Why was Regina Mary in South Africa?

[Spidermonkey]

Not sure this is going to help much, but here is an approx timeline of info found so far:

1872 - Regina Mary Spurway born
1894 - RMS marries Adrian Fresney Bell
1896 - Adrian George Fresney Bell born
1897 - Adrian Fresney Bell dies
1898 - Regina Mary Bell marries Roland Nielson
1900 - Phyllis Maud Dorothy Nielson born
1903 - Elsie Maud Burgess born
1907 - Regina Mary Burgess gives evidence in court
1911 - on census, Regina Mary Burgess described as widow
1911 - (July) Regina Mary Burgess marries Frederick Hopewell
1912 - Regina goes to court seeking legal separation from Frederick Hopewell
1919 - Adrian George Fresney marries with surname Burgess
1939 - Regina and Frederick Hopewell living together
1940 - Frederick Hopewell dies
1946 - Regina Mary Hopewell dies, probate to Joseph Worton

[Spidermonkey]

In memoriam notice from 1947:

Hopewell, Regina Mary - Loving memories of my dearest mother, April 19th 1946.  Sadly missed and remembered always, Elsie, Joe and family

[groom]

That about sums it up also

1939:  28 Park Street , Nottingham   with Frederick Hopewell, so she didn't leave him, or they got back together.

So Elsie considered Regina to be her mother. I'm just wondering whether I can find any living relatives of Elsie who may be able to throw some light on it. I'll have a hunt around.

[Spidermonkey]

Have amended timeline above to include 1939 and also Frederick's death.

[groom]

I've found several trees that include the family, but none have Elsie's father on them! They give her birth as Fort Klipdam, Peitersburg, Transvaal, but no sources. It could well be that one put that and the rest just copied! 

[Spidermonkey]

Have you seen Adrian jnr's baptism on Ancestry?  I can't make out the comment that is written in the left hand border.  He was born 25 Oct 1896 and baptised May 6 1898 at St Mathews, Enfield

[groom]

Yes I have that, but hadn't noticed the bit in the margin, I can't read it either. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that his father was dead by then? Under father's occupation it has House decorator. Dec? But he was definitely dead, luckily he had a distinctive name, so no doubt:  1897
Registration Quarter   Oct-Nov-Dec 1897
Age at Death   26
Registration district   Edmonton

I've attached a snip from the baptism to see if anyone can read it

[nestagj]

Sorry not on my laptop but what happened to Phyllis ....did she due a spinster ?

[nestagj]

That about sums it up also

1939:  28 Park Street , Nottingham   with Frederick Hopewell, so she didn't leave him, or they got back together.

So Elsie considered Regina to be her mother. I'm just wondering whether I can find any living relatives of Elsie who may be able to throw some light on it. I'll have a hunt around.

Agreed will work down the line tomorrow f no one else has