Re mystery Grandfather

[suehogben]

Hello,

I'm trying to get any info that I can on my grandfather Harry Powis, which as  a family we know very little about.

We know he was in the AIF, and returned to Australia 1920(we assume) Melbourne, he was listed as sailing on the Kingoma, but on the ? list, where it has date of return, there is no date, so maybe he didn't sail after all at that time?


He'd met and married my Grandmother Nellie Sowley (married name Furby) while back here in Weymouth, in the UK on leaves after being shot while in fighting Fromelle, they went on to have 2 more children ( they had an affair, and she already had a child by her first husband, Furby,  so he sued them for a divorce)

I only have my Grandfathers war records to go on so far, he was 996 in the AIF, first of the 8th Batt, then briefly the 60th, then finished his time in the 59th Batt.

He was  born England, Hackney(so he says) but as of yet have been unable to find him, or his family in any census!He was also a clerk. There is one Harry Powis born around that time, but he's not the right one, and he died 2 years


At the moment I'm trying to trace Harry after he returned to Australia in 1920, he  married while back in England, and also had a family, but due to complicated circumstances, they never returned to Australia with him, and all contact was lost, my mother and her siblings grew up thinking he's died in the war.

I first find him in 1924 .

I've found my Harry in 1925 at 16 Laburnham St Melbourne living with Arthur and Issabelle Irwin (Arthur was also born in Hackney, and joined about the same time as Harry, so presumably they knew each other?)
1926 Arthur and Harry are still at no 16, but no Isabbelle
1927 Arthur and Henry are still at no 16, but Isabelle is at no 27
1928 Arthur is at 16 still, Harry and Isabelle are at no 27?
1931 Arthur is at no 16, Harry and Isabelle no 27!

I haven't found Harry again until 1935, where he's living now at 408 william street, and is there in 1936, haven't looked for Isabelle yet.

1937 Harry's moved to 432 Lonsdale st (again haven't looked for Isabelle)

Haven't found him between 1937 and 1943

1943-1954 he's now living at 317 Beaconsfield Parade.

So presumably Harry knew Arthur when he moved in to live with them? Not sure what to make of his move to no 27 where Isabelle moved to previously.

Would love to hear from anyone that knew of stories or knowledge of him, as i know absolutely nothing at all.

Though i have to say that the fact that he's moved in with another soldier that he'd served with makes me more confident that this Harry I'm following is in fact my Grandfather.


I have been told that there are further records for him, but am having major problems getting anything from them, this is an e-mail that i had from the dept of Veteran affairs; (Good service, they replied promptly every time)

Good afternoon, Ms Hogben

Our records indicate that an old client file for Harry Powis (S/Sgt, 59th Btn, 5th Div - service number: 996) does exist.  You may obtain access to this file (under the Archives Act 1983 - as all the records on the file are >30 years old) by making application to the National Archives of Australia (NAA).

Their contact details are:  National Archives of Australia, PO Box 7425, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT, 2610.  Their phone and fax numbers are:  1300 886 881 and 1300886 882 respectively.  Alternatively, you can email them at:  ref[at]naa.gov.au

When you contact NAA, you will need to specify that the DVA WW1 client file is held in the Burwood repository in Melbourne.  You will also need to provide the following information for the NAA staff to locate the file:

DVA FILE NUMBER:  R98858

CONSIGNMENT NUMBER:  B73/69

BOX NUMBER:  136

The service dossiers for WW1 veterans are also available from NAA, but you should note that these records are separate and distinct from any DVA files.  To obtain a copy of the service dossier, an email should be sent to the NAA address as above, and specify that you would like a copy of the WW1 service dossier.  Your grandfather's WW1 service number was 996.

National Archives should be able to advise you of any fees or charges that may apply to requests for access to information held by them.

I trust that this information will assist you with your research.  If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards

Rhonda Blair
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
National FOI Processing Team
Department of Veterans' Affairs
P:  02 9213 7778   |    F:  02 9213 7400
(Internal:  x27778)
e-mail:  Rhonda.Blair[at]dva.gov.au

Problem is I've contacted the NAA quite a few times, and am getting no joy(or replies).

I had one reply after a few weeks telling me about Harry's war records, which I had already said that I had, so I wrote back explaining this, and what I'm really afer (his care files) but have had no reply now since the 9th april. Is this normal?

Don't know how else to get hold of these records if they're not responding.

