My Grandfather Frank (Patrick) Vary, Life between 1905 and 1921

[Annie65115]

I'm still a bit worried about whether Patrick born in Aug 1901 and Frank born in Feb 1902 are actually the same person.

I've found the WW1 Surrey regimental Army rolls where Patrick is mentioned,it says he attested on 1/8/1922 at Kingston on Thames into the Queen's Royal West Surrey and was aged 21. He was a labourer,born in Bedford and his mother was Ellen Vary,36 Foster Road ,West Croydon. Sounds like he wasn't very good at maths or added a year to his age to make himself seem older.

But the very first post states that he joined up in 1919 in Liverpool!

 

[carol8353]

I couldn't find a 1919 record just this one.

Name:    Patrick Vary
Birth Year:    abt 1901
Birth Place:    Bedford, Bedfordshire
Event Date:    1 Aug 1922
Event Place:    Kingston-on-Thames
Age:    21
Regiment Number:    7076155
Regiment:    Queen's Royal West Surrey

[Alan Vincent]

Carol you are correct; Patrick Vary but born 13th Feb 1902. Bedford. Army Number Correct.

[Annie65115]

So far, as far as I can tell, we have --

different reported birth dates
different reported names (Frank? Patrick?)
unknown wherabouts
Possible desertioin by father with a subsequent bigamous marriage (but if this was the right Thomas, then Frank/Patrick was conceived whilst he supposedly "married" to Alice Vickery so that could open a whole new can of worms)
different dates and places for attestation into the army

With all that, I wouldn't rule out 10 yr old Frank Reen as a Barnardo's boy.

Just to add to the fun, there are various court reports naming Ellen Vary -- don't know if it's the same Ellen, but one in 1893 for allegedly stabbing her husband, and many over the years, mostly in the south east of England, for being drunk and disorderly.

In Oct 1902, one Ellen Vary was begging in New Bond St and George St - this was reported in the Bath Chronicle and I get the impression these were local addresses, not London ones. She appeared in court with a baby in her arms, saying her husband had deserted her.

[Annie65115]

Alan, do you have a copy of your grandfather's birth certificate? I'm curious as to who registered the birth - was it Ellen, Thomas or someone else?

[cath151]

Yes, several mentions of an Ellen Vary in the papers, usually a hawker and drunk and disorderly.
IN 1923 there are a couple of pieces, one mentioning Ellen Vary (54) of Foster Road, Croydon.
Also in 1901, a mention of an Ellen Brown alias Vary, 34.
Also a mention in 1923 where an Ellen Vary arrested in Portsmouth, stated she came from Ireland,and was looking for her son.
Several mentions but different locations so hard to say its the same person, indeed if it is your Ellen.

Cathy

[Annie65115]

Indeed we can't be sure, but it's an habitual pattern of behaviour and an unusual name and I anticipate that at least some (if not all) refer to the same person.

[Alan Vincent]

Annie65115, sorry for delay in replying to your question, yes l do have copy of birth cert, details are Born 13th Feb 1902 Union Workhouse Bedford. Name Frank, the birth was registered by V. J. Barlow, Master Union Workhouse on the 22nd Feb 1902.
As for Ellen, l have copies of newspaper reports where she was arrested for being Drunk & Disorderly on 3 occasions, firstly The Kent & Sussex Courier July 18th 1900, The Bath Chronicle Oct 30th 1902, (also mentions baby in arms, my Grandfather ??) then The Gloucester Citizen Dec 19th 1902 again mention of baby in arms. (She got around).