Grandfather jailed for bigamy - missing link

[avm228]

So glad you were able to make contact

As Debra says, it all points to Gordon Roland Markerson and Gordon Richard Markinson being one and the same person, doesn't it.

It would be fascinating to see any surviving military records of his.

I have to say it does seem surprising, given his supposed birthdate of Dec 1900 (or even 1904-5 as per the 1st marriage cert), that he would be joining the Army as late as about 1944. Could it have been a cover story for his trips to Leeds?

I also have a niggling doubt about whether he was really a bachelor when he married Phyllis in 1934, or whether he might have a secret past under another name.

[avm228]

In 1901 he is coachman at a livery stables.  Born Westby Lincs.

George R age 32
Wife Sarah A 40
daughter Emily R 3
boarder Edward Storey 17 who is a groom

Would be interesting to see if the R stood for Roland!  He only admits to one child in 1911.

The R in George R Wilson's name may be for Rockett - can't quite pin him down at birth or in 1871, but he may have been born before the marriage of his mother Emily Rockett to George Wilson, Mar qtr 1869 Goole.

[ljuk]

There is a George WILSON (Horse Breaker) living in Southwell, Nottinghamshire in 1911. Southwell being about 9 miles from Newark. Maybe worth following up?

In 1881 he is with his mother Emily ("husband out") & siblings Kate, Willie, Charlie & Frank at 154, Cheapside, Worksop, Notts.

He's not with the family in Southwell in 1891 (RG12 / Piece: 2707 / Folio: 54 / Page: 19).

His father George (b.1846, Kirkby, Lincs) is working as a Stud / Groom / Domestic Servant.

[Milliepede]

Just for thoroughness of investigation the other colt breaker George Baker from Sussex was married to Agnes and had 11 children by 1911.   

1901 - colt breaker
1891 - colt breaker
1881 - coachman

Don't think he is the George we are after but never know with this one.  He does have a son called George born 1875.

Son George a coachman marries Kate and is with her and their 3 children Viletta 4 George 2 Ada 1 in 1901.  So there we have another George.  I wonder now if Gordon was really a George.

[avm228]

I have a horrible feeling that GRM's birth name may be something entirely different from what we have seen.

On the family rumour that he was "named after the famous jockey, Gordon Richards" - Gordon Richards was champion jockey in the following years:

1925, 1927-1929
1931-1940
1942-1953

So if our man was into the horses and wanted to pluck an appropriate alibi out of the air (say) when he met Phyllis and married her in 1934, "Gordon Richard" might well have appealed.

Added: hmmm, though he actually called himself Gordon Roland when he married Phyllis, didn't he.

Perhaps I'll do a timeline!

[Milliepede]

Totally agree.  His real birth name could be absolutely anything.  And if his name is wrong it stands to reason his fathers name - surname at least - on the certificates is also wrong. 

The puzzle is why would he need a fake name for marriage number one if there was nothing to hide?  Unless, as I think you mentioned previous, it wasn't marriage number one!

Who was he between birth and marriage

[avm228]

Here's a summary so far:

GRM timeline

Birthplace: possibly London (Highbury/Arsenal) per 2nd family tradition; Newark per prison records.
Mother: possibly French. Father: horse breeder. Siblings: Frederick, Rosemary - all per 2nd family tradition; GRM claimed they all died in WW2, and that his birth records had been destroyed in a fire.

1899-1900: Birthdate, per 2nd marriage cert.

1900 (9 Dec): Birthdate, per death registration.

1904-1905: Birthdate, per 1st marriage cert

1934 (3 Feb): Gordon Roland MARKERSON (bach, 29, engineer) marries Phyllis Emily OAKLEY (17), Aylesbury reg office.  His father George, a colt breaker (decd).  Bride & groom both of Swan House, Cuddington. Witnesses likely related to Phyllis.

1934 (Sep qtr): Son born, first marriage.

1938 (Mar qtr): Daughter born, first marriage (now decd).

1940 (Jun qtr): Daughter born, first marriage.

1944-5 (abt): Left his family and went to join the Army (per first family).  Served in Green Howards, Claypit Lane, Leeds (per second family, who have a portrait of him in the Green Howards).

1945 (April): Son born, first marriage (now decd).

1945 (10 Sep): Gordon Richard MARKINSON (bach, 45, tram car cleaner) marries Nora REDDINGTON (40), Leeds. His father George, decd (no occupation stated).  Marriage witnessed by friends Margaret McPherson & Daniel Hopkins (now deceased).

1947 (Sep qtr): Son born, second marriage.

1948 (Mar qtr): Son born, second marriage.

1949 (22 Oct): GRM imprisoned as Gordon Rowland MARKERSON, Armley Jail (Leeds), for bigamy.

1950 (9 Jan): GRM released from prison.

1951 (Mar qtr): Son born, second marriage.

1956 (Sep qtr): GRM attends Aylesbury wedding of eldest son from first marriage. Not seen again by him.

1958 (Jun qtr): Phyllis MARKERSON nee OAKLEY remarries – new name CHOWNS.

1971 (26 Mar): Dies as Gordon Richard MARKINSON (retired railway platelayer), Leeds.  Second family believe he had worked for the GNER.

1972 (Dec qtr): Death of Phyllis Emily CHOWNS formerly MARKERSON nee OAKLEY, Oxford.

1975 (Mar qtr): Death of Norah [sic] MARKINSON, Leeds.

[avm228]

I do think the Assize papers from the bigamy trial, if available, may be illuminating.

I wonder whether candleflame got anywhere with this similar inquiry?:

www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=505023.0

[candleflame]

Hi
I've been following this thread with interest. However no I have not as yet been able to do anything about visiting either Leeds/Wakefield or National Archives simply due to expense and working, so its on the waiting list of things to do - a bit like all those certificates that you would LOVE to get but are not absolutely essential.
Was bouyed by the fact that the poster had received a reply from the Wakefield Archives. I was curious as to whether they would have had to pay for that archive search as most archives charge these days it would appear. I don't mind that they have to charge as they have had budget cuts, but I have to be realistic as to how I spend on this what can be quite expensive hobby/passion. ( subs just been renewed on my one annual online sub to a well known provider