Alf Thomas - the Welsh Harry Lauder

[DebNZ]

Hi from New Zealand

I'm trying hard to find some family details for Alf Thomas, known in the 1920s and thereabouts as the "Welsh Harry Lauder."  I'm trying to prove a connection, or otherwise, with the family of John Hugh Thomas b. 1886 Swansea. At this stage I'm thinking he is a cousin of the family - at one stage I thought both men were the same person (Alf possibly being a stage name). John Hugh Thomas was also a music hall performer.  Does anyone know anything about either family please?

Cheers
DebNZ

[Romilly]

Hi DebNZ,

I noticed that there is a signed postcard of Alf Thomas currently for sale:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01hgl/

HTH, Romilly.

[heywood]

Romilly, the sale is closed now 

There are several photos on here but no biographical detail. You may have found this already DebNZ.

http://sdrc.lib.uiowa.edu/traveling-culture/chau1/pdf/cambrian/1/brochure.pdf

[DebNZ]

Yep

[DebNZ]

I would be delighted if i could just find John Hugh Thomas' marriage to Annie Taylor, or a record of his death (she remarried in 1928 so presumably he was dead by then.  So frustrating!

[EmyrBorth]

Hi
Search on Welsh Newspapers Online suggests that there were a number of people known as 'Welsh Harry Lauder' , but that THE ' W H R' was Alf Thomas, Swansea.
There is a marriage on Free BMD,  John H Thomas to either Ann Taylor or Lavina B Woodward, Prestwich Registration District 8d 441 quarter ending March 1911. Also a baptism on, '1920 - 1922 - Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerk Project', 1920, born 1913 :
  Baptism: 26 Feb 1920 St Stephen, Harpurhey, Lancashire, England
Margaret May Thomas - Child of John Hugh Thomas & Annie
    Born: 10 May 1913
    Abode: 53 Middlewood St.
    Occupation: Music Hall Artist
    Baptised by: J. H. Beeley
    Register: Baptisms 1911 - 1929, Entry 1785
    Source: LDS Film 2113187

Emyr

[despair]

FreeBMD has 6 children with surname Thomas,mother's maiden name Taylor,births registered in Prestwich district,between 1911 and 1922.I won't name them in case any are still alive in accordance with Rootschat policy.

Regards
Roger

[heywood]

They look good finds Emyr and Roger.

According to 1901 census and 1911 indexes, that John H Thomas was born Amlwch, Anglesey as was the rest of the family in 1901 - no Swansea connection. 

DebNZ
Where was Annie living when she remarried?

[despair]

There is a newspaper report of 27th October 1914 which refers to a concert given to soldiers in Swansea by Alf Thomas,who also seems to be described as "a popular comedian" at this stage.
In the report there are references to "little Miss Iris Thomas" and "Master Ivor Thomas".This I think allows this family to be identified on the 1911 census.Though I can't quote this it leads me to think that Alf is the son(born circa 1879) of Warren Thomas(tailor) ,and that he may have married Mary Ann Morgan in 1898.

Regards
Roger