Thomas Isaac Brett

[Mundell]

Thomas Isaac Brett b. 18th Oct. 1868, Newbridge, Shalfleet, I.O.W. was my Grandfather. 
I can trace him on I.O.W until the 1881 Census. 

Can anyone fill the gap between 1881 and 1899 when he married my Grandmother Florence Sarah Flint in Clapham, Wandsworth.  At the time of their marriage, he named himself Thomas Inchichoff Brett.

I have her and their children on census returns to 1911.   

I know that from about 1899 he travelled to East Africa working there either as a mining engineer or as a timber merchant.   Various forms of 'his' name appear on ship's passenger lists to East Africa.  I cannot find him on any census after 1881. 

He does appear to be a bit mysterious!   He died in 1836.


If anyone has further information, I would be very pleased to hear from them.

Regards,  Mary

[lizdb]

I guess he was travelling between 1881 and 1899 too, and was away for the 1891 census.

There are various entries for Thomas Brett on the incoming pasenger lists, eg Thomas Brett age 25, Clerk, ariving from New York in 1894. This may or may not be him on an earlier trip abroad.

[Mundell]

Hello lizdb,

Thanks for your response.  I had not thought of checking passenger lists further back so I will do that.  Is there another site apart from 'findmypast' that would be helpful?  I tried to find out when he applied for a passport but that was such a tortuous process and expensive, and information limited, so I gave up.  He definitely worked in West (not east as I stated) Africa, from 1899.  He seems to have been an elusive character.  However, there was quite a large family, several of whom I met (now dead unfortunately), so he certainly travelled home regularly!  If only I had thought to ask these questions years ago.

Regards Mary

[Ann E]

Hi
I have found a newspaper report, Thomas Brett sen & his son [your] Thomas who are witness to an accident.
Thomas had been playing with Arthur Ernest Jupe who had a gun & a pistol………. & when they were crossing a ditch the gun went off killing Arthur,……… Thomas was so frighten he ran home & didn’t tell his father until the next day, ………..Thomas Brett [sen] said live at New park I am a labourer & work for Mr Jupe ………. 
I will PM you
Ann

[gortonboy]

hi,,The reason you cannot find  Thomas is because he joined the Royal Artillery in 1887,,,number 64469
he served
home 1887 to 1889
India 1889 to 1895
home 1895 to 1899   

[Mundell]

Hello,

Thank you for that.  Yes the 1881 census is correct - father Thomas - mother Jane etc. so that confirms your finding.

Please tell me how you found that information.  I have been so stumped about this gap.  Can I find out more?

Regards

[gortonboy]

hi,,his service record is available on findmypast 

[Mundell]

Thanks.  Will look it up.

[Mundell]

Hello,  My goodness, where did you find this?  Perhaps there is more there about the family for me to search for.

Regards