 census is due to be added to National Archives website mid-2010 and since youngest child (age 11) gives birthplace as Belfast City Robert should be there in 1901.

[chappers]

Hello Aghadowey

Thank you for your helpful reply.  Will keep looking for any information.
Carol

[sodabread]

Hello
I would appreciate any information about my great great uncle Robert  Allingham, born 1869 (in Sligo).  He joined the Royal Irish Rifles.  By 1911 he was a widower and living in Belfast.  He had four children and worked as a commissionaire.  Does anyone know what this job would entail?  He married his second wife Margaret Morton in 1915; I believe she was from Salford, Lancashire.
Thanks for any help
Carol

Hi Carol, Robert Allingham is my grandfather did you get all the information you need?

[Elwyn Soutter]

  He had ...worked as a commissionaire.  Does anyone know what this job would entail? 

A commissionaire was an early sort of security guard. They had rather splendid uniforms and were usually ex-service personnel. See:
http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?storycode=4122575

[chappers]

Hello Sodabread

I was pleased to receive your message.  I have found out a certain amount of information about Robert Allingham.  He was born in Co. Sligo in 1869 and his sister Susan Withers nee Allingham was my great grandmother.  I think Robert died in about 1938 in Belfast.  I discovered he had been in the Royal Irish Rifles from information given on the censuses and also know he had been married twice.  I am interested to know where Robert may have served whilst in the Royal Irish Rifles and wonder if you would have any information about this.   I believe one of his sons was born in South Africa in about 1898.  I was also wondering if you would have a photo of Robert you would be willing to share.

Thank you for contacting me, it's great to know I have a distant cousin who is an Allingham descendant

Regards, Carol

[chappers]

Hello Elwyn Soutter

Many thanks for your message about the Corps of Commissionaires and the helpful link to the article which makes very interesting reading.

Regards
Carol

[MaggieTag]

Hi Carol,

This is the family in 1901

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Dock_Ward/Churchill_Street/935473/

The birth place given for the children gives a little insight into his travels.

Margaret

[MaggieTag]

Hi Carol

Details of Robert and Margarets marriage:

22/02/1915  at ST ANNE'S Church of Ireland
ROBERT ALLINGHAM of 60 NORTH HOWARD ST.  Age 46 - a Widower
Occupation CORPS OF COMISSIONARES
Church of Ireland
Father WILLIAM ALLINGHAM a GARDENER
Witness EDWARD SANDS
   
Wife MARGARET HANNA MORTON, Spinster, of 30 RICHMOND ST. Age 23
Church of Ireland       
Wifes Father EDWARD MORTON
Wife Witness  MARY CAMPBELL

Margaret