Wow! Thank you so much everyone!
Adrian, I do believe that was my relative! This is what I have been able to confirm:
John and Mary Flannery married in India in 1861, together they had 4 children, Patrick 1863, Julia 1864, John 1868 and Edward 1870, all born in India. Sometime after Edward's birth, John and Mary died (I am unsure of the cause, a handwritten note from my grandmother states she believed they had contracted a disease and died from it mid 1870's in India). All four children went to live in various workhouse in England. I know that Patrick Sr and John went to the Medway Union Workhouse. I also know from my grandmother's note that Patrick Sr served in the Boer war and that he was released from duty due to illness. He married a Maud Eldridge. I am unsure of how my grandmother and her brother (Patrick Jr) came to be. What I do know for certain is that Patrick and my grandmother's mother both worked at the same place and it resulted in 2 children. Her name was Florence Edith Rose Cook. My grandmother was Edith Joan Flannery born in 1911 and her brother Patrick was born shortly after Patrick Sr's death in 1913. They came to Canada, sponsored by the Salvation Army, in July of 1920, in hopes of a better life. My grandmother's note suggests that they were born out of wedlock as a result of an affair. My grandmother's birth certificate says her name was Flannery at the time of birth, however when she came to Canada, her last name, as well as her brother and mother, are listed as Cook.
I did not know that Edward came to Canada also. To the best of my knowledge, neither did my grandmother. I do not believe she knew much of her father at all and was always lead to believe that it was kept secret until just before they came to Canada. Again, with everyone having passed away many years ago, there is no way for me to confirm this.
I am so happy that you all have recognized the uniform as it gives me a new place to start looking for my family. I have always hit a huge road block when it comes to that side of the family because so little was known of my grandmother's parentage.
Thank you all so very much!!!
