Looking for family of Raymond Shepherd of the crashed Halifax bomber in Holland.

[David Van Coolwijk]

Hello everyone,

Thanks again for the earlier help with my research into Sgt. Raymond Shepherd (Service No. 929961), air gunner of Halifax JB803, 77 Squadron RAF. With your assistance I have confirmed that his mother was Ada H. Shepherd (née Corke), listed as a widow in the 1939 Register, living at 28 Belfort Place, Great Yarmouth. She is recorded by CWGC as his mother and next of kin.

However, one puzzle remains:
In my Air Ministry correspondence from April 1946, a letter is addressed to “B. Shepherd, Esq.” — presumably Raymond’s father or possibly a guardian. Yet CWGC lists only Ada.

Renewed Research Question:

Does anyone have access to Raymond Shepherd’s birth certificate (likely c.1921–22, Great Yarmouth) which should confirm his father’s full name?

Could the 1939 Register or earlier census/voter rolls provide more clarity on who “B. Shepherd” was?

Was Ada a widow before or after Raymond’s birth?

Why this matters:

Establishing exactly who the official Next of Kin was helps to complete both the genealogical and commemorative record.

Understanding why the Air Ministry wrote to a “B. Shepherd, Esq.” while CWGC only lists Ada may shed light on family circumstances, legal guardianship, or administrative inconsistencies.

What I already have:

CWGC entry: “Son of Ada Shepherd, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk” (no father mentioned).

IBCC Losses / MREU records confirm his grave at Muiden, the Netherlands.

Forum discussions suggest Ada was a widow in 1939 with one closed entry in the Register at her address (likely Raymond).

A possible connection to a James Shepherd has been suggested but is unconfirmed.

What I am hoping for:

Someone with access to GRO records who can check/order Raymond’s birth certificate.

Any lookups from Ancestry/Findmypast for Norfolk parish records, probate, or newspapers that mention a B. Shepherd linked to Ada and Raymond.

Leads on family notices or obituaries that might clarify parentage and NOK.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If I receive concrete details (certificate, scans, records), I’ll gladly share them here to close the loop for future researchers.

With thanks in advance,
David van Coolwijk
(Netherlands – independent researcher into Halifax JB803)

[Annette7]

Hello again David

I found Ada on 1921 census as Ada H. Corke   single   Tailor's Stitcher (out of work)  born Yarmouth, Norfolk - she's a boarder at a Boarding house run by a Beatrice Fortescue at 20 Richmond Street, Southend on Sea, Essex (Rochford registration district) and her age is even further out, this time given as 28 years 6 months ie.bc.1893.   1921 census was on 19th June and her age should have been 37 years 5 months!!!!

I then looked at the GRO index which lists full christian names and the illegitimate birth of a Raymond S Corke in Sept.qtr 1921 Rochford (which I mentioned before) was indeed for a Raymond Shepherd Corke.  I have ordered a PDF copy of certificate and will post the outcome in due course (will be around 4 days).

His entry on 1939 register with mother Ada is no longer redacted and he appears as Raymond Shepherd with a birthdate of 2nd August 1921.  His occupation given as 'Shoe and Slipper Clicker'.  Hopefully this will agree with birthdate on the birth certificate. 

As to Mr. B. Shepherd - I have no doubt that someone with such a name was Raymond's father but can find no likely candidate in the Yarmouth or Southend on Sea areas whose Christian name began with a B.   I fear he will forever remain an enigma.

Annette 

[Annette7]

Have received the PDF of Raymond Shepherd Corke's birth certificate and as you can see he was indeed born on 2nd August 1921 at Southend on Sea, Essex, illegitimate son of Ada Hannah Corke (who later lived as Ada H Shepherd, widow although she never actually married).

One can only speculate as to what Raymond was told by his mother.   Did he know he was actually born illegitimate or was he told his father was a Mr. B. Shepherd and believed he was dead since his mother lived as a widow?  Who can say.

At least we have his correct birth details now.

Annette

[David Van Coolwijk]

Thank you so much for all your efforts and for sharing this valuable information. Thanks to you, we now at least have clarity regarding Raymond’s birth details. I fear that Raymond Shepherd will always remain something of a mystery, but your research has certainly brought us a step further. Unfortunately, I can’t see any further leads either, and it does seem likely that he may have been an only child.

Once again, many thanks for all your help!

Best regards,
David