Any suggestions on  a postcard please....

Sue hogben

[majm]

Hi Sue,

In the weeks leading up to 25 April, each year, the National Archives of Australia have a huge workload trying to cope with increasing interest about WW1 and WW2 and archival records.  Somewhere on one of the pages of their website I think I remember reading about a 30 day delay in some NON urgent matters but I could be wrong)... 

If I were chasing a Dept of Vet Affairs file via email ... this is how I would word the request

(Salutations etc)

National Archives of Australia

Re  DVA WW1 Client  file at your respository Burwood, MELBOURNE, specifically
DVA FILE NUMBER:  R98858
CONSIGNMENT NUMBER:  B73/69
BOX NUMBER:  136
Detail : an old client file for Harry Powis (S/Sgt, 59th Btn, 5th Div - service number: 996)

I have been advised that as this file is more than thirty years old, I may obtain access to this file.  This advice was provided by Senior Freedom of Information Officer National FOI Processing Team Department of Veterans' Affairs.

I seek access to this file.  Please advise me by return email, How I obtain access.

(Felicitations)

Of course the wording is up to you, and its only my own opinion as to how to proceed.  I'm not (and have never been) employed by either Vet Affairs or the Archives. 
Cheers,  JM

[majm]

Hi there,

At first glance,  TWO chaps named Harry Powis who served in the AIF in WW1. 

AA http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=8023047&I=1&SE=1

BB http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=8023046&I=1&SE=1

Notice that there's ONLY One digit difference in their archived files.  So, take care 

AA One was born Staffordshire, and when he enlisted he was aged 38 years, 8 months.  His N of K was his wife, Olive, who lived in Victoria (Australia). He enlisted 14 March 1917.  His service number was 6870.  He was 5 ft 7 1/2 inches tall.
BB One was born Hackney, and when he enlisted he was aged 26 years 7 months, was 5 ft 7 inches tall.  Next of K was his mother, in Essex.  His service number was 996.

AA had dark brown hair, grey eyes and a scar on left wrist, 5 Vaccination scars on left arm
BB had "scanty" brown hair, grey eyes and a scar on left knee, 3 Vaccination scars on right arm
They had different CHEST measurements     

Also, BB was in Auxiliary Hospital in England from Oct 1916 until March 1918  and
AA was a member of the Military Police in Melbourne Australia from March 1916 until embarking for Devonport England in May 1917. 
 
"BB" received his discharge in Australia on 28 Sept 1920 at 3rd Military District arriving back on  the  "Kigoma"  HE HAD MARRIED in England 17 Oct 1919 Nellie Louise FURBY.
"AA" received his discharge in Australia on 12 May 1919 at 3rd Military District arriving back on the "Port Napier"

Hope that helps !  Although it does not show which Harry was the one living in 1925 at 16 Laburnham St Melbourne living with Arthur and Issabelle Irwin

Cheers,  JM

[tropicalj]

Hello  Sue

We can see by  the records on  the NAA that your Harry Powis was the chap with the regimental number 996

Two deaths in Victoria

POWIS Harold died aged 75 in 1957 at Melbourne reg no 12614
Parents details unknown
Buried in the Melbourne Cemetery
Church of England - Monumental Compartment P Section 12 Grave 29
buried 10/10/1957

POWIS Harry  died  aged 71 in 1948 at Bleigh reg no 5176
Father Edward POWIS mother Mary Tucket

Jenn

[aniph]

There is a tree on Ancestry showing Harry.

Says father is Edward John POWIS b 1860
Mother not named.

Annie

[aniph]

I wonder if this was your Harry in 1891 Census

Name: Henry C Powis
Age: 4
Estimated birth year: abt 1887
Relation: Son
Father's Name: Thomas
Mother's Name: Alice M
born: Hackney, London, England
 
Civil parish: Bethnal Green
Ecclesiastical parish: St John
 
Thomas Powis 33
Alice M D Powis 32
Thomas L Powis 6
Henry C Powis 4
Alfred F Powis 1

Cheers
Annie
 
 

[aniph]

1901 census

Same family but listed as POVIS

Annie

[tropicalj]

Hello  there Annie

There is a copy of his marriage crtificate in his WW1 records and  that has his father as Edward John Powis (deceased) metal buyer.

thanks Jenn

[aniph]

Thanks Jenn

Back to the drawing board then:D

Annie